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“And you said there were women there? Just like last time. Unwell.” As I nod, I realize what he’s getting at, and I attempt to remedy his concern.
“We’ll leave them there. Someone else can deal with them.” My words are hard and I don’t have any sympathy for them. Not after watching them do nothing for those pups, for my niece and nephew. Devin nods his head, taking me by surprise.
“We will. And the Authority will be prepared to deal with it.”
The hint of a smile from Devin meant to ease my worries works. A slow smirk pulls my lip up.
“Got it. So a quick stop at the Authority and then we can get this over with.” A numbing cold shoots through me. As hungry as I am for revenge, I want this to be over with. I’ve hardly had any time with my mate. And she still has no idea what she means to me.
“Good. We leave now.”
“But Lena?—”
“She will be taken care of.”
My lips part in protest but Devin adds, “It is probably best she has time to heal, and possibly that will help with … your bonding.”
I stop short, uncertain. “We’re ready to go now, Jude,” Devin tells me. “Grace already knows. She’ll care for Lena and when we’re home, after what must be done, the two of you will have a better chance.”
I swallow the lump in my throat and pray that he’s right.
I like Alec enough, he’s all right, but I don’t fucking trust him.
I don’t really trust anyone for that matter, except my pack. And I don’t know Alec enough to trust him or his word. He’s had Devin’s back on more than one occasion, so that gives him an edge over most people, but I still find myself uncomfortable in his office. I readjust in the seat, and it squeaks under my weight.
The practically ancient office sits upstairs in the Authority’s estate and there’s only one door. Which means only one way out. Clearing my throat, I stand from the leather upholstered seat to look out of the antique paned windows overlooking the grounds as we wait for Alec. Our estate is beautiful and refined. It’s modern, built with every upgrade Devin could get, simply because he could. The Authority’s property is ours on steroids with an antique touch.
There are a handful of witches testing their powers in the gardens below us. Hydrangea and rose bushes, I think, and maybe some other kind of flower, are lined perfectly in rows outlining a simple, rectangular fountain that’s at least twenty feet long. A young witch keeps sputtering a blue light from her hands and hurling it into the still water. My hand grips a bit tighter on the edge of the sill. It does nothing; her shoulders sag with disappointment. I can’t imagine what she’s trying to do. I tilt my head as I continue to watch two witches talk animatedly even as I hear the door open.
Alec.
The knowledge of his presence makes me uneasy. Simply because the only exit is the one closest to him. He may be a member of the Authority, but he is not a member of our pack. I glance down to the ground from the window, we’re stories up, but I could manage the drop if I had to. I trust Devin, but I still don’t know Alec. Shit, even when you know people, they can turn their backs on you.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting Devin,” Alec starts before seeing me. “Ah. Jude. My apologies to you as well.” I only nod in acknowledgment and stay by the window. Alec unbuttons his blazer and takes a heavy seat at the head of his desk. He runs a hand down his face in exasperation and I’m taken aback. I’ve never seen the sorcerer anything but calm and put together.
He’s professional and if I’m honest, I’ve always thought of him to be stiff and lacking emotion. This is nothing like that.
Devin sits easily in one of the two seats across from him and is completely relaxed. I watch my Alpha carefully, but there are no signs of danger. He’s at ease and I wish I could say the same. With my Alpha unguarded, my wolf raises his hackles. He’s constantly on guard and untrusting. I take a seat on the edge of the chair and lean forward with my elbows on my knees. I just want to get this over with. I have a mate and a pup to return to. They were still sleeping when I left, and I didn’t dare to wake them. Grace and Lizzie are listening for them. Thank God for those two. Veronica and Vince should be back to the estate soon and then Dom, Caleb and Lev will join us for the attack. My fists clench and I crack my knuckles.
“Long day?” Devin questions.
“You have no idea. Please tell me I don’t need to torture or kill any other members of the Authority.”
Devin chuckles and I find myself smirking along with him. “Not that I know of. We just wanted to give you a little heads up.”
Alec’s brow cocks as he sighs. “What are you going to do this time Devin?” This time I chuckle along with Devin.
“We have to retaliate. We’re going today to take down Shadow’s pack.”
“Take down?” Alec finally straightens in his seat.
Devin cracks his neck before answering. “We’re going to kill Shadow, that’s long overdue. Anyone who surrenders we plan to leave behind.”
Alec nods his head slowly while resting his elbows on the desk, clasps his hands, and his thumbs rub back and forth against one another before his eyes find Devin’s. “How many do you think?” Devin doesn’t answer, he simply looks at me expectantly.
“There were four women, including Shadow’s mate. I doubt they’ll fight.” Alec nods his head again. “They were not in their right minds, high from the looks of it, the entire time I was there.”
“We don’t want any backlash from the Authority.” Devin’s words come out harder than I expect.
