Midfield Academy: Book 3

Chapter 61: Lackadaisical (15 years, 2 months)

"Grounded," stated Darius.

Raven peered up at the alpha, slightly confused while his mother helped dry his hair. "Grounded?"

"It's something I picked up from Aunt Karen. It means you're not allowed out of this cave without my permission."

The sub was still confused.

"Understood?"

"I guess." He fixed the towel around his waist. "I just don't understand how it's any different than usual."

Storm started to laugh.

"This is not funny," exclaimed the red werewolf. "Your son followed Jagger all the way to Bloodhound which was under attack by rogues. Two of which we found and killed. Think what would have happened if one of them found Raven."

Storm put down the brush. "What Raven did was wrong? You're never going to do it again, right?" She turned the human boy around and eyed him.

"Never. Jagger was just so upset. I wanted to make sure he was alright."

"No excused." She lifted her son's chin. "Never again, got it?"

The sub nodded and faced forward.

His mother went back to combing his hair. "Grounded," she muttered. "The boy's been grounded his entire life then."

"Storm," said Darius sternly. "Not now." He dropped down into a pile of cushions and draped himself across them. The alpha rubbed his forehead.

"What's going to happen to Bloodhound?" she asked.

Darius shook his head with a shrug. "I've spoken with the survivors. They're fine with coming under our protection."

"So like Midfield?" Storm tilted her son's head back. "Look up for me, so I can get the part straight."

Raven did so and strained to see his father.

"Yes, they'll be a branch of Northern Ridge."

"That should at least keep the rogues aways. You should make an announcement before anyone tried to claim the territory."

"I have dominants posted in the cave and along the borders." He chewed on his claw. "It's a lot though. Bloodhound has just as much ground as we do."

Storm readjusted her son's head. "We have plenty of dominants sitting around getting lazy. If you need help, I'm willing to retire from this lackadaisical alpha's mate life and go and help. You like to forget I'm a dominant too."

"What does lackadaisical mean?" asked Raven.

She smiled at him. "Boring."

"Oh." He sat still as his mother braided his hair. His life was pretty lackadaisical too.

"You'd be too big of a target," stated Darius. "It's not worth the risk or the stress it would cause me."

Storm lifted her muzzle in the air. "And you think that's one-sided."

"Storm, I'm the alpha."

"And I'm a dominant. Both of which are ranks." She finished and tied the braid off. "Do you like that Raven? Or would you like something else for the party?"

Raven went over to the mirror. "It's kind of simple."

"I was thinking so too. Throw that towel in the laundry and grabbed a blanket."

The sub did so and returned to the pillow that was placed at his mother's feet.

"It just seems like a lot," breathed Darius. "Our territory double in a day."