Alaric answered this time, using his hands to wrap around my waist and instinctively pulling me closer. “How did you know where we were?”
She smiled at him. “Alpha Vernund, it’s a pleasure. I didn’t find you.” She pointed at Jasper, who was now awake on my lap. He yawned and turned his head to look up at Alaric and me. “He found you.”
That was surprising.
She stood, brushing off her clothes and heading for the door, while all of us quickly trailed behind her.
On the front porch, she turned around, giving us a stern look. “But beware of my cousin; she’s not one to mess with. I lost all trails on her this morning, so I don’t know where she’s at. She’s a dark witch, so watch your back.”
With that, she moved back and stood in the middle of the yard. She suddenly raised her arms, speaking hushed French, before a bright pink smoke appeared and when it was gone, so was she.
Alaric held me close, nuzzling my hair with his nose. “Don’t worry; we’ll figure this out. I won’t leave your side until we get to the bottom of this.”
ROBERT AND LILY drove us to the airport that afternoon, having prepared us, me mainly, a bunch of snack foods for the trip. We approached the airstrip, where the plane from earlier waited for us. The pilots and the stewardess stood beside the stairs that lead to the cab of the plane.
When the Toyota 4Runner came to a stop, we all climbed out and Lily and I headed to the plane.
We greeted the staff, before they went back inside the plane as Alaric and his father packed our luggage away in the compartment underneath the aircraft.
When they joined us, Robert pulled me into a hug, saying, “You’re doing a wonderful job. Keep up the good work and don't stress too much. My son will take care of you. You honestly are the best thing that’s ever happened to him.”
His words surprised me, bringing the water works to life again. “Thank you.” I said, as Lily hugged me and told me that she loved me before releasing me and handing the insulated bag to me that held my snacks.
“Thank you so much for being our guests,” Lily said, wiping tears away from her eyes as we made our way to the plane to board. “We’ll come and visit soon! Be careful and have a safe trip!”
With Alaric’s hand in mine, I waved goodbye as we boarded the plane and found our seats.
Getting comfortable beside Alaric, I sat with the snack bag at my feet and Jasper in my lap; the engines roared to life and the plane began to move.
I stared out the window, thinking over everything that had happened over the last six months.
Having Grandma kidnapped, to Grandpa being in the hospital, dating and breaking up with Nathan and ultimately banishing him. To shifting for the first time, meeting my mate Alaric, falling in love and having a baby on the way, being the Alpha who was expected to bring a change to this world, and avenging my parents before finding out that they might not be who they said they were.
I knew we’d rescue Grandma soon. I could feel it. It was only a matter of time before I took down Alex and brought this to an end.
EPILOGUE
ALEX
I PACED BACK and forth, anxiety digging its ugly claws in me while the screams of bloody murder and uncontrollable sobs sounded from the room next to me. The more I heard it, the angrier I got.
“Shut that bitch up! Don’t make me come in there!” I howled, slamming my fist down on the simple wooden table, causing it to break in half at the pressure. It sent splinters everywhere. I was still getting used to the double powers of my father’s unique wolf and my whore mother’s vampire genes. I got the best of both worlds before I murdered her after my return from the Elders’ training—my father was horrified.
The room I was in had a table, massive windows that were barred on the outside and locked on the inside and a small beat-up couch in the corner with a table that held gallons of dark rich and tangy liquid. I didn’t sleep at night, haunted by the image of that bastard Alpha and his precious mate. Those two sickened me and I would do every- thing in my power to end that female Alpha’s life. I hated her with a passion.
When I saw her at that warehouse, something deep inside was pulling me toward her. Something that even I didn’t know I had.
Granted, she was only protecting herself. I had almost killed her but before I could, I had this even more sickening longing to breed with the woman. She was an Alpha, after all, and the heir she’d provide me with would definitely be the end of this pathetic Were world. And that was my dream.
That was my true motive, and if I had to kill every single one of her loved ones to do it, I would. Starting with that former rogue, Alaric Vernund. I knew he’d be major trouble...
My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. My second in command walked in, wearing nice jeans and V-neck t-shirt; his hair was long and blonde. A large cloaked figure trailed behind him.
“Boss,” Raymond spoke, bowing his head not wanting to make eye contact. I knew he was terrified. Everyone was. “This man requested your presence for an important matter.”
I shooed Raymond off with a wave of my hand. “Don’t come back until you are called. No one is allowed to come in here for any reason. And…” He was on his way out when I added, “If she makes any noise, feel free to break another finger but no blood.”
My second nodded, before leaving the room.
The cloaked man pulled down his hood, revealing pale skin, dark hair and an intriguing golden stare that burned into me. The words out of my mouth were thick as honey but they were anything but nice. “Well, if it isn’t Vernon, of the High Were Council. What the hell do you want?”
He bowed, before straightening. His voice was thick and creamy. “I’ve brought grave news, Alex. The Alpha female, Dahlia Miller, has slain your father, Lucian. And she is pregnant with the child of Alaric Vernund.”
Something deep inside me snapped, my voice going dark, and I could tell it sent chills down the Council member. “When did it happen? Did he suffer? What do you get in the matter?”
Vernon’s cold eyes met my dead ones. “It happened yesterday. It was a good fight. He did a ton of damage to her, so she’s on the verge of death. I was thinking it is time for me to leave the High Were Council. They’re getting suspicious of my actions.”
I looked at him, tilting my head. “How would you contribute? What makes you think I can trust you?”
Vernon gave a creepy smile, his golden eyes glinting. “I can help you get what you want. I can help you kill that Alpha, and get the girl. I can lead your army and I can be your right-hand man.”
I thought about his offer. It was a good offer; there was no doubt about that. The anger filled me the more I thought about it. This dog would pay for what she’s done.
I moved to where I could lean myself against the wall and folded my arms over my chest. “That seems doable, but I still don’t trust you. I have a meeting with all of my head advisors tomorrow, so be there at 8 a.m.”
Vernon nodded, smiling weirdly as he looked at me. “I figured that, Alex. I did bring you a gift, so I hope you enjoy it.”
He snapped his fingers as the door slammed open and two of my men brought in a bloody and thick woman. She was a human; her sexual arousal emanated when her eyes met mine. Her clothes, if you could call them that, were honestly just rags, but they hugged her body, fitting perfectly. Her blonde hair was matted and clumpy like it hadn’t been washed in weeks and her plump lips trembled as her scared blue orbs stared up at me.
Vernon smiled, yanking her up by her hair, as my men held her. “This isn’t the woman you want but she’ll provide you with some pleasure.” He let her go at the same time my men did and she fell to her hands and knees, trembling while keeping her eyes on the floor— the perfect position for my enjoyment.
Vernon saw the look on my face, smirking before motioning for my men to follow him out. “Enjoy your night, Alex. See you tomorrow.”
As the door clicked closed behind them, I turned to the woman and walked t
oward her.
Getting down on one knee, I used my index finger to lift her head up by her chin so that she could stare deep into my violet eyes; she was completely mesmerized. “What’s your name, sweetheart?”
She bit her lip, noticing my hard-on and making her lip bleed slightly. I used my free hand to wipe the blood from her lip and licked it off my thumb.
“My name is Abigail, sir.” Her eyes flicked between my lips and my erection. She swallowed before answering, “I want to please you and fill your need.”
Those words were all I needed to hear, before I picked her up gently and took her to the couch, where I shredded whatever she had on. As I scanned her body, I heard her moan and her core wept with desire.
My fingers gently touched her fragile skin, causing goosebumps to crawl along her flesh. I licked my lips, taking my own clothes off and stroking my erection before spreading her legs and positioning myself between her thighs.
She moaned as the tip caressed her core, before she spoke between pants, “Give it to me. I want it. I want you.”
I forced my way through her juicy walls, hitting her G-spot and making her scream out with pleasure. I thrust deep and fast, ignoring her cries of pain as I dug my claws into her hips, causing blood to spill and my senses to take over.
I continued to attack her throbbing core, as it clenched and her moans grew louder.
Her cries continued as I felt her release around my erection while I pumped my seed into her. As I finished, I was still inside her when I picked her up, looking into her puffy, blood-shot eyes.
Need filled me as I felt my fangs extend and my thirst become unbearable. I moved her matted hair, teasing her with gentle kisses; however, hearing her moans just intensified the thirst. I licked the side of her neck, opening my mouth wide and sinking my fangs into her throat; my poison filled her and her blood flowed into my fangs.
The mesmerizing power I had over her disappeared and she began to try to pull herself from me, her screams of pain filled the room and became weaker and weaker, the more her blood was replaced with the poison. After she stopped struggling, I knew she was gone.
When she went limp, I pulled myself from her, throwing her fragile and dead body onto the floor where her bones cracked from the force. Her lifeless, darkened eyes stared back at me, judging me.
I scowled, licking the blood from my lips while redressing myself before heading out of the room and telling one of the guards to clean up the mess.
“Where are you going, boss?” the man curiously requested.
I didn’t stare back at him, quickly moving through the dark hallway before answering coldly, “Out. I’ve got a rogue to meet with.”
NATHAN
THE EMOTIONS THAT raged through my body crippled me harder than I imagined.
Anger.
Rejection.
Fear.
Heartbreak.
Those four things were the only emotions I felt these days.
Seeing the love of my life with someone else broke my heart. I’ve loved her since I first met her. I thought she felt the same. I racked my brain for every possible outcome of what could’ve happened. What should’ve happened.
I could’ve kept her if she hadn’t found her mate. You don’t go against the Gods’ choices. What they granted was what every supernatural being had to follow, until death.
But it still didn’t stop me from giving myself to her completely. She was my everything and when I watched her mark that man, I saw red. I almost did something that would make her hate me forever.
But I stopped myself. I couldn’t do anything that hurt her or put her in danger.
So as my world fell apart, hers soared and I crumbled with the loneliness I felt.
The worst thing, though, was when she looked at him with love and affection… when she had just done the same to me a week before. I knew she felt something for me, and would’ve acted on it, had it not been for her meeting her fated mate.
I knew he loved her fiercely; it showed in everything he did. He lived for her. We fought a few times, with him always winning.
Dahlia is an Alpha; she needed someone who was strong by her side. I wasn’t that wolf.
Since being banished, I kept to myself. I couldn’t stay in her terri- tory, which the town was, so I had to relocate to a larger city on the coast. This city was beautiful and had become like home to me. But I knew I would never be the same unless Dahlia was by my side.
These days I lounged on my couch, sat on the balcony, and watched the waves crash against the rocky shore in the distance. I couldn’t let my wolf out anymore, in fear he’d rush back to her and step one foot onto her territory, getting us both killed.
It was rough these days—fending off horny women of all kinds and men who wanted me dead for how their women acted when I was around. So, I opted to just hide out in my apartment for the rest of my life.
I was a rogue now. I answered to no one. It was kind of a relief.
I remembered the pack saying something about her room getting destroyed. They never found the one who did it. The guilt struck me like a silver dagger to the heart. You see, I had a fit of rage, breaking into her house and trashing her room. I hadn’t realized it, when my wolf took over and left her room in a trash heap. The walls had holes in them, her mattress was torn apart and I knew I had broken my promise to never hurt her.
That ultimately broke my word to myself. And to her.
Today was just like any other. I got up, showered, worked out, ate breakfast, and just watched TV until I got bored and took a nap. I’d been starting to read again. But nothing kept my interest for long, so I’d always end up staring off into space for hours on end. Always thinking of the same thing over and over:
Why did she choose him? Why didn’t I demand a challenge to see who would really win the right to mate with the female Alpha? But ultimately, the Gods had spoken. Even if I had won, she would’ve been unhappy for the rest of her life.
I couldn’t do that to her. Not when I already broke my trust to her and myself.
There was no redemption this time.
I watched the sun fade into the ocean, as the sky turned a beau- tiful purple color. It reminded me of Dahlia. Everything reminded me of her. I hated that and I wasn’t sure I would ever forget her. No, that was wrong.
I knew better than that. I would never, ever, forget her. She had my heart tucked away in her pocket. I lived with no soul. No purpose. As I made my way to the bedroom, to shower my sorrow away and rub one out to the memory of her riding me all that time ago, a knock from the front door interrupted my thoughts.
I furrowed my eyebrows, turning back into the living room. My eyes narrowed; my wolf was suddenly on full alert when I realized who it was.
Alex. The man who tried to kill Dahlia. He was my enemy...
But… was he my enemy now?
I had no pack and I was a rogue. Guess it wouldn’t hurt to see what he wanted.
What harm was there in that?
I grabbed the shirt that was thrown lazily on my sofa and tugged it on before going to the door, and cracking it open to stare at the sickly pale man. His eyes were as dark as I remember but something about him was different.
I narrowed my eyes. “What do you want? How the hell did you find me?”
Alex gave me a look of curiosity with a sinister smile. His white pointy fangs glistened against the light of my apartment. His eyes were black now. “Just wanted to pay a friendly visit to my new rogue buddy. Nothing to get all defensive about. And to answer your question, my men found you relatively easily.”
Well, I was not expecting that. I sighed, slightly closing the door to unlock the chain, before opening it further and waving a hand to let the man in.
As he walked inside, I quickly shut the door and followed him. “Would you like a beer?”
As Alex studied my simple living room, he took a seat on the leather sofa and smiled at me before I made my way into the kitchen. “Sure, thank you.”
&
nbsp; I popped the lids on both, throwing the caps in the trash, and made my way back into the living room to sit in the recliner furthest away from him. I still did not trust him.
Taking a long swig, I leaned back in the chair, my muscles stiff and ready to pounce if needed. “So, what brings you to my home?”
Alex chugged half of his own beer before tilting his head in my direction; his eyes did a weird glistening thing. “Well, I’ve been looking for an able body to help me lead my forces against the Werewolf Community. I don’t know their territory like you do, so I figured I’d try my luck.”
I narrowed my eyes, knowing they’d gone black since my wolf had surfaced. Anger spilling from me, I hissed, “You want me to help you break into my former pack’s land? To do what?”
He finished his beer, looking me dead in the eye. “To get back your mate, that’s what. I will pay you greatly and you’ll have any woman you want. Just say the word. You will only answer to me. And you’ll be free to do as you please. What do you say? I’ll even give you your own place to stay, something better than this piece of shit you got.”
I cracked my neck from side to side, thinking about his offer. It was tempting and if I had a chance to get Dahlia back and destroy Alaric at the same time, I’d do it. “Fine,” I said, chugging my own beer before getting up. “What do you plan on doing with the rogue?” Alex’s smile got twisted and scary. It made my skin crawl but I shrugged it off. “Kill him, of course. He’ll ruin our plans. Getting rid of him is our first objective. Once he’s gone, she’ll be vulnerable.” Alex stood, walking to me and handing me his empty bottle.
“Thank you for the beer. It’s best if I head out now. Too many suspicious eyes around.”
I set the bottles in the trash before following him to the door and letting him out.
Before I closed it, Alex stopped and turned toward me, something evil in his expression. “Oh, by the way, she’s pregnant. Thought you should know. Whenever you’re ready, meet me at the train station around midnight.”
Rise of the Alpha (The Rise Series Book 1) Page 33
