The Alphas Wonder Land Phoenix Mountain Book 9
Chapter 2

I pick up three tickets to the biggest human event of the year.

The anniversary of the No. 1 Steam Engine.

I stand in front of my full length mirror. My long on top, red hair is combed nicely to the side. My blue eyes scan my clean shaven face. I fix my bow tie and straighten my black suit jacket.

“Looking good my friend.”

I glance to my bedroom door and see my Beta, Matt Jorden, leaning on the doorframe.

“Thanks.” I mutter.

“You know. You could enjoy the party and not be in job mode.” He grins. He stabs red, spikey hair.

I shrug as I grab the tickets, my wallet and keys. I go to my closet and grab my watch with satellite capabilities, my belt with pockets filled with mini tranquilizer darts. I pull out my gun and put it in my detector deflecting holster.

“I’m not going to have fun, Matt.” I grumble as I walk to my dresser. I open the top drawer of my dresser and pull out my knife. I lift my pant leg and tie it to my leg. “I’m just going to complete a mission and I’ll be back here before your next porn show is over.”

“Whatever, loser.” He smirks.

I flip my phone open and activate Hunters app for detecting the energy signature of the piece.

“Ok. What about the hot chick?” He asks.

“What about her?” I ask as I make sure my cuff link GPS works. My neural link is placed behind my ear, and my bracelet panic button is put on my wrist.

“You seemed to have something there.” He said as he scrubbed his squared jaw. His t-shirt pulled on his toned body, but none of us red wolves are big like the other wolves.

We’re fast, smart and sneaky as shit, but not heavyweights by any means.

It’s one of the reasons we relied so heavily on the Phoenix. She gave us our strength. Our extra power to fight the Alliance. It also helped that we really didn’t worry about death.

But that’s all a distance memory now. Since Zander took over, we’re a pack of maybe 500. Minus the ones in prison or out in the wilderness, of course. I’m constantly bombarded by requests to get them out, but I’m not stupid. They aren’t defectors like me and Matt. As soon as it was realized we had our asses handed to us, we cut the deal with the occupation. We got to stay in our city and they got to rule over it. It may seem like a shit deal, but I don’t have the strength to challenge it. So, I’m basically an Alpha of a pack within a bigger one. My pack answers to me, but ultimately, Jake can override me at any point.

“There’s nothing there. She’s human. It’s not a good deal.” I mumble as I leave the room and head downstairs.

“Speaking of deals…Have you decided if we’re getting out of here or what?” Matt says to my back.

“I’m not discussing this right now, Matt.”

“Come on, man. You have to do something. The pack is sick of this occupation.” He stops as I grab my overcoat.

“I told you already. We aren’t leaving. Phoenix is our land. We aren’t giving that up.” I say as I shrug on my jacket.

He crosses his arms. “Then you need to go to Jake and tell him to get the hell out of our pack house.” He scowls.

I shake my head. “I’m not doing that either.”

“Listen.” He steps up to me. “The pack is sick and tired of answering to someone who’s not pack. They don’t see why we need you if they have to.” He thumps a finger in my chest.

I point a finger in his face. “You tell them if they have a problem with the occupation agreement, they can walk out that mountain road and not come back. I won’t be pushed off my land by the Alliance.”

He stares into my eyes. “Sage wouldn’t have stood for this.”

“YEAH, WELL, SAGE IS DEAD! ALRIGHT?! He destroyed us! I’ve spent the last 12 years trying my damn hardest to piece this fucking pack back together and I don’t need you or anyone else pining for the idiot that brought the Alliance down on our asses!” I glare at him with anger. “Now drop it! You’re ruining my mission buzz.” I grumble.

“Fine, but this discussion isn’t over.” He growls back.

“I’m sure it’s not.” I slam the door behind me.

I run down the steps and get into the back of the small limo car. I instruct the driver to head to Westgate.

Once we enter Brodys driveway, we park and I get out. Brody comes out with Lucy on his arm. She’s wearing a long slim red dress. Her hair us done up and hanging on one shoulder.

“Wow, Jackson. You clean up nice. If you weren’t mated up, I’d…”

Brody interrupts me. “Don’t even finish that sentence, bro.” He scowls at me.

Lucy hits him with her clutch. “Oh, relax, muscles. No one’s stealing anyone. I’m hot. People are allowed to say it.” She smirks.

Brody glares at her. “No…They aren’t.”

She chuckles. “God. You’re so sensitive. Let's go.”

We all climb into the car.

We drive to the private airport and board Zanders jet for the three hour flight to Washington D.C. Once we land, we take a private car to the party. I love having rich friends.

On the ride to the museum, I go over the plan.

“The piece will be in the lower levels, if it’s still there. What I need is to distract the guard. Brody, you’ll be my eyes on the floor. You let me know when no one is paying attention. Lucy, I need you to distract the guard that stands at the entrance of the office hallway.” I eye her as she crosses her long legs. Her slit in her dress falls open and down to the seat. I slightly lick my lips. Brody is one lucky bastard.

“I think I can do that.” She grins menacingly.

“Don’t hurt him.” I point to her.

She smiles. “I won’t hurt him physically, but I can’t promise I won’t crush him emotionally.”

“Don’t go throwing my goods around, Swift.” Brody side eyes me.

She arches a brow. “First, they're my goods. You just have VIP access to all this hotness. Second, I won’t be throwing out anymore than I need to.”

“Better not.” He grumbles.

She grabs his chin and places her lips on his. “Don’t worry, baby. I’ll be burning up your sheets tonight.”

He smiles and his eyes turn to slits. “Yeah, ya will.” He slowly nods.

She kisses him quick and gently pushes his chin away.

Yep. A damn lucky bastard.

I clear my throat and adjust myself in my seat. “Ok, once I have the piece, we make a casual exit. Got it?”

Brody puts up his hand. “What if things go sideways?”

I look at him and arch a brow. “Pray.”

His mouth goes small and he looks forward again.

We pull onto the Smithsonian driveway and there’s all kinds of cars lined up letting out people in fancy dresses and suits. There’s a banner of the train and a caption that reads ‘279 years American travel changed forever.’

We all walk in and there the huge lobby entrance.

People are everywhere. Talking, laughing, talking shop. The smell of money is thick here. Guaranteed, their pocket change is more than I make in a year.

I nod to Brody who nods back. He walks in and starts to mingle in the crowd.

I stop a waiter and take two champagne glasses off his tray. I hand one to Lucy. “For you, my sweet.” I bow.

She chuckles. “Thanks.” She drinks half of it as I sip mine.

They have a string orchestra playing somewhere.

My investigative eye reads the room.

I see a lone guard standing stiff at the entrance to a hallway. The sign above him reads ‘Staff Only’

I bump Lucy’s arm. ‘Over there.’ I link.

She hands me her glass and props up her breasts. She checks her hair.

Damn.

She saunters over. Her hips sway seductively.

She keeps her mind link open. “Hello, sexy.” She says in a sultry tone.

He eyes her. “Hello.”

She steps closer. “I was just over there and I saw this absolutely handsome man in uniform and I just had to say hi.” She flaunts herself in front of him.

He looks her up and down and looks straight ahead. “I’m sorry, miss. I don’t bat for your team.”

Lucy stops. She quickly looks at me and back at him. “Uh…oh…Really?” She looks at him confused.

He ticks his head. “Sorry.” He smirks.

She smiles. “If that’s the case, you must meet my brother. He’s so sweet and so hot.” She looks around the room. She waves her hand in the air. “Oh, Brody!!” She sings.

“Brody?” He grins.

She nods. “You’re going to love him. Just adorable.” She taps his chest and smirks.

I’m trying so hard not to lose my shit. Brodys going to flip. This girl is too much.

I watch Brody join them and the guard gets an ear to ear grin. “Brody. This is…”

“John.” He supplies as he bites his lip, looking Brody over.

“John. This is my brother, Brody. Say hi, Brody.” She eyes him.

‘What are you doing?’ He links her.

‘Just follow my lead.’ She responds.

“’Sup?” Brody says with confusion and gives a little wave.

Lucy clasps her hands together in front of her thighs and turns to Brody. “John…was just telling me that he was captivated by your stunning complexion. Weren’t you, John?”

“Uh, yeah.” John flushes and rubs his nape.

“Wait, what?” Brodys eyes flick between them.

I can barely breath from fighting hysterics.

‘He’s gay. Play along.’ Lucy links.

‘Are you insane!’ Brody links back. ‘I am not gay!’

‘I know that, but he doesn’t. Now, shut up and come on to this man, right now!’ Lucy scolds through the link.

Brody pulls at his collar and smiles. He brings out his sexy Alpha voice. “So…uh…John…What sports do you like?”

Brody leans on the wall and plays with his hair as John turns towards him and away from the hallway.

Lucy gives me the go ahead.

I look around and slip to the hallway. As I pass Brody, I couldn’t resist. ‘You two make the cutest couple ever.’ I swoon in the link.

‘I’m beating you when this is over. Right into the pavement.’ Brody growls back.

‘Careful. Wouldn’t want to break a nail.’ I joke as I enter the hall.

‘You’re dead, Sawyer!’

I cackle in the link as I make my way down the office hallway to the elevator.

I get on and ride it down to the lower level.

The door opens to a long hallway with glass walled rooms on either side.

I slowly walk down the hall and pull out my phone. I start Hunters app. The screen shows the word ‘SCANNING' across it.

I cautiously move from room to room. Shoving my phone around to try and pick up the piece.

I got to a lab halfway down the hall when my screen turns red. ‘SIGNAL DETECTED' appears. The words float away and a flashing dot appears. I follow it like a compass point.

I walk past the artifacts and shelves to a wall of lock boxes. Each are small and have keypads on them. “Ok. Where are you?” I mutter.

I run the phone from the top down toward the middle. The signal stops and turns green.

A grin crosses my lips. “There you are. Come to daddy.”

I switch out of Hunters app to my hacking program. I place my phone on the keypad and an image of the keypad enters my phone. I click more buttons and app starts to hack the code. The clock reads five minutes. I look out to the hallway and back at my phone.

“Come on, you slow piece of shit.” I grit to myself.

The first three numbers appear and the last one flips wildly through the numbers.

I look again and back. “Come on!” I fist my hand as I growl under my breath.

The last number appears and I silently pump my fist. I tap my phone and was about to enter the number on the keypad when I heard a small voice clear its throat.

My head slowly turns and I internally pass out.

Flawless legs that go all the way up. Sexy as hell white dress that’s tight in all the right places. Ample breast size, the way my Alpha likes it. Fucking amazing skin. Big, beautiful brown eyes, gorgeous, silky brown hair and the absolute most adorable set of freckles on her nose.

I swallow as my smart, secret ops mind draws a complete blank.

She arches a brow. “Are you lost?”

Wake up, stupid!

I put on a charming smile. “Yes!...” I stuff my phone in my pocket and slowly walk to her. “I was looking for the bathroom and got turned around.” I softly chuckle.

She nods and bites her lower lip. Inside I’m thinking, goddamn, let me bite that for you.

“The bathrooms are no where near here and this is a restricted area.” She says.

I throw my hand to my chest and bow a little bit. “I am so sorry.” I chuckle.

“You probably should’ve turned back at the restricted entry sign on the door back there.” She points over her shoulder.

“Oh, geez…” I point at it. “You know. I had a little too much. I missed it entirely. Again, I deeply apologize. Would you…mind terribly escorting me out? This place is a maze.” I give a bit of giggle as I say the last sentence.

She nods. “Sure. Right this way.” She leads me out of the lab.

As we walk down the hallway, I lean to her. “It really is a lovely party.”

“Thank you. It’s an important one.” She says as she taps the elevator button.

I eye her. “How so?” I ask.

“The money raised tonight will finalize the expansion to the train exhibit. We plan on added a whole section devoted to the west and how it developed into the way society is today.”

“Interesting." I nod. It’s really not. I hate history, but she has a stellar rack, so…

The elevator door opens and we get on. She immediately grips the railing on the wall and looks at the floor. I look down and her hands are wringing the railing. Do I make her uncomfortable?

“Damica, right?” I point to her.

She looks at me and smiles. “That right and you’re…Sawyer.”

“At your service.” I flash a charming smile and bow. At little humor and flair never hurt anyone.

She giggles. “So, what are you doing here? You don’t strike me as the museum type.”

I lean to her and point a finger in her face. “Never…judge a book by its cover.” I lean back. “I like museums. They’re fun…and kind of creepy.” I grin.

She looks down again. “Ok, but. What are you doing here…tonight?”

I look at her and our eyes lock. I’m captivated by them. “Donating to you…to it…the museum. Donating to the museum.”

The door opens and we get out. “That’s great! How much?” She asks.

I think about how much I have in my wallet right now. “A hundred?”

She stops me with a look of shock on her face. “A hundred thousand dollars?” She gasps.

My face falls. Shit! Um….

“Uh…” I start.

“That would give us more than we need for the expansion. Thank you! That’s so generous!” She gushes.

I rub my nape. “No problem.” I grin.

Time to hit up the Kings pocket book, I guess.

As we get closer to the exit to the party, I stop her. “Go out with me.” I smile.

“What? I don’t know you.” She looks me over.

“I know, but…I want to get to know you, so…go out with me.” I shrug.

She shakes her head with a nervous chuckle. “I’m not going out with you.”

I lean to her. “Why not?” I tilt my head.

“Because…” She looks around. She seems to be looking for excuses. She looks at me and lifts her chin. “You’re a donor.”

I lean back and scrunch my brow. “So?”

“It wouldn’t be ethical.” She crosses her arms.

I cross mine too. “Fine. I take it back.”

“You can’t do that.” She scowls.

“Can too. It’s my money.” I glare at her.

“We really could use it.” She looks at me.

“Ok. Go out with me, then take my money.” I motion to her as I grin.

“That’s even worse on the scale of ethics.” She shakes her head.

“Well, there has to be some way you get my money and I get my date.” I stand tall and look down my nose at her.

“I suppose if enough time has passed…” She starts.

“Good. Next Friday it is.” I start to walk away.

“I never agreed to…” She follows me out to the party.

“Ah. Ah. Two weeks is plenty of time. Take my money and I’ll pick you up at nine.” I raise my finger with my back to her.

“Listen here.”

I spin around and lean to her face. She stops dead in her tracks. “No. You listen. I want to donate to your museum. I also want to take out its hot curator. So, shut your pretty lips and I’ll pick you up at nine. Agreed?” We’re barely inch apart. She has a faint scent of lilies that strike my nostrils and she’s definitely heated by me being so close to her stunning face.

Her eyes are huge as she gives my face a once over. She swallows. “Agreed.” She squeaks.

I stand up. “Excellent.”

She looks at me confused as to what just happened. “Right. Well, enjoy the party, Sawyer.” She starts to walk away and turns. “Thank you…for the donation.”

I smile. “My pleasure, Damica.”

She walks back down the hallway.

I look for Brody and Lucy. Lucy sees me and Brody’s still chatting up the guard.

She turns Brody. “Brother, we have to go.”

“What? Now? This guy’s cool! We can’t go now. We were just getting into spring training!” He points to John.

“Come on!” Lucy grits as she drags Brody away.

He turns and looks at John. He holds up his hand to his head like a phone. “Call me!!”

John smiles and waves bye.

Lucy shoves Brody past me. “Unbelievable.” She growls. “The one gay guard we meet and he turns out to be an even bigger sports fanatic than he is.”

Brody grins. “I think I’m in love.”

“Shut up.” Lucy grits and pushes on his back.

I turn and follow them out.

“Did you get it?” Brody asks.

I shake my head. “No. The curator busted me.”

“What do we do now?” Lucy flops her arms to her sides.

I jog down the steps past them. “Don’t worry. Plan C is already in motion.”

I grin to myself and stuff my hands in my pockets as I walk to the car.