Chapter 3 Kieran

• I managed to slip into the house last night without encountering my father. I know my luck is about to run out though because I am required to be at the breakfast table by 0730 each morning. I rolled to my opposite side and looked at the clock on my nightstand, realized that I had two hours before the inevitable bitchfest would begin, and decided to go for a run.
• I grabbed a pair of sweats from the dresser drawer and slipped them on, before slipping my feet into my favorite beat up tennis shoes. I quietly slipped down the back stairs and out the back door and exhaled the breath I hadn’t realized I had been holding. I did a quick round of stretches before I started off at a slow jog.
• As I ran, I slowly increased my pace and tried to focus solely on my breathing and the coil and flex of my muscles. Each time my body started to be comfortable, I would increase my pace, pushing for the next level. Running the perimeter of Cold Moon territory was often my route of choice, that way I could check the patrols and shore up any deficiencies in pack security. As I passed by the warriors on patrol, they would bow their heads in respect. I always acknowledged their gestures but kept going, sticking to my path to get the most from my run.
• By the time I finally returned to the pack house, the sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, and I entered through the back door to slip back up the stairs to my room. I loved a good hard run in the morning, the sting of muscles pushed to new boundaries and the sweat coating my body. To me it was a sign of a job well done, of an Alpha pushing to be his best for his pack.
• I quickly toed off my shoes and stripped out of my sweats as I made my way to the ensuite bathroom, tossing my sweaty clothes into the bin on my way. I started the shower to warm and quickly shaved before I stepped into the shower under the hot spray.
• After I had finished and turned off the water, I stepped out and towel dried before walking to my closet and selecting a fresh pair of jeans and a polo shirt. I preferred t-shirts but the old man would have a cow if I wore one to the breakfast table. ‘You never know when one of the pack members may need to speak with you and you can’t look like an average schmuck if they arrive unannounced,’ he would say. The pack members rarely came to the mansion these days, no one wanted to deal with my father, he’s too much of an asshole.
• A glance at my clock told me I had five minutes to be at the dining room table before the old man would start ranting. So, after running a comb through my hair, I slipped on my eastlands and headed to the dining room to face the bane of my existence.
• “You know if you wouldn’t stay out all night, you might wake up early enough to get to the breakfast table on time,” my father sneered as I entered the dining room.
• I glanced at the clock on the wall and noted that it was 0729. As I sat and lifted the coffee mug to my lips I smirked, “Funny, I had a minute to spare and that was after having my morning run and checking the patrols before my shower. Since pack security remains a top priority, I would think being late to breakfast to ensure my pack’s safety would still be the right decision.”
• “It isn’t your pack yet. I am still the Alpha since you have no interest in finding your mate. Don’t get ahead of yourself,” he growled in reply.
• “I suppose that would be one way to look at things. The way I see it, I am in fact the Alpha Heir, and this is the pack I am heir to, making them my pack. Unless I have a long-lost elder brother, you want to confess to fathering,” I replied as the side of his fist connected with the table.
• “Don’t you dare disrespect me boy! I had one heir with my mate, it’s unfortunate that we didn’t have another before you. He wouldn’t shirk his responsibilities!” he bellowed.
• “Well sorry to be such a disappointment, dad. Perhaps your imaginary heir and I can have a chat and I can get a few pointers on how to be a kiss ass sycophant. I’m heading for the shipping office and will be back for dinner. Have a pleasant day tending to your pack’s needs,” I snickered pushing back my chair and standing to leave.
• “You’ve not even had your meal! You are not excused!” he shouted as Cookie set his plate in front of him and his face turned red.
• “Careful there, you wouldn’t want to have a stroke and die or something. I’ll have lunch in the neutral territory. I need to make sure that things are in order so that I can take a week and attend one of the upcoming mating balls,” I responded as I exited the front door, not bothering to listen to whatever he blustered in reply.
• I slid behind the wheel of my 1993 red Mustang GT and smiled broadly as the engine roared to life. I flipped on the radio and began singing along to the lyrics of “Oh Carolina” as I sped towards the border of Cold Moon territory. It was definitely a decent tune and managed to clear the dregs of the morning pissing match from my head.
• As I cut the engine in front of the Cold Moon shipping office my stomach rumbled in protest at my skipping breakfast. That would have to be something I remedied first thing. I opened the door to the offices and was greeted by our very unaware human receptionist, Mrs. Masters. “Good morning Mr. Conway. Is there anything you’ll be needing today?” she questioned as she looked up from her computer screen.
• “Mrs. Masters, good morning. Would it be a problem to order me some breakfast from a local cafe? I seemed to have slept later than anticipated today,” I lied smoothly as I plucked my credit card from my wallet for her to pay for whatever she got.
• “Sure thing Mr. Conway. Will there be anything else?” she asked.
• “Just keep the coffee replenished, I want to tie up some loose ends before I take a short trip. Hang onto my card until after lunch, how about 1:30 for that, please,” I replied taking the stack of files she handed me and continued to the office I shared with Xavier.