Mate Massacres

Chapter 33

Krey marched through the corridor and down the stairs. Members of his pack pressed themselves into the wall as he stormed by. Krey had trained with the pack that morning, instead of by himself, for the first time in months.

Sid was his training buddy and had pushed him hard. Jordan didn't show, and apparently, he hadn't shown up to training for a few weeks. That was yet another reason for Krey to make him step down from his Beta duties.

Krey might not have trained with his pack, but he was still training on his own, as wolves do on occasion. Jordan was sleeping in because nobody called him out on it without Krey around.

I wonder what else Jordan has been up to without me watching over him.

Krey's shoulders were stiff, and his legs were a little sore. Krey was grumpy because he was away from his mate and couldn't find an earlier opportunity to wait outside Crescent Town College.

His mother was already in the canteen when Krey entered. The chatter died down, and everyone stood quickly to bow. Krey wanted to reverse back through the door. Instead, he gritted his teeth and continued his way to the table.

Makena watched with a smile as he sat opposite. "Good afternoon."

Krey greeted her with a glance. As he looked to the pasta and salad that his mother had gotten for him, his heart panged with nerves. He thought about Pip all morning and how the time was approaching for him to tell everyone about his human mate.

Krey didn't know how his mother would react. He assumed she would at least pretend she was okay with it on the surface, but the way she acted so publicly about Francis, Krey wasn't sure if his mother would keep his best interests in mind.

"I noticed you were training with Sid this morning. He pushed you hard," Makena said, stirring her tea.

Krey's eyes were drawn to her mate ring, glittering against the bright lights above. A sudden lump formed in his throat. Krey quickly filled his mouth with food, so he didn't have to talk, but that didn't stop his mother from making conversation.

"I also noticed the key to your father's office has gone from my room. Did you take it?"

Krey nodded without looking up from his bowl.

"Did you have a look in the office?"

Krey shook his head to say no. He couldn't yet find the courage.

"Will you?"

Krey shrugged.

"Well, if you do, can you get me so that we can look together?"

Krey, being his prickly self, wanted to say something to stir an argument. He didn't know where that annoying trait came from, or why he was so eager to anger everyone until they stopped pestering him. "Yeah," he grumbled, thinking of Pip. If he's going to one day love me, he won't love this version of me.

"The annual meeting is this Saturday. Your uncle finally stopped throwing a fit about your cousin's human soulmate." Makena pulled her long grey hair over one shoulder.

Krey felt her brown eyes watching his every move. "Took him long enough," he mumbled.

"Yeah, poor Victoria. I bet she's reluctant to bring her mate. He'll feel so out of place, being the only human."

Not if I bring Pippor. Krey wanted to smirk at the idea. Bringing his secret human mate to an annual meeting would surely cause quite the stir. Krey then thought about how embarrassed his mother would feel if she found out at the same time as everyone else.