Chapter 26

*My love is selfish. I cannot breathe without you.*
*- John Keats*

Kade had learnt a lot of things over the years in the military, as a beta and worse but one of the few important lessons Kade had learned was never let the bad guy see that they caught you off guard.

It wasn't easy to learn but Kade's natural facial expression was either annoyed or emotionless anyway. He had compensated a lot through the years with smart arse comments, sarcasm and cheekiness when it came to his inner circle. But it was all a front, a way to keep people at a distance. Sure there would always be a few people who saw right through the act but, so long as the bad guys didn't see that they had gotten a reaction from you then you were doing well.

So that's why, when Lucien Connaught introduced himself and brought up Thalia, Kade didn't so much as bat an eyelid. Instead he remained silent as he picked up his mug of whiskey with a shot of coffee and took a large gulp. He knew Lucien wasn't alone. Another group had walked in just before Lucien appeared and now occupied the tables closest to the door. There were three in total to which Kade couldn't decide if he was amused or offended by. Clearly this creature beside him didn't think he'd be hard to take down.

"I know you found Thalia." Lucien finally spoke up, his voice still calm with a hint of friendliness about it despite the subject matter. "And we both know it won't be long before my half-brother realises she isn't dead and comes looking for her."

Still, Kade said nothing.

"I can help protect her." Lucien offered. "And with her help I can also free the other girls. Don't you think Thalia would want to help them if she could?"

"I'm afraid you've got me confused for someone else." Kade finally answered, finishing his coffee and grabbing his wallet from his pocket to pay. "I don't do business with demons."

"Well," Lucien rose from his seat, doing up the button on his suit jacket and pulled a card from his pocket. "If you happen to change your mind for any reason then don't hesitate to contact me."

The fallen angel placed the white business card on the table Kade was seated at before walking out. As Lucien's cronies followed him, Kade pulled the card to him, raising a rakish eyebrow at the phone number printed on it and nothing else. He looked towards the window to make sure his unwanted visitor was gone before getting up to continue his journey. He was about to dump the card into his coffee cup to be forgotten but at the last second hesitated and slipped it into his wallet to be forgotten.

Everyone was busy when Kade finally made it back to the packhouse so he made his way to the war room, his phone chiming as he took his usual seat on the right of the Alpha seat which sat at the head of the table.

*Unknown: I have the phone. Thank you.*
*Unknown: This is Thalia by the way.*

Kade chuckled, unable to stop the smile that came to his lips.

*Kade: Glad it got there okay. How are you?*

*Thalia: Bored and nauseous. My wolf wants to run and seems I'm not quite over the morning sickness.*

*Kade: I'm sorry. Think your wolf can wait until I get back?*

*Thalia: Yes. She can wait.*

*Kade: okay good. There is a small hospital not far from you. I will ask our pack healer if she can pull us a favour and get you booked in.*

*Thalia: Thank you. When will you be back?*

*Kade: Soon, I promise.*

It was then that Daniel Wolfe walked into the war room, his stormy blue eyes landing on Kade immediately.

“Who clocked you?” Daniel asked as he sank into his seat, nudging Kade’s boots to get him to take them off the table.

“Just a pup.” Kade shrugged, seemingly unbothered, which was a surprise to Daniel.

“And that’s it?” The Alpha raised a coal black eyebrow, his stormy blue eyes glowing with disbelief.

Kade just shrugged again as the door opened and other members of Daniel’s upper ranks poured in.

*Kade: The troops are here so I have to get to work. I will call you tonight.*

*Thalia: okay. I miss you.*

The meeting had gone as Kade expected. The moment he clapped eyes on Ethan though, Kade worked out something was off. That charming, good boy look was just a little too fake. It had his hackles rising up. He had already made up his mind that he was keeping his distance from the visiting wolf. He had enough on his plate as it was.

“How come you know so much about witches?” Ethan’s eyes narrowed slightly, tilting his head as he regarded the other beta.

“Like I said earlier. I have connections.”

“I’ve given Kade the go ahead to head back out and find this witch to get some answers.” Daniel clarified, looking at each member at the table. “The rest of us will be working on keeping the pack safe. I don’t want to impose a curfew but I will if the danger doesn’t pass. Until this is over our patrols will be doubled. Silver Moon have offered to send some of their warriors down to assist, especially since there is a lot of ground to cover. They should be arriving in a couple of days. Right now, all we have to go on is a vague description of a grey wolf with black eyes. It’s hardly anything but it’s all we have.”

“Perhaps I could go with Beta Kade to interrogate this witch.” Ethan straightened, eyes sparkling.

“I work alone.” Kade replied, barely casting their guest a sideways glance.

He hadn't missed the description of the wolf and how it sounded exactly like Legion. He hadn't missed the guilt in Daniel's eyes that appeared for a millisecond before he slid his neutral mask back in place. He wasn't surprised nor was he offended that his best friend had suspected him briefly. Legion wasn't known for being kind or friendly which was why Kade didn't let him out often. He just hoped that finding Thalia helped take Legion a bit.

He was glad when the meeting was over and a plan had been set in motion. He didn't like that he'd be away from Thalia but hopefully this would all be over soon and Kade could bring Thalia here, where it was safe. He had no doubt that she and Eva, Daniel's mate, would get on well. They were both strong and had a passion for running away…

"How is Dagmar?" Daniel finally asked.

With the meeting over and Eva on coffee duty, Kade had followed Daniel outside for some fresh air. It was certainly getting warmer but summer was still some way off.

"A cantankerous old wench." Kade replied. "Gave me a hard time but she gave good intel as always."

"You hope." Daniel countered. "She could be wrong this time."

"Why? Because her intel didn't include a grey wolf with black eyes?" Kade teased.

They stood in silence for a few moments, watching the shadows of clouds dance across the land.

"I thought it was you."

"I know."

"Are you pissed?"

"Nah." Kade replied. "If I were you I would have thought the same thing. I am mad that you've not made an honest woman out of that mate of yours though. Pack needs their Alpha and Luna."

It was the truth although Eva being here was enough. It was always assumed males were the leaders but an Alpha was nothing without his Luna. In certain packs (in other countries) the female could take the mantle of Alpha and Luna. Kade wasn't sure how it worked exactly but ultimately, women were in charge and vital to the success of the pack.

"I need to sort some stuff out." Kade finally changed the subject. "I'll catch you a bit later."

"Sure." Daniel nodded. "And Kade? Stay away from the bar."

He gave his Alpha a mock salute before heading back into the packhouse. Already the place was a cacophony of life from riotous children to adults either shouting after said children or talking about this, that or the other. Somewhere music was playing. The heavy thumps and clashes of some kind of metal band pouring out from the den like a war cry. Kade bypassed it all like a shadow, slipping away from the ground floor towards his room.

It felt like a lifetime ago that he last stepped in the room. Ordinarily he didn't care much for its disarray or lack of Personal touch. Kade was used to rooms with less usually. However, something about the room now bothered him. It wasn't small, he was beta after all so he was afforded some of the better stuff in the house but it wasn't...a place for a family. It wasn't a suitable den to bring a mate and her pups. It was too empty, probably too dangerous and too small.

His phone pinging cut through Kade's current train of thought.

*Daniel: I need you to delay going to hunt down the witch and do patrol tomorrow.*

*Kade: Alright but if you stick me with that prick from Emerald Pack, I’m becoming a rogue.*

*Daniel: Don’t tempt me.*

Kade felt his shoulders slump as he put his phone away, blowing out a heavy breath.

So much for getting back to his mate quickly.

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A/N: Hello my lovelies! I hope you are enjoying the story so far. I hope you haven't forgotten about Dante because we are not done with him yet. Thanks for bearing with me and I promise it's all going to make sense in the end....