SHADOW
I couldn’t believe this was happening. I couldn’t blame Califf for going off the deep end. I didn’t know that man and his true intention. Everyone could play a good guy and manipulate a picture, but he had something up his sleeve. I also felt terrible for him and my mate.
I felt Califf’s emotions- his confusion and rage, but he didn’t have to act like a big bad wolf in front of his guest.
“Hey.” Kindra met me at the door. “So, who’s the handsome guest?”
“I don’t know if this is my secret to tell, but apparently, he’s Califf’s half-brother.”
“What?” She held my arms, eyes widening. “You can’t joke something like that, Shadow.”
I sighed. “I wish I were, but I was shocked, too. Still, I am.”
“It must have been horrifying to Alpha. How is he doing?”
I nodded. “Yeah. He’s brooding and mad and kicked that poor man out.”
“I can’t blame him, though. I mean, why now? Wait.” She stared at me. “Is he-”
“He smells more human.” I shook my head. “He said he hadn’t shifted, but he felt something inside him.”
“Yeah. Waylon is a werewolf alpha. The wolf gene is stronger, and he’s a male. I wonder how he did that.”
“Did what?”
“Control, not shifting for the first time.”
“I don’t know. That’s got me wondering, too. I wish I couldn’t read thoughts, but Calder’s heartbeat was normal until Califf got mad.”
“What’s that?” Kindra saw what was in my hand
“Oh.” I looked at the glass I had taken from the table. “It has his fingerprints and probably DNA. Do you know anyone-”
“I know someone.”
I froze at the voice behind my back. My pulse pounded. “Well, at least you’re not punching a hole through the wall.”
“Wait. I’ll take a sterile bag.” Kindra left, leaving me with the mad wolf.
“You shouldn’t have done that. You should have given him the benefit of the doubt.”
“Fuck him.” He slipped his hands in his pocket.
I looked at him through his eyes and saw something. He was hurting, felt betrayed, and scared.
“I know how you feel, but your parents love you. Nothing’s going to change that. If you’re worried about your position, I don’t think he will ever challenge you. He’s a bastard son, half-werewolf-”
“You don’t know that. He’s a son of an alpha, and he can’t shift?” He narrowed his eyes at me. A muscle in his jaw flexed before he spoke again, “There’s something odd about him. I didn’t believe him even a little. Those were collaborated lies. He can be a spy or a member of those fuckers. Now he knows where we live. Every one of us can be in grave danger. Do you realize what that means?”
I breathed deeply. “One way to find out. We will put him under a witch spell like a truth serum.”
“No. I don’t want to expose what advantages we have. I don’t want to see him again.” He exhaled heavily as if he was scared I’d asked something.
I sighed in desperation. “I know it’s shocking, and it hurts that the man you trust and look up to keeps something as big as this from you, but first, does your father know about him? And I’d been there, Califf. It was worse, but I learned how to forgive. You have to give it a chance when the DNA result comes in.”
“What now?” Kindra came back with the bag. I dropped the glass inside the bag so she could seal it. She gave it to Califf, who was still brooding.
“I’m going to talk to my father tomorrow.”
“What if he’s your brother?”
He snapped his head at me. “I still don’t trust him.”
I rolled my eyes. “Remember when you locked me up? I hated your guts, but our mating bond pulled me closer to you. I’m sure deep in your heart you always wanted a brother, and blood still thicker than water, Califf. You may disapprove of what I said, but you have to give him a chance.”
“No fucking way.”
“Then you’re giving me no choice.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” He growled that pissed me off.
I was already walking away when his voice roared, calling my name.
“Shadow!”
I hadn’t gotten far, and my arm was already under his grip. “Let me go.”
“You’re planning on something?”
“My arm, Califf. You’re hurting me.” I breathed through my nose, and my wolf got mad at how our mate treated us.
He loosened his grip but didn’t let me go completely. “Don’t do something stupid, Shadow. I need you by my side more than ever. The threats from the hunters are still out there. You can’t go wandering around-”
I faced him, meeting his glare. “What do you think I am planning to do?”
He stalked closer, eyes blazing. “You’re going to meet him.”
“Why would I do that?”
“I know you, mate.” He put a slight emphasis on the word mate.
“Maybe I was planning him a visit. I want to get to know him if you’re not interested. He’s mysterious, and I have plans. I’m sure he doesn’t know who I am.”
“You don’t know that. He could have known more than we suspected if Calder found our territory in a single click. And there’s a strong feeling in my gut that he’s hiding something.”
“Then we should get to know him. How about we pay him a surprise visit? I will know if he’s one of them.”
“That’s dangerous.”
“Alpha is right.”
I turned to Zack, joining us. “Did I ask for your unsolicited opinion?”
He shrugged, dropping his gaze. “My apology, Luna.”
Nosed flaring, I pointed at him. “I thought we were best friends. You won’t ever do that to me. I find it more disrespectful.”
“I’m sorry,” Zack said.
“You’re not going to see that man, Shadow. That’s an order.”
“Well, good thing I’m not just your Luna. I’m also your wife. And you know me better than that, Alpha. I’m your constant pain in the ass.” I walked away, dragging Zack with me.
“Shadow!”
“I’m going to have a drink with Zack.” I was sure he was talking to Zack via the link, warning him to cut Zack’s head off if he disobeyed him.
“Where are we going?”
“Buy us some beers in the bending machine. I’ll wait under the tree.”
“Okay.” Once he left, I picked up my phone and texted Zarah to portal me.
I walked towards the tree, Zack’s favorite spot. The portal appeared. Before Zack could come back, I was already at Zarah’s house.
“What the hell, Shadow?”
“I need your help.” I followed her to the kitchen. She must be cooking. I smelled butter and fish.
“Of course you do,” she said drily.
“I’m sorry, okay. I just want to know if you know Calder Haynes.”
“Who’s that? New boy toy?” She turned off the fire and faced me.
“Jeez. I’m a one-man woman. I’m loyal and faithful to Califf.”
She rolled her eyes, then closed them and gripped my hand. Our hands got warmer, but I grabbed back, not letting it go.
When she finally let my hand go, she looked at me. “He’s a handsome fella.”
“You saw him?” Amazed, I asked. Why was I even bothered? I shook my head to clear my thoughts. “Who’s he?”
“Your mate’s brother.”
My mouth hung open.
“Alpha has a brother?” Aira joined us. I didn’t know she was still here and not with Tor.
“Keep this between us,” Zarah said to her.
“Of course. I won’t tell Tor.”
“You should go now. I have things to discuss with Shadow.”
“All right-y. Bye, guys.”
Once Aira departed, she prepared her dinner.
“I’m sorry. I’ll be in the living. Enjoy your dinner.”
“Don’t be silly. Help me prepare the table.”
“Okay.” I went to the drawer to pick up cutlery and took glasses from the cupboard. Then I went to the table to set up for two.
She came with two plates of salmon and veggies.
“Can’t you just magic the food you want?”
“I can, but I don’t abuse my ability, Shadow. That’s something you should learn.”
“Yay. Thanks. I have no plan to abuse my gift once I learn how to control it.”
“Good.” She left, and my phone rang.
I knew it was Califf, but the caller ID showed Zack.
“Zack, I’m sorry-”
“Where are you?” That authoritative tone made me wince.
Shit.
“Hey, Alpha. Miss me?”
“Shadow, come back now.”
“Give me one hour.”
“I swear I’m gonna have a talk with the witch.” That time, Zarah came back with the bottle of wine.
“You know where my loyalty lies, Alpha. I love Shadow more than you. Now, let us dine in peace, and I will send her back to you in one piece.”
He breathed deeply, probably trying to control his rage. “Fine.”
The call ended, and I felt Zarah’s gaze on me. “Just say it.”
“You can’t just sneak out behind your mate, Shadow. You and him are bound for eternity. You have to consider his emotions and respect his authority. He’s the Alpha. He could be an overprotective mate, but he bounds to take absolute control. If he said no, listen to him and give him your reason. And right now, it’s not the right time to make him mad. He needs you, and you should consider the greatest threats you’re going to face are these hunters.”
“That’s why I am here.” I poured wine into our glasses. “I’m done with my dinner, but I won’t say no to this.”
“Tell me.”
I picked up my fork and cut the salmon. I smelled herbs, and it looked delicious. “Califf thinks-”
“Calder is a hunter. So how do I come in?”
“Calder said he never shifted. He took something to suppress his wolf.”
“That’s painful.”
I put down my fork and looked at her. “So you know what I’m talking about?”
“You have a lot to learn of their kind, honey.” She sipped her wine. “Yes, it’s possible. If it’s something he drinks, that must be Wolfsbane essence. If something he injects is lethal, it’s a small amount of silver nitrate. It could be witchcraft, too.”
“I think I know what to do.”
She dropped her fork and rolled her eyes. “Oh, boy.”