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Aiden stepped forward and was about to greet them when an irate voice called out from the
drive.
"Commander! Commander, I would like a word!"
Everyone turned to see Elder Evreux stalking towards them. The trainees looked surprised
and quickly stepped back to let the Elder pass.
"Elder, what a surprise to see you out here." Aiden turned to the others. "Come on in, it's cold
outside, might as well get you settled. Where are your things?" he asked Lennox.
"We drove two cars here, sir, our things are in those," Lennox answered.
"Get warmed up first then we'll haul your things in." Aiden opened the door wide.
Elder Evreux walked in as if he owned the place. The trainees respectfully waited and filed in
behind him. The two others brought up the rear.
"Elder, what brings you out here?" Aiden asked.
"I came to speak with your mate. Evidently she had information to share with Elder Rioux that
I would like to discuss with her," he sneered.
Elizabeth stepped forward. "Actually Elder, I was the one who called Elder Rioux. My name
is Elizabeth Monroe."
She noticed that his entire demeanor changed. "Elizabeth Monroe, what a pleasure it is to
finally meet you. Your uncle has had nothing but wonderful things to say about you." The change from
prickly to pleasant was unnerving.
Out of the corner of her eye she noticed movement at the top of the stairs. When she saw Elder
Evreux's line of sight turning to the stairs she stepped in front of him. "My uncle has spoken of your
dedication to our people."
The Elder's eyebrow's shot up. "Our people?" he asked.
"Of course. I was raised in Noctem Falls after all, this is the first time with the exception of
my short forays into human cities that I haven't been surrounded by vampires. I find that I miss the
caves." She smiled, hoping that she had distracted him. What on earth was Meryn doing?
Elder Evreux preened. "I am dedicated to our race, I am humbled that Elder Rioux has taken
notice. I find your manners a refreshing change, maybe I should visit Noctem Falls sometime soon."
He turned to Aiden, his smile dropping. "Where is your mate?" he demanded.
"Meryn! Someone is here to see you!" Aiden called up the stairs.
"Hold on!" was her reply.
Aiden's smile to Elder Evreux was tight. "She'll be right down."
"Ahhh!" Meryn wailed. Everyone turned to look up the stairs.
"What?" Aiden yelled, concern written all over his face.
"I dropped my iPod in the toilet!" Meryn sounded frantic.
"Pull it out and dry it off, it will be fine," Aiden bellowed.
"You don't understand, I didn't flush yet.... And I went number two." Meryn's tone sounded so
tragic that Elizabeth was starting to believe her.
Aiden turned to Elder Evreux his face red. "She's busy, maybe another time..."
"Never mind! Got it!" Meryn yelled triumphantly. Seconds later she was walking down the
stairs wiping her hands on her jeans. Smiling at the Elder she walked right up to him and offered him
her hand to shake.
Elder Evreux looked like he was going to be ill. He stared at her hand as if she were a plague
carrier. He spun on his heel to face Aiden. "You know what. You look very busy getting these boys
settled. I'll come back at a more opportune time." Without waiting for a reply he bolted for the door as
if the hounds of hell were after him. The sound of the door slamming shut echoed in the foyer.
"Can I be just like you when I grow up?" Noah whispered.
Meryn jumped up and down throwing her tiny fists in the air. "Whoo hoo! Meryn two.
Douchebag zero."
"Meryn, you shouldn't call Elder Evreux a douchebag in front of our new trainees," Aiden
admonished even as his lips were trying not to smile.
"Don't mind us, sir." Lennox and the other trainees gave Meryn a thumbs up sign.
"You little minx. How on earth did you find out that Elder Evreux has to be the biggest
germaphobe this side of the Mississippi?" Elizabeth pulled the smaller woman in for a hug.
Meryn looked at her and winked impishly. "I have learned well, Master Yoda," and then held
up her phone.
Elizabeth's mouth dropped. "Of course! The history books! You little genius!" She laughed and
danced around the foyer with her.
Meryn stopped dancing and turned to Aiden. "And he can't say I wasn't nice. He left all on his
own so he can't complain. I am learning about politics."
Aiden shook his head smiling. "I don't think that your version of 'politics' is quite right, but
that's okay."
"I like her version, Commander, I say we learn more about her style of politics," Colton
joked.
"Okay, enough shenanigans. Alpha Unit, let's get these trainees settled and then introduce them
to drills." Aiden's grin was decidedly wolfish.
All the men including the new trainees groaned.
Aiden laughed. "You all didn't think you'd be getting the day off did you? Welcome to the
Alpha Unit, you'll soon be missing my brother and his soft ways."
Lennox looked at the other trainees then to Aiden before swallowing. "He was soft?" He
looked at Aiden in disbelief.
"Come on squirts, if Aiden hasn't killed us yet I doubt you're in any danger. But you may want
to leave the name of your next of kin with Ryuu, he's the house squire," Colton said slinging an arm
around Lennox's shoulders.
The trainees turned to Ryuu and gave a half bow which the squire returned. "You are to come
to me with any concerns regarding your domestic arrangements. Unit Commander McKenzie has given
me leave to discipline you if you get out of hand, but having met you I don't think that will be a
problem. But just to be on the safe side, are any of you especially susceptible to electricity?" Where
Aiden had been kidding, everyone could tell Ryuu was not. The newcomers all shook their heads
looking dazed.
"Buck up gentlemen, you're here because you scored the highest and wanted to be here. You
have what it takes to keep up," Elizabeth said encouragingly.
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