The Alpha's Call Book 4

CASPIAN

“Three more pints!” Teresa shouted, wobbling on her stool. “It’s my last night in the Holy City, and I need to be southern sloshed!”

Teresa, Lyla, and I were getting drunk at the Gargling Gargoyle. The festival was over, and it was time for the Blue Moon Pack’s Alpha and Beta to return home.

“I’ll drink to that,” I said, feeling a bit tipsy myself. These past few weeks had been the best of my life—finding my mate, watching my friend win the championship, forming a stronger bond with Teresa.

But I’d also seen a lot of things in the Holy City that made my stomach churn.

I was ready to go back to where things were simpler.

I missed the warm weather and the chirping cicadas.

I missed sipping a home-brewed iced tea while the moon rose.

I missed watching cheesy movies at the drive-in.

Lyla slung her arm around my shoulder. “Damn, I really want you guys to stay. I was getting used to you being here.”

“Um, I need to get back to Reed,” Teresa said, swinging her beer around wildly. “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve gotten laid? ~WEEKS!~ You two have your mates here, but I don’t.”

“Ah man, you’re going to take Adele away from me, too,” Lyla groaned. “I just realized that.”

I stared into my beer, lost in thought.

Holy shit! I haven’t even properly talked to Adele about coming back with me!

When I looked back up, both Lyla and Teresa were giving me a reproachful look. “You didn’t ask her, did you?” they said, almost in unison.

“I just kind of assumed that she would jump at the chance to get out of here,” I said, sheepishly. “I mean…this place is horrible for half-breeds.”

“I’m not sure how much better it is for them in the south,” Lyla said seriously. “Here they might be servants, but at least they have a place in society. Back home, we treat them like rogues.”

“Well, not in the Blue Moon Pack,” Teresa said defiantly, slamming her beer on the counter. “Adele will always have a place with us.”

“Thanks, Teresa,” I said, smiling. “It’s good to know you have my back.”

“Of course,” she responded. “Any mate of yours would have to be a saint to put up with you. I need someone like that to help keep my Beta in line.”

There was that old Teresa dig that I knew and loved.

“Remember when we were almost mates?” Lyla said, laughing like it was the most ridiculous thing in the world.

“We’re so much better off as friends,” I replied. “It wasn’t even that long ago, but it feels like a lifetime.”

Teresa started to tear up, which nearly made me fall out of my stool.

“It’s…so beautiful that you two found your destined mates,” she said, slightly choking up.

“Okay, you’re cut off,” I said, pulling away her beer. “It’s weird seeing you get emotional.”

“I’m just happy that you’re bringing a mate home,” Teresa said, wiping her eyes. “Give me a damn break.”

“But…what if she doesn’t want to leave?” Lyla asked, her question hanging in an awkward silence.

It hadn’t even occurred to me that Adele wanting to stay behind was a possibility.

When I didn’t answer, Teresa gave me a concerned look. She could tell that I was conflicted.

“Look, Caspian… I wish I could tell you to just follow your heart, but the truth is that we need you back home. It would really suck if you stayed behind. Good Betas are hard to come by.”

“I was torn, too, but for me coming to the Holy City felt like the right thing to do,” Lyla said, only confusing me more.

“I know we’ve had our differences in the past, but I’ve really grown to respect you,” Teresa said, placing her hand over mine. “I mean, you’re still a pain in my ass, but the Blue Moon Pack needs its Beta.”

If Adele didn’t want to leave, I’d be left with a difficult choice.

Would I really have to choose between my pack and my mate?

My heart was always going to be with Adele, so the decision would be hers.

But what will she choose?

MERCER

As I walked through the corridors of the city dungeons, a satisfied smile crept onto my face.

Desperate arms reached through the bars, grasping at my robes.

Helpless, pleading cries echoed from the damp, dark chambers.

Claws scratched and chipped at the walls, trying vainly to escape.

Screaming…

Snarling…

Wailing…

And I savoured every moment of it.

The dungeons were overflowing with half-breed prisoners and it was delicious.

Two Moon Guardians saluted me as I passed and entered a private room in the back where Cornelius was waiting for me.

He was looking smug, surrounded by several of his thugs.

“You’ve managed to bring in quite the haul this time,” I said with a smirk. “Well done.”

“Half-breeds are easy to catch…they won’t shift, even when they’re being chased,” he replied, belly-laughing.

The thought of a half-breed daring to shift in the city made me sick. Even the implication was repulsive.

“So, since I’ve done such a good job, I think I deserve a little something extra, don’t you?” Cornelius asked greedily.

Doesn’t this gluttonous pig have enough money?

I unlocked a safe and pulled out several thick stacks of crisp bills, tossing them into his lap.

“I wasn’t talking about cash,” he replied ominously.

“Then what do you ~want~?” I asked, spitting through my teeth. I was losing my patience with this swine.

“I’m expanding my business,” Cornelius replied, pulling out a pistol and spinning it idly on his finger. “And I need reassurance that your Moon Guardians won’t interfere.”

I narrowed my eyes. I should’ve never gotten involved with this degenerate.

“Very well…just spare me the details so I don’t have to repent,” I said dryly. “As long as you keep bringing in half-breeds for me, we can come to an arrangement.”

“Perfect,” Cornelius replied, grinning with his sharp canines.

And soon, the Holy City will be clean at last.

ADELE

“Everyone, there’s fresh bread and clean water over here!” I shouted as a group of displaced half-breeds crowded around me. “There’s more than enough for all of you!”

I was exhausted from preparing food and supplies all day, but I was also brimming with pride from my accomplishments.

Sure, it wasn’t much, but at least I knew these people would be fed tonight. I’d also managed to sneak out some old blankets from the basilica linens room.

Half-breeds were still being taken into custody at an alarming rate, despite the fact that they were just trying to live their lives and support their families.

My resources were limited, but I was going to do everything I could to provide some relief for those whose family members had been taken.

An older woman hobbled over to me and placed her shaky hand on mine. “Th-thank you,” she said, tears forming in her crinkled eyes. “My husband was taken, and I had no one… I didn’t know what to do.”

“You have me,” I said, clasping her hand and steadying it. “And you have all of them, too.”

I motioned to all the people who had gathered together.

“If we all unite, then we can support each other,” I said. “We will get through this.”

She nodded. “With you leading us…I think there may be hope.”

Leading?

I’d never really thought of myself as a leader…

I was always so busy trying to keep my head down, but now that I’d lifted it up…

I want to hold it high.

I’m proud of my heritage, and I won’t let anyone shame me for who I am.

It’s time to fight for my people!

***

When I got to Caspian’s quarters, exhausted, he was waiting for me with a big smile on his face.

He picked me up and spun me around. “Hey, beautiful,” he said, nuzzling into my neck.

“You’re in a good mood,” I said, giving him a kiss. “What’s going on with you?”

“Come, sit down with me,” Caspian said, taking my hand and leading me over to the bed. “I have something exciting to tell you.”

As we sat, my heart began to race. What was he going to tell me?

“I’ve talked it over with Teresa and…we want to make you an official member of the Blue Moon Pack!” he said, overflowing with enthusiasm. “We’d be the first pack ever to induct a half-breed. We’d be making history!”

My heart suddenly sank at his words. “You…you want me to leave with you?”

“Well…yeah, of course. We’re mates,” he said, his excitement dwindling at my tone. “What’s wrong?”

He didn’t understand. But how could he?

This wasn’t such an easy decision for me.

Being inducted into his pack sounded like progress, but it was only the superficial kind. What would come of the very real persecution my people faced?

“Caspian…I’d love nothing more than to leave with you and live happily ever after in your pack…”

“But…” he said, his breath growing heavy.

But can I really leave the Holy City?

Can I leave behind my people when they need me the most?