by Gwen Knight
I waved her off, then rubbed at my eyes with the palms of my hands. “Just tired, Mom.”
“We can discuss becoming a member of my pack later, once things are settled between me and my brother.”
“And in the meantime, you’ll stay here,” my mother said. “I don’t care what he says. He won’t exile us both. Then he’d be alone in this God-forsaken house with no one to listen to his rants and no one to yell at. You might be exiled from the pack, but you’re still my daughter.”
Tears of relief welled in my eyes. My father hadn’t immediately come stomping down the stairs, even though I knew he was listening.
“I actually came for another reason too,” Knox chimed in. “I want to talk to the witches once more. See if there’s something they can do to track down exactly which member of the fae is causing trouble.”
“Think they can?”
“Worth a try, isn’t it?”
I nodded, my focus locked on him as inwardly, I tried to sort out my feelings. He met my gaze, his own eyes softening. I was far from naïve. I knew the look in his eyes, scented the desire in the air. Embarrassing, since my mother stood next to us, but not exactly something either one of us could control.
Clearing my throat, I straightened my jacket and turned toward the door. “Shall we, then?”
I exited the house, all while listening to the sounds of Knox’s steps behind me. For the first time, I didn’t feel like prey. Rather, it felt like I had a partner. And that realization left me a bit overwhelmed.
8
“About last night…”
Two minutes, twenty seconds. That was how long it had taken Knox before bringing it up. I wasn’t surprised. Though, in my head, I’d wagered five minutes. I turned and watched as he navigated his SUV through the streets.
“I thought we should talk about it.”
Right. Talking. Except, I had no idea what to say. Thank him for the best sex I’d ever had? Offer him compensation? Hell, confess that I was a confused mess right now and didn’t know what the hell to think?
The scent of lust in my kitchen told me he wanted more. But that meant nothing to men. Sex was just that to them. A physical connection. A means of feeling something for a night. It didn’t necessarily have to mean more. And if it had, I wasn’t sure I was ready to hear that yet. It’d been a rather emotional day so far.
“Rumor?”
I blew out a breath and shoved a lock of dark hair back from my face. “Can we not?”
He spared me a quick glance, his jaw firm. “You don’t want to talk it?”
I opted for honesty. My mother had always told me it was the best policy. I leaned back into the seat and closed my eyes. I couldn’t look at him. Not right now. “Last night…was confusing. I need some time to sort through what the hell happened. I don’t know what it meant to you—”
“Rumor, the reason I took the case and started investigating these deaths was to get close to you.”
His confession stole my breath. My eyes popped open, and I stared at him across the console. “What?”
“My brother mentioned in passing to me that you would be choosing a mate. I…I was hoping you would pick me.”
I blinked. What the hell was I supposed to say to that?
“I’ve always liked you,” he admitted, his fingers shifting against the steering wheel. “So, when I learned you were being forced to choose…I knew Conrad would never accept me as your choice. He hates our pack. Hates my brother. I don’t know their history, but I know it’s rocky.”
All the puzzle pieces fell into place. His moodiness, his urging for me to tell my father off, to live my own life.
I dragged a hand down my face, too baffled to speak.
“The curse inspires your passion. The moment I touched that mistletoe, I came to find you. I didn’t realize it was cursed at the time. I just knew I had to kiss you.”
Astounding.
“And I think you feel for me too. Thinking back on last night, the moment the mistletoe touched you, you shoved your tongue down my throat.”
Heat flushed my cheeks. “I didn’t—”
“You did. My memory of last night is completely intact.”
So was mine. And I had.
“I can wait, Rumor.” He spared me another glance. “I’m nothing like your father. I won’t force you to own up to any feelings you may or may not have. And I won’t force you to be my mate. I want you to make that choice on your own.”
I was about ready to jump his bones again, just hearing him say that.
“Until then, know that you have a place in my pack.”
“Once you kill your brother,” I whispered, my gaze drifting back out the window.
“Once I kill my brother,” he repeated, his tone just as bleak.
“Knox, I—”
“It’s all right, Rumor. I don’t expect anything from you. But I need you to know how I feel, because after this, if I challenge my brother and…”
“Lose,” I supplied.
His head jerked. “Then at least you know.”
“Then at least I know,” I repeated. I settled back into the seat and stared out the passenger window. When had my life become so complicated? From the very beginning, I’d wondered why Knox was on this case. He had people who could have done the investigating for him. Just as my father had me.
My head rolled against the seat, and I watched as Knox continued to drive. Every inch of him screamed alpha. He would win the fight with his brother—I had to believe that. But why did it matter so much to me?
The witches had told us the curse inspired passion. It forced people to acknowledge their hidden desires, and then it tainted them. Ditton and Brittany…my heart broke for poor David. Not that I’d ever tell him his mate had wanted someone else from a different pack. That would never be his cross to bear.
So, it mattered because Knox was right. I replayed last night’s events in my head. The moment the mistletoe had brushed my cheek, I’d kissed him. Had practically climbed him to do it. Our entire lives, he’d annoyed the hell out of me. But we’d been young and stupid then.
“I can hear you thinking all the way over here,” he teased.
I dipped my head, another blush chasing through my cheeks. It was hard to turn these thoughts off. Hard to focus on the task at hand when my whole world was pretty much imploding all around me.
“Just give it time,” he continued. “It’s a lot to take in.”
Laughter slipped past my lips.
And thankfully, we’d reached the witches. Knox pulled into the parking lot, his brow furrowing at the sight of the dark building. “Aren’t they normally open?”
I follow his line of sight, my own brows knotting. “Every day. Even through the solstice.”
“Something isn’t right.” He popped open his door, and I did the same, both of us sliding out together.
Knox lifted his chin and sniffed the air. “Fae,” he muttered with a curled lip.
Yup, I’d noticed it too. The distinct scent of magic and wilderness. “Think the witches were working with them?”
He strode toward the door without answering, his coat tails flapping the wind. Looked like a dark avenger on the prowl. I jogged after him, then stopped when he lifted a hand. He turned and looked at me, his mouth soundlessly shaping the word blood.
All right. Maybe the witches hadn’t been helping the fae after all.
Knox’s hands came down on my shoulders, and he guided me back. Before I could question him, he lifted his foot and kicked down the door. The pine door splintered and burst open, and from within came the stench of death.
Pressing my hand against my nose, I followed him inside.
At the sight of the three sisters strewn across the floor, their bodies a ribboned mess, I gagged. Sure, I was an alpha’s daughter. And sure, I’d investigated the deaths of my pack mates. And yes, their throats had been torn out. But these three had been entirely eviscerated, and their insides spilled out onto the floor.
> “Jesus,” Knox muttered.
Tears slipped down my cheeks. “Who would have done this?”
“Do you not like my little present?”
I jumped at the sound of a third voice and whirled around. A shadow hovered by the door, his massive presence blocking out what little sun managed to shine this morning.
Knox cursed under his breath, clearly as surprised as me, then stepped forward. “Rumor, get behind me.”
I stumbled backward, my heel catching on something firm. I glanced down. I shouldn’t have done it, but I wasn’t thinking clearly. The moment my gaze landed on Sarah Cleary’s broken leg, I swallowed, then tucked in behind Knox. It wasn’t often I hid, but with every tainted breath I took, I knew there would be a fight here today. And I knew Knox would need all the room he could get.
The figure unfolded from the door frame and entered the shop. My mouth gaped at the sight of him. Whoever this was, he loomed over Knox. Black etchings swirled over every inch of his alabaster skin, like tattoos that shimmered when he moved. Magic, perhaps? A spell? He was fae, clearly, if the glittering sapphire eyes were any indication. Question was: Why was he killing werewolves? And why the witches?
“Come on out, little one,” the faery beckoned in a rough Scottish accent. “Lemme have a look at you.”
Knox’s arm swept back and locked me in place. “Leave her out of this.”
The fae’s deep swell of laughter shook the building. “Cannae do, laddie. It’s always been about her.”
Knox’s fingers dug into my arm as my heart plummeted into my stomach. What the hell did that mean?
“Those deaths?” he continued. “Recompense. Haven’t ya ever heard the golden rule of the fae? Never break a promise.”
Knox’s head canted in my direction.
“Please. I’ve never made a deal with the fae,” I grumbled.
“Not you, lassie. Yer alpha.”
I froze.
“I knew the moment the alpha received word of the deaths, he’d send his so-called daughter in to investigate. Conrad dinna disappoint.”
“I don’t understand. What does any of this have to do with me or my father?”
The fae’s shoulders shook with laughter. “Do you not know who I am, lassie?”
I stared at the seven-foot creature towering over us. His flesh reminded me of marble, the dark etching carved into his skin. I would remember someone like that. “Should I?”
“Conrad never told you?”
“Told me what?” Anger rose hard and fast in my voice. “Who are you?”
“Forgive my manners. I am Alasdair of the Seelie Fae. Yer father and I go back a few decades. Back when he was but a little laddie clinging to his own father’s legs. A runt, he was. Meant for nothing more than a life serving others. Yet, he became an alpha. Think he did that on his own, did ya?”
I hooked my fingers into the loops of Knox’s jacket. This was bad. Like cataclysmic bad. “What are you talking about? My father was never—”
“He made a deal with me, lassie. I gave him the strength and power he needed to become the ultimate alpha. Tired of scraps, he was. Tired of everyone walking on him. And in return, he promised me a child.”
Promised him a child? What the hell did that even mean? Promised for what purpose? “This doesn’t make sense. My father was trying to mate me off to another pack. Why would he do that if he’d already promised me to you?”
“Wasn’t that kind of promise, lassie. Though, I do find it offensive that he thinks he can force ya to mate another. Especially when he isn’t yer real father.”
I froze.
“Haven’t ya wondered where you get your eyes, lassie? Or wondered how ya shift so quickly, without pain? Felt like an outsider yer whole life?”
The fae ambassador’s words echoed in my head. I would recognize those eyes anywhere. I know your father, child.
Disbelief rippled through my body. “No. No. My mother would never—”
“Yer right, lassie. Yer mother would never.” Magic drifted through the air, and right before my eyes, the monster in front of me turned into my father before turning back into the behemoth. “Glamor, little one. Yer mama didn’t know it wasn’t her mate who came to her at night.”
I felt sick. My stomach churned and my mouth watered. I was going to throw up right here, in front of them both. Now wasn’t the time for a panic attack, though. I had to survive this first, then I could lose my shit.
Knox tensed before a long and deep growl rumbled up from his chest. “Lies.”
“Don’t much know about us, do ya, lad? The fae cannae lie.” His marbled shoulders shook with laughter.
“You did all this…to get to me?”
“Had to lure you out, didn’t I? Your father reneged on his promise. He was supposed to bring ya to me on yer twenty-first name day. To learn how to be fae, to give us new blood. And ya never break a promise to the fae. How many wolves has he lost so far?”
Two were ours, but six in total. He had to have known. And still, he’d done nothing to stop the deaths. The packs would be furious when the truth came out.
“He’s paid for his betrayal in blood and flesh.”
“And them?” I whispered, sparing a glance down at the sisters.
“Ah. Well, cannae say I meant to kill them. I dinna expect you to figure out the mistletoe. Once you showed them, they figured me out.”
I shivered at the sound of his voice. Completely remorseless. He didn’t care who he had to kill to get to me. “Why not just kill Conrad then?”
“Where would the punishment be in that, lassie?” He threw his head back and laughed. “Vengeance is my game. Not justice. But I can be kind. Come with me now, uphold your father’s promise, and that strapping lad standing in front ya goes free.”
Knox’s hand clamped around mine, his fingers pressing mine together. “She isn’t going anywhere with you.”
My eyes fluttered shut the moment Alasdair’s jaw tensed. Stupid wolf. Sometimes I had to wonder about an alpha’s intelligence. They never stopped to think through the situation.
“Knox—”
“No, Rumor. I said you’d have a choice. You’ll have it. But when this is over, I swear to God, I’m going to kill your father. Whoever that is.”
“Brave words, laddie. But foolish,” Alasdair mocked. “When this is over, you’ll be nothing more than a smear on the floor.”
I believed him. There was no way Knox could win this fight. Fae versus wolf—fae always won. And I couldn’t bear to see him killed. Not if I had any say in the matter. With a deep breath, I stepped in front of him, my back to Alasdair. I trusted he wouldn’t hurt me. If he was telling the truth, I was his daughter, after all. Cupping Knox’s cheeks, I rose on my tiptoes and brought his forehead to mine.
Knox gazed down at me, his brow furrowed.
“Don’t be stupid,” I whispered.
Pain crumpled his face. “Rumor, no.”
“Fighting him would be suicidal.”
“The lass has a good head on her shoulders,” Alasdair commented. “I’m glad.”
I bit my tongue and swallowed the insult hovering on the edge of my lips. I had to focus on Knox. Had to make sure he survived this, even if I didn’t. Alphas were the sort who rushed into battle without thinking, and this type of reasoning would get him killed.
“Your word as a fae that he goes free,” I called out to Alasdair. “You will not seek him out ever, or send another in your place. He is safe and protected from the fae.”
“You cannae demand that of me,” Alasdair grumbled. “I cannae protect him from all fae.”
“Your word,” I hissed, “that he is safe from you, in any way that you might demand his life. Swear it to me, faery.”
“My word as a fae,” he growled. Even I heard the disappointment in his voice.
“Rumor…” Knox whispered.
“You were right. I do care about you. I don’t want to see you die over this.”
“And I don’t wa
nt to see you handed over to them like some sort of chattel just to appease a deal your father made decades ago. You’re better than that!”
“You’ll die. Either way, I end up with him.”
“Your faith in me is astounding,” he snapped.
Alphas.
Always thought they would win every fight. But eventually, we all meet someone bigger and badder. Today was that day.
Rather than argue the point any further, I angled my head and brushed my lips against his. The moment our mouths touched, I felt that spark and knew without a doubt, it wasn’t a lingering response from the curse. Somehow Knox had needled his way into my heart.
“I won’t let you do this,” he whispered.
“You don’t have a say in this.”
Fury rippled across his face.
“Come now, lassie,” Alasdair grunted.
My eyes slipped closed, and I reveled in Knox’s embrace. Fate was a capricious bitch, to finally grant me my freedom, only then to snatch it back at the last moment.
Stepping away from Knox was the hardest thing I’d ever done. But I did. For his sake.
Alasdair’s meaty hand clamped around my upper arm. Knox edged forward, his wolf in his eyes, but I stopped him with a stern glance and let the faery lead me toward the parking lot…where a massive black wolf awaited us.
9
“Conrad,” Alasdair commented, a smile in his voice. “Dinna expect to see you here.”
Neither had I, truthfully. After our last conversation, I’d tossed away the key to our relationship. Seemed I’d been mistaken. That or my father simply refused to give away something that belonged to him. Difficult to say.
Nah. He was here for his own selfish gain.
I stole a glance over my shoulder and watched as Knox strode out, dressed to the nines with fur and teeth. All right, two alpha wolves, both shifted. Shit was about to go down right here in the middle of a parking lot. I wrenched my arm free of Alasdair’s grip and stepped backward, displaying my allegiance.
Knox brushed against me, and I ran my fingers through his fur. As a wolf, he came up to my chest. Course, I wasn’t exactly the tallest when on two feet. Not that my wolf was much taller, sadly. But I made up for it in sheer stubbornness, or so my mother always told me.
