Elaine POV
“What are you sniffing around for?” I asked Azaire through our mind-link.
His wolf sniffed around a thin green bush while I lay on my back watching him search.
“For a scent,” he replied.
He looked up and stared at me. His green eyes took me.
“Aren’t you going to help?” he questioned.
“I don’t even know what we’re looking for.”
He sniffled and marched over to me. Even though we were both Alpha wolves he felt a lot bigger than me especially when he towered over me. Azaire snapped his jaw around the skin on my neck and dragged my wolf up to her feet as if I were nothing more than his pup.
“Let’s go. We’re looking for proof of your theory,” he said before marching off.
I sniffled. “Ugh, Alphas.”
“How are we going to look for proof in the middle of nowhere Azaire? It would be easier for you to tell me you don’t believe me.”
“I don’t want to believe you, mate. Richie thinks Lucas fell in with the wrong crowd but what you’re telling me is worse than what he thinks.”
“Because he crashed into Richie’s car?” I questioned as I followed Azaire through the trees.
We were deep in the Blood Moon territory so we didn’t run the risk of meeting wolves from other packs.
“That and Richie’s been stalking a rebellious group,” Azaire confirmed.
I ground to a halt. “You knew about this? Do you know Zoe’s involved in it?”
His wolf turned around and tilted his head as if he didn’t know how major that was. “No.”
“Well, she is! Her whole family could be involved.”
“Oh come on, Elaine. I think you and Holly need to learn to get alone.”
I growled. “Why?”
“Because of Leon and me. I want the woman I love and the mother of my child to get along.”
I rolled my eyes. I snuck up behind him and snapped my jaw on his tail. He jumped and yelped.
“Elaine!”
“Alright, let’s go!”
I ran off into the woods with Azaire hot on my heels. I’d pay for that stunt. Not long he jumped on me and tackled me to the ground. Murky mud coated my white fur.
“Ugh, you owe me a shower!” I scowled.
“Shh, listen…”
We remained quiet and shortly after I heard people speaking over each other. Azaire quickly got on his feet and dived deeper into the forest. We couldn’t get too close because they would sense our scent. However, I recognized those voices. They were the same people who welcomed me into the pack and then left me tied up at a cemetery.
“It’s been months! It’s time for action,” Greg yelled.
“We don’t have enough people! Are you trying to get us killed?” Scooter yelled in frustration. “Elaine nearly killed us and she’s just one girl.”
“You guys were taken by surprise. If we get her alone you could easily take her down,” Zoe added.
I stared at Azaire. His wolf was stone-cold as he listened. The more I listened the more voices I heard but I couldn’t recognize most of the voices however it seemed to be a small group.
“We don’t have to go to war. The plan isn’t to provoke the beta army. They’re too strong, but if we take down Shaw mansion then we’re good. It all starts with the Ryker women,” Greg said.
Chase said Lucas was the leader so why’s loser Greg taking the stand?
“How’s killing two innocent women and an unborn child going to help?” Chase questioned.
“Don’t grow a conscious now, Chase,” Zoe snapped.
Chase chuckled. “Weren’t you the same girl bragging about your elevated status after your sister’s kid was welcomed in the Shaw mansion? I won’t be surprised if this is your last meeting. You’re an opportunist unless you’re willing to risk your nephew’s life for this.”
“What the fuck…” Azaire commented.
“Shut up! If we should be questioning anyone’s commitment to the group, it’s yours!” Zoe yelled.
“Let’s go,” Azaire said, turning around.
“Wait, there could be more.”
“Now Elaine.”
***
Silence settled over us as we got dressed after our exploration. I felt bad for him. I wanted to snuggle by his side and hold him all night, but his muscles were tense and I thought he needed a moment to be alone.
“We should get back,” he mumbled.
He marched to his bike. He climbed on first then held out his hand for me.
I took it and then wrapped my arms around his chest. I pushed doses of my feminine Alpha power into his body. My essence seeped into his muscles and searched for his soul. It was meant to relax him but if I didn’t do it right I could end up knocking him out. He exhaled softly and wrapped his arms around me, digging his nails into my back.
“Your Alpha power feels so good. Why haven’t you done this before?” he said and kissed my neck.
“I don’t know. I was scared of knocking you out.”
He barked out a laugh. “That would be sweat.”
“I’m sorry babe, about everything.”
“It’s okay. It doesn’t prove Lucas is involved. My brother wouldn’t betray us like that. It proves Chase is involved in a plot against his Pack and that’s grounds for banishment.”
“Azaire,” I gasped.
I didn’t mean for Chase to be banished. That’s the worst thing you can do to a wolf.
“Climb on mate. I owe you a shower remember?”
“Are you banishing Zoe too?” I demanded.
“That’s classified information.”
I growled but before I could argue Azaire sparked the car to life and drove off. We didn’t have proof Lucas was part of the scheme but my friend was vulnerable in that house and I couldn’t let anything happen to her. However, accusing a member of the Alpha’s family didn’t go down well so I needed proof and someone who I trusted to help me.