by Raven Steele
“Son of a bitch! You dirty whore!” I hissed.
I glanced around to make sure no one was watching me play soccer with the appendage, then shoved it down the drain, hoping I wouldn’t see a cat making off with it later. I ran back to the bag, dumped it in the trash, then piled leaves on top of it.
I slammed the lid, completely grossed out and smelling like I worked in a body parts lab.
The alarm on my phone buzzed. Time for work. Back in my room, I peeled the nasty clothes off my skin, dumped them at the foot of my bed, and showered quickly. Twenty minutes later I arrived at the club, courtesy of my favorite Uber driver.
By the time I got there, it was packed, more so than usual. Eddie spotted me from across the room, his thick brows pinched together, and his face red. I was late, and he was pissed. I disappeared into a crowd and headed straight for the bar while unbuttoning my shirt. I was going to have to put on one hell of a show to make things right with Eddie.
My shirt fell from my shoulders, leaving just my black sports bra. I grabbed two bottles of alcohol and jumped onto the bar, shouting, “Who wants a drink!”
Customers pressed to the bar cheering and whistling while I did my thing. I had to force the performance. This was the first time I’d done this since that terrible night with Silas. The only way I got through it was by not looking anyone in the eyes.
When I returned home, I was exhausted. Both mentally and physically. Silas, Jackson, Luke… the revelation about the blood. It was all too much.
I stripped my clothes in the bathroom and fell into bed, praying the sea of the dead would not return.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
"Briar! Wake up!"
My eyelids fluttered open. Sunlight filtered in through my window and a cold wind made me shiver. I settled deeper under my blanket.
Bam! Bam! More pounding on the door.
"Briar," Lynx’s voice called from behind my closed door. "There are some scary men downstairs. They are insisting they talk to you."
I groaned and slid out of bed. Barely opening my eyes, I found a tank top and a pair of jeans on the floor to throw on.
“They’re about to come up, Briar.”
"I'm coming." I flung open my door. Lynx wore a bright green, short dress, contrasting with her red hair, which had been pulled up into a loose bun. "What time is it? And why are you all fancy?"
"Four. I have a dinner party with my mother.” She grimaced just saying the words.
“In the afternoon? I slept twelve hours?”
“That doesn’t surprise me with how little you’ve slept lately. I wouldn’t have woken you, but these two assholes just showed up."
I walked down the stairs, meeting Gerald and Jerry on their way up. Gerald’s brows were drawn together with his jaw locked tight, and Jerry’s usual smile was gone. I stopped them from coming any further by holding my hands on the banister. "What's going on?"
Gerald looked behind me, clearing his throat. I turned to find Lynx peering around the corner.
She rolled her eyes, then stomped down the stairs, passing us. “I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me, Briar.”
As soon as she disappeared into the kitchen, Gerald said, "Dominic has ordered everyone back to Fire Ridge. I tried calling, but you didn't answer. I thought something might've happened to you.”
I inhaled, ready to explain my strong need for sleep, but I coughed instead. What was that smell? I froze, suddenly realizing I was wearing my formaldehyde jeans. I rubbed my hand through my hair, trying to stall them. “Sorry. Long shift at work, plus searching for Greybacks. I guess I was more tired than I thought.”
“You’re tired?” Jerry snapped. “I haven’t slept in two days.”
“And that’s my problem how?”
"Shut up, both of you," Gerald said. "Let's just get back. We’re already late as it is."
I glanced down at my clothes. "Can I change first? You guys woke me.”
Gerald motioned to the open door. "No time, sweetheart. Dominic is waiting. Besides, you look great."
"Shit," I muttered. I followed them down the stairs, glancing into the living room and looking for anything I could use to try and cover the smell on my pants. “At least let me pee.”
“Thirty seconds.”
I darted toward the guest bathroom, slammed the door behind me, and turned on the water. I really did need to pee. While using the toilet, I scrubbed at my jeans with a damp towel. When I finished, I searched the cupboard beneath the sink until I found a can of furniture polish. Lemon scent. I sprayed it on my jeans, hoping that would be good enough.
Gerald called my name from the living room.
“Hell balls, Gerald! I’m hurrying!” I quickly tied my hair back with one of Lynx’s pink scrunchies and inhaled. I smelled like my grandmother’s furniture with only a hint of something fouler. It would have to do. I flushed the toilet and opened the door.
“About time,” Jerry said. “Dominic’s going to have our ass hide if we don’t hurry up.”
I jogged after them and jumped into the back seat of an SUV directly behind Gerald.
Jerry grimaced, starting up the car. "What's that smell?"
"I told you I should have changed,” I said. “These are my cleaning clothes.”
Gerald swiveled around to face me. “I would've let you, but Dominic is on one. He’s pissed as all shit that we can't find a single Greyback. He thinks someone in our pack knows something."
"Well, it sure as hell isn't me. If one of them saw me, they’d probably kill me for taking Ryder back."
Jerry glanced at me over his right shoulder. "I heard about what you did. That took some balls."
"Ovaries,” I corrected. “Not like it matters, though. I still got punished." I mumbled the words as if I hadn't meant to say them.
"What do you mean?" Jerry asked.
"Nothing. Forget I said anything."
Gerald stared at me, his jaw set. “Jerry should know. The whole pack should.”
“Know what?” Jerry asked, exasperated.
When I didn’t stop Gerald from talking, he said, “Dominic told Briar not to save Ryder. When she did it anyway, he had Silas punish her.”
“A punishment? I don’t remember that.”
“That’s because the pack wasn’t invited.” Gerald let the words sink in before he added, “Silas had her get naked and then whipped her. Alone.”
Deep, angry shadows marred his face, much like Gerald’s had when he first found out too. He faced forward, anger compressing the air around him. I’d never seen him without a smile.
“Whatever,” I said, trying to defuse the situation. "What's done is done. Maybe I should've obeyed."
Jerry slammed his fist into the dashboard several times making me jump. Gerald reached out, trying to calm him, but Jerry shoved him away. "There's too much shit going down. Dominic is ruining our pack!"
"Careful,” Gerald warned. "He’s still our Alpha."
Jerry turned to him real slow. "But should he be? This isn't the first time I've caught him or Silas doing shady things.”
I leaned back into the seat, letting them do all the talking. It would be huge if I could get Jerry on my side. He was one of the older pack members and was seen as a father figure to many.
“I admit,” Gerald said, “punishing someone in private is highly unorthodox.”
Jerry snorted. "Unorthodox? It's forbidden! Not only that, but have you seen that human Silas keeps in the basement lately? I don’t think the dude is even human anymore. These drugs Dominic is getting from the Nocturnas are straight out of a horror film. I don’t think we should be introducing it to the States." He shook his head. “I can’t imagine what it would do to supernaturals.”
Gerald tapped on the back of the seat deep in thought. "It’s dangerous working with vampires. That's what got my father killed when his pack tried to work with them. They can't be trusted, but what can we do about it?”
Jerry swiped at his forehead. “Let's see how this plays
out. If things don’t settle down, maybe we can call for a pack tribunal. There hasn’t been one in over ten years, but maybe it's time. The only problem is, who’s going to challenge Dominic as Alpha?”
Gerald leaned back in his seat and rested his elbow up on the windowsill. “No one.”
I finally spoke. "You could challenge him, Gerald.” I meant it too. He would make a good Alpha. A stickler for rules and honor. He would always make the right decision for the pack.
Gerald laughed, but when he looked over at Jerry who was glancing back and forth between him and the road, his face expectant, he shook his head. "You can't be serious."
"I don't know. The gal’s got a point. You’re strong, smart. The other pack members like you. Why the hell not?"
"I'm better at following orders. Besides, I’m pretty sure Dominic could kick my ass in a fight."
I fell back against the seat, sighing. I wasn’t sure he would win either. I had bested him in a fight after all, but then again, that wasn’t really fair. I wasn’t like most wolves.
I hadn't thought about who would become Alpha after I killed Dominic. I assumed I would just kill everyone involved with my family’s death and move on. But what if I could leave the pack stronger than what it was? Some of these guys weren’t half-bad. I bit my lip, thinking. I bet Luke could be Alpha. He’d make a great one.
Jerry steered the vehicle onto the long lane leading to Fire Ridge. The road was packed with cars parked on both sides. Dominic really had called every pack member back to the mansion. That was twice in less than forty-eight hours. Something bad was going to happen. I could feel it in my gut.
The mansion was packed full of people, practically shoulder to shoulder. I pushed my way through the crowd trying to find either my uncle or Ryder. As I made my way across the throng of shifters, I felt the tiniest pricks of coolness crawling across my spine. I glanced back only to meet Silas’ deadly glare from across the room. I quickly averted my gaze. Dude was a creeper.
Dominic moved out of the crowd, walking halfway up the sweeping staircase. He waited a moment while his commanding presence, the power he emanated as Alpha, silenced the room.
Once he had everyone’s attention, he opened his arms. “Now that everyone has decided to show up, we can get on with why I called this meeting." His weighted gaze fell over the pack. “One among us is a traitor. No one will be leaving until I find who.”
The strength of his Alpha power reached out in long tendrils, touching each one of us with invisible icy fingers. “And when I do, that person will pay with their life.”
Chapter 41
Hurried whispers erupted across the pack. Punishment by death was a big deal. It required the approval of everyone in the pack. Once again, Dominic was changing the rules.
I found Gerald in the crowd. He was shaking his head in disgust. Luke happened to be next to him, looking just as pissed.
“Everyone outside!” Silas barked. “Form three uniformed lines, and shut your damn mouths!”
It took several minutes to organize everyone. Every pack member age eighteen and older was there. Samantha stood on my left with Ryder on my right. My uncle stood at the end of my same line. Our eyes locked, and I saw the worry hidden beyond their glassy surface.
The evening sun hung low over our backs, and my heart pounded, waiting. Our shadows stretched from beneath us. My gaze lowered to mine. It looked darker than the others somehow.
Dominic walked out the back door with his usual entourage. Silas was just behind him, followed by Lilith’s sister, Maera. I wondered what she was doing here. I’d only seen her one other time.
Luke finished the procession, his head down as he typed furiously into his phone. He looked especially broody, if that were even possible.
Dominic, calm as ever, took his place in the front of the pack. He clasped his hands behind his back and lifted his chin a little. "As all of you are aware, the Greybacks broke into our home and destroyed what's ours right under our very clueless noses. In addition, they stole something very valuable. A drug that would've made us richer than any of us could ever imagine. None of you would ever feel the sting of hunger again. Your families would be provided for for decades. Your children could go to the best schools.”
The pack whispered to each other, some apprehensive, others excited. Dominic paused, waiting for everyone to turn their full attention to him again.
“I always believe in being honest with my pack,” he said. “I think that's why many of you chose to follow me. And so I am honest with you now. We are in a fragile alliance with the Nocturnas. Everything depends upon the briefcase the Greybacks stole. If the vampires can’t trust us with one briefcase, they certainly won’t give us enough to distribute.” He paused dramatically, his eyes moving over the crowd. "How many of you are willing to let the Greybacks steal your future? Your children's future?"
Shouts of disapproval polluted the air. A few howled. Jerry was one of them, sucked in by the Alpha’s words and emotions.
Me, I wanted to roll my eyes.
Dominic continued. “I pondered for a long time, wondering how the hell the Greybacks were able to disappear so completely. And again, how they continue to evade us. They can’t just disappear into the fucking air!” His face was red now, the only time I’d ever seen him lose control. “There’s only one answer. They had help. From one of our own. Someone is feeding them information."
Heads turned as a rumble moved throughout the crowd. Everyone was looking at each other, giving each other distrustful or curious looks, as if they would be able to spot the traitor. I did the same. As long as Ryder and my uncle stayed quiet, no one would know our deceit.
Silas stepped forward, his cane hitting pointedly on the ground. “The traitor will be found! You can try to keep your lies hidden, but we have ways of uncovering the truth.” He lifted his hand and waved Maera forward. "Do what you do best."
“With pleasure.” She smiled slow and deliberately, her blue eyes so light, they were almost transparent. She wore a short black dress, black thigh stockings and a corset top that pushed her boobs up tight. Her high heels dug into the ground as she stepped toward the first person in line, a smaller woman with short brown hair and upturned nose. She looked barely eighteen. “Do you know anything about the Greybacks’ location? The smallest detail will do.”
The young shifter vehemently shook her head, her bottom lip trembling. “I didn’t do anything. I swear it!”
“We’ll see about that, Tiffany.” Maera leaned in, stopping inches from Tiffany’s face, and searched her eyes. Maera lifted her fingers and brushed them across the top of Tiffany’s head. Tiffany grimaced as if she were feeling physical pain.
Maera frowned, disappointed. “She’s clean.”
“Move on,” Silas ordered.
Maera continued her interrogation. She took her time asking different questions, all related to the missing Greybacks. Whatever she was doing to their minds, it was clearly painful. Several flinched, while others literally cried out and begged for mercy.
I hadn’t had much experience with witches, but I trusted my own power would be strong enough to mentally block her. I glanced sideways at Ryder and my uncle. But what about them?
My palms grew sweaty, and my pulse raced. The sudden beads of sweat on Ryder’s forehead told me he was getting nervous too.
Maera dropped to the second row, taking her time to interrogate the pack by asking the most ridiculous questions. She was enjoying herself way too much. Silas, who had been unable to hold still in the front, had joined her. He paced next to her, eyeing her victims just as intensely. His hand, the one not holding his cane, opened and closed. He looked like he was just itching to beat someone. He reminded me of the human downstairs--waiting for the next hit.
They continued down the line but things were moving faster now, spurred on by Silas’ impatience. What the hell was I going to do?
I was going to have to confess. Wasn’t I?
They were almost to me. Mae
ra approached Samantha, and eyed her curiously. She touched Samantha’s face and ran a thumb across her lips.
Samantha growled. "Step back, bitch."
Maera chuckled. "I like this one."
"But is she keeping secrets?" Silas snapped. "We don't have time for your eclectic tastes."
"She keeps secrets, like the rest of them, but none that hurt the pack."
She stepped in front of me and stared into my eyes. I summoned my powerful wolf to mentally guard my consciousness, still undecided what I was going to do about Ryder.
Maera’s power came on strong, almost too strong. My teeth expanded into sharp points, and my fingernails began to tingle, the way they always did before they snapped into sharp claws.
She laughed in surprise. "This one is strong."
Silas stepped close to me and sniffed. "You smell terrible."
“A problem I'm aware of."
A few of the shifters chuckled around me. I noticed Luke shuffling near Dominic, still staring intently at his stupid phone, but his head was tipped to the side, like he was listening for something. Disappointment washed over me again at his lack of concern. I quickly scolded myself. I didn’t care about Luke.
Without warning, Maera grabbed my arms, her nails digging into my flesh. "Hold still. This might hurt."
A sharp pain, like the tip of a frozen needle, stabbed at my mind just behind my eyes. I sucked in a breath, but held my iron-clad mental grip. I couldn’t let her pass. Silas continued to sniff me, his eyes traveling down my body. This worried me more than Maera who continued to pry into my brain.
"Let me in, viper," she cooed.
This bitch wasn't going to stop if I didn't give her something. My mind rolled through different memories, the least possible offending one.