Cravings: Alpha City 2 (19 page)

While the girls were at work, Kayden met with the Alpha Council and the Betas.

“Okay, the Betas have swept the place for bugs, and they found five in different areas. Only the keepers have a key to this place. We need to figure out if it is one of the keepers or all of them,” Kayden added. Trust was an issue, and everyone was a suspect until proven otherwise.

“I say we take them one at a time, letting Me-Len and London do the truth spell on them with the Tree of Life,” Ryder said. His voice was stern. Kayden could see the stress in all of his friends’ faces. But so far, Ryder and he had the most to lose since they had mated, and two attempts had already been made on Zoey so far.

“I say we start with Martha, then James,” Judd answered.

“Both London and Me-Len will be here after work. Have Martha ready for her and Me-Len,” Ryder advised Jamie and Thorn who had Martha in the next room. She thought she was going to go over something with the Alphas.

Kayden only hoped that after this, they would find the ones responsible. They needed some luck on their side.

“We need to think of the ones who maybe have a problem with us. Maybe someone who has a grudge against us for some reason, and then put them at the top of our list to check out,” Nolan suggested.

“If you agree, say aye,” Judd purposed the vote to everyone.

“Aye.” The entire council agreed.

“It’s going to get hard suggesting members who may be a traitor,” Nolan groaned.

“We all feel the same way, Nolan, but we know we have them and most likely they are in every group. Take Maggie and Judith. I explained the reasons to them why we had to test them, but I could still see the hurt in their eyes.” Ryder continued, “Once I told them why, they both said they understood, but we may still lose members because of this.”

Judd got up from the table and started pacing. Kayden could see that the mating pull was having an effect on him. Maggie wasn’t coming around him either, so it had to be hard on both of them. He hoped that they would stop this nonsense and get together soon. Right now, everyone was trying to figure out ways to keep their families safe.

Everyone turned as London and Me-Len walked into the room.

“We’re here.”

“Good, let’s get this started. The longer we wait, the more time they have to plot,” Kayden suggested. It had already been decided that Ryder would be the one who addressed Martha, since she was from his pack.

Martha walked into the council room with Thorn and Jamie. All the doors were heavily guarded since members of The Order were at the Council Hall.

Kayden saw the frown on her face before she could conceal it.
This is good
, Kayden thought. She had no clue what was going on, and they needed that surprise factor.

“Martha, please have a seat,” Ryder pointed to the seat in front of the room. “I won’t beat around the bush, Martha. We have a traitor among us, and everyone will be given the same test to find out who it is.” Martha frowned at him, and then anger sparked in her eyes. She jumped up and pointed her finger at the Council.

“I have given everything to this Council, and this is how you treat me. I won’t stand for this. I’m out of here,” Martha yelled and started walking to the door. Thorn and Jamie stepped in her way not allowing her to pass.

“I haven’t committed a crime, and you can’t keep me here. I demand you release me.” Kayden could see the magic swirling around her.

“Sit down, Martha,” London commanded. The Tree of Life hung from London’s neck, glowing red, as she approached Martha. Me-Len was beside her holding her hand as they stalked toward Martha.

The fear was evident in Martha’s eyes as they came closer while chanting a spell. Martha looked like a caged animal. The atmosphere in the room was charged with magic that London and Me-Len were putting out. Hairs on the back of Kayden’s neck rose as London and Me-Len cast the spell pinning Martha against the wall.

The Tree of Life was red indicating that she was a traitor.

Martha slid down the wall. Her power was no match against London or Me-Len, and she knew it.

“Why Martha?” Ryder came up beside her. “Why would you betray your people?”

“Because it was time for a change in power, and Claudia promised me a position in The Order,” Martha spit out. All eyes turned and looked toward each other.

“The Order?” Ryder asked.

“Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about, Ryder. You know what The Order is, and when she takes over, I will be part of it, not just a keeper. I deserve it for putting up with all of this. You have looked over us for decades, and it will stop. Claudia is more powerful now. She has brought Jamal out, and they will rule the earth. Not these humans.” They could see the evil now spilling out of her mouth as she spoke. The anger and power Martha craved was what Claudia was looking for. She needed them to want power, which was the only way she could get them to turn against their own people. They were nothing but pawns.

“I feel sorry for you, Martha. You will never be part of The Order. She would have killed you once she was done using you. There will never be ‘The Order’ with Claudia and Jamal. Once Jamal gets what he wants, he will kill you and the others. He will have no use for you. They have no honor to family. You have been tricked into betraying your family, Martha. Don’t you understand that?” Ryder demanded. The struggle was evident in his voice.

“No, you’re wrong. You’re wrong. You wait and see what happens. She has plans.” Martha smirked as she stopped talking and just smiled at Ryder. She wasn’t listening, and she was too far gone to help. Her smile was evil as she stared at them all like she had a secret.

“Me-Len, we need to know what she knows,” Ryder said.

“Once we do that, her brain will be mush,” Me-Len answered sadly.

“So be it. She chose her path, and now she has to deal with the consequences,” Ryder answered. Martha was from his pack, and his pain was evident, but they all felt the same way. Martha pretty much said that all the keepers were guilty. Kayden’s faith in his people was shaken at what they were finding out. How could they survive if more were found to be guilty?

“You have to send me to jail. You’re not supposed to do that,” Martha fired back. She was getting it now. She would be dead after Me-Len did the extraction of answers from Martha. Finally, it seemed to click with Martha what was going to happen.

“I will talk. Just send me to the jail where Metilda is, and I will talk,” Martha suggested.

“We make no deals with traitors,” Brody growled. “Be done with this. We have a group to do this to tonight.”

Jamie and Thorn tied Martha’s hands behind her back and then tied her feet to the chair, so she couldn’t move. They all watched with sadness as Me-Len put her hands to Martha’s temples and started the spell.

Without hesitation, Me-Len started recounting the past memories Martha had in her head. “Claudia Blackwood has been planning this for years. She spoke with Martha two years ago and told her that the Council was not using her properly. They were holding her back because they were afraid of her powers. Claudia spoke with her numerous times feeding her with self-doubt until she was absorbed with it. Claudia offered her a chance to be in The Order and use her potential to better the witches.

She, along with the other keepers, planted the bugs in the offices. When they would bring paperwork to your offices and homes, they planted the bugs. The day they upgraded your cell phones was when they planted those bugs.” Martha’s head fell forward as Me-Len released it. Her eyes were half open, but nothing more was said. Martha was not there anymore. Her breathing was shallow for a few seconds, then she stopped breathing.

Me-Len was tired as she dropped into the chair beside Kayden. “I’m sorry you are burdened with this Me-Len,” Kayden offered and then hugged Me-Len to him. She didn’t resist him and hugged him back. No tears fell from anyone’s eyes as they sat and stared at Martha’s dead body.

“Bring in the next one. I will need to rest after James. They are very powerful witches,” Me-Len commented.

Martha’s body was laid on the side table in the corner when James entered the room. Ryder had put a sheet over her body. James immediately saw the sheet and knew. He bowed his head and closed his eyes. Kayden could tell that James already knew his fate.

“I can only say I’m sorry. I knew I shouldn’t, but I let the thoughts of one day being more than a keeper get in the way.” James sounded defeated but did not struggle when he was sat in the chair and tied down.

“You are more than a Keeper, James. You’re family. Why didn’t you come to me and tell me how you were feeling?” Kayden asked. He had known James since he was a little boy. He worked for his father as a young man.

“I should have, but we thought you wanted us to stay as keepers, and we wouldn’t have any other choice. When Claudia approached me, I turned her down several times, but each time it got harder and harder. I can’t explain how hard it became until finally I felt I had no choice,” James answered; his voice was low with defeat.

“Your job as a keeper is very important and one of the most important positions in Alpha City,” Kayden stressed.

“You would have talked me out of it. Tell me you wouldn’t have tried to talk me out of it?” James fired back, but Kayden knew he was telling the truth. He would have.

“Yes, but I would have known how unhappy you were and given you another position. You are a valuable asset, James.” He stared at Kayden for a few minutes, his green eyes wide with surprise.

“I have wronged you, Alpha, and for that I should be killed. I have no excuse for what I have done. I can only hope that in the future you will forgive me.” London’s necklace started glowing white; bright lights sparkled out of it. London got up, went to James’s side, put her hand on his head, and closed her eyes.

“He speaks the truth and needs to live. He will help us if you give him the chance,” London explained.

“You want him to live after what he helped Claudia Blackwood do?” Judd snapped. The Alpha looked outraged as he stood beside the table.

London turned around and faced the Alpha. “Judd, I understand that he has blood on his hands, and if you decide not to forgive him, then so be it, but I can only go with what the Tree of Life wants me to see or feel, and that is what it’s telling me.”

Judd walked over to the window and looked out without saying anything at first. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to kill anyone, but Zoey almost lost her life twice for his greed.” James continued to keep his head bowed, listening.

“What if you are wrong, London, and we allow him back in and he betrays us again?” Judd asked them all.

“If you would give me a chance, Alpha, I will do my best to make it up to all of you, and if I fail you, then I will bow down to you for you to kill me. That is all I can do now and ask for. I don’t deserve it, but I will ask for it in hopes that I can help the Council defeat Claudia,” James explained.

“We let Zoey decide his fate then,” Judd answered swiftly. If Zoey allows you to live, then you have my vote for him to live, but if she says no, then he dies like the rest of the traitors. We have to deal with this, now, before they have time to hurt anymore innocent people,” Judd said through gritted teeth. The expression on his face made it clear that he thought James should die for his crimes.

“Zoey will be here in a few minutes. Let’s eat first. Me-Len needs fuel to continue,” Brody pointed out.

Zoey walked in as some of the enforcers were bringing food into the Council. She could see the stern looks on everyone’s face as she walked through the door. James was tied to the chair when her eyes found his. She could see the look of defeat in his eyes. Immediately, she went to him and put her hand on his shoulder.

“James, are you okay?” She knew he was a traitor or Kayden would have never allowed him to be tied up. He was part of his pride.

“Yes, Alpha. I can only say that I’m sorry to you for all the pain I had a part in causing. I hope one day you can forgive me,” James’s voice was low and without hope.

Something stirred inside of Zoey, and she knew she should forgive James. She knew she wouldn’t be able to explain it to the others, but she would try and plead his case.

“I forgive you, James,” Zoey answered loud enough for everyone to hear. She looked up to find Judd leaning against the wall. His arms were crossed over his chest as he watched.

She walked over to Judd and placed her hand on his shoulder. “We have always been friends and family, Judd. I can see that you don’t agree with my decision, but I do think that James can be redeemed. I can’t explain it to you, but I do feel that,” Zoey quickly explained.

“That is your decision, Zoey. Nothing has changed between us, and your decision is to allow him to live?” Judd stood up then put both of his hands on her shoulders. “But make no mistake, Zoey, if he lies or goes against us again, then I will kill him with my bare hands.”

Zoey nodded and hugged Judd. Kayden was near but didn’t feel threatened by Judd hugging his mate. They had all grown up together, and he knew Judd would protect his mate with his life.

Judd kissed Zoey on top of her head then walked over to James and released his hands and legs. James fell to his knees and grabbed hold of Judd’s legs and then looked up into his face.

“Alpha, I will keep my promise to help you,” James replied. Judd only nodded and walked over to where the food was and started fixing Me-Len a plate then handed it to her.

Zoey loved Judd like the others. He was always the quiet one and never spoke a lot. He was always there to lend a hand to anyone. She could see the struggle he was fighting with himself and hoped both Maggie and he would figure it out soon. She wanted Judd to find his happily ever after, just like she did with Kayden.

Her mate was staring at her when she looked over at him. Slowly she walked over to him and hugged him hard. Inhaling deeply, she took the calm that always came when she smelled her mate’s scent. She loved this man and would lay her life down to protect him.

“I love you,” Kayden whispered in her ear.

“I love you back,” Zoey answered against his shirt.

“Let’s eat,” Kayden muttered, pulling her toward the table in the front of the room. When she looked over at two guards, they were removing something from the back table.

“What is that?” Zoey asked Kayden, pointing at the guards in the back.

“That is Martha, who betrayed us all. She had no remorse and didn’t even ask for forgiveness. The evil surrounded her, Zoey. She died when Me-Len extracted her memories from her.”

Zoey gasped, clamping a palm over her mouth. “It killed her?”

“Yes, it turns your brain into mush, but it had to be done, Zoey. They are trying to kill us all. All the keepers have betrayed us. Me-Len got the information from Martha that it was they who planted the bugs everywhere. When they came to our houses, they placed them there. The day we had our phones upgraded, they placed the bugs in them.” Zoey hugged her mate closer. This was just too much betrayal.

“Why would they do that?” Zoey whispered.

“Power and greed. We had it, and they wanted it. Claudia told them they would be members of The Order. She made them doubt themselves to the point they would betray their own people to get it,” Kayden explained.

“Are you okay?” Kayden asked. She was shaking now knowing that it was members they trusted the most who betrayed them.

“If Claudia got to them, then who else has she gotten to that we don’t know about?” Zoey looked up at Kayden. She was scared because they didn’t know who to trust.

“We will find them all, Zoey. Keep the faith that we will find them all.”

****

“How are you feeling, Me-Len?” Zoey asked sitting beside her at the table. She could see the exhaustion on her face.

“Tired, but the food should help,” Me-Len answered.

“How do you stand…” Zoey felt bad for even thinking what she was feeling. She didn’t know how to express her feelings on what they were doing to others even though it had to be done. The guilt was eating her up.

“How do I stand to kill these people?” Me-Len looked stricken.

“I’m sorry, Me-Len. I had no right to ask you that,” Zoey responded.

Me-Len patted her on the hand. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve been through this before, and I felt like you, too at one time, but you have to decide. It’s either you or them. Right vs wrong. I know it’s harsh, but if we don’t take them out when we can, Zoey, they will take someone else who you and I love. When you least expect it, they will kill one of us and have no remorse for doing it.”

“I know,” Zoey answered.

“I do feel pain for performing this, but then I look over at London or you, and I put it out of my mind, because if they took you away from me, I don’t know if I could live with myself knowing I could have stopped it.”

“I understand, Me-Len, and I don’t judge you or anyone for this. I know what they are capable of. I didn’t see a soul in Claudia Blackwood’s eyes as she plunged that knife into my chest. None whatsoever. I just hope I haven’t let James back in, and he ends up betraying us again,” Zoey admitted her fears.

“I feel the same way. If it helps you, so does London. It was the Tree of Life that told her to spare James. I think it was the right decision. Only time will tell,” Me-Len added.

Zoey watched as Jamie escorted James out. He would be assigned to do something else, but he would also have a guard on him as well. They didn’t trust him, and he would need to earn his trust back.

“Gavin and Hope are here for their appointment. Nobody has heard from Morris. I’ve got enforcers going out to his house to see why he isn’t answering,” Nolan supplied as they settled down to eat before the next round started.

They chose to bring Hope in first. She was from Nolan’s pride, and she continued to look at her Alpha for any type of answer.

“Hope, we found out that members of the Keepers are in with Claudia Blackwood. Is that true with you?” Nolan looked stricken as he asked. “Hope?” Hope did something that surprised them all; she shifted and went on the attack. Chairs flew against the wall as Hope lunged toward London, but Nolan was too fast. He grabbed her around the neck and ripped her head off throwing her carcass against the wall. The room fell silent as her body slid down the wall. Mad was an understatement as Nolan paced back and forth. His anger was against Hope and Claudia for turning one of his against him and the others.

Kayden had Zoey protected, as did Thorn, who had shifted. Jamie was guarding his Alphas, Ryder and London. Apparently, Gavin heard the commotion and shifted into his bear, barreling through the outside door with enough momentum to knock the other enforcers down which gave him enough time to get a headstart in the woods.

“Get him. He is headed to the mountain!” someone yelled out. Brody and the other Alphas ran outside when they heard the commotion. They were now in a chase to find one of the keepers. Robert sprang through the door telling them what was going on. Brody shifted and went after his man.

“We stick together.” Kayden opened the back door to the SUV allowing everyone to get in the back. They got into vehicles and followed Brody as he chased Gavin into the woods. Gavin was much older, but Brody was an Alpha. He had speed and youth on his side. Judd drove up the trail they had cleared six months prior to get to the lodge at the top of the mountain. Gavin was running scared, and he had no clue where he was heading, but Zoey did.

“Stop! Let’s run and cut him off. He can’t get past all of us!” Zoey jumped out of the SUV. She stopped and turned around as the others sat in the vehicle looking at her like she was crazy.

“Well…are you coming?” Kayden laughed and jumped out of the vehicle followed by the others. Zoey stopped, holding her hand up, telling them to stop and listen. They could hear something barreling through the woods toward them. Nolan shifted into his tiger and waited for the bear to break through the brush. They didn’t have to wait long when Gavin broke through and skirted to a stop staring at them.

“You should have stopped, Gavin. Now I don’t care if they tear you limb from limb. You put me and my family in danger . Death would be too good for you.” Gavin snorted then took off toward Zoey. Before he could get two steps, Brody jumped on him, raking his claws down his back opening up wounds deep enough to see the muscles. Gavin roared out in pain, then turned around facing his Alpha. It wasn’t much of a battle though. Gavin didn’t stand a chance as Brody slapped his big paw against Gavin’s head slicing the bottom part of his jaw. His jaw was barely hanging on, but the bear in him wouldn’t allow him to stop.

Zoey hated that Brody had to kill one of his own, but it was in their nature to fight to the death in their shifter form. Brody’s paws were massive as he continued to behead Gavin. His body lay in a pile of bloody pieces on the ground. Brody threw his head back and roared out his grief for a family member. The forest became deathly quiet as Brody sat down on his hind legs staring at Gavin.

They had lost three people today because of Claudia Blackwood, and Zoey knew that more was yet to come.