by Bryce Evans
“What did they find?” Zoey asked, anxious for answers.
“A man was found dead in the truck. It looks like someone escaped through the passenger door before they got there.” Pushing his fingers through his hair, she could see how fearful he was for her safety. “Look, I know you can handle yourself, but baby, I can’t take a chance with you until this is over or Claudia Blackwood is dead. Right now, I need for a few guards to be with you at all times. I know that London is getting the same treatment. Claudia was on our land and almost killed you, now she is trying to run you off the road and kill you. It’s only going to get worse, and you are my mate, and I…”
“I understand, Kayden. I may not like it, but I understand it.” Zoey spoke fast knowing he needed to know she would allow him to keep her safe. Leaning over, she ran her lips softly over his to let him taste her. She wanted to calm her mate down, so she agreed to the guards.
****
Rose and the kids ran out of the house when Kayden pulled up with Zoey. He could see the relief on their faces as they focused on her. Looking over at his mate, Kayden watched as the biggest smile came on her face when Rose and her family ran up to the truck to greet her. That was the first time he realized that Zoey was more than he deserved. She was a better person than he could ever hope to be. She brought the best out in everyone around her. He was a lucky bastard, and he knew it.
“Zoey, are you okay?” Rose rushed forward hugging her as Zoey got out of the truck. Thorn pulled up behind him, got out, and looked at the damage to his vehicle.
“I’ve never seen anything like that,” Thorn responded, amazement evident in his voice. “Your mate grabbed the gun and didn’t hesitate, and not only saved us, but hit her mark on a moving vehicle. Did they find the guy?” Thorn asked with concern on his face.
“They found the driver, but the passenger door was open, and a blood trail ended at the road. Someone picked the passenger up.” Anger sparked in Kayden’s eyes as he explained.
“What the hell is going on, Kayden? The vehicle came out of nowhere. One moment there was nothing there; the next, it was ramming us from behind. You know how I am about checking the area, and I never saw the vehicle.”
“I believe you, Thorn. This witch is pulling out all kinds of tricks that I’ve never heard of. We need a Council meeting, and the covens need to be there.” Kayden pulled Thorn away from Rose and the kids. “There is a traitor among us. How else would they have known you were in town with Zoey? I know they could have seen you, but they wouldn’t have had time to have people waiting for us,” Kayden cautiously revealed his thoughts.
“I’ll go call the others and set up a meeting. Then I’m going to meet with all the Betas. We need to form a plan to secure the areas. I’m sorry, Alpha. If Zoey had been hurt, I don’t…”
“Stop, Thorn. I don’t blame you, and I know you would protect my mate with your life. This is something we are not prepared for. I have a feeling it is going to get worse, but I don’t blame you,” Kayden explained then hugged his second in command. He was scared for him, too, and he needed him to know that as well.
“Now here is something else.” Thorn leaned in toward his Alpha. “You better get the others to come and help. She bought the stores out, and it’s all crammed in the back. So get over here, and help me tote this stuff in.” Thorn chuckled when he saw the look on Kayden’s face.
“You have a good mate there, Alpha. She didn’t even flinch when she grabbed the gun out of the glove box and started putting rounds into that door. She knew exactly where to hit too. If it hadn’t been for her quick thinking, I just don’t know what would have happened. I was proud of her today.” Thorn gazed over at Zoey as she hugged all the kids.
“Don’t I know it, buddy,” Kayden answered with a laugh.
Zoey brought the kids and Rose to the back of the vehicle and showed them some of the things she had bought for them. He could see Titan’s face as he looked at all the new clothes and toys for the kids. Kayden knew not to say anything, because he knew Zoey could handle it.
“Zoey, we can’t accept this stuff. I appreciate the cabin, and we will pay the Alpha rent for staying here, but that”—Titan pointed at all the bags in the back of the SUV—“is too much, and we can’t accept it. I appreciate it, but, no.”
Zoey smiled then walked over to Titan and hugged him. “Titan, do you trust me?” She released him and looked up into his eyes.
“Yes ma’am. You have been very kind to us, but—”
“Then trust me when I say that I will make a list of everything I purchased, and each day I want you to stop by my office and help us out with some work. I think you can learn how to use the computers, and each day that you come and work, an item will be deducted off the list. That way you can pay it off at your own pace and still help us out. How does that sound to you?”
Titan glanced at Kayden before a half smile lit up his face. “You are a funny person. I guess I don’t have a choice here, so as long as I can work all of this off, then I guess we can keep it, but I will work it off. Make no mistake about that. I won’t falter on this. We don’t take handouts, even from our Alphas.” Titan smirked and shook his head as he started handing bags to each of the kids to take in the house.
Kayden laughed knowing Titan wouldn’t be able to deny his woman. He wanted to explain that he was in the same boat as him with Zoey, but he just let it go and allowed them to work this out.
Chapter 30
After everything was taken into the house, Zoey handed each of the kid their own bags. It was like Christmas Day as they watched the children’s eyes light up. Titan didn’t unload his stuff or peek in his bags; he just watched his siblings gasp and laugh at all the toys and clothes. Titan just nodded when they brought out the items and held them up to their older brother. Whether he knew it or not, he was a young Alpha in the making. He took care of his family like an Alpha male should. It made Kayden sick thinking about what his father had done to numerous families. He knew that it was coming to a head, and the possibility of having to challenge his father was high.
Thorn walked into the house with a smile on his lips. He could tell that Thorn loved the kids already and was just as happy about all they could do for them. “The furniture truck is here. We need help unloading.”
“Okay, take all your bags and put them in your closet, so we can move your beds in,” Titan ordered his family. Excitement broke out among the small ones as they jumped up taking all their bags to their rooms. Titan picked his up and walked out the back door. Kayden gave him a few seconds then followed. He watched from the window as Titan put his bags in the closet, but something must have caught his eye when he stopped and opened the bag. It was a pair of blue jeans and a wallet. He opened the wallet, then held it up to his nose smelling the new leather smell. It was small, but it was still a smile. He took extra care when he wrapped the wallet back up and put it in the box. Kayden tiptoed back down the stairs and waited out front for Titan.
Redmond Free, owner of Redmond Furniture, came out of the back of the truck and walked over to him. He bowed. Redmond was old school and wouldn’t stop doing that, even though he had asked him many times to stop.
“Alpha, you are doing a good thing here. I remember when this cabin was built. It needs a family in it. I think they will do well here from what your mate told me,” Redmond reported.
“Thank you, Redmond. I think they will too. They are a good family, and I thought they would make a perfect fit here in the cabin. Thank you for bringing the furniture today. I haven’t put anything in here for a long time, and they have nothing.”
“You did well,” Redmond repeated then walked back to the truck where his workers were unloading the bunkbeds first. Redmond was under his father’s rule and remembered how the man was. Two weeks after his father relinquished control to Kayden, Redmond paid him a visit and stressed how he could do things differently from his father. It humbled him knowing that he could go down the same path his father had, or he could
be a better Alpha and change how his pride was run, and that was what he did. He called everyone in and explained how the pride was going to be run, and if they didn’t want to be a part of his pride, then they could always leave. Not one member left, except his father’s guards and their families, and he was glad they left before he kicked them out himself. Bullies were what they were, just like his father.
Once the boys saw the men unload the bunkbeds, they started jumping up and down.
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” both Russ and Marcus screamed. They were excited to say the least. Running back inside, they opened all the doors for the workers as they unloaded piece by piece. Once they got to Carina’s bed, they could all see how surprised the little girl was. She got a queen-sized bed in her room. The girl had probably never even slept on a bed, much less one that big, until she came to Alpha City. It made his heart hurt when he watched Carina lightly touch her bed as if it was a piece of gold.
Most of the day was filled with putting together the furniture and putting the finishing touches onto Titan’s bedroom. It looked great, if he had to pat himself on the back, and Titan was correct when he said he was good with his hands. He was an excellent carpenter.
****
Zoey and London both left for the office along with Thorn and two others guards. Ryder sent guards as well to escort them to their office. Zoey knew it was overkill, but with all the events that had taken place, it might not even be enough. Somebody was going to get hurt or killed, and she knew it. She could feel it deep down.
Claudia Blackwood was going to accomplish her goal one way or another. They needed to come up with a plan to take the woman down, but how?
“Zoey, you’re very quiet.” London sat down in her office.
“Sorry. Just thinking about what we need to do to find Claudia Blackwood,” Zoey answered dryly. She wrapped her arms around herself as she thought about the two times they had already tried to kill her. “She is going to kill somebody, London.”
She knew her voice came out strained, but she also knew she believed that it was inevitable.
London nodded. The pained and scared look in her eyes told her that she felt the same way.
“I’m scared for all of us. What can we do to figure out how she keeps popping in and out of our land?” Zoey asked.
“If this was a matter of security, it would be simple, but magic is totally something different,” London answered, but something else was wrong. Zoey could see it on her face.
“Zoey, I need to tell you something, and I need for it to stay between you and me, okay?”
Silently, Zoey got up, pulled London over to the couch and sat down beside her best friend. “Of course, you know you can trust me.”
London smiled faintly, but she still looked worried. “When I did the reverse spell on Metilda Blackwood and took her powers, it also allowed me to see into her coven with her mother, Claudia.” Zoey shook her head, wondering if she heard correctly.
“You can get into her head and see and hear what she is saying?” Zoey asked her brows furrowed as she stared at London.
“Yes, I can, but it is very dangerous. If I do something stupid, then she would know that I’m in there. I don’t know how this happened, but it has and it scares me that if she found out, then some way, somehow she could reverse it on me and know what we are doing as well,” London explained.
Zoey didn’t know what to say to that. She could see now why London was frightened.
“Say something.” London grabbed Zoey’s hands and held them.
“I don’t know what to say,” Zoey replied. “I hear what you are saying, and I almost can’t believe this. Maybe we can use it to our advantage some way. I don’t know. Have you spoken with the coven members?”
“No, only Me-Len and Meryl know and now you. Ryder doesn’t want anyone to know because they think we have a traitor within one of the covens. That is why it is imperative that you don’t tell anyone.”
“I see. I think we do too, but who is it?” Zoey got up and started pacing. “Whoever it is London, I’m going to kill the one for betraying us.” London didn’t say anything, and Zoey knew that she felt the same way.
“I don’t know, but we need to find out and quick, before…” London emphasized. Her voice quivered as she spoke. They both felt the same way and needed to come up with a plan.
Chapter 31
Thorn was driving Zoey home when her cell phone went off. “Hello. Hey, baby. Sure, that would be great. Yes, we are on the road now. Love you too.” Zoey hung up the phone and glanced over at Thorn who was smiling like a Cheshire cat.
“What are you smiling at?” Zoey asked with amusement in her voice.
“Just you and my Alpha, and well, now you are my Alpha too, but I have to say that he is so much better now that you are here and mated with him. You’re good together,” Thorn answered.
Zoey’s heart soared feeling accepted by Thorn, who is the Beta of the pride. “Thank you, Thorn. That means a lot to me that you support us as a couple.”
“Why wouldn’t I, Zoey? You are meant to be together. I never understood why Kayden’s father only wanted shifters mating with their same kind. It was stupid and not realistic. Kayden is a natural born leader. His dad is a dictator, a bully, and nothing more. I have no respect for the man.” Zoey smiled at Thorn. She was happy that he was a good second and an even better friend to her mate and now her.
“Can you drop me off at the cabin? Rose has cooked, and you are invited too,” Zoey said.
“Sorry. As much as I love Rose’s cooking, I have plans with the enforcers tonight. We have some things we are looking at, but tell her to save me a plate, if you will, and I will come by later and pick it up.” Zoey’s head jerked around at what Thorn said. He would pick it up later, tonight. Apparently, Thorn saw her staring at him and just smiled brighter. She would let it drop for now, but she would definitely bring it back up later.
Thorn pulled up at the cabin, got out, and helped Zoey out of the SUV.
“Thanks, buddy,” Kayden announced coming from around the house.
“No problem. I will call you later, after the meeting.” Kayden nodded and held Zoey close to him as he walked up the steps. Before he opened the door, he backed her up against the wall and inhaled her scent.
“I’ve missed you, my mate. I don’t like being away from you this long. I plan to show you just how much in a little while. I have a surprise for you later,” Kayden muttered as his mouth glided over her mating mark. Her body shivered from the flick of his tongue.
“Kayden, if you keep doing that, I will take you right here, my love,” Zoey teased him back.
“Zoey’s here!” Kayden growled as Russ looked out the window. “Gross, they are kissing.”
“Come on, before they come out here and get a show they shouldn’t see with their Alphas making out on the front porch.” Zoey giggled.
Kayden stuck his lip out, but relented and pulled Zoey away from the wall and walked to the door letting her walk in first. He had a hard-on, and he needed to get it under control before the others saw it.
“I’ll be there in a minute,” Kayden responded. Zoey looked down and saw his pants were tented. She giggled and went inside. Kayden sat in one of the rocking chairs to try to clear his mind.
Leaning his head back against the rocking chair, he wondered what they were going to do about Claudia Blackwood. She was pure evil and would kill someone soon. He knew it was going to happen. Everyone would look to the Council for answers. Two attempts on an Alpha’s mate would work its way through the cities’ gossip news, and soon panic would set in. They needed to meet and figure out a way to stop this. In his heart, he knew the answer already, and they were in a tight spot because nobody knew what to do to stop this woman. Ryder had already contacted the Witches Council, and nobody knew where Claudia Blackwood’s coven was located.
Apparently, she had been planning this for years and had gone to great lengths to hide their location. The Council instructed Ryder
to be careful because Claudia was a very powerful witch, and she only took in the strong who thought like her.
Unfortunately, they seemed just as worried about what Claudia was doing. She had made her move, and it seemed the ball was always in her court.
“Kayden, are you okay, baby?” Zoey asked from the screen door. He could see the outline of her face as the light shined on it. She was worried as she looked at him. Times were changing, and they both knew it, but they needed to get their emotions under control so the others didn’t pick up on it. Panic wasn’t something they needed now or ever. Everyone needed to work together for the sake of Alpha City.
“Sure, baby. Just enjoying the night air. You stirred the beast inside me,” Kayden answered, he could see the small smile cross her lips. She walked outside and sat down on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her scent always calmed his nerves, and she was just what the doctor ordered.
“Supper is ready,” Zoey whispered. Her arms gripped him tighter. He knew she had picked up on his uneasiness.
“Then let’s get a good meal, so we can go home where I can have my way with you, okay?” Kayden leaned down and whispered in her ear. Her giggles were what he was waiting for as she nodded.
Wrapped around each other, Kayden led Zoey back into the house where they sat down to a wonderful meal.
****
The dinner table became quiet as if they were afraid to ask any questions about what happened earlier to Zoey.
“Alpha, what happened earlier with Zoey?” Titian finally asked. They could see that they all wanted to know what was going on. Kayden knew it was time to inform them of everything. They would be in danger as well and needed to know what to look out for.
“You are now part of the pride, and I think you need to know what happened before you arrived, especially with the two incidents that have occurred. It started about six months ago. Zoey’s best friend, London, the one you met earlier is the keeper of a very powerful gem.”