by Sydney Addae
Asia hid her surprise over Niall and Granira taking a hybrid neck brace. She had seen what those things did to full-bloods and wondered why Hawke’s litter-mate would take on that risk. It didn’t make sense, but she passed on the warning to Hawke and Jasmine. If he came after Hawke, she would kill him and Granira without hesitation.
Gordon looked down at Damian. “I need you to do something for me.”
Damian nodded without lifting his head.
“Pull the blade out. I refuse to have anything of Boris Lancaster’s in my body a second longer.” His breaths became shorter as he struggled to talk.
Damian lifted his head, placed his hand on the top of the blade and stared at it. Gordon covered his hand, causing Damian to look at him. “After you pull this out, there will be blood. A lot of it. In the end I will stop breathing and will rest with my sons. Remember I told you about them?”
Damian nodded.
“I want you to go with Hawke and his mate. They are going to find your sister before Lancaster destroys her. You can help them.”
Asia hid her surprise when Angus looked at her.
“I don’t want to go with them. I will stay with this one. He is teaching me how to be a wolf,” Damian said glancing at Angus.
“Good, you have discovered your wolf. I am happy. The others voted against me when I said the pups should have a relationship with their beasts.” He paused, coughed. “But, this one is not your sire and cannot teach you all you need to know. Promise me you will go with Hawke to find your sister, she is special like you.”
After a few moments, Damian nodded. Asia wasn’t sure why, but she exhaled in relief when he agreed. Her mate had two pups. It boggled her mind what she should do about that. But they would deal with it later, right now she wanted to leave this place and find her mate.
“Thank you,” Gordon whispered and removed his hand.
Damian pulled out the blade and stood as blood pumped out the wound. He refused to leave until Gordon breathed his last labored breath.
Chapter 32
Niall entered the mouth of the cave and moved with purpose to the middle area deeper into the mountain. Stretching and jumping in place to warm up fired the blood in his body, releasing endorphins and something else he couldn’t identify. The space around him wavered. A deep pounding started in the back of his head. He shook his head to clear his vision and inhaled before releasing his breath in slow degrees.
“Okay, okay… easy now.” Closing his eyes, he exhaled and shifted into his beast. When he opened his eyes, he marveled at how intense the colors around him became. He noticed everything that moved and sensed prey on the other side of the mountain. Smiling, he envisioned a night of hunting with his pack and bringing down large game. After padding around the area for a few minutes he morphed seamlessly into his normal hybrid. It was smaller than most of his pack members and the main reason for the collar. But his senses were still enhanced, which was an added bonus.
“Good, feeling good.” He ran in a circle, stretching his arms and hitting an imaginary punching bag. Laughing at how good he felt, he completed a few roundhouse kicks that he had seen Hawke’s mate use during the fight against Verrick’s men.
He thought bigger, his muscles burned for a few seconds as he morphed into his larger hybrid. Blood rushed through to his head, his vision blurred. The neck brace burned into his flesh as he held his head to stop the sharp pain that shot through him. His knees buckled as he fell to the ground. No one mentioned this debilitating part of usage and hoped it was a one-time thing.
Minutes passed and he remained on his knees until it ebbed. His body was three times its normal size and for him that was monumental. Standing, he stretched, kicked and practiced both defensive and offensive moves. Hours later, sweat dripping from his body, he was ready to challenge Muzik. Niall had morphed through all his forms repeatedly until they flowed easily without pain.
He stepped out the cave, jogged back to Granira’s place, showered and changed before waking her.
“I’m ready,” he said, knocking on her bedroom door. Now that he’d sold his litter-mate out for his personal gain, he wanted this part over. Taking the Alpha position which belonged to him, at least in his mind, would validate his actions and make things right. As Alpha he could assist Hawke in his mission as well as preserve their heritage. The more he thought about it, the less guilty he felt over betraying his litter-mate. The ends would justify the means in this instance. First, he needed to win the Alpha challenge.
Granira stepped out her room, eyed him and smiled. “You are wearing Lorenzo’s necklace and Jirek’s shirt. I have something of your father’s if you’d like.”
Niall’s father hadn’t paid him any attention while growing up and many times said, within Niall’s presence, he had three sons and one of them was Lancaster’s prisoner. The old man never approved of him and didn’t bother hiding his disdain of his bookish son. When he heard of the old man’s death, he’d been relieved and did all he could to help Lorenzo. Lorenzo had been all about war and didn’t live much longer after becoming Alpha. Jirek had been Niall’s favorite because of his level-headedness and unswerving loyalty to his litter-mate. No one messed with Niall whenever Jirek was nearby and Niall followed his brother everywhere. When Muzik challenged Jirek after that last battle, Niall had been away at the University. The news of his litter-mate cut deep and he did not return for years. But his hatred for Muzik continued to grow along with the need to avenge Jirek. Today would be that day and he wanted no memory of his sire to spoil it.
“No, I’m good. You ready?” he headed toward the door.
“Yes, let’s do this.” She followed him out the door, they shifted to their beasts and headed toward the Alpha house. Someone must have alerted Muzik they were on their way because he, his beta and a few members of the pack stood outside in a semi-circle as though waiting.
“I see you were telling the truth, in this at least,” Muzik said looking at Granira. The older woman’s face reddened, her jaw clenched, but she remained quiet. Niall had no idea what Muzik referred to but figured Muzik would tell him soon enough.
“So she finally talked you into challenging me? I wondered when you’d have the balls to step from behind her skirts and speak for yourself.”
Niall glanced at Granira. “What did you tell him?”
“We will talk of it later, watch out for his beta, the man is sneaky.”
Rather than argue the point, Niall faced an all too confident Muzik. “I don’t know what you have been told, but I am challenging you for my birthright as the seed of Alpha Nikolas.”
“So you have finally decided to show your true colors? I knew you spoke false when you returned to the pack, but allowed you to remain out of respect for Alpha Hiram, your sire.” He turned and looked at those in the circle. “You are my witnesses that I have been challenged by the runt of Alpha Hiram’s litter, his death is not on my conscience.” He looked at Niall. “This will be to the death, do you recant your challenge?”
“It’s not the way I would choose, but if you insist, I agree.”
Muzik and the others laughed. “Oh, I insist. I would not go through this again. Tell me, is Hawke next? Will he challenge me as well?”
“Hawke has no interest in you or the pack. He serves La Patron.”
Muzik’s smile slipped as he nodded. “He refuses to return? What of his heritage? He is in Nikolas’ line as well.”
Niall shrugged. “Maybe he will return later after he finishes his assignment for his Alpha.”
Muzik stared at him for a second. “What has happened? You seem different, has the witch given you a dampener for your fear?”
“No. This conversation is not for you, but for the pack. You will never see Hawke or anyone else after the challenge.” His words were delivered so matter-of-factly it took Muzik a second to react.
The Alpha shifted to his hybrid, and Niall shifted to his large hybrid, stepped aside and punched him in the belly sending him flying ba
ckward. Before Muzik could move, Niall jumped on his back, twisted his head until it snapped and then stood facing the beta and the rest of the pack who had assembled.
“Are you next, Kendall?” he asked the beta in a calm voice in contrast to hum of blood singing in his veins. No one moved or spoke. Niall took a step to the beta who had bullied him all his life. The urge to snap the man’s neck rode him hard. “I asked you a question.” His fist opened and then closed.
Kendall knelt in front of him. “No, Alpha.” The rest of the pack, including Granira who wore a serene smile, knelt as well.
Niall howled and called the entire pack to him. When they were all assembled he had the beta tell the others what happened.
“Do you accept me as your Alpha?” Niall asked, watching the faces closely.
“Yes!” They shouted and howled their approval.
“Take his body and burn it in the middle of the square.” He watched the beta swallow hard before motioning to another pack member. They dragged Muzik to the middle of the clearing and set a bonfire. Moments later Niall morphed to his beast and sat watching the blaze. One by one, the pack all shifted. When the fire died, he howled as Alpha. Yes, the ends definitely justified the means. Now to prepare to defeat Hawke.
Chapter 33
Hawke waved down the vehicle carrying his mate and stepped inside. The somber atmosphere surprised him. With the death of another Liege Lord, their “to-do” list grew one shorter.
“Everybody okay?” he asked watching Asia.
She nodded and glanced at Damian who sat in the front seat looking out the window. “Yes. I talked to Mistress, gave her the location of LOBO and a few other places I got from Lancaster. Did you talk to La Patron?” she asked Hawke.
“Yes, a few minutes ago, he told me you’d pick me up around here and we need to get back to Radoff’s. They found something he wants us to look at.” Hawke met Angus’ gaze in the mirror. “You gave him the information on the Liege?”
Angus nodded. “He’s sending teams out now. Not sure what Radoff and Maheegan found, but I’m ready to go home.”
Hawke wasn’t sure what to say about that. His home was with his mate, wherever that took them. From what Asia told him, La Patron would be rescuing the pups from the LOBO compound, and that included the other pup he sired. According to his mate, her Mistress was big on family connections and she believed Damian would get along with La Patron’s two older sons and godson. All three were mated and Damian might find a mate in the states.
Hawke still couldn’t wrap his mind around the concept of a family. Mating Asia had been the best thing to ever happen to him and he thanked the Goddess every moment of the day. But pups? That took things to another level he wasn’t sure how to handle.
Asia placed her hand over his and smiled. “We will figure this out. Once we get to Radoff’s and finish whatever we need to do there, we should be done with this assignment. Like Angus I’m ready to go home.”
He kissed the back of her hand. “Okay. Will we stay with La Patron or will we need to purchase a home?”
“No. As personal security, we stay in the compound. A place will be provided, no worries on that score. The place is huge, three or four times the castle above ground. Underground is huge, with tight security. You’ve never seen anything like it.”
Impressed with her high praise he settled back and watched the scenery pass by. “How will you get Byte into the country?” He glanced at the beast who lifted his head at the mention of its name.
“Non-commercial, private jet landing on La Patron’s land, can’t leave him behind. Something tells me we’re going to grow old together.”
“La Patron wants to see and study him?” Asia said with a hint of laughter in her voice.
Angus frowned and then shrugged. “Yeah, that too.”
“I thought there were pups in his den,” Hawke said, confused that the beast would be allowed anywhere near the compound.
“They are, why?” Angus looked at him in the rear view mirror, all laughter gone. “Is there a problem with TerraByte’s being near pups? Is it unsafe?”
Hawke glanced at the beast and then at Angus. The man couldn’t be serious. Byte took down a bluebird and slammed open a metal door. “Not sure because nothing is known on his biological makeup, his triggers, and what makes him tick. I’d move with caution.”
Angus agreed. “Silas will meet me and we’ll decide if I can return to the compound or if he’ll move me to another area.” They turned onto the road leading to Radoff’s. Hawke looked at Damian, who hadn’t spoken since he’d been in the vehicle.
“Are you okay?”
Damian didn’t respond.
“How soon do you think before we leave the country?” Hawke asked Asia.
“I don’t know, Mistress hasn’t said anything. But we have completed our assignment and stopped the Liege from accessing pack lands in secret. Now, the Alphas will have their scents and can track them down. Unless there is more for us to do, we will return home with Angus.” She paused. “Are you taking Damian with us?”
Hawke glanced at the silent pup and shrugged. “What choices do we have? Lancaster is out there, and the rest of the Liege. If they re-take him I will meet him across the battlefield one day, unable to kill him. If La Patron can use him, it would be better for everyone.”
She squeezed his hand. “Okay.”
“I would like to shift and run as the wolf,” Damian said surprising Hawke.
“You have met your wolf? Made peace with him?”
“Yes. Earlier Angus took us into the woods to run and hunt. The feeling is liberating and I would experience it again.”
The buildings came into view, they would be at Radoff’s in a few minutes. “Okay, after I see what Alpha Radoff needs to show me, we will take off into the woods.” He’d invite Asia as well, they hadn’t ran on four legs in over a month and he missed it.
“Thank you,” Damian said in a controlled voice as if the words pained him.
Hawke smiled and told Asia. “That sounds good, count me in.”
The car stopped in the outer bailey. They spilled out and headed toward the main building where they sensed Radoff’s presence. Before they reached the main entrance, Radoff, Maheegan and a few other pack members met them on the porch.
Maheegan embraced Asia and held her hand, which struck Hawke odd. “Come we have a lot to tell you.” Hawke walked on Asia’s other side holding her hand as they headed toward the smaller building where the ceremony took place.
“La Patron told you the covenant is broken. When the mixed blood ran across the pages and the words were spoken the paper burned,” Maheegan said as they entered the building. “The building shook, we thought there was some type of seismic activity going on until it stopped and we saw the door.”
“Door?” Angus asked, moving ahead to open the door leading below.
“Yes. It seems Konstantin was indeed smarter than the Liege gave him credit for,” Radoff said following Asia and Hawke. “Keep this door closed until I tell you to open it,” he said to one of his pack members and then met the others on the ground floor.
“Konstantin, the Hungarian Lord, who started the Liege?” Asia asked for clarity.
“Yes,” Maheegan said, taking Asia’s hand again before following Radoff down the corridor.
“This is how Niall and Lancaster entered to take us before?” Hawke pointed down the long hallway.
“Yes, there are doors that open in various regions on pack lands, I’ve temporarily locked them all. This is too important for anyone to stumble across,” Radoff said.
“Really?” Hawke asked, intrigued.
“When do we run as wolves?” Damian asked from above ground. Radoff hadn’t extended an invitation to the pup and Hawke didn’t blame him. For now, the pup was a wild card with unknown allegiance. Lancaster killed Gordon, but did that mean Damian would go against all the Liege or just Lancaster or would he allow it to pass? Hawke didn’t know and until he knew with some
measure of certainty which side of the fence the pup stood, he’d keep him close.
“After I am done down here. Make yourself useful and offer to assist in the cleanup.”
“I’ll wait by the car.”
Radoff stopped in front of an old door filled with symbols. Hawke looked around certain he had passed the area before. “I don’t remember seeing anything like that, where’d it come from?”
“After the ground shook, we did a quick search to make sure the underground was still safe and came across this door. It took a while to read and understand the writing on the door, but once Maheegan figured it out, she opened it and then contacted La Patron. He wanted you to see it because it had been warded for so long.”
Asia released Maheegan’s hand and stepped closer with Hawke by her side.
“Familiar?” Hawke asked.
“In a weird way. My stomach clenched when I first saw it.” She looked over her shoulder at Maheegan. “Can we open it?”
“How long do you think this has been here?” Hawke asked as his fingertips stroked the wood and markings.
“Yes, you can open it and go inside. Hawke I’d say it’s been here since the 1800’s. Some of the meaning of the symbols is older than that, but the wood, I’d say mid-century,” Maheegan said even though she went no further.
Hawke pushed the door and stepped inside. A light flickered on and then another and then another until the room was bathed in a soft warm glow. Asia followed and then Angus. The three of them stopped and stared at the large portrait on the wall.
Two men sat on each side of a beautiful woman who reclined between them holding a small child. They were in this room or one similar. One male had black hair, green eyes, and muscular, long legs and wore an air of superiority.
“That must be Alpha Nikolas,” Angus said, pointing to the green eyed man. Hawke agreed, even after all these years the man oozed authority.
