The snow cleared out, and in the distance, the sun starts to peek in through the trees. My eyes are heavy, and my chest feels like a ton of weight is pressing against it. The longer Knox and Kara stay in town, the easier it is for them to infiltrate the pack. I’m not worried about those close to me, but some of the other members I don’t know could be a problem.
Kara and Knox have had plenty of chances to come after me, and I’ve waited for them to take them. It’s inevitable … I have to kill them. Hidden in darkness, Laila and I listened in on Kara and Amelie’s conversation last night. I don’t like how adamant Kara was about wanting to meet my daughter.
“Good morning, brother.”
Even though Sebastian’s presence was concealed, I knew he was there. “I wish I could say the same,” I reply, glancing at him over my shoulder.
Sebastian focuses on Amelie’s cabin in the distance and leans against the tree to my right. “How are things? We haven’t spoken much since Kara and Knox came into town.”
My thoughts drift to last night. The bond with Amelie is stronger now, making my wolf even more impatient. I’m ready for the full moon to come.
Sebastian meets my gaze, and I sigh. “Amelie feels the connection now. The signs appeared last night.”
His eyes widen, and he smiles. “It’s about damn time.” When I don’t smile in return, his happiness dissipates. “But unfortunately, it makes things more complicated.”
I nod. “Much more. I tried getting Amelie to stay somewhere else, but she won’t. She doesn’t think Knox will hurt her.”
Sebastian’s brows furrow. “What do you think?”
After everything Knox said to me, I know he loves her, but it doesn’t mean he wouldn’t hurt her once he finds out she’s my mate. “I don’t think he’d physically hurt her, but I know he’s capable of taking her away. Kara, on the other hand, is a different story. I’ve seen the way she looks at Amelie when Amelie’s not looking. Kara’s jealous of her.”
“Out of you, Micah, and me, I never thought you would be the one to get involved with a psycho bitch.”
She wasn’t always like that, but power and greed can change anyone. “She wants to meet Laila,” I add.
Sebastian snorts. “That’s a stupid move. Out of all the royals here, Laila’s the most powerful.” He’s right; she is. Her fae magic mixed with the power of a royal shifter makes her a force to be reckoned with. Laila was with me and heard the entire conversation Kara had with Amelie. Laila wants to meet Kara in hopes of putting some fear into her, but Kara doesn’t scare so easily. Ever since we were little kids, she always ran headfirst into danger.
I turn my attention back to Amelie’s cabin, but no one’s awake. Amelie is asleep in her room, her breaths slow and steady. I keep waiting for Knox to try and slip into her room, but luckily, he’s stayed away. All I need is a reason to attack, and his life will be over.
“Why didn’t you ever tell Micah and me about Knox and his family before?” Sebastian asks.
With a heavy sigh, I lean my back against the tall pine. “The pack wanted to forget. The Channons betrayal hit our family and the Storms pretty hard. No one wanted to speak of it again, and no one did until me.”
Sebastian walks over and places a hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry for everything, Z. Nothing’s going to happen to Amelie. Once all of this is over, you’ll have your true mate. Then, when Micah comes back, he’ll find his.” He squeezes my shoulder. “We can finally be a family again.”
Looking over at my younger brother, we’ve had our differences, but I love him. “I’d like that. Hopefully, we get the chance.” There was a time when I knew what being part of a family felt like. For the past three decades, I have let my guilt and regret consume me. I preferred solitude and silence. Amelie makes me want to live again.
Sebastian removes his hand and smiles. “We will. Now take a break. It’s my turn to watch over Amelie.”
“Thank you. I’ll be back shortly.”
His eyes grow concerned. “Don’t rush back. You need your rest. You can’t keep Amelie safe if you’re exhausted.”
The rage inside of me has been my fuel. One day, I will crash, but it won’t be anytime soon. Once I’m far enough away from Amelie’s, I pull out my phone and call Colin.
“Hey,” he answers, sounding as if he’s in his car. “You never called me back. I was worried something happened when Knox showed up at your house. Kami ended up talking to Laila, and that’s how we found out you were okay.”
“A lot has happened since then,” I explain. “I’ll tell you everything. But right now, where are you?”
“Just grabbed a quick breakfast with Kami before she has to be at the FBI training camp.”
“I need you to meet me at Laila and Cedric’s if you can. It won’t take long.”
I can hear his car accelerate. “Be right there.”
Colin’s car is already in Laila and Cedric’s driveway when I arrive. Cedric is outside on the porch, dressed in his park ranger uniform with his truck keys in hand. The second he sees me, he opens the door and tells everyone I’m here. Colin and Kami hurry out with Laila following behind them with little Sera bundled up in her arms.
Judging by the wide grins on Colin and Kami’s faces, I have no doubt Laila told them what happened last night. She stares at me sheepishly and shrugs. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t keep the amazing news to myself.”
Colin comes toward me with his arms wide open. “Welcome to the dark side, old man.” He hugs me and then steps back, draping his arm over Kami’s shoulders. “There’s no turning back now.”
Kami elbows him in the ribs. “Why do you make it sound like it’s the worst thing imaginable? If I recall correctly, you were the one who was desperate to get me to mate with you.”
That is true. Colin chuckles and kisses her playfully on the cheek. “Yeah, you’re right, but I like getting you fired up.”
Their bantering usually lightens the mood, but it’s not going to work this time. Laila can sense this, and her smile fades. “I didn’t tell them everything about yesterday. Only the part about Amelie and the mating signs.”
Colin’s gaze narrows when he looks at me. “What’s going on? What happened between you and Knox?”
Taking a deep breath, I try to keep the rage inside of me at bay. It’s hard to do that when talking about Knox. “Knox made it abundantly clear that going after my mate is his ultimate goal. Amelie knows and swears he won’t hurt her, but we all know how vengeance can outweigh all thought or reason. Knox will do whatever he can to make me suffer. I already see it with Kara. She asked Amelie last night to introduce her to Laila. I don’t know what she’s hoping to gain by that.”
Cedric’s eyes blaze when he turns to Laila. “You’re not going to meet her, are you?”
Laila sighs and looks over at me. “Amelie texted me late last night, and I told her I was outside listening that whole time. So, if Kara wants to meet, I’m all for it. She can’t hurt me. But I’m happy to put her down if she threatens my family.”
“I’m glad you said that,” I say, grabbing everyone’s attention. They all turn to me, and I blow out a sigh. “I think it’s best for Amelie and me to leave for a while. At least until we can complete the bond. The only way to get out of town is to take Knox and Kara out of the way.”
Colin crosses his arms over his chest. “Are you saying take them out permanently?”
As much as I think that’s the best option, Amelie will never agree to it. She’ll never forgive me if I kill Knox in cold blood. “Sadly, no. I think it’s best if we use magic. Because for reasons I will never understand, Amelie cares about Knox.”
Laila nods. “And she does. She’s not going to want him killed.” She walks down to me and holds Sera close to her chest. “I’m ready whenever you are. Just tell me when.”
Gently, I place a hand over Sera’s head. She yawns and opens her bright blue eyes for a second before closing them again. “I need a couple of days to get things in order,” I say, keeping my voice low.
“How about this Friday?” Cedric recommends. We all look over at him, and he smiles. “The pack is having a New Year’s Eve bonfire. We can invite the Channons and then put them under afterward. I know others want to meet them.”
“That’s right,” Colin interrupts. “My sister and Tate are coming into town with some of the Great Plains pack.”
Kami nods in agreement. “And Chase will be here with some of his Timberwolf pack. He knows who Knox and Kara are because of the vineyards. It turns out Chase and Kara have butted heads on more than one occasion.”
Laila focuses on me. “It’s your choice. If you want me to spell them before Friday, I can.”
I shake my head. “Friday’s fine. It’ll give me the time I need. Until then, say nothing to Amelie. I want to be the one to do it.” The only problem now is not knowing if she’ll go along with the plan. I have to believe she will. If she doesn’t, there’s only one other option, and it’s the one thing she doesn’t want me to do.