Chapter 134

[ 784 words ]

Smart ass

134: 134.

Smart ass Theo

I know Hazam is going to be difficult before we even reach his door.

The Alpha has always been hard to get a read on, with very few trusting bones in his body.

Not difficult in a hostile way.

But the scars of his past made it impossible for him to see things beyond the proof he could gather for himself.

Those traits wouldn’t be so bad if Hazam didn’t enjoy making people work for every answer they tried to get out of him.

He treats a serious conversation like a game, constantly shifting the subject, poking at weaknesses, and seeing how long it takes before someone loses their patience and lets something slip they wouldn’t have otherwise.

Which is exactly why Aria is walking beside me.

I hate using her this way.

Aria looks at me and smirks, her pretty bowed lips cocking in a knowing smile.“Don’t look so grouchy.

I thought we were going here to make nice.”

“I do not look grouchy.”

“Yes, you do,” she leans over and kisses me.

The moment her mouth touches mine, my body hums to life but she pulls away too fast.

“Be good, and I’ll make it worth your while,” she says.

“I’ll hold you to it,” I say, giving her tight ass a light squeeze.

Aria can handle herself, I know that.

But what bothers me is that I know exactly what effect she’ll have on him.

Hazam has always been fascinated by Syphers.

Ever since he set foot in the mountain, he’s treated her like a puzzle he can’t quite solve.

Like a myth come to life.

“We both know he’s going to be impossible,” Aria says as we walk down the stone corridor.

“That’s being generous. He’ll be a pain in the ass.”

She laughs.

“You know what to expect. Just go in there and do what you do best, put them at ease.”

I glance at her, trying not to present at the compliment.

“You remember the plan?”

Her smile turns sly.

“You mean the part where I keep him distracted while you convince him you’re not lying?”

I bump her shoulder with mine.

“Smart ass.”

She bumps her shoulder into mine.

A few minutes later, we stop outside Hazam’s pack’s dorm rooms.

He turns his head as we enter.

Hazam is sprawled in a chair with his boots resting on the corner of his desk.

The male looks entirely too comfortable for someone possibly plotting against us.

His eyes immediately land on Aria.

My wolf bares his teeth at the male, not enjoying his blatant interest in our mate.

“Well,” he says lazily.

“This week is on the up and up. First, the weapons, and now you’re stopping by for a visit, Luna. I hope this is more good news ”

Aria smiles sweetly.

“Depends on what you consider good.”

He finally looks over to me.

“Theo,” he greets, putting his feet down and sitting up.

“Didn’t see you there.”

I roll my eyes, doing my best not to let his comment stick.

“Can we have a moment of your time?”

He gestures to the chair next to him.

“I suppose a moment isn’t too much to spare.”

“Good. Then we’re off to a strong start,” I intone.

Aria and I take a seat across from him, and he grins.

I already regret coming.

“We wanted to speak with you about the poisoning.

His eyebrow rises.

“Has the research team discovered what the compound was?”

“Trace amounts of a fungus from a highly toxic species of mushroom.

Lab synthesized to maximize the effects.”

“Bastards.”

“Glad you feel that way,” I say.

“Ronan and our band have been speaking, and we think it’s time to take a chance at leveling the playing field.”

I see the shuttered look in his eyes.

He is closing up, instantly on alert.

Aria takes that as her cue.

“ They tried to weaken our numbers before the fight. It means they’re scared to go toe to toe.”

Hazam folds his hands over his stomach.

“ And what solution was proposed to their less-than-thought-out plan?”

“We strike back. They are clearly trying to use this time to gather themselves, and still, it seems they are not confident in the measures they have. But Hazel has told us of the hunter’s arsenal. If we invade it, take their weapons, or even,” Aria holds out her hand and makes a show of calling her flames to dance along her fingertips.

“Burn them all to the ground.

Tell me, what kind of allies would it make without their toys?”

“The Assembly is watching us too closely.

We need time for the warriors to train with the new weapons.

A move like this could be risky,” Hazam says.

“It would be the shift in the tide we need,” I say.

“Think about it.

Right now, they are scrambling for the upper hand.

They think the poison will have weakened us.

Attacking their weapons rather than them is the last thing they would expect.”

“Or are you willing to sit here while they try to pick off your pack members?” Aria adds.

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