The Alpha's Call Book 4

SEBASTIAN

I’d been trying to reach my uncle by phone all day, but he was either “out” or “unavailable” every time I called.

I finally managed to track down his personal cell number from a disgruntled ex-girlfriend who was more than happy to oblige.

Or rather, “Tell that son of a bitch that I want the best years of my life back… And my diamond Cartier bracelet too!” was what she screamed at me.

After the fifth ignored call, I was ready to throw my phone against the wall. He didn’t know I was calling, but if he had, he’d probably be even less likely to answer.

If he won’t pick up, maybe I can text him something that will get his attention.

So…that was a shitshow.

I knew Arthur wasn’t going to be receptive, but that was next level pettiness.

Maybe my father did treat him like a runt, but from all the stories I’d heard about Arthur, it was warranted.

At least…I think it was?

Arthur and my dad were fraternal twins; my father was the eldest by only minutes.

Maybe there was more to their bad blood than I had realized.

Or maybe Arthur was just an asshole.

Either way, I knew that I wasn’t going to get through to him via text.

I’d have to pay him a personal visit if I really wanted to make an appeal…

But even that could be a lost cause.

I heard the latch on the front door click. Lyla was finally back from her court martial.

I walked into the living room. “How did it—”

I stopped in my tracks when I saw the state of my mate.

She was still wearing her armor.

I would’ve thought that was good news if she didn’t have that pained expression on her face.

“What happened!?” I shouted, rushing to her side.

“It’s…it’s a long story,” she said shakily.

***

Lyla told me everything.

About the assassination attempt.

About Mercer killing the assassin.

And about his new campaign against the half-breeds.

She said the Goddess gave her one last chance to prove herself…

And even promoted her...

That last part seemed like good news to me, but Lyla wasn’t so sure.

“Sebastian…I just don’t know if I’ll be able to do the things she asks of me,” she said warily. “I can’t make compromises anymore.”

I understood how she felt, but I was still worried about our pack.

“How do you think this will affect our standing with the Church?” I asked hesitantly, not wanting to put more pressure on her. “You did save the Moon Goddess’s life after all.”

“I’m honestly not sure,” she responded, sighing. “I still feel like I’m on thin ice with her. And every time I take a step, it feels like the floor is cracking beneath me. I’m not sure what will happen when it breaks…”

I wrapped my arms around Lyla and held her tightly.

“Just remember that you don’t have to carry all this weight on your own,” I said. “I’m here to share your burdens and lighten your load.”

LYLA

As Sebastian drifted off to sleep, I lay next to him, wide awake.

There was too much on my mind, and I couldn’t stop my racing thoughts from their marathon while I tried to go to bed.

Would Mercer succeed with his plans to suppress the half-breeds even more than he already had?

The implications for Caspian and Adele were dire, to say the least.

Then there was the matter of the assassin…

I couldn’t get those fearful eyes out of my head.

Why did he do something so reckless?

Stealing potatoes to feed his family was not a gateway to attempted murder.

But he seemed desperate, like he had no other option.

And how had he even escaped from prison in the first place? Surely he couldn’t have done that alone…

I felt like I’d somehow failed him.

Maybe if I had stood up for him all those months ago, this wouldn’t have happened?

Maybe if I hadn’t compromised my morals and let him be arrested, he wouldn’t have found himself in such a desperate situation?

I was still in a precarious position with the Church, but I wouldn’t let myself make the same mistakes as I had back then.

Mercer was intent on making life a living hell for half-breeds, but I was going to combat that in any way that I could.

I thought of the would-be assassin’s face as Mercer drove a sword through him…

He was about to tell me something—the words were on his lips…

But they never made it out.

He said someone was going to hurt his family. He was being coerced.

A petty thief doesn’t just turn into a cold-blooded killer.

Whatever his final words were, I would never know.

That last thought haunted me as I finally drifted off to sleep.

ADELE

Just keep your head down… Wasn’t that what I always did?

Fiona, a fellow servant in the basilica, was on her hands and knees next to me. She normally had a vivacious spark, but today she looked downtrodden.

“Have you noticed what’s happening?” she asked in a hushed tone. “Yesterday, Marsha was fired for no reason. She has five mouths to feed. And this morning, I heard that Callum was arrested in his own home.”

I had noticed, and it scared the hell out of me.

“Everyone is saying that a half-breed tried to assassinate the Goddess,” I whispered. “Now they’re cracking down on us even harder than before.”

“We can’t even sneeze without it being an affront to the Goddess,” Fiona said angrily.

I held my finger to my lips, urging her to bring her voice back down, and I instantly felt guilty for doing so.

Why should we be silent?

Why should we be afraid to even speak?

“I’m so tired of this,” Fiona said, tears forming in her eyes. “This is no way to live.”

I wanted to hug her and assure her that things would get better for us…

I wanted to tell her that it would all be okay…

But that would’ve been a lie.

Things were only going to get worse.

Stomping boots suddenly grabbed my attention. I looked up to see two armed Moon Guardians approaching with a noblewoman.

They tracked mud all over the polished marble floor.

The noblewoman pointed toward me and shouted in a shrill voice. “There she is! That’s the one who took my jewelry! I’m sure of it!”

My heart jumped into my chest. Was she accusing me of stealing? I didn’t even know this woman!

I flinched as the Moon Guardians stomped forward, but they passed right by me…

Oh my Goddess.

Fiona’s eyes widened with fear. “N-no, wait,” she stammered. “I didn’t steal anything.”

They grabbed her and dragged her to her feet. “Please, this is a mistake!” she cried.

“Filthy liar,” the noblewoman sneered. “You’re the one who does my housekeeping. Of course it was you. You just can’t trust a half-breed. I’m scared for my own safety, honestly.”

“NO, PLEASE!” Fiona shouted as they pulled her roughly down the corridor. “I’M INNOCENT!”

“No half-breed is innocent,” the noblewoman spat, giving me a sideways glance as she walked away.

My whole body shook.

I felt completely powerless.

That could easily have been me who they dragged away.

Fiona wasn’t even given a chance to plead her innocence.

Her words meant nothing.

Her voice didn’t matter.

I clenched my fists against the cold marble tile.

This new world terrified me…

But I wouldn’t let it break me.

My voice will be heard.