Court of Alphas: A WhyChoose Shifter Romance

by Ramsey, River

  “Wow,” he murmurs. “Where’s your crown? Can I wear it?”

  I can’t help but laugh. “I don’t have it with me at the moment, but you can certainly try it on one day.”

  “Mace says you’re gonna stay here with us now. Cuz it’s not safe at the palace.”

  “Yes,” I mutter. “It looks like it. For now.”

  Aspen looks up at Mace, beaming. It’s obvious that he still adores him, just like he did before. And why not? Mace is an expert at waiting to show his true colors until it’s too late. “It’ll be like before! Like a family?”

  “It’s getting late, kiddo,” Mace says, ruffling the boy’s hair. “You should go brush your teeth and get your PJ’s on. Maybe Dani will read you a bedtime story.”

  I let Aspen out of my arms and wait until I hear a door shut further down the hall to unleash my rage. I strike Mace hard across the face, and he takes it without so much as flinching. His cheek is red, but judging from his non-reaction, my stinging hand got the worst of it. “How dare you?” I seethe. “He trusts you. How could you do this?”

  “I thought you’d be glad to see him,” he says flatly. “He’s certainly happier here than he was living as an orphan in a war-torn pack, and as you can see for yourself, he’s perfectly well cared for.”

  “And when Aedan is done using him to keep me in line?” I spit. “There’s no part of you that feels even a little bit guilty using him this way?”

  “I won’t allow any harm to come to him,” he says coldly, his face blank. “As long as you behave yourself and don’t try to escape, Aedan is the least of your worries.”

  I know his word means nothing, and his promises are always empty, but his reassurance will have to be enough. For now. All I can do is hope that Aspen isn’t aware of the vampire’s presence, and his jovial spirits as he comes out to lead me into his room and pick out one of the many books on his shelf seems to suggest that he is indeed blissfully unaware of the danger we’re actually in.

  It’s a struggle to keep my composure as I sit down on the side of Aspen’s bed and begin to read the story he’s picked out. Snow White and Rose Red. Like I don’t already have enough bad wolves to contend with.

  The room is every child’s dream with a racecar comforter and toys galore. The walls are even painted blue, Aspen’s favorite color. I don’t know how long he’s been here, but Mace obviously put time into decorating it to his liking, which is all the more chilling.

  Aspen insists on him joining us for the reading, and it’s all I can do to keep my focus on the page and not how I want to tear out Mace’s throat.

  The deeper I get into the tale of the two sisters, the more Aspen’s eyes begin to droop. By the last page, he’s yawning every few words.

  “‘Snow White was married to him, and Rose Red to his brother, and they divided between them the great treasure which the dwarf had gathered together in his cave. The old mother lived peacefully and happily with her children for many years. She took the two rose-trees with her, and they stood before her window, and every year bore the most beautiful roses, white and red,’” I read, closing the leather book. “The end.”

  “That’s not right,” Aspen says with another yawn.

  “What do you mean?” I ask, confused.

  “You’re supposed to say, ‘And they lived happily ever after.’”

  Mace gives me a knowing smile. “It’s a little modification we’ve been making. I think he’s right. It lends a certain sense of closure.”

  “Of course,” I say stiffly, placing the book back on the shelf. “We’ll try again. ‘And they lived happily ever after.’ Better?”

  Aspen nods drearily. I lean over to kiss his forehead and pull the blankets up over his chest. He grabs my hand before I can stand up. “Wait.”

  “What is it?”

  “Promise you’ll be here in the morning?”

  His big, watery eyes leave me no choice. “Of course I will, sweetheart. Sweet dreams.”

  “Goodnight, Aspen,” Mace says, following me out of the room. As soon as the door is shut, he says, “That meant a lot to him. All he ever does is talk about you.”

  “Cut the crap, Mace,” I snap, folding my arms. “I don’t know what game you’re playing here, but we both know you don’t give a shit about anyone other than yourself, and your vampire ‘master.’”

  His face falls. “And here I was hoping our time together might be civil.”

  “Civil?” I sputter. “Are you seriously talking about civility with a straight face?”

  “I take it you’re not hungry. I’ll make something anyway,” he says, walking downstairs to the kitchen.

  I follow him, if only because I don’t want to risk running into Aedan alone. “You owe me answers.”

  Mace spins around so suddenly I almost run into him. “I owe you nothing,” he says with a coldness in his voice he’s never used before. Not with me. “I exist for one purpose, and that is to do his will. Nothing more and nothing less.”

  I stare at him in disbelief. “You can’t really believe that.”

  The look in his eyes tells me he does. Somehow, out of all the sinister motives I attributed to Mace and all the theories I had about his double- and triple-crossing, the idea that he was entirely serving someone else never even occurred to me.

  “What did he do to you?”

  Mace scoffs, turning away from me. His hands rattle and clang around in the cabinets until he finds the pan he’s looking for. “You wouldn’t understand. Loyalty is a trait among dogs, not wolves.”

  “You talk like you’re not one of us,” I say, shaking my head. “You realize that you’re just another pawn to him, right?”

  “Don’t talk about things you have no idea of,” he says with a surprising amount of malice for a man who’s dicing onions.

  “Then explain it to me. Why does a werewolf who’s pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes, from the Alpha Lord to the King himself, lower himself to be a vampire’s errand runner?”

  Mace gives me a withering look. I realize he’s not going to give me an answer, so I try the same trick I used on Ryland. All it does is make him glower harder.

  “You can give that up. Your power won’t work as long as that collar is on.”

  I touch the metal on my neck, having forgotten it was there. “Fine,” I mutter. “Then at least tell me what this power is. You already have me, knowing the truth can’t do any harm.”

  He sighs. “What is it that you want to know?”

  “Everything,” I answer. “Starting with why it appeared out of nowhere.”

  “It was suppressed, to hide your true nature. My guess is that whatever encounter you had with Christopher undid the binding. Even a strong one would be weak after so many years.”

  “Wait… how did you know it was Christopher?”

  His face goes blank, like he didn’t mean to let that slip. “I know he’s been practicing.”

  “For how long?”

  “Years.”

  The news comes as a punch in the gut. Especially since Mace obviously knows him better than I do. “How did you find out?”

  “I was assigned to guard you. That includes keeping an eye on your associates.”

  “So that really is why you came,” I mutter. “Why you entered the Trials… because Aedan told you to get close to me.”

  “Close was optional. I just had to keep you safe until he was ready for you.”

  “Ready to kidnap me,” I spit.

  Mace ignores my comment. “You still haven’t asked the most important question.”

  “And that is?”

  “Where did the power come from?”

  I sigh. “Are you really going to tell me that?”

  His mouth crooks into a devilish smile and he dices through another piece of ginger. “You should be proud. It’s a great honor to be chosen by one like Aedan.”

  “Yeah,” I say bitterly. “I’m just tickled pink to be part of his master plan.”

  Chapte
r Twenty-Two

  It’s been a week since Mace brought me here. Just one day until the winter solstice. Until I find out the truth about why Aedan wants me here, and what he has planned for me and Albien.

  Wondering what’s going through the others’ minds is driving me crazy. Knowing there’s a good chance I’ll never see them again. The only thing that holds me together is the thought that Albien will be here soon, one way or another.

  I’m biding my time, waiting for an opportunity for escape. Aedan has the house guarded at every corner. I know because the last time I opened a window, it magically sealed itself shut. If I stand a chance at escaping this place with Aspen and Albien, I’ll have to wait until he’s distracted, and it looks increasingly likely that my window is going to be whatever solstice ritual he has planned.

  Meanwhile, I have to contend with Mace, the Stepford husband. He’s back to cooking healthy breakfasts and playing with Aspen, like this is just some slice of domestic bliss. I have to play along, for Aspen’s sake, but there’s part of me that’s starting to fear I’m buying into it, too.

  And then I’ll hear a creak in the ceiling and be reminded of the monster who watches our every move. There’s nothing peaceful or blissful about being an animal in a cage someone is undoubtedly preparing for slaughter.

  Tonight is it. My last chance, barring some miracle after Albien’s arrival. Aedan may be the one calling the shots, but I have to believe Mace could help me if he wanted to. He’s been warning Aspen to be quiet all day, not to shout or play too loudly. His excuse is that the dead are close at hand because of the solstice, and loud noise disrespects them, but I know the far more sinister truth.

  Whatever Aedan has planned, he’s resting. The goal he’s had in mind for the last twenty-one years is finally within reach and he’s conserving his energy. That means this is my only shot to get through to Mace.

  Once Aspen is in his room for the night, I go to mine and put on one of the dresses in the closet that was filled when I arrived. Everything is in my size, of course. I take a bit of extra time with my hair and check my reflection before heading down the hall.

  When I reach Mace’s room, I take a deep breath and open the door without knocking. He’s already in there, standing by the window, looking out at the moon. At least, I assume that’s what he’s doing. It’s never really possible to know what’s going on in his head and I gave up trying a long time ago.

  He turns around, obviously surprised to see me. “Danica,” he says, frowning. “What is it?”

  “I was hoping we could talk.” I close the door behind me without waiting for his permission.

  “Alright,” he says warily. “Any reason you want to talk in my room?”

  I ignore him, sitting down on the edge of his bed. “Let’s cut the bullshit.”

  He raises an eyebrow. “Pardon?”

  “It’s one thing to pretend like this is some happy family scenario in front of Aspen, but it’s just you and me now. The solstice is tomorrow, and there’s no point in lying anymore,” I say, folding my arms. “Don’t you think I at least deserve the truth, after everything you’ve put me through?”

  I’m not actually expecting the guilt trip to work, and I’ve never actually believed he has a conscience to work with, but my challenge is met with a few seconds of contemplation. He finally says, “Alright.”

  All the breath leaves my lungs. I wasn’t expecting an answer, much less an agreement, and I’m not sure I’m ready for the truth I so brazenly demanded a second ago.

  “Okay,” I say, my voice shakier than I’d like. “I guess we’ll start with the obvious. Am I a sacrifice?”

  “Yes,” he answers with far less hesitation than I’d like.

  I swallow hard. Points for honesty, I guess. “And Albien?”

  “It’s more complicated than that.”

  “Try me.”

  He sighs. “You don’t understand what you are. What you both are.”

  “It’s all going to come out in the open tomorrow, isn’t it? You might as well give me the dirty details now.”

  He studies me for a moment, like he’s weighing the pros and cons of honesty. In a way, this feels closer to the real Mace than the mask he’s always worn around me. There’s no reason for pretense and charm any longer. He has me right where he wants me, and it’ll all be over soon if he and his master have their way.

  “You are hybrids,” he says, echoing the same fear I’ve been too afraid to voice ever since I bit Rowan. “That makes you special. Powerful.”

  “You mean it makes us useful,” I mutter. “Power is only power if it helps the person wielding it.”

  “Fair enough. Have you ever heard the term Magus?”

  “Magus?” I frown. “Isn’t that like a magician or something?”

  “Of sorts. According to the mages, there are certain beings whose blood holds great power because they exist on the border between worlds,” he answers. “They come in many forms. Those who have died and come back to life possess a degree of this power, but not to the extent of a being that is born of both fang and magic.”

  “Magic?” I murmur.

  If hybridization is so special, I can understand why the offspring of a she-wolf and a vampire who’s also a mage would be so highly coveted. Even if it’s all bullshit, it’s obvious that Aedan is willing to spill our blood to satisfy his superstitions.

  Mace nods. “Such creatures are rare. Twins all the more so.”

  “How novel,” I mutter. “Does that mean James is one?”

  “No. Magic cannot find a home among the dead,” he answers. “The power is nullified.”

  I frown. “Then what about me and Albien? Aren’t we the same?”

  “As I said, it’s more complicated. You two are… special.”

  I take a moment to let that sink in. “So Aedan needs us both?”

  “You are two halves of the same magic,” says Mace.

  My stomach twists into knots as I realize that waiting for Albien is just playing into their hands. They need us together. “Our father,” I say hoarsely. “Who is he?”

  Mace’s gaze grows sharper, colder. “Do you really want to know the answer?”

  No. “Yes.”

  Just as he opens his mouth to answer, the lights flicker and the sound of a crash from above makes the walls vibrate. Mace casts his gaze upward and rushes out of the room.

  “Wait!”

  “Stay here,” he snarls before slamming the door shut.

  I wait until I hear him on the stairs before trying the door. It’s locked.

  I run to the window, surprised when it actually opens, even though it sticks. I manage to get it open far enough to slip out and carefully position my foot on the narrow ledge. Aspen’s room is about ten yards away on the same side of the house, so if I’m careful, I should be able to get to him, assuming the window is open.

  Then there’s the matter of getting him down. I quickly assess the landscape below and decide the awning below will hold him if he’s in his puppy form.

  His light is out, so I carefully open the window and slip inside. He’s sound asleep in bed, but his eyes pop open as I approach. I raise a finger to my lips and point up at the ceiling to warn him.

  He seems to understand, to my relief, even though I’m sure he has no idea he needs to fear Mace. Or that he’s our captor. I lift Aspen into my arms and carry him over to the window.

  “I need you to shift,” I whisper.

  He looks up at me with sleep and confusion in his eyes. “Why?” he yawns. “Where’s Mace?”

  “Mace is going to meet us in the woods,” I lie to him for what I hope is the last time. “We can’t stay here. We have to hurry.”

  Aspen nods in understanding. He shifts in my arms, a small bundle of fur wrapped in clothes that no longer fit. I climb through the window with him, holding him tight as I eye the awning below.

  “Just trust me,” I plead. He yelps as I drop him down, but his paws only scramble for a moment befor
e he finds solid footing. The awning won’t hold me, even in my wolf form, so I begin the arduous process of scaling down the ivy-covered walls and pray it’s thick enough to hold me.

  I can hear Aspen whimpering as he watches me from below and I give him a reassuring smile as I scale past him on the way down. The ivy stops about eight feet off the ground, so I know it’s the end of the line. Taking a deep breath, I drop down and try to keep momentum rolling forward so my legs won’t absorb all the shock.

  It hurts like hell and I’m pretty sure I’d need a hip replacement if I was human, but I make it. I stand, ignoring my trembling right leg and the fiery pain shooting up my thigh and hold my arms open for Aspen.

  “Jump down!” I tell him.

  The small wolf pup ventures closer to the ledge and whimpers before he shimmies back in fear.

  “Trust me,” I plead once more, holding his wary gaze. “I know I broke a promise once, but I swear, I’ll never let anything bad happen to you.”

  He lets out a high-pitched whine and the light in his room comes on. Just as I’m sure we’re done for, the pup dives into my arms and I catch him, barely pausing before I start running toward the woods.

  I know Mace is right behind us, and probably Aedan, but I won’t let myself stop to look. I run as fast as my aching legs will carry me, ignoring the painful misfiring of my damaged nerves, and hold Aspen close.

  The moon is still huge in the sky, but there’s blue light creeping into the blackness around it. The shortest day is close at hand and if that sun rises without me being a hundred miles away from here, I’m as good as dead.

  Aspen whimpers in my arms and a second later, I know why. I hear it, too. Someone approaching in the woods. I freeze, realizing I’ve run right into the trap.

  I’m about to put Aspen on the ground so I can shift and fight when someone steps through the trees. My heart is pounding so hard I feel like I’m going to pass out, but it swells with relief when I see who it is.

  “Christopher!” I cry, running into his arms.

  His betrayal doesn’t seem to matter in this moment. He’s here, and while that terrifies me in its own way, when he wraps his arms around me and the pup in my arms, I finally feel safe.