Guardians of Summerfeld: Full Series: Books 1-4

by Melissa Delport

  “You’re the Alpha,” he countered. “It’s my duty to do your bidding.”

  “You’re not serious?” She threw up her hands in frustration. “Rafe, I only challenged them to make sure that you would be okay!”

  “I didn’t ask you to do that!” He stepped out of the shower, dripping water all over the floor.

  “You didn’t have to! If another wolf had taken up the role you would have been killed, or at the very least cast out!”

  “Exactly!” he roared, “I should have been cast out! Instead, I’m the laughing stock of the pack… the wolf that needed his wife to protect him.”

  “That’s not true. Rayna doesn’t feel that way. She’s just grateful that we’re both alive.”

  “Rayna is my sister, of course she’s grateful. I wasn’t talking about her. And just because no-one would dare speak out in front of you doesn’t mean they give me the same respect.”

  “Who then?” she demanded. “Who said it?”

  “It doesn’t matter. They’re all thinking it.”

  “So you’re saying I should have let you die?” His silence spoke volumes.

  “No,” she shook her head. “That wasn’t an option. You are my husband and my mate. I don’t want to hear it.”

  “As you wish,” he sneered. “You’re the boss.”

  Channon pushed past him, too angry to even formulate a response and stormed out of the house, her head pounding. She had known that Rafe would find it difficult to accept her as the Alpha but she had never expected this level of animosity. He would barely speak to her and his foul mood was ruining everything. She had done it for him after all, so that they could live in peace without fear of attack, but her plan had backfired. Now Rafe resented her. Furiously, she stormed down the street, so lost in her own thoughts she didn’t even notice the couple approaching.

  “Channon?” a timid voice called and Channon turned to see Monique standing only a few feet away. The young Guardian’s eyes were filled with concern, but it was the tall, dark-haired boy beside her who drew Channon’s attention. He looked completely out of place. This must be the gypsy boy the Guardians had mentioned.

  “Hi,” Channon regarded them curiously. “I take it you’re the trespasser?” Jonas flushed.

  “This is Channon,” Monique interjected, “the new werewolf Alpha. Channon, this is Jonas.”

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Channon extended her hand, suddenly finding her own problems trivial in comparison to his.

  “You too,” Jonas replied politely.

  “I hear you’re here on an extended stay?”

  “That’s what they tell me,” he shrugged lightly, but Channon could see the concern beneath his flippancy.

  “Well, I hope you enjoy it here. It’s not the worst place in the world to be,” she smiled, trying to ease his fears.

  “Are you okay?” Monique probed, sensing Channon’s distress.

  “I’m fine,” the werewolf assured her. “Just having a bad day. I better get going, I’ll see you around, Jonas.” They watched as she strode up the street, disappearing into Kellan’s house.

  “She’s the Alpha?” Jonas rounded on Monique.

  “I know, it’s weird, right? There’s never been a female Alpha before, in the history of the pack.”

  “In the history of the City, you mean,” he remarked thoughtlessly. Catching sight of her expression, he quickly continued. “Well, I mean the Guardians only date back a thousand years or so. How do they know that there wasn’t another female Alpha before that?”

  “King Eldon documented all the supernatural history in the Sacred Book,” she retorted hotly.

  “Yeah, but he might have left that bit out. I mean, he couldn’t put every tiny detail in there, it would be like a billion pages. My father has a whole truckload of old journals… he might…” he stopped, realising that there was a strong possibility he would never see those journals, or his father, again.

  Monique, who had been growing increasingly irritated throughout his speech, found that she couldn’t be cross with him, not when he looked so sad.

  “They won’t keep you here forever.”

  “Yes they will.” There was no doubt in his mind that Quinn and the others would not change their decision. “You know, the worst part of this whole situation is that my people and yours want the same thing. For the wards to be safe.”

  Channon had forgotten the gypsy boy the second she entered the home of the nicest Faery couple she knew. She gratefully took a seat on Kellan and Freya’s comfortable sofa.

  “I’m sorry Kellan’s not here at the moment,” Freya apologised timidly. She could sense Channon’s aggravation and her disappointment upon learning that Kellan wasn’t home.

  “Do you think he’ll be long?” Channon needed to talk to someone and Kellan had always been willing to lend an ear and offer sound advice.

  “I’m not sure. I think one of the unicorns injured its leg, and he and Velkan went to tend to it. You’re welcome to wait…” she paused as Channon deliberated and then, at her quick nod, Freya smiled. “Can I get you some tea?”

  “That would be lovely.”

  As the pot boiled, Freya heard the familiar cry from Sage’s bedroom that indicated the baby was awake. She still hadn’t gotten used to the child being in her own room, but Kellan had insisted. Freya was barely sleeping, lying awake listening to the sound of Sage’s breathing and Kellan had kindly, but firmly, told her it was time. The first few evenings Freya had been up all night, pacing between the two bedrooms, but slowly she was relaxing, and last night she had had her first good night’s sleep in weeks. Kellan was generally right, she thought fondly to herself. She hastily prepared two cups of tea and carried them through to the living room, which, to her surprise, was empty.

  “Channon?” she called, setting the cups on the table. Entering Sage’s room, Freya was astonished to find the baby in Channon’s arms. Channon was cooing gently and Sage smiled up at her.

  “I hope you don’t mind,” Channon murmured softly, “I heard her crying and I thought I’d get her up.”

  “Not at all.” Freya was pleasantly surprised. Channon had always seemed tough as nails but, watching her now, Freya was struck by the tenderness she was capable of. “Bring her through, she can join us for tea.”

  Channon resumed her seat, cradling Sage, who seemed content in her arms.

  “You’re a natural,” Freya remarked wryly, “any plans for children of your own one day?”

  Channon paused, holding Sage’s tiny finger in her hand.

  “I… I used to think so. But now…”

  “Now you’re the Alpha?” Freya could understand how the burden of that responsibility might have put paid to any plans Channon may have had of starting a family of her own.

  “Yes.”

  “Alphas have children,” Freya pointed out gently.

  “Male Alphas have children,” Channon corrected. Not bound to maternal care, males could rule while still having children. Channon did not have that luxury. Freya fell silent, finding no words to offer comfort.

  “Besides,” Channon continued bitterly, “I doubt that Rafe would want to start a family with me now.” Sensing that this might be the reason Channon was here, Freya steeled herself to probe further.

  “Is Rafe having difficulty accepting what has happened?”

  “That’s an understatement.”

  “It’s never happened before, I’m sure he just needs some time to adjust.” Channon laughed hollowly, startling the baby, who gave a cry of dismay.

  “Hush,” Channon lowered her voice, rocking Sage gently until she was comforted. Lowering her voice, she continued. “He’s being impossible to live with and nothing I say makes any difference. I didn’t want this,” she admitted, “it’s not what I would’ve chosen for myself. I did it only to protect him. But now that it’s happened I…” she trailed off, embarrassed.

  “Now you do want it?” Freya probed.

  “Yes,” Channon admitt
ed. “It feels right. I feel like this is what I was born to do.”

  “Does that make you feel guilty?”

  “A little. I don’t want Rafe to know, but how can I truly be Alpha if I’m more concerned about hurting his feelings than leading our people?”

  “Rafe will come around,” Freya soothed. “I’ve known him a long time and he’s a good man.”

  “What if he doesn’t?” Channon looked on the verge of tears. “Right now I’m torn between being a wife to my husband and an Alpha to my pack. What if I can’t be both?”

  “Of course you can be both,” Freya insisted. “No one thing defines us. Besides, it’s in your blood. I knew your grandfather,” she added, at Channon’s questioning look. “You know he was an Alpha too?”

  “Yes,” Channon nodded. “He was ousted by Rafe’s father.”

  “So you see, it’s come full circle. You would not have won your challenge if you were not meant to rule the pack, just as you would not have won it if you hadn’t loved him so much. Both Rafe and the pack brought you to where you are. Rafe will understand that, in time. And if he doesn’t,” she added gently, “he’s not worthy of your love.” They drank their tea while Channon cuddled Sage.

  “I better get back,” she murmured after a time.

  “You don’t want to wait for Kellan?” Freya asked.

  “No,” Channon hugged her as she left, “you’ve been more than enough help. Thank you, for listening, and for your guidance.”

  “I’m always here if you need to talk,” Freya replied, “or if you just want to come and cuddle.” She held up the baby and Channon dropped a kiss on her tiny forehead.

  “I think I’ll take you up on that.”

  Chapter 32

  “Lenora,” Drake nudged her sleeping form. Lenora gave an annoyed groan and swatted at him in her sleep. Drake grabbed her shoulders and shook her firmly. Lenora woke with a start and he put his finger to his lips, warning her to be silent. She tossed off her covers and got out of the bed, wearing only a slip of negligee, and he held her slippers up, averting his gaze. Grabbing a blanket off the bed, he threw it over her bare shoulders and gestured for her to follow him.

  The night air was cold as they raced away from the house, shadows moving too quickly for the human eye to track. When they finally came to a stop beside the railway track where Drake had fought alongside Quinn all those weeks ago, Lenora pulled the blanket closer around her.

  “What’s going on?” She didn’t need to ask him why they were out here in the dead of night. It was obvious he didn’t want to be overheard.

  “I need you to do something for me.” There was no time to waste. “I need you to get a message to Quinn.”

  “Are you insane?”

  “She won’t hurt you.”

  “That’s easy for you to say.”

  “Lenora, please. She’s in danger.”

  “She can take care of herself. We’re in danger, in case you haven’t noticed.”

  “Charlotte has a werewolf inside the City!”

  “Oh my God!” Lenora shook her head. “Well, she’s got nerve, I’ll give her that much.”

  “This is serious!” Drake’s fear for Quinn’s safety threatened to overwhelm him, but he had to remain calm. “It gets worse. Charlotte has a Guardian working for her.”

  “Son of a bitch!” Lenora actually stamped her foot in frustration. “How in the hell did she manage that… oh, don’t answer that,” she snapped as he opened his mouth to speak, “I’m pretty sure I know how, the slut!” She could not understand what allure Charlotte held that captivated people so. Drake wasn’t listening.

  “If Charlotte has someone on the inside it’s only a matter of time before the City falls. We cannot let her do this.”

  “Drake, listen to yourself! You can’t stop this. The Quest is not our concern; we should get out of here and let this play itself out.”

  “I can’t,” he sighed, “but I also cannot leave here without arousing Charlotte’s suspicions. You have to do this. All I’m asking is that you deliver a message and then I want you to run. Hide, until this is over. Please.” Lenora knew he would not be swayed.

  “What will you do?” she asked, not really wanting to know the answer.

  “Whatever I can,” he replied grimly.

  When they returned to the house, Drake paused in the hall. He had heard movement above and he thrust Lenora back in the direction of the door just as Charlotte appeared at the top of the stairs.

  “Where are you going?” she narrowed her eyes at his coat.

  “To the hospital,” he lied easily. “Someone has to alter that boy’s memory before he wakes up and starts talking about vampires in Brookfield.”

  “Who cares if he does?”

  “I do.” His words were final. Charlotte weaved down the stairs and Drake was relieved to see that Lenora had disappeared.

  “Lenora isn’t in her bed,” Charlotte followed his gaze to the open front door.

  “So?” Drake snapped.

  “Where is she?”

  “How the hell should I know? I’m not her keeper.”

  Charlotte had reached him now and she snuck her tiny hands into his coat. The pale, cold skin felt lifeless against his chest.

  “Why don’t you come upstairs?” she purred, weaving into the folds of fabric. Drake took a deliberate step backwards.

  “Someone has to clean up your mess,” he pointed out.

  Arriving at the hospital, Drake quickly learned which room was Todd’s from a pretty night nurse holding an electronic tablet.

  “Drake!” Sarah gasped, as he entered the room. She had been dozing on the chair beside Todd’s bedside, her sweet face tired and crumpled. She hadn’t changed and the dried blood on her clothes gave off a sickly sweet stench. Drake hugged her awkwardly as she threw herself into his arms. Sarah barely knew Drake but she knew that he had befriended Quinn and she desperately needed human contact and reassurance.

  “How is he?” Drake asked gently. It was extraordinary that he felt protective toward this pathetic human girl simply through her association to Quinn.

  “The doctors say he’ll be fine,” she smiled weakly.

  “Have you heard from Quinn?” he couldn’t resist asking.

  “No,” her mouth tugged downward as she fought the tears. “I’ve left her a few messages but her phone is off.” Hardly surprising, Drake thought, if Quinn was still within the City’s enchantments.

  “I’ll try and reach her,” he promised, squeezing Sarah’s shoulder. “Why don’t you go and get cleaned up? I’m sure they have some hospital gowns lying around that would look fabulous on you.” Sarah sniffed at his lame attempt at a joke.

  “They did offer, but I don’t want to leave him, in case he wakes up.”

  “I’ll wait. It’ll only take you a minute,” Drake offered, and then, when Sarah looked dubious, “I don’t think that that,” he pointed at the blood, “is going to help him. He might be traumatised and you look a sight.”

  Sarah needed no further convincing. With one last longing look at Todd she flew from the room. Drake moved quickly. Stepping across to Todd’s side, he shook him gently. When Todd didn’t wake, Drake did the only thing he could do – he slapped him across the face. Todd woke with a leonine yell of fear, but Drake smothered his cries with the palm of his hand.

  Todd gazed up into the green eyes, recognising Drake, and his confusion gave way to terror. He couldn’t breathe.

  “Calm down,” Drake instructed, and he felt Todd’s body sag back into the pillows. “Look at me.” Once he had Todd’s full attention, he released him. “You were attacked by a dog tonight,” Drake spoke quickly but audibly. “A big black dog got into your yard and attacked you. You remember nothing else and you will not remember me being here.” Todd’s eyes glazed over as the persuasion took hold, all too easily in his weakened state, and then his eyes closed. By the time Sarah returned he was sleeping peacefully.

  “Anything?” she whispered.
She had a white hospital gown, which was several sizes too big, over her jeans and she shivered in the clinical cold of the room.

  “Nothing,” Drake shook his head, “but he will be fine.”

  “Thank you, for coming. I didn’t expect… well, you hardly know us.”

  “Any friend of Quinn’s is a friend of mine,” he smiled. “I’ll try and let her know what’s happened but she might be out of the country. You just take care of yourself.” He couldn’t look at her any longer. Being around Sarah reminded him painfully of Quinn.

  “I will,” she smiled shyly as he left.

  Drake closed the door gently behind him. He stood still for a moment watching the weary-looking nurses at the nurse’s station. A portly, stern-looking nurse passed him, giving him a strange look and Drake stopped her in her tracks.

  “There’s a young lady in this room who is cold,” he told her, keeping his voice low. “You will offer her your jersey,” he gestured at the floral cardigan she was wearing and then walked away briskly as, without another word, she opened the door to Todd’s room.

  Chapter 33

  “He said that?” Tristan asked. “You’re sure those were his exact words?” All eleven Guardians had gathered to discuss what had happened. Daniel and the others bore signs of a long journey, but he had insisted they go ahead with the meeting despite the lateness of the hour. It had been only a few days since her conversation with Balthazar, and so far they had had no further contact with the gypsies.

  “Yes,” Quinn confirmed. “He said that they were the protectors of all our magical brethren before the Guardians existed. Is it true?” she turned to Isaiah, praying he would deny it.

  “Even if it were, would it change anything?” Daniel said.

  “It would change the way I feel about it.” Quinn had taken a hard line with Balthazar, for a good cause, but if he spoke the truth she would feel differently. If his intention was to protect the City’s wards, then the gypsies and the Guardians might not be enemies after all.