CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 7

Adam

Seeing my father defend Norman when Cynthia was bleeding and still gasping for air made me want to rip his throat out. It wasn’t easy to calm my wolf, who wanted blood.

To make things worse, Cynthia didn’t seem fazed by the violence. She looked shaken and in pain, but there was no shock in her eyes.

You forgot.

The hopelessness in those two words, the wealth of pain had been making me rack my brain for the past two days, but I’ve not been able to recall anything. The truth is that I don’t have many memories of my childhood home aside from my mother’s drunk episodes, her aloof manner towards me, and the loathing of my father and brother. I was curious when a little girl was brought home out of the blue, but she was always quiet, and most of the time she was with my father.

I barely interacted with her.

I hated the house I grew up in. I hated the man my father was. He was a bad Alpha and a bad parent, and he did his level best to overturn many of the social reforms my paternal grandfather had introduced. Greed underlined his every action, and I, who had admired my grandfather greatly, found my father’s greed disgusting.

Sometimes, I wonder what Eleanor, my older sister, would have thought of Father’s behavior. Like me, she too had admired our grandfather. But she left our home when I was young, and Cynthia showed up a year later, almost like she was supposed to be a replacement for my sister. I ignored her most of the time, like I did with everyone else in my family. And soon, when I turned sixteen, after a particularly vicious fight with my father, I, too, left my family home.

But I always believed Cynthia was treated well in that house. I never saw Norman be abusive toward her. Mother was always cold to her, but then she was cold to all her children, except Norman.

You forgot.

What did I forget?

I gaze out the window of my condo, staring at the city. The way Cynthia uttered those words is haunting me.

What went on in my house that I’m so blissfully unaware of?

All this time, Father always kept her close to him. She’s been working at his company for years. I’ve never seen her at any pack event, not even business galas. I’ve not caught a whiff of her scent anywhere in this city, which is strange. Now that I think about it, I should have crossed paths with her at some point after I left home.

Why didn’t I?

Why has my father been hiding her from the pack? Everyone is aware of her. She’s known for her marketing ideas, her negotiation skills, and her business acumen. From the year she joined, Father’s company took off. It could be a coincidence, or perhaps she put in the work. Either way, while she’s an asset I want on my side, the fact that she’s my fated mate has me worried. For some reason, she’s still loyal to my father.

Father saw her bleeding and battered, and yet he ignored her, his first instinct to protect Norman.

"I don’t see why you’re so worried." Robert enters the living room, beer in hand. "Jonathon isn’t stupid. There are too many eyes on Cynthia right now."

"There’s something going on in that house that I don’t know about," I mutter. "Lydia told me about the scarring on her back, Robert. We wolves heal. Why haven’t those scars healed?"

Robert comes to stand by my side. "You can tackle one question at a time, my friend. The only one who can answer your questions is Cynthia. But for now, if she’s your fated mate, your biggest priority should be to get her away from Norman. It would be easier to do that if she switches sides."

"That’s another thing that doesn’t make sense to me," I growl, slamming my hand on the window pane. "I’m her fated mate. She should understand what that means! Why is she so insistent on siding with my father?"

"You have a meeting with your father tomorrow," Robert reminds me. "See if you can get her to come to you."

I stare out into the rain.

The weather has been unpredictable lately. Just like my father. He requested this meeting out of nowhere. I’ve spent two days trying to get in touch with Cynthia, but to no avail. She had been so hungry, but then suddenly leaped out of the car, leaving her half-eaten sandwich behind as if she’d seen a ghost.

I remember how she looked at me when I kissed Healer Lydia on the cheek. There was a childlike wistfulness in her eyes, and when I had stroked her hair, I could feel her wolf’s happiness pouring out of her, but she had resisted, up until the very second she fell asleep. I can’t forget how she clutched at me in the elevator, how desperate her kiss had been, as if trying to sink inside me. The way my heart had dropped into my stomach when I saw her about to climb on the railing of the bridge.

All these years I thought of her as a confident woman, one who was an extension of my father. But is she?

When I realized who she was and the link that now joined us, I had thought to exploit it. I still think having her on my side will be beneficial, but the idea of using her is making my stomach twist. She’s naive and innocent in a lot of ways. Her business sense may be strong, but when it comes to herself, she’s uncertain.

I paid the security guard at her building to give her the box of steaks I brought for her yesterday.

I run my hands over my face.

My wolf is deeply unhappy.

He wants her here, by our side, so we can protect her.

Her screams are still ringing in my ears from when Norman was hitting her.

"She must have provoked him."

My blood is as cold as the air outside as I wonder how many times Norman has been ’provoked’ into laying his hands on Cynthia.

"Your phone’s ringing." Robert elbows me.

I reach into my pocket and look at the screen.

"It’s from the infirmary." I frown before answering the call and pressing the phone to my ear.

"Adam Moore speaking."

"Adam,"Healer Lydia sounds breathless and terrified on the other end, "can you come to the infirmary right now? Please."

"What’s going on?" I ask sharply.

"Just come. Please."

The line goes dead, and I look at Robert. "Come on. We have to go."

"Go where?" He trails after me as I make my way to the parking garage in the basement.

The drive to the infirmary is a short one, considering I ignore all the traffic rules. After committing at least a dozen traffic violations, I pull into the empty parking lot of the infirmary, and when we get out of the car, Robert looks around surprised. "Is this normal? It’s hard to find a single parking spot near my pack’s infirmary."

I shut the car door, looking around, my voice grim. "No. It’s not normal."

A scream has us startled, and then we’re both running toward the source of the sound. It’s coming from the outer building where the storage units are. The first thing we come across is a dead man, sprawled on the ground. He’s covered in black garb from head to toe. Half his face is also covered.

The scream sounds again, and I recognize Lydia’s voice.

It’s coming from the back of the building.

Robert moves fast, but I shift into my animal form, my wolf at the forefront of my mind now. He moves at a speed that human eyes can’t detect, and I see Lydia pointing a gun at two men in the same black garb.

I don’t wait around to find out what’s happening, immediately attacking the man closest to me. His partner jumps on me and is about to shift when Robert grabs him by the neck with his teeth, also in wolf form now, and snaps him in two.

I tear off my own opponent’s head and then look around as Lydia sinks to the floor, shaking wildly.

When I don’t see anyone else, I shift back to my human form and demand, "Are there more of them?"

She shakes her head. "I didn’t—I didn’t take her seriously."

"Who?" I crouch by the side of one of the dead wolves.

"Cynthia," she replies weakly. "She told me I should watch my back."

"She threatened you?" My head whips to the side to look at her.

"No, no." Lydia shakes her head. "She said I had stepped on the wrong toes by helping her and that she wouldn’t come back here. I didn’t take her seriously, but last night I was about to enter my apartment when I caught someone’s scent from inside. I went to stay with my sister. And the whole day yesterday, I felt like I was being followed. That’s why I asked Watson for a gun to protect myself. It’s got silver bullets."

So that’s how the man at the entrance died, I muse.

"What happened right now? And where are all the patients? There are no cars in the parking lot."

"I went to lunch, and when I came back, there was a notice on the door that said ’Healer Unavailable’. So whoever must have showed up, left. I would never do something like that. If I, or any of the other two healers is unavailable, we always have someone step in. The infirmary is never closed. I…" She rubs her hands over her face. "I tried to open the door, but it was locked. Then I heard a noise from the warehouse. That’s when I called you. I felt something wasn’t right. They ambushed me when I went inside the warehouse. I managed to—I used my gun to…"

A strangled sound leaves her throat, and I close my eyes.

Killing is one of the hardest things for a healer. They don’t even hunt animals. Their regard for life is too great. For them, killing is a sin that can often drive them insane.

I rip the shirt off the man before me and tie it around my waist before approaching Lydia. "You had no choice. They were trying to kill you."

"B-But why?"

I’m silent.

Cynthia wouldn’t have given that warning without a reason. Making an accusation like that against the pack alpha is not a small thing, and she could have been severely punished for that.

Did my father or Norman send these men? I wonder grimly. Who are they?

Robert seems to be following my line of thought because he checks the bodies and then shakes his head. "They’ve got nothing on them to identify them with."

He takes off their masks and then hisses, "What is that?"

I follow his gaze and see the man’s face has been completely burnt.

"Their hands are the same," Robert mutters, looking horrified. "But they’re definitely our kind."

My jaw is tense as I watch him check the other man as well. "They were skilled at fighting."

"Almost like a team of assassins," Robert says softly, meeting my gaze.

"Or an attempt at one," I add.

Cynthia knew my father wouldn’t take the insult to him lightly. Was that why she warned the healer? Or was Norman behind this?

Sounds of people approaching have me stiffening.

I grab the gun from Lydia, toss it to Robert, and order the healer, "You’re not to admit that you killed anyone. Do you understand? You know what will happen if you do."

She goes pale and nods.

"What’s going on here?" I hear Norman’s voice, a hint of glee in it. "Why is there a dead person in the warehouse? Healer Lydia? Are you in here?"

"We’re in the back," I call out, and moments later, I see Norman, along with a group of pack officials walking in. His expression is twisted in annoyance.

"What’re you doing here?" he demands.

"We were passing by when we saw suspicious activity and we came across Nurse Lydia being attacked, so we saved her."

"You saved her?" Norman asks mockingly. ’The man by the entrance has a bullet in him. I didn’t know wolves could spray bullets."

"I brought a gun." Robert waves it in the air.

"Really?" Norman grits his teeth. "Because I heard Healer Lydia borrowed a gun from one of your people, Adam."

"Yeah," Robert beams, "for me. I’ve run into some shady people recently, so I wanted to be prepared. Can’t go all wolf if someone shoots at me in the street, now can I? That’s what the silver bullets were for. Thankfully, they could be used to save Healer Lydia’s life."

"I don’t believe you." Norman looks angry now, and I raise a brow. I’m starting to think Norman is the one behind this attack. How convenient that he just happened to show up here with a group of officials, who also look wary now.

"I thought we were going to tour the infirmary, Mr. Moore." One of the men frowns. "Why did you bring us here? And what is all this?"

"Well, the infirmary was closed." Norman scowls. "I was just looking for someone."

"Well, perhaps you should leave so I can get IF here," I suggest.

His expression tightens. "What’re you calling the Investigative Force for?"

"Are you blind, Norman? One of the pack healers just got attacked. That is not a small matter. Attacking a pack healer is treason, or do you not even know that much?"

Norman looks uneasy now. "She’s fine, so why waste their time? And besides, I’m still not sure she didn’t shoot one of them. You know healers that take a life have to be removed from the pack."

"And I just told you, I shot the man." Robert frowns. "Your brother must be deaf, too, Adam."

"And who the hell do you think you are speaking to me like that?" Norman snarls, stepping forward.

"An Alpha." I see the wolf appear in Robert’s eyes at the challenge. "So you’d better step down, little boy."

When a pack swears allegiance to an alpha, their animal becomes more fierce and powerful. It’s how packs work. Norman has no chance of coming out unscathed if he thinks he can go head-to-head with Robert. Even if Robert and I fight, I would also be at a disadvantage. I don’t have the strength or speed that comes naturally to an alpha, something Robert gained when he became one.

Norman is a fool, but I guess he’s got enough brain cells left to know when to back down.

"Lydia, your phone?" I hold out my hand. As she hands me her cell phone, my eyes are on Norman’s face. The uneasiness on his face pleases me. He should be worried. If he’s the one behind this, then he’s going to get what’s coming to him. Touching a healer with ill intentions is sacrilegious.

"Aren’t you overreacting?" Norman tries again, but I’m already calling the pack’s Investigative Force. Each pack’s IF is composed of highly trained personnel who attend the human police academy and work several years alongside the humans in law enforcement before resigning and joining the pack’s security. They’re answerable to the alpha like everyone else, but nobody can interfere in their investigation. At least, no Alpha has attempted to.

I see Robert smudging his hand over the gun to make sure that Lydia’s prints are completely destroyed.

"I think you should leave." I look at Norman. "Or do you want to wait around to answer some questions, maybe about why you decided to show up out of the blue here looking for Healer Lydia?"

Norman flinches. "What’re you trying to accuse me of? I don’t have to stay here for this!"

He storms off, and the rest of the officials look confused.

I raise my brow. "Do you want to stick around and answer questions?"

They turn on their heels and hurry after Norman.

Making the call, I look at Lydia, my voice firm. "You did nothing wrong, and you’re not going to admit to shooting your attacker. Do you understand me? I’m not so sure my father didn’t have a hand in this, so you’d better be careful."

"What do you plan to do?" Robert looks at me.

"Wait for the IF members to arrive and then get ready for the meeting tomorrow," I say. "Let’s see what dear old Dad has to say."

****

I’ve successfully located Healer Lydia in one of the apartment complexes I own by the next morning. As I sit in my office waiting for my father to arrive, I muse over yesterday’s events. No matter how Lydia squared off against my father, it was hard to see him go after her. But the men who came after Lydia were both scarred beyond recognition, and their fingerprints had been burnt off. The IF members who showed up looked grim upon seeing the men, and it makes me think this isn’t the first time something like this has happened. They didn’t seem surprised to see the burnt faces or hands.

Does my father have a private assassination squad? Or does Norman? I would place my bets on my father’s ability to form such a group. But I have no evidence. What I do know is that Norman is somewhat involved.

I lean forward in my chair, my elbows resting on the desk, my hands folded, as I stare at my laptop screen, unseeing. Cynthia knew something would happen to Lydia. How? Why warn her if she is so loyal to my father?

I’m missing something here.

A knock on the door, and Gerald enters. "Alpha Moore and Cynthia Rose are here to see you."

"Let them in." I nod.

My father walks in as if he owns the place, and I’m pretty sure he thinks he will one day. Too bad I don’t plan to let that happen. My eyes swiftly move toward Cynthia, who looks pale as a ghost. She’s wearing a long coat today, and I can sense her distress. She’s looking at the floor.

"Well?" I turn my attention back to my father, who’s now sitting across from me. Cynthia is standing behind him like a servant would, and my jaw hardens. But I’m not foolish enough to show my father he might potentially have his thumb on a weakness of mine. So, I don’t ask her to sit.

"I’m here as the alpha, not your father," he says suddenly.

I raise a brow. "And what does the alpha want with me?"

"I heard you’re looking for a new secretary," my father says, his eyes smug. "You will hire Cynthia for the role."

"Excuse me?" I have to stop myself from grinning. "I have to do what?"

"You will hire Cynthia as your secretary."

"And why would I do that?" I ask.

I see her flinch, and my hand clenches into a fist. It’s like she’s holding back tears right now, and I want to know what’s going on.

"As the alpha," my father begins, "I have the right to put forward unemployed pack members for vacant positions within businesses inside the pack."

"I have an assistant."

"I was led to believe he tendered his resignation yesterday."

My eyes harden. "You seem to have a lot of information about my people."

"I do." My father doesn’t back down. "So, you will hire Cynthia."

"I thought she works for you." I look at her.

"I was fired two days ago," Cynthia finally speaks, and her voice is strangled.

"There," my father smiles, "you see? She needs a job, and you need a secretary."

I stare at him. I could always lie and tell him I have someone else lined up, but this is also a good opportunity to keep Cynthia close to me and get her to join my side. But I know what he intends to do, and I will have to nip it in the bud.

"Fine," I say abruptly. "But she will be given a company phone that will be scanned for all malware and spying software. Her desk and computer will be checked daily for anything that could leak anything confidential, and she will be at my disposal around the clock. If I find out she’s a spy here, not only will I fire her, I will sue you in human court, Father."

I see the anger spark in my father’s eyes, but he just shrugs. "Do as you please with her."

He gets to his feet, and I raise a brow. "Is that all?"

He just smiles at me. "I have other business to attend to."

I watch him walk toward the door, and then he suddenly says, "Give me my coat back."

For a moment, I frown, thinking he’s talking to me. And then I see Cynthia take off the long coat, and my eyes twitch when I see the clothes she’s wearing. They look like something a prostitute standing on a street corner would wear. A tiny halter top and a skirt so small half her ass is on display. Suddenly, her discomfort makes sense.

I turn my attention toward my father, who just smirks.

Bastard.