#Chapter 166 – Getting his House in Order

“Over here, please!” Alvin calls to the Betas who carry in boxes and boxes of supplies, directing them to a cleared corner of the living room.

Victor is setting up his new temporary office and Alvin is helping, dressed for the part in Beta-black boots, trousers, and sweater. As the majority of Victor’s wardrobe burned up in the house fire, he too was dressed in Beta gear, a match for his son.

As the Betas set down the boxes, Alvin begins to open them with a little kitchen knife, pulling out the contents. Computers and electronics, mostly, which he carries over to the desk and begins to connect.

Victor, standing in the corner and receiving a briefing from his Beta team, keeps an eye on his son while he works. Where did the boy learn such an affinity for technology? Alvin was setting up the complicated computer system through intuition alone – knowing, apparently, just where everything went just by instinct.

Victor nods to his Betas, listening to them with half an ear, and deciding that the school he’s invested so much of his capital into is definitely going to have an unparalleled technology education center. He wanted to foster this aspect of Alvin’s talent.

Luckily, Annabeth was coming by to today to chat about that very project. Victor makes a mental note to mention it to her.

When the Betas finish, Victor encourages them to keep up the good work and begins to walk over to Alvin. On the way, however, he’s intercepted by Rafe.

“Brother,” Rafe says, crossing his arms and leaning against the living room wall. “Do you have a minute?”

Victor turns to him, sliding his hands in his pockets and looking Rafe up and down. “For what?”

Rafe rolls his eyes. “For me, you jerk. Can we just talk?”

Victor raises an eyebrow at him and Rafe responds by sweeping into a low, mocking bow. “Oh great Alpha Kensington, big brother whom I admire so much, may I please beg a moment of your time?”

Victor rolls his eyebrows in return, nodding towards the front porch. Rafe follows him there. Victor nods a dismissal to the guard Betas who make themselves scarce.

“Well?” Victor asks, folding his arms.

“Oh, relax a little,” Rafe says, slouching on the wicker loveseat. Victor just narrows his eyes and waits.

“Fine,” Rafe says, sighing and leaning forward. “Look, Victor – I know there’s been some bad blood between us. But the truth is, I want back in. I want a leadership role in this pack, and I want to help you to make it all that it can be.”

Victor just huffs a laugh and turns back to the door.

“Victor!” Rafe calls after him, “please.”

trying to remember, really, the last time he heard his proud little

trust you, after all of

because one,” he holds up his thumb, counting off the reasons on his fingers, “dad asked me to, and two,” he holds up his forefinger, pointing it at his brother, “because you were

spits out. “Everything was

and leaning back on the wicker chair. “You’ve

his mouth to protest but

Rafe says. “Honestly, I think she’s great. But you, when it comes to her? You let everything fall apart. You gave away half of your Beta force to buy her into the pack, which is

at his brother, but Rafe continues. “And you transferred them without getting the paperwork

Victor says, crossing his

Hunt?” Rafe says, leaning forward and raising his eyebrows. “You may have fooled everyone else, Victor, but

He really has make

that was a thought

will all come out right,” Victor says,

eyebrow. “Before or

The fact

lose faith in you – and yes, you replaced her immediately with Evelyn, but come on, brother – you’ve got to admit, you’ve been a bit of

really let things fall apart since she came into your world. And you can’t blame her for it – she

away, looking down the driveway, neither confirming nor denying what Rafe is

fuckup, and as ridiculous,” Rafe says. Victor turns to him,

it’s fine,” Rafe says. “I get it. But the fact is, Victor, I almost

but you cheated,”

to real politics, there aren’t rules like that. Frankly, you’re a bit too much of a

angry face. “You might not like my dirty tactics,” Rafe says quietly, “but they win, in the real

brother. “That if

his head. “I’ve sworn I’m not going to do that again, and I’ll keep my word. This is your pack. But brother, let me help you. You’ve got 90% of the Alpha skills in this family, but I

studies his brothers’ face, considering the plan. But he lets nothing

back towards the house. “I’ll consider it,” he says firmly. “But

“She’s pregnant and says that’s the only bed she can sleep in.” He smirks at Victor.

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