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Chapter 16
I was bored as hell and pushing around a shopping cart while watching Grady read the ingredients on practically every item he touched wasn’t helping in the slightest.
“They’re called garlic sticks, can’t believe I’ve never seen them before.”Grady was saying while reading the ingredients on the box he’d just picked up. I rolled my eyes.
“Then put it in the cart already jeez I hate grocery shopping with you.” I said in exasperation.
Grady chose to ignore my outburst but dropped the snack into the cart, then he offered me a wide grin and we walked over to the next aisle.
“If you hate it so much then why’d you come?” he asked, a knowing smirk plastered on his handsome face.
My eyes widened in disbelief. “You’re the one who dragged me out of bed and wouldn’t shut up until I came with you!” I replied and watched him shrug off my words once again.
He sure knew how to irritate the hell out of someone I had to give him that. I always found it strange that he actually liked shopping. Ever since we were younger.
I on the other hand would prefer never to enter a mall, supermarket or any place for that matter that forced you to waste time sifting through a pile of useless stuff when you only came in for one thing.
“So I was thinking we could go to Marissa’s party tonight, it’s gonna be at her dad’s club, free booze and they’re not asking for ID’s” Grady turned to me and said. His eyes were shining with the excitement only a party animal could have and I grinned. Finally a chance to do something other than sit at home or shop.
“Yeah I’m cool with-”
“Well I’m afraid you’re both going to have to change your plans, camp’s on lock down tonight, no pack member is allowed out. We’re doing an investigation. We’ve gotten word that someone in the pack instigated the tearing down of the fence at the border and we want to find out why.” Carson said from behind startling us both.
“Hey guys.” Laken said with a huge grin and wave as he stood beside his mate, pushing a shopping cart similar to mine.
What was this? Take your mate shopping day?
“You found out who did it? Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked him.
“Until you’re fully recovered and some other issues are dealt with you won’t be briefed on executive matters.” Carson said simply.
“Are those garlic sticks? I didn’t know they had those.” Laken said as he dipped into our cart and pulled out the box and we all looked at him.
“Yeah that’s what I was saying too, it’s over in aisle three.” Grady told him.
Wow, so Grady couldn’t stand talking to Laken on a daily basis but as soon as food was involved they were best friends?
I shook my head.
“Cool, I’ll be right back.” Laken told Carson who nodded with a smile then turned his attention back to us.
“What do you mean other issues? What’s going on?” I asked Carson again. My face growing serious. I hated being out of the loop.
“You and your mate.” Carson answered and when my brows furrowed in confusion he went on “I’ve been observing you two for awhile now and you have too many unresolved issues that you need to work out.” He said.
“What does that have to do with the me being left out of the loop?” I asked still unsure where he was going with this.
“You’ve been distracted for awhile now Thomas and it only seems to be getting worse, I can’t have that. The pack needs your full attention otherwise you’re useless to them. Do you understand?” he asked. His tone brooked no argument and so I nodded.
“I want you both to talk to Jessie, sort out your problems and as soon as she says everything’s good then you can resume your role as Beta, otherwise you have no say in executive matters.”
“Jessie? Come on Carson you gotta be kidding me, we’re working on it we don’t need some shrink to-” I started.
“Hold up! You want us to talk to a shrink? Count me out!” Grady said but in an instant Carson turned on him.
“Let me explain something to you Grady, this is my pack and every member is expected to follow my orders, now the fact that you’re mated to my second in command means you’re a part of my pack and if you want to continue seeing Thomas you follow my orders is that clear?” Carson asked, his tone deadly and firm, his eyes blazing at Grady’s disobedience.
I bristled. I didn’t like the way he was talking to my mate and my body tensed as I watched their silent glare off.
“Grady.” I said in warning and released a pent up breath when he straightened and nodded at Carson before turning his back to us all together.
“How long is the lock down going to last?” I asked Carson then.
“We should have everything we need by the end of the night, but if not I’ll announce it later today.” He spoke then turned when he sensed Laken walking over to us, a similar box of garlic sticks in hand.
Carson reached over to ruffle his hair when he stood beside him. “Ready?” he asked his mate.
“Yeah, I think that’s everything.” Laken replied and Carson looked at me once more.
“You have an appointment with her at five, don’t miss it, she’ll be making reports to me.” Carson said and I nodded as he and his mate turned to go but not two steps away Carson turned again.
“And Thomas?” he asked.
“Yeah?”
“Hurry up and sort this out, your pack needs you.” He said and turned to go.
“Yes sir.” I sighed and turned to Grady.
“This is bullshit.” He said.
“Couldn’t agree with you more.” was my annoyed reply.
…………………………………………..
~Jessie’s POV~
I crossed my legs and scrutinized the two men sitting before me. It was clear from the vibe they were giving off that they didn’t want to be here but as the pack physiologist it was my job to help the members sort out whatever problems they had.
I had to admit though, I was shocked when the Alpha had told me I’d be handling the Beta and his mate, to get such a high ranking case was an honor and there was no way I’d be letting my Alpha down.
“So is it okay if I call you by your first names or would you prefer something else?” I asked them.
The Beta looked up at me looking slightly annoyed and I fought the urge to shrink under his gaze. I’d never had the chance to speak face to face with him before and I had to agree with the rumors; he really was just as intimidating as the Alpha but I had to stand my ground.
“Call us whatever you like, let’s just get this over with.” The Beta spoke up and I nodded.
His mate only sat there slumped in the leather chair with his head propped up in his hand. He didn’t really look annoyed so much so as bored out of his mind.
“Okay Thomas and Grady, it’s nice to meet you both, I’m Jessie as you surely know by now.” I said with a bright smile which fell off my face all together when they both failed to even acknowledge my words.
“Okay, let’s get started then shall we? The Alpha told me that you have been having relationship problems why don’t you tell me about that.” I offered and when they remained silent as expected I pulled out the big guns;
“Well you do know I’m expected to report the session’s activities to The Alpha so if you choose to remain silent that will be reported as well.” I said smugly and watched as Thomas glared at me and Grady only rolled his eyes.
This wasn’t going to be easy.
“Okay, let’s try this again. I’ll ask you a few questions which you both are expected to answer honestly and we’ll move on from there.” I told them.
My plan was to ask them personal questions, see how each of them answered and eventually I’d begin to figure out where the problems lay. I’d done this many times before and had garnered success so I didn’t expect this time to be any different.
“First question; either of you may answer this. How long have you known each other?” I asked.
A moment of silence passed where they both looked at each other as if expecting the other to answer, then Thomas shook his head and answered.
“I’ve known him my whole life, I was still a cub when we met.” he answered grudgingly and I smiled at his effort.
“Wow your whole lives, so did you always have feelings for each other then?” I went on.
“Yeah I’ve always felt something for him but it got…more pronounced on my eighteenth birthday.” Thomas answered again.
“Your eighteenth huh? That’s when you started feel the pull of you mate correct?”
Thomas nodded in answer.
“So Grady what about you? Have you always had feelings for Thomas?” I was curious to hear all his answers since this was the first time I’d ever heard of a human mating with a wolf.
Grady looked up as if surprised I was actually addressing him then looked over at Thomas, but when Thomas offered no help he sighed and turned to me once more.
“I sorta used to feel attracted to him, but when I turned eighteen like Thomas, it got worse and I started feeling…other things too.” He told me, his face growing bright red with a blush.
Now was probably the time to push and ask him what exactly the ‘other things’ were but I got a feeling that diving head on wasn’t the best technique to use on this couple. I would take it one step at a time.
“Alright, well as you said, you’ve known each other all your lives so how about you tell me what’s Grady’s favorite thing to do Thomas?” I said, angling my head towards him so that he had no doubt I was talking to him.
“What does that have to do with anything?” Thomas asked clearly annoyed at my line of questioning but I refused to back down.
“Keep in mind the more you corporate the sooner you’ll be out of here and on your way.” I told him pleasantly and watched as he shook his head and settled down but his expression didn’t change.
“His favorite thing to do…probably partying.” He answered.
“Probably? So you’re not sure?” I asked him again.
“Partying. It’s his favorite.” He answered firmly and I smiled at our progress.
I had to make sure they were certain with their answers because that told me how much they really knew each other.
“Grady is he correct?”
“Yeah.” Grady answered promptly seeming slightly pleased that Thomas had gotten it right.
“Now you answer the question Grady.” I told him.
“Thomas’ favorite thing would probably be…no I mean it is playing soccer.” He told me confidently and Thomas nodded at me before I could ask him if it was true.
“Alright, now we’re getting somewhere.” I announced cheerfully. Thomas rolled his eyes, while Grady smiled a little.
So it seemed Grady wasn’t as hard-ass as his mate. I decided, scribbling notes on my legal pad.
“What’s Grady’s least favorite thing to do?”I asked Thomas.
“Losing.” Thomas said with a smirk as he glanced at Grady who rolled his eyes at him but otherwise offered him a playful grin.
“Grady?”
“Yeah it’s true and Thomas’ would have to be shopping.” He answered with a smile at me and I couldn’t help but smile back. Grady was quite charming when he wasn’t trying to mimic Thomas’ attitude.
“Now we’re gonna get more personal. Either of you may answer, what physical attribute do you like on your partner?…just name one” I asked them in amusement.
“Lips.” Thomas answered immediately.
When I looked at Grady he was blushing and fidgeting in his chair. “I don’t know…his…his ass.” He said quickly and we both looked at Thomas as he laughed in amusement. Me with a smile and Grady with a glare.
“Didn’t expect that one.” Thomas said with a chuckle.
“Yeah well shut up.” Grady said and Thomas fell silent but a grin still graced his face.
“Describe your partner in one word.” I continued the questions, then glanced up at the clock. Each session was an hour long so I had to speed this one up.
“Happy.” Thomas answered.
“Possessive.” Grady replied.
Their answers intrigued me and I quickly scribbled a reminder to make them elaborate in the next session.
“What do you argue about the most?” I asked. This was the one question that would lead to a breakthrough in this case. They were having relationship problems according to the Alpha so if I could find out what it was that they argued about the most then I would be one step closer to finding out how to remedy their problem.
“Well-“ Grady began only to be cut off by Thomas.
“Nothing.” He said firmly, glaring at Grady as he said the word, then he looked back at me almost as if challenging me.
“Grady, you were saying?” I prompted. I leaned forward in my seat as I watched him.
He looked over at Thomas who gave him a look that pretty much said; shut up and the Grady looked back at me with a shrug.
“Thomas, I understand it might be difficult for you to tell a stranger the problems you’re having with your mate but I’m only trying to help you here. If you don’t tell me, then we can’t fix the problem.” I urged.
“Like I said, we don’t fight.” was Thomas’ answer before he lodged back into silence.
Realizing he was a lost cause I turned to his mate once more “Grady?”
“Like he said we don’t argue about anything.” He lied but couldn’t seem to look me in the eyes as he said it.
In my next session I’d probably have to separate them, but for now, I’d use a different tactic.
“Alright, moving on, who wears the pants in the relationship?” I asked with a smile, wondering if this would be the issue they were having as a couple.
“I do.” Thomas answered without a thought and I looked over at Grady in surprised as he remained silent.
He didn’t look surprised at Thomas’ answer and he also didn’t seem troubled by it.
“When I say ‘wears the pants’ you do realize I mean who’s in control of the relationship right? Like who calls the shots?” I continued, looking between them both.
“Yea and I said I do.” Thomas replied.
Grady still didn’t look troubled. Hmm and I’d thought for sure that would have been the issue.
“So Grady you don’t have a problem with that?’ I pushed.
“Nope, it’s not like he rules me or anything, he just likes to be in control, I’m cool with that.” He answered, surprising me.
This was usually a big issue with couples so I’d felt sure this would have been the sore spot especially considering that the Alpha had told me how head strong they both were.
I cleared my throat and scribbled on my legal pad again. This was an interesting new development.
“Okay guys well we seem to be out of time today but I want you to think about all the answers you gave today and we’ll resume next week.” I said, then stood and walked around to where they too now stood.
I offered a hand and they both shook it. In no time they were gone, leaving me to consider a new strategy when dealing with them.
……………………………….
~Thomas’s POV~
“I just don’t see what was the big deal in telling her why we argue, we told her everything else she needed to know.” Grady said as we walked side by side down the street.
“Carson might have appointed her as our shrink but that doesn’t mean I want all our personal issues out there for the world to know understood?” I asked him seriously.
He gave me a non committal shrug, his eyes instead on the girl walking pass with practically no clothes on. I watched in annoyance as his head swiveled as his eyes followed her down the street and I lifted my hand, slapping him upside the head.
“Ow, what I was only looking!” Grady shouted, holding the back of his head in that dramatic way he liked to do things.
I remained silent as we continued to walk on, deep in thought as I considered what Carson had told me. A pack member had probably betrayed us? Other than Jessop, I couldn’t even begin to guess who it could be.
As we walked, my eyes strayed to other things around me; the couple walking hand in hand across the street, the cat that ducked down into the bushes to get out of our path and the guy who dropped a used paper bag and continued to walk on.
A second after spotting this I heard rather than felt the slap Grady landed across the back of my head and I turned to look at him in astonishment.
“What? I didn’t even look at him!” I shouted, holding the back of my head, much as he had done earlier.
“Yeah I know, I just wanted to hit you.” Grady said with a huge grin, then started humming as he walked on, clearly pleased with himself.
I chuckled at his antics and walked on to catch up with him, slipping my hand through his as we walked. He tightened his fingers around mine and his smile seemed to grow wider.
AUTHOR’S NOTES
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-unedited.
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