28. Federal Alphas
Federal Alphas
Nolan
How could this have happened? I know I should pass Cali off to one of my brothers, but I can’t find the will to let her go.
Things were going so well with our pack.
They were excited and didn’t care about anything except welcoming Cali into the pack.
I used their excitement against them to casually mention the stipulation about us having children.
None of them really believes that Cali has made her decision.
They think we will all change our minds once we are officially bonded.
But once that happens, there’s nothing anyone can do.
Was it wrong to allow them to think that way? No. It’s none of their goddamn business. We are trying to save our pack and our place here in Poppy Cove.
“Just relax and keep your mind focused on me, omega,” I murmur, helping Cali dry off from her bath.
It takes a miracle for me to help her get dressed instead of begging her to let me fuck the smile back onto her face.
But I know it’s not a good time. I know I’m high as fuck on my need to be everything she deserves in this world.
Right now, she deserves peace and comfort.
She deserves a perfect nest of all of her favorite blankets and pillows. She deserves to be coddled and cuddled by me.
“I just…I hate that I can’t remember.” Cali droops her shoulders and hangs her head. Her wet hair drips down the front of her nightshirt, seeping into the soft fabric.
“My brothers are getting all of the video footage right now.” I lift her into my arms and press my lips to hers. “Let them figure it out. I just want you to rest. It’s been a day, hasn’t it? We should be celebrating.”
“Do you know who was murdered?” Cali asks, not giving up. I should know better than to assume she could just relax after everything. “The police didn’t say who was murdered. I want to know who died.”
I rub my lips together in consideration.
I do know who was murdered, and it doesn’t make things any easier.
If it were some random person, it would be easy to prove Cali had no reason to kill.
But it’s not. It was Alexander from Pack Loomis.
Anyone who wanted to do so could connect the dots.
That’s why we need the video surveillance.
“You do know. Why won’t you tell me?” Cali stands before me, her straight back showing that she means business. She won’t take silence for an answer. Her expression changes the longer she looks at me, and fear lines her eyes. “Oh, no. Was it…”
It’s as if I can read her mind, her thoughts pointing at the woman who has been caring for her at the Omega Resort.
“It was Alexander from Pack Loomis,” I say quickly, not wanting her to jump to conclusions.
Her brows knit together in confusion. “Alexander? I—”
A bang sounds on Cali’s door, startling her silent.
I grab her and push her behind me as it flings open and several heavily armed officers storm in with guns drawn.
I recognize the patch on one of the armed guards’ uniforms belonging to the Federal Alphas.
They’re the ones who police all the packs at a national level.
I raise my hands immediately, not wanting to give them a reason to do anything that could hurt Cali or myself. They usually don’t get called in for situations that can be handled by leading packs such as Pack Kismet. There was one hell of a mistake made for them to show up here.
“My name is Nolan Kismet, and I’m the leader of this area. Please lower your weapons. I am unarmed, and you have frightened my omega.” I keep my voice even despite my hands shaking. The unexpected arrival of the national authority gets under my skin in a way I didn’t know it could.
“Get on the floor. Keep your hands over your head.” The man leading the authorities keeps his gun drawn on me with his instructions.
I don’t argue and follow his directions, the simple act degrading as I’m forced to basically bow.
“Miss, please step forward. We will not hurt you. It is our responsibility to separate you from your alpha for a current investigation.” The man lowers his weapon and curls his hand, motioning Cali to step forward.
“Do as they say, Cali. They will not remove you from our home. Demand they call your attorney. Do not speak to them otherwise. It is your right to have someone represent you.” I can smell Cali’s fear from here, knowing that she is probably thinking the worst. I don’t even have to question the authorities to know they’re here because of the murder.
Someone leaked the information outside of our police.
I’m sure it’s whoever killed Alexander. Because I know it wasn’t Cali.
“Why are you doing this?” Cali asks, her inability to just follow directions getting the best of her. I try not to react, knowing that anything she says can be used against all of us.
“Cali, demand they call Georgia. I mean it. Do not say anything else to them.” I tighten my jaw, wishing I could look up at her.
She answers me with a small groan. The only thing that gives me peace is that she might actually listen.
Her shadow crawls across the floor as she shuffles toward the group of officers, and I finally tilt my head up to look as they surround her.
No one touches her, but their circle around her forces Cali out of her room.
The door slams shut, and my ears ring. Footsteps clomp closer as the remaining Federal Alpha closes the space.
Kicking my ribcage, the man’s boot shoves me onto my back.
Pain bursts in my side. I keep my arms over my head despite my very core hollering to protect myself.
It’s a rare occasion for me to be forced to submit to someone else, and I hate everything about it. My skin crawls with my growing rage.
“There are cameras everywhere,” I lie, clenching my jaw. This Federal Alpha seems like the violent type. Only the possibility of being held accountable might keep him in check. “Am I under arrest?”
“That’s yet to be determined,” the alpha responds.
“Then step away from me. I’m the leader of Pack Kismet, and you’re breaking the law coming into my territory unannounced.
” I don’t let his towering form threaten me any longer and push to my feet, daring him to try anything.
He knows I’m right. “Where is your warrant? What grounds do you have for breaking into my home and separating me from my omega?”
The Federal Alpha doesn’t say anything, remaining quiet.
“What is your name, agent? Who is your superior?” I keep my hands by my side, despite wanting to grab the front of the guy’s vest to punch him.
“If you don’t tell me, I will conclude that you don’t have the necessary legal documents, which means you’re an intruder and I have a right by law to protect myself by any means necessary. ”
The alpha growls. “Agent Bircham. My name is Agent Bircham. This is an open investigation brought on by the Department of Leading Alphas because of a credible anonymous tip. I cannot say anything else. The warrant should be here shortly.”
“But it’s not here.” I step closer, keeping my shoulders straight. This guy has no idea what he’s doing. Without a warrant, he and his team should not have even entered the premises.
“It will be soon.”
“Until I have it in my hands, you better stand down. If you don’t, I’ll do everything in my power to see you stripped of your badge.”
“Is that a threat?” The agent shifts on his feet.
“It’s a guarantee. Now watch out. I do not trust your team with my omega.”
Jerking out his arm, the agent throws his fist at me. I dodge out of the way and kick him in the knee, sending him to the floor.
“You fucker. You’ll regret that.” Instead of letting my ego get the best of me, I rush to the door. I have to get to Cali. She needs me.
And more importantly, I need her.
None of this is worth fighting for without my omega.