by Melissa Haag
Winfired sat quietly for a moment.
“What do you plan to do?” she asked finally.
Bethi released her hand and sat back with a slight smile. “That’s where I need your trust. I can’t tell you yet because it depends on Joshua believing me and you. I’m a great liar to your kind. I know the tricks. Scent. Heart rate. All that stuff. If you can’t lie, I need you to stay here. If you can lie, I need you to back me up.”
“I don’t understand,” Winifred said slowly.
“We need to go back in that sound-proofed room, tell them Luke won’t let me Claim him, which is the truth by the way, and I’ll explain to the room why I need to Claim someone. If...when Joshua offers a solution, I want us to go along with it.”
“What do you think he’ll offer?” she asked.
“Something that will lead me away from here and to my other potential Mate.”
My heart gave a heavy, sickening beat as my stomach soured. Another potential Mate? I growled.
“No one asked you,” she said, not looking at me. “I won’t go, of course,” she said to Winifred.
“Will whatever you plan put you or the pack in danger?”
Bethi gave a dry laugh. “I’ve been in danger since I started having those dreams.”
Winifred didn’t look confused by the mention of dreams. Somehow Bethi had already discussed them with her. Yet, it didn’t sound like she’d shared everything.
“What I plan shouldn’t make it worse. As far as the pack goes, that’s what I’m trying to protect.” Bethi stood, cringing. “I swear I have the perfect plan, Nana. All I need is your support and trust.”
“I would feel more comfortable if you shared your plan first.”
“Me too,” I said. She was so obsessed with Claiming right now. I didn’t trust her or her plan, especially when she started talking about other Mates.
Bethi shook her head. “Sorry. If I do that, you’ll both try talking me out of it because you don’t understand everything. And I don’t have time to explain it all. We need to start this quickly. Joshua is a huge threat that can’t be dealt with through reasoning or a drawn-out fight.”
Winifred nodded and stood. “I’ll give you my support.”
I moved to follow them, but Bethi lifted her hand. “No, Luke.”
I glanced at Winifred, who studied Bethi for a moment before returning my gaze
“I will keep her safe,” Winifred said.
The situation didn’t feel right. And, Bethi’s guilt only made it worse.
“What are you planning?” I asked, stepping close to her and tangling my fingers in her hair. I leaned in, nuzzling her hair aside so my lips rested near her ear. She shivered as I inhaled.
“You smell like sweet pears and cinnamon. The last time you smelled like this you left me at the laundromat waiting for a burger.”
She stiffened then her arms started to move. I opened my mouth and tasted the shell of her ear. She stilled and sighed, a clear sign of her attraction to me.
“Are you running again, Bethi?” I asked.
My heart ached as I waited for her answer.
“I will come back here when I’m done.” The breathlessness of her voice and the steady beat of her heart reassured me. For now.
I stepped back, releasing her.
“Watch her closely, Winifred. She’s up to something.”
“Of course I am,” Bethi said indignantly. “I already said that.”
I grinned at her exasperation. It was the real Bethi, the one I loved. She shook her head at me then left the apartment, with Winifred following her.
It was because I loved Bethi that I waited two minutes then made my way to the sound-proofed room. Winifred and Bethi stepped inside just as I reached it. Worry ate at me. Winfired had promised to protect her. Could I trust her?
Several long minutes later, the door opened and Bethi strode out. Watching her feet, she didn’t see me and almost ran into me. I caught her arms so she wouldn’t bump into me and pull her stitches. Startled, her gaze flew to mine.
“I thought you were waiting in the room,” she said.
“I didn’t actually think you’d come back.” I didn’t add that I didn’t trust her with the Elders.
“I told you I would.”
She had. And she’d apparently been telling the truth. I threaded my fingers through hers and started back toward the apartment. My relief didn’t last long. The light scent of guilt that had teased my nose before she’d left grew stronger with each step.
Without a doubt, Bethi was up to something. Something she didn’t like. But what?
When we reached the apartment, I opened the door for her. She shuffled into the room and went straight to the couch. The circles were back under her eyes. She was so tired and needed rest. As soon as she sat, she closed her eyes. I sat next to her and put an arm around her shoulders to hold her to my side.
“You look tired,” I said.
“I’m always tired.”
I was trying to figure out how I could suggest moving to the bedroom without causing another fight about Claiming when someone knocked on the door.
Bethi didn’t move when I went to answer it. Sam stood in the hall.
“Luke, we would like to speak with you.”
I didn’t like the tone of his voice. I glanced at Bethi, suspicious.
“I’ll be fine.” The scent of her guilt flooded the room.
But would I be fine, I wondered. I left with Sam.
Sixteen
“What’s going on?” I asked Sam when we were in the hall.
“It would be better if we waited until we reached the meeting room.”
However, he seemed in no hurry to reach the room. His measured steps were just starting to get under my skin when he faltered.
“No,” he said to himself.
A moment later, Winifred and Grey came running from the direction of the soundproof room.
Sam’s gaze held Winifred. “How?” he said.
She shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“We’re not sure. Joshua went to get Bethi. But, something’s happened. We’re not sure—”
I bolted back the way we’d come, using every bit of speed I had.
Please let her be okay.
Bursting into the room, I found Joshua holding Bethi in his arms. It wasn’t a hug for comfort. The scent of his lust was thick enough to suffocate me. I’d wanted to kill him before, but now I had a reason that was completely within the law. He had no business touching my acknowledged Mate.
Stay where you are, Luke, Winifred said over our link. I could feel all of the Elders behind me.
Bethi turned to look at us, and her gaze met mine. It wasn’t just the scent of her guilt that was scaring me; this time, the guilt was in her eyes, too.
“Joshua?” Sam said from behind me.
“I Claimed him,” Bethi said softly.
I couldn’t breathe. She’d chosen another. Pain consumed me. My gaze held Bethi’s as I silently asked her why? Sorrow filled her gaze.
Joshua growled and moved to stand in front of Bethi.
“As an Elder, you are not permitted to Claim,” Grey said, angry. “You broke your oath to hold the interests of the pack above your own interests.” Grey paused. “How are you still alive?”
Joshua twitched as if in pain, and his growl grew louder. I didn’t give a shit what happened to Joshua or how he felt about it. Bethi remained my focus. And when Joshua growled, her shoulders stiffened and her eyes widened slightly even though her gaze remained locked on Grey. She feared Joshua. I inhaled and couldn’t find her scent within the emotional soup Joshua had created. She was trying to hide her fear, but it was certainly there. Why would she Claim him then?
“As you are well aware,” Joshua said with clipped, agitated words, “we are not able to Claim any of these girls. She Claimed me. I will hold that Claim.”
Bethi’s expression became impassive at his
words. I wished I knew what she was thinking. Knowing she’d linked herself to Joshua, for any reason, was eating me alive from the inside. She was the one who first suspected Joshua as the traitor, that he was one of the Urbat.
Joshua might think he’d hold the Claim, but I knew it wouldn’t be for long.
When Bethi next looked at me, she gave me a slow nod from behind Joshua then reached for her blade. My heart stopped for a second time, and I tensed, ready to leap at Joshua.
Luke, Winifred said, stay where you are. She asked for our trust.
“Joshua, does this mean you are no longer able to communicate with the pack?” Bethi asked.
Joshua turned to look at her over his shoulder. Warning or not, if he moved toward her… My skin rippled, the shift pushing to the surface.
“He shouldn’t even be alive,” Grey restated.
“Yes, yes,” Bethi said, with a negligible wave as her gaze remained on Joshua.
Joshua inhaled deeply. “I feel...something from you. Not happiness exactly. You’re trying to keep your emotions from me. Why?”
Bethi gave a small smile.
What was she doing? She had once again put herself right in the middle of danger and couldn’t even stand up straight while baiting him. For days I’d kept her relatively safe to bring her here. If she hadn’t tried going on her own, she might have even arrived without a scratch, not that I blamed her for the cut. I just wished she would stay safe on her own for just five minutes. But no, my girl had zero sense of self-preservation.
“Have you told your leader what happened?” she asked. “You know he won’t let you keep me.”
Joshua growled, and my claws formed in response.
“Thomas already knows,” Sam said with authority.
Joshua’s hands curled into fists, but I noted his nails elongating.
“Not Thomas,” Bethi said, her gaze never leaving Joshua’s. “His Urbat leader. So, Joshua, have you told him? We need to know how soon they will be coming to take me and kill you.”
For a second Joshua didn’t move. Then, he looked up at the ceiling and roared. Anger and frustration rolled off him. As his mood edged closer to volatile and irrational, my shift inched further forward, and I bared my teeth.
Winifred, if he moves toward her—
He won’t touch her if he tries. I promise that.
“We need to take it down a notch, guys,” Bethi said, raising her hands. “This human is way too easy to break, and neither of you would like that.”
Grey placed a hand on my shoulder.
Winifred told us what she knows. We won’t let anything happen to Bethi.
“Let’s recap for everyone who doesn’t know what’s going on,” Bethi said. “By Claiming you, I stripped you of your Elder privileges, blew your cover with this pack, and voided your usefulness here in the eyes of your Urbat leader.”
It felt like she’d hit me upside the head with a brick. Claiming him hadn’t been spur of the moment to avoid a dream. She’d planned it out. She’d known it when I’d walked her to the room. I wanted to howl and rage, but I could only stare at her and hope that Joshua didn’t hurt her.
“In addition, I’ve made you his target since he will not allow you to keep me. After all, I feel no connection with you that would help sway any decisions that I might need to make. There’s really nowhere safe for you right now.”
Joshua straightened his stance, a sudden seriousness exploding onto his expression.
He took a slow, deep breath. “Why not just have them,” he nodded at the Elders, “kill me right away? Why Claim me?”
A very valid and preferable option. I watched her closely, as interested in her answer as Joshua.
“If they had killed you, you would have sent one last message to your leader. It probably would have started an attack and cost countless lives.”
She’d tied herself to him because she hadn’t trusted that we were safe here. Not from the moment we arrived. Bleeding and hurt she’d told me to tell everyone to douse the buildings. I should have listened, not just to her words, but the underlying meaning. Bethi didn’t think I could keep her safe or that the werewolves could fight the Urbat.
“What makes you think I didn’t already send a message?” he asked, his gaze skimming her face.
“To protect me. I’m yours, right?” Joshua visibly softened at her words. “You don’t want to lose me. Plus, you’d forfeit your life by doing so. Like I said, they won’t let you keep me.”
Bethi stepped away from Joshua.
Why was she making it sound like he’d be able to keep her if he stayed here?
“He underestimated you,” Joshua said, watching her.
“Your kind usually does.”
“So how do you see this ending?” he asked in a deceptively calm voice.
“That depends on how many are waiting out there to meet me,” she said.
Joshua’s breath left him in a huff of amusement. “Three.”
Three was nothing. They’d sent far more for us before we’d reached the Compound. Three meant she didn’t need Joshua’s protection, and I could get rid of him.
Bethi seemed to read my mind.
“I don’t want a Mating challenge,” she said, looking at Winifred.
I growled. “It is my right.”
“Shush,” she said to me while keeping her gaze locked with Winifred.
Winifred didn’t look happy.
It’s my right and our law. You can’t stop me.
Luke, there’s more going on here than we understand. Bethi knows something. Look at her. She doesn’t want to die. She doesn’t want Joshua. She’s trying to protect us, and you, by keeping him alive. I’m not denying your right. I’m asking for your patience while we learn what she has planned.
She Claimed him. You know what he’ll try next.
She was silent for a moment.
I know. And I am worried for her. We won’t leave them alone.
Winifred gave Bethi a reluctant nod.
I growled, furious with the corner I’d been backed into, and Joshua laughed.
“Like Joshua said, I need to think about how this should end. I don’t want bloodshed. That’s why I Claimed Joshua. To avoid just that.” Bethi stepped forward to touch Joshua’s arm.
I wanted to rip her away from him.
“Joshua, I’d like to meet with the Elders and figure out how we can leave here without dying.”
He made a satisfied sound and pulled her into a tight hug. Grey’s hold on my shoulder tightened when Joshua leaned in and nuzzled Bethi’s neck. Her face twisted in pain, and I didn’t care about promises or restraint.
“Moron, you’re hurting her,” I said, taking a step toward them.
Sam put a hand on my other shoulder, holding me back. I barely kept the change in check. Fur sprouted then sank back into my skin in perpetual waves.
“Please, Joshua. He’s right,” Bethi said. “You’re hurting me. I was cut recently.”
I couldn’t see what he did, but I could see her face. She paled and closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, she looked at Winfred.
“Nana,” Bethi called in a slight panic.
“Joshua,” Winifred said with warning. “She is in no shape for what you’re thinking. Stop now, or for her safety, I will stop you.”
Joshua laughed but did release her.
“Soon,” he said, bending down to catch her gaze. “They can’t stop a Claimed pair.” His hand drifted to her belly. “A few days will see us truly together.”
Bethi nodded slowly and Joshua smiled.
He wouldn’t touch her. I’d give the Elders twenty-four hours. Then I’d bathe in Joshua’s blood.
Sam and Grey seemed to know the direction of my thoughts and continued to hold my shoulders as Winifred held out her hand to Bethi.
Bethi stepped away from Joshua, and his eyes tracked her as she moved to Winifred’s side. His gaze held suspicion. He knew Bethi was playing him. My Mate was a tiny, compact b
undle of serious trouble. And, it was going to get her killed if she didn’t start trusting someone other than herself.
When Winifred and Bethi left, I gave Joshua one long look then followed them. Grey was only a step behind me. In the hall, Carlos waited beside the door.
“Keep him in the room, and keep him alive.”
Carlos nodded, stepped inside, and closed the door.
“Come on, son. Let’s get some answers,” Grey said, motioning me to follow the rest of the group.
I didn’t see the point in walking all the way to the soundproof room at this point. By now, most of the werewolves within the Compound probably knew what had been said in our apartment.
The Elders remained silent through the halls. When we reached the room, Michelle, Emmitt, Clay, Gabby, Charlene, and Thomas already waited for us inside. Winifred motioned for Bethi to sit first then took the seat across from her. The Elders and the women sat at the table. I stayed near the door, watching and waiting for an explanation.
“I don’t even know where to start,” Winifred said.
“Who’s watching Joshua?” Bethi asked instead.
Bugger Joshua. The next thing from her pretty lips better be answers or apologies.
“Carlos,” Grey answered. “He won’t let Joshua leave or let any harm come to him.”
She snorted. “I could care less if any harm comes to him.”
“Then why did you Claim him?” I asked.
She refused to look at me as she spoke to Winifred.
“Here’s the deal. The world is not just made up of humans and werewolves. There is a third race, the Urbat. They call themselves the dogs of death and are your close cousins.”
“They are the ones you can’t control,” Michelle added.
Bethi nodded. “Then there’s us,” she said, looking at Charlene, Gabby, and Michelle. “We don’t belong to any of the three groups. Werewolf, Urbat, or human. We are unique.”
“Special,” Winifred said with a slight nod.
“We are here to maintain the balance between the three groups.”
Sam opened his mouth, but Bethi quickly cut him off.
“I’m not sure exactly how we’re supposed to do that. We have abilities. Mine is to relive past lives—not just my past lives, but all of our past lives—through dreams. Our abilities seem to help the group we are aligned with in some way. Michelle’s gift is prosperity. In past lives, she knew the locations of lost treasure, herbs with medicinal properties, how to create things to better lives. Pretty much any knowledge that could be used to create wealth. Charlene strengthens the group she’s allied with and so on. I have no idea how that all plays in, but as soon as the Urbat learned of us, they began hunting us.”
