Chapter Fourteen
Nyx
"I trust you were comfortable?" Alpha Daxton asks.
The office is getting even more crowded. Five alphas in a room is a lot of energy and as I sit in the corner, I have to admit I feel a little intimidated.
Though I won't be admitting that out loud.
"It was fine," Alpha Kingston remarks, his dark red hair matching his beard. "Tell your luna she can move the other packs back into the accommodations. We'll be leaving after this."
Alpha Daxton nods sharply. "Very well. Let's get started shall we? I don't want to delay you."
He's a smart man, always being able to read the room. It's not difficult though. Alpha Kingston makes his disdain easily known, body language so tense that part of me regret doing this. It feels as though at any second this could escalate and we have an enemy.
"I assume you have a reason for this request," Kingston replies. "Perhaps start there."
To my horror, Alpha Daxton looks over at me. "Stevens. You can take it from here."
Oh, shit.
Maverick must sense my nerves because he reaches over, clasping my hand in his. The action doesn't go amiss by Kingston, the alpha raising an eyebrow.
"Rather interesting development, Maverick. I was under the impression you intended to refuse a mate."
Great. We're back on that bandwagon again.
"Nyx convinced me otherwise," he says simply. "But I doubt you're interested in deep diving into my relationship."
Kingston snorts. "Correct. That's your prerogative. I have no interest in your affairs."
Apparently, Kingston hasn't found his mate yet. Maverick decided to drop that information on me before their arrival, so of course I was instantly panicked. The last thing I needed was a fourth mate. And with the stories I've heard about this guy, it sounds like a death wish.
Don't get me wrong—he's been nice enough to me since his arrival. But after all the battles Maverick and I went through, I don't think I have the strength to do it again.
Lex, Cade and Maverick appeared equally relieved when nothing happened.
It seems I wasn't the only one a little worried, especially since the alphas keep claiming that I got put in their paths for a reason.
Now suddenly I was about to convince a reclusive one to visit? No one can blame us for being nervous.
"It was definitely a work in progress," I tell Kingston. "Many times none of us believed we'd get here. Maverick was a bit of an asshole when he arrived."
A hand squeeze comes but I just smile sweetly, ignoring Maverick.
Kingston laughs, and it actually sounds a little genuine. "A bit? No need to sugar coat things on my account."
"A lot then."
Another squeeze.
I have no idea how Maverick is staying quiet, but hey—bonding over the fact he's a bit of a douche is actually pretty productive.
"Three mates. Alphas, no less," Kingston points out. "It's rather reminiscent."
"I'm a descendant of Ophelia," I confirm. "And that kind of leads us to the point. This whole war situation."
Kingston lifts his head. "That's no concern of ours. We keep to ourselves."
I nod. "I'm aware. But sadly, this does concern all of us. It extends beyond packs disappearing."
"You're referring to Alpha Orson," Kingston says to my surprise.
"Yes. You know him?"
"I know his reputation," he answers. "And his desire for more land. He often was in conflict with Thom over it."
I raise an eyebrow. "It sounds like they were very similar."
Kingston glances around at the other alphas. "We are all but the same, wolf. Every alpha is greedy in their own ways, be that for land or… other things."
Maverick squeezes my hand again but this time, it's a reaction toward Kingston. I squeeze it back quickly, silently telling him to stay calm.
Thankfully, Lex and Cade appear largely unfazed. Lex is an expert by now with this whole situation. As for Cade, very little bothers him.
"The difference between Alpha Thom and Alpha Orson is that one of them went too far," I comment. "Orson has taken it upon himself to set other packs up, triggering their disappearance."
Kingston breaks character for a moment, leaning forward. "How so?"
I fill him in on our assumptions. He contemplates it for a moment before shrugging. "Yes, that seems valid. Though, he's not as smart as he's led you to believe."
Lex tilts his head curiously. "How so?"
Kingston's gaze flickers to me again. "He tried to come after you."
I frown. "The recent attack? We believe that was just a warning after we approached him, or a target to take me out to harm my mates."
Slowly, Kingston shakes his head with a knowing look. "I'm not referring to that. You were initially on his radar as a sourced female."
A shudder rolls down my body at the reminder of hunters. "I don't think any of those attacks were the Seventh Circle Pack. If anything, he's been watching from the outside."
"You really don't know," he says incredulously, turning to Alpha Daxton. "I must say—I'm disappointed, Daxton. You're usually more aware than this."
Alpha Daxton stiffens. "Kingston, enough. What are you talking about?"
Amusement crosses his face, eyes darting to Cade. "The night you took her. You weren't the only pack lurking in Shadow Creek."
Maverick straightens up, clearly riled up by where this conversation is heading. It's a cold reminder for all of us. While we've pushed past it, I know the guilt still bothers him. "That can't be accurate. I was patrolling that night. I would have sensed other wolves."
"I daresay you were… distracted," Kingston remarks with a scoff. "Orson's beta and inner circle were staking out the woods in search of your beloved."
That night…
"Wait," I interject. "I saw someone that day."
Everyone pauses, looking at me wildly.
"What do you mean?" Maverick asks. "Saw who?"
I turn to Lex with a sheepish shrug. "Honestly, I thought it was Knox. But I was running and I only saw them for a split second out of the corner of my eye."
Lex's brows furrow together. "From a distance, there is a resemblance between them. So, you're saying the Seventh Circle was planning to take Nyx that night?"
"Ow," I whisper to Maverick as he squeezes my hand a little too tightly. Quickly, he eases up, giving me an apologetic look.
Kingston hums thoughtfully. "But it appears they were beaten to the punch," he nods toward Cade. "Interesting how fate works."
"Fate?" I question.
"You found your third mate that night. One can assume that divine timing had a hand in the situation."
Cade grins at Maverick. "See—you can't be mad anymore. I saved her."
"You kidnapped her," Maverick hisses back. "Two wrongs don't make a right."
"But they make a mate," he quips in response, winking at me.
I attempt to muffle my smile, pursing my lips. "Well, that's definitely news to us. I got assholes and kidnappers coming from every direction."
Kingston looks at me, and under his trimmed red beard, I spot the world's tiniest smile. Blink and you'll miss it. "I can see why everyone is smitten with you, wolf. You're certainly a breath of fresh air. Maverick has finally met his match."
After we farewell Alpha Kingston and his pack, I arrange to meet up with Lena and Annabelle. While the packs are here, I figured it only seemed right for the two of them to meet.
Unfortunately, that also meant Annabelle brought Matteo with her, who in turn, dragged along my arch nemesis.
James stares at me with hostility from across the café table. We're joined shortly after by Ezra, who immediately, probably at the direction of Cade, says sorry again.
"Why am I here?" James mutters to Matteo. "I could be doing duties or something."
"Because the food is excellent," I point out dryly. "Just shut up and enjoy the pancakes."
James scoffs but doesn't reply, digging into his food.
"Here, I got you some," I hear Annabelle say, and I spot the familiar vial being pushed into Lena's hand. "The best stuff you'll ever have. Nyx asked me to bring it for you."
Lena throws me a look of appreciation. "It's due to start any day now. You're a life saver."
"Honestly, it's the best," I mumble through a mouthful of chocolate chip pancakes. "You can bang bang without worry. No more ice baths."
Annabelle laughs softly, holding up her hand. "Now wait a moment. I didn't say it prevents pregnancy. It probably lowers the risk without the heat symptoms being present, but don't jinx it."
My mouth pops open in horror. "Oh, shit."
"You're fine," Annabelle says. "It's probably a small percentage. Nearly impossible, really."
"Have you met her?" Lena snorts. "This is the wolf with three mates. She's really good at beating the odds."
I glare at her. "You're not helping my anxiety."
Lena blows me a kiss. "Well, maybe look at it this way—you've already been screwed over once. No, twice. Maybe your luck is turning. You did say you didn't accidentally pick up a new mate when Alpha Kingston came."
I shudder. "No more mates. My cardio isn't that good."
James splutters, choking on his food. Reaching over, I pat his back, laughing when he recoils as if I've electrocuted him.
"Eww. No, thank you," he says, taking a sip of water and wiping his mouth. "I do not need the imagery of my alpha in compromising positions."
I turn to Lena with an incredulous look. "Doesn't he remind you of—?"
"Reese? Yep. So innocent."
"I am not innocent," James argues. "I just have manners."
I raise an eyebrow at him. "Really? I beg to differ. By the way, your alpha has a nice ass."
James makes a gagging sound, pushing his chair back. "I'm going back to duties. I did not need to visualize Alpha Cade's peach. How much do I owe?" He asks, pulling his wallet out.
"I've got it," I laugh. "Consider it compensation for your trauma."
He hesitates for a moment, narrowing his eyes. Slowly, he nods, conceding. "Fine. But you're still a bitch."
"And you're still an asshole. See you tomorrow for training?"
"We'll be there. Be prepared for the New Moon to kick your pack's asses."
"And be prepared for more mental imagery of your alpha's ass."