Page 43 of Storm

The drive back to the penthouse is silent, Frankie staring out the window, his scent a complex mix of anxiety, excitement, and something else I can't quite place. I wonder if he realizes what he's really getting into. Pack dynamics are intricate, hierarchical, and often brutal. Especially with Reed in the mix.

We reach the penthouse, and I lead him into the elevator, using my key card to access the private floor. His nervousness increases as the elevator rises, his scent spiking with each floor we pass.

"She doesn't know I'm bringing you," I say as the doors open. "This will be a surprise."

Frankie nods, clutching his small bag of belongings to his chest like a shield. Reed is waiting in the foyer, his eyebrows rising slightly at the sight of Frankie. I can feel his assessment, the way he takes in every detail of the beta's appearance.

Reed's posture shifts subtly, straightening to his full height, his shoulders broadening in an unconscious display of dominance. I've seen this before—the instinctive response of an alpha to a potential rival. Not that a beta could ever truly be a rival to an alpha like Reed, but instincts run deep.

I hear movement from the hallway and turn to see Storm emerging from her room, her expression guarded. She stops short when she spots Frankie, her eyes widening in shock.

"What the—" she begins, then cuts herself off, her gaze darting between me and Frankie.

"You liked this beta," I say, watching her reaction carefully. "Always saw you with him."

Storm's shocked expression quickly shifts to one of defiance, her chin lifting in that familiar stubborn angle. "Wow, stalker much? That's a new level of creepy, even for you, Jonathan."

Frankie's eyes widen at her tone, clearly expecting me to react badly to her disrespect. Instead, I feel my mouth quirk up slightly at one corner. Four years of her attitude has made me nearly immune.

"Frankie," I say, addressing him directly while keeping my eyes on Storm, "you are the pack beta. Welcome to Pack Kingsley."

He swallows hard, glancing between Storm and me. "Thank you, sir."

"You know what to do in a pack as a beta?" I ask.

Frankie shakes his head, looking increasingly out of his depth. "Not really. I mean, I know the basics from training, but..."

Reed steps forward, his voice low and edged with something that might be jealousy. "You can look, but not touch the omega."

His words hang in the air, charged with tension. Reed's eyes are fixed on Frankie with an intensity that makes the beta shrink back slightly.

"There are rules about interactions between betas and omegas," Reed continues, his voice deceptively casual as he circles around Frankie. "Breaking them has...consequences."

Frankie’s beta scent spikes with fear. I swear to god, my pack mate needs to read the situation.

"Reed," I say. His possessiveness is unexpected—and potentially problematic. "Show Frankie to his room. The one next to the kitchen."

Reed holds his position for a moment longer, his gaze flicking between Frankie and Storm, before giving him a curt nod. "This way," he says to Frankie, his tone making it clear this is a command, not a suggestion.

As they move down the hallway, Reed leans in close to Frankie, saying something too quiet for me to hear. Whatever it is, makes Frankie's scent spike with anxiety. I'll need to keep an eye on that dynamic.

Once they're out of earshot, I turn back to Storm, who's watching me with a mixture of confusion and suspicion.

"Why did you bring him here?" she snaps.

"You need a beta," I reply simply. "It's expected. And it was either someone you know, or someone my fathers would choose. I thought you'd prefer this option."

She studies me for a long moment, clearly trying to figure out my angle. "Is this a trick? Some kind of test?"

"No trick," I say. "Just practicality. My fathers want a united front, a complete pack structure. Frankie fills that role neatly. And his presence will make things easier for everyone."

"Easier how?"

"You'll be more comfortable with a familiar face. He'll be given a better position than he had at the Omega House. And having a beta who actually cares about your welfare will smooth some of the... adjustments you'll need to make."

Storm's eyes narrow. "What adjustments?"

"We have dinner with my fathers in three days," I say, watching her face pale slightly. "Alex will be back tomorrow. We need to present a united front—a proper pack with a proper omega. That means you need to start acting the part."