03-Strength of the Mate (14 page)

Dawson placed a legal pad and pen on the end of his desk. “I’ll give the names to Noah and let him decide what to do from there. You guys will probably get the chance to meet the True Alpha.”

Paul looked surprised as he took the paper and pen from Dawson’s desk. “Do you think he’ll come all the way here to deal with this?”

Dawson leaned back in his chair. He propped an elbow on the arm rest, distracting Adam by running his fingers absently over his lower lip. “Yep. I’m almost certain he’ll come here to adjudicate punishment, and to put his boot up a few asses, just to emphasize his point.”

Adam couldn’t stop from snorting a quick laugh. He didn’t know Hammond well, but Dawson’s words struck him as accurate.

“I’m gonna make sure I never piss him off,” Jason remarked.

“Good idea,” replied Dawson. “As for my plans? First and foremost, I need to determine how soon I can issue Challenge that will have the least impact on base operations.”

Again, the room fell silent.

“With no convoy protection duty, the battalion goes off duty at sixteen hundred hours,” Paul finally said. “We’re not required to stand duty for the base. The one-eight handles that.”

Dawson sighed heavily. He looked at Adam askance. “Ever seen a werewolf fight for dominance?”

Adam’s eyes widened in surprise, even as his stomach twisted sickeningly. “No. But I’m not going to like it, am I?”

Dawson chuckled. “It won’t bother you to watch me win it, I hope.”

“Awfully sure of yourself, aren’t you?” Adam asked. He was surprised to be flirting openly, but not at Dawson’s confidence.

“You already know I’m a sure thing.” Dawson’s smile was predatory.

Movement in the corner of his eye reminded Adam they weren’t alone. He was mortified to find Paul and Jason watching them, wide smiles on their faces. Shit. Adam’s own face flushed. He was acutely aware of the still-darkening love bites on his throat and neck. He reminded himself that Jason and Paul could both smell his arousal when he was around Dawson. They could probably smell them all over each other, too.

“Do you need anything from us during the fight, Gunny?” asked Paul, his expression carefully neutral now.

“Referee fights afterward, if you would, Paul,” Dawson replied. “Jason, you and Borovec make sure anyone who fucks isn’t out in public, and that all parties are consenting.”

“You got it, Gunny,” Jason acknowledged.

Dawson turned toward Adam, his expression smoldering. “Can I count on you to look after me, once I win the fight?”

It was on the tip of Adam’s tongue to ask what exactly Dawson meant. His flirtatious smile and the heat in his eyes told Adam all he needed to know. His heart rate was all over the place now. Adam couldn’t catch his breath. “I-I-I have no idea how any of this works,” he blurted.

“You figured it out just fine yesterday.” Dawson’s eyes were deep violet again.

Adam knew Paul and Jason were enjoying his discomfort. He needed to turn the tables on Dawson, or he’d lose all his self-respect. “If you lose, I expect you to look after me.”

Dawson burst into laughter. “Deal!”

Jason and Paul both laughed, as well.

“Okay, gents. I have some official operations chief tasks I need to see to,” Dawson said, growing serious again. “Let’s meet back here at fifteen-thirty-hours.”

“Roger that, Gunny,” replied Paul, as he and Jason headed for the door.

Adam stood up, ready to leave. Dawson stood, too, but stopped Adam from leaving with a firm grip on his wrist. “You and I have a few more things to talk about.”

Adam’s heart slammed in his chest. He knew Dawson could feel it in his wrist. He knew Dawson could pick up the scent of his arousal. Adam couldn’t hide and there was no point in pretending.

Dawson caressed the inside of Adam’s wrist with his thumb. Electricity shot up Adam’s arm and he stopped breathing. He was hardly aware when the office door closed behind Jason and Paul’s exit.

When Dawson released him, Adam pulled his arm back, pressing it to his chest. He rubbed absently at his own wrist, mimicking Dawson’s touch. He met Dawson’s gaze, surprised to find his lavender eyes quickly turning to violet.

“You and the major aren’t close, are you?” Dawson surprised Adam by asking. “Had you even met a shifter before Jeremy?”

“No and yes,” Adam replied. “I met several shifters when I was in college, but I never really got to know one. They were all really just acquaintances.” He didn’t usually volunteer info about himself. “I don’t even really know Jeremy all that well.”

Dawson looked like he was curious. Adam tried not to fidget. “Were you ever close to the major? Have you always been distant, or did you have some sort of falling out?”

Adam narrowed his eyes. The question was too personal. Why did Dawson even want to know this shit? What did it matter? “We grew apart when he was away from home so much.”

Dawson shook his head slowly. Adam knew he wasn’t buying it.

“That’s not the whole story,” said Dawson. “But it’ll have to do for now. I just think it might be a good idea for the two of you to have a chat, once in a while.”

Adam huffed a laugh. “I’ve been thinking that same thing.”

“I’d ask you if you’re sure you’re ready for all this, but you don’t even know what’s about to happen.” Dawson sighed. He stepped into Adam’s space. “I’ve heard both Lucas and your brother say something, several times. The sooner you stop viewing all of this through the lens of your human experience and culture, the easier it all gets.”

“What exactly does that mean?” Adam asked, breathless.

Dawson lifted a hand to cradle Adam’s chin. He smoothed the pad of his thumb over Adam’s lower lip. Adam let his mouth fall open slightly as he leaned into Dawson’s touch.

“I’m not sure, exactly, but try to remember werewolves do things a little differently. Just…trust me, and have faith in our rituals. Okay?” Dawson stared at Adam’s mouth, like he wasn’t able to look away.

Adam pulled back slightly and Dawson dropped his hand. He blinked at Dawson several times, struggling to shake off whatever spell had cast itself around them.

“I’ll try.” Adam wasn’t ready to examine anything too closely.

Dawson grinned. “That’s good enough for now.” He stepped back out of Adam’s space. “Not that I really want you to leave, but I have a lot to do before the Challenge this afternoon. Noah really will want to pay us a visit and he’ll want to know what’s going on, sooner rather than later.”

“I understand.” Adam stepped around the desk, heading for the office door. “I’ve got that whole, older brother is an officer, thing, so I get it.” Opening the door to let himself out, he turned back toward Dawson. “Tell Noah I said hello and let Lucas know I’ll be sure to have the guest room made up for their visit.”

Dawson’s laughter followed Adam out the door.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Adam had no idea why Dawson wanted him around for whatever this Challenge thing was this afternoon. He wasn’t a werewolf. He didn’t care what they did, as long as they got the asshole weres under control.

Jason answered Adam’s knock. Dawson gestured him to the same chair he’d used that morning. Paul and Jason were seated in their same chairs, as well.

“I emailed the True Alpha a sit-rep, but it’s still too early in the States to expect a response,” Dawson said, as Adam sat down.

“Does that change the plan?” asked Paul.

“Not the immediate one,” Dawson replied. “Is Borovec up to speed and ready to go?”

“He’s as eager as we are, Gunny,” said Jason.

“Do I have a specific function in this werewolf party, you’re throwing?” Adam asked dryly. “Or am I tagging along as the fifth wheel?”

Jason started to answer, but a small gesture from Dawson silenced him.

“You’re anything but a fifth wheel,” Dawson said smoothly. “Your confrontation with Carson this morning put you publicly at odds with Granger and the weres who’ve been terrorizing the base. We’re keeping you close during the ritual, partly to show you have our protection. It also shows the
sippe
that I’m capable of forming an effective…relationship, with humans and civilians.”

Dawson’s hesitation of the one word was slight, but it captured Adam’s attention. He didn’t feel like Dawson was being deceptive. But there was more going on than Adam could grasp. He was so fucking confused.

“What ritual? I thought you said this was a Challenge.” Dawson started to reply, but Adam had more he needed to know. “And what exactly does this ritual, or Challenge, or whatever you’re all doing, consist of?”

Dawson shook his head and chuckled. “A Challenge is a ritual,” he said. “It’s when a werewolf attempts to forcibly take over leadership of his or her pack. And we,” Dawson gestured between himself, Jason and Paul, “aren’t issuing Challenge. I am.”

“We’re going to make sure the fight is fair and no one interferes,” said Paul, indicating himself and Jason. “And afterward, Borovec will help us look after the
sippe
, while Gunny is out of commission.”

Alarm sent a chill through Adam’s body. He felt weak, even though he was sitting down. “Hold on just a fucking minute!” Adam cried. “You’re talking about a wolf fight! But you’re not a True Alpha, taking over an entire pack.” Adam remembered what Tim had told him about Jeremy’s wolf fight. Dawson was definitely trying to gloss over the details of what was going to happen.

“It’s how we decide our leadership. I have to earn the right and the privilege to become the camp’s pack leader.” Dawson’s casual tone made it sound no worse than a job interview.

Adam scrubbed his hands over his face and his hair as he struggled with this information. He’d seen dogs fight. He knew wolves were a fuck-ton stronger and more vicious. He pictured it in his head. Tim had been worried for Jeremy’s safety, and he’d had an obvious advantage in his fight. Fear settled in the pit of Adam’s stomach like a heavy rock.

“You could get hurt,” he said, unable to look at Dawson. “You could get killed. I don’t want to watch that happen.”

The room erupted into a cacophony of sound as the three shifters spoke at once. Dawson reached over, grasped one of Adam’s hands, and held it between both of his own. He tugged gently until Adam finally met his gaze.

“Guys, guys, shut it down,” he said firmly. Paul and Jason fell silent. “Remember what I said earlier about the lens of your human perspective?” Adam nodded. “Our leadership challenges haven’t been to the death for a couple of centuries. Even if I get a little scraped up, I’ll be healed when I shift. It sounds like a bigger deal than it is.”

Dawson’s quiet confidence was reassuring. He needed Adam to understand and accept all of this. Adam wanted to be helpful, and it was a simple thing to just believe that Dawson wasn’t worried about all of this.

Silently, Adam ordered himself to knock off all the wishful thinking. Dawson didn’t need a human’s help or acceptance. He was just being accommodating and reassuring, was all. It was embarrassing though, how quickly Adam started to worry about Dawson’s welfare.

Taking a deep breath, Adam quietly asked, “So, even if you don’t win this fight, you’re not going to end up bloody and bruised?” Why the hell wasn’t he worried about the possibility of retaliation against all of them? It was insane how quick Dawson had gotten under Adam’s skin.

Dawson looked affronted. He was seriously insulted by Adam’s concern for him. What more proof did Adam need that he didn’t have to worry about Dawson safety?

Releasing Adam’s hand, Dawson said, “Thank you for having so much confidence in me.”

Anger flared in his chest, fueled by embarrassment. It was just like dealing with Tim’s all-knowing arrogance. “Excuse me for being concerned for your welfare.” His reply was snide. “I haven’t known you long enough to have an idea how well you fight.”

“Should we wait outside?” Paul’s question was laced with laughter.

Adam looked at him in surprise. He’d forgotten he and Dawson weren’t alone. Jason was trying to hide a smile behind his hand.

Dawson laughed softly. “No, we’re fine,” he said on an exhale. “Adam, I appreciate you being worried about me, but I assure you, I’m going to be fine. I’m older and larger than Granger. I’m a very strong wolf. I’m an experienced fighter, so I have more than a few legal tricks in my bag. Most important of all, I have the support of the majority of the
sippe
.” Dawson’s expression was earnest and imploring.

Adam studied Dawson for several moments. Unlike Tim, he was explaining himself. He didn’t need Adam’s help, but it sounded like Dawson wanted his support. Dawson’s words about looking at werewolves through human eyes echoed in his head. “Okay,” he finally said, “so my only function is to be a visible symbol of support?”

Dawson didn’t immediately respond. The silence felt heavy. “I might ask you for help with one thing or another,” he said carefully. “But if you feel an inclination to do something, please don’t question it, go with your gut.”

The pleas focused Adam’s attention. He was sure there was something Dawson needed him to understand and accept, so he took a deep breath and stepped off a cliff. “Okay. Fine. But when this is over, someone needs to explain this shit to me.”

“Agreed,” Dawson replied.

“It’s sixteen-hundred-hours, Gunny,” Paul said. “We’re all off duty. Are you gonna stalk Granger? Or wait until your paths cross?”

“Let’s just head to the dining hall for chow, and see how things go from there,” replied Dawson.

It was so fucking surreal.

Dawson locked his office door and they headed out. Will Borovec and Roger Allen were waiting for them outside the HQ offices. The afternoon sun was as glaring as the morning sun, especially after being indoors. Sweat immediately started to bead on his skin. Adam slipped his sunglasses on and followed in the wake of the fractious group of Marines.

Roger fell back to walk beside Adam. “Do you understand this shit that’s going on?” he asked, trying not to be overheard.

“I finally figured out the basics, why?” Adam asked.

“This is a good thing, right? Gunny Rivers is gonna kick Granger’s ass, then the full moons won’t be all fucked up, right?” Roger looked as worried as Adam felt.