“You preach genocide and anarchy.” Aiden turned his back on Leif and met with Ace’s curious glare.
“He’s just afraid others might share my opinions and set me free.” Leif cackled like a madman. “Wouldn’t that put a damper on your plans to silence me?”
“The only freedom you’ll be granted is your spirit releasing from your lifeless body.” Aiden clenched his jaw, his voice straining the limits of civility.
“Watch and learn, boys.” Leif smiled with the innocence of a child as he glanced from one Alpha to the other.
Ace looked away nervously, asking, “Are you afraid he might plead insanity?”
“That’s one of the reasons we brought Emma with us,” Aiden replied. “She’ll give testimony on Leif’s health and fitness to stand trial for the council. His deviousness, however, will be a card we should be prepared for him to play.”
“Emma spent time with him?” Ace asked curiously. Having only been in the room with Leif for a few moments, he already felt the uncertainty the old Alpha created.
“He worked a completely different angle on her. She’s convinced of his ill intents. As well as his clarity of mind.”
“Saw through the bullshit, then?” Ace chuckled.
“Nothing gets past Emma.” Aiden beamed with pride. “She’s an asset to my pack.”
Ace found himself smiling at the thought of her. He only hoped he hadn’t made too big a fool of himself with her. “She does seem a special one.”
“I’m lucky to have her.” Aiden continued his praise.
“She’s good for breeding,” Leif added in the background. “Good strong build, that one. She’ll bear quite a few litters.”
Aiden grimaced but did not turn to acknowledge the comment. His hand fisting at his side, however, spoke volumes of the effect Leif was already having on Aiden’s patience.
Before Ace could say anything, Leif spoke again. “He’s interested in the she-wolf. You’d do well to broker a deal and strengthen your alliances.”
Ace nearly choked on his words, shocked by Leif’s bluntness.. He’d said nothing of his attraction to Emma. But Leif had hit the nail on the head. How could he have possibly known? “I... he...” Ace had no reason to feel caught or guilty, but as he struggled to say something, real words just wouldn’t come.
Aiden chuckled. “You wouldn’t be the first to think Emma was a catch. Trust me.”
“I didn’t. I don’t. She’s....” Ace stuttered. “How did... why?”
“Leif is as sane as they come, and quick, too. That’s what makes him so devious. He’s already working on you. We’d better make our exit.” Aiden nodded toward the security door.
Not even ten minutes in and already Ace felt like a pup being brought up before the principal at school for misbehaving. This was not how an Alpha should feel in his own home. He’d had such good plans to make a show of his territory and how well he’d taken to managing it. And despite it all, nothing was going as expected. The only silver lining was that his screw-ups were happening in front of the one pack who would not take advantage of them.
If anything, Aiden looked amused, as if he understood the sheer panic behind Ace’s eyes.
“I swear I didn’t mean anything.” Ace said as he closed and double-checked the lock on the security door. “Emma is an excellent asset to your pack.”
“Don’t let his words get under your skin,” Aiden chuckled. “And yes, she is.”
“It’s just that Leif implied...”
“Relax. I have long since stopped listening to what comes out of Leif’s mouth. It’s given me a good understanding, though, of how he managed to manipulate two former Regional Alphas. He’d eventually send us all into a war if he could, and then watch from his territory above as we destroyed each other.”
Two cameras were pointed at the door. Ace looked at them both, waiting to see the blinking light that confirmed they were on. He’d had cameras placed at every angle entering and exiting this hallway to ensure maximum security. He pulled out his phone and accessed the security footage, another new tech measure Jay had installed – instant access to all tapes and recordings. Leif wasn’t going anywhere on his watch. That, if nothing else, he would get right.
Aiden had walked on ahead to the adjoining hall of windows that accessed the inner and outer courtyard spaces.
Ace jogged behind to catch up after visually confirming the camera’s recording light was active. “You think Leif’s plan was anarchy?”
“No,” Aiden responded immediately. “To break us down and then take control. That would have been his ultimate goal.”
“Then you think he’s gotten to others as well? Planted seeds?” Ace asked. “Could he have other agents still working while he’s incarcerated?”
“That thought came to mind. It was the reason I spoke with you first. I knew your territory would be safe. You’re still in the process of reform. He’d have set others on you while you were weak rather than try to manipulate you into attacking.”
“We’re not weak,” Ace responded harshly.
“You misunderstand me. Your territory is not weak. But new leadership always takes time to settle. It was the same for me when I took over after my father’s death.”
“Of course,” Ace agreed, though the comment still rankled a bit.
“Tito and Yanira will be of value. We need to see where they stand. As the last intact regional territory, we need to make sure they are united with us. The others will be too volatile.”
“Jay will be keeping an ear to the ground. He’s excellent at that kind of thing,” Ace said.
“You’ve got a great brother. Keep him close.” The façade cracked for just a moment, and it became clear how pained Aiden was about the new position his brother was expected to take.
“Will Brady accept the new title?” Ace asked, knowing the answer already. Peace and control of the open territories meant strong leadership was a necessity, and the Whelans were known for that strength.
“He will.” Aiden’s response came with a note of finality that carried the weight of his power as an Alpha. “It is his right. And it will strengthen our alliances.”
“But you’d lose the daily connection with him,” Ace added. “I couldn’t imagine not having Jay around.”
“It’s not ideal.”
Wolves were normally good at hiding their feelings, but sadness glistened in Aiden’s eyes like an overfilling dam threatening to break down at any moment. Ace understood that pain. Twins were extremely common among their kind; their pack positions usually placed them in roles where they could work together and maximize on the bonds created before birth. To be separated was tantamount to removing a limb. The body could still function, but would no longer be whole.
“Understatement of the week,” Ace chuckled awkwardly. “But we do need to shore up alliances and get the territories in order. The Loups territory is a mess. They have three different Alphas vying for control.”
“They need to handle that themselves. As long as no battles spill into our borders, we shouldn’t interfere.”
“But won’t they come to us for confirmation?”
“Yes, but only after they elect a front runner for Regional Alpha, or agree to slice the territory up,” Aiden replied.
“Which means they will have no representation in this council meeting?”
Aiden shrugged. “Can’t be helped. No leader, no vote.”
The two walked silently down the hallway as Ace silently mulled the details of their agenda. Brady taking over the Reds would give the east coast secure leadership and borders. And if the Loups and the Long Teeth worked together, that meant the west coast and southern borders were secure. The middle of the country, the heartland of America, was still torn into pieces, and if Leif were to be found guilty it would leave the northern border of Canada in the same bad position. Try as they might, he felt very little would be resolved in this short week. If anything, it would only create further drama.
As if in
answer to his wishes, distraction came in the form of Fallon and Emma entering through the courtyard doors.
In contrast to the heavy weight of his conversation with Aiden, Emma looked as if she’d been having a laugh. Light sparkled in her eyes. Emma’s nose wrinkled ever so slightly as she snorted to some private joke Fallon whispered. It all served to make her look even more attractive than she’d been earlier.
Beyond looks, Ace knew just how special she was from reading the brief on her. A doctor before age thirty. Without batting an eye, she’d taken charge and run the medical offices of the Olde Town after the battle with the Acta Sanctorum decimated their ranks. The only real surprise about her was that no wolf had captured her heart. She was unmated.
“I hope you’re enjoying yourselves here.” Ace greeted both ladies, though his eyes were locked on Emma’s smiling face.
“Your home is gorgeous, thank you,” Fallon responded politely. “We’ve just been walking the greenhouse gardens. Your mother is into horticulture, right?”
Ace nodded. “She is. When she returns home, I’ll let her know you appreciate her work. She’ll be joining us for tonight’s dinner.”
“It will be nice to speak to her again. And Richard too,” Fallon added, with a friendly smile.
Emma stood quietly, neither smiling nor offering to add to the conversation.
Ace hoped she would say something or at least look in his direction, but her attention was on Fallon and Aiden as the couple lovingly gripped each other’s hand and gave a little squeeze.
Ace had caught it too. Those two were definitely in love, and not shy about broadcasting it to the world.
“I think I should go spend some time with my mate before dinner,” Aiden said, pulling Fallon along with him as he continued down the hallway. “Please let me know when the Lobos arrive. I would love to have a chance to talk with Tito myself.”
“Of course,” Ace replied, smiling as he noticed Emma still standing in front of him. The perfect opportunity for him repair the terrible first impression he’d made. “If you like flowers, come take a walk with me.”
She looked around for a moment as if nervous to be left alone with him.
7
Emma MacBride
Awkward was the name of the game. Ace’s invitation to take a walk around the mansion coupled with Fallon’s teasing that the new Alpha had a crush on her left Emma nearly speechless in his presence.
She wasn’t ready to play with fire yet, and Ace was more than hot.
Nervous energy fluttered in her belly as she struggled to come up with something to say. Silence only made the moment that much more uncomfortable, and those big puppy dog eyes of his kept staring at her. Her rational mind knew better, but still she couldn’t help feeling like prey caught in the predators grasp.
“Have you been to my territory before?” Ace took the lead, and started down the hallway.
Walking was good. Distracting and purposeful. Better still, she didn’t have look at him. Big beautiful eyes like his should come with a warning label. Their surroundings were the kind of eye candy – meant to be admired – that demanded attention and appreciation.
The hall had been built with windows facing a greenhouse-style courtyard. Light flooded the space and the grand hallway that surrounded it, a fabulous design that reminded Emma of the palace of Versailles with its great hall of mirrors.
“Nope. I've never been out west.” Emma tried to continue the small talk without revealing her anxiety.
The Silverman family were famously rich, so it went without saying that they could afford luxuries they displayed in their own personal palace. But even with its grandeur, the hall had an air of understated beauty that appealed to her wolf. Magnificent as it felt, the focus of the wall of windows and opposing mirrors highlighted the beauty of nature within the courtyard. No gaudy statues or artwork cluttered the hall’s opulence. Clear glass allowed a vision into the lushness of the gardens within, and the variety of blooming plants painted a masterpiece of color, a credit more to Vivian, the matriarch of the family, than the Alphas. Women were usually the ones with the taste for fashion and art, as far as she’d known.
“I always assumed everything on the west coast was cowboys and horses,” she added, feeling the silence growing stale between them.
“That's the southwest,” Ace laughed. “Not everything is a spaghetti western.”
“Can’t blame a girl for not knowing a place she’s never been.” Emma shrugged and continued to walk down the hall.
“The Pacific northwest is known for its lush green landscapes and days with more clouds than sun. But it’s a gorgeous combination under the right conditions.” Ace sounded like a tour guide. She half expected him to hold up a flag as he took the lead and guided her around.
Maybe the west coast was beautiful...at another time of the year. All Emma had seen on their drive over was a winter sky, cold and gray, threatening snow but leaving little on the ground.
She turned her gaze back into the courtyard, marveling how even in the coldest of months flowers and plants flourished, giving the illusion of springtime.
“It’s beautiful in there.” She continued to walk along the windows, admiring the variety of colors. They were the perfect distraction. It had been ages since she’d talked with a guy. Not a patient, not another member of the pack or council, but someone who might actually have an interest in her. The pressure to be witty and avoid making a complete ass of herself was harder than she remembered. Even when she used to flirt with Brady, it hadn’t felt this difficult to string words together. But she’d have to say something soon. Already she felt as if she were coming off as cold and uninteresting. The rules of polite society demanded she show appreciation for his home, and, unable to come up with anything else to say, she kept returning to that crutch. “Your house is magnificent.”
“I'm glad you like it,” Ace responded, as if he were hanging on her every word.
“I do.” Emma gritted her teeth, sure her frustration was leaking into her voice as she failed to get a real conversation started. They could only talk about the pretty house for so long before it became painfully redundant.
“And your room? Is it to your liking?” He sounded just as nervous as she felt. Almost as if they had been forced into this spot together without really knowing if either of them truly wanted it.
“Of course,” Emma answered politely. She turned to look at him and her stomach somersaulted. Those gorgeous puppy dog eyes were her kryptonite. He had the look down pat – a boyish charm with just a hint of mischief that could easily melt through any defenses. He didn’t wear his power like most Alphas. Even Aiden carried an aura of dominance that could be felt when he entered the room. Ace, however, radiated something else entirely. She couldn’t quite put a name to it, but the effect had her suddenly weak in the knees and scrambling to reboot her brain.
It happened again. They’d stopped talking. Stopped moving. Awkwardness began to strangle the potential connection they were having with each silent second they stared at each other.
Say something, dammit!
She twiddled her fingers as her mind ran blank of anything of substance to talk about.
“I have better rooms if you’re not happy,” Ace offered a little too eagerly. “We have anything you could want.”
Emma opened her mouth to speak, but rather than words, laughter bubbled up from her chest. At least nerves were getting the best of both of them. His very un-Alpha-like desire to please had been the tipping point, leveling the playing field. But as she giggled and snorted with amusement, Emma noticed the frown forming on Ace’s face.
“We’re both terrible at this, aren’t we?” she asked.
His brow furrowed aging his appearance at least ten years. “What?”
“Flirting?” She chuckled. “You. Me. This whole situation here... We suck at this.”
“I don’t know about you, but I’m–”
“Failing miserably,” she finished his sentence.<
br />
Light returned to his eyes as he caught on to the joke. “Wow. You are brutal, Miss MacBride.”
“Last name? I must be in trouble. Are you trying to go Alpha on me?” Picking on each other wasn’t exactly how she’d intended the conversation to go, but it beat the alternative.
“Just doing my job.” Ace winked at her. “So, now that we’re actually talking... tell me something about you, Emma.”
“Bit of a broad request there. Can I get a topic to work with?” she replied. “Categories for 500, please?”
“Only if you answer in the form of a question,” Ace chuckled. “Favorite food?”
“What is steak? Bloody!” Tension began to evaporate. “Your turn. Favorite wine?”
He cocked his head sideways in a very wolf-like look of confusion before responding. “What is beer?”
Emma snorted. “Such a guy answer. Fair enough. That was more of a trick question, I guess.”
They stopped at the crossroads of two sections of the grand hallway. “I’d love to do this a while longer.” Ace looked down at his watch. “But we’re short on time today, and more guests will be arriving soon.”
She’d hardly blinked, and he’d shifted back to being the Alpha, Aeson Silverman. A complete transformation; only instead of taking on his wolf form, he’d put on a mask that wiped all emotion from his face.
“I’m fine,” Emma responded mechanically, as her mind worked to make sense of his dual personalities. “I can wander around more on my own.”
His whole demeanor had shifted before her eyes. The Alpha was definitely there, a part of him, as with all the great leaders. But with Ace, it seemed he was able to put his away and be a normal guy at will, something she feared might eventually change as he matured in his position. Sad to have seen the change, she enjoyed the brief glimpse at the man behind the title. Lost in her own thoughts, Emma realized Ace had been speaking, and she struggled to catch up to the conversation he’d been having with her.
Being Alpha_Olde Town Pack Page 5
