Page 30 of Assisting the Alpha
Ayo shrugs. “Not unless someone’s life depends on it. I won’t betray Teo’s trust.”
As irritating as that is, it’s also admirable. So far during the investigation, Ayo has told us everything he’s aware of that we’ve needed to know whenever he can, but he hasn’t betrayed any secrets of either his coven or his many and varied friends. It oddly makes me more inclined to trust that he’ll keep our secrets too.
The hotel looks expensive from the outside, with sweeping arches above every window and twin columns between each, and stone carvings of various big cats set into the curve of each arch. The evidence of prowl ownership is also there in the security guard at the front door, who smells like a tiger.
He narrows his brown eyes at me but relaxes when Ayo jogs up and gives him a fist bump followed by a bro hug.
“Bro, it’s been too long,” the guard says.
Was the hug really necessary? Does this guy really need to be squeezing him like that?
“Still hanging with the dogs, little man? Although this one’s new.” The guy eyes me up and down warily, likely because I’m not containing my alpha power.
Ayo grins at me. “Ethan, this is SJ. SJ, Ethan Lupo, owner of Soldati Security. We’re here to see Teo. He about yet?”
“Yeah, he arrived a few minutes ago. He’s in Conference Room One. So you’re not one of the Connor Pack?” SJ directs that last part at me.
I raise an eyebrow. “Do I smell like one of Dante’s wolves?”
Honestly, cats need to use their senses better.
A snarl builds in SJ’s throat, so I growl at him.
Until Ayo tugs my hand. “Well, we don’t want to keep Teo waiting! Later, bro. Say hi to Lia for me.”
SJ and I stop the posturing and glare at each other for another moment, but Ayo’s warm hand in mine is enough to remind me that I’m not here to get into a fight with a security guard. I keep hold of Ayo’s hand as we walk into the hotel, using his touch to ground me.
Ayo tugs me to the side when we’re far enough from the door. “I understand the whole shifter posturing thing, I do, but please try to contain it.”
I drop his hand and cross my arms while trying not to crush the folder I’m carrying, a scowl on my face. “He didn’t need to be touching you like that.”
Ayo looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. In fairness, he might be right.
“Like what? The hug? Because if that’s a problem then you need to find a way to keep a lid on it. Teo is going to hug me, and mess with me, and if you growl at him you can forget getting any answers about literally anything.”
Fortunately, Ayo doesn’t ask why I’m acting possessive, which is just as well because I don’t have an answer for him. I scratch at my beard and remind myself I’m a professional, one with plenty of experience keeping my cool in far more tense or dangerous situations than this one.
“I’m good.”
Ayo eyes me uncertainly, then takes a deep breath. “Right. Good. Great. Let’s go meet Teo.”
Ayo seems to know where he’s going as we head further into the ground floor of the hotel. The inside is much more modern than the outside, with pale wood flooring and charcoal grey area rugs zoning several seating areas dotted throughout the reception area, under the sleek glass and metal staircase, and adjacent to a well-stocked bar.
The door to Conference Room One is propped open, and although there are at least eight cat shifters inside, no one is sitting down. They clearly hear us coming, because the conversation stops before we enter the room.
I don’t need any introductions to know which one’s Teo. There’s an energy surrounding a jaguar shifter, a man around five foot ten with lithe muscles and intense pale eyes. His scent is pure power and the others seem to orient themselves around him.
His stormy energy lightens, as does his scent, when he lays eyes on Ayo. “Li’l bro! C’mere.”
Ayo’s scent spikes with happiness when Teo hugs him tightly. I manage to restrain my growl. Just.
Teo smirks at me over Ayo’s shoulder, then lets my sorcerer go as he looks me up and down. “So this is Ethan Lupo.”
Ayo hurries to do introductions, and since Teo doesn’t offer to shake hands, I don’t bother to try.
Teo tilts his head and studies me. “I must admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect of a wolf shifter with a mixed-species pack.”
“We’re not a pack,” I correct. “They’re my team. Have been for years.”
