I force the sobs to cease and blot my face. Hang on just a bit longer, I remind myself.
I make a point to stay away from Bryce, and everyone else, for the rest of the party. But I know I’ll be standing beside him again before this night is over. Like he’s read my thoughts, Eddy makes another announcement.
“Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention?”
My body tenses, an unconscious reaction I can’t shake regardless of how much I prepared for this part of the party. Although, based on my earlier cry-fest, I’d say my preparation was wasted. It didn’t take long for Bryce to dig under my skin. Now I have to face him all over again.
“Alpha Roland and Essara would like to say a few words.”
The second Roland grabs the mic, I get an urge to bolt but force my feet to remain in place.
“Thank you, Eddy, and thank you to everyone who came out tonight to celebrate Rhayven’s 21st birthday.”
The crowd explodes into cheers. Roland scans the room; it doesn’t take long before he locks eyes with me at the back of the room.
“Rhayven, sweetie, can you come here?”
I inwardly groan and make my way through the crowd, which parts for me as if I’m someone important. The symbolism is a little unnerving: I’m walking down an aisle for my mating announcement, the same way I would walk down an aisle at the mating ceremony. I bite the inside of my cheek to stay grounded in the present. This is not the right time for a surge of panic to hit me.
I take my place by Essara’s side, plastering on a fake smile.
“Rhayven, it has been wonderful raising you in our home and watching you grow into a beautiful, strong, and compassionate young woman. Essara and I are so proud of you, and we know that if your parents were here today, they would be equally proud. We love you like our own daughter.”
His words punch me in the gut, a fresh wave of guilt making me feel sick all over again. “With that being said,” Roland continues, “Bryce, will you please join us?”
Bryce makes his way toward the stage, eyes focused on me, grinning from ear to ear. I’m the only one in the room who’s seen the true evil hiding behind his smile. Bryce winks at me, then stands next to his father.
“I’m pleased to announce that my son, Bryce Underwood, your future Alpha, will soon be mating Rhayven Winters.”
As expected, the room erupts into a cacophony of cheers and applause. The sound rises to a deafening volume, drowning out my wolf’s frustrated growls. She’s unhappy with me for ignoring her and keeping her caged inside. No matter how many times I tell her it will all be over soon, she doesn’t care. She wants Bryce dead.
He approaches me and slings an arm around my waist, pulling me close. I don’t bother looking at him, fighting my body’s rejection of his touch again.
He leans close to my ear. “Hear that, babe?” he whispers. “Enjoy your freedom while it lasts. Once you’re mine, there will be no more sneaking off into town. Do you think I don’t know what you’ve been doing?”
A chill rolls down my spine as goosebumps break out over my skin. My next inhale feels like a wicked knife stabbing through my throat. He chuckles, feeling my entire body flinch. To everyone watching, we look like a happy couple: my forced smile, him nuzzling my neck.
Does he know about my plan?
Was I not careful enough covering my tracks?
Panic swells in my chest at the possibility of losing my one opportunity at escape.
“Reel in those emotions. I don’t want anyone else to taste your fear on their tongue.” He turns me to face him. His finger trails down my cheek, then lifts my chin. The pain in my stomach grows; I know what he’s about to do.
He dips his head, pressing his lips against mine. I close my eyes and shut my mind off to reality, pretending to be anywhere but here. It’s the only way to keep up this facade.
Bryce pulls away, and I slowly release the breath I was holding. “Enjoy the rest of your evening. I’ll come find you later.”
I suck my bottom lip in to keep quiet, then remember that his mouth was just there. He chuckles again, slipping from my side and disappearing into the crowd.
Fiery rage swims through my blood as I replay his words in my mind. I don’t care if he figured out what I’m up to. Freedom is too close not to reach for it. Lifting my head and steeling my spine, I decide to go through with my escape. If I get caught, then so be it. I’m dead if I stay here anyway.
Bryce
“What do you mean, you can’t find her?” I yell at the three protectors in front of me.
“Bryce!”
My father slams his fists down on his desk to get my attention. I ignore him, keeping my focus on the idiots instead.
Which one should I kill first, or should I have them kill each other?
“I will not have you speaking to my protectors that way.”
Does he really think that threat is going to quell the immense anger I’m harboring?
Rhayven is gone.
Fucking.
Gone.
That stupid bitch.
I almost want to laugh—almost. It must have taken steel balls, and a lot of planning, for her to escape. That shows ignorance on my end. It’s a mistake I won’t make again.
“Have you even tried looking for her?” I snap.
“Yes. We picked up her scent heading East off pack land, but then the trail runs cold. We doubled back to see if she left any other traces behind. We found nothing we can track so far.”
Incompetent fucks.
None of them appear able to do their job.
When I’m Alpha, this shit won’t be happening. I’d have their heads already, strung up at my mansion’s entrance for everyone to see.
I narrow my eyes at my father, who has yet to address their incompetence.
“So, Father,” I seethe, “what suggestions do you have now?”
I’m barely holding it together, and my wolf’s heavy footsteps, pacing back and forth in my head, aren’t helping. I part my lips to accommodate my elongating canines. My hands flex from repeated pricks of pain as my claws lengthen.
“We will continue searching for her while interviewing everyone who was at the party last night. See if anyone noticed anything strange prior to her disappearance. I’ll also reach out to our allied packs, have them keep an eye out for her as well. Seeing as there was no sign of foul play, at this point, we can only assume she ran away.”
I turn back to look at the shit-for-brains protectors. “You come to me immediately with any new information.” All three men nod. “That is my mate out there, and I want her brought back as soon as possible. Is that clear?” Again, the men nod. “Get the fuck out of here, and do a better job or I promise you, you will regret it.”
My threat looms over them even after they leave.
Good.
I hope it eats at them. At least someone around here will have an inkling of how I’m feeling inside—torn the-fuck up.
“I know you’re upset, but I will not have you speaking to my men that way.” My father’s stern tone has no effect on me. He’s grown soft over the years. That weakness is going to be his downfall one day.
Images flash through my mind of all the ways I could kill him right now and take his place as Alpha. The opportunity is within my grasp, waiting for me. It’d be so easy.
But today is not that day. Killing him will only throw another obstacle in the way of Rhayven’s return. Instead of ripping his throat out, I leave without uttering another word.
When I find her, I will punish her severely for this.
Run as fast as you can. The chase is on, babe.
Claudia
Eight years later…
I stroll into the two-story modern-style home like I own the place. Not one of Raphael’s lackeys says a word as I pass them on my way to his office. When I throw the door open, his dark eyes narrow. I ignore him and plop down onto the chair in front of his desk.
“Let me call you back.” He hangs up the phon
e and folds his hands together on the desk. “Can I ask what the fuck it is that you want?”
Raphael Morietti, Alpha of Pack Morietti, pegs me with an irritated look. I don’t even blink. After dealing with Bryce, Raphael is a walk in the park.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have to,” I scoff.
“Whatever it is, spit it out and then get the hell out of here. You have a job to do.”
I roll my eyes. “And that’s exactly why I came.”
He leans back in his chair, his dark hair glistening under the overhead lamp.
“Everything is set up for this weekend. But something feels. . . off.”
He waves a hand, motioning for me to continue.
I wish I could come right out and say what I want, but that would bring about more questions. He doesn’t know that I accidentally eavesdropped on a conversation he had a few months ago. Ever since then, these ‘repayment’ jobs I’ve been doing for him have gone from local surveillance to risking my ass to spy on political figures.
This job, in particular, has all my warning bells going off. Normally I’m given more time and a bit more info on my target. Not this time, though, and of course asking would go nowhere.
“This feels rushed. I’ve only been given a couple weeks to map this out.”
“Your point?”
Yeah, lots of them, but what I want to say I can’t. “For one, it’s at a fairly new casino, and two, with the opening of its new night club, security is going to be tighter.”
He raises a brow, clearly not bothered about my concerns. And why would he be? He’s been ordered to get the job done, so in turn, he’s ordered me to do it. I’m the grunt, Raphael is the middleman, and someone named the ‘Boss’ controls Raphael. He doesn’t understand that he’s as much a puppet as I am in whatever game we’re playing.
“Are you backing out? Because you know that's not an option.”
I’m very much aware it’s not an option. My choices are to do the job or be killed. It’s been the same song and dance since we came to an agreement eight months ago. Raphael caught me stealing money from his bar, which I was in desperate need of because someone had stolen all my money.
If one of his elders, Mama Gigi, hadn’t intervened when she did, my corpse would be nothing but dusty bones buried somewhere in Wyoming. That woman saved my life, and I condemned it to hell that same night.
“No, I’m not backing out. This is the last job I’m doing for you.”
He chuckles. “So you think. You don’t have anywhere to go. You’re a lone wolf with a unique set of skills and too much inside knowledge.”
I feign disinterest but my insides are fluttering in a panic. All I can hear in his words is Bryce. He mocked me, never believing I could actually leave him—but I did and I’ve survived. Still, Raphael’s threat has my body clenching with painful memories. I refuse to let anyone manipulate me and play on my fears like Bryce did.
“And you’re an Alpha who’s digging himself an early grave,” I throw at him. “What if you get caught?”
The corner of his lip curls. “You’re a pain in my ass. I should’ve killed you when I had the chance.”
Sadly, I still wouldn't put it past him to murder me at the next opportunity. Well, not him per se—he’d have one of his lackeys do the work. Raphael never gets his hands dirty; he opts to give orders instead. I think, in some way, it’s how he keeps his conscience clear.
“Well, you didn’t, and now here we are. Guess it’s a good thing you find me useful.”
“Till you’re not.”
He stands up and moves around his desk until he towers over me. The blank expression on his face a little unnerving. Did I strike a nerve with something I said? It’s not like we’ve never bantered back and forth banter before. This exchange seems more charged, and judging by the cords flexing in his neck, something is definitely wrong.
“You will do this job. I don’t give a shit if there’s a security guard posted outside every door. Is that clear?”
I clench my jaw. I don’t know what I expected, driving all the way out here to reason with him. I envisioned this conversation going south, but I still had to try.
“Crystal,” I say through gritted teeth, standing up.
Somehow, someway, I’m going to regret doing this job. I can feel it in my gut. If I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s to trust my instincts and my wolf.
Let’s just hope there’s a sliver of a chance I’m wrong. . . for both our sakes.
Claudia
“Alright bitches, we’re going to have fun tonight, and none of you are dipping out early on the festivities,” Kimberly yells.
Squeals and giggles fill the limo from the women surrounding me, followed by the clink of champagne glasses. Instead of partaking in the toast, I down my glass of alcohol.
My phone vibrates in my lap. Without looking, I already know who it is and what they want. Picking up the phone, I scan the message.
Room 202. 9 am tomorrow
“Everything okay?” Kimberly asks, nudging me in the arm.
I look at Kimberly, my green-eyed human friend, and smile. Her purple hair is pulled into two buns on the top of her head, making her look like a child.
“Yeah. Just a friend.”
For the first time in eight years, I’ve put effort into establishing some normalcy in my life. Even knowing it would be short-lived. I’ve stayed in Wyoming longer than I anticipated, but after tonight, I’ll be on my way to Utah.
I spent years looking over my shoulder. I kept my head down and minimized interaction with anyone for fear someone would recognize me. My primary goal was to isolate myself from the world. Even hundreds of miles away, Bryce still held sway over me; I lived in fear that one day he would find me.
Since I’ve gone years without being caught, I remain hopeful they’ve forgotten about me. But I can’t throw caution to the wind just yet. That’s why I told Raphael this was my last job and that I wasn’t sticking around. If he chooses not to believe me, then so be it. I feel guilty keeping this from Kimberly, though—sort of. I wouldn't call us best friends, but she’s been nice to hang out with every now and then.
She gasps. “You actually talk to other people? Do they know what a bitch you are?”
I shake my head. “Ha, ha. Laugh it up while you can. You get this one pass because it’s your birthday weekend.”
“I’m excited you agreed to come. We’re gonna have so much fun.” She wraps her arms around me and squeezes.
Touching.
Excessive touching.
Instead of brushing her off, I sink into the hug. Bryce turned me off to physical contact, permanently. The more space someone can give me, the less restricted and claustrophobic I feel.
She pulls back and gives me a smile before falling into conversation with one of her other friends. I’ve failed to commit their names to memory. It doesn’t matter if I know them or not. I won’t be sticking around long enough to care. I just hope they stay out of my way tonight.
I had planned on infiltrating the club alone, but I slipped up and mentioned this casino to Kimberly when she was planning out her birthday celebration. Now here we are.
“Ohmygod, there it is,” someone shrieks.
Everyone piles to one side of the limo and plasters their face against the window, blocking my view. They remain fixed to the glass until we come to a stop a few seconds later.
The driver gets out and comes around, opening the door for us. Everyone gasps in a fit of awe as we exit. Me, I’m scanning the area, looking for anything that could provide an obstacle. One of my ‘special’ skills, Raphael tells me.
I snort. Who knew an observant eye would be considered unique? He’s always made me out to be more mysterious than I am. I’m just good at blending in, that’s all.
We head inside to the front desk and check-in. As expected, I’m given key cards for Room 202.
“Okay, ladies. Everyone go to your rooms and get ready. We’ll meet at the re
staurant for dinner at 9:30,” Kimberly instructs.
I take the elevator up to the second floor and locate my room. I lock the door behind me before heading to the closet, where the safe is located. Putting in the code I was given, I unlock it and check the contents.
Everything’s in place for tonight. I don’t know how Raphael always manages to have supplies waiting on me, and I don’t care to know. Safer that way.
I strip out of my clothes and grab the maid outfit, crinkling my nose. I’m so glad this is my last job.
Granger
I glance at my watch and sigh. This isn’t exactly how I want to spend my weekend, but what the Alpha wants, the Alpha gets. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the increased responsibility and experience he grants me. My role as a future Beta has been set in stone since I was born. I make every effort to be present during meetings, observing and absorbing as much information as I can. However, our presence here doesn’t make sense.
I watch Blave, one of my closest friends and my future Alpha, prowl the expanse of the living room. His sharp jaw is clenched tight, eyes focused but not fully engaged.
“Can you stop pacing for like five minutes?”
Blave’s been moving non-stop since we got here. Every time he passes in front of me, I can feel his irritation skitter over my skin with tiny jabs. I’m normally pretty calm, but he’s testing the limits of my patience.
“Will you sit down already?”
He continues his back and forth like he didn’t hear me. Most likely, he didn’t; he’s too lost in his head. I chuck a throw pillow at him. He whips around and stares at me. No matter how long I’ve known him, the sheer size of him is still overwhelming. He may only be a few inches taller than me, but the guy is built like a Mack truck, with black hair and dark eyes that make his scowl look even more menacing.
The Chase Is On (Pack Everhart Book 1) Page 4
