Fated To My Lycan Stepbrothers
Chapter 71

Zeke

Storm

A soft knock startled me. It was just six a.m., and I always wondered if someone could actually get decent sleep.

"Alpha, your presence is needed at the builders construction." We have just three minutes to get there. There has been another attack."

It was Reid's annoying voice that woke me from my slumber. "Go away, Reid. I am tired." By evening, I should be at the meeting in the Blood Moon Pack. "You need to be up and doing. Beta isn't here to attend to this issue himself."

"I hate you." I really did hate that he was the bearer of bad news. "Come in." He didn't wait for confirmation before stepping into my room like he owned it. Slipping into my shirt and sweatpants, I glared at him. "You do test my patience, Reid. I haven't had a rest since the night I was crowned."

"You look like shit." was his monotone reply.

"And whose fault is that? Give me updates."

"One would think I am your beta," he muttered under his breath, causing me to pause.

It actually gave me a good idea. "Why don't you become my beta? I mean, you served my father as his driver. You are no driver to me." I was offering him a chance to take the responsibility off my shoulders so that I could act like other teenagers and not like some bully Alpha with a bad attitude. He didn't reply for a long time, which had me looking at him in curiosity. "What do you say?"

"No." He said it, and I sighed. It was worth it anyway. "Look, Zeke. I am your spar manager, a camera, and many other things. The one thing I cannot become is a Beta. You of all people, should know what that implies."

Yeah, I understood his point. He already has a mate and could be sent on various missions of no return. The elders and pack leaders were probably taking it easy on me because I was young. I think I pulled out a gray hair yesterday. I was feeling old already. "I know. Let's go." There was no point in brushing my hair to make me look better. I needed them to know that I just woke up from sleep and I won't be needing anyone's annoyance.

My mind flashed back to my discussion with Marley. I lied to Marley to get her to drop the subject of mating. I wasn't going to reject Naya. It would turn me into a monster. Not when Flame has requested to see Naya.

"If you are tired, I could take over." Flame suddenly offered, "That is, if you remember our deal."

I sighed. "Take over. I need to rest anyway. However, don't kill anyone in your way."

"I can't promise you." He quickly said, shoving me back so that I watched like I wasn't in control of my body.

Flame stopped walking immediately after he took over my body. "Reid," he called harshly.

Reid turned and was about to say something, probably about the attack, when he saw my eyes. "Flame?"

"Do you have a problem with me?" Flame grunted, pointing in the distance.

"No.." Reid was quiet again. Just like me, he wasn't a man of many words. I briefly saw the look of fear in his eyes before it disappeared. I had to admit, Flame had a way of bringing out the fear in people. He was just that intimidating.

"Look there," Flame pointed at the distance. I didn't know what was there myself. "That's the secret entrance of the rival pack. Let me guess, they attacked the children's new cottage?"

"Yes." Reid nodded. The surprise question was evident on his face. How did Flame know and I didn't? I narrowed my eyes at the part he pointed at. That was the place I scanned yesterday night, yet I couldn't see it.

"That's because we don't work together." Flame answered my question for me. You could tell by his posture and meticulous attitude that it was Flame. He slowly raised my hands, digging under my armpits. "Someone didn't have a shower before going for inspection."

I gasped in betrayal. "Reid never told me it was an inspection. I was going to investigate an attack!"

"He will get his punishment from me." Flame wolfishly grinned. He was so old-school and placed his hands behind his back. "Reid." Flame called, his grin spreading further when Reid innocently turned. "You will be my beta."

Reid didn't appear surprised for some reason. "But Alpha..."

Flame raised his hands. "I know you have no experience whatsoever, but Zeke will need your help if he's to navigate this throne properly."

"I am you." I deadpanned.

"Potato, potato." Flame said playfully, causing me to cringe.

"Urgh, never do that again."

Flame wasn't finished with Reid yet. "Repair that fence and leave thorns on the floor."

"Yes, Alpha." Reid said. Even Reid couldn't disobey the command of his alpha.

"Be discreet. But don't do that before we investigate the problems." With that, Flame ventured toward the children's department. He didn't seem happy.

"The attack was mainly on children between 10 and 18 years of age." Reid continued.

Flame nodded in agreement. "They are looking for Naya."

I frowned. "Why? She isn't at the children's new cottage."

"That's because they underestimated Markey's love for keeping her child at the manor." Flame injected. It saddened me a lot. How come he knew all these things and I didn't? I have never felt so foolish or impersonated.

"This way, Alpha." Reid walked forward to clear the way while I was about to lash out at my wolf. There were wailing children here and there. The older children were chattering and making lots of noise. The Construct was a site where new buildings were constructed for the accommodation of older pups, who were being replaced by new pups every day. Our pack was expanding faster than I expected, and soon we would be going to competition wars to expand our territory.

"In case you are wondering why, Dad took me on little trips." Flame continued to t*****e me.

"Well, he didn't bother with me." I gritted my teeth.

"Do you want to know why dad was able to handle himself and not go insane from the ridiculous amount of work in his office?" Flame waved stiffly at an almost toothless girl. The chattering stopped as soon as everyone noticed me. They all looked sleepy in their baggy night clothes. Boys and girls alike disliked the morning and the weather it brought with it.

"Who is the house matron?" Flame called out to the group, who quieted down some more. The children looked at each other hesitantly until a small boy no older than fifteen timidly raised his hand. Her eyes were wide with fear. "I am Alpha," she said softly.

Flame nodded in acknowledgment. "What's your name?"

"I'm Kain," he replied.

Flame smiled gently, which was a stark contrast to his usual intimidating stance. "Kain, could you please show us the way to the attack arena and explain what happened during the attack?" He nodded enthusiastically, leading the way.

"We heard loud noises, and then the monsters from earlier in school showed up. They broke the fence and started thrashing everywhere. We were all scared, so we hid. Looney Bear, the house matron, tried to protect us, but they took her away." He shuddered at the thought.

Flame's expression darkened, and a low growl rumbled from deep within me, indicating his displeasure at hearing about the house matron's capture. We continued to follow Kain, listening as he described what he saw. When we reached the scene of the attack, it was clear that the children's new cottage had suffered significant damage. Broken windows, shattered furniture, and scorch marks marred the building's exterior.

"Is my child okay?" Some parents began to arrive with worry in their tones. It was like the time when the monsters attacked the school. I closed my eyes in worry. Would Flame handle their overwhelming emotions well? They were all looking at him like he had the ability to take away their sorrows. Technically, the Alpha was capable of keeping the pack safe. It only solidified my intention to go to the meeting. It might end up in a bloody fight, but I wouldn't mind.

Flame took charge immediately. "Reid, please inform the X patrol team that their presence is needed to secure the area. I want them posted here day and night. No one should get near this place without our knowledge." Flame turned his attention back to Kain. "Kain, you've been very brave," he said kindly. "We will do everything we can to rescue the house matron."

"Looney Bear."

Flame's eyes flashed with irritation and anger at his interruption. It was then that I knew that he still had a lot to learn from me. He has been so locked up inside that he has forgotten how to let go of emotions that seemed annoying to him. "Ah, yes. The Looney Bear and ensure the safety of everyone here."

Kain's eyes shone with tears, but he nodded in gratitude.