Angus

by Sydney Addae

  ANGUS

  La Patron Series by Sydney Addae

  Angus

  Sydney Addae

  Copyright 2016 by Addae, Sydney

  ISBN: 978-1-937334-74-1

  First Edition Electronic November 2016

  Published by Sitting Bull Publications, LLC

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author‘s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, businesses, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only. The publisher does not have any control over or assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their contents.

  All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Sydney Addae.

  ABOUT THE E-BOOK VERSION: Your non-refundable purchase of this e-book allows you to one LEGAL copy for your own personal use. It is ILLEGAL to send your copy to someone who did not pay for it. Distribution of this e-book, in whole or in part, online, offline, in print or in any way or any other method currently known or yet to be invented, is forbidden without the prior written permission of both the publisher and the copyright owner of this book. WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in Federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Angus

  Several years ago, Angus Blackwolf appeared at the site of a lab Silas, La Patron, was taking down. At the time Silas had no idea of the identity of the wolf watching from the shadows. That was then, fast forward several years later, as Beta to La Patron, Angus’ commitment to his Alpha is absolute. So when he is sent out of the country with instructions to tell no one, not even Silas, Angus balks. It’s only when he learns the fate of his mate is in his hands that he abides by the rules and walks away from everything he’s come to love.

  <<<<>>>>

  Thanks to all my Den-mates and admins, Michelle and Vicky, you are all the best at keeping me laughing with new creative ideas. I heart you much.

  A special shout out to Vicky Z., Sally R., Karen M., and Kelly, I could not have presented this story without your help.

  Thanks

  Sydney

  CHAPTER 1

  Shyla Mason walked through her quiet dining room into the large oak paneled den. Opening the glass double doors, she looked out into the lush garden beyond and took a deep breath. Nature’s finest bouquet teased and enchanted her. Stepping onto the colorfully paved patio, she wrapped her arms around her waist, threw her head back and hummed a song she’d heard earlier today in the mall. Cool air tickled her arms as she lifted them high in the air and twirled. The heavy fabric of her denim skirt curled around her legs when she stopped to lean against the tall column which separated the patio and gardens. As the automatic night lights brightened the foliage she glanced at the arch still in place from her friend, Vanessa’s, wedding.

  Sighing, she stepped off the covered porch. Her fingertips skimmed the green leaves as she moved toward the dais in the middle of the garden. A month ago, her co-worker and best friend, Vanessa had been a beautiful bride, her love for her mate plain for everyone to see. And Ethan. Shyla smiled in remembrance of his ridiculously large grin during the entire festivities.

  Glad her friend had found love and was happy, Shyla wished, as she had so many times before, she had someone to share her life with. Over the past two centuries, she had been the “Mengistia” or keeper of secrets, a timekeeping group who served the Goddess. Duties were passed down through the females in her line. One day she’d prepare her daughter for the job. Looking around at the manicured garden and lawn, a sense of peace rested on her shoulders. This place always calmed her.

  “Hopefully, one day soon, you’ll welcome a new Mistress to these grounds. Treat her as graciously as you’ve treated me.” Smiling, she walked slowly into the house and picked up the employee contract from the new school principal. Should she return to the school the following semester? She’d been head librarian for many years, and had a lot of good times, but it wouldn’t be the same without Vanessa. Maybe it was time to shake things up, do something different, take a trip, a cruise. She cringed at the idea of going alone. She tossed it on the table and headed to the kitchen.

  Or she could travel the state, check out events in person rather than pull them offline for recording. It might be more fun, plus, she’d get to meet more people, maybe bump into her mate like Vanessa did. “Stop it,” she muttered as she picked up her lone plate from dinner and washed it.

  “Everything happens in its own time.” She finished rinsing the glass and fork, and set them in the dish rack to dry. “You’ve been perfectly content, don’t waste time on things you can’t change.” Content? Her mind battled with her flesh over the truth. She was a long way from content. How pathetic had she become that she’d memorized several platitudes to beat back the loneliness and give herself a pass for being alone?

  “Shyla?”

  Glad to change the direction of her thoughts, she smiled and took a seat in the den. “Mom, how are you? It’s been a while since we talked. How’s dad? Where are you and papa this time? Still in Florida or have you moved on?” She inhaled and waited. Her mom wasn’t much for socializing or chit-chat, but she got an A for effort, hence the long stretches between conversations.

  “It’s worse than I thought.”

  Shyla frowned. “Huh? What’s worse?” She had no idea what her mom was talking about.

  “I knew when your best friend got married it would be hard for you, but I didn’t think it would be this bad. I told Harvey it would be bad, but you know your father, he thinks you’re the made of granite.”

  “Granite?” Shyla chuckled to hide the groan her mother’s words caused. “I’m not that bad.”

  “No, you’re not.” Her mom paused. “Are you okay? Do we need to cut our trip short and come spend time with you?”

  Shyla heard the grimace in her mom’s voice and swallowed her laugh. No one would give Rosaria Mason the Mother of the Year award, the woman had little patience for frivolous things or feelings. She would return to the house she’d lived in for 200 years, but everyone, including Shyla, would be miserable.

  “No, I’m good, but thank you for the offer. I know how you detest coming here.” Shyla covered her mouth with her fingertips to keep back a giggle.

  “Detest is a strong word but I guess it’ll do. Being Mengistia is stifling work, you’re stuck in that house, guarding secrets. I know you love the smell of old pages and books, I did too, at first. Now it just smells musky, bad, old.”

  “I get it. You detest the place.” Shyla laughed, glad to hear her mom’s voice. “They’re my friends, I know and trust them. Knowledge is power they say.” She’d always had a thirst for knowledge. The books and scrolls in this chamber fed that need and then some. She’d spend hours absorbing new languages, revisiting bygone eras, and taking glimpses into the lives of men and women. It was heaven.

  “Get flesh and blood friends, share some knowledge, stop being cooped up in that house, it’ll suffocate you.”

  Shyla looked at the tall paneled walls and architectural details from centuries ago and smiled. “I have a job. I don’t stay in the house all the time. Why not agree to disagree?” It was best to stop her mom before she got all steamed
up and invited her to spend time with them.

  “All right, all right, so stubborn, like your sire. Why not come spend some time with us at the beach? It’ll be a nice vacation, do some sight-seeing.”

  “Beach?” Not a chance. “That’s an idea. I’ll let you know.” She tried to sound sincere, but when her mom responded she knew she’d failed.

  Laughter came through their link. “You forget I birthed and raised you. I know what that tone of voice means, so I’ll back off graciously and leave you to your days and nights in your castle. Harvey’s still in the bathroom, you want to wait?”

  “No. Just tell dad I send my love and I’ll talk to him next time. Enjoy the beach, have fun.” Shyla stood and stretched. A nice long soak, a glass of wine, and some light jazz would be lovely.

  “If I didn't worry about you so much, I could.” Her mom released a long sigh. Years ago, that sound had made Shyla feel guilty, now she recognized it for what it was, a weapon for manipulation.

  “When I was your age I was training you for your duties. It’s not right. I mean, you’re not supposed to do that job alone, not to mention being local pack historian and working at that school. How’re you going to meet anybody?” her mom asked.

  “Rosaria Mason, you are not to worry about me,” Shyla said, adding a little steel in her voice. “I will meet my mate when the Goddess decrees it. She knows my duties and responsibilities better than anyone. Just enjoy your vacation, have fun. That’s what I want more than anything.”

  Her mom snorted. “More than anything? That’s the problem. You should want your mate, your daughter, more than anything.”

  Shyla rolled her eyes as she punched in the security code to lock down the house. It had been a long day and she planned to work on the garden tomorrow. Plus, there was a play being put on by the community college in town she’d like to see. Alone? That sucked. Maybe she’d call a few pack mates to see if anyone was interested in seeing ‘Annie’ on stage. Better than staying home watching TV.

  A flash of light caught her attention and she re-entered the code. “Yes, you’re right. I misspoke. I want all those things. Take care and tell Dad I love him.” She stepped onto the patio and picked up the scroll lying on the table. Looking around, she wondered who’d been on her property without her knowledge.

  Her mom laughed. “Okay, okay, I get the hint. I’ll talk with you next week before we leave on our cruise. Stay in touch.”

  “Will do. Have fun, don’t worry about me. You know the house has me on lock down.”

  “Unfortunately, I do. Talk to you later.”

  Shyla rubbed the paper. It wasn’t old, not as old as some she’d seen, but it wasn’t anything you could buy from an office supply store, either. “Sounds good, talk to you later.” She disconnected, reset the alarm, and did a quick scan of the security cameras located in the hall bookcase. Seeing and scenting no one, she looked at the scroll again and noticed her title, Mengistia, on a small label at the top.

  Groaning, she headed to her bedroom to shower. The glass of wine and jazz could wait, but she’d get comfortable before heading downstairs into the safe. Inside her room, she tossed the scroll on the bed and walked to the shower.

  Ten minutes later, dressed in comfortable sweats, socks, and old leather ankle boots, she took the scroll down into the secured chambers. As she approached, lights turned on, a soft breeze grazed her cheeks in welcome, and the stones lit in a haphazard pattern which was never the same. Heat rose from the stones, which was why she always wore socks and boots when she came down here. The first time she’d seen the lights on the floor, her mom had explained it was a part of the security system and if someone wasn’t authorized to enter the chamber, the floor would fry them like eggs. She’d thought the imagery funny at the time until a pack mate ventured down the steps and into this private hall. The full-blood’s heart had exploded from the jolts of energy.

  Over the years, they’d beefed up security to make it harder for intruders to enter the hall, but the house protected its secrets better than she or anyone else could.

  Shyla stood in front of the entry for a few seconds. Cool air swept up and down her body. She breathed in and released it slowly. Her mom said this was the chamber’s way of positively identifying her and making sure she didn’t enter the room under duress because her thoughts would be released when she exhaled.

  The door opened inward and after she stepped through, it closed behind her. She headed toward the high table in the middle of the room. At first glance, one couldn’t see what made this library, or chamber as her mom insisted she call it, so different. The house didn’t give up its secrets easily. She sat in the high-backed chair, lights turned on above her, and slowly the glow brightened the room. Rows upon rows of shelves filled the four, ten-foot walls. Each laden with books, scrolls, like the one she planned to catalog, with tablets and chests on the floor beneath the last shelves. A sense of peace engulfed her as she looked around.

  She placed her palm flat on the desk. A soft whirring sound broke the quiet as it opened and a large monitor rose, blinking on.

  “What do you have for us today?” the computer asked.

  Shyla’s dad had revamped the computerized system to make it more interactive and easier to log any new information as well as cross-reference older items. It saved time and she appreciated it.

  “Don’t know yet, someone left this scroll for me on the patio.” She looked at it again and unrolled the paper. There weren’t a lot of words on the long sheet. Shyla understood several languages, many of them dead, but they were important to complete her duties as Mengistia. She was not familiar with this one.

  “On-Le-she-La-KO-Nee-DA,” she tried sounding out and then reading the words again.

  A bright light exploded in the room. She sensed her body move without her will as she was sucked through the light before slamming into something hard.

  CHAPTER 2

  Angus, KnightForce captain and brother to La Patron, waved Oklahoma KnightForce agent Nathaniel forward. “I think this is the last of them. According to Thorne, these four just started recruiting in this area. At any rate, there’s no sign they’ve been successful convincing others to join or retaliate against La Patron.” He strode behind Nathaniel, who led two cuffed full-bloods to the truck.

  Thorne claimed the rebels used his mate as leverage to compel him to work for them as a spy. Thorne was the younger brother of Rose and Lilly. Rose was mate to Tyrone. Lilly was mate to Cameron. Since Tyrone was the son of Jasmine, and Cameron was the godson of Silas and West Virginia Alpha, he had access to La Patron’s compound and some secrets. His role in helping the rebels complicated matters to the point Angus was certain the young pup would die by Silas’ hand. Instead, Silas had rifled through Thorne’s memories, took pertinent information regarding the rebels, and relayed it to Angus. Thorne, his mate and their pups were serving a long sentence in Texas under Alpha Theron.

  “Yes, Sir. I’ll take them to Alpha Chan’s for processing and trial. The fact they chose his territory pissed him off, he took it personally. I doubt they’ll ever make that mistake again.”

  Remembering the dark look on the Alpha’s face when he learned of the rebels recruiting just outside Tulsa, Angus agreed with Nathaniel. If these two and the others already locked up wanted to see daylight, they’d need to appeal to the merciless Alpha’s good side. To date, Angus hadn’t seen it and doubted it existed.

  Silas and Chan had a long history. Much of what went on in the past between them Angus wasn’t privy to, but he wasn’t too fond of the Alpha. The man’s comments bordered on narcissistic. In the end, all that mattered is La Patron trusted the Alpha, and Angus served La Patron.

  “You did a great job. As your captain, I’m proud.” He slapped the tall man on his back after locking up the two full-bloods.

  Nathaniel beamed. “Thank you, Sir. If it wasn’t for that tip you gave, I wouldn’t have known where to look.”

  Angus rubbed his chin, recently he’d star
ted growing a goatee and was still unaccustomed to such a small patch of hair on his face. “That’s my job. Making life easier and better for pack. As soon as we get rid of the bastards, the better and safer our people will be.”

  “Don’t know what made them decide to go west, from Maryland to Oklahoma,” Angus said as he slid into the front seat. “They stood out here, the pack had no problem turning them in.” He looked at Nathaniel as they pulled onto the road. “Let’s hope that becomes the norm.” Pack hadn’t taken kindly to strangers speaking against half-breeds, especially the females. They were fast becoming the pack’s fiercest advocates.

  Nathaniel nodded. “La Patroness’ new group helped a lot. It’s hard to believe we’ve never harnessed the collective sleuthing power of our bitches before. They’ve been proactive in alerting my office whenever someone enters our territory, and if humans act suspicious, we know about it within hours instead of days or weeks. La Patroness is brilliant, we are blessed by the Goddess with her.”

  Angus chuckled. Jasmine, wife of his brother, and La Patroness, couldn’t understand how human women with breeding capabilities continued playing the same tricks on unsuspecting male full-bloods. Some breeders enslaved both human and full-blood males to do their bidding. It had happened twice, which was two times too many for Jasmine. Since these breeders had no power over females, she’d created a watcher’s group consisting of Alpha and KnightForce mates, and any other females of her choosing, across the country to organize within their areas to report anything suspicious. So far the plan had worked better than anyone had hoped or expected.

  “Yes, she’s one of a kind, which is a good thing for La Patron.” Jasmine’s new group needed office space which meant offices in the compound had to be expanded for new computers, software, staffing. It was amazing how fast and smooth everything went. All Jasmine did was smile and point, deadlines disappeared, inventory came off back orders, and pack tripped over themselves for the honor of working for La Patroness. Jasmine had that effect on people, they wanted to serve and be around her, which both pleased and bothered her mate. Angus loved to tease Silas about being housebroken, whipped. His brother took it in all in stride and warned him it would happen to him one day. Unable to envision any female impacting his life the way Jasmine had changed Silas, he’d just shake his head and laugh it off.