Chapter 14

Ardal

It was difficult to say goodbye to babies again this morning, watching them leave with Hannah as I went to get ready for work. However, I was glad to see they were all excited for school, making me relieved that they’re settling in okay.

I wish I shared their level of happiness as I move through the doors of the gym this morning. I don’t hate my job, but it has come with plenty of complications already.

And one of the “complications” is already yelling as I walk into the main room.

“This is your fault!” Susan shouts as she stands over a man on the ground. He seems to be in pain as he holds his leg, grimacing as Susan continues to berate him. It’s only eight in the morning and she’s already riled up.

Getting closer, I watch as Susan continues to sneer down at him.

“If you had been using the equipment properly then you wouldn’t have gotten hurt!” She yells at the man.

What the -

Soaking in Susan’s words, I look to the machine the man had been using, my brow raising as I see the way it tilts to the side. Even the weights don’t sit right, making it appear as if it may topple over any second.

“It’s your equipment that sucks,” the man counters. “I was in the middle of a set when it nearly collapsed on me.”

“That’s impossible,” Susan said with a scoff. “The machine is brand new - I ordered it myself.”

“He’s right,” I cut in then, causing Susan to abruptly face me. As soon as her eyes meet my face, they narrow.

“You ordered bad equipment,” I continue despite her glare. I point toward the faulty parts struggling to stay together. “If anyone else sits on it then it’s probably going to fall apart.”

In fact…my eyes glance around at a few other machines that seem to be new. All of them are in a similar shape, clearly not safe to use.

“These machines are a hazard,” I tell her, calmly. “More people are going to be hurt. You need to remove them from the floor immediately.”

Only, Susan is anything but calm.

“Stay out of this!” she says between her teeth, ready to rip my head off. I stare at her, not all threatened as I realize she’s again unable to admit she’s wrong.

“Fine,” I say, knowing it’s no use to pick a fight with her. Instead, I shake my head as I walk off, going to put my stuff away.

However, as I head toward the employee area, I notice the light on in one of the corner offices, pulling my attention. I look back for a moment, making sure Susan isn’t watching before I go to the door.

When I enter, Kadeem is inside, but I discover there’s also another man in there with him. Only, their conversation comes to a stop as I enter.

“Haven’t you ever heard of knocking?” Kadeem clips out as he notices me, but I don’t care to snap back.

“Someone got hurt in the main room,” I report instead. “The man claimed there was something wrong with the machine, but Susan said he’s wrong since it’s brand new.”

I don’t mean to be a tattletale, but since Kadeem told Susan and I to stay away from each other I figure he’d rather I mention my concern to him instead of challenging Susan. Besides, Kadeem

“And is there?” Kadeem asks then.

“What?” I ask.

“Is there something wrong with the machine?” He asks impatiently.

He’s asking me? I’m a little surprised as I would have expected him to immediately side with Susan without question.

“Yes,” I say with a nod. “It’s bad equipment. A definite safety concern.”

Kadeem sighs at my words. “Well…seeing as you seem to know so much about the machines - I’ll let you handle this. Susan was probably confused and thought the more expensive equipment was automatically better.”

“Me?” I ask, raising a brow.

“Yes,” Kadeem presses out, not caring for my surprise. But then he eases up a little, seeming as though he’s considering another thought.

“And I’ll also need you to start reporting to me weekly with any other concerns,” he continues. “We’ll need your ‘expertise.’ Susan may be a co-owner of the club, but she doesn’t have the same experience. She’s not a professional fitness trainer, after all.”

I raise a brow at that, learning this information for the first time.

“That’s crazy,” I state. “Allowing a non-professional to manage the gym and endanger guests with her own recklessness is absurd.”

I then shake my head, my next words dripping with sarcasm. “I didn’t expect the Alpha of the Red Moon pack would be so swayed by a woman’s beauty and let her do whatever she wants - with no qualifications.”

Kadeem huffs at my comment. “And I didn’t expect a gold medal fitness trainer to be so sharp toothed. Especially when she’s speaking with her boss.”

I shrug. “I’m just trying to keep your best interest,” I state. “If you keep those machines then more people will get hurt and they’ll likely sue. But if you don’t want my help anymore then I’ll just turn a blind eye like a good little employee.”

Battling with our wits again, I watch as Kadeem becomes quiet, a familiar interest meeting his eyes as I keep his gaze. Beside him, his friend stares between us, his own eyes obviously wide.

But I don’t glance away from Kadeem. I swear he looks as though he wants to pin me against the wall, especially as there’s a flicker of heat behind his stare. However, I quickly dismiss the thought as I hear steps approaching.

I finally tear my eyes away to find Susan standing in the doorway, her expression scattered as she doesn’t know what to make of the scene she just found.

“What are you -“

“Susan,” Kadeem takes us all by surprise as he cuts in. “From now on, Chelsea will be handling the orders for new equipment.”

Susan’s mouth falls open in shock, causing me to nearly chuckle. However, I’m too busy addressing my own surprise at Kadeen’s announcement.

“Why is she -“ Susan starts, but again she is interrupted by the Alpha.

“Remove the equipment from the floor immediately,” he tells her, causing Susan’s fists to ball up at her sides. I can tell she’s furious, upset over losing a piece of her power.

But then I watch as her hands uncurl again and then fall lamely at her sides.

“I’m not feeling too well,” Susan says weakly then, her hands coming to brush her stomach. “I think all the commotion this morning has upset the baby.”

Kadeem stares at her, his gaze oddly firm as he scans her over. I wait for him to relent, become frantic as he asks about the baby. But he doesn’t, instead he dismisses her claims.

“Fine,” he says tightly. “Then have the men remove the machines.”

His reply causes Susan to straighten, shaken that her plan didn’t work. But she doesn’t get another word in before Kadeem’s eyes snap to me.

“And you,” he presses out.

“Suit up and meet me in the fighting ring in ten minutes. Our first session starts today.”