Lib Novel Page 182
“Why?” It’s so hard to keep my voice calm, but I have to keep him talking. I need answers from this man. He knows everything; I just want to know about my mother.
My question takes Alpha Black by surprise. “You really don’t know? I guess you’re not as smart as I was beginning to give you credit for. You never figured it out in all these years?” As soon as the words are out of his mouth, his expression changes into one of annoyance. “Don’t tell me. You still have not managed to shift?”
“My wolf is latent—”
“The fuck it is!”
He keeps talking, but I feel that strange buzzing sensation in my head again. I stagger back, trying to think past the pain. I see his mouth moving, but I can’t hear a word he’s saying. The buzzing is too loud.
His words finally reach me. “She must’ve done something to you. To prevent this from happening. That bitch! When I see her, I’m going to beat her within an inch of her life!”
He’s talking about my mother. She really is alive!
“Where is she? What have you done to her?”
Alpha Black regains his composure and then holds out his hand. “If you want to know, all you have to do is walk over to me. You accept my mating mark willingly, and I will let you see your mother on occasion.”
I stare at his hand, and my body moves of its own accord. One step, and Drew shouts, “No! Don’t do it, Sophia! She wouldn’t want this for you!”
I hesitate at his voice, coming to a halt as if awoken from a trance.
“Will you just die already?!” Alpha Black kicks Drew in the side before turning his attention back to me. “Come, Sophia. It’s time to go home.”
“Think about your mate,” Drew says through a coughing fit, blood staining his mouth. He’s barely able to speak. “You can’t leave with Alpha Black. You don’t know this man. He won’t…He’s lying to you!”
“Drew’s right. What if you are lying to me?” I stare at the Alpha. “What if my mother is dead, and you’re just telling me I can see her so that I’ll go with you? How do I know you’re telling the truth?”
“I can take you to her,” he offers, “but you have to come with me.”
My heart and mind are at war. I want to see my mother. If she’s been alive all this time, I need to see her. I need to make sure she’s okay. I need to find out what is happening.
Before I can take another step forward, an arm wraps around my waist, and I’m pulled back into a familiar chest.
Alex’s voice growls next to my ear. “She’s not going anywhere with you.”
Alpha Black narrows his eyes. “So it’s you then, Stone? Karina’s little pet project. Does she know you’re down here breaking Alliance laws?”
I shouldn’t be surprised that the two of them know each other. After all, as Alphas, they must’ve crossed paths at some point during gatherings of the three Alliances.
“My mother’s alive, Alex,” I whisper hoarsely. “He knows where she is.”
Alex’s eyes are fixed on the man facing us. “He says that, but what if he’s lying to you? And do you really think he’s going to let you see your mother even if she is alive? He’s going to use her against you. Dangle her life in front of you to force you to do what he wants. That entire family is fucked up in the head.”
He’s right.
What was I thinking, even considering going with Alpha Black?
“If I were you, Stone, I would shut my mouth and move on. I’ll be kind enough to let you return to your territory unharmed. This is a pack matter, after all.”
“That’s correct.” Alex straightens up, his arm not moving from my waist. “This is a pack matter. Between me and my mate. You have no say in it. According to the rules of the three Alliances, fated mates are allowed to cross borders. Sophia is mine. She’s allowed to leave the South Alliance. She’s no longer part of your pack.”
“Only if she accepts you,” Alpha Blocks bites out. “And if she’s a smart girl, and ever wants to see her mother alive, she will reject you on the spot.”
“She’s not a fool.” Alex shoves me behind him protectively. “Even if her mother is alive, the kind of person you are, you’re never going to let her see her. And if you haven’t killed her mother all this time, there must be a reason. You need her for something.”
He’s hit the nail on the head with his words because Alpha Black’s expression turns furious. “You are trespassing in my territory, Stone. You know what that means, don’t you?”
“I came to retrieve my mate.” Alex shrugs. “I’m allowed to do that.”