Page 8 of Brutal Reign (Shadowed Heirs #5)

8

“ G rab her feet,” I grit out, hefting the upper half of Hayden’s body onto the mattress of the bunkbed we share in the recruit barracks. The girl doesn’t weigh much, but after a night of drinking and dancing, I’m not exactly in peak physical form. Definitely better than her , though.

Hayden grunts as Jake complies with my directive, scooping up her legs and sliding them onto the bed. Then she promptly bats us away, flinging an arm around while muttering something unintelligible before rolling over onto her side and putting her back to us.

“She gonna be okay?” Jake asks, blinking down at my friend through the darkness.

“She’ll be fine,” I reply with the dismissive wave of a hand. “I mean, she’ll be hurting tomorrow, but this isn’t the first I’ve had to take care of her like this. She’s not a puker. She just shuts down and has to sleep it off.”

Gesturing for Jake to move back, I slide down to where Hayden’s high-heel clad feet are resting on the bed, grabbing for one of her stilettos. She groans in protest and tries to kick me away, but I manage to get both her shoes off and a blanket tossed over her body, so I take it as a win. Rocking back a step, I nod to myself in satisfaction at the sound of her soft snores, pivoting around to face Jake.

He’s still lingering close by, carding his fingers through his sandy blonde hair as his eyes ping between Hayden and me. “So what now?” he asks.

“Like I said, she’s gotta sleep it off,” I say, shrugging. “You can head back to the bar if you want. Thanks for your help getting her home.”

Before Jake insisted on helping, I’d assured Kendrick and Gus that I could get Hayden back to the squad complex on my own. It’s only a quarter mile walk on a trail through the woods. I definitely underestimated how far gone she was, though, and when she refused to keep walking and tried to talk us into letting her just curl up and sleep in the forest, I was glad Jake was there to assist.

He cocks his head, brows pinching together as he regards me. “You’re not coming back?”

“Um, no,” I laugh, throwing a thumb over my shoulder toward Hayden. “Friends don’t leave their friends passed out alone.”

“Oh. Right.”

“I’m pretty tired after this week anyways,” I add.

“Yeah, me too,” Jake agrees, a lazy grin curving his lips. “This week was brutal, huh?”

“Uh huh. And it’s only gonna get harder as we go.”

While I know I’ve got an uphill battle to prove myself here at training camp, I’m actually looking forward to seeing what the squad leaders have in store for us going forward. It’s thrilling just to be here and be part of it all. Considering how against it my dad was, there were times I wondered if it’d ever happen.

“Eh, you’ve got nothing to worry about,” Jake drawls, trailing after me as I turn and start for the cubby at the end of the bunkbed Hayden and I share. “You’ve been fierce out there. I’m starting to wonder if there’s anything you can’t do.”

I snort a laugh, slipping off my heeled booties and stooping down to grab them off the floor. “Oh there’s plenty,” I joke, straightening to tuck the boots onto a shelf.

“Doubt that,” Jake chuckles. He moves in closer, leaning a shoulder against the edge of the cabinet. “You’re amazing, River. The others here may just be realizing it, but I’ve known all along.”

I roll my eyes, laughing uncomfortably as Jake edges further into my space, casting a shadow over me. “Well, I appreciate the vote of confidence. I’m sure you’re gonna kill it at training camp, too. Your sparring skills are top notch.”

He puffs out his chest, grin widening. “Learned from the best.”

I arch a quizzical brow.

“Alpha taught me.”

Well shit, that’s news to me . I flinch back in surprise, brow furrowing and lips twisting in a scowl.

My dad never mentioned that he was helping Jake train, and hearing about it now is like a damn gut punch. I asked my dad for lessons in combat training so many times. He always refused, insisting that I should go out for the IT unit instead.

“You didn’t know?” Jake asks slowly, picking up on my obvious disdain.

I quickly school my expression, giving a little shake of my head.

“I’m sure he just wanted to make sure you have a strong Beta at your side,” Jake says, setting a hand on my shoulder as he steps in even closer. “You and me are gonna make a hell of a team, dontcha think?”

“Yeah, sure,” I mumble, shifting slightly in an effort to shrug his hand off. He moves with me, keeping his hand planted on my shoulder and sliding his thumb beneath the thin strap of my tank top, circling the pad of it against my skin.

“And now that we’re finally out from under your dad’s nose…” he murmurs, leaning in until his lips brush mine.

I quickly swerve to dodge him, the tiny strap of my top catching on his thumb and tearing as I stumble back. “Whoa, what are you doing?” I snap, completely caught off guard by his advance.

“C’mon, River, you know there’s always been a spark between us,” Jake chuckles, brushing off my reaction and leaning in to try to kiss me again. His hands land on my hips as he murmurs, “Just go with it.”

I plant my palms against his chest, shoving him back forcefully. “Jake, what the fuck?!” I spit, scowling. “No!”

He blinks in confusion as he stumbles backwards, seemingly not understanding why this isn’t going the way he hoped. “Why not?” he asks, the smile slowly disappearing from his face. “If the two of us got together, it could solve a lot of problems for you, Riv. The pack isn’t sold on having a female Alpha lead them, but if you had a strong mate to lead with…”

“Whoa, back up,” I interrupt, shoving an arm out between us so he can’t come any closer. “Leading the pack together doesn’t mean we’ll be mated.”

“But we could be,” he winks.

“We’re not fated.”

“So?”

I heave an exasperated sigh, dragging a hand down my face. I’m trying to be nice here, but my words clearly aren’t penetrating his thick skull. “Jake, I don’t like you like that,” I say bluntly. “I’m sorry, it’s just not gonna happen.”

He frowns, all traces of playfulness leaving his expression as the silver of his wolf ignites in his irises. “What, you think you’re too good for me because you’re gonna be Alpha?” he bites out angrily.

“Pack rank has nothing to do with it,” I insist.

“No? Then why won’t you even give this a shot, see if there could be something between us?”

Goddamn, this guy just won’t give up.

“I’m just not interested in you that way,” I say calmly, still trying to let him down easy. “We’re friends , Jake.”

“Friends?” he scoffs, growing more agitated by the second. “Is this how you treat all your friends ?”

“If they’re cornering me and trying to kiss me, then yeah,” I deadpan.

He shakes his head, chuckling wryly to himself. “You’re such a fucking bitch,” he mutters.

My inner wolf shoves forward, not about to allow this asshole to get away with insulting us. “Excuse me?” I snap, punching my fists on my hips.

“You heard me,” Jake growls. “If you don’t wanna work together for the good of our pack, then maybe I’ll just have to put forth a challenge and take the Alpha rank for myself.”

I roll my eyes, clucking my tongue. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“What, you think I won’t?”

“You shouldn’t,” I reply coolly, folding my arms across my chest and lifting my chin, looking him dead in the eye. “You’d lose.”

“We’ll see about that,” he huffs.

Jake abruptly turns on a heel, stomping away down the aisle of bunks while I remain standing there frozen, head held high with false bravado.

He wouldn’t actually do it. Jake’s not the sharpest tool in the shed, but surely he’d have enough sense not to place himself directly in my dad’s line of fire. Then again, he did just try to pull a move on me, so maybe he doesn’t care about the consequences of crossing his Alpha.

My mind spins, guts churning as I watch his figure cut through the darkness of the barracks, moving toward the exit.

I can’t engage in a challenge for Alpha rank. It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s that I literally can’t . It’d be a damn bloodbath, and my pack would never look at me the same way again. If they even stuck around afterwards.

I blow out a breath as Jake storms through the exit doors, my relief tragically short-lived when seconds later, I see two tall figures entering the barracks. Though I can’t make out their features through the dark, I’d know those silhouettes anywhere. They sweep through the shadows in quick strides, making their way closer while my pulse picks up speed.

Why the hell are they here, and why are they coming over?

I pivot to face my cubby as my heart pounds in time with their approaching footsteps, busying myself with grabbing my toiletry bag and pajamas to change into. The steps halt, and I can feel the ominous presence of Seb and Ace standing beside me, their stares practically searing into my skin.

“What happened with Jake?” Ace asks, his voice a low, velvety rumble.

I pointedly ignore him, continuing to rummage through my cubby idly even though I’ve already got my pajamas and toiletries in hand.

“Why did he seem in such a hurry to leave?” Seb presses, his shadow falling over me as he shifts closer.

“Just wanted to get back to the bar, I guess,” I reply blandly, giving them something so they’ll leave me the hell alone. I turn at the waist, finding the two of them hovering in the aisle, blocking my path. “Move.”

Ace steps aside, but Seb darts a hand out, fingering the broken strap of my top dangling down over the front. I suck in a breath as his eyes dart up to meet mine, blazing with liquid gold.

“Did he do this?” he demands, the threatening edge in his tone making the little hairs on the back of my neck prickle.

“Leave me alone,” I grumble, swatting his hand away.

His stare remains locked on mine, and it’s all I can do to keep from squirming beneath the intensity of it. Sebastian Walker is intimidating to look at in the light, but here in the dark, the way the shadows cling to his sharp features is downright unsettling. His pronounced jaw is clenched tight, the vein on the side of his neck straining as he growls, “Answer me.”

“Since when do you care?” I scoff, puffing out my chest even though his prickly demeanor makes me feel like curling in on myself.

“That’s not an answer,” he deadpans. “Try again.”

My heart slams against my ribcage, breaths shortening and palms going clammy. I hate the way I react when Seb’s all up in my space– or Ace, for that matter. Having both of them here is a double whammy, and suddenly I can barely even think straight. My body and brain have a major disconnect as far as these two boys are concerned.

“Why are you even here?” I snap, rocking back on a heel to glance between the pair of them. “Shouldn’t you guys be back at the bar in the DJ booth?”

Seb finally breaks that harsh stare, eyes flickering toward his friend. “Ace had a migraine coming on, had to get away from the music,” he mumbles.

“Well you’d better go take care of that, then,” I quip, waving a hand.

“River, I’m not fucking around here,” Seb warns.

“Neither am I, so move the fuck out of my way.” I sidestep to go around him, but he mirrors my movement, blocking my retreat and sending my inner wolf surging to the surface in defiance. I snap my head up, cutting him a threatening glare.

“Just let her go, man,” Ace sighs, falling back. Probably wise, since I’m two seconds from kneeing his buddy in the balls. “It’s not worth it.”

Fucking ouch .

I keep my expression blank, not letting Ace’s words affect me. At least not in any way I’ll actually let him see. They’re what it takes to finally get through to Seb, though, so I suppose I should be thankful for the way he’s picking at the scabs on my heart.

Seb jerks back with a frown, creating a space to let me through, and I should just walk away. I should , but I don’t , because Ace’s statement is still festering like a wound and I just have to open my big mouth and deliver one last parting jab.

“Oh, I’m definitely worth it,” I remark, licking my lips suggestively as I slide my gaze between my former best friends. “Too bad neither of you will ever get the chance to know.”

“The fuck is that supposed to mean?” Seb snarls.

“You’re a big boy, I’m sure you can figure it out,” I say, patting his chest patronizingly as I slide past him. “You’re not the only one who’s all grown up now, Sebby.”

A growl rumbles in Seb’s chest as he pivots around, storming off toward the exit of the barracks. Not gonna lie, it’s satisfying as hell to be the one rattling him for once instead of the other way around.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” Ace murmurs, shaking his head as he watches after his friend.

“Why not?” I scoff, still on my bullshit. “You two made it clear a long time ago that you no longer give a shit about me.”

Ace just continues shaking his head, blowing out a slow breath before turning on a heel and walking away. The shadows cling to his retreating form, my eyes catching on the ripple of his defined back muscles beneath the tight fabric of his t-shirt. I assume he’s about to go after Seb, but he makes his way over to his bunk instead, flopping down onto it with a heavy sigh and throwing an arm up over his face to shield his eyes.

Maybe he really does have a migraine. He used to get headaches off and on, so it’s entirely plausible that Seb was telling the truth when he said that’s why they left the bar. I shouldn’t read into things beyond face value when it comes to these two. Not when they’re exactly as they seem.

Shoring up my composure, I force myself to look away from Ace’s bunk, starting for the locker room to change into my pajamas and switch from contact lenses to glasses. I make quick work of both, and when I come back into the barracks and climb up into my bunk, he’s still lying there on his own.

As much as I can’t stand Ace Conway, part of me is glad for it. Ace has always made me feel safe. After the events of tonight, I need that feeling of safety if I have any hope of closing my eyes and getting some sleep.

Doesn’t mean I don’t still hate him.