Chapter 19 Betrayal #2
“A lot of it is pressure from home,” Suzie said. “Consider having everyone sign a waiver. Primarily, this gathering is for networking, and those who haven’t found mates shouldn’t feel like failures.”
“Agreed,” Angus said, placing a carafe of coffee on the table.
“It’s an expense to some who desperately require fresh blood in their packs or clans.” Niall frowned, considering the options. “I wonder if those who don’t find mates could receive a discounted rate. We can interview them to gain insight into their failure.”
“I wouldn’t call it a failure. Some have other goals and don’t want a mate,” Scott said.
“Saber and London made it clear we shouldn’t feel pressure to find a mate.
The gathering was to meet other shifters our age and make contacts that might benefit us and our town.
We’ve learned from speaking with other shifters that most alphas expected their people to return home with mates.
That’s what upped the tension this week. ”
“Yep,” Liam said before shoving half a rasher of bacon into his mouth.
“They’re right,” Suzie said.
Niall pulled out a chair for Suzie and seated her. He hadn’t been looking for a mate, hadn’t thought he deserved one, but Suzie fit seamlessly into his life. He dropped into the seat beside her and accepted the coffee she poured him with a smile of thanks.
“I may attend this afternoon and deliver a speech. How many single shifters are left?”
Angus hovered near the doorway. “Two hundred and forty-eight,” he said.
“Have you eaten breakfast?” Suzie asked him.
“Yes,” Angus said.
“Sit with us and have a coffee or a cup of tea,” she said. “Your hovering is making me nervous.”
Niall hid his amusement by sipping his coffee while Angus did as Suzie bid. Scott asked Angus a question before he became too self-conscious.
“Tea, please.”
Suzie shunted a cup in Angus’s direction. “The tea is closer to you. You sure you don’t want a tattie scone? They’re delicious. I need the recipe before I go home.”
The casual words sent a dart through Niall’s gut, the shock of it stealing his breath. Suzie was going home? They hadn’t discussed her departure, but he’d assumed…
Niall shook away his panic, the haze disappearing entirely with a sharp kick to his calf. He jerked his head up to meet Angus’s glare.
Niall cleared his throat. Angus was right, even though it wasn’t his desired topic.
“Suzie, I’d hoped you’d forgiven my stupidity and would stay with me.
We haven’t had time to discuss the future yet, but we’re mates.
We belong together.” His heart pounded louder than usual as he waited for her reply.
Even his bear remained silent, the torturous delay wearing on both.
Suzie smiled, the curve of her lips transforming her face into mesmerizing. So beautiful. His.
“I’m going home briefly to see my family and report to Saber and London. I also need to contact the university and sort that out. Maybe you could come with me.”
Relief was a heady balm, and Nial slumped momentarily before he grinned at his mate in return. “I’d love that. While I travel to Europe and Scandinavia regularly, I haven’t visited your region before.”
Liam rolled his eyes. “Now that’s settled, what’s our plan? Who do we think is responsible?”
Niall filled the details in for Angus, and the elderly shifter picked up his mug of tea, his piercing eyes shining with disappointment. Niall felt the same disillusion lodged in his belly.
“Ah, Angus and I are of one accord.” Niall sighed, aware he did so to stall.
The pain was like a knife, worsened by the knowledge that his family would swindle him if he gave them a chance.
“The only person with the same in-depth information about the new honey is Michael, who runs the bottling plant. He has access to my research premises and other inside information. Harris has inside knowledge, but he’s close to Angus.
Besides, every second week, he visits his daughter in Edinburgh.
He hasn’t been here to create mischief.”
“He could’ve paid someone,” Liam said.
“Aye, that’s true, but I can’t see it. Besides, he has had access to the honey the entire time.” No, Angus was right. Harris would never betray either of them.
“Where do you bottle—is that the right word?” Scott asked. “Your manufacturing premises. Where is that?”
“I planned to do a limited run and operate the process myself. I produced the samples, and the idea was to restrict the supply since I only have a few hives.”
“Does this Michael know the hives’ location?” Liam asked.
“No, although he asks me all the time. It has become an inside joke between us.” A sick sensation swirled through Niall’s belly, leaving him no longer hungry.
He tried to wash away the horrid taste with a swallow of coffee.
“After the break-in at the research premises, I brought everything back here. Michael doesn’t have access. ”
“What about the samples?” Suzie asked.
“All tightly controlled and already consumed. It was a side project for me, and Michael had less input than usual.”
“Apart from the results,” Angus said. “He helped you collate those and wasn’t that when your problems started? You had issues in the factory, minor things you handled and didn’t think much of. In retrospect, the small issues have become significant.”
“Yes,” Niall said, agreeing. Accepting the brutal betrayal was hard despite its obviousness.
“We know who and how, but how can we prove it?” Suzie asked.
“Give him enough rope to hang himself,” Angus said with a predatory grin. “We set him up and take him down.”
Liam bit off a piece of toast, chewed, and swallowed it. “I like the way you think. Can we set it up for the weekend? That gives us two days.”
Niall wanted this over, but they couldn’t hurry and scare Michael off. “You’re right. Although I am inclined to confront him, catching him in the act would be more satisfying.”
“Are we positive this assistant is your culprit?” Liam asked.
“We’ll set a honey trap,” Angus announced. “To part innocent from guilty.”