Un.Breakable (Slayter Series Book 4)

by Reese Morgan

  “Celeste admitted to watching me,” she argued. “She could have known I’d be in Montana that week visiting my aunt. Besides, you were with Celeste for a while. Wouldn’t you have heard of Elizabeth playing the role of a human widow in Montana?”

  Nicolas scoffed. “I’ve told you many times Celeste kept her secrets hidden well. You, in particular, were a closely guarded obsession, which I later found out through Tracer.”

  Hayden felt sick. “What if, after all this time, Elizabeth was keeping my father? I would have been so close to him, completely oblivious.”

  “We will investigate it once we return.”

  His sense of calm soothed her nerves and settled her down. She shouldn’t jump to conclusions, not until she had proper evidence. Yet, what if it were true? What if they found Logan on Elizabeth’s property?

  It would be a win for them and a loss for Celeste.

  Hayden could nearly taste the victory.

  Her thoughts abruptly dissolved when the hand on her knee turned firmer and slid towards her inner thigh. Hayden marveled at his ability to distract her, to tear her thoughts away from reality and focus intently on the physical side of their relationship.

  The smallest touch quickened her pulse and sharpened her senses. Just his mere presence had the ability to rouse her canine side and awaken a dark, endless hunger.

  She hated it and loved it at the same time.

  “I don’t think you should take it as an insult.”

  She struggled to pull her senses together and determine the meaning behind his words. For the life of her, she couldn’t understand.

  “It bothers you when people compare you to your father.” Nicolas and Hayden locked eyes. “Despite his rather questionable morals, he was a force to be reckoned with and a very capable Alpha. Many people respected him.”

  Her lips quirked. “You are full of reassurances today, Nicolas.”

  It was not like the man to reassure her so often with words. It was why she considered him her silent companion. They were like-minded and could often comfort the other by presence alone.

  However, his consolation was needed and welcome. Today, especially, seemed rather difficult. With both Addie and her mother, Hayden felt unstable. Nicolas’ reassurance steadied her racing mind and forced it to calm. At least for just a moment.

  Nicolas removed his hand and smiled at her comment. “You are far too stubborn to accept these things yourself. Someone needs to do it for you.”

  “I don’t know if you’d be my first pick for that role.”

  He seemed genuinely amused at her cynicism. “I would pity the poor soul who was unfortunate enough to meet your requirements. It would be a very challenging and unfulfilling position.”

  “That’s the idea.”

  Nicolas turned silent for a moment, holding her gaze.

  Suddenly, his pupils dilated and he channeled a great deal of authority and dominance into his stare, making it difficult for Hayden to keep eye contact.

  After a moment of thoughtful silence, Nicolas spoke.

  “Alpha males give into their instincts to claim and mark their partner while being intimate,” he mused, repeating Hayden’s earlier words to her mother. “However did you come by that information, Hayden?”

  Her face burned.

  “As I said earlier, I prefer it when you’re not talking.”

  “Did you say it earlier? I can’t seem to recall.”

  Her expression turned lethal. “If I didn’t say it before, I’m saying it now.”

  Blue eyes flashed satisfyingly. “Duly noted.”

  6. Chapter Six

  Hayden trudged up the snowy path, ignoring the eyes of the male werewolves behind her. None of them, with the exception of Nicolas, wanted her approaching the house alone.

  After icy deliberation, Nicolas convinced them she would go first.

  Facing away from their scrutiny, Hayden grinned broadly.

  She was fortunate to have Nicolas on her side. He was confident enough in her abilities that he had defended her in front of the others. He was the only person who would consider letting her approach danger alone.

  He did have a valid point about the possibility of no danger, however.

  This was her aunt’s property, and no one knew if Elizabeth was truly a threat.

  After arriving back from New York, Nicolas spoke with Blake, who then met with the other Alphas. They decided amongst themselves that Logan was their main priority for the time being. They believed he would be a significant help against Celeste.

  In an effort to follow the most recent trail of his whereabouts, the Alphas assigned a few werewolves to accompany Hayden and Nicolas to Montana.

  While a few traveled with Hayden, many more warriors stayed behind at the reservation. No one was willing to gamble pooling too many warriors in one place, only to have a shortage in one location should an attack occur.

  For additional security, the rogue werewolves also circled Nicolas’ territory.

  Hayden had encountered only a few rogues on her short stay back with the others. Nicolas’ pack members clearly preferred their wolf forms as they roamed the premises. The traditional werewolves, on the other hand, continued to eye the rogues skeptically.

  Despite the traditional Alphas’ distrust of Nicolas, they were willing to accept his resources. It clearly spoke of their uncertainties involving Celeste.

  Hayden touched the sword at her back for reassurance. Steadying herself, she knocked firmly on the front door. She took a step back, eyeing the familiar home.

  A part of her hoped Elizabeth was Celeste’s ally. Perhaps they would find Logan on the premises and gain a significant advantage over Celeste. On the other hand, it would be another betrayal for Hayden.

  She’d loved her aunt.

  Knocking again, Hayden waited impatiently on the front porch. Her ears strained inside, hoping to catch a sign of an occupant.

  No one moved towards the door.

  Or away from it.

  Bending down, Hayden gathered the rock next to the planter of dead branches and pried the key from the bottom. Turning the small piece of metal over in her hands, she approached the lock, her anticipation mounting.

  Nicolas said they’d be on the lookout for any sign of trouble.

  If such an event occurred, they’d come running.

  Reassured they had her back, Hayden unlocked the door and pushed it open. Her boots hit the rickety, old floor, unable to avoid the creaking of the boards. Inhaling, she smelt the stale air, as if the home had been abandoned for quite some time.

  “Liz?” Hayden called out, her voice echoing. “Elizabeth?”

  Nothing but the ticking clock answered her call.

  She wandered over to the fireplace mantle, observing all the photographs of her as a child with both Elizabeth and Logan. Her attention focused on her father, observing the penetrating, hazel eyes and the small, almost inconspicuous smile.

  Reaching for the frame, she stared at him.

  Wistfully, her fingers hovered over the glass.

  It was truly amazing that her heart still yearned to see him again. Even after discovering his life was a lie, after finding out about his immoral deeds, she still wanted to find him. Even more incredulously, her devotion for him stayed intact.

  She slammed the frame back on the mantle, turning her shoulder.

  Though she had a feeling the house would prove empty, she searched anyway. The rambler was large, winding. After thoroughly searching the main floor, she went into the basement. It was just as empty.

  The food in the fridge all looked old, rotten.

  The dishes on the counter had collected a layer of dust.

  Evidently, no one had occupied the property for a long while.

  Just as she was about to turn away from the kitchen, she paused. She narrowed her sights on the old, worn countertops and toward the loaf of what appeared to be banana bread. She then looked at the two plates, one slice of bread nearly untouched, the other
gone save for a few lingering crumbs.

  Hayden remembered eating banana bread with her aunt the morning she’d left Montana. She hadn’t been hungry at the time, the wolf attack troubling her stomach.

  An unsettling realization suddenly occurred to her.

  Elizabeth had abandoned the property immediately after Hayden’s departure.

  The furniture was sparse but properly placed. The photographs on the mantle specifically reminded Hayden of her father and her familial bond with Elizabeth.

  The whole house was an elaborate front.

  Staged to lull a sense of security.

  Hayden cursed under her breath and made toward the door. Elizabeth clearly worked with Celeste. Moreover, considering Logan had been close to her before his disappearance, it was evident Elizabeth had also betrayed Logan.

  Though Logan was not here now, Hayden had a sinking suspicion that he’d been here once. Perhaps lured and trapped here.

  Despondent, Hayden left the premises.

  As she descended the icy path leading to the other werewolves, she abruptly tensed, noticing the absolute stillness. Her wolf reared, brusquely shifting with anxiety.

  Something was not right.

  Hayden paused, scenting the air. Though it was distant, a faint aroma of blood entwined with the breeze.

  “Nicolas?”

  She did not sense the others, but she hoped he remained close enough to hear her.

  No answer came.

  Hayden squinted through the trees, slowly continuing her way down. Her body remained on edge, alert. Her sword and throwing knives became almost too heavy to carry, reminding her of their presence and their importance.

  Entering the woods, she observed the empty area the male werewolves once occupied. No one was nearby. Crouching down low, Hayden observed the tracks. The sloppy footprints in the snow indicated a scuffle and there were even some dots of crimson staining the pristine whiteness.

  Picking a set of footprints, she followed cautiously.

  Dancing with the trees and entwining through their branches, Hayden zigzagged through the woods. Her boots hit the snow resolutely as she followed the tracks for a good distance, still not encountering any sign of the males.

  Minutes into her trek, she noticed a set of footprints branch off from the others.

  Pausing at the forked path, she considered which direction to veer. As she stood debating, a strange and unsettling emotion suddenly encompassed her. It felt familiar, like a piece of a puzzle she’d lost many months ago.

  Though it was back, she could sense it had changed.

  It was like an ill-fitting piece that had once fit snugly but had grown too large or too small. It filled her emptiness but left behind gaping holes. It was darker, colder. It didn’t complete her as it used to. It didn’t give her that warm, comforting feeling she revered.

  Still, it was enough to give her complete pause.

  Slowly, in shock, she turned, staring into deep, emerald eyes.

  “Cole.”

  He emerged a distance away, his face as hard as stone. No recognition crossed his features, no sort of emotion channeled through his expression.

  He was blank, obedient, and entirely under Celeste’s control.

  Seeing him again, in the flesh, nearly undid Hayden. She wanted to reach out and touch him, to make certain he was still alive and breathing. Only, more shadowy figures stepped behind him, their expressions most definitely a blank slate.

  More puppets.

  Cole’s eyes broke from their unfocused stare, inclining just ever so slightly above her head. His gesture and the sound of a blade alerted Hayden to another threat at her back.

  A more pressing threat.

  The whoosh of air coming straight for her turned back sharpened Hayden’s reflexes and honed her attention. With lightning quick reflexes, she drew her sword, spun around, and deflected the throwing knife with her blade.

  The weapon clattered loudly with her sword before falling uselessly to the ground.

  She searched wildly for the source, already knowing whom it was, but unable to find the blond-haired Carrier.

  Evan was Celeste’s only Carrier who delighted in throwing blades. Either he did so out of personal preference, or he wanted to mock Hayden’s preference of throwing knives. She had a feeling it was the latter.

  She kept her body still, her sword drawn.

  Her senses remained wide open.

  The puppets, including Cole, remained unmoving a distance to her right. They observed like mindless spectators. It was an error on Evan’s part. They were unmoving. He was not. She could hear the distinct sound of feet touching the snow.

  And the laughter.

  High-pitched, chilling, and entirely unstable laughter.

  “Let’s play, Hayden.” The man took a noticeable pause. “Your knives have gotten longer, I see. A pity. You know swords aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. They certainly didn’t help the comrades who had accompanied you.”

  Hayden didn’t let him distract her with lies, nor did she dwell on Cole’s presence. As much as she’d like to stop and stare at him, obsess over his presence, she knew the dangers she currently faced.

  Surrounded by Celeste’s puppets and now a Carrier.

  The knife flew through the air from her left this time.

  In one swift motion, she knocked it off balance with her sword, already sensing another attack rushing at her from the opposite angle.

  This time, it was Evan himself.

  She threw her sword hilt back, catching Evan in the face before he closed the distance between them. She heard the bone breaking as she whirled around, swiping her sword low, hoping to catch him in the stomach.

  He danced away just in time, his eyes wide, his grin deranged.

  “You’ve been practicing.”

  Keeping a distance, Evan circled her predatorily. Hayden kept him in her sights, her stance ready, and her sword drawn. No matter how much she wanted to charge and attack, she knew it would be futile.

  This was not Adolf. This wasn’t even Nicolas or Cole.

  This man was so much more.

  She stared at him, noticing his gray, colorless eye. It healed remarkably well from the gruesome mess she’d last seen it. A sense of intense satisfaction rushed through her.

  She’d caused that. She’d permanently marked him through the eye, just as he’d permanently marked her chest with his initial.

  “Oh, come now, Hayden. Whom have you been taking stoicism lessons from? That old cankerous Adolf?” Evan mused, a petulant frown pulling at his mouth. “This isn’t fun. This isn’t like you. Where is the fire I love so much?”

  He wanted her to charge. He wanted her to lose control and make the first move.

  She refused.

  “I heard…” Evan started, raising his eyebrows. “About Addie Slayter.”

  Hayden abruptly stiffened, her hand clutching almost painfully around the hilt of her sword. She threw a look in Cole’s direction, not wanting Evan to go further. Even if Cole was not in his right mind, she still didn’t want him to hear what happened to his grandmother like this.

  Sensing her discomfort, and elating in it, Evan pushed further. “I knew the Crows wanted to eliminate the Slayters, but I never expected you to be the one to succeed. First Cole, now Addie. That poor, poor woman—”

  Snarling, Hayden lunged.

  Evan laughed pleasantly, leaping away from the blade and countering with a kick in the stomach. She hardly had the chance to double over, for the kick was enough to send her flying through the air.

  Landing heavily on her back, Evan was on her like glue.

  She threw up a leg, catching him hard in the knee. Quickly, she jumped to her feet, jumping back twice in order to evade his fists. Dropping her sword, she executed a backflip, forced to go on the defensive.

  As he swiped at her face, his fist opened in midair and his nails sharpened into claws. Just before they could find her cheek, a hand grabbed Evan’s wrist, sto
pping the assault just inches from her face.

  The blond-haired Carrier cackled loudly.

  “You’re never too far from your bitch, are you, Slayter?”

  Nicolas punched Evan in the face, though it hardly did much damage. With Evan’s brief moment of distraction, Nicolas reached for Hayden, placing his hand firmly on her chest. His fingers dug into her breasts, or more appropriately, the exact area her knives remained hidden.

  “Go,” he growled, applying another purposeful nudge across her chest.

  Hayden nodded numbly, understanding his subtle order.

  Turning, she grabbed her sword just as Evan turned his full attention on Nicolas. Honing her mind, and trying to dull the distractions, Hayden removed a throwing knife from her holster and turned back around.

  Pupils dilating, she propelled the knife directly at the back of Nicolas’ head, hoping beyond hope he had intended for this to happen.

  She wanted to cry out in warning, but she trusted his instincts.

  Just before she was about to break her promise of staying silent, Nicolas ducked hastily, the knife soaring straight over his head and embedding firmly into Evan’s eye. The exact same eye she’d damaged months before.

  A hoarse, deranged scream filtered through the woods.

  Nicolas turned his heel and ran towards Hayden, shoving her.

  “But Cole—”

  “No. Go.”

  She stifled a cry, throwing one last look in Cole’s direction. He and the rest of the puppets were already sprinting after them, their eyes determined, but blank to anything other than their mission.

  Forcing herself forward, she sprinted alongside Nicolas, both of them pushing to go faster than they’d ever gone before. His hands kept touching the small of her back, pushing her faster, encouraging her to keep up.

  He always remained a distance behind, protecting her exposed back.

  She followed his direction as he veered suddenly. They tore through the trees and Hayden witnessed a cliff with a sudden and very steep drop to a river below. Her stomach turned queasy and she hesitated, slowing down.