Nero
"I want a report of everything when I return," I told Ari as she followed me through the house the next morning. "If someone challenges Kaia's authority or place in the pack, let her deal with it. It will be well within her rights."
Ari nodded. "Anything else?"
I paused at the threshold of the front door. There were many things that could go wrong in my absence.
Maverick was still out there, and despite narrowing down potential places he could be stowing away, my wolf and I refused to go lax in the measures we were taking to keep Maverick from getting to Kaia.
My fists tightened, thinking about the man.
I had to find him quickly, so I could deal with him with my own hands before Kaia could reach him.
I didn't plan for Kaia to meet Maverick ever again.
The next time Maverick appeared in front of my eyes, I would end him right then and there.
But for now, I had to keep my thoughts focused on the Alpha King. He had finally returned home and called for me.
Kaia's promise lingered in my mind.
I'd promised her that I wouldn't lie. But I frankly didn't know what I would say to the Alpha King when I saw him.
It was the first time I even dared to think about spilling a few white lies with carefully woven words to protect Kaia. However, my wolf and I recoiled at the thought of speaking falsities to the Alpha King.
There had to be another way to sort this out. I just had to find out exactly how to do it.
"Hey." Ari touched my arm and gave it a comforting squeeze. "Relax. You'll figure something out."
"I promised Kaia I wouldn't lie for her sake."
"She's got balls." Ari grinned. "The Alpha King's temper isn't something to take lightly."
"I don't know if I find it endearing or troublesome." I sighed, opening the door. Cool air brushed my skin, summoning goosebumps along my arms.
Ari laughed from behind me as she followed me outside. "Let's go with endearing for now because I do find her to be so."
As if drawn to her, I spotted Kaia chatting with Sariah. Sariah was showing her things on her tablet that elicited a small wrinkle between my mate's brows. I was helpless to look away.
She was magnetic, effortlessly tugging me into her orbit without trying, and like a mindless fool, my feet moved towards her.
Halfway to her, Kaia glanced up. Sariah moved away upon my approach, tucking her tablet away as she called to Ari.
"I have to go now," I announced.
A slight frown spread across her lips. "Is someone going with you?"
I shook my head. "No. I will meet the Alpha King alone. I should be back soon, if there isn't much to discuss."
Her frown deepened.
"Are you worried about me?" I asked. I took slight pleasure at the sight of her downturned lips.
Did she care enough for me to assign a corner of her mind to think about me, even if it was just for fleeting thoughts?
I was suddenly enraptured by her lovely lips. If she kept tugging on her bottom lip like that, I didn't think I would have the control to withhold myself from lowering my head and possessing them.
It would be quick, but with the lack of time on hand, I knew I wouldn't be satiated with a brief reunion of our lips.
I wanted to take my time savouring her taste on my tongue and imprinting the texture of her lips into memory. I wanted her under me, whispering my name over and over again at the cuff of my ear, while her fingers drew listless patterns along my spine.
And I wanted her safe and free to run wild.
There had to be a way to keep my promise to her without betraying anyone.
***
It took almost a day's worth of travel to make it to the Alpha King's residence in my wolf form.
The Alpha King lived in a fortress surrounded by high walls. Highly trained shifters stood guard outside the walls. From a bird's eye view, the fortress was mostly made of big, black domes that connected to each other.
The design offered very limited views of the interior, which was intentional. Very few were invited inside. Special permission was only given to a select few.
After shifting from my wolf form and changing into a black, loose-fitting shirt and linen pants, the aches in my legs and arms were more prominent. I hadn't taken a single moment to rest on the journey here because I didn't plan to loiter around.
I needed to get back to Kaia as soon as possible.
I winced as I massaged my right shoulder, softening the tense knot there. Maybe I had pushed myself a little too hard. As I crested the slope, I spotted the familiar Enforcer near the high walls of fine ashlar.
"Andrei!"
The man jolted at the sound of his name and looked around in confusion. His expression eased as he took my hand with a firm shake. The Enforcer was a head shorter than I was, but no one could mistake the strength of the man's taut muscles.
"Alpha Nero Hunt, it's good to see you."
"Good to see you too." I patted his arm. "It's been a while."
"What are you doing here so soon?" Andrei asked. "Did something happen?"
"The Alpha King sent for me."
Andrei blinked as blatant confusion overtook his features. "The Alpha King sent for you?"
"This is the usual time of the month I meet with him," I replied wryly.
Andrei was often light-hearted. However, a solemn look overtook his face now as my words settled.
"Are you sure the Alpha King sent for you?" Andrei asked. His brows were scrunched, and his lips were pursed with confusion.
"Yes."
Hesitation clung to the Enforcer.
"What is it?" I asked, sensing his uncertainty.
Andrei licked his lips and glanced at me tentatively. "The Alpha King isn't here."
A chill raced down my spine.
"Then where is he?" I pressed.
Was he still away, drowning in his solitude?
There had only been a few times when the Alpha King prolonged his time away simply because he was not ready to return. Those times were exceptionally difficult for him since he would be lost in mourning for his dead mate.
However, even when the Alpha King suffered through this, he always sent word if he was delayed.
If the Alpha King hadn't sent for me, then who had?
"He sent you another message not too long ago. You should've received it around the same time you got the first message, since it was express delivered," Andrei explained.
"I didn't receive it."
"Strange."
Something stirred in my chest. Doubt and a hint of scepticism crept into my mind. Communication between the Alpha King and I had never been flawed like this...unless someone intentionally interfered with our correspondence.
Could it have been Maverick?
Unease tightened my chest.
Maverick was a possibility.
After all, he wanted Kaia.
Had Maverick interfered so he could make his way to Kaia without me in the picture?
Bile rose in my throat. No—he wasn't going to touch a single hair on her head.
I had to return.
"Where is the Alpha King now?" I asked.
"He said he would be seeing you at your pack. He mentioned he heard some things and wanted to congratulate you."
"Congratulate me?"
Andrei grinned this time, showing his neat rows of teeth. "There's word that you have a woman."
"Are you saying the Alpha King left here to visit me because I have a woman?"
Andrei winced and then intentionally pitched his voice low as he asked warily, "Or is it a man that you found?"
I rubbed my eyes. I was tired and lacking sleep. Andrei's usual attempts at humour fell flat this time.
It didn't help that my wolf had been a pain since we had left the pack.
He—no, we both craved our mate's closeness. I didn't think I would be able to stay away for too long. I could already feel myself pulling away, wanting to return home.
"I can assume that the Alpha King has reached your pack," Andrei shared. "If not, he would be there soon."
If the Alpha King had reached his pack already, there was no doubt that Kaia would present herself like a sacrificial lamb at his feet.
She'd warned us several times that she planned to speak with him, and this was an opportunity for her to tell him about the silver.
"Fuck," I hissed.
There was no time to linger.
Maverick was possibly lurking around my pack, trying to possess Kaia, while the Alpha King was expected to be there—and I was gone.
I willed my wolf to the surface with urgency. There was no time to rest.
Aches forgotten, I embraced the warm sensation of the shift.
I had to return to the pack.
Heart racing, I shot through the clearing of trees and prayed fervently to the Moon Goddess that I wasn't late.
I needed to save Kaia from danger.