BirthRight

by Sydney Addae

  Silas wondered what fight the woman had been watching. The twins had picked off those wolves with little interaction from the pack.

  Tyrone pulled his earlobe. “Yeah…yeah, I gotta admit they had us on the run. But I’m not sure I understand what you mean by seeing the future. I mean, I know I’m younger than you by a few years, but what’d you mean by that?”

  “Youth. And I am more than a few years older than you, insolent pup.” She smiled as she looked at him fondly. “I’m going to die and I know it. Gerald was weak and allowed me to come between him, his mate, and his pack. I knew death would be the outcome when I started that dance years ago.” She shrugged. “But I grew impatient. I’ve been birthing pups for over a decade. Lost most of them, although a few survived. It seems the better technology became, the more pups survived. Anyway, I never agreed to do this forever. It wasn’t supposed to take this long.”

  “Huh?” Tyrone asked.

  “Patience pup,” she said with a frown.

  “Shifters and humans. Separate, they’re enemies. Put them together and what do you have?”

  “Abominations,” Theron growled.

  The female twittered. “Look at these two, do they look like abominations to you?”

  “They are wolves,” Theron said.

  “Not totally,” the female snapped. “It’s been hell finding a decent balance. Diet, exercise, upbringing, all of it plays a part.” She sighed. “Patron. It’s not that we don’t respect your abilities, we do. But change is inevitable, we’d hoped to work with you, but we weren’t ready and you’re here.” She shrugged. “And now we have a recording of what these wolves can do and you as well. We’ll be better prepared from now on.”

  Silas suspected something like that, it was one of the reasons he only held the two wolves immobile instead of killing them outright.

  “But they were so excited watching the two of you fight,” she said to the twins, who returned her stare. “Even now, they’re researching your background so it can be duplicated. We always knew something was missing and now we know.”

  “Really? What?” Tyrone asked his voice tight.

  She cocked her head and looked at him. The light of insanity burned bright. “Pack. You need a tight unit of comrades, like a pack. .”

  Tyrone nodded. “You’re right. Wolves can’t survive without a pack. The ones who try, go insane.” He stared at her.

  She smiled. “You are strong, I’m glad. Glad to see this hasn’t all been in vain.” She looked at Theron. “I’m tired. You can give me to the bitches now.”

  Chapter 16

  Silas looked out over the compound. Tyrone and Tyrese had been quiet the day after Shelby and the other wolves attacked the human. The debriefing had included every Alpha who wore his crest. Some were skeptical over a possible plot to overthrow the current system, although they all admitted this type of enemy was harder to spot. Silas charged each of them to bind every pack leader in their states to assist in ferreting out potential upstarts.

  The goddess’ warning echoed the human’s. Silas never believed in coincidences. It was imperative to get out ahead of the coming conflict. But was the conflict between half-breeds and full bloods? Or something else? His first litter of pups would be breeds. He shook his head over the untenable position.

  “Sir?” Tyrese called from the door.

  “Come in.” He’d been expecting them ever since Theron had called them abominations. He’d corrected all the Alphas against using the slur. He knew Theron didn’t see the twins in that light. The remarks were spoken in the heat of the moment and the twins never flinched. But with his impending fatherhood, he wouldn’t be as tolerant. As yet he’d made no announcement of the future pups. He planned to wait for Jasmine to tell him and then he’d decide when to tell his Alphas. Most would be happy. Some would be disappointed. All would support him.

  “The female spoke of researching our past and that’s going to lead someone to our mother. We’d like to get her away from all of this. Perhaps back home or to my aunt’s for a break.”

  Silas shook his head. “She cannot leave my protection, she carries my pups.”

  “What?” Tyrese said. “She didn’t mention it to us.” He looked at his brother,, who shook his head.

  “She didn’t mention it to me either, so don’t let on that you know,” Silas said dryly. “I searched and saw for myself. I told her that if she carried my pups, she’d have to live with me until she delivers them.”

  Tyrese laughed but it lacked humor. “She’ll never leave her kids.”

  “She told me that in colorful terms. Nevertheless, when we return to Maryland, I expect her to tell me she has my pups safely tucked away and to honor her end of the deal without dragging her feet.”

  “Her end of the deal?”

  Silas remembered their discussion during their sexual escapades. “Ask her about it. But she’ll be moving with me to my compound in West Virginia.”

  “Huh?” Tyrese looked sucker-punched. Tyrone’s mouth gaped open. Both men looked lost and uncertain.

  He looked at them. “You’re welcome to come as well.”

  They brightened.

  “Thanks. Wow, a brother or sister to watch over.”

  Tyrese smiled. “Yeah, now you have someone who might listen to all your bad advice.” He smacked his brother on the back of his head.

  “That’s a bonus. But I call dibs on teaching the boys how to play football, you always ate my dust,” Tyrone laughed, dodging his brother.

  Silas listened as the two wolves bantered back and forth with a frown. Had he just lost control of the peace and quiet of his haven? How would Jasmine react when she realized he intended to move her as soon as possible? The human’s mention of researching the twins had struck a nerve and he wanted her where he could protect her. Stifling a sigh, he looked at the twins and wondered, are they the future? If so, how would they mesh with the present?

  Interrupting the twins, he stood. “I’m tired and the plane is ready. Time to get back to Maryland and then on to my home. I want your mom settled before we investigate your dad’s pack.”

  At the mention of their father’s former pack, the young wolves stilled. “You said we could travel with you when you met with them,” Tyrese said, walking ahead of Silas while Tyrone brought up the rear.

  Appearances be damned, he slowed and walked next to Tyrone. Everyone knew he didn’t need a security detail but had convinced themselves the wolves needed to see him separate and apart. He could speak through their link, but didn’t want to.

  “I remember, and once we get Jasmine settled, we’ll make plans,” Silas said as they exited the building and headed for the cars that’d take them to the airport.

  Brad and Hank waited at the vehicle along with Shelby and Theron. Buck, their Beta, stood a short distance away.

  Theron and Shelby bowed as Silas approached. “Thank you for honoring us with your presence, La Patron,” Theron said as he shook Silas’ hand.

  Silas nodded, released his hand. He took Shelby’s smaller one, kissed the back of it and pulled her close. “Have I told you lately that you are one tough bitch?”

  Shelby’s face reddened. Her eyes lit with pleasure. “Yes, on more than one occasion.” She laughed.

  Silas nodded. “Good. I just wanted to be sure.” He nodded to the beta and the wolves who’d come to see the Patron. The twins nodded to Theron as he shook their hands.

  Hank held the back door open for Silas. As he stepped forward to enter the car, a cold wind blew across f his face. The tiny hairs on the back of his neck rose in apprehension. He scented the air and smelled nothing amiss, yet the sensation remained.

  “Sir?” Tyrese asked in a quiet tone, while his eyes searched the area.

  Silas stilled and looked back toward the second floor. Arianna stood in the window staring down at him, her eyes blazed for a moment and then returned to normal. In slow motion, she blew him a kiss.

  Apprehension wrapped around him as he slid
into the back of the car. “Goddess save me from fanatics,” he muttered.

  Coming Soon Book 2 – Birthright by Sydney Addae

  Thanks for reading the first book in the La Patron series. Sydney Addae resides in the southeast and enjoys reading and writing all things paranormal. Nothing is more relaxing than cracking open a new adventure in a new world. You’re invited to join the journey into new lands with all manner of things that go bumpity-bump in the night. Friend me on my facebook page or drop me a line on my website. www.sydneyaddae.com.

  Check out my other book: Secret of the Red Stone.

  Welcome to the world of Austin Gray. After the accident that took his father and left him scarred and partially crippled, he battled his way back to living a normal life. Pain besieged him at every turn. He lost most of his vocal chords; his right leg was shattered ending his college football scholarship before he graduated high school. All of his plans, dreams and hopes, destroyed on a long twisting highway.

  Somewhere along the way he picked up an anomaly. At the weirdest times he got a front row seat to some of the most heinous crimes performed by mankind. It made him sick to see, and sicker still to retell the sights. The poisonous visions made him sick until he released the words into the atmosphere.

  He’d made peace with being weird, but he hated the thing that overtook him. It didn’t pay to fight against the sights. He never won. The FBI took note of his accuracy and sent the new Special Agent from the FBI to make a deal with him. Work with her for six months and she’d prove to him his “gift” could help save lives. One thing they never counted on, the great lengths criminals would go through to keep their vile deeds hidden. Even killing the messenger.

  Prologue

  It wasn’t the heat of the infamous Southern Pines summer nights that woke me. Nor the insistent clang of pots or pans. I’d grown accustomed to Ma’s insomnia. She cooked at all hours to soothe her nerves. No, this drive to get up was something new. More like a shove from the inside.

  Weird.

  The urge to move my sore body from its toasty resting spot pummeled me. As I scratched the scarred skin between my neck and shoulder, I placed my right foot on the hardwood floor. The left followed more slowly. The bones were still knitting from the car accident and I had no interest in having them reset because I fell.

  Slow was good.

  My eyes adjusted to this new position and, keeping that mantra in mind, I sat still on the edge of my bed to get my bearings. It took a moment to bring everything in focus. The desire to go online surprised me. As I waited for the laptop to boot up, I hoped this wasn’t the beginning of another series of nightmares. Violence in video games was cool, expected even. That should be the end of it. My sleep should be safe, free from the horrors of life.

  The login screen appeared. Scooting over, I sat in the ergonomic chair Ma bought six months ago as a bribe to get me active again. It felt good against my back as I settled, wondering what to do next. My fingers flew over the keyboard. Good to see they still worked.

  Looking at the screen, I recognized a familiar chat room; I hadn’t visited it since the accident. Closing my eyes, I breathed through the pain of loss that filled me every time I remembered the day our car ran off the road and hit a tree.

  A beep pulled my attention back to the screen. The clock at the bottom read a little after midnight and the room was full of lively chatters. Scrolling down, I suppressed a yawn, read the inventive names of the active participants, answered a few shout outs, and decided to leave. I’d just turned eighteen and some of the suggestions in this room had my face on fire. A new person sent a shout out.

  Rosiered
  I froze. I’m not sure why, but immediately I asked for a private chat. Thankfully, she agreed.

  Austingray
  Rosiered< a little restaurant in France. Why?

  A sliver of fear unfurled in my stomach, rising, taking my breath with it. She was lying. Pain slashed at my lacerated throat. I couldn’t speak much over a whisper, but words bubbled from my gut. I tried to infuse the urgency I sensed to her.

  Austingray
  Angry that she still sat, I started typing another message. The movement brought a pounding pain inside my skull. It grew stronger every second, blurring my vision. Looking up, I watched her twist in the paisley-covered chair before she refocused on the laptop.

  Damn, I can see her. How? My cam sat in an unopened box on the floor. The knowledge hit me. I stared at the words on the screen. The accident had done more than ruin my body; it had screwed with my brain. I knew where she was, that she was a short blonde with brown eyes, and petite build.

  I saw her look around, biting her lips, and then start to type again.

  “No, no, no, don’t type,” I yelled, the noise ripped painfully from my few remaining vocal chords sounded like a screeching tire. “Get out.” Of course, she couldn’t see or hear me. I was weirding out.

  Rosiered
  Austingray
  Rosiered< who?

  As she leaned forward to read my text, the door burst open. Two burly men strode in, snatched her up while placing a cloth over her mouth, and backed out.

  Austingray
  The blond male changed course, walked forward, and read the screen. His eyes widened as he looked around. His lips twisted as he picked up the laptop and smashed it. I felt a curious relief when he disappeared and the visual faded.

  Then I fainted.