Chapter 26

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

W e arrive at the lion's den full of enemies, the Alpha's home. Applause and the flash of cameras overwhelm my senses. Blinded, and overstimulated, I pause mid-step in the entryway of the stone mansion seated on several acres.

Batting my lashes, I struggle to process the crush of people surrounding us in a semi-circle.

"Finally, the honored guests have arrived." Alpha's voice carries over the noise. People who've sneered at me my entire life cheer like mindless puppets.

Made of well-dressed high-ranking pack members, the assembly in front of us makes sense for the ritual, but not a dinner.

The boys close rank, moving in closer. Cadoc steps in front of me, taking the lead.

Ever the diplomat, Cadoc remains calm. "We appreciate the welcome, but I think we've missed something."

"It's your mating celebration. We thought we'd surprise you." A smirk accompanies the flash of triumph in his eyes. The manipulation infuriates me. I clasp my hands behind my back to keep them from curling into fists.

The hammer's dropped and we're momentarily stunned by his heavy blow.

"We're honored." Bo recovers first, always the politician's son.

"When we saw how quickly you were acclimating it seemed the right thing to do."

I bite the inside of my cheek to contain my turbulent emotions. Smoothing the expression from my face, I focus on appearing neutral.

What is Alpha gaining by blindsiding us? Is this a power trip or something more sinister?

"Because your mate has such little family left."

The words are a cruel knife jab to my side.

"I plan to act as her guardian to oversee the ceremony," he gestures toward the crowd.

My aunt and uncle emerge dressed like royalty their black and white finery.

"Your uncle and aunt were gracious enough to allow me to step up in their stead. I think they've done enough for you already."

My Aunt presses her hands together like she's praying and bows. "It's been an honor and a privilege."

Her lies sicken me. My uncle nods and gives a small smile.

"It'll be my pleasure to give such a valuable member of our pack to worthy mates."

Curtsying, I hide my panic. "You honor me."

"Doesn't he? I always knew you were special," my aunt gushes.

I fight the urge to punch her in her smarmy face as I play the game like Bo's taught me. I incline my head, remaining silent.

"As your guardian, I only want what's best. It's important you know that." The Alpha's speech is one you give before you force someone against their will.

"Of course." I don't trust you as far as I could throw you, Alpha.

"Then you'll understand why I'm concerned by allegations that have been brought to me on your behalf."

"Allegations?" I peer at Cadoc and Bo who stand at attention with their eyes narrowed.

"I'd like a chance to speak with you alone."

Unable to speak around the knot in my throat, I incline my head. With all the eyes on us, I have no choice, but to comply.

"Excellent. Drinks will be served now." Alpha holds out his arm and I loop mine through his.

Cad steps forward. "Alpha?—"

"Your protective nature toward your mate is admirable, but we can all agree there's no safer place than at my side." There's a false honey lacing his voice, barely concealing the venom underneath.

Sensing the warning in his words. I remain cool. One day, you're going to pay for everything you've done to me, Alpha.

The crowd agrees and we're forced to separate. Doing otherwise would start a battle we can't win right now.

We're on his turf and he's played his hand like an expert poker player, revealing no emotions. My palms grow sweaty. He ushers us down an empty hall.

He opens the door and leads me into an office. A fire crackles cheerily in front of two brown leather chairs, mocking me.

"I brought you to my office for privacy. But there's no need to be so formal." He ignores his desk in favor of the chairs.

"Please sit."

I sink into the chair and cross my ankles. Hands in my lap, I wait for him to make the first move.

"Do you know why I brought you here?"

"No, Alpha."

"To make sure you're safe."

"I don't understand." It's the last thing I expected him to say.

"There are some who believe you are under powerful enchantments."

He can't believe I'm buying his bullshit. I stare at him without saying a word.

"I have to take this accusation seriously." His wide smile shrinks.

"But I'm not."

Concern deepens the lines around his mouth and eyes. It's at odds with the spicy smell of anger and malice perfuming the air.

"How would you know?"

"I'd feel it."

"Poor orphaned pup. You've had no one to teach you our ways, or look after you properly."

His words make me uncomfortable.

"I've done just fine on my own." I grip the arms of the chair.

"Yes, then. It's different now. There's too much at stake to leave anything to chance."

He eyes me with disdain, a deep frown on his face.

"You'll have to be looked over."

"I have a mate that's a healer."

"Yes. That's what made you even more susceptible. Having someone in your clan with such extensive knowledge of herbs can be a blessing or a curse." I gawk at him. Is he accusing Kirk of wrongdoing? How low is he willing to sink to keep up this charade?

"I'm not sure I follow you." I feign ignorance, hoping to get a better idea of what we're dealing with.

"I got rid of Kirk for a reason." His face flushes and his hand balls into a fist.

"You chose him for me."

"I took the advice of an older woman on her way out."

"She's the Volva."

"For now." The two words sound like a threat. "Things are changing and we must adapt."

Is that fear or regret flickering in his eyes? Walking to the bar, he flips over a tumbler, uncorks a decanter of whiskey, and pours it half full. He reaches into the inner pocket of his suit and reveals a white glimmering substance.

"Just a few sips and the truth will be known." He unscrews the lid and places a few droplets in the glass.

"Alpha, I don't feel comfortable taking this without a mate present."

"Silly girl. Do you think you have a choice? You will drink this." The Alpha's command has me on my feet in an instant.

I walk toward him like a zombie, fighting every step I make. Sweat breaks out on my hairline. My heart knocks wildly in my chest.

Vision blurring, I dig my fingers into my palms, drawing blood.

I shuffle to a stop a foot away.

His eyes widen. "Now." Doubling the power of his command, he reels me like a fish on a hook.

He hands me the drink. I take it, bringing it to my lips.

"Bottoms up." My lips part, and the brown liquid burns its way down my throat and settles in my belly.

"There's a good pup. It's past time you learned your place. I haven't held this position by ignoring potential threats. People are looking to you as if you're the messiah. I can't have that. You act under my commands as an extension of my will." He smiles. "And nothing more. You're going to have a front-row seat for the destruction of the mates who forgot their place. Cadoc should've known better than to leave my enforcers. I'll let you keep the two mates loyal to me, so everyone wins."

How many times has he done this to others? A dark outline stands behind him. I blink, and it disappears. What the hell did he do to me? How can I tell the others I'm not okay?

"Time to return and let the others know about our adjustments." I follow him out of the room, a passenger in my body under his spell.

Screaming in my head, I fight against the mental lethargy that keeps me complacent.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Alpha raises his hand and the conversations around us come to an end.

"We have a concerning issue to resolve. Our dear Ylva has been taken advantage of."

"Ylva?" Cadoc steps forward. An enforcer steps between us.

"Magic has been used to gain her favor," the Alpha announces.

"Princess," Bo growls.

Shaking, I wrestle against the magic that's silenced me. The mark on my arm itches. My skin stings.

Energy surges toward me through the link with my mates. My internal temperature spikes and I breathe faster. My sternum itches and heats. Electricity flows between my breasts.

"What's happening?" Someone cries.

The light flickers and the spell wanes.

"No. That's not true." I regain control.

Alpha's eyes round before he schools his expression from the others.

"Anrik. You've fed me false information." His power flares, sending others skittering away from the wolf on his knees. When you get on the bad side of the Alpha you become a puppet humiliated and controlled in front of the pack.

"Is this what I can expect from your son, Alphonse?"

The lead enforcer Looks flabbergasted, puffing air and stuttering.

"N-no. I'm sorry, Alpha." Alphonse drops his head, red-faced, and trembling. His hands are fists at his side.

I hope whatever power grab he planned on fails spectacularity.

"I challenge him." Cadoc's eyes lock briefly with the Alpha's. "If Anrik wants my mate so badly, that he's willing to disparage my clan, he can fight me for the chance to be considered."

"Know this. The only way I'll be parted from her is death." Bo lends his support backing Cadoc.

"We'll settle this properly after dinner," Alpha insists.

His dark gaze follows my every step as I return to my clan's side.

"Are you okay?" Kirk mouths.

"No, but I will be," I mouth.

With all eyes and ears on us, I can't share what happened.

"To the dining room. Our warriors need fuel."

Masterfully playing the director of ceremonies, the Alpha ushers us to the dining room, always keeping us within earshot. Did I resist his command?

I take my seat at the table and shift into autopilot. I need to keep it together. The desert being removed is a relief, until we head outside.

Excitement smells like peppery hot sauce in the air. Couples chatter already casting bets and weighing the odds. I clutch Kirk's hand, terrified of how close we came to losing him.

"Yl?" Tucking me under his arm, Cadoc places a kiss on my temple. "It's going to be okay." I soak up my time with him before he leaves.

I wish I shared his certainty. Alpha wants to separate me from my clan by whatever means necessary and I can't figure out why or how to stop it.

"You don't want to miss this," Alpha winks. He saunters to the center of his large backyard, clearly enjoying every second of this.

I lean into Bo who stands behind me.

Alpha's been running interference between us all evening. We haven't had a moment alone.

Bo holds me tighter. Kirk and Fell surround us, shielding me from the press of the crowd.

Steam flows from their mouths. They face one another. The enforcer Anrik, is broader than Cadoc, but he doesn't have the experience.

Just over one hundred, Anrik hasn't been an enforcer for more than twenty years tops. Stomach knotting, I shove my hands in my pockets to hide the tremors.

Alpha leans in speaking in Alphone's son, Anrik's ear. Bile tries to climb up my throat. The two men shift. Gasps, and cries of disbelief float around us when they see the valknut on Cadoc's side.

"What is that?" Alpha points. Despite his smile, his eyes are icy.

"A token that appeared after our bonding."

Bo's nonchalant response makes the Alphas' lip twitch.

"Interesting. Do you all possess one?"

"No." Bo keeps his answers short and vague. We don't need to give this monster more ammunition.

Alpha's shoulders relax and I tilt my head to meet Bo's gaze, arching an eyebrow. He winks. I study our leader from the corner of my eye.

"Unusual things seem to happen around you, Ylva," Alpha sounds contemplative.

Anrik lunges, ending the conversation. Cadoc dodges and swipes at his opponent's side. Anrik whimpers, trotting away.

The metallic scent is carried in on the breeze Anrik huffs as he turns to stare at Cadoc. They circle each other slowly. Cadoc darts in and they snap their jaws at each other.

Cadoc locks onto his throat. Anrik rolls, breaking his hold. Getting a few feet between them, he knocks Cadoc back. Blood drips from his fangs. A nasty low growl erupts.

The bittersweet smell of fear mixes with everyone's excitement. It's sickening.

Cadoc is on the offensive, slamming into his side and holding him by the neck. He pins Anrik to the ground, demanding submission. Anrik refuses, fighting to escape like a wolf possessed.

"He's not going to yield," Bo mutters.

Anrik gets his feet underneath Cadoc, and rips his belly open. Blood splatters onto the ground. I bite my knuckles to keep from screaming.

Cadoc sways. He's hurt. Anrik, scrambles away, using the time to recuperate. He circles Cadoc like a shark with blood in the water.

Rushing forward he takes a swipe at his injury site. Cadoc is put on the defensive. Anrik carves a gouge in Cadoc's shoulder. Returning a blow, Cadoc blinds him on the left side.

Blood coats the grass. Both wolves are moving slower. Anrik goes on the attack, launching toward Cadoc. Rolling over, he extends his claw, returning the wound to Anrik's belly.

The young wolf hits the ground, and Cad attacks. Burying his teeth into his neck, he shakes him like a rag doll. An audible snap is deafening.

The light leaves Anrik's eyes and he lays still. Releasing him, Cadoc howls. Bo, Kirk, Fell, and I tilt our heads back, joining our voice with his, sending a powerful message. We are one and we won't be separated.