Chapter 19

Chapter

Nineteen

S imon was delighted with the changes in the demeanor of his pack. He felt as though he had a great deal to answer for in not acceding to their request that he become alpha sooner. Pack members stopped by the table to wish them both well and Simon was amazed at Mariah's natural warmth and good cheer. He could tell their pack was already falling in love with her as much as he was. Even the normally formal and reserved Bryson was smitten.

"Give it up," said Oliver quietly, so that only Simon could hear. "You've just lost your entire pack to your mate. I count myself lucky that my beta, Bash, has always been loyal to me. But the rest of them, they are firmly in Roz's court. If I have to get after Roz and hurt her feelings, they don't speak to me for a few days."

Simon laughed. "I think you may be right. But she's a huge change for my pack from my overly formal, class-aware mother. Mariah is a breath of fresh air and a ball of sunshine all rolled into one."

Once brunch had concluded, those who knew about the Darkness, including Archie and Harry, withdrew to the study. As they entered, Graham and Bryson pulled Simon aside, who reached for Mariah to draw her near.

"Sir, I appreciate you wanting us all here for the announcement, but I didn't feel comfortable leaving your father and mother at the townhouse without close watching. Your father is acting odd, and your mother is furious," said Graham. "Bryson told me you moved me to one of the suites, that wasn't necessary."

"Yes, it was," said Mariah. "You are an invaluable support to all of us and it befits your dedication and loyalty to this pack."

Mariah realized Graham may have wanted Simon to answer. Simon looked at her and smiled before he turned to Graham. "What she said."

"Very good, Sir," intoned Bryson. "We have put your parents in separate bedrooms with their own private en-suites, at their request."

"I don't want them held prisoner, but I also don't want them causing trouble."

"Yes, Sir. I don't think your father will be much of an issue so long as he can carry on with his extracurricular activities, but your mother may try to sow dissention in the ranks. Although I think I speak for the pack in saying our new mistress is most welcome by one and all."

"Let them both cool their heels for the next few days. And Graham, if you want Aunt Cecily with you, I meant what I said, you both have my blessing. But if either of you would feel more comfortable with trying to sell the idea that you're sleeping in separate beds, I have no objection to that either."

Graham smiled. "We are most grateful, and I figured you'd say that so your aunt will be by my side until one of us departs this life. And while I have you, the village, and those of us at the castle were so impressed with the generosity of the museum and the artists involved in the gala that we wanted to do something for the school as well. I had a chance to talk to Renata Valor, the administrator who saved those children, and told her that we'd put together a collection of household goods and items, some of the stores from here at the castle, etc. She was so gracious and so grateful. Upton and Sons, a local delivery service, volunteered to take everything. They'll be by later to pick the items we gathered and take them up to the Hebrides."

"Excellent, Graham. Thank you. And cut them a check to help them get whatever else they might need."

"Very good, Sir."

"Simon?" asked Mariah. "Renata mentioned that she rides and drives. Her horses made it through the storm, as did most of her tack, but her cart was destroyed."

Simon ran a hand across his jaw in thought. "I think we can remedy that. Graham, send her two carts, one for a single horse and one for a pair."

Mariah stood up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "Thanks, babe."

Walking with their arms around each other, they entered his study. Simon smiled. He thought he rather liked Americans. Normally there wouldn't have been enough places to sit, but each alpha had his mate ensconced in his lap except for Oliver, whose Roz sat contentedly on the floor between his legs and rested her head against his thigh. The only one without a mate was Piper, but Simon had a feeling that wouldn't last long.

"See? I told you she was in trouble with dad," whispered Mariah to Simon, who winked at her.

Simon sat in the leather wingback and drew his mate into his lap. All those gathered in the room shared the information they'd gleaned. There was a knock on the door, and the wolf referred to as Tiny stuck his head in.

"Mr. Bryson said you were looking for me," the enormous mountain of a man said.

Simon looked at Kat, who shook her head almost imperceptibly.

"Tiny, I know you normally look after the pack's vehicles. I am told my mate is fond of Harleys. But didn't you tell me you knew of someone who had a 1954 Vincent Rapide?"

"Yes, Alpha. My sister's fiancé finds and restores antique motorcycles. He's got a Vincent. This one's rare, and quite a beauty. It's even set up to ride two."

"Is it a C or D series?" asked Mariah.

Tiny grinned at her, appearing impressed at her knowledge. "C series."

"Tiny knows motorcycles. Who am I kidding? If it has an engine, Tiny knows all about it."

Tiny nodded. "They're like your polo ponies, Sir. I know each and every one of them."

"Apparently we need a motorcycle. Can you visit this fellow and see if the bike is worth having? If so, bring it home. If Mariah hates it, we'll have to buy something else."

"Yes, Sir." Tiny left, smiling from ear-to-ear.

"If Mariah hates it," said Roz, "I'll see if I can't sweet talk Oliver into getting it for me."

Mariah snuggled closer to Simon. "The Hamptons Pack never used to have motorcycles before my mother joined them. Now it has seventeen."

"I'll make a deal with you. I won't bitch about you buying motorcycles, if you don't complain about my buying polo ponies."

"Don't do it," said Piper. "A good polo pony can run $50K and up."

Micah snorted. "That's nothing. You don't want to know what a good eventing horse costs."

"That was an expensive way to eliminate him as the host," quipped Mariah.

Another knock, and this time it was Graham. "I've looked everywhere for Johnston. He seems to have made himself scarce after brunch. He was the more logical choice as he's human."

"Then he's probably our man," said Kat as a perceptible shudder ran through her.

"Not necessarily," countered Simon.

Micah shifted Abriana on his lap. "The only other person there was your father, Simon."

Simon nodded. "I know, and he's also the weakest-willed of the three of them. If I was the Darkness and I needed a host, a rich wolf-shifter with an enormous estate and the ability to move around freely in his own territory would make sense. And remember, Graham, you thought he had the scent of death around him."

"I've never been fond of your father," stated Graham, "but I'd be hard-pressed to see him as a killer."

"On his own, I would agree," said Skylar. "But the guy who committed that string of murders in New Orleans was just an average guy. He had a nice childhood, no criminal record. There was nothing that would make you think he'd start murdering women—and yet once possessed by the Darkness, he did just that." She looked over at Simon. "Sorry, Simon."

A horrific scream rang through the halls of the normally quiet castle.

"Graham, you stay with the she-wolves. The rest of you with me. That scream came from upstairs," said Simon, dashing out of the study, the other alpha wolves hot on his heels.

Graham closed the door and stood with his back pressed against it, arms crossed over his chest. "Whatever the lot of you are thinking of doing, don't."

"Don't you want to go check on Cecily?"

Graham shook his head. "Nay, Mistress. First sign of trouble, our wolves will gather the she-wolves. Our alpha told me to stay here, so here is where I stay."

"Who's that?" said Riley, pointing out the window. An older wolf was running from the castle.

"That's Lord Howard," said Graham, sounding incredulous.

"We can't let him get away," said Kat.

"You girls will do as your alpha told you," Graham growled.

"Hot news flash for you, he's not my alpha," said Piper, and she threw herself at the brawny wolf. "Go!"

Mariah picked up a side chair, sending it through the window. Skylar drew her SIG and climbed out the window.

"Not without me. I've got a score to settle with that bastard," snarled Kat as she followed after her.

"I have to go," said Abriana. "I'm the only one who knows the place." She also disappeared through the window.

Piper managed to hold Graham off from going after her friends or getting back-up.

"Here, baby, take this," said Roz, throwing the silver derringer to her daughter. "Remember what I taught you."

Mariah nodded as she caught the gun. "Center mass. Then one between the eyes and if you have the bullets, one in each lung."

"That's my girl. Center mass—aim for the heart."

Mariah sprang through the window, running to catch up with Skylar, Abriana and Kat. She could hear a group of wolves headed their way. She watched as the old man darted into an enormous maze. He must have known the entire pack was now after him.

"We can get on top of the hedge," instructed Mariah. "That's how I got off the townhouse property."

"No," said Abriana. "The maze walls here at the castle are trimmed by guys on stilts. It looks like Lord Howard has taken one of the longer routes that will lead him to the center if he wants to get out. There's a different entrance that leads almost directly to the center. If we hurry we can be there to intercept him."

Abriana sprinted around the perimeter of the maze, ignoring shouts from her mate to stop. Kat, Skylar, and Mariah followed Abriana.

"If they're smart, and they are, they'll send some of the men in to follow and track him. Simon will bring others with him to catch us and try to cut him off," said Mariah as they ran.

They tried to pick up their speed. "Stick together," said Skylar, "They won't be able to use their alpha waves to get us. They'll all collide, making them ineffective."

Mariah caught up with Skylar and laughed. "The things we learn from our mothers."

"Here," said Abriana, dashing into another opening.

Abriana proved as good as her word. She ran without a single misstep, guiding her friends to the center of the maze before Lord Howard showed up and found a way out. The shouting from the alphas died down. None of those in pursuit of Simon's father wanted to alert him they were close.

"Come on, we can hide between some of the larger topiaries. This maze is known as the Chess Maze. It's famous," explained Abriana. "If you look at it from above, you can see it's in the shape of a chess board with the pieces frozen in time. It's said to depict the last move of the last game played between Henry VIII and Cardinal Wolsey."

"Kat," started Skylar, hunkering down behind one of the rooks. "I spoke with my father this morning. He said they've been able to figure out that the Darkness can't enter the same host a second time."

"Then I need to be the one to fight it," said Kat defiantly.

"Not necessarily. The Darkness might know that, but would Lord Howard? The Darkness knows what you know, but did you know what it knows, when it possessed you?"

Kat shook her head. "Not at all. In that case, I would be the perfect bait."

They started to stand and found themselves facing their very angry mates. All four she-wolves were practically bowled over by their anger.

"You will do no such thing," growled Jed, grabbing Kat and pulling her aside. "You are so getting spanked when we get back to the city."

"And you won't be able to ride for a week," snarled Micah to Abriana.

Simon was suddenly right behind Mariah. "You won't have that long to wait for your spanking. When I get through with you, you may never sit down again." He turned to Jed. "I can offer each of you the hospitality of Tanglewood Castle, once we end this thing."

He stood still for a beat before speaking again. "Kat, you aren't the best bait. I am."

"Simon, no!" said Mariah, clutching his arm.

"Yes, pet. If my father is going to be tempted to use the Darkness, it'll be to come after me. He could never take me on by himself, but with the added power of the Darkness, it would be far too tempting for him."

Whatever she might have said next was lost as Alistair Howard stumbled into the heart of the maze and Simon stepped from behind the queen to confront him.

"Father. I hear you have a new friend."

"I have no friends. My son and my pack turned on me."

Simon called back to Kat, never taking his eyes off his sire. "Could he not know?"

"I'm afraid not. I saw everything and knew what it wanted me to do."

His eyes softened as he looked at Kat. "But unlike him, you fought it off." Turning back to his father, he said. "How could you? None of those people had done anything to you. Most of them were pack. You were their alpha. They trusted you, and you betrayed them."

Travis stepped out from behind a knight. "Remember me? I'm the mate to the descendant of Jean-Michel. We almost had you at Rivière Du Loup."

"I'm your father," said Alistair Howard to his son. "You can't let that freak and his mate rip my throat out."

"It wasn't his throat," said Travis, "it was his entrails."