noun ~ a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention tosomething else

PHOENIX

"What do you plan on doing now she's gone?"

I turned my attention to my Gamma, eyes narrowed in thought. He slowly chewed on the pizza in his hand, eyes shifting away from my intense gaze. I sighed, shaking my head to try and clear my thoughts.

Nova had been gone all morning now. Not long after she left, did I find myself on the training grounds. I had been slacking in taking care of my pack. Their disagreement for certain aspects of being the King's Warrior pack had made me feel shameful. So, I trained them all to the point they couldn't walk without complaining of cramps. I may have been a little harsh, however, I see that now the energy and adrenaline had worn off.

I was pleased when Nova contacted me through the mind link, proving how powerful she was even at a distance. It wasn't good for her, and I texted Charlie to ask how she was. She had fallen asleep in the back seat and they were half way to the Lycan pack. My chest ached with longing but I knew she was fine.

"I have a few ideas." I shrugged, turning back to Sean.

"Like what?" He frowned, licking away tomato sauce from his chin.

"Teaching you manners." I scowled.

He froze with his thumb halfway to his mouth. His eyes widened with alarm at my harsh glare but when I began to smirk his shoulders relaxed and he chuckled.

"Never known the Alpha to joke." He mused, continuing the grooming of his thumb.

"I am a funny person."

He snorted. "Sure, you are, Phoenix. My whole time as your beloved Gamma, you have always been the silent grumpy type."

Noticing my scowl deepen he backtracked.

"I mean, not that it's a bad thing. Being a strong Alpha has it perks; it means the pack grows well and we are well protected and-"

"Sean." I interjected.

"Yeah?"

"Shut up."

His eyes widened before he burst into a laugh. I sighed, shaking my head. If it wasn't my Beta it was my damn Gamma. Was there even a sane person in power of this pack anymore?

I stood from the table, pushing my chair in to leave.

"Where you going?" Sean questioned.

"To shower." I breathed, causing his nose to wrinkle. "Something you should do too once the pizza has vanished."

He smirked but shrugged his shoulders, continuing to eat. "Rose loves my appetite."

"Only because she is used to living with wild animals." I murmured.

"Hey!" He shouted. "Low blow."

I didn't wait around any longer, leaving Sean to his own devices. A part of me still loathed him for the moves he made on my mate. The border he tried to push between us. I was thankful that the bond was strong enough to not drift her away, she had still been attracted to me. Sean was just a thorn in her side that I had to shift. It was gradual, but now I had my mate all to myself, and selfishly I was glad of that. His mate coming into the picture only secured his fate and meant his advances had finally fallen dead.

I entered my room and stripped down bare on my way to the shower. The water was hot as it washed away the grime of working out. It was around three o'clock down, the training going longer than I expected. It was a good distraction. Hell, I needed one to stop me chasing after the car. My muscles ached and burned but the massaging water soothed the post-work out aches.

Once finished, I climbed out from the shower and towel dried my body and hair. Staring at myself in the mirror, I brushed my fingers along the faint stubble on my jaw. I couldn't be bothered so shave it, so decided to just leave it for the day.

Entering my closet, I pulled out some shorts and a black t-shirt. Last night, as I lay holding Nova, I had a thought, a dream if you will. I was determined now more than ever to get it in motion, leaving my room to seek out the male in question.

I found him talking to some of the warriors by the back door, drinking from a protein bottle. His blonde hair was full of sweat, still not showered from the intense workout.

"Alex!" I called.

His blue eyes darted to me in surprise and he swallowed harshly. "Yes, Alpha."

"I'd like a word with you in my office."

His eyes widened but he bowed his head and followed me from the room. I lead him to my office, leaving him to let himself in. I gestured for him to sit, moving out my chair to face opposite him.

"Did I do something, Alpha?" He worried.

I shook my head, studying him. "Nothing bad. It's more what you can do for me."

"What's that?" He wondered, cocking his head.

"I heard you're a rather good architect." I grinned, causing him to nod eagerly.

Time to set this plan in motion.

***

After the talk with Alex, I found myself filling in forms on my computer. Fingers resting on my chin, I scanned the document before me. It was the same old boring stuff; border security checks, treaty alliance checks, monetary checks. Charlie more than often did the initial monetary checks, before sending them to me to finalise. Nova had taken the role of supplies and stock for the pack house rather well too, giving me a sheet in advance before she left.

I chuckled to myself as I thought about the serious look on her face when she told me the orange juice would be out of date soon. That woman and her orange juice...

As if on queue, the phone rang, snapping me from my daze. My eyes flashed to the clock, finding it was getting late into the day. Looking at the caller ID, Charlie's name flashed up at me.

Putting on speaker, I answered.

"Alpha Titan."

He groaned. "You know it's me, man. Stop it."

I laughed. "How is everything?"

"We're good. We arrived about half an hour ago, Aldren lead us through, just in my room right now." He explained and I heard the faint trickling of running water.

"How was the drive? Any problems?"

"Other than a parking ticket and travelling in a goddamn glass box up this mountain, it was fine." He grunted.

I shook my head, turning my gaze back to the work I was completing. My fingers itched to continue but this phone call was equally as important.

"What are you doing?" Charlie wondered.

I frowned. "Stock market."

"What are you wearing?" He hummed, clicking his tongue.

I grumbled at him. "Thanks for letting me know you arrived safe, Beta."

He bellowed a laugh. "Hey, rude... What did you get up to, today?"

"Training." I grunted. "Your mate stayed in her room all day."

He sighed heavily. "I thought she might. Let me know if she does anything, yeah?"

"Of course. I'll leave you to your evening, give Nova your phone."

"Man, just get her a phone." He complained.

"She won't accept one." I huffed, eyebrows drawing together. "I have tried countless times and she says they're uneneccesary."

"Does she still call her parents?" He asked and I breathed a yes. "Then she should have a mobile, keep in touch."

"Try telling her that." I grumbled. "I'm glad she's not materialistic, but I have to practically force new clothes into her closet."

He laughed. "She's cute... And hey, speaking of her family, have you finalised their transfer papers?"

I sighed, scrolling on my computer for a moment. Pulling up the two files, I scanned them briefly.

"They just need signing off from their current Alpha."

"Ah, the Beta."

"Is taking his time." I growled.

He laughed. "Well, enjoy your night alone."

"Thanks, you too." I rolled my eyes. "Bye."

"Love you." He teased.

"Go away."

I ended the call to the sound of his booming laugher. Seriously, was I ever to have a sane friend?

***

A few days later, I was back in my office with Alex sat opposite me. He had brought me the final draft of his design, the previous two he showed me needed tweaking but this one seemed perfect.

"What do you think, Alpha?"

I ran my eyes along the blue prints once more, rubbing my jaw in thought.

"I think this is the best one yet." I nodded, looking up to find him barely containing a smug grin.

"Thank you. How soon do you think we can sort supplies?" He breathed.

I shook my head. "I already have them on hold, I ordered them when you produced the first draft. Think you're cut out for it? Some manual labour?"

He scoffed. "Me? Yes?"

"Very well." I nodded. "I trust you enough to pick the wolves of your choosing to help build it."

"Thank you, Alpha. I feel priviledged to be give such an honour."

I gave him a small smile, "Not a problem. You are a great designer, Alex."

He grinned, bowing his head. Leaning forwards, I held out a hand for him to shake which he did so with eagerness. Dismissing him, he practically ran from the room, no doubt to seek out the people he was going to work with.

Looking down at the blueprint once more, I smiled softly, the tension in my shoulders relaxing.

This would do nicely.

***

Nova had been gone a week now. I spent most of my time trying to distract myself, whether it was through training, paperwork or observing Alex's crew. I helped them out some days, other days I was too unfocused to complete the task. Today, was one of those days.

The sun was close to setting beyond the trees and I felt myself drawn to it, wondering if Nova was watching it too. She was a couple of hours ahead, so it was unlikely she saw the beauty that I did now. Autumn was well settled now, the nights drawing in and the air turning cooler. As soon as the sun disappeared, a cold chill crept upon my skin.

I stood with my arms crossed, observing the work that had been accomplished in around four days. We had the foundations of the job complete, I just hoped we could finish it by the end of the month.

"Alpha!" Someone called.

I sighed, turning my attention to the intruding voice. It was Sean.

"Yes?" I wondered.

"I've been looking for you. Phone call."

I raised an eyebrow but made my way back into the house. Alex's crew tended to work until the sun had completely disappeared, taking pride in their hard work. It was for their Alpha, so they were treating it like a special mission. I'd compensate them heavily if it turned out the way I had dreamed.

"Who is it?" I asked, entering my office.

Sean was not behind me, leaving me confused. Nova didn't usually call at this hour; it was too early. She was either off exploring the grounds of the Lycan home, or stuck in the library trying to read harder books. Her reading skills were becoming exceptional, the lack of schooling did not seem to matter to her.

"Hello, Alpha Titan."

"Cousin!"

"Alexandar." I commented through gritted teeth. "What is the meaning of this phone call?"

He laughed. "Don't sound so eager, cousin."

I didn't respond and he sighed, knowing I wasn't going to play around with him.

"Word on the street is your mate is visiting the Lycan packs?"

"What about it?" I growled.

"Nothing bad! Nothing bad! I was just wondering... if you could ask her to dig up some dirt on them."

I gritted my teeth. "Why?"

"Well... to be honest, I am still getting demands from other packs regarding their whereabouts the night of the coronation attack." He sighed. "They want them investigated, and I figured with your mate and Gamma being there, it would be a perfect opportunity.

I ignored the fact he got the wrong accompanying wolf, rumours spread and changed too easily. A grumble leaving my throat at what he was inclining. He wanted my mate to spy on them?

"Why is this so important, that you want my mate, to spy on her own family?" I snapped.

I heard him inhale sharply, the whooshing of air coming through my receiving end. "Opportunities arise, and you got to take them by the hands."

"Good day, Alexandar." I growled.

"Wait! Phoenix, please!"

"What?" I snapped.

"Just... ask her for me. Find out why they ran so quickly, they do not look innocent."

"Fine." I huffed. "Goodbye, Alexandar."

"Goodbye, Phoenix."

I ended the call harshly, now in a foul mood. He wanted my little mate to go and play eye spy and investigate her family? How low did he think we were? Nova said her cousins were innocent, then I believed her. She seemed to be bonding well with Aldren, enjoying her visits to the small village with him. She had told me of the book, and how she wasn't sure she should trust him with the information. I told her to do what she felt was right, as much as she liked Aldren, the book was enchanted for a reason.

The next day, I sat in my office once more, awaiting Nova's evening phone call, when I received an email. It came from her old pack, a blank subject box. I opened it cautiously, finding no text other than the Alpha's signature and two attachments. Opening the first, I was relieved to see that it was her mother's transfer papers, signed and dated at the bottom. I smiled, printing them both off to lay across my table. I picked up the 'approved' stamp and gently secured it to the pages.

Nova's parents were finally coming to live with us; in two weeks. It had taken a long time, but I hoped that the new change of direction for my pack, would encourage other families to join. Her parents were hardly the warrior type, but it would be nice to have some diversity.

The sudden crippling headache that overcame me, was not what I expected to happen. I groaned, my fists clenching the desk as my breath fell short. My heart ached, my hands trying to grasp at my throat for breath. I could feel the rapid beating of my pulse in my ears, my head swimming as my chest felt like it may collapse with pressure.

Nova. I cried, reaching for her breaking mind-link.

I felt to my knees as the room span, my eyes blurring, ears ringing as pain encompassed my body.

What was going on?