Filed to story: The Alphas Contract Novel by Taylor West
I glance back at the circle of fire. “Looks like I just did.” She didn’t need to know that I met another Witch on the way up here. Or that the Witch was the reason I could see the castle.
She brings her hands up and balls of fire appear.
“Do your worst.” I smile at her and she throws ball after ball at me. They bounce off, landing on the grass and causing small fires. The Witch had done a fantastic job of protecting me from fire. I might have to pay her a little more.
“What are you?” She snaps
*You have already said it. A Hunter. Now you are going to help me get inside and you are going to introduce me to your son as though I’m an old friend. Do you understand? And then, and only then. I might let you live through the night.”
“If I don’t?”
“I will kill every last person inside of that wall.”
“You are lying!”
“Would you like to test me? Four days it has taken me to find this place. I have killed a dozen Rogues on the way, f not more. A few irritating Wolves that thought they were above everyone and now, I am currently staring at my next victim.”
*Silas will kill you?”
“No he won’t. He may think that it’s you he wants. But it isn’t, not really. His son is all that matters and sooner or later. He will realise that.”
She hits me with another ball of fire. It doesn’t even knock me back a step. “You will never get inside!”
She moves backwards onto the river bank and she steps into the water. She appears to be standing on top of the fast flowing river. A smile plastered to her face. “Follow me then, Hunter,” she sneers.
I step down the river bank, but my foot drops into the water as she continues to walk away.
I hear a cackle as she crosses to the other side and watch as the gates open just enough to let her pass through.
They slam shut as I retreat. I hear multiple locks slot into place, deadbolting the gates shut.
No one in and no one out apart from a select few.
This is going to be fun.
Dane
I stand just outside of Neah’s hospital room, watching her through the window. Still nothing had changed. She looked peaceful. Relaxed as though she was sleeping. Monitors are still connected to her, just in case, including one wrapped around her stomach for the twins. Yet everything points to her being in some sort of deep sleep.
The doors to the hospital open, a gush of air rushes in, accompanied by my twin’s scent.
He was alone, which surprised me. The pack were yet to accept him. Giving him stares and odd glances wherever he was. Some even went as far as checking in with me to make sure it was him.
The pack had heard my side. Every single Wolf and Lycan had listened to the news of what my father had done and thankfully, they still stayed, just as Mallory said they would.
It was a relief. Though they were unsure of him and probably would be for some time. I didn’t blame them, not after everything I had learned from a single phone call with Brax.
“Where’s Damien?” I ask
*Helping Samara with something. He said you wanted to see me?* Silas stops next to me, looking in through the window that separates us from Neah. His eyes move to my mate and a small frown appears on his face. “Still not woken up?”
“No.” I confirm
*Is this why you wanted to see me? I can’t help with this. Is it the pup?”
He had been here for a week and somehow, he had still not learned of Evrin and Logan.
“No.” I nod my head at one of the nurses and she heads in to sit with Neah as I take Silas into another room and quietly close the door. “Why didn’t you tell us about White Cliffs? The walls? The river? The deadbolt gates? The fact that the entire pack is concealed under a spell of some sort.”
“I thought the walls and the gates would be expected. You have gates. As for a spell, I don’t know what you are talking about.” He shakes his heas as he cocks an eyebrow
I stare at him. Brax did suggest that he was under some sort of spell too. That his mate, Thalia, had tricked him. Just like Cooper tricked so many people, only the one Silas is under is more severe.
*I assume Brax is there then?” He asks me.
“Yes.”
*I swear, there is no spell, Dane. If there were, I would have told him. I even drew a picture of the castle he needed to look for.”
“Okay.” I mutter, not believing him about the spell. He had to know something.
*Thalia and Quinn, are they safe.?”
*He has met Thalia.”
He lets out a sigh of relief. “You don’t know how good it is to hear that. Is she okay? She must be, I would know if she is hurt.”
*Thalia doesn’t have a scar.” I tell him without missing a beat.
He opens his mouth to say something, but changes his mind and closes it as a frown develops.
*Brax told me. Don’t you find that interesting? I know I do.”
He snorts. “Brax is lying. I’ve seen it. I’ve spent years convincing Thalia that it doesn’t bother me. It covers part of her shoulder, the side of her neck and her face. That was the worst day of our lives. We lost our son and now you are telling me that I imagined the fire that burned down our home? What the hell is wrong with you?” Brax did say there would be denial.
“Next you will be telling me that I imagined my children. Just because you have had problems with a Witch, it doesn’t mean I have.”
*You need to calm down.”
“I thought you were going to help. That was the deal.”
*Damien made the deal, not me. My deals usually favour me.” I turn away from him and sit on the empty bed.” Tell me why she refuses to leave? Why wouldn’t she bring your remaining son to safety? Why doesn’t she believe you?”
“Why does everyone keep asking me that? I have explained myself over and over. She doesn’t see Serkan as a threat. It has taken some time, but I do. I understand that, but you are making my mate sound like she is his sidekick.”
I fold my arms up across my chest and lean against the wall. “Come on, Silas. Surely you are not that blind? Did you know what Cooper did to all those prisoners?”
*Not entirely.” He frowns at me.
*Honestly, I’m a little surprised Samara hasn’t told you considering you are sleeping on their sofa.”
“Well why don’t you enlighten me brother?” He snaps
*Firstly, you need to earn the right to call me brother. There is only one person that I will accept that from and you are living in his home. As for Cooper, he lured them in with the pretence that he was their mate. Created an aroma that would convince people that they had found their fated mate. Male, female, he didn’t really care as long as he got what he wanted.
“Now we have already worked out that was how Serkan has been growing his population. Then you were sent to go and get them.”
*That doesn’t mean my mate was involved.” He tuts. “You are implying that she has tricked me. There is no way she could keep that going for years.”
“Really?” I scoff. “You really don’t think a Witch with the ability to control fire would be involved in something like this? Witches like two things. Power and money. Is she driven by money?”
“No.”
“Interesting.”
‘Maybe a good clip around the ears will help.’ Aero tuts.
“All I want is my mate and pup. That’s it.” Silas pleads
“She won’t be welcome here.” I tell him
*Just her or all of us?” He scowls at me
“I don’t think that requires an answer.” I lock my eyes on his. “A mate bond is strong. It provides a level of comfort. We are able to see past the surface. Connect with them on a different level to everyone else. Neah is in some sort of deep sleep and where am I? I am here, in the hospital, every day and I will be here every single day until she wakes up. Even in her sleep she feels my presence. Whereas your mate will not even consider that you are telling the truth. Do you know what that tells me?”
He doesn’t speak
“She knows what Serkan is like because she is doing his bidding. Just like how you collected people for him.”
“She’s not bad.” He protests. “Brax will bring her here. Just speak to her. You will know she is on our side.”
*Brax did speak to her. She tried to kill him with fire. Now I know he can be a bit of an asshole and it does take some time to get used to his ways but she didn’t hesitate.”
“You’re lying. The same as this idea that my mate killed my other son. What is wrong with you?!”
“Brax isn’t a liar. In fact lying is one of his most hated things. That and Rogues.”
He rolls his eyes at me.
I couldn’t get through to him. I don’t know why he couldn’t see that his mate was involved.