by Reese Morgan
Or perhaps that very reason was why he wanted to avoid the whole situation. Cole thought highly of his father. If Nicolas were trying to prove otherwise, it would destroy the high shelf Cole constructed for Xavier Slayter’s memory.
The expression he wore was heavy with dark betrayal. Knowing she let him down, it took all of Hayden’s willpower to maintain eye contact. No matter what she believed or assumed, standing beside Cole should have been her top priority.
But it would mean nothing now if she tried to take back her words.
“Then you will stay with Nicolas, Hayden.”
Without another word, Cole disappeared into the surrounding forest. His gait was slow, yet steadfast. He was not going to turn back around.
Suddenly frantic, Hayden leaped to her feet, a sound of protest at the tip of her tongue. Only, Nicolas snuck up behind her and pressed a palm against her mouth to muffle her cry.
She struggled against his hold, landing a few blows to his abdomen before he simply tackled her to the ground. He used his weight to pin her down, rendering her useless.
“You need to remain firm.” Nicolas dug an elbow into Hayden’s back, pressing her stomach and face into the ground. “He will not leave you. He’ll be following you with his tail between his legs. You are his mate. No matter what he claims, you are most important.”
But she didn’t want it to be like that.
She didn’t want to force Cole into this. It would be a strain on their relationship, both as pack mates and as life mates. There was already a barrier between them. Her decision to support Nicolas would only reinforce the distance.
When he was certain she would remain docile, Nicolas released her. “The company he inherited from his father, do you know of it?” His tone was airy –casual— as if what transpired with Cole hadn’t truly happened. “Has he spoken about it?”
Pressing her forehead into the snow, Hayden breathed steadily. It took all her willpower to refrain from running after Cole. She’d just gotten him back. She couldn’t lose him again.
Shame blossomed in her stomach and settled like a weight.
“Not really,” Hayden grounded out, not knowing who she hated more; the man behind her or herself. “Just that his company was in debt. He was trying to sell it back in New York. I don’t know. He didn’t mention it often.”
“Of course he didn’t mention it often,” Nicolas retorted, but made no further comment on the subject. “We will be setting out first thing in the morning. Xavier Slayter had a business partner who had substantial control over the finances. Can you take a guess who that was?”
Hayden grimaced. “Celeste,” she said flatly.
The Alpha male sat near the fire. “No. Her mate; Logan Crow.” Nicolas studied the flames thoughtfully before looking at Hayden. “I don’t know much about it, but I do know that my father invested a significant amount of money into Logan and Celeste. Obviously, he lost the financing. Despite Cole’s efforts, the company never recovered.”
“Does Cole know this? That Celeste’s mate was tied with his father’s business?”
Nicolas chuckled. “I’m sure he had an idea. Logan and Xavier were close friends and did many things together. I highly doubt, however, that Cole knows the full details.”
Hayden sighed quietly. It would have been easier if Cole stayed behind to hear all this. But who was she to judge? Her instincts as female Alpha should have been strong enough that she’d want to protect the pack first and foremost.
It was difficult to imagine Cole following her in lieu of going back to the pack. Nicolas seemed so sure of himself, but Hayden thought she knew Cole better than that.
“Then you must have known Celeste before everything happened,” she stated. “Cole knew her before we arrived at the cabin. If her mate, Logan, and your father were close—”
“Most of the male Alpha’s know of Celeste’s… burning desire to have a strong, capable female pack. They know she likes luring females from other packs in order to have them for herself.” Here, Nicolas looked at Hayden. “She is quite the seductress, is she not? She had you wrapped nicely around her finger over female empowerment.”
Hayden bristled and bared her teeth at Nicolas. “I don’t need to be reprimanded like a naïve, little girl. I realized I was wrong about her.”
“But you are a naïve girl,” Nicolas countered smoothly. “You are young and still learning about werewolf traditions. However, I cannot blame you for stumbling into Celeste’s web. Many grown, experienced men have fallen for her mind games just as well.”
Her anger quelled at the admission and she studied Nicolas’ solemn expression. Was he talking about himself, she wondered? It was difficult envisioning Celeste successfully manipulating Nicolas. Usually, it was Nicolas doing the manipulating.
“But to answer your earlier question, no, Cole did not know Celeste well. No one truly saw Celeste often. It was usually her mate that was most active. Without her.”
“How did he die?”
Hayden remembered Celeste mentioning his death occurring around the same time as Xavier and Marie. The woman gave some explanation to her mate’s death, though Hayden realized that was most likely a lie.
Nicolas pinned her with a chilled stare. “Celeste killed him.” His eyes brightened at her grimace. “From what I’ve heard, he controlled Celeste with an iron fist. I find that doubtful, however, simply because Logan was always an agreeable man.”
“It would definitely explain her strong feminism.”
She shifted uncomfortably under Nicolas’ intense scrutiny.
“Feminism?” he whispered, his tone especially husky. It sent a thrill down her spine. “Is that what you call it? No, my dear, there is a difference between feminism and sexism. Celeste simply wants to be on top. She wants all females to be on top. To be the most celebrated sex.”
Pondering over Nicolas’ claim, Hayden contemplated Celeste’s methods. “But she transforms females into mindless soldiers, just as she does with the men. I would have thought that she…”
“That she would exclude women from the massacres? From the casualty lists? Oh, she tries, but it’s not always feasible. She can issue an order with a Carrier to prevent female fatalities, but it happens doubtless. Quite often too.”
“She frowns upon female fatalities, or, at least discourages it,” Hayden repeated his words thoughtfully, suddenly perplexed. “I can see why there would be women who were Sired, or killed in large groups, but why would Tracer go out of his way to bite me? I was alone. There was no one for miles.”
Something flashed across Nicolas’ face, an emotion too complicated for Hayden to identify before it disappeared. His typical smirk was back in place and his eyes brightened.
“Perhaps he was drawn to your delectable scent, my dear. It is quite difficult to resist.” He stood up and peered around the trees. “Get some sleep. You and I are leaving early tomorrow morning.”
Hayden sat frozen, unnerved with what Nicolas knew, and what he was hiding. She had many more questions, especially about what transpired today. Yet, she remained speechless, watching as he disappeared into the trees.
The two brothers were far too alike than they cared to admit.
6. Chapter Six
Hayden leaned against the doorway to the crate train. With one leg dangling over the edge, she surveyed the passing scenery. There was nothing spectacular about the landscape they passed, but it diverted her attention away from her traveling companion.
They set out early that morning and snuck on the train heading west. Nicolas hadn’t been entirely forthcoming on their destination, but he seemed confident enough to know what train to take and the duration of their ride.
Despite Nicolas’ insistence that Cole would follow close behind, Hayden hadn’t seen any sign of him. Through their weak connection, his emotions were rather indifferent with the occasional reverberation of anger.
She didn’t need him here to know the reason behind his anger.
“You sho
uld keep up with your training.”
Hayden’s eyes narrowed at the mountains. “Really.”
While Nicolas was a man of few words, the last thing she wanted to do was engage him in a conversation. Not now.
“It’s clear you flourished under Adolf’s tutelage. I am surprised you were able to convince him to train you. He is rather adamant on traditional female roles.” Nicolas paused. “But you can use work on your combatting and your form. You can spar with me.”
Gloomily, Hayden glanced over at her elusive companion. Nicolas was in the middle of some sort of conditioning drill. Usually fully and properly attired, the man had elected to remove his jacket. His exposed arm muscles were completely defined as he leaned the majority of his body weight on his hands.
Just looking at the sheer size of his biceps and clenched forearms made her scoff. It was laughable imagining a sparring lesson with the Alpha male.
“I’d rather keep my pride, thanks.” Though she was no longer looking at him, Hayden could sense his surprised glance.
“That doesn’t sound like you.” Nicolas exhaled as he gracefully got to his feet. His stare was searching. “I saw you behead one of Tracer’s puppets. You possess the fire, my dear, you just need to learn how to harness it.”
She remained silent, staring out at the trees. The further they traveled, away from Celeste’s hideout and the snow, the more things appeared like spring again. It would be difficult to hide her knives under a coat when the weather did not call for the extra layer.
Perhaps she could fit them under her blouse. Of course, that didn’t help matters when it came to hiding her newly acquired sword.
“I thought melancholic brooding was my brother’s trait, not yours.”
“I’m not brooding,” Hayden rebutted. “I just don’t want to spar with you.”
That wasn’t entirely true. Though she wouldn’t label it as brooding, she was still concerned over what transpired with Cole. She wondered if he was back to his usual self now, or if Celeste’s serum was still a prevailing factor in his bloodstream. He’d been so angry, so quick to harness his temper.
Slyly, Nicolas laid the bait. “You may run into Sophia again.”
Hayden fiercely rose up to the challenge, her melancholy instantly vanishing. “I can handle her. Just like I handled her back at the cabin.”
No matter how much Hayden analyzed the situation, Sophia remained a mystery. The beta appeared possessive over Celeste’s attention, going so far as to act hostile towards Hayden. On the other hand, Sophia warned her not to get in the way and that she was going to handle Celeste herself.
What did that even mean? Was she gaining Celeste’s trust in order to execute her?
“Do you think she is going to sit on her hands until you meet again?” Nicolas scoffed. “The competition within Celeste’s pack is ruthless. Not only does she need to keep her rank as beta, but she now has a driving reason to beat you.”
He did have a point, Hayden mused despondently. She knew Sophia had worked her way to the top. She would only continue doing so with a renewed sense of determination.
“You may have some of Celeste’s venom inside you,” he continued, “but you don’t take advantage of it. Sophia is older and she is more experienced. She will not go down without a fight.”
Hayden growled low in her throat and stood up.
Moving closer, she marveled at Nicolas’ sheer invincibility. From afar, she acknowledged his strength, but it was different standing so close. He seemed to draw in strength—absorb it—and cloak himself with it. He was untouchable, and a palpable air of tension immediately crackled between them.
Taking advantage of Hayden’s distraction, Nicolas lashed out. He feigned a punch, which Hayden fell for, and then he completely swept her off her feet.
She fell on her backside, but scrambled back up, her cheeks warming. It wasn’t that she was that bad, it was just that Nicolas was that good.
The eldest Slayter prowled around her, a smirk firmly in place. His gaze was sharp—knowing—as he observed her flushed cheeks. “It’s good to know I can still fluster you, Hayden. And here I thought my charm wasn’t nearly as effective as it used to be.”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” she complained darkly.
She kept her shoulders relaxed, knowing better than to remain stiff with anxiety. Her senses sharpened as she prepared herself, all the while, watching Nicolas as he disappeared into her blind spot.
Her ear twitched as a fist struck through the air. She turned, blocking it with her forearm and tossing the momentum in the opposite direction. Just as quickly, his left hand grabbed her striking fist, holding it captive.
Adolf warned her not to engage in close combat with an overpowering male, especially a Slayter. They would dominate with their sheer physical prowess.
Hayden struggled with him, her arm trembling at the excursion. With her wrist still held captive, she dropped low and twirled around the back of his legs. Using her free elbow, she jabbed him in the back of his knee.
It was enough of an annoyance for him to release her.
“Good,” Nicolas praised. “You discovered a weak spot.”
Sensing no forthcoming attack, Hayden looked up at Nicolas, her face clearly expressing her doubts. “The back of your knee is your weak spot? Somehow, I find that hard to believe.”
“No, it’s everyone’s weak spot.” He motioned at her elbow. “I couldn’t help but notice that you were implementing Cole’s specialty when you fought Sophia. My brother enjoys going for the elbow of his opponents. It usually works well for him, except he knows his opponent’s dominant hand.”
He winked and Hayden scowled fiercely at the insinuation.
“I didn’t know Sophia was dominant in both hands.”
“Nor should you have known she was ambidextrous. It is a rare trait.” He touched her knee with the toe of his boot. “I use the knee when I’m in a close bind.”
Which is never, Hayden thought bitterly.
“Attacking the kneecap will render your opponent vulnerable. If he’s good enough, he will deter your attempts. If you’re good enough, you can hit him thrice in the front of the knee, and finish it off with a powerful blow to the back of the knee. You will have him down on the ground.”
She considered his words. “Why don’t most others use it?”
“Because they aren’t agile. I would think, with your flexibility, and your ability to kick, that you can use this tactic to your advantage.”
Hayden stared up at him, a loss of what to feel. A small, uninvited flame of admiration sparked, but she forcibly pushed it away. It didn’t matter that he was taking the time to teach her, or that he had rescued Cole.
What mattered was that he was untrustworthy, he killed his own family, and he was cruelly manipulative. She didn’t know what was real and what was a clever guise.
“Why did you have to sacrifice them all? Amber Beard’s pack?” Hayden blurted out, desperately needing the answers. “And how did you make Tracer trust you again?”
Nicolas’ face was impassive, but his eyes were piercing. As if he could no longer hold it in, a small, fleeting smirk lifted his lip. “Who is Amber Beard?” He scrutinized her. “I hadn’t realized you were thinking this hard about my intentions. All you had to do was ask.”
He flashed a smile full of teeth, an entirely roguish leer.
Before Hayden could press further, something slammed on top the train. She flinched, her ears ringing at the sound of crushed metal. Slowly, she looked up, noticing a substantial dent in the train’s roof.
Silence stretched as Nicolas and Hayden stared, listening and trying to identify the source. At first, Hayden thought it might be Cole, somehow leaping onto the train to catch up, resulting in a dramatic entrance.
However, as smaller, yet steady footsteps began walking to the side of the train, Hayden immediately identified its source. A chill slid down her spine as she listened to the eerily robotic gait. There was only one creature w
ho could strike fear with only its saunter.
Nicolas must have identified it at the same time, for he grabbed her arm and effortlessly hauled her to her feet.
“Jump,” he ordered firmly.
With her mind not quite catching up to the moment, she gave a startled gasp as Nicolas threw her out of the train. Her world spun and she was weightless. All she heard were the train’s deafening wheels as she fell to the ground.
Though she planned on landing on her feet with the grace of a cat, her foot landed on a slippery slope. She struggled, grasping at the muddy hill in hopes of regaining balance. Mud caked under her fingernails and coated her fingers, eventually rendering her grip useless.
She surrendered to gravity and rolled down the hill, encountering nothing but thick and wet mud.
Finally, for what seemed like eternity, the muddy terrain turned into rocks. The fall was more painful, but Hayden quickly regained her balance. Resting on her hands and knees, she steadied her pounding heart and listened as the train retreated away from her.
She could hear the birds chirping and the steady rhythm of water trickling over rocks. Slowly, she looked over her shoulder, spying a small creek further down the hill. Small boulders were lining the water bed, their fuzzy moss a vibrant shade of emerald.
Winter possessed a cruel beauty, but Hayden preferred the welcoming sight of life and color.
Steadily, she got to her feet, studying her surroundings. She didn’t hear anything out of the ordinary. Nicolas was nowhere in sight, either was their adversary. Like a typical male, Nicolas probably threw her out of the train for her safety. He thought he could lure their enemy inside the train and take care of it himself.
Typical, Hayden thought despondently.
She hoped he was struggling without her.
Gritting her teeth together, she tried wiping away the mud coating her clothes. It was futile. Her clothes were ruined and even drying mud caked her skin.
Her hands paused over her sleeves as soon as she detected the awkward silence. The birds abruptly became mute, and the creek that once seemed discreet was almost deafening in the silent forest.