Chapter 33 Cade
It had been just after Rowan’s tantrum that my phone chimed, alerting me to the email that entered my inbox. I opened it and saw Arca Logistics Command had forwarded the message. The email read,
Captain Cade Green,
I scanned through the attachments in search of more information.
It seemed Dr. Zolkos had submitted the request paperwork soon after Rowan’s appointment.
The near immediate approval from my father sent alarm bells ringing.
Arca was a bureaucratic nightmare, and requests took plenty of time to process.
Plus, they rarely tasked someone as high-ranking as a General with processing these types of requests.
I tried to think if my father had ever mentioned Dr. Zolkos prior to this. What connection did they have besides their newly gained mutual interest in our pack’s omega? What was so special about Rowan that had them both biting at the bit to have her undergo more testing?
Her prolonged suppressant use was certainly unusual, but so far there had been no noticeable or lasting effects, other than the mildly abnormal DNA and blood test results, which could have been because of technical error.
The feeling that they were colluding to hide something sent a chill through me.
There were very few things that we would struggle to protect Rowan from, my father and Arca being at the top of the list. The email made it clear we needed to get Rowan out of Falcon City, and as far away from my father and Dr. Zolkos as possible.
My brother’s emergence from Rowan’s bedroom distracted me.
Disheveled and half-naked, he carried his shirt, and his fatigues were unbuttoned as he walked out grinning from ear to ear.
His look of satisfaction, the scent that blanketed him, and the noises that had earlier emanated from her room, told me all I needed to know.
He strode forward, plopping his massive form into the chair across from me at the table. It groaned in protest, trying desperately to hold his weight. His usual brooding demeanor seemed lightened in a way that only Rowan could accomplish.
“Addictive, isn’t it?” I asked out-loud.
Like a drug. She took my knot. So tight. Killian responded, opting to sign instead of speak.
“Good. She needs to be knotted more before she goes into heat again. She’ll have to be prepared to take what we give her. Her body will need it.”
“I volunteer,” Ryker offered as he sauntered into the kitchen in search of a late night snack.
He rifled through the cupboards, grabbing a few chocolate chip cookies and seating himself next to Killian.
Killian growled territorially at Ryker, who chuckled, “Down, Big Boy,” and patted him on the shoulder.
“I heard you knotting Kitten. Tell me everything. Did her cunt suck you in?!” Ryker said as he adjusted his hard-on and continued, “Fuck, my star player’s been craving her pussy.
I’m tired of only getting my dick sucked.
I’m one-hundred percent fucking her next.
Cade said I’m first in line to take her virgin ass. ”
Killian started growling again at his crudeness, shrugging Ryker’s resting hand off of his shoulder.
I have never seen him so protective of anyone, besides me of course.
Killian and I had always had each other’s backs.
He had certainly surprised me earlier when he carried the little brat out of the room, despite my insistence that she needed to be punished immediately for smashing all our mugs.
Not now. She’s crying, he had signed to me, adamant that she needed comfort rather than behavior correction.
Because we rarely disagreed, I conceded and let him take her, considering what he said. Did Rowan need more comfort? Did we need to change our tactics to acclimate her better? Her nightmares grew more frequent, likely stirred by the buried trauma and sudden loss of the life she once knew.
On the other hand, omegas required discipline; without it, they became bratty, defiant, and restless. She was certainly checking the boxes.
With Rowan, it was difficult to tell whether she was genuinely growing more submissive or simply continuing the act, especially after the stunt she pulled.
Controlling and manipulating her emotions was far more challenging than I had expected.
Given her skill at lying and pretending to be someone she wasn’t, she proved stubborn to bring to heel.
I rubbed my temples, frustration mounting.
“Pack meeting?” Talon questioned with a raised eyebrow as he joined us at the table.
“Killian was just about to tell us about how tight Kitten’s pussy was sucking in his kn…
” Ryker began, but Killian silenced him by lifting him from his seat, gripping his throat, and pinning him against the wall.
He growled furiously in his face, asserting his dominance and issuing a threat to Ryker.
“Enough!” I barked. “Killian put Ryker down. We have important things to talk about. I just received an approved science request. They want Rowan to come back for more samples.”
“That was fast. Can’t say I'm surprised though. Zolkos is a fucking creep, and he’s after something. If we're not careful, Rowan’s going to end up a test subject like I was,” Talon said as he cracked his knuckles. Was his wolf riding him again?
“That’s what concerns me. The other concerning piece of information is that my father is the one who issued the approval. He now seems to be overly interested in Rowan as well.”
At the mention of my father, Killian stilled, tension locking his muscles into rigidity.
What does he want with her? he signed.
“I don’t know. But it can’t be good. Nothing involving our father is,” I responded, out-loud so Talon and Ryker could follow our conversation.
We need to leave, Killian signed.
“I know we need to leave. Falcon City is not safe for Rowan anymore. It’s too close to my father and Zolkos. We should return to the Border Front Station. I had hoped to give you more time for recovery, but I think staying here would be more dangerous than leaving.”
Killian grunted, nodding in agreement.
“Is Arca going to let us return to the Front? Especially now that your dad and Dr. Creep are so interested in her?” Ryker questioned. His tone was serious for once.
“I don’t know. I can put in the transfer request and hope that higher-ups want us at the border more than they want Rowan here.
They’ve been eager for us to get back to our special assignments.
Our time here was limited anyway, and probably borrowed at this point.
I don’t want Rowan drawing any more attention.
Their interest right now is based purely on speculation.
I don’t want them to discover something that actually gives Arca Command a reason to keep us here.
We need to finish the pack mate too,” I said, glancing at Ryker.
He was the only one left who hadn’t marked Rowan. It would need to happen soon.
“I’m not gonna argue with you on that! I was just saying how tired I am of only getting my dick sucked!”
Talon rolled his eyes and clipped Ryker on the back of the head.
“Ouch. What the fuck, Tally?” he said, rubbing the spot Talon had smacked him.
“Okay, so it’s decided. I will put in a transfer request. Hopefully, it will override the approved science visitation that is scheduled for next week, and we are gone before Rowan has to see Zolkos again. Tomorrow, Ryker will need to finish marking her.”
“I’m on checkpoint duty at 0800,” he reminded me.
“I’ll trade my shift with you. Just get it done soon. I watched the other alphas when we walked her through the hallway. They tried to hide the desire, but their eyes lingered too long. Her scent is too tempting. I wouldn’t put it past any of them to try something before our pack mate is complete.”
“On it, boss!” Ryker said with a salute.
“Oh, and I remember what I told you. Stay away from her ass. I mean it. At least for now. Rowan isn’t too happy with us, and I don’t want to give her any more of a reason to launch dishware. All we have left are plates, and I think her aim is improving.”
Speak for yourself. Crane’s happy with me, Killian signed, snorting and crossing his arms. A smug expression lined his face.
“What the fuck, Cade! I’ve been patient. Everyone else has already had a turn at…” Ryker protested as Talon clipped him on the back of the head again.
“Stop fucking hitting me, Talon!” He winced in pain.
“Maybe if you had self-control, I wouldn’t have to spank and choke you all the time, Ryker,” Talon said as a smirk ghosted over his lips.
“Enough, both of you,” I ordered, rubbing my temples, exasperated from dealing with the three of them.