Claws and code

Highly trained experts

He didn't just clear the room, he stayed, even after David arrived. Jack didn't reply to anyone, just sat beside me and watched the room. He simply growled at anyone that got near me. They had to get his Alpha to get him to talk. He told his Alpha that he had been given a job to care for my wellbeing and that was what he would do. And he was keeping everyone away because I had said I didn't want to talk to anyone. I vaguely listened to it happen beside me but continued working while he topped up my coffee and fed me. Jack was beside me, I continued working. Every so now and then I said something to David, regarding what we were doing, until I heard Jack's Alpha order him out on behalf of Daniel.

Jack stood up with a low rumble of displeasure and took one step away from me. Suddenly my work didn't matter. What if he didn't come back? What if he went and found some other woman to ease his needs because he didn't have to stay by my side? What if he started walking around our pack and found his mate? Then I would never have him hold me again. I shoved my chair back as I shot up and pulled his arm. I was feeling unreasonably desperate to keep him close. He stopped and everyone turned to look at me.

'My Alpha ordered me, on behalf of your Alpha, to leave this room.' Jack rumbled apologetically. Lycans were pack animals, their obedience absolute. But that other Alpha didn't know that I was a mere human and I looked him straight in the eye. Instead of saying anything to him, I simply dismissed him, you didn't have to be an Alpha to hate that. He growled, I turned to Daniel and smiled sweetly. 'They realize that we had no problems until they brought them here? Don't they?'

'I'm sure they do, Cloe.' Daniel replied. I knew he called me Cloe to remind me that I should behave but I didn't care.

'And I am their best chance at fixing this mess. They know that too?'

'Your point?'

'He stays, he's mine.' I replied without thinking. When I saw the look on their faces, I realised what I'd said. Their Alpha started laughing derisively when I tried to explain. 'He's taken care of me, got everyone else out for me when David wasn't here and has been feeding me. Now I need him to keep doing that.'

'That is one of my fiercest warriors. Not the nurse mate of your systems runt. I don't care how good she is. He is here to protect his own flesh and blood. Jack runs our security.'

'They both seem quite... set... on continuing this arrangement.' Daniel replied lightly to ease the tension. 'Get back to work, Cloe.'

Instead of doing as I was ordered I glared at the other Alpha and stepped in front of Jack. Part of me knew he could get past me without breaking a sweat but another part of me hoped he wanted to stay as badly as I wanted him to. In the end it didn't matter. David yelled something and the fog horns started blaring from my abandoned laptop on the other desk. Our system was under attack again. I pushed back into Jack, just to feel him one more time and then spun, he moved with me. I sat in my chair and he dropped in the one beside me. Like he had been, back to the screen, face to the room, arms crossed and, most importantly, beside me.

David and I both worked like crazy, this time the other side had launched a multifaceted attack and we barely managed to keep them out to begin with. Two of our other techs jumped in to keep us ahead of the attack. It was exhilarating, crazy and exhausting. Then the tide turned in our favour and we were trying to get into their system. In the end we had a win. I found their location, a split second before they shut their system down completely.

I kicked my chair back and dropped, spread eagle, to the ground. When I opened my eyes, I saw Jack looking at me with a dopy grin. 'You enjoyed that.' He stated.

'Yes.'

'From the lot of you, cheering, you won?'

'Indeed, sir, we did! We are the best, they picked on the wrong pack this time.'

I had linked Arthur because I couldn't get to the Alpha but it seemed that David had as they both marched in with the other Alpha. I closed my eyes while I heard the room fill up. I knew that I didn't have to worry because of the guards who stood before the door to that room, so that nobody else could walk in here.

'She found them Dad. We will have to strike as soon as possible because there is no way to tell if they know we found out.'

I told them the location and grinned to them, they were upside down from where I was laying on the floor. My eyes only open to see their response. 'I am the best.'

'You are Mowgli.' Arthur said proudly.

My eyes closed again. 'I'm tired.'

'You've been in here fighting, for seventeen hours, you are allowed to be tired, my Baby.' Arthur replied lovingly.

'I will take her home.' Jack said just as I felt his arms under my knees and shoulders. My arms sluggishly moved around his neck. He was so comfortable I didn't even listen to what else was said. I woke up a bit when he removed my arms from his neck. I was already in the guest room, on the bed.

'Stay with me?' I asked shamelessly.

'I can't. My Alpha has ordered me to return. We are leaving as soon as we work out how to attack, if feasible. The rest of the systems guys are getting as much info as they can on the site location you gave us. They've sent in scouts ahead of the assault team.'

My heart started racing and I was suddenly wide awake. 'You're leaving.'

'You are too. The geeks are convinced that if there is a security system on the site we are attacking, you will be the best chance of breaking in. So, sleep now. I will come for you when it is time to leave.'

'They aren't geeks. They are highly trained experts in their field.' I pouted, he might think I was only a geek too.

'So am I, my love. I am also a highly trained expert in my field, yet I am called a warrior. Your kind are called geeks.' He grinned wickedly with his own reply. At my frown he quickly added. 'Your Alpha and your father assured us that you are a fierce fighter and not likely to be a distraction in a fight. That is why they are allowing you to join on the strike team.'

Suddenly he dropped his face to mine and kissed me. He moved his body over mine and I moaned into his kiss. He pulled away with hungry eyes and a hint of fang. 'You will always be a distraction to me and I will be by your side at all times to protect you.'

Then he stalked out.

So much for being by my side at all times.

***
Does anyone want Jack's point of view?