Nigel’s tiger flickered in his eyes. “Yes.”
The kid was going to be trouble. And that was the last thing Ryan needed.
When Kell arrived, he made it his responsibility for taking the youth back to the inn and putting them to work.
He heard one of the boys asking Nigel why he didn’t kill the lion. Nigel snarled for him to shut up, that Mark was going to get his ass handed to him.
Ryan shook his head. “This is all they’re focused on. Fighting with each other.”
Kell nodded. “I’m going to do my best to make sure they have a lot to do.”
“You’ll also be here with them tomorrow,” he told Kell. “You’re going to make sure they do as they’re told.” He glanced at the kids with disgust. “Now you all need a fucking babysitter? You don’t think Kell has better things to do?”
Kell growled. “It’s okay, Ryan. I’m happy to keep them in shape.”
Ryan watched the kids pile into Kell’s and another one of their cars and leave. He waited until Xander came out to talk to him.
“I’m really sorry for the mess,” he said. “I’m having a hard time with these kids.”
Xander nodded and slapped his shoulder. “It’s all good, Ryan. I know Eaton’s passing took you by surprise. You weren’t supposed to have that position for many years yet. He was only in his fifties.”
Ryan sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah. I’ve got too much on my plate and these kids are making everything that much harder.”
“Tell me about it.”
He watched the lions come out of the bar grumbling and saw the kid that had been fighting with Nigel, Mark, glare at him. “Is the one with the fucking purple hair going to be a problem?”
Xander snorted. “I’ll beat him senseless if he becomes one.”
Ryan grunted. “This pride leader job is a lot more work than I expected.”
“Don’t worry. You’ll get them in shape. Just treat them like your new employees at the security company.”
That wasn’t a bad idea. “They’ll be back tomorrow to help clean the place up.”
Xander grinned. “It’s all good. The place was pretty empty. They were lucky. My harder crowd doesn’t show up until nighttime.”
“Thank fuck for small miracles.”
Xander chuckled. “So what’s up with you and Barrick? Have you guys mated yet? I heard about Dean and Gavin finding mates.”
“Barrick is still getting all the skirts he can get his hands on. When he finds his mate, he’ll be fucked for sure.”
Xander barked a laugh. “You sound like a man who’s got a mate and doesn’t want one.”
“Oh, I want her, all right. Too fucking much.”
Xander raised his brows. “That’s what I’m talking about. You finally found your one,” he grinned. “I’m proud of you.”
“Don’t be so quick. I’ve apparently offended her somehow. I don’t even know what the hell I supposedly did to upset her.”
“That’s women for you. Is she shifter or human?”
“Human.”
Xander shook his head. “Yeah. You’ve got your work cut out for you.”
“Tell me about it. Anyway, let me handle some pride stuff. I’ll be sure to have these guys up here early.”
“Don’t be a stranger.” Xander walked him to his car. “We’ve never had the issues other shifters have. You’ve got my number. Call if you need to talk.”
“Thanks.”
He headed to his mother’s home. He needed to talk to her. She was the only female he trusted to give him real-world advice. Unlike the youth of the pride, Ryan respected his mom. He loved her and he would kill anybody for her.
When he got to her house, he immediately got the scent of cooking and knew where to find her.
“Mom!” he called out as he walked to the back.
“In the kitchen!” she yelled.
He got into the kitchen and hugged her from behind, kissing her on her cheek and squeezing her tightly.
“Ryan,” she laughed. “It’s so good to see you.” She turned and smiled at him, happiness bright in her eyes.
He loved his mom. When his father, Eaton’s second-in-command, had been killed during an internal war, she’d taken the reins and cared for her kids without asking anyone for anything. She’d taken all their funds and handed them to Ryan and Barrick and encouraged them to start their own business. Something for them. They’d made Tristar Security a success, and in the process, ensured their mother would never need anything.
“How are you?” he asked, checking her over for any illness.
“Son, I’m fine.” She went back to searing steak on a cast iron skillet. “I had a feeling you’d be coming by, so I decided to make you an early dinner.”
He still couldn’t figure out how she always guessed when he or Barrick were coming over, but she always did. And there was always food ready for them to eat.
“You’re secretly a witch, aren’t you?” he asked and sat at the dinner table.
“No,” she chuckled. “I’m just in-tune to my boys. We’re always going to have a mother-son link that I like to use to make sure I have snacks ready when you come over.”
He laughed and watched her plate the steaks. She put one plate in front of him and the other across the table. Then she opened the oven and took out a platter of mashed potatoes and another of broccoli.
“You’re the best, Mom.”
She nodded. “I know.”
He picked up his cutlery and began to cut up his meat. His mom went to the fridge and grabbed two cans of soda and filled two cups with ice.
“This is delicious,” he said between bites.
She put a glass filled with soda in front of him and sat. “I know.”
“Mom!”
A soft giggle sounded from her and she winked. “Want to tell me what’s troubling you?”
He ate several bites of his food before he spoke. “There’s a lot going on right now. The youth of the pride are uncontrollable. It’s like they have a death wish. Today they went to The Lion’s Den and started a fight with Xander’s guys.”
She made a face. “That’s not good at all. We’ve always been on good terms with the Denali Ridge lions.”
“I know. It’s been one thing after another. I heard they’ve been abusive to their elders, too.”
She gasped. “Really? That’s horrible. I’ll have to call around and find out what’s happening.” She frowned. “With me living farther away from the pride, I miss out on a lot of what’s happening.”
“Don’t worry about it, Mom. I’ll handle it.”
“So, what else is on your mind?”
He gave her a look. He knew it was useless to keep things from her. “I met my mate.”
Her eyes twinkled with excitement. “I’m so happy for you, Ryan. I’m sure she’s beautiful.”
“She is. And hardheaded. Stubborn. Angry. Confusing. The list goes on.”
His mother laughed hard for several moments. “Oh, now I can’t wait for you to be mates.”