Chapter 185

[ 1,417 words ]

Quinnie

“These things take time, Didre,” I say gently patting her on her hand reassuringly.

She brushes her short hair from her face. “I just feel useless. Our pack is being targeted and I’m just another body for the pack to worry about.”

“You’re not useless,” I say firmly. “We’ll help you find a position that’s good for you. Don’t worry.”

“Thank you, Quinnie. I don’t mean to be such a burden.”

The poor female has been trying to figure out where she fits but her shy personality and penchant towards nervousness makes it hard for her.

Even amongst submissives, she is more delicate than most.

In fact, I think she might be the most submissive female we have in our pack.

“You’re not a burden. We’re pack. We support each other. End of story.”

She nods meekly, standing.

I lead her out of my office. Just as she’s opening the front door Sebastian grabs the door and holds it open for her.

Her eyes go wide as she startles but she gives him a small smile. “Hi, Sebastian.”

“Didre,” he greets. “How are you doing?”

“Much better. A visit with Quinnie always helps.”

She walks away with one last wave and Sebastian’s attention zeros in on me.

“Good day,” he asks, herding me back inside office until I’m caged between his body and the hallway wall.

“Better now,”

The words barely leave my mouth before his lips are crashing on mine, nipping and tasting, making it a point to remind me who I belong to.

As if I need a memory refresher.

When he pulls back I ask, “How are patrols?”

“Silent,” he says simply.

I know that isn’t always a good thing.

“The Alpha King should be headed back to the capital today,” I say.

“He is planning to send a hunting part out to track down who made the explosive.”

I raise my brow. “Why would he do that?”

“Because the person who created it was arrogant enough to leave a signature.”

Disgust curls inside my belly. “They are playing with us.”

“They are.”

I study with my mate. “Why don’t you sound as pissed as I thought you would?”

“Because they are getting bolder. More confident. And Everytime they attack, something else slips.”

It makes sense to me then. “You think there’s going to eventually lead us to them.”

“I do.” His confidence radiates down our bond.

“What would be the point of that?”

“I’m not an insane psychopath so I wouldn’t be able to tell you. But what I am sure of is that whoever is behind this believes there’s a point and that’s all that matters.”

I grab my bag and sling it over my shoulder, readying myself to leave and head to Thomas.

Sebastian’s body gets tighter the closer we get.

“Relax. It will just be a yes or no.”

He gives me a stern, grumpy look. “I’ll be fine once we know for sure.”

“Sure you will,” I placate.

Before we step into the building my phone starts to ring. Not wanting to keep a pack member waiting if they needed me I picked up without looking at the screen.

“Hello.”

“Quinnie, it’s me. Oliver.”

From the way Sebastian narrows his eyes I know he can hear everything we’re saying.

“Oliver,” I repeat wondering why he would be contacting me. “What’s wrong?”

Because something has to be wrong, right?

Why else would he be calling me?

“I heard about the explosion.”

Even though his voice is even, my wolf is instantly alert and Sebastian steps closer to my side.

“Did you?” I reply non-commitally.

“Come on Quinnie, don’t give me that tone. You know I don’t mean anything buy it.”

“Then why are you not calling Ronan.”

“It’s …” there is a pause. The sound of something rustling in the background. “I trust you.”

Sebastian growls at the softly spoken words.

“Trust me with what?”

“I got contacted again. By whoever sent me that first letter. By my uncle.”

“Did he say it was him?”

“No.” There is defeat in his voice.

My wolf growls at it. Don’t trust it.

“Then how can you be sure?” I ask because I need to.

Because so many mistakes have been made that one wrong move could be the loss of a life we can never get back.

“He called me boomy.”

The nickname brings back memories of our childhood.

Of the pranks we would play on the male that would try and make fun of us when we were both small and weak.

That was before Kane had taken his place on the council.

When he was just a male encouraging our mischief.

“You should tell Ronan.”

“I don’t think he believes me. But if you did, it might make him change his mind.”

“That’s the thing. I’m not sure if I believe that it’s really Kane. I believe that someone’s sending you letters and I believe that they’re pressuring you into joining…” I correct myself before I give away the name that we uncovered. “… this group, but I’m not one hundred percent confident in who you think it is.”

“I can’t blame you for that. I also didn’t expect anything different. You’re an intelligent woman Quinnie. All I’m asking is for the chance to prove to you that I could be right.”

It doesn’t surprise me when Sebastian says, “ and just how do you intend to prove it to her.”

There is a pause at the end of the line. “ Hello Sebastian. I didn’t know you’d be joining our conversation.”

The irritation in Oliver’s voice surprises me.

“Of course, I’m here. I’m her mate.” His tone is hard and completely unfriendly.

I shoot him a look knowing that if he pushes all of her too hard he might not give us all the information he has.

Honestly, Sebastian doesn’t look like he gives a shit.

“I’d like you to meet with me,” Oliver says, ignoring Sebastian’s presents completely.

Sebastian takes the phone up from my hand.

“Hey?” I shout.

“Where do you want us to meet you?”

There is a bite to Oliver’s words. “Meet me at the Starlight diner.”

He hangs up. Sebastian glares at me, refusing to give me back my phone.

“Don’t give me that look. I wouldn’t have gone alone.”

“How does he have your number?”

“I’ve had the same number since I first got a phone. Relax.” I put my hands on his chest, rubbing him and hoping to calm down the bitter tinge of jealousy flowing through our bond. “You don’t seriously believe I would want him do you?”

“No. But just because I don’t think you want him doesn’t mean I can ignore the fact that he wants you.”

I scoff. “I’m mated. He knows he has no chance.”

My words seem to appease him, even if it’s only slightly.

“Anyway. Let’s get this appointment out of the way. We have to tell Ronan what Oliver said.”

Sebastian nods, going to the healer building door and holding it open for me.

One of the junior healers gets us checked in and we wait until we’re called to the back.

Thomas greets us with his usual professional demeanor.

“Thank you for coming in today. Are we doing pleasantries or do you want to get right into it?”

“I’d rather you tell us straight,” Sebastian says.

“Jace’s hormone level on his last physical show elevated hormone levels.”

“What does that mean?” I ask.

“It means we can expect his wolf to emerge earlier than his peers.”

“Is that going to be a problem?”

“Not at all. But it does mean you’re going to be dealing with a highly dominant wolf. Possibly a natural born Alpha. Of course we won’t know for sure until he emerges.”

A born Alpha.

My wolf preens with pride.

I, on the other hand, think of the clock. The time I have left before his natural instinct leads him out of this pack so he can start his own.

There can never be more than one natural born Alpha in a pack. Their instincts will cause them to battle for power and authority.

It is different then being dominant or submissive, it is being predestined to lead, to care to rule.

This is why they are rare. It helps keep balance and the natural order of things.

“Hey, “ Sebastian says, capturing attention. “There is no need to worry about what we can’t control. It will be a long time yet before Jace is a mature adult.”

“You’re right,” I say, taking a deep breath. “Thank you for speaking with us Thomas.”

He inclines his head. “If you need any further support let me know. I’m always here.”

Sebastian guided me out, a small strut of pride on his step.

I knock him playfully with my shoulder. “Let’s try not to give Jace a big head.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Sure you don’t,” I don’t give myself time to think about what we learned.

Right now we have to get to Ronan and see if we can give Oliver’s theory any merit.

I really hope we can’t.

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