Possessed by the Alpha
Page 31
Then I sketch the scene I’d left, this time adding in the details I’d skipped last time. My crude trees and rocks and the overlook’s edge are as rudimentary as the stick figures facing each other, but they’re enough. They have to be.
I grip the blade again, squeezing until a scream rips from my throat and the light of the world fades. Black flames follow me into the darkness where not even Kade can reach. This is her prison, and if I don’t succeed, it’ll be mine.
Thirty-One
Kade
“I’m calling in our angel of death.” Ella widens her stance in front of the window in my office, where she’s been waiting for me to shower and dress after Zoe left this morning.
“You are?” I pause with my loafers held in one hand and my tie draped over my other arm.
“I have to.” Ella raises her head but doesn’t look my way. “This is about to blow up in our faces.”
“What will?” At the moment, many threats hang over us.
“You’ve been briefed on the situation involving the owner of the local hunting goods store out of town?”
“I’m aware.” Not only have I been reviewing the daily summary reports of the case, but Zoe’s given me a firsthand account of what happened with Stan Ernest that night at the bar. “Haven’t the normal avenues been explored?”
“Yes, but Stan doesn’t have any social media accounts. He has a phone that’s been lifted from his possession, but there’s nothing damning on it. Nothing on the couple of old cameras at his place either. He hasn’t written anything down or made any record of what had him on edge the night he spoke to Zoe. We have solid reason to believe he’s told multiple people, however.”
Ella clasps her hands at her lower back, the shirtsleeve of one arm riding up and exposing the edge of the scars normally hidden from view. “I’ve upgraded his case to a category three, which is why I’m being forced to make this move. The Ernest family is a witch bloodline. We learned that after Dr. Fairchild evaluated Stan’s cousins, Zeb and Abby Ernest. Hypnosis and reprogramming doesn’t work well in those cases, so we’re left with two options—integration into the shifter world or elimination. I’ve chosen elimination in this case. It’s the right thing to do.
Nodding at her own words, Ella blows out a breath then inhales deeply the same way I’ve seen other humans ground themselves or mentally strengthen themselves for what they’re about to say. “I’ve taken into account the characters of those involved and their emotions regarding this situation. It’s too risky. We’re relying on those humans brought into the shifter world to keep our secrets. Yes, they’re conditioned to do so. Yes, we follow their cases and continually reevaluate those individuals, but in the end, we’re relying on them. I can’t do that in this case. Eliminating those with witches’ bloodlines is safest. In this, I must agree with the oldest of shifters. A human can be reborn. A Royal can’t.”
Ella’s rambling speaks of her anxiety, but her tension is comforting and proves the point I made to the Shifter Council and the higher-ups in Shifter Affairs. Ella can be trusted with the power to make life-and-death decisions, and it’s obvious she’s given this a lot of consideration.
The tidbit she dropped but didn’t expand upon is important, however. It wasn’t in any of the reports I’d read. “Stan told them what? And who did he tell?”
“That he knows what’s getting all the deer and rabbits.” Ella glances at me. “That night he cornered Zoe, he talked to Jerry, one of the servers at the Black Widow, and that server has gone on to tell his friends.”
“Who may or may not have told their friends, right?” The implications of such a scenario are what we’ve been working to avoid for ages.
“Exactly. I’m calling Ilan as soon as I leave here. This has to be contained immediately, and eliminating Stan and Jerry are our safest bets. They’re cousins.”
“From a witch bloodline.” Exactly like Zoe comes from a witch bloodline. I don’t enjoy thinking about how close she was to having her life cut short or that I have Vince and Asa Yuran to thank for Zoe being in my life now.
Ella sighs, and her shoulders droop. “Yes. The rest of those people Stan told will be sent to Dr. Fairchild for evaluation. We don’t have any knowledge of their bloodlines.”
“You don’t need my approval for any of this.” Shifter Affairs already gave her the power to order anyone’s death, any time she wants.
“I’m not here for your blessing, though if I thought it’d somehow ease my guilt over this, I’d ask for it anyway. I don’t like playing God.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Jerry considers Ilan a friend. We’re lucky in that regard. Jerry’s confided in Ilan, telling him what Stan said and how he and their friends are going to hunt the creatures in the woods, among other things. We even know who those friends are, thanks to Jarah, who’s befriended those witch bloodlines we know about in this area. He’s provided all the relevant details concerning cousins, personalities, etc. Eliminating Stan and Jerry and rounding up the others will be a quick and easy operation.”
While I appreciate being in the know on this case as Zoe’s involved in a roundabout way, I don’t need these details. Ella and the others at Shifter Affairs can handle this. They’ve done so in similar situations dozens of times. “What else has Jerry told Ilan?”
Ella steps away from the window and into the shadows next to it in an almost deliberate move, maybe to make sure nobody sees what she’ll say. “People are talking about Josh and Mira. Commenting about how odd Josh is now that he’s married Mira. It’s not just Jerry. We’ve heard the same from multiple sources.”
“Odd in what way?”
“How Josh always seems to just show up in places as if they didn’t see him move. How he seems to be able to hear things he shouldn’t even across a noisy crowded bar. How strong he is now. How fast.” Ella gives a pointed look. “They’re noticing he’s different, and they’re associating those differences with him being with Mira.”
“And they’re talking about Mira too, right?” Even I’ve heard the comments about her multicolored hair. They’ve been positive and complimentary remarks, but her patchwork hair does draw attention. If she didn’t wear contacts, her gemstone eyes would too.
“Yes. They’re saying she’s gorgeous and exotic and moves with a sensual grace. Women and men alike watch her and either want to have her, or they hate her.” Ella raises a finger in a hold-on gesture. “Because she’s so beautiful, not because Mira’s not nice. She’s gracious and open and warm, and her smile is unreal, like she carries her own inner sun, and when she smiles at you, you can’t help but feel good too. Honestly, she’s a beautiful person inside and out. Everyone sees that. They say that too.”
“But?”
“She’s too perfect. Great looks, a hot and adoring husband, a sweet personality, and now babies on the way.” Ella gives a little laugh. “What woman wouldn’t be jealous of that? Or secretly despise her? Especially with Mira’s easy pregnancy. Human women with triplets rarely carry them to forty weeks. Mira hits that date early next week, and she’s still insisting on going into town to shop or whatever.”
“And?” I drop my shoes and slip my tie around my neck, tucking the silk under the stiff collar. “Mira’s explained her pregnancy as good genetics. It fits her overall aura. She’s in good shape, and as you said, she’s got excellent physical traits.”
“True.” Ella nods, then walks across the room and past the wet bar to where a collage forms an ever-expanding tree along the otherwise bare wall. Every individual featured in the display is important to me or my pride mates. The visual reminder of all those whose fates are intertwined with me and mine guides me and reminds me my every action affects far more people than I ever expected to be responsible for.
“Tell me whatever it is that’s brought you to my office at the crack of dawn.”
Ella kneels and touches one of the frames. My breath catches as she skims her finger over the little girls—Megan and Molly—i
n the photo. “Mira and Josh draw a lot of attention and jealousy, but it’s Josh’s adopted daughters that have people whispering and speculating and fearing.”
“Molly.” The young pride leader has turned the shifter world upside down. Not only is she the only female pride leader, but she’s the youngest. She’s also the only immortal single shifter to ever walk this earth, thanks to dark magic that bonded her to a Royal pride’s founding member.
“Yes. She’s”—Ella offers an apologetic look—“creepy. People even joke about how she’s going to be a serial killer before she’s eight.”
Considering everything Molly’s been through, acting a little odd is understandable. She does share her soul with a firstborn Royal’s spirit, and, until recently, carried on conversations with him, much like Megan continues to converse with the ancient shaman—one of the humans who became the first shifters and the fathers of the Royals—who’s bonded to her soul. “Molly’s been working on her behavior. She knows she doesn’t act like other kids her age, and that puts people off.”
“Puts people off?” Ella stands. “That’s saying it nicely.”
My back goes ramrod straight. “Molly has been doing a wonderful job emulating her twin. When she’s with Megan, Molly acts completely normal. It’s just going to take some time for that to be second nature. Molly’s literally learning how to be a child.”
“How to fake being a child.”
I take a step forward. “Molly has been through a lot. Cut her some slack.”
Ella whips her head, her long hair whooshing across her back. “I am so proud of that kid. She’s literally been through hell. I just hope I’m alive long enough to see the woman she grows into.”
“You’re not that old.”
Weariness pulls at Ella’s features. She presses her lips into a thin line and closes her eyes. “I’m human. I’m always going to be human, and death is the only thing I’m guaranteed.”
I open my mouth but close it without saying anything. She’s right. One day, she’ll be gone.
Ella clearing her throat draws my gaze to her. “I’m going to tell Josh and Mira what people are saying about Molly. Maybe they’ll agree moving is the safest thing for them. I tried pitching the Shifter Affairs safe compound, but they wanted no part of it.”
Likely due to my conversation with Josh. The weight on my shoulders presses a littler heavier. “This isn’t the best time for that conversation. They’re going ahead with the baby shower this evening while we’re having the alpha dinner party. In light of the category three episode in Washington, I figured planning the two occasions at the same time would be safest. We’ll gather all the visiting alphas and their entourages in one place and free up many of their hosts to guard Josh and Mira.”
“I still don’t agree with this whole sham of an alpha meeting.”
“You don’t need to agree. This little show has nothing to do with you.”
“Yeah, it’s so you can parade yourself around in front of the other alphas as the biggest and baddest of them all.”
“I’m not the biggest or the baddest. I’m the one willing to risk everything and everyone to protect what’s mine.” Too bad I can’t promise I won’t lose.
Thirty-Two
Zoe
The decorations jazzing up the old barn on Josh’s property are more elaborate and sophisticated than the pink, yellow, and blue balloons and cardboard cutouts that had transformed the original Black Widow’s main barroom for my baby shower.
With all the stealth I can manage, I close the barn door but don’t latch it so the clank doesn’t draw attention to my late arrival, then I edge along the rough-cut beam wall until the shadows of the loft mask me. None of the shifters or human true mates present glance my way. I can’t imagine they haven’t noticed me, even with my knack of hiding in plain sight.
Kade’s scent clinging to me is a signal I can’t conceal without stooping to masking his scent with the artificial animal cover-ups that bother all those who showed up to my sister-in-law’s special day. I don’t want to ruin it, which is why I’m here, sans gun and flashy outfit. Today, I’m as normal as I can be, my goal to hover in the background, not draw people’s gazes. All eyes and attention should be on Mira.
Mira deserves to have nice memories of this day. The laughter of those present and the huge smile on Mira’s face lead me to believe this party is proving to be one Mira will treasure. Josh’s warm glow and his adoring attention focused on Mira adds to the moment. He’s proud. I see it in the way my brother beams under all the attention and the congratulatory “man hugs” from the dominant shifters living in this area.
I scan the crowd, picking out Ethan, the lawyer whose business card is on my fridge, another very pregnant woman with a long-haired man at her back I could’ve sworn played in a band I saw live out in California, and countless members of the Winchester pack, but not a single adult Alexander member. All Kade’s brothers and cousins and their significant others are hosting the alpha’s meeting. Seth and Levi, the only Alexanders in attendance, haven’t started kindergarten yet. Everyone else could’ve been a stranger. They’re all important to Mira and Josh, however. They’re all here to support them, just as the dozens of people who came to my baby shower aimed to do.
The prospect of new life spurs this elemental happiness that should be celebrated and treasured. I know that. Feeling my baby move inside me was nothing short of a miracle. I dreamed about looking into his eyes and seeing this brand-new life I helped create.
It didn’t work out. My life took a different path, just as my baby’s soul will. He’ll get another chance with another mama who will love him. I want that, for both my baby boy and whoever’s lucky enough to bring him into this world.
My throat thickens, but the soul-crushing ache I normally experience doesn’t choke me or threaten to send me spiraling into an emotional breakdown. The acceptance is freeing. And hard-won. I can’t ever forget that.
“Your baby’s not dead, Zoe Jane. I kept my promises to you. Soon, you’ll keep yours to me.”
My demon’s voice drifts through my mind with a clarity it never had before. My attempts at bringing her to heel this morning strengthened her. Jarah warned me that would happen if I didn’t succeed. And I failed. Miserably.
Her laughter echoes between my ears, then fades, lending me the impression she’s left me alone. It’s not true. She’s with me, watching and waiting for her chance to trick me.
“Not trick you. Force you to uphold your end of our bargain.”
With a trembling hand, I touch my ear, where her whispered threat is amplified by the sensation of her lips against my ear. Shaking my hand out, I inch farther into the shadows so as to avoid anyone noticing me standing here looking all creeped out, and bump into something.
“Sorry.”
The young voice spoken quietly to my right tears a squeak from me. I whip my head and take in the little blonde-haired girl I’ve never met but know much about. I crouch down and throw my arms around the child, who automatically stiffens in my embrace.
Silently cursing my actions and knowing I’m nothing more than a stranger to Josh’s other adopted daughter, I release Molly and hold my hands up and back in an apologetic manner. “I’m sorry too, Molly. I shouldn’t have hugged you like that. You probably think I’m some weird stranger, but I’m family. Adopted family, anyway. I’m Josh’s—your daddy’s—little sister. That makes me your aunt.”
“My adoption is for legalities in the human world. Only. Here, among other shifters, I’m leader of the Burnett pride.”
Nose scrunched, I bite my lip. “Okay, then I’m your adopted legal aunt? Aunt by adoption? Aunt on paper only? I don’t know. Call me whatever you want, but I’m so happy to see you here.”
Molly pulls back, features pinched and a calculating expression in her eyes. “My twin is here.”
“Where is Megan?”
Molly points to where a group of kids—Kade’s nephews, Seth and Levi, the two redhaired gir
ls I saw at Josh’s house but still don’t have names for, and Megan—are giggling and chasing each other behind the group of adults gathered around Mira and Josh. I look from them to Molly. “Don’t feel like joining them, huh?”
Eyes narrowing, Molly shakes her head. “I shouldn’t be at this party. I should be at Kade’s.”
Because Molly’s an alpha too. I take in her bitter stance and make a choice that very well might put me at odds with my true mate. It wouldn’t be the first time, however, and I doubt it’ll be the last. “The alpha party doesn’t really get started until after dark. This is supposed to be mingling time or some nonsense. Sounded boring to me, so I came here instead, but I promised Kade I’d be at his side once dinner started. Do you want to leave when I do and go with me?”
Molly’s eyes widen. “Really? But I wasn’t invited.”
“I just invited you.”
“Yes.” Molly grabs my hand. “I’ll stay out of trouble—in the shadows. I’ve been working really hard at that. I’m getting good at it.”
“Me too.”
A smile lights up Molly’s face, and when Megan yells and waves her over, Molly runs, weaving around the massive males in her path.
Grinning, I watch the kids until they slip out the back door, off to do whatever it is kids do or maybe to hear another story told by the spirit of the Ammon shifter who’s bonded to Megan. Who knows? They’re happy. That’s the important thing.
After a few minutes of watching the crowd, hairs stand up on my arms, tempting me to scratch at my skin until blood runs down my arm.
Rolling my shoulders when all I want to do is hunch over and back away, I scan the room. None of the shifters appear distressed. With their enhanced senses, surely, they’d react to danger if there was one. I sidestep farther into the shadows, where the angle allows me a fuller view of the open barn and the possible danger awaiting, and bump into another alpha shifter, an ancient male I should fear. The oldest assassin isn’t a threat to me, however. I’ve given Jarah plenty of opportunities to end my life.