Chapter 160: Chapter 160: Unsettled Tensions
RAMON’S POV
After freshening up, I went to the room where I receive guests. The morning light filtered through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the polished wooden floor as I walked in.
I was expecting to see the representative’s, and hear more about what it was they were representing. My mind was already preparing for another round of political maneuvering and veiled threats.
But I saw someone different when I walked into the hall. Their back was turned against me, but I could tell who it was from their outline—the familiar broad shoulders, the relaxed stance that only one person could pull off in my presence.
"You’re not the representative I was expecting to see," I said, my voice low but carrying across the room.
"I guess your beta lied so you could come to me then. What are you going to do now? Get mad and send him packing?" Liam said, turning around to face me with that signature grin of his.
I charged forward, and only stopped when I was standing in front of him. The scent of his familiar cologne, woodsy and clean, hit me, stirring old memories.
He didn’t budge, but only lifted his brows questioningly, his arms crossed casually over his chest.
"You bastard," I said, and pulled him for a hug, my arms wrapping around him tightly.
"You get softer by the day, Ramon. The old you wouldn’t have spoken to me for at least one more year," he teased, returning my hug with equal strength, his hand clapping my back.
I had messed up terribly when it came to how fast I concluded on Liam.
We had been friends since forever. How could I have easily pinned such horrible allegations on him? The guilt from that mistake still sat heavy in my chest.
"Because you were jealous," he said as we pulled away, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Pardon?"
"I guess you’re wondering why you accused me falsely. Well it’s because you were jealous, and scared I’d steal your girl."
I scoffed in disbelief of what was coming out of his mouth, shaking my head.
"You could never steal my girl."
"Sure? What happened with Amanda?"
"Pstttt, she doesn’t even count. She was just a discovery."
"If you say so." He bobbed his head, a knowing smirk on his face.
"Why are you here, Liam? Don’t you have a pack to look after?"
"Ugh!" He groaned, and plopped into one of the chairs in the room, spreading his legs lazily. "I got bored. I needed something thrilling," he said, leaning back with a dramatic sigh.
"That would explain why you returned. What if I had given the order to kill on sight?"
He waved a dismissive finger, as he relaxed his body into the chair, completely at ease.
"You could never do such a thing. Not to me, at least."
I watched him spread lazily. He was one of the few people I knew were genuinely good, and would always stick out their necks for others.
If there was someone who deserved to take a break, it was him.
"Do you want to eat?" I asked, despite already knowing what the answer was going to be.
"Why do you ask questions you know the answer to? Did I come this distance to just stare at you?"
"You bastard. You and Daisy do this all the time. Come to my pack just to eat? What do we look like? A free food chain restaurant?"
"If you don’t want people to come around for the sole purpose of eating, maybe tell your chefs to be less good?"
"They’re not good, you fool, they’re excellent!"
He chuckled in amusement, and I was right in sync with him, the sound of our laughter filling the room and easing some of the tension in my shoulders.
"Are we going to eat now?" He asked after our humour subsided.
"I wish. You can go ahead though. I have an important business to handle."
"Is it Lorena? Heard she’s pregnant for you."
"That leaky mouth, Blane. Does he keep nothing to himself?"
"Actually, Daniel told me."
"Of course he did!" I kissed my teeth in feigned anger, running a hand through my hair.
Liam chortled dismissively. "You don’t have to get mad. You’re the one who spilled your seed in her. Now you have to deal with the consequences."
"Oh it’s about to be a severe one," I said, my voice dropping as the weight of the situation settled back on me.
"What have you done again, Ramon?" He asked in a suspicious tone, sitting up straighter.
"Come, I’ll tell you on our way to our mission. And no, we’re not going to see Lorena just yet."
He nodded, and jumped to his feet in readiness, his movements fluid and eager.
I loved that about Liam. He didn’t need to know what anything was before he supported me.
As long as I was ready to do a thing, he was always game.
We walked out of the room, and into the path that led to the cell. The hallway was dimly lit, the scent of damp stone and old wood filling the air.
"How’s the beautiful mate? Does she know about Lorena?"
"What do you think the dilemma is about?"
"I knew it!" He snapped a finger. "I knew it wouldn’t take long."
"You knew what? What are you talking about?" My face scrunched as I waited for an explanation.
"I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist her for too long. You fell for her, didn’t you?"
"Slow down, mister. I didn’t fall for anyone. Although, I’d say our relationship has gotten more complicated."
"Good morning, Alpha Ramon. Good morning, alpha Liam," a maid greeted as she stood still, waiting for us to walk past.
"Good morning," we both replied to her at the same time, before continuing ahead.
"Why do they always do that?" He asked in a mocking voice.
"Do what?"
"Stop when we’re passing by? Wasn’t it supposed to be a joke when Daniel and Blane started it? Has it now become law?"
I sighed in resignation. I was talking to this fool about my predicament, and he was talking about some stupid law?
"Hey, don’t get mad because I diverted a little. Tell me, what happened between you and your pretty mate?" He asked, as we took a turn, the narrow path leading deeper into the cells.
"I slept with her," I blurted, unable to hold it in anymore, my voice echoing slightly off the stone walls.
"Okay?"
"What do you mean okay?"
"You slept with her, big deal. She’s your mate. You couldn’t possibly resist her forever." He shrugged, his tone casual.
"Do you understand that she could very well be carrying my child too? Imagine the inconvenience."
"You should have thought of that before you—"
"Spread your seed into her," I helped him complete it, my jaw clenching.
He laughed, seeing how frustrated he had gotten me.
"Alright, alright. Let’s focus on one thing at a time. We’ll settle whatever it is you have to do this morning first, then after breakfast, revisit your predicament. Deal?"
I stopped walking as the two guards guarding the entrance of the cells spread the doors apart.
They bowed and we walked past them, through the narrow path, the air growing cooler and damper.
"You didn’t answer," Liam said, as we walked, his footsteps matching mine.
"Oh you have a deal, Liam. As long as you help me torture out answers from this son of a bitch," I said, coming to a stop in front of my latest captive’s cell.
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