36. Chapter 36 #2
A few Alphas in the room growled as the screen showed grainy security footage at the pediatrician’s office, then of Riley being carried unconscious into the Las Vegas Apex facility. The visuals ended with a shot of the dead ogre agent in the parking garage.
Riley’s face showed on screen again. “General Wilson admitted to using the shifter registration vote as cover for a military coup. In fact, he bragged about it as he and Director Langston stood and became aroused as an Apex doctor sexually assaulted me.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because I’m a high-level Resonant, and I could feel their emotions,” Riley replied calmly.
Conall’s hands curled around his armrests, the wood creaking under his grip. Several Alphas stole glances at him, and Alpha Glazer snarled.
The reporter’s voiceover cut in. “Ms. Blackthorne also stated that Alpha Segerson mated with her specifically because of her Spooling ability, describing it as a strategic advantage for his Pack.”
“Well played, Segerson,” someone muttered.
Excitement rippled as the Alphas realized they had a Spooler in their ranks. The identification and intelligence value wasn’t lost on them.
Conall’s wolf rose, gold bleeding into his vision. His snarl started low in his chest and built until it filled the room, making the glasses on the sidebar rattle. Several Alphas went still.
“I mated her,” he growled, each word precise and cold, “because my wolf demanded it. She is more generous, kinder, and smarter than any of us sitting here in this fucking room.” His eyes swept the table. “If anyone wants to comment about my ‘strategic’ mate selection, say it now.”
The room went dead silent. Finally, Malachi pushed off the wall, his mouth curving into a big, lazy grin.
“I’m thinkin’ your wolf has superb taste in women, Segerson.” He stretched, rolling his shoulders.
Sawyer nodded. “She just took down a military coup on national television while wearing hiking boots, a park uniform, and bandages. I agree.”
Someone chuckled, and the tension broke enough for everyone to take a breath.
Conall didn’t laugh, but he yanked back on his power.
His wolf was still pacing, snarling, desperate to get to her.
The bond hummed against his sternum, a live wire of fear and fury, and a love so ferocious it terrified him.
On the screen, Riley’s face held steady, her blue eyes clear and unflinching as the world learned exactly who and what she was. He’d never been more scared or proud.
When the meeting was over, Ingrid hung back. “Where’s Christopherson?” She asked Conall and Sawyer.
Conall folded his arms. “We didn’t invite him. He’s not going to be the Northwestern States Alpha much longer, so I didn’t see the point.”
The Alaska Alpha tilted her head. “Why isn’t he going to be Alpha?”
“Because we’re going to kill him,” Sawyer answered.
Ingrid tilted her head. “Why?”
Conall explained what he’d found out, and by the time he finished, Ingrid’s face was flushed with rage. “You two really want his territory? Because that’s what’s gonna happen if you kill the bastard.”
Conall stared at Ingrid. “You have another idea?”
The Alaska Alpha nodded. “We kill the traitor tonight and agree to hand the territory over to Lucas, his son. He’s living in my territory, and frankly, he’s more Alpha than I am. The Northeastern Pack would be in good hands.”
Sawyer and Conall exchanged glances, and Conall shrugged. “Fine with me.”
When Conall made it back to his hotel room hours later, he had a nasty bite on his left flank and claw marks along his ribs. There was also blood under his fingernails.
He sat on the window ledge, his phone in his hand, hesitating. He didn’t know exactly what would come out of his mouth when he heard Riley’s voice.
His wolf was tired, but still restless, wanting confirmation that their mate was safe. He hit Riley’s number and finally heard her voice, quiet and steady.
“Hey.”
That single syllable hit him like a physical thing. “Are you safe?” His voice came out rough.
“Yes. We made it back to Denver right as the story broke, and Jamie met us at the airstrip with four Betas.”
“You’re not telling me everything.”
She sighed. “It was close. Flint sent three Pack SUVs and a nondescript sedan registered to a Normal. Ash drove me home in the sedan, and the SUVs were pulled over and searched. Ash has guards posted around the compound, and the County Sheriff’s office is patrolling the street. We’re good.”
“Where is everyone?”
“Drew’s in his office, Jamie’s walking the perimeter, and Ash is asleep on the couch. Mangus is here with me, snoring loud enough to rattle the windows.”
Conall could picture it, and homesickness curled through him. “Why didn’t you tell me what you planned to do?”
“I did tell you.” An edge crept into her voice. “In Las Vegas at Sawyer’s Pack house. I said I was going to shut Apex and Wilson down. You told me I wasn’t going anywhere until my burns healed.”
“That’s not the same as—”
“We agreed on forty-eight hours.” Her voice had that flat, stubborn quality he recognized too well. “And I told you that if we didn’t do it together, I’d do it alone.”
Damn it, he remembered the conversation. He’d put her off and planned to handle it himself somehow.
He thought he’d given an order, and he expected obedience because that’s what Pack did. That’s what everyone did.
Except Riley.
“I expected you to wait for me,” he murmured.
“I know you did.”
The silence stretched between them. “Did you mean it?” he asked. Her statement had been eating him since he’d watched the interview. “About why I mated you.”
The line went quiet. He could hear the faint sounds of the Denver compound through the phone, and Riley breathing.
“At first,” she admitted. “Especially when you cut me off. You’re a Pack Alpha and have to think strategically. It made sense.”
He could picture her, sitting cross-legged on their bed with that white streak falling across her cheek, her fingers fiddling with her bandage. Or maybe she was in his office, staring out the window.
“And now?”