61. Chapter 61

Chapter 61

J ax chewed his food slowly. All his senses were alert as he paid attention to every little movement, every breath, the beating of their hearts.

He could smell the deceit in the air even if they hadn't said or done anything. One wrong move would start a war. So why were they even going to attempt it?

He looked over at Chase as he cut up his breakfast and then shoved it into his mouth as if he didn't have a care in the world. So far, he had yet to say what was so important that he had repeatedly sent his scouts to his gates until he'd secured an invitation. What was his angle? Had he forced this invitation just to get on his property?

And then Kendrick. He sat quietly with Amber on one side and his Beta on the other. So far, his heart had been beating steadily, but Kendrick was the one he had to watch more closely.

Kendrick was vocal about his displeasure that he had the most extensive territory. He was vocal about the fact that he didn't think they needed a king. The fucker was vocal about a lot of things, but just not to his face.

Chase pushed his plate away when he finished eating and wiped his mouth. He moved his untouched plate away and looked at the Alpha. Maybe they would finally get to the reason they were there, and he could kick them out before anything happened.

"Before the Circle interrupted our meeting, I told you some rogues ran through my land but didn't attack or raid anything," Alpha Chase said. "They ran through again that night, and we tried to stop them. There was something strange about them."

"How so?"

He knew, but he wanted to know what the other Alpha saw.

"They just ran past us as if they couldn't see us. Their eyes were... dead," Chase said. "And then when they ran out to the forest, their tracks and scents just disappeared."

Kendrick put his cutlery down to pay attention to the conversation. It appeared this was news to him, too. Maybe they hadn't become as close as he'd suspected.

"That's not possible," Kendrick said.

"I'd have said the same if I hadn't seen it myself," Chase said. "I didn't know where they went. I haven't heard of any raids in the area, and there hasn't been a rogue settlement in our woods in many months."

"They're likely the ones I killed last night," he told them. "A witch is hexing them to do her bidding."

"Why?" Chase asked.

"When I figure that out, I'll let you know," he lied.

"Could it be after the human you're hiding in your bedroom?" Kendrick asked.

He folded his arms and met the obnoxious Alpha's gaze until he lowered his head. Why would he even suspect the attacks were anything to do with Layla unless he knew something?

"It's just a question, Your Highness," Kendrick said quickly. "We saw her in your window as we were coming in. She looks like a lovely creature, even if she doesn't belong here."

"So you think the witch is after the human because she's a ‘lovely creature'?" he growled.

"Forgive me, that is not what I meant. I was just stating that she's a beautiful woman," Kendrick said. "But she's the only thing that changed here recently, so maybe..."

"How do you know what's changed in my pack?"

Another traitor in his pack? How was he supposed to deal with so many trust issues? If Cain had his way, they would all be dead.

"I assumed again, Your Highness," Kendrick said.

But there was the slightest fluctuation in his heartbeat., The tiniest hint of fear in the air. Lies. Kendrick was lying.

"How do you know where my bedroom is?" he asked the Alpha. "I've never invited you here before."

Chase sat back and watched the proceedings. The amusement Chase felt went a little way into dispelling his belief that the two of them were working together but not completely.

When Kendrick didn't answer, tensions rose among everyone seated at the table and the warriors guarding them standing along the walls.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness. I'm afraid that was my doing."

He took his attention away from Kendrick to look at the woman beside him. She gave him a coy smile before she lowered her gaze.

"I've been here before. I have been invited by your Beta several times," she revealed.

Dylan would never jeopardise the safety of the pack for a woman. But he couldn't deny that they had seemed a little too friendly, and Dylan had gone out of his way to introduce the woman as if she meant something. Maybe he hadn't been trying to set him up after all.

‘Dylan!' he said through the mind link.

Since he had practically banished his Beta for the day, he wasn't at the table with them.

‘Yes, Alpha?'

‘Did you invite this woman into my house before today?'

‘Yes, Alpha. I met her in town at a club a few months ago. Around the time you started trying to have a pup.'

Around the time he'd been fucking any woman that showed any interest. He knew that was what Dylan had meant. In his desperation, he hadn't been very picky. But he would have known Amber was from Kendrick's pack even then, and he wouldn't have touched her.

He shook his head and looked back at the woman and then at her Alpha. Though Amber had spoken the truth, there was still a hint of a lie in her words. Perhaps she was stretching the truth. She'd probably manipulated an invitation from Dylan for a reason.

"Maybe we should get back to the matter at hand before things go too far?" Chase suggested. "I'm still concerned about these rogues. How did you find them?"

Chase was right. If he could get them out of his house without killing anyone, his child's future would be a little safer. He had to focus on that.

For a moment, he expected Cain to have something to say, but the beast remained as silent as he had been since he had promised to take matters into his own hands.

"The witch is masking them. I was able to track the magic," he admitted.

"Well, some of us can't do that as well as you. How are we expected to defend ourselves?" Chase asked. "How will I protect my pack?"

Chase's concern sounded genuine, pushing more of his suspicions out of his head.

"Speak to my witch before you leave. Maybe she can help."

"And you think she can defend anyone against dark magic?" Kendrick asked.

He stilled. Kendrick's heartbeat spiked seconds before he turned to look at him.

"Who said anything about dark magic?"

Tensions rose even higher. His face tightened, and the red haze covered his vision as he looked at the traitor among them. The warriors behind Kendrick looked at each other uneasily because they knew they were grossly outnumbered. He could do whatever he wanted to Kendrick before they could stop him.

"It's quite obvious," Kendrick said uneasily. "You said they were hexed. You don't hex someone with light magic."

His fists balled up at the table. He could feel his claws starting to lengthen. Kendrick's gaze fell on them before he looked back up. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed, and his fear magnified. There was no way he could hide his emotions now. When faced with death, emotions tended to be more honest. Fear. Anger. Deceit. It was all coming in waves from Alpha Kendrick.

"What have you done, Kendrick?" he growled.

His warriors started to close in while Chase's warriors backed off. Kendrick wouldn't leave his land until he had told him everything. The Alpha was already trembling so much that he was almost ready to break. How the man had become an Alpha was beyond him, he would spill everything the moment he got his hands on him. He wouldn't even have to string him up in the dungeon.

And then the sound of another erratic heartbeat joined in the fray.

Layla's.

Something was wrong.

He rose from his seat without a word to anyone and rushed out of the room. He took the stairs two at a time, scanning the house for any dangers. Had the dinner been a mere distraction? Had someone slipped away to get to his mate?

He didn't wait to unlock the door, he just shoved it off its hinges when he barrelled into it.

He assessed the room quickly but found the windows and balcony doors were still locked. There was no one else in the room except Layla.

And she was looking at him with horror on her face.

Because his face was still mid-change. His claws were extended, ready to slash through anyone. His suit felt two sizes too small. And he was pretty sure his eyes were still red.