“Do I think she is sick enough to stick around and watch? Yes. But, I don’t think she did. When...when that stuff went down with my mate, she didn’t. If she did, there was a chance that she could have saved him. Kelsey is too selfish to care about anyone but herself,” Cat spat. I get up and walk over to Cat and grab her hand. I give it a light squeeze, just enough that she knows that I’m here if she needs me.
“Does anyone remember seeing her in the crowd?” I question. There was a round of no’s from everyone.
I sigh. Well, this just keeps getting better.
If we are lucky, the police won’t come here tonight, but I don’t think my luck is that good. It wasn’t.
At almost midnight there was a knock on the door. We all knew the police were coming because Lucian’s grandfather gave us a heads up. I talked to the police in the kitchen with my aunt present. I gave them a run-down of what happened. The tricky part came in explaining why I didn’t go to the hospital, why I don't have burns on my hands, and why I fled the scene. If I didn’t know any better, I would say that they didn’t believe me, or that someone had gotten to them first. If it wasn’t for my necklace and the fact that I shifted, I would have had to go to the hospital. Both of those aspects helped heal me, just like what happened last time.
The web of lies I had to weave would have made grandmother goose proud. I told them I had covered my hands with my hoodie which wasn’t a lie. There are scorch marks and a few holes to prove that. I told them I used my shirt to cover my nose and mouth, so I didn’t breathe in the smoke. Why I fled was a little tricky. I told them I was so relieved that I got out and in my panic and anxiety ridden state, I didn’t think much past getting away from the fire as much as possible.
I don’t think they believed a word I said. It almost seemed like they came with their minds made up. They told me that they will be investigating, but unless they find proof, or someone comes forward to back up my claim, there isn’t much more they can do. They can’t charge Kelsey without proof. I told them about my phone, and they said they will try to use the GPS to ping it’s last or current location. My only hope is that she kept my phone, and she will be caught red-handed with it.
I didn’t fare any better with the Elder Council. They basically said the same thing that the police did, without proof there is nothing they could do. I call bullshit. I think they can; they just don’t want to. Money talks and the Taylors have plenty of that.
Callyn
I wish I could say that the weeks that followed where uneventful, but that would be a lie. As of right now, Kelsey has gotten away with attempting to kill me. Oh, the police found my phone, in the bottom of the pool at the Michaelson's, the house where the party took place. That was a dead end. So far, no one has stepped forward with any information. I’m sure we can thank the Council and their secret witch.
There was a trial in front of the Elder Council. They acquitted Kelsey of all charges. They said we did not have any definitive proof that it was her, even after I told them she was the only other person in the barn. Of course, they didn’t believe me. They believe that I am only accusing her because we have a history of not getting along. Since it is my word against hers, they basically took her side.
Should I be surprised? No. I haven’t had the best history with the Elder Council. The only one that seems to like me and believe me is Elder Harris. You could even see the disappointment on Elder Caine and Elder Greaves faces that Kelsey didn’t succeed. I’m not surprised by that either. They have made their feelings about me very clear. I knew going into this that this was most likely going to be the outcome.
Honestly, who else could it have been? Do they think someone was hiding in the hay? If they did, they are just as sick and twisted as Kelsey. Who thinks burning someone alive is good life choice? All this is doing is making me revert to the old Callyn, and I hate it. When I emerged from that fire, I felt like I had more power and confidence. It seems like people want to take that from me. In the weeks since the barn fire, there has been at least one attempt on my life a week. I’m constantly looking over my shoulder and surveying my surrounds. I don’t want to live this way again, but I don’t have a choice. Old memories and insecurities are coming back to the surface as much as I try to keep them hidden away. I feel bad for the boys, because they are just as frazzled as I am.
I’m lucky they were with me the day we went to get me another new phone, which my aunt paid for, because I would have been stabbed. If it wasn’t for Graydon seeing that the only other customer was acting shady. Graydon practically yoked him up in the middle of the store, but he wouldn’t say anything. I almost got ran over by a car in the parking lot at school, though the jury is still out on that one. I don’t know if it was because I wasn’t paying attention, or if someone was really trying to mow me down.
Kelsey was nowhere to be seen for a couple days following the barn incident. When she did return to school, she acted like nothing had happened. It must be nice to get away with everything. She has left me alone for the most part. But all good things must come to an end. At least this time Kelsey didn’t corner me in the locker room. Instead, we’re in the girls’ bathroom. It’s one of the rare times that I don’t have one of the guys with me. None of them like leaving me out of their sight, and honestly, I can’t blame them. I would be the same if one of them was going through this.
“You think you’re so lucky, don’t you?” Kelsey hissed.
“No, because if I was you, I would leave me alone. What is your problem with me? I have done nothing to you since I’ve moved here.”
“You take everything.” She pushes me, and my back hits one of the sinks. “You took the guys, you’re the next alpha queen. You practically have people eating out of the palm of your hand since the fire, just because you shifted into some bird.”
“You have yourself to thank for that last one. I probably wouldn’t have shifted for a while, but you forced the issue. As for the rest, it’s my fate, my destiny. I don’t have a say in this.”
“Then walk away from it. Let me have it. I will be a better queen than you ever could. I’ll even treat those boys better than you too.”
I let out an angry squawk. “No.” I have had enough of Kelsey. I push her, and she stumbles back a few steps. “You are exactly the reason I will not walk away from this. I can’t. I will die before I let anyone like you sit on a throne and rule. I will not tell you again, those boys are mine, and if I so much as see or hear you sniffing around them, I. Will. End. You.” I say the last part while poking her in the chest after each word.
“Ha-ha, throne. That throne you so readily claim, is built of lies.” Kelsey moves to the bathroom door, but before she leaves she turns and looks at me. “If you think that I’m the only one who wants you out of the picture, you’re wrong.”
Kelsey
I left Callyn standing in the bathroom. She doesn’t know who’s out to get her, but I do. I’m walking down the hallway when I’m pulled back to the day of the trial.
I was getting ready to leave the Council’s chambers, when they called me back. Elders Greaves and Caine escorted me to a nearby room.
“Sit, Kelsey. We have something that we would like to talk to you about,” Elder Greaves states. “We know the truth about what happened in that barn, and you are lucky that there is no evidence that you committed that crime; otherwise, we would be having a very different conversation.”
There is no way that they know. I made sure to cover my tracks. “As you just stated Elder Greaves, there is no proof that I did anything. It could have been any one?”
“Trust me when I say, there is nothing that goes on in this town that I do not know about.”
I do my best not to show any signs that what they said affects me, but I do want to know where they are going with this.
“Yes, let’s get to the point,” Elder Caine says. “We know you did it, and we want to know why? What you say will not leave this room. You have our word.”
As much as I don’t want to
answer and actually admit my guilt, they are the Elder Council, and who knows what they will do if I don’t do as they ask.
I clench my teeth as I answer. “Because she has what I want.”
“And what is that?”
“Graydon, Zeke, Maximus, and Lucian.” The Elders share a look before turning back to face me.
“What if I said we can help you get the boys and make you the next Alpha Queen.”
“How are you going to do that?”
“We have a plan in the works, but when the time comes and we call upon you, you must answer and do what we say without question. If you do, then those boys are as good as yours, and we will be placing a crown upon your head.”
“How sure are you that this is going to work?” This sounds too good to be true. They are part of the Elder Council, but even they can’t make those kinds of promises. “What do you get out of this?”
“Our plan will not fail. We will make sure of that. We get the same thing you do. Callyn Silvers out of the picture. Just picture it Kelsey, you sitting on a throne, ruler of all shifter kind with those boys standing behind you, listening to your every beck and call.”
I can picture that, and I want it.
“Fine. I will help you get rid of Callyn, in exchange for being Alpha Queen and having all four of those boys be my mates.”
“Excellent. We will be in touch with you soon. Just as a reminder, don’t tell her about your any of your visions. Should you have one pertaining to the impending war, you come to one of us immediately.” They both whisked out of the room without another word.
My phone ringing pulls me out of my thoughts. Elder Greaves. I answer.
“Hello.”
“Be at the Council chambers tonight at eight. We will be discussing step one of the plan.” He doesn’t say another word before he hangs up.
Good, we will be putting the plan in motion. Hopefully, it won’t be much longer before Callyn is out of the way, and I can have what is rightfully mine.
Callyn
I was left standing alone in the bathroom, staring at the door Kelsey just left through. Who else would there be? Great just another thing I have to add to the list. For once, I would just like something to be easy in my life. One day right? My life can’t always be filled with pain, and uncertainty.
All I know is that when I tell the guys what Kelsey just said they are likely to blow a gasket, well definitely Graydon.
I waited until we were driving to my house before I said anything about Kelsey confronting me. If I would have told them in school, they probably would have made a big scene, and I’m drawing enough attention to myself as it is. The boys are coming over today to go through the journals with me.
“So, I have something to tell you all, and you’re not going to like it.” Each of them groan. I feel horrible. They didn’t ask to have a mate and all the burdens that came with me. Maybe Kelsey is right, and I should let them go before it’s too late.
“What happened, Callie,” Lucian asks.
“Kelsey told me that she is not the only one who wants me out of the picture.”
“What?” Graydon bellows.
“Did she say who?” Zeke questions.
“No.”
“Did you really think she would, come on guys. She tried to burn her alive like she was a witch during the Salem witch trials,” Max states.
“Remember, not according to the Elder Council. There’s no proof.”
“Semantics,” he says with a wave of his hand. “We believe you, our little, fire bird. Though thinking on it now, would the fire really have hurt you? Aren’t phoenixes born from flame and ash?”
“I don’t think that’s quite how that works, Max. I’m human.”
“You have to admit that would be pretty cool though, and you’re not human anymore.” I giggle. Lucian pulls up into my driveway.
“Come on, let’s go have a look at those journals. There has to been something in there to help us,” Lucian states.
We should have went through the journals together when I first got them. If we did, maybe we could have prevented things from happening.
Maximus
We have been scouring these dusty ass tomes all afternoon. Don’t get me wrong some of it is interesting, but some of it makes me want to gouge my eyes out with a spoon. I’m not big fan of history. It bores me to death. Also, why do we all have to read when Lucian pretty much has a photographic memory. I would have just shoved all the books at him and asked for a summary. Seriously, I would rather be doing anything else but this.
Like having a make out session with my beautiful mate. I haven’t stopped thinking about that kiss since it happened. Sure, we have kissed since then but nothing like the first time, and that’s the one I want a repeat of. My wolf growls, agreeing with me. He wants us to sink our teeth in her and claim her, but Callyn isn’t ready. Since she has shifted, she acts more like we do. She’s always brushing up against one of us, trying to get our scent on her. I love it.
I don’t mind her hands on me. I just can’t wait for it to be the naked kind of touching. But I know that Callyn isn’t ready for that yet either. I’m a patient man. I wonder if I could sneak a few private moments with her in the kitchen. I smirk. I know just how to do it too.
“Hey, angel, do you want to help me make some snacks?”
“You don’t need me to help you do that, Max.”
“Uh, do you remember what happened last time I was left alone to make them? I had to have a funeral for the bag of popcorn. Just be glad that was how far I got. Who knows what the damage might have been like.”
She looks at me like she can see right through my bullshit. So, I do the one thing I know she loves watching me do. I slowly lick my top lip then slightly bite my bottom. To top it off, I push my hair behind my ears, because Callie had let it slip one day that she loves my long hair. She’s always running her fingers through it. I hear her gasp. But what really gets me is the sultry gaze she gives me.
I stand up, abandoning the journal I was reading. I walk over to Callyn and hold out my hand. “Come on, angel.” My voice coming out rougher than I intended. I’m relieved when she puts her hand in mine.
“Only so I can supervise you.”
There was a snort, and I look around to see Graydon staring at us. I wonder how long he was paying attention?
“You both need supervision when you’re together.”
He’s not wrong. “We’re only going to the kitchen, how much trouble could we possibly get in?”
“With you two? A lot.”
I feign being offended, while Callie giggles at my side. “Well, I never,” I say with a southern belle accent. The purpose that serves is throwing Callie into a laughing fit and me earning a scowl from Graydon. I tug at Callie’s hand. “I know when I’m not wanted.” I try to stomp away, but with Callie laughing uncontrollably it made it hard, and my grand exit was ruined.
Once I finally have Callie in the kitchen, I don’t waste any time before I pounce. I hook my fingers in the belt loops at the front of her jeans, pulling her to me. She stumbles and lands against me; her hands coming up to my chest to help break her fall. But she doesn’t have to worry about that because the second I let go of her belt loops I wrap my arms around her, effectively trapping her.
“Now that you have me trapped what are you going to do with me?” she asks breathlessly. I have to fight back a groan.
“How about I show you?” I move my arms, so I can cup her face.
I leave feather like kisses against her lips. My angel is getting impatient because she keeps chasing my lips. Finally, after a little bit more teasing I give her what she wants, what I want. I press my lips to hers. Soft at first, but the urgency in the kiss changes the longer that we stand here. I become a bit more aggressive, which earns me a moan. I move my hand and wrap my arm around her waist. My other hand cups the back of her head, pushing her closer. I don’t know when Callie moved her hands from my chest, but her fingers are digging into m
y side; I moan.
I pull back slightly to take in some much needed air. I look in her eyes, and I love what I see, knowing that I’m the one to put it there. I change the angle of my head before I go back to kissing her. I move my hands down to her waist, walking her backwards until her back hits the counter. I lift her and sit her on the countertop. The little gasp she gives opens her mouth just enough for me to push my tongue between her lips.
I scoot her to the edge of the counter, and she parts her legs. I step forward and settle myself between them. She wraps her legs around my waist, pulling as close as she can. My hard cock is pressed against her core. Both of us moaning at the contact. Her arms go around my neck, one hand resting between my shoulder blades and the other fisting my hair, tugging at it. I start kissing a path from her lips, to that soft spot by her ear that I know drives her wild. I know when I hit it because she grinds against me.
I continue the path down her neck lightly biting at the pulse point, which earns me a grind and a moan. I lose control. My canines lengthen, my wolf urging me to mark her. I use my teeth and scrap against the spot, narrowly not stopping in time. I move my lips and rest my forehead against her shoulder, taking deep breaths to calm myself. Do you know how hard that is to do when the little minx starts kissing and nipping at my neck? Fucking hard, because I can also smell her arousal, and it’s calling out to me, the sweet scent. I couldn’t help pressing my cock into her harder.
“Callie.” I barely get out, but she doesn’t hear me. “Angel, we have to stop.” I break the contact between us.
“Why?” she asks dazed and confused.
“Because we’re in the fucking kitchen for one,” I say getting more control over myself. “Two, I almost marked you, and you’re not ready for that.”
“Who says I’m not?”
My eyebrows had to go into my hairline because of how shocked I am. She can’t possibly mean that can she? Looks like I’m going to test the waters.
Queen's Guard Page 11
