Chapter 43 An Alpha’s Heir
forty-three
An Alpha’s Heir
*SILAS*
There was a time in my life, a very long time ago, in which I loved Aloysius, my older brother.
I am the second oldest, meaning Aloysius was the only one to watch out for me.
When I think about that time, my heart aches.
I feel sorrow and grief for the relationship and bond we once had, yet I am also filled with anger.
At myself, for not noticing the signs earlier or stopping him when I still could. And at Aloysius, for using and abusing everyone around him.
“Just how many properties does he have?” Eugene enquires as Alex spreads the map in front of us. “It’s all over the world!”
“We,” Alex says.
Eugene blinks. “Pardon me?”
“He means to say that it’s not Aloysius’ property, but ours,” I explain. “Technically. He is just using it more.”
“But why?” Cassian asks.
“Because he is an asshole,” Alex says shortly. “He made himself look like this undefeatable vampire lord. When Silas and I noticed, it was already too late. He had occupied most of our properties.”
“Talking about undefeatable-“ Eugene says.
“How can we defeat him?” Marcellus asks at the same time.
He and Eugene blink and exchange a glance.
If I hadn’t made it my goal to hate Eugene, I would find the moment cute.
Marcellus has a soft heart; he will forgive his brother sooner than later.
Therefore, I decided to be the asshole and make Eugene’s life harder, so that he won’t feel too comfortable.
He hurt Marcellus once; I don’t want him to hurt him a second time.
You have kind of a scary expression, you know that? Marcellus links me. Hot, but scary.
Well, if it’s hot to you, then I am fine, I tease him.
Anything wrong?
Not at all.
This is about Eugene, isn’t it?
I can’t believe it. I, Silas, am known to be cunning and with one of the best poker faces worldwide, yet my 23-year-old werewolf beloved easily looks through me with his cute puppy eyes.
Thanks for having my back, Marcellus says to my surprise. I have no idea how to handle Eugene from here on. It’s easier for me, knowing you are looking out for me.
I smile at him. Before I can reply, though, Alex successfully pulls me out of the conversation.
“We can’t kill Aloysius,” Alex explains. “That much is for sure.”
“You are belittling your own strength,” Julianus says. “I know for a fact that both you and Lord Silas are very strong.”
“You mean to say, because he is your brother?” Eugene asks. “That’s why you can’t kill him.”
“No, Alex meant it in the literal sense,” I tell the others.
“So, it’s a spell or something,” Lori concludes.
“Exactly.”
Julianus stares at me, completely shocked. “I didn’t know that!”
“No one did,” I say. “I never shared it with anyone, nor did Aloysius. It’s our Achilles’ heel after all.”
“If you can’t kill him, can we?” Lori wants to know.
“I don’t want to belittle anyone in this room,” Alex says bluntly. “But no.”
“The thing is, we are very old, and we all know some tricks,” I say. “Killing Aloysius is extremely difficult, even for a high-ranking vampire or lycan. He isn’t where he is now because he is weak.”
“What can we do?” Marcellus asks. “Is there a way to catch him? Imprison him or bind him?”
“That’s the only chance we do have,” I say. “Alex and I can fight him as long as we don’t kill him. We could put a spell on him.”
“If it’s about fighting, that’s something I can help with,” Marcellus says. “Just tell me what to do.”
“Same,” Cassian agrees.
“I was hoping you would say that,” I admit.
“I am going to help, too. Three alphas are better than two,” Eugene says.
I feel my eyebrow ticking again. Why is it that everything he says is annoying? Marcellus is his twin, yet everything he says is either smart, or cute, or hot. Probably because he is my beloved. Still, Eugene is his twin, and he shouldn’t annoy me so much.
I take a deep breath. “Our main issue is finding Aloysius.”
“I don’t think he left the continent,” Alex says. “There wasn’t enough time for it. And our contacts at the airports didn’t spot anyone.”
“It means he is in one of our family estates in the States. That doesn’t narrow it down much,” I grumble.
“Would he have been able to travel far?” Marcellus asks.
“Yes, but not as far as he usually could,” Alex explains. “He abducted three people at once. There are limits to all of us.”
“We should start skimming the surrounding areas,” Marcellus suggests. “I know it’s not going to help a lot, but maybe we can take up Benji or Nova’s scent. Or Maddie’s.”
I don’t have the heart to tell him that it will be impossible for him to smell any traces. If Aloysius is hiding, it’s almost impossible to find him without knowing where to look. Marcellus casts me a glance, his eyes clouding over. Even without me saying it, he knows my answer.
“Is your brother that good at hiding?” Lori asks me.
“We all are,” I tell her. “I’ve been here for five years now. Until very recently, Aloysius had no idea that I was here.”
“We need to do something,” Marcellus says. “Talking won’t bring us nearer. I know it’s not the best idea, and it might not lead anywhere, but let’s check some of the places he might be hiding. Some of your family properties.”
“Let’s do it,” Alex agrees. “Maybe Silas and I will be able to detect something.”
Marcellus tries to look hopeful, but he is too realistic to believe we will just stroll around and find my brother’s hideout. Then, however, his eyes glaze over. He looks surprised first, then downright shocked.
“What?” I ask.
Marcellus is silent for an endlessly long minute, then he jumps up. “Benjamin linked me!” he blurts out. “He found a way around the blockades Aloysius put up and reached out.”
“No way,” Eugene says.
Cassian stares at us. “Of course he did,” he exclaims.
“Right?” Marcellus hits his forehead. “I tried to reach him earlier, too, but I couldn’t get through Aloysius’ walls. But he was able to do it from the inside!”
“Didn’t you say he is your gamma?” Eugene asks. He exchanges a look with Alex and Julianus.
“Anyone willing to fill us in?” Alex asks.
“He can link from long distances,” Lori says, her eyes light up in relief all of a sudden. “Because he originally was an alpha’s heir!”
“Exactly,” Marcellus looks so happy, it warms my heart. “He must have connected to his wolf.” He stalks over to the map and points at his brother’s pack.
“Blue River?” Eugene asks, surprised. “Marc and my pack?”
Marcellus shoots a look at him but doesn’t say anything. He just lets out an inaudible sigh. I am instantly relieved by his reaction.
You know, I can feel your feelings through the bond, he links me.
Yes, and it’s awful. But there is no use in hiding it.
I would never leave Sunset Hills, Marcellus tells me. Eugene wasn’t able to let go yet, but it doesn’t mean that I haven’t. Sunset Hills is my home. You are my home. My friends here are my home. I will talk to Eugene later.
“Benjamin said, they are very close to it,” Marcellus explains.
Alex and I don’t even need a second to dash forward to the map. “There is just one family estate there,” Alex blurts out. “It’s well hidden. I haven’t been there in centuries.”
“Past the mountain chain,” I explain.
“Let’s go and get back our friends!” Marcellus orders. “I am done hiding and playing Aloysius’ games. The next time Silas and I leave this pack and meet other leaders, I want Silas to be able to do it openly, with his niece at his side, and as my co-leader and the vampire lord he is.”
*NOVA*
I just hope that Benjamin won’t try to play hero and do something reckless. But then I recall the look of determination on his face. He didn’t look like someone who was about to do something stupid to prove himself, he looked like someone with confidence, who knew he could save Maddie.
He is doing his part, and I will be doing mine.
I manage to avoid the guards. They are probably all on the hunt for Benji. Unfortunately, the whole area is surrounded by a thick and high wall. I might be able to climb over it, but I have a slight, dreadful feeling it might not be a good idea.
And the main gate is heavily guarded.
“Here,” I hear a voice behind me. “Come.”
I spin around just to see Juniper grabbing my arm and tugging me behind a small shed.
“There is a secret passage. You can leave the property through it and get help.”
“You?” I ask, shocked. “I thought you…”
“My loyalty has always and will always lie with Lord Silas,” she says. “He saved my life once, although I was just a lowly vampire bastard back then. I am a hybrid, you know?”
“What?” I gape.
“No one knows. Silas protected me and my secret, and no one noticed. I am half witch, so my powers helped me mask my other side. I would rather die than sell out Lord Silas.”
“But what happened?”
“I don’t know the details,” she says. “Aloysius suddenly ordered us here, and I made sure to play along. I don’t know any more than that.”
“And Atticus?”
Juniper sighs. “Atticus is a difficult issue…”
“You need to tell me,” I say. “I still don’t know if I can trust you.”
“Atticus is a difficult man and has always been loyal to Aloysius. He is intelligent and strong, and can be harsh and cold to his subordinates.”
“But?”
“But sometimes things happen,” she says. “And they happened a couple of months ago for the first time.”
I stare at her. “No way.”
“I didn’t realize at first that he was actively pursuing me, until that one night where I had a weak moment and found myself in his arms,” she admits.
“So, he knows everything?”
“He knows nothing,” she tells me. “But he is a very intelligent man. Almost as smart as Master Lucian. He figured out certain things. When Aloysius snapped and captured the child, Benjamin and you, he put certain pieces together.”
“He let Benjamin escape?”
“He wanted to kill him at first,” she admits. “I asked him not to. He demanded answers, and I told him that Benjamin is an alpha’s son, and that he is on the right side, namely mine. And that he better not kill him.”
I stare at her. “And he listened to you.”
Juniper looks at me. “He… I can’t believe I am saying this, but I think he really likes me, besides,“ she pauses. “I am with his child.”
My wolf stirs slightly. She isn’t lying. I can take up another scent next to hers.
“Atticus might be a lot of things, but he certainly would never endanger his own child, unlike Aloysius. You know, it’s probably a whole new perspective for him to maybe see how far Aloysius really fell. I also told him that I am a hybrid, and that Aloysius will kill me when he finds out.”
“Goddess,” I mutter.
“I know, this wasn’t planned,” she says.
“So, Atticus… is your beloved?”
“I didn’t say that,” she says. “I had sex with him, but I didn’t pursue a relationship.
And I don’t trust Atticus, but he is the father of my child.
Don’t get me wrong, I do like him. But like is not enough.
If Lord Silas’ story has taught me anything, then that love on its own might not always be sufficient.
” She pauses. “However, I don’t want him to die either.
When you meet Lord Silas, please tell him what I just told you, and ask him to spare Atticus’ life. ”
“What if Atticus fights against us?” I ask.
“Then he made his choice, and I won’t stand in your way,” she says shortly.
“I am not sentimental, Nova, but part of me hopes he will make the right choice.” She pushes a rock aside and opens a trapdoor for me.
“It will lead you out of the coven. I can’t reach out to Silas. Aloysius is monitoring all our moves.”
I nod. “I will come back,” I say as I climb down the ladder. Before she closes the door again, I look up once more. “If it wasn’t you who betrayed Silas, who was it?”
“Just tell him it wasn’t me,” she says quietly. “And he will know the answer.”