Chapter Thirteen

Greyden waited in the packhouse, standing in front of the large stone hearth. Hands clasped behind his back. The warmth of the fire the only lighting in the dark building. He had asked his father to keep everyone away, so he could have a private conversation with Layton.

The door at the other end opened and she swept in, a big grin on her face as she hurried toward him. Before she could throw herself in his arms, he held up one hand to halt her exuberance. Confusion crossed her face.

"Babe, I missed you so much," she gushed. "We have so much to talk about. Do you know the omegas that wash clothes went to your father to get out of their duties? They were claiming they were getting too old."

She rolled her eyes.

"And what did my father say?"

"Something about getting them help. More jobs for omegas."

He tilted his head. "Did you volunteer to help?"

Shock, and then anger, rolled through her eyes. "I have too much to do to help out."

"I see," he said.

"Grey, what's going on?" she demanded, placing her hands on her hips.

"I've told you before, use my full name," he snapped. "But that doesn't really matter. Tell me how we met."

She gave him a strange look, although underneath that he detected a hint of unease. "At the Assembly. You know that."

"I know it was at the Assembly. I meant, where at the Assembly?"

Her eyes narrowed. "What is all this about? You leave for a week and now won't hug me hello?"

Greyden studied her face. How did he miss the shifty nature of her eyes, or the calculating gleam in them? Zenia was nothing like her, and he was damn glad. He may not know her completely, but he had the feeling if the washer women needed help, she'd immediately jump in.

"Do you know where I went this past week?" he asked.

"I think your father said you went to the packs in Wyoming for … um, actually I'm not sure."

"I've collected bids from construction companies in order to expand this packhouse and to add more housing since the pack is growing."

She snapped her fingers. "That's right! Did you find a company?"

"I did," he said. "A company owned by an alpha. And while there, you'll never believe who I ran into."

The door where she'd just come through opened again, and Zenia strolled into the lodge like the fucking queen he intended to make her. He had a lot to make up for, although she'd never hold the past five years against him. He, however, was still a little too bitter to let it go. Layton took one look and all the color drained from her face.

"I went to Sheridan, Colorado," he said, letting that sink it.

Zenia joined him and he took hold of her hand and kissed the back of it. Greyden smiled down at his true mate, thankful he found her.

"Z," Layton whispered.

Zenia looked at her. "Hello, Layton. Fancy seeing you here. With my mate."

She opened her mouth, ready to defend herself, then closed it again knowing she didn't have any leg to stand on. Instead, she lifted her chin. Absolutely showing no remorse at all.

"Why did you steal him?" Zenia asked.

"I don't know what you're talking about. He's lying to you."

"He is?"

Layton nodded. "Yes. He … he kidnapped me. Brought me here. Thank the High Luna you found me!"

"Really?" Zenia's tone proved she didn't believe anything being said. "He kidnapped you?"

"Yes! He came on to me and I said you're my friend and I couldn't betray you, but he didn't care."

"That's funny, because the warlock that broke the dark magic spell on Greyden said it was made by a powerful caster, someone in proximity, and then I remembered how you said your uncle was one of the planners of the Assembly. My alpha made inquiries and we learned your maternal side descended from warlocks. Now, I don't think you're that powerful of a caster, but your uncle … now, he's a different story."

Layton backed up. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Then let me say it as succinct as I can. You took my mate from me, you conniving, calculating bitch!"

Layton rushed up to her. "You were always so smug! I'd been going to the Assembly for years and you find your mate within a couple of hours? That's bullshit! And of course, he has to be an alpha heir! You'll be Luna one day and there I was still wondering who the hell was my mate. Then guess what? I found him. A stupid omega. That's who the High Luna gave me. You get the alpha and I get the bottom of the barrel. I was not going to stand for that. And guess what? Greyden gave me the mating mark!"

She pulled her shirt to the side to show off his bite. Greyden felt nothing but disgust. He listened to the reason why Zenia was taken from him, why his son died, and it made him sick. This woman he thought was his mate almost took everything from him. The side door opened again and this time, his father stepped in.

"I never did like that girl," he muttered.

Greyden shot him a surprised look "You didn't?"

"Nope, but I tolerated her for you. I like your real mate a lot more."

"Me too," Greyden said. "Layton caused me and Zenia to lose our baby. Your grandson, who would've been the future heir to this pack."

The alpha clicked his fingers and sentinels came in, making a beeline for Layton, who backed up until she hit the wall and couldn't retreat anymore.

"What are you doing?" she demanded. "Don't touch me! I'm your alpha female!"

"Layton," his father commanded in his alpha voice, immobilizing her. "For crimes against the High Luna, for practicing dark magic on an unsuspecting victim, and for your actions that led to the demise of my grandson, I sentence you to death."

She screeched, but the sentinels ignored it and grabbed her arms. Another stepped behind her and slipped her wrists in a zip tie.

"Z, please! You're my friend. Greyden, I'm your mate! Do you hear me? I'm your mate!"

The alpha shed his claws and advanced.

"Wait," Zenia said softly, and everyone turned to look at her.

"Thank you, Z!" Layton cried.

She stepped up to her old friend and Greyden saw fury cross her face. He didn't even try to stop her. Her claws came out and she swiped, blood spurting from Layton's throat. Surprise and horror twisted her features and a moment later, she slumped to the floor and bled out.

All watched the life fade from Layton, and Greyden turned to Zenia, wondering if he should've stopped her. Hoping this didn't change her. Greyden hurried over to her, hugging her to his chest.

"Justice has been met. Burn the body and send her ashes to her uncle." The alpha turned to Zenia. "Welcome to our family, Zenia. I'm incredibly sad that I never got to meet my grandson, and it makes my heart hurt knowing that woman took so much from you."

"Thank you," Zenia said. "But she took from all of us, not just me."

His father inclined his head, and then gave them a smile before following the sentinels out the door. All that remained of Layton was a large pool of blood.

Greyden kissed the side of her head. "Are you okay? She was your friend, once upon a time."

"She was never a friend to me," she replied. "I'm fine, Greyden. Our son is avenged."

He wrapped his arms around her. "I love you."

She laid her head on his chest. "And I love you."

The End