Betrayed: Book Two - The Road to Redemption

by Nicky Charles

  He responded slowly to her knock and she wondered what he’d been up to. The look on his face was less than welcoming and he made no effort to invite her in. Surely he couldn’t be brooding over their kiss. It had been a simple lip lock, not an orgy for heaven sake!

  Having put up with her grandfather’s mood for the last half hour, she wasn’t going to give Damien an opportunity to start in on her. Her plan was to forget the small talk and get straight the point. “I need you to come with me.”

  “Why?” He leaned against the doorjamb, his expression cool.

  “Command performance. My grandfather wants to meet you.”

  Damien raised his brows but pushed off from the wall and followed her. “I’m surprised he hasn’t asked to see me before this. Alphas usually meet new members as soon as they arrive.”

  “He hasn’t been feeling up to having visitors. Besides, as acting Alpha, I carry out all the required duties and,” she paused on the landing to look at him, “you aren’t technically a member of the pack. This is a temporary position.”

  A shadow passed over his eyes, but it was gone so swiftly she might have been wrong. Yet when he spoke, the typically sarcastic manner she’d come to expect from him seemed forced.

  “Any words of warning before I face him? Hiram was telling me your grandfather had quite a reputation in his day.”

  Sam shook her head, imagining the tales that had been told. Hiram was a storyteller at heart and could weave fact and fiction into the most plausible plots. She kept encouraging him to write them down, but as far as she knew he’d yet to act on her suggestion. “In his younger days he did, though Hiram might have exaggerated a bit.”

  Damien gave a soft huff of laughter. “One of the tricks of command is to have the reputation as a hard nose precede you.”

  “True. But Grandfather’s bark and bite are pretty similar. Watch what you say.” Having reached their destination, she tapped on the door to the older man’s room.

  “No need to knock. I know you’re there. I’m not deaf, just laid up with my back and a damned cold.” The older man growled the words and, despite their differences, she gave Damien a look of sympathy before ushering him in.

  Damien glanced about the room Sam had led him to noting that, like the rest of the house, it had been renovated at one time, the original dimensions having been changed perhaps to convert several single rooms into a suite. This particular space had a small sitting area with a fireplace, two chairs and table. A door, ajar on the far side, gave glimpses of a bedroom and bathroom beyond that. It was relatively neat, except for the large stack of old books and files that sat on a table and spilled over onto the floor. He took it all in before focusing on the elderly man who was eyeing him up and down with a look of distrust. So this was the elusive Samuel Harper, Senior.

  “Grandfather, this is Damien, the rogue I’ve been telling you about.”

  The older man shifted his gaze to Sam. “And who else would it be? I assume you wouldn’t ask in a stranger off the street.”

  Sam sighed. “I was trying to make a polite introduction. And stop acting like some constipated old man.”

  Damien bit the inside of his cheeks to keep from smiling. Sam seemed to have a comeback for every occasion.

  “Hrmph.” The man glared at her before switching his attention back to Damien. “You look impressive enough. What’s your background?”

  He shrugged. “I’m a rogue. I’ve worked my way back and forth across the country doing odd jobs.”

  “And on what side of the law were those jobs?”

  “Whatever side they needed to be.” Damien hooked his thumbs in his belt loops, his posture not quite slouching, but not at the stiff attention he was sure the old Alpha usually expected.

  For perhaps the count of a minute, he stared at Damien, tapping his fingers on the arm of his chair. Damien waited, casually looking about the room. The stack of books interested him. They appeared to be old journals. Was that how Harper spent his time now? Reminiscing about his glory days?

  Finally, the old man nodded. “Honest. I like that. I’ve never known a rogue that didn’t cross the line a time or two. So…” He jerked his head towards Sam. “What do you think of my granddaughter?”

  Sam stiffened at his side. Damien flicked a glance at her and then looked back at old man Harper.

  “She’s doing a good job. I’ve no complaints from what I’ve seen.”

  “As it should be. I’ve trained her for the position almost since she was old enough to walk. My son never had an aptitude for the job, but Sam here, she took to it like a natural. Smart, quick, a good fighter. Everything an Alpha could want in a successor.”

  “And a female.” Damien murmured the words. Beside him, he heard Sam’s swift intake of breath. He’d struck a nerve, but that was too bad. It was the grandfather’s reaction that mattered.

  “Yes. Well…” The old man cleared his throat and twisted his mouth. “I know what you’re thinking, and I’ll admit I had my doubts at first. However, her father died before giving me another heir, which left Sam as the only successor. It took me a few years to come to terms with the situation, but once I did, I worked her hard and she met every challenge.”

  “I’m still in the room, you know.” Sam interrupted, narrowing her eyes.

  Damien ignored her comment and kept his eyes on her grandfather. “So you feel that lineage is more important than suitability for the position?”

  Sam turned on him, waves of outrage emanating from her. “If you’ve got a problem with me, you tell me to my face!”

  At the same time, her grandfather raised his voice. “Chicago has belonged to my family for over a hundred and fifty years. Every generation has produced an Alpha and this one is no different. Sam is the best qualified member of the pack.”

  Damien put up his hands as if to hold off the verbal attack. “Just playing devil’s advocate since you’re worried about being taken over.”

  The old man leaned back in his chair, the colour that had briefly graced his face now fading leaving him looking grey and tired. “You’re smart, boy. That’s how Sinclair will be thinking, but it won’t do him any good. I’m still hanging on to my title.” Abruptly, he ended the audience with a flick of his hand. “You can leave now, but I’ll be keeping an eye on you. Sam, you stay.”

  “I’ll see you for patrols.” Sam shot Damien a meaningful look.

  He could only begin to imagine how patrols would go tonight. A thorough grilling, that’s what he had to look forward to and as to his comment about females… Maybe a set of earplugs would be useful.

  As he returned to his room, he mulled over the meeting he’d had. Sam’s grandfather was a cantankerous old man who seemed to enjoy watching others squirm; rather like a geriatric version of his old boss, Captain Fielding.

  Sam had stood up to the aged Alpha, though. Of course, she would have had to learn that skill at an early age given that she’d been ‘in training’ for most of her life. It was surprising that the man had spent the time on her. He seemed very old school and a female Alpha was unusual among their people. How long had it taken old man Harper to come to terms with the idea? And what had happened to the son, Sam’s father? That might warrant some investigation.

  He sat on the edge of his bed and pulled out his phone. The old man’s insistence on keeping the pack in the family might be a point Kane could use. The successor to the position should always be the most capable wolf in the area. Packs weren’t meant to be run like a royal family. Years ago that had been the case, but revisions to the law in the last half century had put an end to the practice.

  And the old man’s health was definitely in question. In the few days he’d been there, Damien had seen no evidence that the man ever left his room. His hands were thin, blue veins and gnarled knuckles showing, and his colouring was poor. There was a faint quaver in his voice, too, despite the growls and bluster. And the abrupt end to the meeting had likely been to hide the fact that the old Alpha had used
up his energy.

  Yes, definitely time to make a report to Kane.

  He turned the phone over and over in his hands. Should he mention Dante? No. Kane had enough on his plate. This was his own problem. Dante and he had had run-ins before despite the fact that they were both supposedly working for the same side.

  It galled him that, despite his warning, the bastard was still in the area and his attempts to track him down had fallen short. If he could devote all his time to the hunt, it might be a different story, but trying to do it on the sly was less than ideal. And Sam was already suspicious.

  A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. She kept him on his toes and, in different circumstances, he might have actually enjoyed the barbed banter they usually fell in to. Too bad he was here to bring about her downfall.

  Elise curled up beside Kane, her hand idly tracing a path across his chest, their legs intertwined. He was stroking her hair, the gentle tug soothing as the afterglow of mating faded. Sex between them had always been amazing and this time had been no different. Her mate was a skilled lover and over the years they’d come to know each other’s likes and dislikes as well as they knew their own.

  Too bad it couldn’t always be like this. No work, no pack members, no pressure from outside. The children napping so it was just the two of them in a warm cocoon where cuddling and making love was all they had to do. She smiled at the thought, knowing it was impossible but still wishing.

  Kane’s cell phone rang and his hand stilled on her hair then he gave a disgruntled groan. With a sigh, she detached herself from him and stared at the ceiling as he reached over to answer the call.

  “Sinclair.” It was some small consolation that his tone was gruff; he wasn’t pleased at being interrupted either.

  She stared at the ceiling, cursing the caller and wishing Kane had shut his phone off. Of course, that wasn’t possible. He was the Alpha and, if an emergency arose, he had to be available; she’d heard that explanation over and over. The topic of conversation began to catch her attention and she cocked her head to hear more clearly.

  “What do you have to report, Damien?...Really?...That’s very interesting. I can probably use that to help build my case. Good work….Keep me posted.”

  Kane hung up and Elise rolled over to face him.

  “Damien had some good news?”

  “Yeah. Samuel Harper is treating his pack as if it were a dynasty. His granddaughter’s been prepped to take over, regardless of whether or not she’s the most suitable candidate.”

  “Is she? Suitable that is?”

  Kane shrugged. “I’ve no idea. But that particular pack has been in the Harper family since its inception. It makes the process they use for choosing a successor highly suspect.” He folded his arms behind his head, a pleased expression on his face. “I’d say there’s a high degree of certainty that the Harper pack is about to lose control of Chicago.”

  “Hmm…”

  Kane looked her way. “You don’t sound happy. This is what we’ve been waiting for.”

  “I know…” She idly ran her hand over his chest.

  He turned on his side to face her. “Don’t you want us to gain control of Chicago? It will mean I can split the pack, have more free time, plus it’s a strategically impressive move which should look good when they consider me for a position on High Council.”

  “I’m wondering how the Chicago pack is feeling, how I’d feel if the shoe was on the other foot. It must be sad to see your home being taken away.”

  “Everything changes,” Kane countered. “They had their chance to run that territory but now it’s time to move on.”

  “I suppose.” She studied her mate, noting the faint lines on his face. He’d changed since they’d first met. The idealistic young Alpha she’d mated had matured. He was still amazingly good looking, the lines adding rather than detracting from his appearance. Some were from age, most were from stress and overwork. Of course, she’d changed too. Birthing two children had added weight and stretch marks. Kane was right, everything changed. The way it was changing was what had her concerned. “Are you sure this is a good move? That it will mean less work? Ever since you’ve set your sights on Chicago, you’re busier than ever.”

  He shrugged and pulled her close. “Everything worth having requires work and I’ve got to look my best if I want that High Council position.”

  “But you’ll be managing two territories, in two separate states, thousands of miles apart, and then if you get on High Council…”

  “Elise, quit worrying. I can juggle three balls at once.”

  Leah chose that moment to wake up and begin to cry. Elise disentangled herself and pulled on a robe. “Real life is calling.”

  “She’s been crying a lot lately.”

  “Teething. I’ve been up with her every night. I’m so tired in the mornings my eyes won’t focus.”

  “I’ll get up with her tonight.”

  “Thanks, I could really use an undisturbed night.” She looked up from the knot she was tying in the sash of her robe but Kane wasn’t watching. He already had his phone in his hand again. She stared at him for a moment, waiting for him to look her way, but he’d already tuned her out.

  When they’d first mated, he’d always watched her dress and undress, his attention making her feel as if she were the most precious thing in the world. Now the phone and work held most of his attention. She felt the knot in her stomach twist again. Yeah, everything changed.

  Chapter 12

  “What sector are we patrolling tonight?” Damien had been waiting outside the pack house for about ten minutes before Sam made an appearance. She was late and he wondered what the holdup was. Chris trying to sneak out of the house again? Or maybe Jonah getting territorial in the kitchen? He didn’t ask. Becoming interested in the pack members was pointless. He’d made his report to Kane and the Chicago pack’s days were numbered. Besides, as Sam had pointed out earlier, he wasn’t really a member, anyway.

  “There are several forest preserves beyond O’Hare. They’d be a good place for a wolf to hide and, since Hiram is still picking up trace scents of an intruder...” She ran down the steps, tossing a couple of bottles of water his way. “We’ll take the bikes and then shift when we get there.”

  He drew up a mental map of the area and nodded. Some time on the highway might be just what he needed to rid himself of the mood he was in. “So you still think Hiram is right? That there’s another Lycan in the area?”

  “Yep. I’m sure it has to be Sinclair’s spy. And since none of my patrols have managed to track him down, he must be using the masking technology I’ve heard rumours of.”

  Damien didn’t comment, keeping himself busy storing the water bottles in one of the saddlebags. Lycan Link’s so-called ‘secret defence’ wasn’t that much of a secret any more. Rumours about the scent mask were flying around the Lycan underworld, and some enterprising souls were producing synthetic street versions.

  Sam kept talking. “If he’s using a scent mask then he could be anywhere, watching us, taking notes. I’ve told everyone to look sharp, to go about their duties with no slacking off. I’m not letting Sinclair build a case against us for shoddy work.”

  “Why’s Sinclair focusing on you?” He knew the answer but was curious as to Sam’s perspective.

  “Because he’s a power hungry ass. I had some dealings with him a while back. Someone he had an issue with was in my territory and he wanted me to deal with the guy.”

  “And did you?”

  “Yeah. Just not as fast as Sinclair wanted. He got it into his head that he could do a better job.” Sam slung her leg over her motorcycle and turned on the engine. Damien did the same. Over the roar of the motors, she shouted. “Then his ass of a brother used the old Finding clause to claim a wolf that was in the area. We needed her, but did he care? No! The bastard took her right from under my nose. Well, not again. Sinclair isn’t stealing anything else from me. This pack is mine.” And with that, she took off.<
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  Damien followed considering what she’d said. Yeah, from her point of view, Kane was a bastard. But from Kane’s perspective, Chicago was a sizeable territory. It could easily sustain more Lycans. Too bad Sam felt as passionate as she did about her position as Alpha.

  He leaned into a curve and concentrated on the joy of the ride. He sucked at moral dilemmas. Best to just do the job he’d been given.

  But which job? His wolf asked. Helping Kane save his family life? Or helping Sam save her home?

  They rode in silence, the noise of the engines preventing conversation. Damien followed Sam’s lead as they wove through the streets and onto the open highway. The wind tugged at his clothing and pulled at his hair. He leaned lower, the engine throbbing beneath him. Scenery whipped past, mere blurs of green and grey and brown. Speed had always seemed freeing to him, blowing away his concerns, and that’s what he needed right now. He gunned his engine and shot past Sam. A moment later, she was beside him, shooting a look his way, before inching ahead. For a while they battled against each other before settling for riding tandem. As they neared their destination, they slowed and then, as one, swung into the first nature preserve on their list for the night.

  Sam brushed her hair back from her face and grinned at him. “Good ride.”

  He nodded, taking in the picture of her. For some reason, he found the sight of such a tiny woman astride a big motorcycle sexy as hell. Her eyes sparkled, a light flush of excitement stained her cheeks. It was good to see her like this. Sam was usually all business, which was odd for someone so young. She needed more fun in her life, he decided, thinking of his own youth. Did she ever cut loose and do something crazy for the hell of it?

  She swung off her Harley and hung her helmet on the handles, her features assuming their usual ‘all business’ expression. “You go left, I’ll head right. Meet back here in an hour.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” He watched her shift and disappear from sight among the trees. His own wolf urged him to follow her. “She doesn’t need our protection, boy.” It was a hard fact to swallow. For most of his adult life he’d been in the role of protector, saviour even. But Sam was more of an equal. He wasn’t quite sure how he felt about that.