“I’m sorry, brother. I’m just excited.” She smiled with her hands up in defense. We returned to our seats, just as my plate was returned—steaming hot.
“Now, eat.” He gave me a look, commanding me, and I happily obliged.
Watching me scarf down the food, Ivan laughed. “Well, congrat- ulations. Having a pup is always a celebration. This child will be a powerful one, so keep yourself well-fed and rest a lot. Don’t stress either. We can’t have you stressing out now.”
Finishing my food, I took a drink before stating, “Thank you. I would like to keep this between those of us in this room, until I am comfortable with announcing it to anyone else.”
Everyone nodded, before Ivan continued, “With that out of the way, I would like to say that first off, Alpha Alaric was correct.” His voice changed to a deep, sinister one. “The man known as Alex is definitely not human. He’s a vampire-wolf hybrid. I received this infor- mation from my source before this meeting. I would like to properly apologize for accusing you of doing something that you were justified in. You were only protecting what was yours and had every right to do so.”
Relief flooded me. I was nervous for nothing. I took a breath, relaxing into my chair as everyone finished eating.
“Let’s move somewhere more comfortable,” The mer-man, Michael, suggested as we all got up and followed him to another room that was filled with comfy couches and recliners.
We chose a recliner, where Alaric sat down and pulled me carefully onto his lap, as Ivan continued, “I would like Alaric and Dahlia to stay a week longer, if you both don’t mind. Just for us to go over ways you think we could help the Community and to review any concerns you have. The rest of your group is free to do as they please.”
Rylan smiled, looking me in the eyes before calmly nodding. “We’ll be leaving later today. I’ve been away from Eric too long and he needs my help. Your secret’s safe with me until you decide to tell everyone.”
THAT EVENING, WE pulled up to the airstrip as the pilots and the stewardess waited beside the stairs of the plane.
The cool air whipped around, sending a chill through me. Alaric noticed, taking his jacket from the back of the SUV, putting it over my shoulders, and kissing my forehead before we went to help the guys load up the cargo area of the plane.
The clouds above hid the sky as thunder echoed, letting us know it’d rain soon.
Rylan and Ellen stood beside me, as we watched the men talk to the pilots and the stewardess. Rylan turned to me, smiling, before wrapping me in a soft hug. “I’m going to miss you. I’ll call you tomorrow after you get some rest.”
I smiled, hugging her. “I’ll miss you too but we’ll be home before you know it. Say hi to everyone for me.”
Ellen had gone to board the plane, telling me to be careful and to take it easy, before disappearing inside. Rylan waved at me, then headed up the stairs to join Ellen.
I watched as the guys joked and shook hands before Alaric’s phone rang. He pulled it out of his back pocket, dismissing himself from the guys and taking the call.
I waved as they boarded the plane and the engines roared to life.
Nick rounded the car, smiling at me. “Alpha Dahlia, please get into the SUV. I can’t have you getting sick or Alpha Alaric will have my head.”
I chuckled at imagining the sight of a terrified Nick but did as he said. Inside the cab, it was warm and cozy.
The rain had begun to fall lightly. Alaric finished his phone call and jogged back to the vehicle as the plane started down the airstrip and soared into the sky.
“Woo, it’s getting windy out there,” he commented as he climbed into the cab. I scooted over to make room for him.
Once the door was closed, he buckled up and placed his arm over the back of my seat. I snuggled closer to him as we pulled away from the empty airstrip. “Who was that?” I asked, curiously, as I stared off into the rainy weather through the windshield.
He shifted in his seat, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “An old friend, you’ll meet them soon.”
I knew he was hiding something but I didn’t press it.
Once we returned to the castle, we were free to do as we pleased. Alaric went to speak with the Council about strategies, while I was more interested in exploring the castle. Through empty guest rooms, long hallways and offices, I found my way to another door that led into the library.
Going through the different books, I discovered one in particular that held my interest. It had a dusty, red-spined, hard back with the title “The History of the High Were Council: Members new and old.”
Finding a comfortable recliner and plopping myself into it, I flipped the book open to the list of contents. Reading through the names, I noticed two that instantly made my curiosity pique. Written in neat red ink were my parents’ names. Cyrus and Raegan Miller.
I didn’t know what this would tell me, but I flipped through the book until I found the page I was looking for. I read the description below:
Initiated: 1980-1990. This powerful couple reigned supreme over all werewolves, leading those who found themselves under them to greatness. They were the most sought after for their beautiful fur and intelligence; so much so, that they had to go into hiding. In the year 2000, they welcomed their only child, Dahlia. When she was fourteen, the couple was murdered by an unknown man. To this day, we still don’t know everything that happened that night.
I closed the book, my mind racing and my emotions all over the place.
My parents were part of the Council… that would explain why they kept me far away from it. But why didn’t they want me to know this part of them? What were they hiding?
I got up, tucking the book under my arm, and headed out to find Ivan. I didn’t like him, but I knew he should have the answers that I sought.
CHAPTER 22
DAHLIA
WEAVING THROUGH THE rooms and the hallways to find where my mate and the Council were discussing strategies, my mind continued to race. The more I thought about it, the more frustrated I became.
I stopped, letting out a frustrated growl before taking a deep breath to calm myself and focusing all my senses to find Alaric. His forest smell filled my nose, calming my racing mind, while I followed it.
I found Ivan, the other members of the Council and my mate standing over a map of our territory, reviewing the locations they thought would benefit with more security, while considering maybe even building watchtowers. When I entered the room, Alaric looked up. And as if sensing my presence, he smiled before he was instantly in front of me, making me almost crash into him. He chuckled, wrap- ping his arms around my waist.
“Hey, my love,” he spoke as he kissed my forehead.
When we broke our embrace, he noticed the book in my hands. He rose an eyebrow, tilting his head before taking my hand and leading me to the table, where he pulled out a chair for me to sit down in.
I set the book onto the table, wrinkling my nose in response to the dust that flew up as I placed it down with a thud. I glared at Ivan, his expression blank. “Ivan, can you explain to me why—” My sentence was cut short by Gregory bursting through the door, heavily panting and out of breath. His suit was torn and he was bleeding from the open wounds across his chest and arms.
“What is going on, Gregory?!” Ivan’s voice boomed through the castle, as he rounded the table and stalked toward his subordinate, his quick movements scaring me.
Still panting, Gregory yelled out, “We’re being ambushed! I don’t know how they got past the barrier, but about forty or fifty rogue wolves have started taking over the castle. We need to leave. Now.”
I stood, knocking the chair over, with determination flowing through me. “We will not be leaving. We’ll fight beside the High Were Council’s side. I know they would do the same for us.”
Each member of the High Were Council rushed out of the doors, preparing for the fight ahead of us.
Alaric grabbed me by the elbow, gently leading me out of the room
, and up the stairs to our guest room, where he passionately kissed me. This kiss was desperate and concern-filled. I kissed him back before he forcibly removed himself from me, looking me in the eyes as they changed to the deep ocean color. Braxton was speaking. “You stay here. I can’t have my mate and my pup in harm’s way. I need you to be safe. I love you. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
When his touch left me, I felt cold and alone. He locked the door from the outside.
I heard his clothes shred as he shifted to Braxton and raced down the hallway to help where he could. My heart began to thud as I heard screaming mixed with moans from outside, making me rush to the bay window to watch for any movement.
It was raining like all hell was loose. I couldn’t see anything and that alone made me anxious. The thunder shook the castle and I screamed, the sound almost making me deaf. I rushed over to the bed, climbing onto the covers before curling up while hugging myself and praying to the Gods that Alaric made it out okay.
The sounds of flesh ripping and bloodcurdling howls came from outside, making me shrink further into the mattress.
Just when the sounds stopped, I relaxed, only to be welcomed by an extreme pain from both sides of my groin. I bent over and curled up into a ball as I screamed. Was something wrong with my pup? What did I do wrong? This couldn’t have come at a worse time.
I had to face this alone, while Alaric was out there fighting for our lives. I tried to ignore the pain. The aching moved through my body as I began to get more frustrated with him. I knew he only wanted me to be safe but I wasn’t a child. I was an Alpha and I needed to be out there fighting beside him.
I sat up, causing the pain in my body to multiply. It was like someone was stabbing me a hundred times in the groin. I was worried that something was wrong. I felt that maybe getting up and walking around would be beneficial.
As I slowly stood up, I wobbled from the aches in my body before leaning against the wooden post of the bed frame. I cried out, as the pain shot through my body. It caused my knees to buckle as I fell to the floor and burst out crying. Like that would solve anything.
Just as I felt good enough to sit up, I looked around. Something was off.
My teary, red-rimmed eyes scanned the room, but found nothing. No sounds, no rain. There was nothing. That fact alone scared me. Before I could get to my feet, my eyes found something in the shadows.
A silhouette.
My breath hitched in my throat. I dared not to breathe or move a muscle, as the shadow began to move forward, directly into the light from the raging storm outside.
The thunder cracked loudly directly beside the window, sending a white flash into the room, illuminating the bedroom, and revealing a tall man with broad shoulders and graying blonde hair. His blue eyes were dark with hatred as he glared at me.
He laughed as his eyes took me in. The sound from him was sickly and disturbing. It made me shiver in fear, not knowing who this man was. I couldn’t recall ever meeting him before.
I gave him a disgusted look, causing him to growl fiercely and race toward me before yanking me up by my hair. I screamed out as he tossed me toward the bay window—making me throw my hands up to protect my face—with such force that I broke through it.
I fall a story down, landing on the cold, slippery stone balcony with a loud thud and a bed of glass underneath me.
Groaning, I tried to get up, grazing my hands along the scattered shards as I heard the man jump from the broken window above and land gracefully on the other end of the balcony, making light enough sounds that no one can hear it.
Eva’s voice loudly sounded in my head. We need to distract him or hurt him somehow... He’s coming, Dahlia! Think of something. Quickly!
I’m trying, Eva! Give me a moment. As I combed my mind on what to do, his boots crunched against the glass, giving me an idea.
I snatched a handful of glass, wincing at the pain in my palm, as I took a slow, steadying breath and waited for him to get closer.
The rain from above poured down like bullets from the sky as the thunder roared in the clouds.
The man stood above me, reaching down to yank me up by my wet hair.
I screamed again, as he pulled me flush against his body. He ducked his head, to where his hot, stinky breath hit my ear. “I won’t let you get away this time, bitch.”
I yelled out an angry growl, smashing my closed hand—now filled with the glass—as fast as I could manage at this angle into his face while aiming for his eye.
He let me go, screaming as he stumbled back and away from me.
His hands flew up and clutched his face.
I landed on my feet, trying to balance myself before I whipped around and watched as he clenched his teeth together, rubbing his eye. It was open but the glass stuck out in no particular order, rendering his eye useless. His face bled, as he pulled shards from his face.
Eva howled in my head. That was awesome. He’ll have a disadvantage now. We need to kill him.
I know, but we can’t just kill him without getting any information from him.
She sighed, receding back into my mind as the man finally collected himself enough to stare at me. He then did the thing I wasn’t expecting, the unthinkable. I watched in horror as he used his fingers to dig into his eye socket, the blood pouring from it as he ripped it from his body.
Tossing it to the ground, he stepped back as he prepared to shift. “You’re a useless bitch, just like your mother.”
Wait, mother?! How did he know her? What’s this about shifting?! I thought he was a human! Eva’s growl rang in my head, as I watched his body begin to morph. His limbs bent and broke, moving into their rightful place, as he howled in pain at the sudden change.
I closed my eyes and covered my ears at his deafening yowl, the sound echoing under the storm.
When I peeked them open again, I was struck dumb by what I saw before me. In the man’s place, stood a wolf, but it wasn’t the normal wolf. Something was really wrong with it, and I continued to stare at it as the rain poured heavier upon us. Chunks of his flesh were hanging from every place on his body, like it was decaying. Half of his jaw was missing with his right ear appearing as though it were just the bone. When his tail wagged back and forth, I noticed it was falling apart.
We need to shift as well, or we won’t stand a chance and we have a pup to protect. I know it’s not recommended to shift while pregnant but we have no other choice, Eva opined.
The creature before me shook his fur, a piece of flesh dislodging from several areas with the motion.
I took a deep breath, unsure of what pain this shift would bring. It’d been a while since I last shifted. Letting Eva take control, I hunched over, trying to prepare myself. I felt my bones bend and reshape. My fingers changed to paws, my fingernails to claws and my face to a snout. I felt my canine teeth elongate and my spine crack and expand. The itch underneath my skin was unbearable as the fur began to sprout. The pain was excruciating, but it disappeared just as fast as it came.
Crouching on my paws, I shook my wet fur.
With my heightened senses dulled by the storm, I didn’t notice the wolf lunge at me. He barreled into me, knocking me over and snarling with snapping jaws, too close for comfort. I’m honestly surprised you don’t remember me, little Dahlia. Your mother and father begged me not to kill you before I took their lives in front of you. You don’t remember me from our earlier meeting, do you?
As he snapped his jaw dangerously close to my stomach, I used my hind legs to dig into his underbelly, my claws ripping through his decaying flesh. He latched onto my front leg, roughly trying to dislo- cate my shoulder.
I yelped out in pain, quickly twisting my body to send him barreling into the wall with a thud.
By the looks of it, whatever this creature was, he was weaker than he portrayed.
What are you? What do you mean our earlier meeting? I don’t recall that. Who are you? I growled, pacing back and forth while slowly moving closer to corner him
between the wall and me… with nowhere to run.
He let out a weird howl, sort of resembling a laugh. You seriously don’t know? My name is Lucian! You captured my son and tortured him for your pleasure. Your parents had my wife and child murdered in cold-blood because the Council refused to exterminate your filthy kind. But I wanted to have a little fun with you before I killed you as well. Especially with that bastard pup inside of you. I will destroy the world you’ve built and burn it to the ground, starting with you and your sad excuse for a mate!
My body filled with rage, all thoughts pushed aside, as my instincts consumed me. Letting Eva take full control, I let go of the reins. Lucian, you will pay for what you did to my parents and every wolf you’ve killed. This stops today!
We raced toward him, shoving his weak body against the wet slab of stone behind him. He smashed against it with a thud before he shook it off and dove under me, knocking me with him over the edge of the balcony.
I braced myself for the two-story fall.
Lucian and I clawed at each other midair, ripping different body parts in the process. I felt no pain. He had major damage done to his neck, stomach and chest while my face, hind legs, back and both shoulders were almost in shreds. I made sure he avoided my stomach, but at this rate, I’d lose too much blood. My right shoulder throbbed— the once sealed wound now reopened—as we got closer and closer to the wet and muddy surface of the ground.
Eva let me take control again, as I managed to latch onto his neck; his blood seeped into my mouth, making my gag from the tangy texture, but I placed his body in front of mine before we hit the ground. I would take damage either way but this lessened the blow.
We hit the ground with a loud splat. Blood, flesh and mud mixed together, laying in a perfect little crater around us. I let go of his neck, trying to steady myself from the blood loss.
He was dead from the fall but I gripped his neck between my jaws, twisting roughly to break it, just to be certain.
Rise of the Alpha (The Rise Series Book 1) Page 30
