Chapter 4
T he next day, when Cliff and Stella found out that Jacob had arranged for Sloane to speak to Lucas Anderson in New York, they insisted on coming with them. Jacob was all for it. With her sister around, Sloane wouldn’t try to run away again.
“I don’t know what you did to convince Sloane and get her an audience with the Alpha,” Cliff said when they were alone as the two women went to Stella’s parents to tell them what happened. “But I’m glad you did. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
But the truth was, there was no meeting with the Alpha. Not yet, at least, but he was going to make it happen.
Honestly getting the stubborn she-wolf to stay had been easier than trying to get a meeting with Lucas Anderson. From what Uncle Killian had told him, though the Alpha heard them out, bringing up a case against Ronan Forte was low on his priorities right now. And who could blame him? Though they defeated their enemies and saved mankind, the Lycans were still paying from the aftermath of the war with the mages. They had lost a lot of good people, and their secret had been revealed to the world. The Alpha certainly had more important things to worry about.
However, he did know someone who could get him an audience with the Alpha, though he really dreaded going that route.
But he didn’t exactly have a choice anymore.
“Er, I have to make a call.”
“Yeah. But, uh …” Cliff glanced around sheepishly. “I just want you to be the first to know, before we leave, I’m going to ask Stella’s parents for her hand in marriage.”
“Old fashioned—they’ll love it.” He chuckled and patted his cousin’s shoulder. “Good luck, though I don’t think you’ll get an objection.”
“Yeah, thanks, man.”
Giving him a thumbs-up, Jacob turned and walked out of the living room and closed the door behind him. With a deep, calming breath, he dialed a number from his list of contacts.
“Acme Grill and Cafe, you kill ’em, we cook ’em, how can I help you?”
“Cut the crap, Lizzie,” he groaned. “You know it’s me.”
“What’s up, baby bro?” His older sister, Lizzie had answered with a laugh.
He groaned inwardly. “You know I’m like, a foot taller and have a hundred pounds on you, right?”
“Yeah, but you’ll always be the baby,” she teased. “Anyway, to what do I owe the honor of a phone call?”
“I need your help.”
“Oh my. Moi ? You need my help?”
He could practically hear the glee in her voice. “Look, this is serious. If you’re gonna be an ass about this?—”
“I’m not.” She paused. “All right, what do you need?”
“I need a meeting with the Alpha. Well, not me, but for Devon’s twin sisters.” He gave her a short summary of what he told Sloane.
“That’s it?” She clucked her tongue. “Sure, when do you want to see him?”
“Today.”
“All right, done.”
He frowned. “That’s it? You’re not going to torture me?”
“Do you want me to?” She cackled. “But hey, Stella and Devon are family now, I’d do anything for them.”
“Thanks, Liz.” He breathed a sigh of relief.
“Sure thing, baby bro. Now let me make a call and I’ll get back to you.”
“Bye, Liz.” Jacob slipped the phone back into his pocket.
Well, that wasn’t as bad as I’d thought.
It wasn’t that he hated Lizzie, but she was always a pain to deal with—nosey, demanding, and forever getting into his business. He didn’t want her asking a ton of questions, like who Sloane was to him and why he wanted to stop her from going after Forte.
Because if he were honest, he didn’t know the answer; but if something did happened to her, he would never forgive himself.
His wolf let out a growl, as if to say it wouldn’t forgive him either.
He scrubbed a hand down his face. Surely once he heard Sloane’s story, the Alpha would agree to bring a case against Forte. That bastard was a murderer, plus, he’d turned an innocent young girl into a criminal. It made his blood boil, thinking of how he’d used Sloane. He almost wished the Alpha would deny their request, so he could get his hands on the asshole himself. Though he told Sloane he’d help her go after Forte, putting him away was the best way to get justice and keep her safe.
Once the Alpha agreed to help them, he could finally wash his hands of the smart-ass she-wolf.
The vibration from his phone jolted him out of his thoughts. Opening the messaging app, he saw the text from Lizzie.
The Alpha’s sending his jet, get everyone on it and he’ll meet with you as soon as you land. Will send the flight info to your email.
That’s it?
Yeah, what else do you want? A welcoming committee? A party?
He chuckled. Thanks Liz, I owe you one.
Oh yeah, you do (wink emoji).
For a moment, he feared what future favor Liz would want, but whatever it was, it would be worth it.
“Wow, I can’t believe your Alpha sent a private plane,” Stella said as they settled into their seats. “It’s so nice.”
Yeah, me neither, Jacob thought. “He wanted to make sure we were comfortable.” He wasn’t sure how Lizzie pulled this off or what she wanted in return, but it didn’t matter. Sloane wanted to meet the Alpha today, and so, she would get her wish.
Sloane sniffed as she plopped into her plush leather chair. “Yeah, it’s nice I guess.”
Of course, she could have been a bit more grateful. Jacob snorted. He wondered if she demanded something impossible just so he could fail.
Ha, that’ll show her to doubt me.
“Please fasten your seatbelts,” the steward announced. “We’ll be taking off shortly.”
The flight was uneventful, and when they landed at a private airstrip just outside New York, it was already early evening. A black SUV waited at the tarmac, and soon, they were whisked off to the city, straight to the offices of Fenrir Corporation, the mega conglomerate that the Alpha’s family owned and ran. Aside from being Alpha of New York, Lucas Anderson was also Fenrir’s CEO. The SUV brought them to the basement garage where they took the private elevator all the way up to the top floor office suite.
“Oh good, you’re here!” a bright cheery voice greeted as they stepped out of the elevator.
Jacob groaned. “What are you doing here, Lizzie?”
“What, I can’t meet my baby brother after weeks of not seeing him?” Laughing, she rushed up and embraced him.
“ Oomph ! Hey, careful with that thing!” He nodded at her very obvious baby bump.
“ Pshaw .” She waved at him, then punched him in the shoulder. “I’m invincible, remember? Hey, Cliff, Stella!” She greeted. “And you must be Sloane.” She held out her hand. “I’m Lizzie. Jacob’s my brother.”
“I’m so sorry,” Sloane quickly replied, which earned her a peal of laughter from Lizzie.
“And I’m sorry you’ve had to spend the last couple of days with him,” she said.
“I’m right here, you know,” Jacob groused.
“I know,” both Lizzie and Sloane quipped at the same time, then they looked at each other and shouted, “Jinx!”
He slapped his hand on his forehead. Oh God, this was his worst nightmare.
“I like you.” Lizzie winked at Sloane. “Is it true you knocked him out with a kick?”
He shot Cliff a pointed look. “Did you tell her?”
“What?” Cliff raised his hands. “Why would I do that?”
“It was in his debrief report,” Lizzie said.
“Which, according to protocol, is private,” Jacob retorted.
“Meh, protocol, s chmotocol . We’re family.” She waved her hand at him. “Anyway, Lucas is waiting, we should go in now.”
“What are you doing here anyway?” Jacob asked as they made their way toward the large wooden doors on the far side of the office suite.
“Why can’t I be here? I was the one who cashed in a favor just to get you this meeting today.”
“You got me this meeting?” Sloane said.
“Yeah, me and the Alpha, we’re tight.” She raised a hand and crossed her middle and forefinger together. “Well, I mean, I did this one favor for him a couple years ago, so he owes me one.”
“The Alpha is expecting you,” said the young man in an expensive suit waiting just outside the doors.
Lizzie thanked him and pushed the heavy doors open. “Let’s go.”
The office of the CEO of Fenrir Corporation occupied an entire corner of the building, with floor to ceiling windows that showed off a spectacular view of the glittering New York City skyline below. Lucas Anderson, Alpha of New York, sat behind a large desk, head bent down, his fountain pen scratching on paper the only audible sound in the cavernous room.
“Primul,” Lizzie greeted. “We’re here.”
The Alpha put his pen down and looked up. The first thing anyone would notice about Lucas Anderson were his strange eyes—one green, one blue. But for a Lycan like Jacob, it was the pure dominant vibes emanating from him that caught his attention. This was a man who had true power and commanded respect wherever he went.
The Alpha stood with the languid grace of a predator and strode over to them. “Welcome to New York,” he said to Stella and Sloane.
Sloane bowed her head and pulled her shirt aside, showing the tattoo just below her clavicle, in a standard greeting Lone Wolves gave to Alphas. “Thank you giving me permission to enter your territory, Alpha.”
He gestured to the set of chairs and couches behind them. “Shall we?”
“Thank you, Primul, for agreeing to see us on short notice,” Lizzie began as they seated themselves.
“How could I say no, when you called in your favor,” the Alpha replied, an amused glint in his bicolored eyes.
“I did save the Lupa’s life,” she replied smugly.
“And I thank you for that. But, it’s getting late, and my family is waiting for me at home, so let’s get down to business,” he said. “Miss Sloane?—”
“Just Sloane,” she said.
He nodded. “Sloane. Tell me what you know about your parents’ murder.”
Despite her confidence and bravado, Jacob could sense the hesitation in her. She glanced around, and when he caught her gaze, he gave her a nod. You can do it, he said silently.
Turning back to the Alpha, she took a deep breath. “I was told my parents had died in some kind of war with another clan. But that was a lie. My Aunt Ella, who raised me, told me the truth about two years ago: Ronan Forte, Alpha of the Boston Clan, had them killed when they tried to escape and turn straight.” She paused, biting her lip as if she were trying not to cry.
“They wanted a better life for their children,” Cliff said. “Devon, Sloane, and Stella. They were split up. We think Ronan’s crew got to the parents somewhere in LA. They must have left them behind and sacrificed themselves so their children could escape.”
“You at least know that part is true,” Lizzie added. “We have records of Devon and Stella in the system, and DNA proves that they’re Lycans and siblings. And I think it’s pretty obvious Sloane is Stella’s twin.”
The Alpha turned back to Sloane. “What do you think happened to you?”
“I’ve been thinking about it a lot over the last couple of days. My best guess is that Ronan must have seen that article about us being abandoned at the train station and his guys took me before my records were entered into the system.”
“Forte brought her back and forced her to turn to a life of crime. To use her gifts to break the law.” Jacob couldn’t help himself, and all eyes trained on him. Good . Sloane had tried to sugarcoat it by saying she had a good childhood, but that didn’t erase what Ronan did.
“Jacob,” Sloane warned. “That’s?—”
“He was her Alpha,” he interrupted. “He was supposed to protect her.” There was a subtle shift in Lucas’s face, so he continued. “Instead, he put her into more danger just so he could amass his wealth and power. Please, Alpha you have bring this case to the High Council and get justice for them.”
Lucas Anderson remained quiet, contemplating their words. “I’ve already spoken with Killian, as you know. And while I can’t stand by knowing another Alpha has committed murder and other crimes, I haven’t seen any evidence that links Forte to the murder of your parents. Any crime he commits against humans doesn’t fall under the Lycan High Council’s jurisdiction. I’m not dismissing your claims, but you must understand, the members of the council will ask you the same thing: where is your proof? You don’t even have bodies.”
“Bodies?” Sloane shot back. “They were executed and their bodies probably dumped somewhere between the Colorado River and Appalachians. What, you want me dig up old bones?—”
“Sloane!” Stella hissed, pulling at her arm. “Please.”
“It’s all right,” the Alpha assured her. “I would be upset too. Again, no disrespect. Is there a way your Aunt Ella can testify?”
“She’s dead,” Sloane said.
“My condolences. But you can see how this puts me in a delicate position.” The Alpha leaned back in his chair. “The Boston clan is large. Not as big as New York, but still influential. I know Forte’s reputation, but he’s always kept a low profile, and none of his criminal activities have broken Lycan law. You remember the night we went to war with the mages, right?”
“Yeah.” Sloane’s lips thinned. “I tried to come and help when I heard about what happened. But my contacts from inside the clan warned me to stay away, because if Ronan found me, he’d have my head. He was actually hoping I’d show up.”
“He came with all their able-bodied Lycans, and they fought hard. Lost a few good ones, too.”
“And I knew most of them,” Sloane said, her tone bitter. “Good people.”
“Thanks to their sacrifice, we won.” The Alpha paused. “I’m not saying Ronan’s contribution to the war absolves him of his crimes, but certainly, the Lycan Council will consider it.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Sloane barked.
“Alpha, if I may.” Lizzie raised a hand. “You said you need evidence, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then what if we find it?” She tapped a finger at her chin. “Real proof that Forte killed their parents? Or other bad stuff he’s done to his people and other Lycans?”
“I think I know what you’re getting at.” The Alpha folded his hands together. “If you can get proof that he did order the murder of one of his Lycans, then of course I’m obligated to bring it to the council, and they’d have to investigate.”
Yes! Jacob cheered to himself. Now he was glad he called on Lizzie. Not only was she an excellent hacker, but her powers as a hybrid allowed her to break into any computer system in the world. She was the one who found Devon and Stella in the first place.
“That’s settled.” Turning to Stella and Sloane, she said, “Don’t you worry, I’ll dig up something on Forte.”
“That would be amazing,” Stella said. “Right, Sloane? If Lizzie can find solid proof, then the council can make him pay.”
Sloane’s nostrils flared. “I suppose. If they put him away for life, somewhere in a very deep, very dark hole.”
“But of course, you can’t expose yourself, Lizzie,” the Alpha added. “We can’t let anyone know about your special ability.”
“Special ability?” Sloane asked.
“I’ll explain later.” Lizzie patted her hand. “But yes, Alpha, I promise. I’ll start working on it tomorrow.” Standing up, she placed a hand on her belly. “For now, it’s time to feed the monster. I swear to God, I just ate thirty minutes ago, and now I’m starving again.” She winked at Stella. “You must want food too.”
Stella chuckled. “Yeah, I only had a protein bar on the car ride here.”
“You poor thing.” She tsked. “Well, thanks again, Alpha. We can consider that debt paid.”
Amusement flashed across the Alpha’s face. “You’re welcome.”
They all filed out of the office, where the same young man in the suit stood by the elevators, bidding them goodnight as a not-so-subtle way of telling them to leave.
“That wasn’t so bad,” Stella said as they exited the elevator and into the garage. “Can you really find evidence against Forte?”
“I’ll do my best,” Lizzie replied. “But if there’s any trace of it on a computer or on the Internet, I can find it with my powers.”
“Powers?” Sloane cocked her head to the side. “What powers?”
“I can talk to computers.”
“ Talk to computers?” Sloane said. “Like literally talk to them?”
“Yep,” she said, popping the p .
“And they talk back?”
“Sometimes they don’t stop.”
“But you’re a Lycan.”
“Well, my mom’s a witch and my dad’s a Lycan, so I’m both.”
“Lizzie is a hybrid,” Cliff replied. “Like Jacob.”
Sloane’s head swung toward him. “You? You have magic powers? What are they?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” he teased. He had found it amusing when she had called him Hot Stuff because she had no idea how on the nose she was.
“Well? What is it?”
The fact that she wanted to know made it even funnier. “I guess you’ll have to find out.”
She flashed him a dirty look. “It’s probably annoying people to death.”
Lizzie burst out laughing. “I really like you. Now,” she linked her arm with Sloane’s. “I’m going to need your help with my research.”
“Anything you want, as long as it can help put that bastard away.”
“Good. I’ve already decided, you guys will be staying with me for a few days.”
“She is?” Jacob said.
“We are?” Sloane said at the same time.
“You’re a Lone Wolf, right?” Lizzie waved a hand around. “So, you don’t have any place to stay?”
“Wait a minute,” Jacob raised a hand. “Why does she have to stay with you?”
“And where is she supposed to stay? In your bachelor pad at the Hudson Yards?”
“Hey!” he protested. “It’s a brand-new condo.”
Lizzie stuck her tongue out at him. “And I live in a penthouse apartment with a doorman, a top-of-the-line security system, and my father-in-law is a dragon.”
“A what ?” Sloane and Stella said at the same time.
“Dragon shifter .” She placed a hand on her belly. “No worries, this one’s all Lycan. Now, whaddaya say, Sloane? Stella? You’re welcome to stay too.”
“Stella’s coming home with me.” Cliff placed his arm around his mate. “We’ll be headed to West Virginia tomorrow so she can start her training.”
“Yeah, and you can finally get rid of your blue balls,” Jacob chortled.
Even Sloane snickered, as she had been there when Reverend Lennon had insisted, or rather, ordered that Stella stay in her room and Cliff sleep on the couch while giving a lecture on premarital relations.
“Shut up,” Cliff muttered, and Stella’s face turned beet red.
“Good for you, you go get it, girl.” Lizzie winked at the couple. “It gets worse during the second trimester. Anyway, it’s settled. Sloane’s bunking in with me.”
“Nothing—” A buzzing from his pocket interrupted him. Taking his phone out, he tapped the green call button impatiently. “Hello?
“Jacob.” It was his Uncle Killian. “I need you at the office.”
He groaned inwardly. “Now?”
“Yeah. I know you just touched down an hour ago, but I need to go to Toronto. It’s urgent.”
“Fine.” He still had a job, after all. “Send me the details.”
“What’s wrong?” Sloane asked.
“I have to go,” he said.
“Now?” Her voice pitched higher than usual. “Where to?”
“I have my next assignment lined up.” He winked at her. “Gonna miss me?”
She rolled her eyes. “Like I’ll miss having a rash.”
Lizzie burst into laughter. “Oh my God, you and I are going to get along so well.”
Jacob sighed. “Whatever. Well, good luck with that.” Shoving his hands into his pockets, he headed out the doors, ignoring his wolf’s whines.
Most of the time, he was excited by a new assignment, a new destination. But this time, an uncomfortable sensation settled in his stomach at the thought of leaving Sloane. His wolf, too, protested, scratching its claws at him.
It’s only because I’m in the middle of this Ronan Forte thing. He hated leaving things unfinished.
Yeah, that was it .
It had nothing to do with a not being able to be around a certain smart-mouthed Lone Wolf.