Chapter 49

At the crack of dawn, Nicholas, Gideon, and I stood outside Alpha Trent’s packhouse, waiting for Noah. I could feel Kona become restless as the thought of what would happen next troubled both of us.

As the blue skies filled with the glorious tropical colors, I closed my eyes and let the crisp morning tickle my skin. I was letting it calm my jittery nerves. The pink and orange glow promised a new day. It promised a new beginning.

In the background, I could hear the reviving of an engine. I opened my eyes to find Noah speeding down the driveway towards us. Alpha Trent had sent him out East for an errand.

“Finally,” grumbled Nicholas and stretched his arms. He was getting impatient.

Seeing Nicholas so casually dressed was unusual. He had swapped his suit and shirt for a round neck t-shirt and khaki shorts. He said he didn’t want to ruin a perfectly good tailor-made suit with a bastard's blood.

Noah pulled up in front of us and quickly got out of the car, rushing over to Nicholas.

“Oh man, it’s so good to see you,” Noah exclaimed before hugging Nicholas. It was their Alpha Beta bond. Seeing the two of them connect made my mind wander off to Matt.

Goddess, I hope they are okay.

“Alex!” Noah’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

“Yeah?” I blinked.

“I said it’s good to see you again. How are you doing?” Noah smile awkwardly.

“Yeah, good, good. Sorry I was just lost in my thoughts. How have you been?”

Noah tilted his head and gave me a weird look. What was he looking at? I had made sure I was wearing something that covered my mark.

“Something different about you. Have you changed something since the last time we met?” Noah quizzed.

****Alex, I think Noah should know. We can trust him**** Nicholas mindlinked.

****I should know what?**** Noah was part of the mindlink. He looked between us.

Nicholas and I could manipulate our mindlinks given that we were territory Alphas. I had learned a lot about how to block people out of my mindlink through my training with Gideon.

I sighed and nodded.

****Yeah, okay. But he better keep his mouth shut.**** I gave Nicholas a pointed look and crossed my arms.

****Come on, guys. The suspense is killing me**** Noah whined.

****Alex and I mated.**** Nicholas’s voice rang through my head.

****WHAT?!**** the look on Noah’s face reflected his mindlink voice.

****I will explain it all to you later. But Alex and I mated because the legend states she needs to be unmated for the spells to work. No unmated Alex, no vortex****

****You guys can’t mate outside of the Goddess wishes. You know that’s not how it works**** Noah’s eyes were the size of saucers.

****We didn’t break any rules, Noah. Once Duke’s spell wore off, we could sense each other. We are meant to be together**** I explained.

****Oh Goddess! I’m so happy for you both. Nicholas, you’ve been praying for this to happen since you met Alex! I can’t believe it. You two are mated**** a big smile separates across Noah’s face. He kept looking between Nicholas and me, bouncing like an idiot.

“Okay, we done now? Can we go?” I asked out loud.

“Yes, of course, we can. You guys are the ones holding everything up” Noah laughed, and I gave him a dirty look making him laugh harder.

At that moment, something clicked.

“Nick, why don’t we take Noah with us? He can leave with the Danton Moon pack, and you can stay behind with me?”

“That’s a very good idea. You think Duke will agree?” Nicholas had a point.

“Let’s go find out.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

An hour later, we were standing at the driveway's beginning that led into the Danton Moon pack.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Duke’s number.

“Ahh, Queen Danton. I was beginning to think you had forgotten your way home,” Duke answered.

“I’m here, but I can’t get in.”

“Yes, I can take care of that. It’s just Gideon, Nicholas, and you? No funny business?” Duke’s voice was stern.

“Actually, I have one more person. Nicholas’s Beta, Noah, is here too. He will be guiding everyone out. Nicholas has decided he wants to stay with us to witness whatever it is you plan on doing. He promises to be on his best behavior.”

“Oh, Alex. See, that wasn’t part of the deal. Since you are changing the deal, I propose a change too,” Duke chuckled.

“Okay?”

“You and me, one more night together. For some reason, I can’t get our time together out of my head. I want to relive it one last time.” I could hear the smile in his voice.

Nicholas’s head snapped towards me. His fingers folded into a fist, and he clenched them so tightly, his knuckles were turning white. Nicholas’s face went red, and he looked like he could kill someone right now.

My brain went into overdrive. Duke had a mark. I thought back to when I had touched the mark, and he didn’t flinch. He was messing with me. Duke didn’t intend on sleeping with me. He just wanted to make sure I hadn’t done something stupid like mate with Nicholas. Besides, all I had to do was pretend long enough for him to believe I was playing along with his plans.

“You have a deal.”

Nicholas froze in his spot. He and Noah looked at each other before I could hear Nicholas growl in my head. He obviously could listen to what I was thinking.

“Oh, I’m looking forward to this. Please, come in. Don’t be a stranger. Consider yourself at home” Duke’s laugh made my blood boil. I couldn’t wait to wrap my fingers around his throat.

I ended the call.

“His put the shields down. We can go in now” I opened the SUV door and got in.

Gideon was sitting in the back meditating. He was just as nervous as we were.

“Gideon, we’re going to the packhouse now.”

“Has he put the shields down?” Gideon kept his eyes closed.

“Yeah, he has”

“Good.” That was all the old man said before his lips started silently moving, repeating his mantras.

Nicholas started the car, and we started driving down the driveway. The atmosphere was dark and gloomy. Usually, people were bustling around and creating a fun-filled ambiance. But today, the houses and walkways were empty. The only thing that could be heard other than the SUV engine was birds singing and leaves rustling.

I had goosebumps all over my body as panic washed over me. What had he done to all my people?!

Nicholas drove up to the packhouse and parked the SUV a little distance from the entrance.

I took a deep breath in.

“This is it, Gideon. You ready?” I turned to the man whose life I was about to risk.

“Child, you need to relax. Things will be okay. I know good will conquer evil” Gideon opened his eyes and smiled at me. His faith in us made me feel slightly better.

“We got this, Alex.”Nicholas looked at me through the rearview mirror.

I nodded and opened the door. Nicholas got out and walk around to me. I closed my door looked around. My eyes scanned the forest, and even though I couldn't see them, I could smell all the rogues. The place stunk of rotten corpses.

“Wow. Someone needs to spray this place with air freshener” Noah scrunched his face.

“Sadly for you, my friend, we love this smell. So there will be no air freshener to soothe your senses,” A voice made as all turn towards the packhouse entrance.

Erik and three other guys stood in front of large French mahogany doors leading into the house. They all looked smudged.

“Now that’s a pretty face I’ve missed oh so much. How are you doing, gorgeous? Miss me?” Erik winked.

I snorted. “Miss isn’t the word I had in mind.”

Just looking at Erik again filled me with anger. My mind filled with the memories of the dreams of his torture, of meeting Natalie and him, of my teenage hormones wanting to be touched by him. Erik was the first part of Duke’s plans. What I thought was my first love turned into a painful betrayal. Just like Duke, he too had violated me and I couldn’t wait to see that smile getting smashed out of his face.

I clenched my teeth, willing myself to stay calm.

“Oh, don’t be a prude. I know you haven’t stopped thinking about me” Erik's eyes darted towards Nicholas before coming back to me.

*Nick, keep your cool. They are just testing us, trying to find out if we have figured out that we’re mates. Don’t let him get to you* I quickly mindlinked Nicholas. We both had to stay calm.

“You are quite right, Eriky. I haven’t stopped thinking about you. All I could think about was how I could wrap my hands round your neck and snap it” I smiled innocently.

Erik rolled his eyes and grunted.

“Come on. Boss doesn’t like to wait.” He huffed and turned around.

“Noah, stay in the car with Gideon. Kill anyone that tries to remove you from the car” I didn’t remove my eyes from Erik’s face.

Erik narrowed his eyes but didn’t say anything. The three guys moved aside and cleared a path for us.

We followed Erik and walked into the foyer. He walked towards the back, where we had the big living area facing the back forest.

My ears picked up hushed voices and shuffling. We turned the corner, and my eyes landed on five faces. Five faces I was relieved to see.

Dad, Ash, Matt, Esther, and Dad’s beta Tom.

*Where was Natalie?!*

I looked at Matt. His face had pain and anger written all over it. He looked up at me, his eyes begging.

“Where’s Natalie?” I asked, looking around.

“My sister is none of your concern.” Erik leaned against a wall and rolled his eyes.

“She is my concern when she’s my Beta’s mate. Where is she? I was promised no one would be harmed.”

“She isn’t harmed. Your Beta tried to escape. So as punishment, we have locked her away. I’m a man of my word, dearest Queen,” Duke’s voice echoed from behind us.

I turned to find Duke standing behind us with his hands folded behind him. The handsome, innocent-faced Clark was gone. A cocky tyrannical asshole replaced him. The devious smile on his face said it all.

“Good to see you again. I’m sure you didn’t think things would change so drastically when you left three days ago.”

“You’re right. I didn’t think this would happen. Never thought someone as perfidious as you would come into my life” my voice was filled with bitterness.

Duke laughed. “Perfidious. That’s a big word. I’m not that bad. Where’s Gideon?” he slowly strolled over to me.

“His in the car. Gideon is an old man. He can’t be standing around listening to our bullshït. When it’s time, I’ll bring him.”

Nicholas shifted his weight. I could tell he was itching to make sure Duke kept his hands off me.

Duke stood in front of me, staring intently. His eyes looked me over before smirking.

“As sexy as always.” Duke reached over and tucked my hair behind my ear.

*I’m going to break his hand* Nicholas growled through the mindlink.

*Nick. Keep it together. Please don’t ruin this*

Duke gave me one last smirk.

“You and I have met before” Duke turned to Nicholas.

“Trust me. I’d remember a face. But yours, I don’t remember. However, him, I do remember,” Nicholas pointed at Erik.

“Yeah, dïpshït. You had me kicked out,” Erik snarled.

Nicholas growled loudly.

“You should consider yourself lucky that I only kicked you out. If I had known, you would be 6 feet under the ground!” Nicholas growled.

Erik pushed himself off the wall and Dantoned towards Nicholas.

“Come on, asshole. Let’s get this over with. You think you’re so tough. I’ll show you tough” Erik was standing nose to nose with Nicholas, ready to fight.

Nicholas growled and started to shake.

It shocked me to see Erik so vicious. He was definitely not the guy I met at school or in my dreams.

“Enough!” I roared. Both men turned towards me with murderous expressions.

“Duke, you only need Gideon and me. We’re here. Let my people go, and then we can settle all the scores.”

“Oh, your such a party pooper, Alex. I was keen on seeing how this would end. Nevertheless, Erik now is not the time. I made Alex a deal, and I intend on honoring it” Duke grabbed Erik’s shoulder and pulled him back.

“Where are my people? And why can’t I mindlink with my brother, father, or beta?” I asked, looking at my family. Goddess, I hope Natalie was okay.

“Because I’ve used a little magic. Now, the rest of the people are outside. How do you intend on removing them?” Duke walked in a circle around me.

“I can have people waiting to take them. Which way is there no shield?”

Duke tipped his head back and laughed.

“You think I’m stupid? I’ll just put down the shields and leave myself exposed?! Oh Alex, you know I’m smarter than that! They leave the way you came in.”

“Okay. I’ll have people waiting at the end of the driveway. Shall we start moving them?”

Duke nodded and turned to look at Erik. Erik huffed and walked out the back.

“Roy,” Duke called out.

We heard footsteps, and then Roy turned the corner we had just passed.

“Ahh, my lady, how do you do?” Roy bowed and started laughing.

“You we’re right, Duke, you’ve got the Queen in our hands.”

“I’m more interested in having her in front of me on her knees, choking on my dîck,” Duke snickered.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see Nicholas clench his jaws and fist.

“Something bothering you there, King Parker?” Duke tilted his head to the side and examined Nicholas.

*Nick, please. Please don’t fuck this up* I mindlinked.

“I just don’t like a man that disrespects women,” Nicholas replied through his teeth.

Duke’s belly laughs filled the room.

“You are one to talk about respecting women. I walked into you having a threesome at a party two years ago. You were on your hands and knees respecting the fuck out of those women.”

I closed my eyes and swallowed loudly. As much as I knew the manwhore Nicholas was, listening to all the shît he did made me sick. It pinched my heart. He was my mate now. The thought of him being with other women hurt me.

“At least I know how to have fun.” Nicholas chuckled.

“While you two bond, can I please go give my father a hug?” I didn’t want to hear their conversation.

Duke narrowed his eyes at me and nodded.

I quickly ran towards dad. He got up from his spot and wrapped his arms around me.

“Hey, Hunny. You okay?” Dad cooed. He rubbed my back and kissed the top of my head.

“I’m fine, daddy. Are you okay? Did they hurt you?” I pulled away and examined my father.

“No, Hunny, they didn’t. I’m fine, don’t worry. I’m just so glad to see you” dad gave me a weak smile.

“We’re fine too, thanks for asking,” Ash chuckled next to dad.

I rolled my eyes and hugged my brother.

Matt stayed seated, lost in his thoughts.

I walked over and I bent down in front of him.

“You not happy to see me?” I put my hand on his. He was shaking a little.

“Natalie..” was all he said. He was worried about his mate. After everything Natalie had been through, Matt’s worry for her was definitely justified.

“Duke, my beta’s mate, please.”

Duke clicked his fingers, and one of the guys turned to walk away. He returned 2 seconds later with Natalie. As soon as the guy let her go, she ran straight towards us.

Matt quickly got up and grabbed her, hugging his mate tightly.

“You okay, baby?”

“Yeah. I’m so happy to see you,” Natalie replied.

I smiled, watching their reunion.

“Hey, asshole. I’ll take my sister back.” Erik’s voice boomed through the living area.

I looked up at Duke to shut Erik up.

“See Queenie. I did as you asked. However, I can’t control what Erik does to his sister.” Duke shrugged his shoulders. He set us up.

“Leave them alone, Erik,” I snapped.

“Or what?” Erik growled.

“Or I won’t be responsible for what happens to you next.”

“You don’t scare me, bïtch.”

Loud growls erupted in the room. Nicholas looked like he was about to explode.

“And you don’t scare me, asshole. Don’t forget Duke; you need me. Without me, all this effort is a waste. So, if I’m not happy, you don’t get to be happy. Got it?”

Duke narrowed his eyes at me. I could see he was torn.

“Erik, do as she says. How’s rounding up her pack going?”

Erik screwed up his face and snorted.

“They are waiting out front. She can go fetch them.”

I didn’t wait for Duke to say anything.

“Come on, dad.”

We all quickly walked out of the house.

All our pack members were standing in the yard. Grubby, savage wolves circled them, baring their teeth and growling loudly.

“Call off your dogs, Duke, or I’ll call upon my wolves to get rid of them” I clenched my teeth.

I had what I wanted. I didn’t need to put up with him anymore.

My plan had started the moment Duke had let down his shield. Now, to take down this son of a bîtch.