SHADOW
“You’re not actually considering everything he said. We could be walking to a trap.”
“This is a desperate time, Zack. If you have an idea how to end this, now is the time to share it with the class.” Califf was frustrated, and Aciano’s betrayal took a hard blow to him and his leadership.
“I’m sorry, Alpha. I’m not questioning your decision. It’s him that I don’t trust.” Zack pointed at Kain, who just joined us in the living room. He already changed into a shirt and jeans, which my father had loaned him. Zarah even treated his wound. “I have a pretty bad feeling about this.”
“I know. I feel unnerved, too, but Waylon and Eleanor are not answering their phones, and it will take minutes before the guys can get to their house. The problem with SOS to the pack members is that they will cause panic and might as well inform those loyal to Aciano and Claire.”
“At least the guys are already informed.”
“Let’s do this.” My father stood across the table before Kain. “I ordered my men to clean the mess you left at Calder’s apartment.”
“Thank you for letting me know,” Kain said with a nod. “Alpha King.”
“If you betray Sebastien, you know what will happen to you,” Zarah started.
“I’m aware of the consequences, priestess.”
“Good. Now give me your hands.”
They offered their hands out. Zarah made a cut on my father’s palm before she did the same on Kain’s. “Shake your hands together, and don’t let go.”
Zarah began her binding spell as soon as they gripped each other’s hand. This one was different from what she did before with Grady and his pack members.
“As long as you don’t have a death wish, you’re good,” she said to Kain. “It’s done.”
“Shadow gave my father a second chance. Since you are the only living relatives I have from my mother, I will give you the same chance Shadow did. I hope you won’t disappoint me.” Calder quickly left before Kain could reply.
I saw the pain reflect in Kain’s eyes. “It may take a while. You lied to him and almost killed the people he cares about.”
“If I don’t die today, then I have all the time in the world to ask for his forgiveness.”
“Good idea.” I watched Califf walk in my direction. His brows wrinkled. “What’s wrong?”
“I still can’t reach Dad and Mom.”
“I tried earlier. No luck, but I left them voice messages.”
“They will plan to attack at night. We still have time,” Kain informed. “That, if he hadn’t figured out I betrayed him.”
“Let’s go.” Califf gestured to everyone. Zarah created a portal. Thankfully, she got to rest for a few hours.
“I’m coming with you,” Alessandro was already geared up.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“You guys need all the help you can get. I can’t shift right now, but I’m good with guns.” He stole a glance at Kain, who didn’t try hard to hide his anger towards him.
“Don’t even think about it, Alessandro.” My father patted his shoulder. “You’re coming with us then.”
“Yes, Alpha King.”
“You can shift, can’t you?” he asked Kain.
“Yes.”
“Good, but don’t ever bite anyone but our enemy.”
“No plan, Alpha King.”
Califf held my hand. “Be careful. Stay close to me.”
“I’m not letting you out of my sight, Alpha.” I wrapped my arms around his arm, kissing him on the lips before we stepped into the portal.
“It feels surreal,” Kain said as he looked around bewilderingly. “Where are we?”
We were about half a mile from Califf’s parents’ house. I knew this area. The guys arrived as well, with five of my father’s men. Zarah also came along.
“I don’t smell humans,” Zack said.
“Looks like they’re not yet here.”
“I hope you’re right, Kain, or I will kill you myself.”
Kain snorted. “Do you realize I am stronger than you, mutt?”
“One versus eleven of us. I like the odds, pussy.”
“Enough!” Sebastien glared at both of them. “I will be the one to rip his heart out of his chest if he even tries laying his claw to your pack. Now, focus on the task and find Waylon and Eleanor.”
“My apology, Alpha King.”
As we got closer, Califf gripped my hand. He must have heard my heartbeat rising.
“Stay alert,” Alessandro said.
I went to Calder’s side and held his arm. Everlee nodded in understanding. I let them go ahead before I spoke with Calder. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“You trained with Grandpa about your gift. I don’t trust Kain, but I want to know from you if he’s telling the truth. And he doesn’t know you got a gift, right?”
“Just a few of us know, and I only told Alpha Grady besides Everlee.”
“That’s great. So, what did you find out?”
Before he could answer, Califf looked over his shoulder and found us.
“That’s what pissed me off. He’s telling the truth, but I sense something different about him.”
“Well, that’s great, right? At least there’s something real about him. Just don’t let your guard down even if he’s your uncle and did the witch bind with my father.”
“Oh, he can’t convince me that easy. He left me, knowing I was a monster, and I almost lost my wolf.”
“What’s going on?” Califf came, shifting his gaze between me and Calder.
“Agh. I wish I could talk to you in our pack link.”
He hid his smile. “Well, you know how it works.” He offered his palm.
“Yeah, because I’m human, and my skin won’t heal quickly, big guy. Hard pass for now.”
We reached the house. They began climbing through the wall instead of going through the gate.
“Shadow and I will walk through the gate. It would look less suspicious,” Califf suggested.
“Just be careful,” my father said.
“I’ll go with them,” Zack suggested.
When my father agreed, we rounded to the front gate. Califf unlocked the door and sniffed the air.
“Zack, stay with Shadow.”
“Where are you going?” I hissed in anger as he didn’t tell us his plan.
“Stay beside me,” Zack said, but since when did I follow anyone’s order? I pulled my gun out. I may not have their super senses, strength, and agility, but I had the human instinct, and my instinct told me to follow Califf inside the house.
The house looked untouched. Califf went upstairs to his parents’ bedroom while I went to the garage. The car wasn’t there. It looked like they left hurriedly, or someone might have just arrived before us.
“I specifically-”
“I’m sorry, Alpha, but I’m your Luna.”
“You’re unbelievable, Shadow.” He shook his head in annoyance. “Find anything?”
“Their car isn’t here. I’m calling their phone again. Try the pack link. They’re already reachable.”
“I tried it many times, baby,” he said brusquely, “Looks like they made it out.”
“I’m worried about them, too, Califf.”
He drew a deep breath and held my hand. “I’m sorry. I’m just-” He nodded. “Aciano has been planning all this for years to kill my father and has no remorse for killing werewolves, and he won’t think twice about killing my mother in front of my dad.”
“Guys, we got company,” Alessandro announced.
Califf and I went to the window and checked who was behind the gate.
“Oh, thank Goddess.”
“They’re friendly,” I told them.
The car drove inside the gate, and Eleanor carried a large bouquet.
“Shit.” Califf groaned loudly. “Today is their anniversary.”
My mouth hung open.
“Honey, stay back. I smell something,” said Waylon to his mate.
Califf went downstairs. “Guys, it’s me.”
I followed him, waving my hand at Eleanor and Waylon. “And me.”
“Hey, honey. What are you doing here?” Eleanor hugged me tight. “I heard what happened, honey. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s fine.” I went to Waylon. “And congratulations on your anniversary.”
“Thank you.”
“So you guys went on a date?” Califf started.
“Yeah.”
“Your phones. We’ve been calling your phones, and none of you picked it up.”
“I’m sorry, son. What’s this all about?”
My father and everyone walked into the living room.
“Calder?”
“Waylon.” They shook hands before he went to kiss Eleanor. “Lovely to be here uninvited.”
“You’re family, Calder. No invitation necessary.” She saw Everlee. “Honey, how have you been?”
My father introduced everyone on his team, “And this is Kain Haynes. Calder’s uncle.”
Before Waylon shook his hand, he sniffed him.
“I’ll explain everything,” Califf cut in. “Right now, we have a bigger problem. That’s why we’re here.”
“Looks like it, honey. I smelled tensions and mixed emotions when you two showed up.”
“Mind if I make some sweet tea?” Zarah said to Eleanor.
“Please, go ahead.”
“Shadow, come help me, please?”
“Of course.” I followed her to the kitchen.
She opened the fridge and grabbed some lemons. “What did you and Calder talk about earlier?”
“I asked if he could read Kain. It’s disappointing to know he’s telling the truth. Why did you ask? Did you sense a negative vibe with your mojo?”
“That’s all I want to know.”
“You held his hand. I’m sure you get something.”
“He’s telling the truth,” she said, but I felt she was hiding something from me. “Aciano is the mastermind, and he hates you so much. He managed to convince a witch to turn sides.”
“Stupid witch.”
“Go back and stay with them.”
“If you don’t need my help.”
“I’m good.”
“So, sweetheart, huh?” I grinned.
“Shut up.”
I left her, smiling.
“Son of a bitch! He did all that because he wanted to get to me?” Waylon was already standing, fists clenching.
“I guess he wants more than that. Because he wouldn’t win if he challenged me, he took care of the people I care about one by one. And he began with the powerful one that could possibly be the next Alpha.”
All eyes were pinned on me except Califf.
“Me?” I pointed at myself, snorting. “I’m not Alpha material. Seriously. It’s absurd.”
Zack, Calder, and Everlee shook hard to hold their laugh.
“Not Alpha Material? Girl, you’re the epitome of domination. You’re-” Everlee stopped, stealing a glance at Kain.
“I know about her, Everlee. She’s the only daughter of the Lycan King. Her mother is a witch. She’s also a hybrid and has a healing gift. I didn’t realize sooner that she is the lone survivor.”
“Was. Had.”
Califf and Everlee’s face fell.
“It’s alright, guys. So, he took me down. Now what?”
“I have something to tell you,” Kain said, which made everyone turn to him.
“What? Make sure it’s something important that can extend your life.”
“There’s maybe a way to get back what you lost.”
“How?” A part of me wanted to believe him, but I couldn’t get my hopes up and ended up disappointed.
“You’re the only one who can do it.”
“That’s not very helpful,” I said evenly.
“You’ll find it out soon enough.”