Alpha’s Strength(11)

By all that was holy, this was really fucked up.

“Sure.” Poor thing sounded as bewildered as he. “I mean I should be throwing you out.”

He shook his head. “No one removes me from places where I want to be. However, I would go if that is what you wished.” He paused, not wanting to leave. “This room. I’d depart this room, but you could be sure I’d remain on the front stoop until I was satisfied with things here.”

“You’re a very odd duck.” Betsy scratched her nose. “You know that, don’t you?”

“Wolf. Not a duck.” He pulled out his cell phone and sent a text to the top members of his pack. He needed trackers and guards. They’d all be there pronto, or he’d know why before he smashed heads together.

Finished, he looked at Betsy. She hadn’t moved, not even an inch, and instead stood very still, worrying her bottom lip. He grinned at the sight. How had this happened? How had she existed in the world and he’d been completely unaware of it until now?

Moments like these didn’t simply pop up out of nowhere. Events occurred because he planned for them, set them in motion. How could he simply walk into a coffee shop and meet his latent mate, who happened to look exactly like Travis’ mate? Although Betsy was ten times prettier than Lilliana. No comparison really.

Betsy had freckles Lilliana didn’t possess, and they made her so…sigh-worthy.

“You’re staring at me.”

He blinked. Holy shit. What the hell had taken over his mind? “Sorry about that. Look, here’s the deal. I’ve called the pack.”

“Pack?” Her voice raised a notch.

“Yes.” Where had the anxiety in her voice come from? “You know what a pack is, don’t you?”

“I do, and that’s what’s made me concerned. How many of you wolf-shifting folks are there around Manhattan?”

“In Manhattan alone? Or do you want to count the five boroughs?” This was information he usually kept to himself. Numbers meant power, and no one needed to know the inner workings of his pack save him. Maybe his willingness to share with her should startle him. Only it didn’t.

He knew she didn’t trust him—he could smell it—but apparently the mistrust didn’t go both ways. Cyrus would tell her whatever she wanted to know.

“No.” She held out her hands in front of her as though warding off an attack. “Forget it, I don’t want to know.”

“Okay. Well, as I summoned the pack. Some are on their way here. Several will track Nathan.” Cyrus could do that himself, easily. Humans didn’t disguise their scents, didn’t stay downwind, and didn’t do anything to keep themselves from being found. But, if he left Betsy alone, she’d likely run, and he couldn’t have that.

Although…the idea had merit. He’d go get Nathan. Then he’d track Betsy. Chase her. Maybe she would really run. His cock jumped, and he adjusted his pants. How could he have gotten so hard only imagining her running from him?

“What will happen when they find Nathan?”

Cyrus growled, loud enough that it echoed off the walls of her kitchen. She took a step back, and he forced his temper back down where it belonged. What the hell is wrong with me?

“Do you care about Nathan? Don’t want him hurt? Care about his welfare?” If she said yes, he was going to have to take a walk to cool down. Even if it meant the chasing scenario had to take place again.

“What?” Anger—not fear—sparked in her eyes and she scowled at him. “Haven’t you been paying attention? He’s responsible for making my life miserable. No, I don’t care about him, other than for his ability to call home and keep my parents safe.”

Cyrus nodded. His temper cooled, and his hands stopped shaking. If her parents had really done what she said, then there would have to be consequences. He’d never condone child abductions or law breaking. If there was ever a person who counted on the rule of law, it was he.

But he wouldn’t allow his mate to be blackmailed. “Don’t worry. That’s not going to happen.”

“How are you going to make sure of that?”

A knock on the door interrupted—two of his wolves were there. Betsy took a few steps back, her eyes widening at their presence. She was skittish. He needed to remember that when bringing her around new people.

“It’s okay. This is Mitchell and Jenson. They’re part of my pack. Senior members actually. I sent for them, remember?” He turned to his wolves, who stood stiffly and waited for him to address them. “You guys got here fast.”

“We were already in Brooklyn.” Mitchell spoke first. “There’s a very good pizza place. We go almost every Thursday.”