Fated To My Lycan Stepbrothers
Chapter 72

Zeke Storm

Flame spent the next few hours overseeing the repairs and talking to the children to reassure them. Despite his tough exterior, Flame had a way of connecting with them, making them feel safe. As the day wore on, I realized I didn't even have my bath before leaving the house. Great. "You didn't complete your sentence flame. How was dad able to control all these without going insane?"

"He worked with his wolf." Flame doffed his hat for one of the children.

"You work so well with the children." I pointed out.

"You know I don't. I am just adapting to their emotions. They are brats." I knew it! Flame was such a jerk.

"Was that why you allowed me to bully Naya?"

"There you go, blame it on me. We are supposed to take responsibility in making things right. You screwed it up." Flame handed his handkerchief to a crying child. "He better not snort on this fabric. "You are a jerk."

"And you are me."

Urgh! He was right again.

"Dad was always so... alone despite having Marley by his side. Marley was like his hope. That's why I am kind to her. However, she is beginning to piss me off."

I wondered why. "Why?"

"She is trying to take our mate's place. Do you think I haven't noticed her advances in you? You will fall, Zeke." Flame had a way of knowing things. It was scary because he was like a part of me that never revealed themselves until provoked. He seemed damn right provoked. "Where the heck is the X patrol team?" He growled, causing the walls to rumble in protest.

"Here, Alpha." A man with a shaved head stepped forward. We didn't hear him coming and..

"What is your name?" Flame stretched out his hands to receive the documents in them." To me he smirked wickedly. "Watch and learn, Zeke. I won't be helping you again. This was what dad taught me when you were snoring your a*s off. Kyle's better than you." Yeah, I forgot to add that he was a version of me that was sarcastic and tolerated no failure. Do all wolves behave like Flame? Anyway, I was glad. This was the most we have spoken together in many months. It hit me like a brick. I have been too callous to my own wolf. He was a part of me, but I shut him out... made him feral. Bullying Naya was the only way he could be let out.

He had no choice but to do it. "I am sorry buddy. I should have let you out more often."

"Is that remorse I smell? Never apologize." He handed the document back to him after signing some s**t I couldn't even remember. "Here you go, Apollo?"

"It's Spool, sir." The man injected.

Flame's eyes flashed red. "Spool, do me a favor and station the boys at the construct. You guys are doing a shitty job." He growled at his face. It said a lot of things. Like how he would be deprived of sleep until morning. "You allowed the blood moon to infiltrate the pack."

Spool stood still immediately. His shoulders were tense and his muscles were stiff as Flame circled him. I was surprised he allowed his Alpha power to slip through as if his presence already wasn't intimidating at all. "I wasn't aware of that, Alpha."

Flame locked his gaze on Spool who didn't dare look into my eyes. He knew if he did that, it wouldn't end well. It would be an act of defiance. "Because you were sleeping. Can't do both jobs huh?" He was already far gone. My talons extended before I could stop it and sharp fangs elongated from my teeth. It wasn't my fault. I gently tugged on my mind strings.

"Hey, leave the man alone."

"Speak to me." Flame wasn't paying attention. He was onto the man and never letting go.

Flame's voice dripped with sarcasm as he continued his tirade. "Spool here is such a talented multitasker, aren't you, Spool? Taking a nap while our territory gets infiltrated. Brilliant strategy, really." Spool was visibly trembling now, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "I-I'm sorry, Alpha Flame. It won't happen again."

Flame grinned, but it was the kind of smile that sent shivers down everyone's spine. "Oh, I know it won't, Spool. Because if it does, I might just have to remove you. Permanently. Or delegate the task of pack disciplinarian to our dear Reid here. And trust me, you wouldn't want that."

Oh... I don't think Reid would like to babysit a grown man. Hell, I can't believe Reid accepted to be my beta. I wouldn't have asked him with a straight face when he has a family. I couldn't help but feel a strange mix of pity and guilt for Spool. Flame was being ruthless, and it was clear he was thoroughly enjoying it. But then again, this was his way of maintaining order within the pack. What exactly was Spool doing while a monster penetrated the wall, dropped the envelope and ran away.

"Flame!" I tugged urgently before he would end a man's life and take away another's mate. It would kill them.

"What?" Flame growled back. He was inhumane now. His eyes screamed murder.

"Seriously, stop." If only I stopped him during the sessions he hurt Naya, maybe it wouldn't be like this.

"I don't want to."

"Naya won't be happy." I tried to appeal to his emotions.

He was getting increasingly angry. "Don't say her name in the middle of a discussion like that."

"Then our deal is off."

"I don't care. I can see her when you go to sleep."

"Never. I will engage the lock out system if you take over my body at night." I threatened carefully. This could go sideways. First, he would get threatened and ask me to take over my body or he would get more provoked and kill a man in front of the children. They would be traumatized forever! "Yes I can spar with Reid later or something. Even Naya."

It did not take long before Flame finally relented, retracting his claws and fangs. "You're lucky today, Spool. Consider this a warning. Now get back to work, and don't even think about slacking off again."

Spool nodded vigorously, practically sprinting away from the scene. Flame turned to me, his usual sarcastic grin replaced with something more genuine. "See, Zeke? Sometimes a little tough love is all they need to get back on track. I can't believe you thought I was going to kill him."

"You didn't stop me from thinking that way. If I consider the thought, it means you did too." I spat.

"You are right." I couldn't help but chuckle at Flame's unique way of handling pack matters. "You're something else, Flame."

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Just doing what needs to be done. Now, let's get back to the important stuff. We have a pack to protect and a family to look after, after all."

It was clear that Flame was more than just a jerk; he was a force to be reckoned with, and maybe, just maybe, I needed to embrace that side of myself a little more.

#

"The Alpha's burial. I wonder when it will happen." Someone whispered to her friend.

"I am tired of the whole waiting. Do you think I haven't thought about the Alpha?" Her friend replied.

"Clearly not so, because you are supposed to feel anxious all the time." The first woman sighed. "We should ask the maids working close to Dr. Ali.

"I suppose you women have nothing to do." Marley's voice interrupted their gossip with a loud voice. It was as if the words tasted bitter in her mouth. "Come with me, I'll give you something to do."

The women began to apologize immediately.

Yeah, Marley wasn't moved by it. "I said you low ranks should follow me. I have just the perfect job for you."

Marley's tone was laced with a hint of superiority as she led the gossiping women away from their hangout. I couldn't help but feel a pang of annoyance at the way she treated those lower in rank. It seemed Flame had a point about her trying to assert herself more than necessary.

She did the same for her daughter.

As I watched Marley march the women off to some task, Flame leaned in closer to me, his voice a low, sarcastic whisper. "Well, well, it seems our dear Marley has taken it upon herself to play the Alpha's enforcer now."

I couldn't help but chuckle at Flame's comment. "Seems like it. She's really trying to fill Dad's shoes."

Flame's eyes gleamed with mischief. "You know what, Zeke? I think it's time we put dear Marley to the test."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You mean like, have her gather information for us?" Where did that come from?

Flame nodded, a wicked grin forming. "Exactly. We'll feed her some nonsense, make it seem important, and have her report back to us. It'll be quite the show."