Page 20 of His Sold Fated Mate

“I spoke with Riley about coming down here. He okayed it.”

The members looked at me, and I felt Klaus’s arms tighten almost protectively. I leaned into his hold, sinking into him.

I could feel them looking me up and down. It was like a vulture looking at prey. “How are you two getting along?”

“We’re doing well, and if you don’t mind, we have some other stops to make.” Klaus pulled me with him as we passed them. His hand was tight around mine as he pulled me up the stairs.

But one of them spoke. “Klaus, we need you to do what’s best for your pack.”

We came to a stop, and I could feel his fingers tense in mine. I stared at him, watching his throat as he swallowed. “I always do what’s best for the pack.”

I glanced over my shoulder and could see them watching each step we took. They had their eyes on me now, and I swallowed, feeling my stomach drop.

“I thought you said you had no issues with the councils,” I whispered when we got up the stairs.

“I don’t,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean I like them. I don’t like people in my business, and I don’t like being told what to do.”

He pulled us down a hallway, then came to a stop. I slammed into his shoulder and scowled. “What the…”

“Klaus?” A woman stood in front of us and offered a bright smile. I couldn’t help but stare because she was stunning. She had jet black hair and deep blue eyes. She was wearing a simple cream dress that hugged her curves. Even her smile was perfect. “Hey, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you. How are you?”

I glanced at Klaus, who forced a smile. “Elize, I’m fine.”

She looked toward me and extended her hand. “I’m Elize. Troy’s wife. He’s the Alpha of the pack next to this one.”

“I’m Aubrey,” I said, not sure if I was supposed to be introducing myself as Klaus’s wife.

“She’s my wife,” Klaus added.

Eliza’s eye sparkled. “I heard. Congratulations. We’ll have to catch up sometime. Troy was just talking about you. You haven’t been to the last couple alpha meetings.”

Klaus scowled. “I doubt he was talking about me, or at least in a nice manner. There is no need to be so formal, Elize.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “He speaks all good words. I do wish you’d join in events.” She looked down the hallway before looking back at Klaus. “I would love to pull more words out of you, but Troy is waiting for me. It was nice to see you. Really, reach out. We should all get together sometime.” She glanced at me. “And welcome, Aubrey. Let me know if I can help you. I know how hard it can be to adjust to the role, and I imagine you have a hundred questions. I’d love to help you answer some of them.”

She walked past us, and I couldn’t help but stare at her. I felt something twist up in my gut as she walked away. It was odd. I’d never really felt a pull toward someone until now. I wasn’t the type to trust people, but something in my gut told me I could trust her. Like I should be.

“Who was that again?” I asked as I looked at Klaus.

“That would be Troy’s wife. He’s the Alpha of the pack next to Riley’s. Riley and Troy have always been close. Janella is Troy’s sister and Riley’s wife. It’s kind of confusing sometimes.”

“Oh.” I couldn’t help but look back at her. She held herself so confidently, and there was something else about her. Something… different. I couldn’t put my finger on what it was, though. I watched as she walked inside a room, shutting the door behind her.

“What else?”

He raised an eyebrow at me. “What do you mean?”

“I mean like… what else? Is she a human like me or a shifter?”

He nodded as he turned. “Janella and Elize are witches.”

My eyebrows went up at this. I looked back at him. “Why do you say it like that? I thought you got along with the other Alphas.”

“I do, but I don’t trust witches. They are the reason we are having these problems to begin with.”

He pulled the door open, and we stepped outside. As we walked to the SUV, I pondered his words. As he started the car, I tried to connect the dots. I knew that there was a curse placed over the pack and that the packs needed to be healed. I didn’t know how it was supposed to be healed. I thought visiting the cauldron would at least give me some kind of clue.

Klaus wasn’t sharing much, and I didn’t know whether he didn’t know or just didn’t want to tell me. Eliza was the first person to offer a hand. She was willing to answer questions that no one else seemed to want to.