The Reluctant Cougar (Rise of the Alpha King's Heir)

Just The Boys

"Alright, one more minute of freedom," P.A. said later that night. "Get to your stations."

"Already?" Archie groaned.

Jessup checked his watch, "Yeah, kind of surprised they've not already--"

The lights clicked off. Over an intercom a masculine voice barked, "Lights out. G'night ladies."

Ben, feeling thankful for his night vision, made his way to the bed, feeling the pillow case for probably the eighth time that night to make sure the drawstring bag was still there.

"None of us are going to mess with it," Archie assured him.

P.A. added, "We're dicks, sure, but we're brothers in arms. We might annoy you--and Jessup--but we'll always have your back, Cougar."

"Thanks," Ben said hesitantly. It felt too soon to start trusting the other young men.

As if reading his mind, Jessup added, "Give us a chance, Cougar. Don't be stupid about it, but I think you'll find even these idiots are worth knowing."

Ben nodded. Then realizing not all of them might be able to see as well in the dark as he could he said, "Alright."

Ben climbed into his bed, certain that he wouldn't be able to sleep. There'd been so much that had happened that day. And he had questions, so many questions.

"Will I start training tomorrow?" Ben wondered.

Jessup answered, "Nah, our trainers are rigorous, but we follow more of a business schedule. They own us from five in the morning until five at night Monday through Friday, but we get the weekends off."

"Oh, but if you're not religious, you might want to act like it," Archie added. "Sundays are only given if you go to one of the services, otherwise you get a 'religious experience on the obstacle course'."

"We just followed the old religion," Ben said uncertainly.

"That's here too," Archie assured him. "Along with Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, Shinto, and different types of pagans." 

"Why do they care if we go to a religious service?" Ben wondered.

"It's a matter of being held accountable," Jessup answered him. "The idea that there's something out there bigger than us that every alpha--and even the Alpha King--must one day bow to. It's the idea that actions have consequences and shouldn't be made without deep thought."

"I thought it just made us easier to control," P.A. said darkly. "That's how it was used in my town,  anyway."

"P.A.'s one of only three cadets that chooses the extra training," Jessup told Ben.

"I've got enough going on in my head," P.A. said off-handedly. "I don't need more."

"Archie and I mix it up," Jessup told him. "We sample all of them. I'm fond of Christianity, though. I like the idea of somebody wanting me so much that they'd--eh, I just like the stories."

There was more than a touch of emotion in Jessup's voice, and Ben wondered why.

"I like dancing naked with the pagans," Archie said, and Ben could hear the excited grin in his voice. "They let you drink too."

"They're too much like the Giftlings," P.A. muttered. "Too much female power. No thanks."

"You mean you don't like the idea of a female in charge?" Archie wondered.

"No," he said decisively.

"Man, you are missing out," Jessup laughed. "Some of my best memories are from letting women take control and tell me what to do."