Filed To Story: Secret with Betas Daughter: Skylar Story Series
She simpers and reaches for Cameron’s arm. He pulls away before she can touch him.
“Any Lunas that should be here are already present.”
He and Dakota shot me a sideways glance that was so quick I might have imagined it. “Good evening.”
“But… I…”
“Your Alphas asked you to leave. Do you need your Betas to show you out? Or can you follow simple instructions and find the front door on your own?” Jena growls darkly at her. With her head turned like that l can see the mark at the base of her neck that was so not there before we went on our plant assignments today. My brother has the biggest sh*t eating grin on his face at her comment and I can’t help but smile at his happiness. Even being mated to a Beta, her Alpha aura is strong.
We all just stare at her until she gets the hint or just can’t think of any other excuse to stay. No one moves until we hear the front door close behind her.
The rest of dinner was bittersweet.
Ava started by saying a few words about Lucas as an Alpha, a mate and a father. She hinted at things he went through and what brought him to this point. She even thanked me for helping make his journey back the Moon Goddess as painless as possible. Many tears were shed until Alpha Reggie started to fill his plate and tell us when he first met Lucas which involved them getting stuck in a human town, naked, because they couldn’t shift back and trying not to get caught by human police. We all laughed hard and then followed suit and ate and drank and heard and told our favorite stories about him. The night got lighter and happier as we talked about him. We all called it a night around ten since his celebration was going to start at dawn. All of the pack warriors were working until midnight and then Elite and Royal pack warriors were going to take over patrols so they could attend the celebration.
I hug Mina, Oscar and Xander who have been staying in their room. None of them are going to risk Mina getting hurt if an attack comes while they are here. She is carrying the future of the Royal pack and if Mike and the Rogue King and this witch are coming after me because I have Royal powers, what would they do to her putting another layer between them and the throne?
Brett wraps an arm around Ava after she hugs everyone and leads her to the elevator to go to the Alpha floor. From what she said they have been packing and plan on moving her out after the celebration tomorrow. I’m not sure where she plans on going, but I think I understand. That was her place with Lucas. I don’t know if I could live where I made a home with my mate after they passed either.
I stop Elena and Gentry and tell them what we found. “We don’t have to do anything with it until after the celebration tomorrow. I just wanted you both to know what we discovered and get your input on how to either use it to our advantage or destroy it.”
“What made you think to try and change the spell to something productive?” Gentry asks. She is still a little gray looking but she sounds strong and determined.
“That was actually Lil, she’s our resident pitbull, always on guard duty.”
“Hey now, I’m not sure if you are trying to insult me or compliment me, but I have seen what magic does to Midge and I wasn’t sure if there was something we could use the current spell for without draining her of energy right before a fight.”
She shrugs like it’s nothing.
“You have a good mind. Much like the Gamma here, you seem to understand the way magic works.”
Elena says, appraising my friend. “Let us do some digging and we will let you know.”
Gentry grabs my wrist firm, but gentle. “Stick close together tomorrow. The full transfer will render the Alphas weak for the eli briefest amount of time. Maintain contact with them during the whole transfer.”
Gentry looks right at me “They will need your added strength.”
I close my eyes and breathe deep. It’s like the universe is conspiring to put me in their constant orbit now that I don’t want to be near them all the time. Like she’s reading my mind, she says, “Trust your Goddess, she has a plan and I know that you have had the worst of things to deal with, but you are better for everything that you have dealt with.”
I just nod, no matter how frustrated that simple thought makes me.
Nickolas wraps Gentry up in his arms and guides her away, I’m sure to rest more. I also watch Elena walk over to my dad and start a conversation. I don’t feel bad at all for the twinge of happiness at how uncomfortable he looks too. The rest of my friends disperse and I make my way to the staircase alone. It’s almost weird to be walking without the usual entourage, but I don’t mind the space to breathe, no matter how brief.
I get all the way to my room, knowing I am being watched, but no one is interrupting or forcing their presence on me. I take a shower and climb into bed, not waiting for Lil, her and Oliver were in a deep conversation when I left, or at least appeared to be.
My dreams were all over the place. I started back in Jena’s and my cell, but this time I was alone. She got out safe and found my brother. I strained against the cuffs like always, and for some reason this time I was able to free myself with my own strength. I traversed down a hallway I have never seen before and out a giant metal door. I saw Tyler fighting through a sea of tall grass that kept whipping at him and he just fought and fought, shouting something to me, but I couldn’t hear. Then Robbie was throwing some kind of stone at me, but not hitting me. They sparkled as they flew through the air, but I couldn’t see what they were and they disappeared as they hit the ground. Then Luna Ava was trapped behind a wall of fire and screaming for Lucas, but Brett was holding her back. My dad and Kyle were laying on the ground dead. All my friends were fighting for their lives, bloody and bruised. Kaley and Kevin were on the top of a white tower, eyes glowing red, waving hands around, conducting the wind, but still I heard no sound. There was a shadow behind them, dark and ominous, who pointed straight down. As I tracked where it was pointing, I gasped. Suspended from the ground were my guys hung by their wrists, heads lolling. I can’t tell if they are conscious or breathing. I run towards them, but I don’t seem to go anywhere. Then a soft lispy voice is in my ear, coiling around me like a snake.
“Choose. You cannot save them all. Look at the ones who claim to love you, sacrificing themselves. But these five have always undervalued you, always thought of you last, if they even thought of you at all. Who will you try to save? The brother who loved you only slightly better than your father. The boy who only sought you out to gain your friend’s attention. The boy who thinks you are not strong enough, always needing protection. Or the twins who never seem to want you enough. You are a novelty, a tool to be used and nothing more. Choose who lives and who dies. Take their lives to spare them pain, just like your Alpha. Or come with me, away from all of this heartache. You will be better off without this neverending turmoil they cause you.”
A hand flies at my face and I jump up and out of bed, spinning around to try and find my attacker. When I’m sure no one is there, I run my fingers through my hair and head to the bathroom to splash some water on my face. I head back out to the room and for the first time I realize that Lil isn’t here with me and Oliver didn’t come for me. He’s never not come for me when I am scared or lost in my thoughts. The tightness grips my heart. What was that dream about?
I am never going to get back to sleep now so I throw on some sweats and decide to go see who’s in the office monitoring. As soon as I step out of the door I hear footsteps coming down the stairs.
The door to the third floor opens wildly.
“What’s up Bitty?”
“Why does it feel like you’re having a panic attack?”
“Have you been crying?”
“I…I…had a nightmare and I woke up alone and confused. I don’t know.”
I rub my face again. “I think Lucas’ death is getting to me more than I thought.”
The twins get to me first. Cam picks me up and I don’t even think or hesitate to wrap my legs around his waist, my arms around his neck and bury my face into his neck, breathing deeply. Kota is rubbing my backg
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.