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Chapter Forty-Eight - Endgame
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56
Lady JasIs Liz being suckered? If so, will she find a way to turn the tables?
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The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Forty-Nine - Alpha King
Byron’s POV I ordered Philip to follow Liz, not because I didn’t believe her when she said she was going to sit in on the interview with the Lycan, rather for her own safety and my peace of mind. I knew I could trust him to be discreet, so I cast all worries to the back of my mind and began to write my speech. Being Alpha King elect was such an honour, though the position had yet to be ratified. Was I tempting Fate? I preferred to think of it as being prepared and hoped my late parents would continue to be proud of me, especially as I’d fathered an heir and started to tame the sadistic tendencies. At least I was attempting to change and my sister had told me more than once how proud she was. Even Alphas like praise, especially from a hard-to-impress sibling. I kept protesting that it wasn’t necessary, but she saw right through me. “I hope we can put this business with the Lycan and his sidekick behind us now,” she said, preening herself in the mirror. “Trevor wants to take me to Eu
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Fifty - The Deal
Byron’s POVThe Lycan was heading in the same direction as my Delta and me. It was a free country yet I found it all too convenient. Was he keeping an assignation with my Lizzy? Had she been coerced?Max offered up no explanation though I saw immediately he was spruced up. Released, obviously, and not just on some sort of bail. I knew that anyway, courtesy of a call from the ever helpful Ms Dodds.I couldn’t resist.“Been shopping?”“Not personally, no.”That brief who’d apparently swanned in like he owned the place must have excellent contacts for the Lycan to be kitted out like this and smelling of cologne in such a short space of time. Though I knew they had showers in the Council building and, rumour had it, not just for meetings which concluded late.It was Philip who spotted the pair of them and headed Caitlin off as she was making for the toilets.Liz put her hand to her mouth. “I forgot Mo’s present,” she gasped.Those didn’t sound like the words of a would-be adulteress but S
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter One - Upheaval
Liz’s POVThat night I couldn’t get to sleep for worrying. As acting Luna of the Moon Tides pack I’d been doing a lot of that lately.Someone began to hammer at the door.“Open up, in the name of Alpha Byron,” a loud voice urged.If this was Ricky playing a prank, I would give him a piece of my mind. He was always forgetting his key.I descended the staircase which led to the foyer only to see one of the Omegas had beaten me to it.“What should I do, Luna?” Jeannie asked.“Let him in, of course,” I snapped. Though I wasn’t mad at her.Those bolts were heavy and stiff and she was so small. It seemed to take an age given that she had to fetch a stool.The words of reproach died on my lips when I saw the men outside. There were three of them dressed in the colours of our Alpha neighbour, leaf green and earth brown.What a time for our Beta to be away visiting his grandpups.My legs began to tremble as I saw Eric lying prone close to the fountain.“Can I help you?” I managed, wondering ho
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Two - An Unwanted Burden
Byron’s POVDon’t ask me why I decided to play craps that night. Maybe it was because I wanted to teach Bell a lesson. I knew his pack was in crisis and here he was, newly declared Alpha, gambling away their assets. They had been traders of renown once, only moving away from the coast because of Alpha Laurence’s whim.Maybe I should do them a favour and integrate them into mine. I’d thought about it more often than not yet I always hesitated. Would I have appreciated a friendly takeover were I the one in charge?Mo was disgusted with me. My elder sister had nothing but contempt for our struggling neighbours.“Byron, he’s not you.”I wish I had a dollar for the number of times she had said that recently.And now I had an additional problem in the form of his sister.As I waited impatiently in the library for the acting Luna to be brought to me, I speculated on what she may be like. It wasn’t so much her physical attributes I was thinking about, though I assumed she would have red hair
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Three - Compliance
Liz’s POVFrom the moment I opened my eyes and saw him I was lost. I did my best to hide it, even from myself. Maybe that was why I didn’t fear him at first. Then things became a little heated – Dad always said I’d trip over my own feist – and I was so embarrassed to know he’d seen my panties. Crimson was an unusual choice but they were one of the few clean pairs I had. Other than that I packed thongs.Answering back only brought me more humiliation and left me without them in front of him and another man.Shame didn’t show because of my anger and I wasn’t aroused, which didn’t surprise me. Tanya obviously didn’t like his wolf; she was notoriously picky. This was going to be really frustrating in more ways than I had anticipated.At least he allowed me to contact Beta Ian. It would have been nice to hear a friendly voice but it wasn’t to be. Part of me wondered why.On hearing that I would be sharing Alpha Byron’s quarters I feared the worst. Whether or not he took me as his slave my
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Four - Revealing Too Much
Byron’s POVWhen Mo sent me that mind link in a panic I knew I couldn’t just leave her to it. Yet I didn’t trust my ‘collateral’ not to run. Sending my guards after her would only lead to unpleasantness – for her. She wasn’t ready for the kind of punishment I usually dished out, healthy or not.On the point of stuffing her panties into an empty drawer I reconsidered and dumped them in my laundry basket instead. I’m not that much of a pervert, though degradation is one of my sweeter pastimes when I’m not actually hands on.The beauty in the next bedroom intrigued me. Maybe having Ricky owe me wasn’t such a bad thing.Currently Alpha Bell was not in my good books, failing to answer my texts. Seizing Liz with his blessing was my way of ensuring he returned to take care of his pack rather than do a runner. The alternative reason for him being incommunicado was something I didn’t want to dwell on.My sister rolled her eyes at my interference, liking none of this. She was often moody and sh
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Five - Repercussions
Liz’s POVI couldn’t think straight at that point.“You wouldn’t – he didn’t – ?”“Join me for breakfast. I usually eat up here. What would you like?”I couldn’t help myself, I yawned.“Can I let you know later, Alpha? All I want to do right now is sleep for a week.”“I’m afraid that’s out of the question,” he said.“Maybe an hour?” I wheedled.Was I flirting with him? This had to stop, right now.“You’re not listening, Lizzy, and it’s making my wolf angry.”“Is that how it works? I wouldn’t know.” I saw his face and launched into a hasty explanation about how I didn’t hit it off with mine.“Ridiculous. Impossible. Untrue.”“I only wish it were.”“Look, Lizzy, my order is a standing one with the Omegas. I like toast and a boiled egg. Shall I tell them to double up?”I froze, only now realising how it was bound to look, me sitting there in his bedroom with him. Was there a table or did he usually eat in bed? My wolf either didn’t know or wouldn’t say.“Yes, please. What time?”“Fifteen
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Six - Mates?
Byron’s POVI had to admit the jeans suited her yet she had deliberately flouted my order. I wouldn’t tolerate that. So what if she was weary and troubled. I hadn’t been in any other state since I became Alpha. It went with the territory of ruling a pack, something I guessed she was no stranger to these days.Had I seen her at that mating ball last year? I doubted it. Because Seb would have led me to bed her. I was more cautious.He’s my alter ego, taken from my middle name. Gregor might have a split personality or something. Goddess knows what’s wrong with Liz’s wolf, Tanya.We’d been thrown together at a difficult time all because of her happy-go-lucky brother.Mo was almost out of her mind with grief and tended to take it out on her inferiors. The investigation I’d started without telling her was well under way, though no leads as yet.Trevor was the Alpha of a southern pack who’d chosen to live with us, allowing his younger twin, Tony, to take over. He’d gone missing shortly after
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The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Fifty - The Deal
Byron’s POVThe Lycan was heading in the same direction as my Delta and me. It was a free country yet I found it all too convenient. Was he keeping an assignation with my Lizzy? Had she been coerced?Max offered up no explanation though I saw immediately he was spruced up. Released, obviously, and not just on some sort of bail. I knew that anyway, courtesy of a call from the ever helpful Ms Dodds.I couldn’t resist.“Been shopping?”“Not personally, no.”That brief who’d apparently swanned in like he owned the place must have excellent contacts for the Lycan to be kitted out like this and smelling of cologne in such a short space of time. Though I knew they had showers in the Council building and, rumour had it, not just for meetings which concluded late.It was Philip who spotted the pair of them and headed Caitlin off as she was making for the toilets.Liz put her hand to her mouth. “I forgot Mo’s present,” she gasped.Those didn’t sound like the words of a would-be adulteress but S
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Forty-Nine - Alpha King
Byron’s POV I ordered Philip to follow Liz, not because I didn’t believe her when she said she was going to sit in on the interview with the Lycan, rather for her own safety and my peace of mind. I knew I could trust him to be discreet, so I cast all worries to the back of my mind and began to write my speech. Being Alpha King elect was such an honour, though the position had yet to be ratified. Was I tempting Fate? I preferred to think of it as being prepared and hoped my late parents would continue to be proud of me, especially as I’d fathered an heir and started to tame the sadistic tendencies. At least I was attempting to change and my sister had told me more than once how proud she was. Even Alphas like praise, especially from a hard-to-impress sibling. I kept protesting that it wasn’t necessary, but she saw right through me. “I hope we can put this business with the Lycan and his sidekick behind us now,” she said, preening herself in the mirror. “Trevor wants to take me to Eu
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Forty-Eight - Endgame
Liz’s POV I couldn’t believe my eyes for the second time in a week. Our pup had arrived, prematurely but otherwise healthy, and he was the spit double of my brother. From what I could remember of him at that age. Up again and nursing Rufus Alexander – I’d insisted on the middle name – I peered out of the misted-up window and had to use my sleeve as a makeshift leather in order to observe the scene which was unfolding. Was Byron really going to shoot Michael? Something glittered in the sunlight. Was that a silver bullet? He had to be kidding, didn’t he? I struggled with the catch until I realised there was a better way to attract his attention and one far less dangerous to my old friend’s health. What if shock caused Byron to fire without warning? ‘Have you gone mad?’ There was no response to the mind link initially, other than that our son began to wail. Did he have the bond this early? How should I know? So I made my way carefully down the stairs, crooning softly to my pup, o
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Forty-Seven - The Spy
Byron’s POVI had wondered how come the Lycan knew so much about what went on in the general shifter world and especially at Wild Horses. After a few mild ‘chastisements’ and some rather disjointed calls with Liz, in which we were like strangers who had just met on a dating site, I was told to get ready for an outing.Imagine my surprise when we took a chopper all the way to my home. Things were only compounded when I witnessed my mate becoming hitched to my ultimate rival.This couldn’t be right.In fact, it wasn’t. When she lifted her skirts and ran – and I thought she looked gorgeous in the taffeta dress – I was overwhelmed to see she wasn’t heading for the hills. Or, more accurately, the desert beyond our borders.Liz was making a beeline for me and soon flung her arms around my neck.Beside me, Caitlin was scowling as my mate welcomed me home and said now she could “do it all again” with the real bridegroom.I glanced at Max.“What’s he doing here?”“I told you, we have a spy in
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Forty-Six - Entranced
Byron’s POV Cedar, such a lovely name. Unusual, too. I felt as if I were floating on air. Then the necessary hormones or whatever kicked in and I had to control my very real rage which emanated from Gregor and something even more supernatural. Her mother had once told me she was a chemistry student who went the extra mile. I supposed that wouldn’t be frowned on here at an academy now run by a witch. Yet it was about to backfire big style. And the joke was on me. For the dozenth time I wished I hadn’t set off on this mission alone. What had I been thinking? Even Alpha Richard wouldn’t have dreamt of doing something as crazy as this. The other girl, Poppy, resembled Carla more. Strange, because they were twins though not identical. I saw her out on the running track and could tell she had talent. But I had yet to set eyes on Faye. That was a concern. Maybe I should just ask my new accomplice. If that was what she was. Because when I approached Cedar, I saw the fear in her eyes.
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Forty-Five - Strange Beliefs
Byron’s POVI have to admit I wasn’t worried about Liz initially. Until the news came in from my Beta that she believed she’d given birth and that the females weren’t premature. Did that mean – ? Was she feeling guilty because she had slept with another or, more likely, consented to artificial insemination in order to fool me?I shook my head as if to be rid of the same infection confusing my mate. Illness inevitably brings out the truth and she hadn’t been well for some time.“So, is she still pregnant, or not?” I barked into my cell.“Keep your fur on, Alpha. I was just apprising you of the situation.”“Well?”I began pacing up and down, attracting the attention of the pretty gas station employee who was currently filling up my truck. There’d been an issue with the pump or something. I wasn’t complaining. Those legs were mighty fine.“The medic has confirmed she’s expecting a male.”“Great news, Beta.”I was intending to call my heir Rufus without really knowing why. An outside infl
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Forty-Four - The Revelation
Liz’s POVThere’d just been something in the way he said it which led me to think Michael might know more than he was letting on about our new quarry. Well, new to me anyway.And I was right.What did he want in exchange? Only for me to say I forgave him.That came easy in view of the significance.“It’s been bothering me for a while,” he admitted.“You’re saying Lycan Max wants to have all female Alphas? Incredible.”I couldn’t take it in. How was I going to ‘sell’ this to Byron? Because an idea was forming. I could contact this witch person and claim I aspired to more.But how to break the ice?Hi, I’m a spy for a well-known Lycan wasn’t my finest thought, so I kept it to myself. Though having been an acting Luna who was doing almost everything and might as well take over could work. It would be awful to betray my brother like that yet I would only be telling the truth in order to fool her. And I had no desire to become Byron’s equal in name even if, secretly, we both knew I was.Ot
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Forty-Three - Honesty
Liz’s POVThat was the first I’d heard of Caitlin Spencer.“Go on,” I said, encouraging openness in my mate. Especially since he’d told me she’d once been obsessed with him.“We met in England.” He looked out of the window. “If you must know she stalked me when I made it clear I wasn’t interested in seeing her.”“Is she a shifter, this Brit?”“Yes, and it gets worse. She obtained a secondment to the Werewolf Council over here, advising them on tech issues. That’s probably why she had access to your contact details.”As an acting Luna, I had to report my number to them each time I changed it. That had only happened once, to avoid taking Ernest’s calls.“And the message? What do you make of that?”“How loud does a peal ring out when it is being peeled. Isn’t it obvious? Cait is threatening your life, Miss Bell.”“Then you’d better make an honest woman of me, quick,” I joked.“Let me do some digging, starting with your friend, Randy.”“He’s no pal of mine,” I snorted.The following day h
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Forty-Two - Begin Again
Byron’s POVI decided to woo my mate rather than question her and even ordered some flowers. Keeping her close was no hardship and I wanted to demonstrate to Liz that I was a worthy husband. Not the usual Alpha behaviour but I owed her one. Several, in fact.So why wouldn’t she meet my eyes during dinner?Had she fallen for Max?If so I would have to prove myself over the coming weeks or we would have unrest here at Wild Horses – and not for the first time. Ours was a troubled history, though it didn’t prepare you; nothing did. Mo was fond of repeating that to my intense irritation. Though she was quite correct. Especially since our parents were a loving couple who rarely raised their voices in argument.At least, not when I was around.Had absence made my feelings stronger? Time would tell.That night I expressed my joy that she was expecting again but restrained myself from physically proving my love. Our relationship needed work and I wanted to show my rarely seen tender side.Stra
