The Change

by C V Leigh

  He went back to the barn with a bucket of water and washed it down. A stream of diluted blood drained away, slipping into the snow-covered gardens. He placed straw over the remaining patches, hoping it would soak up what was left, and kicked slush and snow over the red track left by him dragging the deer.

  He hadn’t told anyone he’d heard all that Nathan had admitted to Zane. He hadn’t told them Imad from the Edinburgh office had emailed him with confirmation Nicholas had been to the New York office on more than occasion—that he’d met with Nathan and CAPA. He hadn’t told anyone about the file he’d read, about what actually happened with Megan.

  He hadn’t told anyone he’d heard Jacob as he comforted Tess.

  Fury bubbled inside him, frothing in his veins. He was angry with himself more than anything. What kind of Alpha doesn’t realise his own wife has been lying to him for more than a decade? The pack was disintegrating like a piece of wet tissue, and all he could do was stem the flow of the water.

  Alistair clenched his fist. With a yell, he smacked his knuckles into the stone wall of the barn. Dust floated down, mixing with the straw and water. He pulled back and flexed his fingers. After removing his gloves, he examined his hands for wounds. A few grazes, but that was all. Tomorrow there would be bruising. But that was nothing compared to the damage being done inside his head.

  He went back inside, shaking the melted snow from his jacket as he hung it up, and kicking off his heavy boots. He walked down the stairs into the cellar and found Nathan, alone and trapped in the rusting cage. Alistair frowned, wondering why he’d been left unguarded. What had been so urgent to call his brothers away?

  Blood dripped from fresh wounds on his arms and chest. Nathan was missing a few teeth; they sat on the table, one still pinched by pliers.

  “Have you even tried to escape?” Alistair asked, unlocking and opening the cage door. He poured water into a glass and held it to the other man’s lips, allowing him to take a few sips before moving it away.

  “What’s the point? If I do, you’ll only set your dogs on me. I won’t get far. Not in this state.” He spat more blood onto the floor.

  Alistair huffed a laugh. “The Alpha of the North Riding pack, broken and beaten by a few pups. I’m surprised nobody challenged you before. You’d have fallen and lost your pack without the help of Nicholas and Malcolm.”

  “It wasn’t exactly a fair fight.” Nathan leaned his head into the wall.

  “You walked straight into it.”

  “You know she’s dangerous. You know I’m right. I was trying to do you a favour before she destroyed you.”

  “Really? And what else do I know?” Alistair asked.

  “That I found them. In America. The Salem witches that focus on memory magic. They can help her if you let her come with me.”

  “And why would I do that? Why would I willingly let my wife leave with the man who killed her human family, threatened our children, and nigh-on killed one of our pack?”

  “Because you know I’m telling the truth. You know it wasn’t me who killed her family. You don’t have to admit it to anyone else, but you do have to admit it to yourself.” He took a deep breath or at least tried to. “Just let me go, Alistair. The police are looking for me anyway. It won’t be long before I’m connected with you. They’ll come in here, all guns blazing. And if they don’t, the locals will only start more rumours, set fire to their torches.” He snorted. “You’re finished here. We all are. The packs are dying. Times are changing. The witches are the new Alphas. They’re going to keep going until all lycanthropes are nothing more than their pets.”

  Alistair shook his head. “That will never happen. I won’t let it.”

  “And who’s going to stop them? You? And what army? A doctor, a lawyer, a psycho, and whatever it is that keeps buzzing around. It sounds like a bad joke. She’s no real wolf that… Tess,” he spat out her name. “Megan, though.” He sucked in a breath. “The child she carries…”

  “Tess is a part of this family,” Alistair said, ignoring his comments about Megan.

  “Who bit her? Zane, I’m guessing. Figures.” He sniffed and spat yet more blood into an empty metal dish. “Face it, Alistair, you’re done. The sooner you accept it, the easier it will be. On all of you.”

  “You’re not taking Megan anywhere. She belongs here, with me.”

  “And how’s that working out for you? She’s a loaded gun, and it’s only going to get worse as the pregnancy continues.”

  Alistair picked up a blanket and tossed it at Nathan. “I suggest you rest that mouth of yours.”

  “Just fucking kill me already.” His breathing grew shallow. “Because if you don’t, I will take her. And I will kill every single one of you before I leave.”

  Alistair locked the cage and went back to the study. If anything, Nathan had said was true, then breaking Megan’s curse depended on the witches and the memory magic. He retrieved the pen drive from the safe and plugged it into the computer, then re-read the files he’d been sent. He’d saved them on a USB stick, before deleting the emails. He didn’t want to believe the woman he loved, the mother of his children, was capable of slaughtering her family and covering it up. He needed to pick his way through the stories and the lies–big and small–to discover the truth.

  He scratched at his red-brown beard, scanning over the words. His vision blurred from lack of sleep. Exhaustion wracked his body. He needed to rest as much as any of them.

  Upstairs, Zane, Drake, and Jacob discussed Nicholas’ condition. Tess was there, still crying. Nathan was wrong. She was as much a part of the pack as any of them. She wasn’t a weak link in the chain. She was family.

  He swallowed down his fears and continued to read through the notes Tess had made and scoured through the files she’d downloaded from CAPA’s system. He read everything he could about memory magic. Surely there had to be more.

  Taking out the USB stick, he then put it back in the safe and went to the library to see what he could find in there. He found the children listening intently as Megan read them a story. Michael still appeared a little drowsy. Ben cuddled up to his mother, a frown on his face as he sucked his thumb. God only knew how long it would take them to recover. Alistair made a silent promise to start Michael’s training as soon as this was all over.

  Megan looked up at him and smiled, but continued to read aloud. She was right, they should be at home. He’d take them out of the school so they could remain at Faol Hall and be an integral part of the pack.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  A new day broke across the Cairngorms, but everything was the same in Faol Hall. Jacob sat by his uncle’s bed, watching and waiting. He changed the bandages, cleaned his wounds, and ensured the IV fluids kept dripping. Zane came in to administer antibiotics every so often, but other than that, Jacob had spent the night alone with Nicholas.

  Alistair opened the door and walked in, looking as though he’d had a rough night. He sat on the other side of the bed and side eyed his brother.

  “You want to judge me on something?” Jacob asked, taping fresh gauze over the stitches.

  “Do you want to tell me what happened with Tess?” Alistair asked. Jacob didn’t respond. He didn’t look up, couldn’t meet Alistair’s icy stare. He fidgeted and cleared his throat. “She was upset. I held her. That’s all. Nothing else happened.” He glanced at his older brother. “Nothing. Happened.”

  “She’ll tell him, you know. And he will have every right to kill you for it.”

  Jacob glowered. “Let him try.”

  “I’d help him.”

  Jacob looked away. “It was nothing. A kiss. That’s all.”

  “You fucking idiot,” Alistair said calmly and without malice.

  “What do I do?”

  “We both know Nicholas is going to die. We’re prolonging the inevitable here. After the funeral, you’ll leave.”

  “But—”

  “You’re not being exiled,” said Alistair, holding up a hand. “
Nicholas has connections in America. He…” Alistair paused, as though battling with the words he wanted to say. “He’s Nathan’s contact. We need to make alliances. If Megan is responsible for what happened in Yorkshire, and this pregnancy is causing all of her changes recently.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Is that what Nathan said?”

  “I’m inclined to believe him. You’ll take Nicholas’ place on the Council after he’s gone. You’ll be our contact for the New York office. We’ll sell it that way–you’re going to head up New York, expand the business. Join an allegiance once you’re over there, and find the Salem coven. Learn everything you can about Nathan, Megan, and memory magic.” He handed Jacob a USB stick. “It’s all on here. Read it. And when you come back, you’ll help me cure Megan, and you’ll help me rebuild this pack.”

  “What about you?”

  He heaved a sigh. “We’re going to stay here, the boys too. I’ll remove them from Little Wickham’s, and we’ll home school them. Drake will head back to Kent. We’ll say Nicholas’ death has taken its toll on the family and we need the space to recuperate.”

  “And Zane? Tess?”

  “Zane is going to have his own issues to fix. He’s going to need time. Tess will go back to Edinburgh. It will keep her busy. She can be your contact with the BPC. If you two can continue to work with each other?”

  “Yes,” Jacob said with a nod. “Of course. Thank you.”

  “You’re my brother,” Alistair said. “Family first.”

  “Dad wouldn’t have been so lenient.”

  “Our humanity is what separates us from the wolf that lurks beneath our surface. Our father was more wolf than man. It’s what got him killed, and it’s what keeps us alive.” He stood up, walked around the bed, and slapped a hand on Jacob’s shoulder. “Get some rest. There’s nothing more you can do here.”

  “What about Nathan?”

  “I suspect Zane will be able to deal with that issue. You just stay out of his way.”

  The doorbell rang. Alistair sighed. “I should think that will be our local, friendly police officer. Stay here. Lock the door. I’ll deal with it.”

  Jacob nodded and shifted his glance back to his uncle. Nicholas’ breathing had become rapid and shallow. Zane had already told them he had a punctured lung and internal bleeding. Jacob folded his arms on the side of the bed and rested his head on them. He closed his eyes and listened to the gurgles coming from Nicholas’ mouth as he clung desperately onto life. Like all Kincaids, he was a fighter, and he wasn’t going to give in to death so easily.

  Downstairs, he heard Alistair talking to McBride.

  “Nate Travis is officially a missing person,” McBride said, her tone firm and severe. “We think he might be badly injured, and that he made his way to the old stone barn to rest. The Cairngorms are a dangerous place to be at this time of year. The dogs tracked him as far as the stream that runs along the edge of Faol Hall land, but unfortunately, the trail went cold. Have you seen any signs of him?”

  “No,” Alistair said. “You’re welcome to take a look around the property if you think it would help. We have over a hundred acres of land, though.”

  “I’m aware. Is Nicholas Kincaid around? I have a few more questions I would like to ask him regarding the altercation in Taedmorden. We have DNA evidence, and I need to get a sample from him to test against it. His lawyer is welcome to sit in on the procedure.”

  Jacob looked at his uncle, suddenly overwhelmed by grief.

  “Unfortunately, he’s left us,” Alistair said. “I told him you were looking for him, and he must have taken off in the night.”

  “Really? Because the Land Rover and Mercedes are still on the drive…” The surprise in her voice was clearly fake.

  “I told you. We have more than two. If you don’t believe me, you need only search the house.”

  “That won’t be necessary. Thank you for your time, Mr. Kincaid. If you hear from either man—”

  “I’ll call you.”

  The door clicked.

  Just then, Nicholas took his final breath.

  * * *

  Tears rolled down Tess’ cheeks, although she wasn’t sure who she was crying for. She stood with Megan while the four brothers surrounded their uncle. Megan wrapped an arm around her and gave her a reassuring squeeze. The children had been sent to Michael’s room.

  “What happens now?” Tess asked Megan.

  “Alistair will arrange the funeral. It’s the responsibility of the pack Alpha. He’ll be put in the family tomb in the forest clearing. The Council will sort out the paperwork.”

  “I mean with Jacob…” She dropped her gaze to the floor. She’d confided in Megan, although she didn’t know why. She’d needed to tell someone, but it had done nothing to relieve the guilt pulling her heart into her stomach.

  Alistair pulled a blanket over his uncle’s head. He walked towards them, then stopped as he drew level with Tess and glanced down at her. “If you have something to say to Zane, say it now. Let him use the anger. He can focus it on our problem,” he said, keeping his voice low.

  “I can’t. I can’t be responsible for him killing Nathan—” Tess looked over Zane, her words catching in her throat, but he wasn’t listening to them. His focus was purely on his uncle.

  “You already are.” He looked at Megan. “Both of you.” Alistair left the room.

  Megan nodded and squeezed Tess tighter. “I’ll deal with Alistair,” she said. “But you need to tell Zane what happened. Everything will be okay.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Tess said, cynicism bubbling underneath all the fear.

  Jacob and Derek left with Megan. Tess caught Zane’s arm before he could follow them. “We need to talk.”

  “Now?”

  She swallowed and nodded. “Please, Zane. If I don’t say it now…”

  “Fine. Let’s go for a walk.”

  Tess followed him through the large house, taking in the pictures on the walls, the intricate designs carved into pillars and posts. Wolves roamed through woods, squirrels and birds looked down from trees. She ran her fingers over the natural knots in the panels that separated the rooms.

  They stepped outside. Snow fluttered down, struggling to settle on the wet ground. The sun fought with grey clouds, splintering over the forests and casting looming shadows across the grass. They walked down the path towards the barn for a while.

  “What do you want to talk about?” Zane shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his jacket.

  Tess stopped. Zane turned to face her. She pursed her lips. “I don’t know where to start,” she said, her bottom lip trembling as the tears threatened to fall again.

  “Hey,” he cooed, taking hold of her hand. “It’s okay. Nicholas was more than just your boss. He was family. You’re allowed to grieve.”

  “It’s not that. I mean, it is, but it’s not. I’m sad about Nicholas, but—”

  “Is it Nathan? You saw me and—”

  “No. Yes. I was so angry, Zane. And he was there and…” She sucked in a breath, attempting to steady her nerves.

  His brow wrinkled. “Who was there? Tess?”

  “Jacob…” She met Zane’s eyes. “He… I…” The words stuck to the roof of her mouth.

  “No,” he said, shaking his head. “Not him.” He swallowed. His eyes glistened with tears.

  “I was…” She hiccoughed. “When I saw what you’d done to Nathan, I wanted to hate you. I wanted to hurt you.”

  “What happened?” The growl in the base of his throat vibrated through his words, shaking her to the core.

  She tried to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. She turned away.

  “Tess.” He grabbed her shoulders and forced her to face him. She wouldn’t look at him. She couldn’t. He shook her. “Tess! Tell me you didn’t sleep with Jacob.” He let out an anguished yell, one that punched her right in the gut.

  “It was a kiss. Just a kiss. I’m so sorry.” Her eyes and cheeks stung as the tears
streamed down. “I wish I could take it back, but I can’t.”

  “My brother, Tess. My fucking brother!”

  “I know. I was angry.” Each word came out on a sob.

  “And that’s an excuse?”

  “No. And… if… if you need to…” She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for a slap at the very least. She’d witnessed what he was capable of. She opened one eye and saw the shock, the fear etched into his eyes.

  “Shit. Tess, what exactly do you think I’m going to do? I’m not that kind of person,” he yelled, gesturing at the house, towards the cellar that contained the evidence of his rage. “Not with you. Not ever. I wouldn’t.”

  “Alistair said—”

  “Alistair knows? Shit.” He ran a hand through his hair. “As always, I’m the last to be told anything in this fucking house!”

  “He thought that…” She bit her lip.

  “I know what he thought,” Zane spat. “He thought if you told me about you and Jacob, it’d make me so angry I’d kill Nathan.” He looked down at her, his eyes filled with sadness and regret. To her relief, she saw no hatred. “Tell me it was a mistake and it will never happen again.”

  “I promise. I love you, Zane, I really do.” She took hold of his hand and placed it over her scar. “I’ll do anything.”

  “Give me some time. I need to think.”

  She nodded. “Anything.” She didn’t understand how he could be so calm, but she would take anything and everything he gave her at that point.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Jacob slammed his hand into the empty cage door. “Who the hell left it unlocked?” he yelled, striding over and sweeping his arm along the table, sending every single item flying to the floor. Vials smashed and spilled their contents over the cold stone, mixing and pooling together before draining towards the bloody puddles.

  “I was the last one to speak to him,” Alistair admitted. “But I swear I locked it…”

  “It wasn’t unlocked.” Drake picked bits of rust and matted hair off the bottom bars. “He broke an old bar. We should have seen this. He won’t have got out of it unscathed, though. He would have had to dislocate his shoulders to get out of those chains. He would have suffered,” he said with a callous smile.