Alpha King’s Secret Baby (The Runaway Mate #1)

Chapter 28

Bastien

We waited until dusk to implement the strategy. That’s when the guards changed over, and darkness would give us the best cover. James was supposed to be on watch that evening, giving us the perfect opportunity to slip into the commune. Getting in would be easy. It was the rest that worried me. We had a lot of moving parts.

The rest of us stayed back while James relieved the pack protector at the guard post. Muffled chatter came from inside the booth. I couldn’t make out the words, but the tone sounded neutral—friendly. Nothing to worry about. My heart beat too hard in my chest as the minutes ticked by.

Finally, the guard left the small wooden building and strolled toward the commune. I motioned for everyone to wait until he was out of sight, and then I waited a moment more just to be sure the coast was clear.

“All right,” I said in a low voice. “Let’s make this quick and quiet.”

I led the small group through the entrance, and James joined us. It was only a short walk before we hit the outer buildings of the commune. At this time of evening, most people were at home, cooking or eating dinner. But that didn’t mean we wouldn’t run into anyone.

“This is where we split up,” I said. Even though it was my plan, this was the part I didn’t like. But I knew it gave us our best chance.

I looked at Casey. I hated to send her off without me, but Theo took priority. She had nothing but determination in her eyes. She was counting on me to make this work, and I wouldn’t let her down.

“James, I want you on point as you take Diana, Oscar, and Casey to Kildaire’s house,” I said. “The rest of you are with me.”

James nodded. It was time to move, but I hesitated.

“Casey,” I said, emotions bubbling within me. I touched her shoulder, but I really wanted to cup her face, pull her toward me, hold her, and keep her safe.

She put her hand over mine and met my gaze.

“I know,” she said, saving me from having to voice my feelings—how I couldn’t lose her, how I needed her, how I loved her.

“Go get our boy,” I said instead.

“Remember your promise.”

“I do.” I just hoped it was a promise I could keep.

I retreated, stopping myself from wrapping her up and telling her to stay back while the rest of us handled this. I knew there was no way she’d agree.

And it was up to me to ensure Casey could carry out her part of the mission.

I drew a deep breath and motioned for my team to follow me. I waited until we were closer to the town square and away from Casey’s team before I cupped my hands around my mouth.

“Kildaire!” I bellowed. “Come out and face me! I know what you did!”

I repeated myself over and over, drawing as much attention as possible. Jules and the others joined in, calling for Kildaire and making sure the whole pack was looking. People trickled outside to see what the fuss was about, and with all eyes on us, Casey and the others could sneak into Kildaire’s house and get Theo undetected. Hopefully.

“Kildaire, you coward!” I yelled as we stepped into the square. Town hall, the Alpha’s seat of power, loomed over me. I didn’t know if Kildaire had already gone home or not, but either way, I’d draw him out. “Come and face me, you murderer!”

The pack gathered around us, some worried, some angry, and others confused. Jules stood beside me, shoulder to shoulder. The rest remained in formation behind us, ready to fight if that’s what it took, but I hoped it didn’t come to that.

Kildaire appeared in the doorway of the town hall, his face like thunder. Tobias hovered to his left, his eyes glassy and his face haggard. He looked even worse since the last time I saw him. He must have been hitting the herbs hard—he was swaying on his feet. I was glad Casey had her pendant. She would remain hidden from his Sight.

“What is the meaning of this?” Kildaire asked, feigning ignorance.

“It’s time for you to own up to your crimes,” I said, projecting my voice so everyone could hear me. “The pack deserves to know what you’ve done.”

Duncan pushed through the crowd, followed by some of his lackeys. That was good; it meant he wasn’t guarding Theo.

“I’ll take care of these idiots,” Duncan said to Kildaire, cracking his knuckles.

“No.” Kildaire straightened, gathering his authority. “I’d like to hear what Bastien has dreamed up. He’s been missing for weeks. I sent him on a mission, then he went radio silent. Now, he shows up clearly addled. It seems our former golden boy has even further to fall.”

Kildaire was trying to stack the deck against me, reminding the pack of my disobedience.

“I haven’t dreamed anything up,” I said, keeping my voice calm and steady despite my desire to tear his throat out. His lies were the least of his crimes, but they added insult to injury. “In fact, I’ve never seen things more clearly.” I turned slowly to look at the pack, seeing the faces of those I’d grown up around—those I’d have given my life to protect. “You see, many years ago, a few members of our pack became tired of Kildaire’s iron fist and backward rules. They didn’t think a woman’s worth was defined by her ability to bear children, nor did they believe in constantly sacrificing our protectors to defend a territory that wasn’t even ours to begin with. And when Kildaire found out that these people opposed him, he had them killed.”

A few gasps of shock echoed through the air, but most were skeptical.

“That’s quite the fantasy you’ve come up with,” Kildaire said, laughing. Behind him, Tobias swayed groggily, but there was fear in his eyes.

“It’s not a fantasy,” I said, remaining composed. I addressed the pack again. “You see, two of the people Kildaire sentenced to death were my parents. He sent my father and his squadron into a battle he knew they would lose, and then he had Tobias poison my mother.”

Kildaire’s eyes widened, but he quickly recovered, donning a sympathetic expression.

“Poor orphan Bastien,” he said, overdoing the compassionate tone. “I was aware your parents’ untimely and unfortunate deaths badly affected you, but if I had known your grief twisted your mind, I never would have encouraged you to join the pack protectors. I thought I was giving you a purpose, but I see now that I should have sheltered you.”

I clenched my fists but held my nerve. I knew Kildaire was trying to get a rise out of me to discredit me and further his agenda. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

“If you don’t believe me,” I said to the pack, “maybe you’ll listen to an old member of Moon Edge.”

I nodded to Frankie, and he stepped forward. A handful of older pack members recognized him and cried out at the revelation.

“What Bastien says is true,” Frankie confirmed. “I was a part of the group that opposed Kildaire. He sent us to our slaughter for the crime of wanting freedom from tyranny. I wish I had been brave enough to expose his crimes twenty years ago, but I knew he’d kill me if I returned. I let you all down by running away and allowing this pack to continue living with his oppression.”

More and more pack members showed signs of belief. Some stared angrily at Kildaire, while others were visibly upset. I knew the feeling.

“Surely none of you are stupid enough to believe this,” Kildaire said, noticing the tide turning against him. “Frankie Delacorte is a traitor, who Bastien was supposed to bring back for trial. He’s filled Bastien’s head with lies; don’t let him beguile you too.”

Jules stepped forward, looking at Kildaire with contempt.

“You say Frankie is a traitor, but what is his crime?” he asked.

“He abandoned the pack,” Kildaire answered with a snarl.

“That’s it?” Jules asked, his eyebrows raised. “He decided to leave, and you had him hunted down twenty years later. And we’re supposed to believe you’re not a despot?”

“I am your Alpha,” Kildaire roared. “I expect to be obeyed!”

A ripple went through the pack as eyes opened to the truth. Kildaire liked people to believe he was a benevolent wartime leader—a protector who kept us safe from the evils of other packs and shifters who sought to take our territory. He didn’t interact much with those beyond the pack protectors, barring when he ruled over disputes. They hadn’t seen his true face like I had. But they saw it now.

Kildaire reined in his wrath, running his hands down his front as if wiping dust from his shirt.

“I’ve entertained this madness long enough,” he said. “I will return home to enjoy the safety this pack provides like all of you should.”

He was laying it on thick, but that wasn’t what worried me. He couldn’t go home. I didn’t know if Casey had rescued Theo yet.

Kildaire descended the town hall steps, and the pack began to part, letting him leave. I had to act quickly.

“Kildaire,” I said, raising my voice. “I formally challenge you for the role of Alpha.”

Jules gaped at me, shocked. The whole pack spun and stared.

“You dare challenge me?” Kildaire asked, fury radiating off him in waves.

Nobody had ever challenged Kildaire. He was stronger than the average wolf, magically empowered as the Alpha. Even as the child of fated mates, I wasn’t guaranteed to win. But I wouldn’t risk Casey and Theo. I’d promised to do everything in my power to save Theo. I just hoped I could also keep my vow to survive.

“It’s time to end this,” I said.

“So be it,” Kildaire replied with the gravity of a delivered verdict—a death sentence.

Kildaire lunged at me, transforming into a massive black wolf in midair. He barreled into me, knocking me to the ground with snapping jaws and ripping claws.