“Keep an eye on her. She’s your responsibility.”
“Yes, alpha.”
Taking the lead, Scorch headed toward the privacy of his study. The people they passed looked somber the moment they looked at him. Closing the door he headed to the window to stare out over his grounds.
“What is going on?” David asked.
“I started asking questions, and she gave me the whole story.” Running a hand down his face, Scorch couldn’t believe the danger she was in. He believed her when she said she didn’t want to hurt him or cause any problems for his pack or for him. “It’s bad, David. Really fucking bad.”
“Maybe it will help if you tell me about it.”
Hands on hips, he turned back to his friend and told him everything Victoria told him.
“Holy fuck.”
“Yeah, my thoughts exactly,” Scorch said, taking a seat to try and clear his head.
“What would he achieve in killing you?” David asked.
“There is a loophole in everything. We’re paranormal beings, and there are witches and shit out there. Fuck, I can’t think clearly.” Opening his desk drawer he pulled out the file that he kept on the other alphas’ contact details. His father had kept a file on everything, which had been passed down to him when he took over as alpha. “So, I’m bound to my wolf. He’s the alpha, and I’m a vessel for him that binds me to all of you. Anyway, that connection between wolf and man can be broken, but it requires an alpha to shatter their soul, which will break the connection.”
“Which is?”
“Killing another alpha. No one has even tried to do it that I know of. We’re bound by our wolves, and they make us better alphas. Our pack is our main priority.”
“Chain wants to kill you in order to separate his wolf so he can do what?”
Standing back up, Scorch needed to think. “Tori mentioned the fact he couldn’t force himself on her or other women. I’m guessing he wants to separate the two so he can do whatever the hell he wants. I’ve never met him. I know people who have.”
“Then get them on the phone. He can’t hurt you, Scorch. This is too fucking important.”
Scorch agreed. He opened the file and started dialing the first number.
“He hurt Tori and ordered her to come here?” David asked.
“Yeah. I never told you this, but she wanted to kill herself that first night. She was ready to jump out of the window to end it all. I know you don’t trust her.”
“She’s been through a lot. The fact she’s told you the truth puts her back up in esteem in my book. I’m sorry for causing this shit-storm.”
Scorch nodded. “I don’t want anyone treating her differently.”
“No one will know what happened until you tell them.”
For the next half an hour Scorch got in touch with over five alphas from packs in the surrounding areas. They all agreed to make their way north for a meeting in three days. He would need to set off tomorrow to make it there in time. Going back to David’s room, he took Victoria back to her room, making sure the window was closed before going to his own.
David was rounding up three more men to go with them for protection. Staring outside of the window, he downed two glasses of brandy one after the other. The expensive taste didn’t register with him.
When he heard his door opening, he knew Victoria was the one responsible for invading his peace.
“I’m sorry,” she said, whispering the words.
Turning to look at her, he saw she wore a long nightshirt. On closer inspection he recognized it was one of his old shirts.
“What are you sorry for?” he asked, pouring himself another drink.
“I didn’t want to do what Chain asked. I wanted to tell. I just didn’t know how.” She wrapped her arms around her body as if she was trying to ward off the pain.
“I don’t hold you responsible for what happened, Tori. Far from it.”
“You won’t even look at me.”
He held her gaze letting her know he didn’t have any problem looking at her. “I’ve not got any issues with you, baby.”
“Then why are you holding yourself back? I know David hates me, and I bet all of the pack hates me.”
The glass he’d been holding crushed in his palm. She yelped, jumping back.
“None of the pack will be saying a word to you. David knows the truth, and he’s aware of the fact you didn’t want to do it. I’m trying to process everything you’ve told me, Tori. It’s not like you’ve told me you prefer women to men. What Chain is doing and what he’s got planned is fucking serious.”
Looking out of the window he tried to stop the anger from developing into something more.