Page 57 of The Alpha’s Heir

My eyes widened at her admission. Katrina wasn’t one to play outside the rules, but knowing she’d done that. For me…

“Lieutenant! We need you,” someone called from the front. “There’s a vehicle approaching!”

20

Meg

Is this guy ever sober?

We watched as Justus came stumbling inside after the vehicle with the “Taxi” logo dropped him off at the front door. There were so many people here now that my wolf was having trouble sorting through all the sounds to eavesdrop on conversations and figure out what was happening, but we had no trouble scenting Justus.

My intended husband stunk like a skunk and a loopy smile stretched across his face. “Hello, Mother. You called?”

“Science…” Helen muttered under her breath. “I need a drink.”

“Pour me one too.” He sank onto the chair and started rubbing the armrests.

Helen tossed a bottle of water on his lap.

“Ouch,” he cried. “What was that for?”

“Do you have any idea what is happening today?” Helen yelled at her son.

I wanted to leave before I had to deal with another one of their bickering matches, but an armed guard stood outside the door.

And I’d thought my own family was bad.

“Is it the wedding?” Justus peered at me through red-rimmed eyes.

“No, you idiot! We’re under lockdown. Our maid was attacked, and they uncovered plans to target this house.” Helen poured herself a large glass of amber liquid.

“He’s here.” Roman came to a stop outside the door. “Good. I’ll report back to base and—”

“No.” Helen pointed at him. “You stay.”

The stone mask slipped over Roman’s face again, but not before I saw his frustration with being trapped here.

Same, man. Same. My wolf sighed.

“What happened now?” Justus groaned, resuming his rubbing of the armrests.

“Katrina was hurt,” I said.

“Okay…” Justus drawled. “And?”

Roman tensed beside me as a growl slipped from my chest, but it was Helen who took over the conversation again.

“And, she was beaten up because she works for us.” Ice rattled in Helen’s drink. “These fucking ungrateful people.”

I’d never heard her cuss this angrily before, but Justus and Roman didn’t react.

“Am I assuming that your half-ditch effort of swaying public opinion on this arranged marriage isn’t exactly going to plan?” Justus smirked.

“No thanks to you,” she bit back.

“I don’t understand,” I said. “Is this because of me?”

“Of course it is.” Justus smiled my way. “No offense, mutant. They just don’t like outsiders.”