39. Chapter 39

Chapter 39

J ackson walked through the doors that the door attendants held open for them. Micah had stayed behind to protect the pack with his Gamma, Jon, but Dylan insisted they needed a few warriors when they met the Circle.

Almost like he had no faith in him anymore.

He balled his fists, something he was doing too often lately, as they walked through the lobby. The sun was just rising, so there was thankfully no one—

"Mr King, welcome back."

Fuck's sake.

He ignored the voice and continued walking to the elevators. What the hell was that woman doing here so early, anyway?

"I heard you were coming, but I wasn't sure if you planned on staying for a while. We cleaned your suite again despite that very young girl you have staying as your guest."

He sensed the judgement in her tone. He had no time for this shit. Layla had still been asleep when he had gone in to see her before he'd left, but he had sensed something wrong with her all night. Cain wanted to go back and make sure she was alright, but she wouldn't be alright if they didn't get rid of the Circle. They had to be here.

Besides, he was sure he already knew what was wrong with her. Her emotions were strong and had unsettled him and Cain. He'd scared her. She must have spent all that time wondering what was going on. For her safety, he had to make sure she didn't come to the correct conclusions.

"Will you be keeping her in your suite much longer?"

"Why does that matter to you, Miss Roberts?" he asked as he waited for the doors to open.

"It doesn't, sir. But I didn't want people to assume the owner of the Royal Hotel is keeping an underage mistress—"

"They can assume whatever the fuck they want. It's not your job to worry about the things I do, Miss Roberts," he growled before he walked into the elevator and turned around to face her.

The supervisor's face reddened. He sensed her disappointment and something else he couldn't quite place. He had no idea why the woman insisted on hounding him every time he visited, but maybe this would be the last time.

"Of course, Mr King. I apologise for overstepping," she said, stepping back and allowing his men to follow him. "Will Miss Carlisle be returning to work, or shall I consider this her resignation?"

"Layla can work here forever if she wants to," he answered before the doors closed.

He could sense that Dylan's gaze had been on him throughout the exchange.

"What?" he growled.

"Nothing."

Nothing. Dylan had been unnaturally quiet the whole ride into town, which hadn't helped with the tension he was feeling. His entire body was vibrating with the need to return to Layla; he felt like any little thing could set Cain off. It was a good thing that Dylan kept his mouth shut.

It wasn't just that he'd somehow gotten so attached to Layla that leaving her for a few hours felt like a death sentence. It was also because he had no idea who had gone above his head to alert the Circle. Someone had deliberately ignored the warning he'd given them all to leave Layla alone.

It was a challenge. Another one. He had no idea how much more of that crap he could take.

"Why are we going up to your suite first? They are already waiting for you because I told them you wanted them here this early," Dylan stated.

He kept quiet. What was he supposed to say? He was keeping the Alphas waiting because he wanted to check on the human's sister? That would be a dead giveaway.

When the door opened, he saw one of his warriors standing outside the room, guarding it as he had instructed. The warrior nodded and stepped aside after opening the door for him.

"Stay here," he told Dylan and the warriors behind him.

It only occurred to him after he had walked in that, once again, he was putting a human first just because he didn't want to scare Britney. He knew how intimidating he looked, even to those who knew nothing about his world, and Britney was just a child.

It was too early for a visit so he expected the human to be asleep. He was surprised to find her sitting on the sofa, hugging her knees.

She looked like she hadn't slept in days. Layla would lose her shit if she saw her like that.

When Britney noticed him, she jumped to her feet and backed away from him.

"Why are you awake already? You have school later. You can't go looking like that."

"Where's my sister?" Britney asked instead.

She was even more scared than Layla had been of him. Humans were always like that. So weak and useless, unable to really stand up for themselves. Their subconscious always recognised a predator.

"At my house," he said as he strolled to the drinks cabinet.

He poured two shots of whiskey and then offered Britney one. The girl looked at the drink and then frowned up at him.

"I'm seventeen," she stated.

Right. Another reason humans were inferior. But this one would be his child's aunt, even if they never met. He had to make sure she was taken care of as he had promised.

"I have meetings here this morning so I couldn't bring her to see you. She'll come soon," he said, downing one shot before picking up the other and walking to sit in the spot she had vacated.

Britney stepped back even further as if breathing the same air with him was a problem. What had Layla told her that night? The kid had been excited about living in his suite before then.

"I hear you had quite an adventure the other night," he started, swirling his drink in the glass. "You remember there are some men out there waiting to make you their sex toy, right?"

Britney's fear increased.

"I know, but if Layla's in trouble—"

"Layla is fine. I'm taking care of her the same way I'm taking care of you," he said. "Your job is to go to school and get good grades, not run around alone because your sister told you to."

Britney looked down at her bare feet. He could sense she was still anxious about what was going on. He hadn't come here to soothe anyone's feelings, but he knew Layla would never settle down if she thought her sister was scared.

"I'm taking care of her, Britney. I'm sure you'll agree that it's about time someone did that," he pointed out.

"I know," Britney said again.

"And when she's done her job, you'll go off to college, and she'll be able to take care of both of you without worrying about bills."

Britney's eyes widened. He'd overheard their phone calls; he knew Britney was under the impression that Layla was cleaning for him. Maybe telling her this would make her stay put.

"Can you do that, Britney? Can you stop worrying about your sister and let her work for a better future?" he asked as he put his empty glass on the table.

Britney swallowed and then nodded. Hopefully, he wouldn't have to have the same talk with her again, but if she was anything like her sister, he knew this wasn't the end.

He stood and straightened his suit jacket.

"Good. Go and get ready for school. And don't run away from my men again; they're here to keep you safe."

Britney nodded again. She was still a little anxious when he left the room but not as before.

He met Dylan's gaze outside the suite and saw the questions in his eyes, but he ignored him. Dylan already assumed he was losing his mind as his father had, and nothing but the truth would make him think otherwise.

And the truth was something he intended to take to his deathbed.

The hotel had provided a function room on the second floor for the meetings, so they piled back into the elevator. He could sense that the other Alphas were getting impatient before they walked out of the elevator.

A man from each pack was waiting outside the function room, and they all bowed before one opened the door.

The first man to rise when he entered was Alpha Chase, the Alpha of the Dark Moon Pack, who may or may not have harboured the rogues who had come to cause havoc in his territory.

Cain immediately growled his head as his focus zoomed in on the potential enemy.

Fuck.