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Whether or not the prophecy is true doesn’t matter. If the Blackthroat pack hears about the prophecy and learns about Brick’s obsession with his secretary, they’ll put two and two together. They’ll fear for their Alpha. The stronger will question his ability to lead us. The weaker might defect. Energized by a crack in our foundation, the Adalwulfs will rally to destroy us.
And if the prophecy is true…it could mean the beginning of the end. I have to stop it.
Madison Evans is part of a plot to bring Brick down. I know it. I just need proof.
Behind me, someone drops a dish and breaks it. “Sorry,” the guy yells as Aubrey’s head whips around. He stoops to pick up the pieces.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll get it.” She finishes brewing my espresso and hands me the tiny, steaming cup, then abandons her post behind the counter to disappear in the back.
I down the shot of coffee, then walk around the counter, pretending to look for a napkin in case anyone sees me, and grab the photo off the board.
I pocket it as I walk out of the cafe.
Madison Evans, the jig is up. I’m onto you, and as soon as I figure out exactly what your game is and when the Adalwulfs hired you to play it, you’re going down.
Chapter Eight
Brick
Monday, I walk out of the elevator after getting my hair cut, and I catch a scent of a female that instantly puts me on edge.
My mother.
Like everything about her, it inspires conflict within me. The scent activates all the pleasure of my childhood memories. Of the female who loved me. Doted on me. Was my entire world one day a week.
I’ve had to deregulate that response to remind myself she’s a traitor. She killed my father and can’t be forgiven or trusted again.
Ever.
I look around but don’t see her. Did she just visit, or is she still here? Dammit, I knew she was going to use Madison to get to me.
“Where is she?” I snarl at Madison, who keeps her composure, as always.
“In the conference room.”
“Get rid of her.”
Madison hesitates, sliding a hand up the back of her neck like she’s considering.
Dammit. I don’t know what there is to consider. I give an order, and I expect it to be obeyed. I’m completely out of temper, as I always am when it comes to my mother.
Rather than deal with Madison’s insubordination, I march to the conference room to take care of the situation myself. I stand in the doorway. My mother is already on her feet, wringing her hands.
“Out.” I make it easy for both of us and use the alpha command in my voice.
Her feet move her toward the door even as her mouth starts up. “Brick I want to tell you about the night your father died. I didn’t know–”
“Silence.”
Again, alpha’s command renders her speechless. I step back to let her pass, but as soon as she’s out the door, that spontaneous impulse to obey me wears off, and she reaches for my arm.
“Brick, please can we just hash this out?”
“Out of the building.” This time I make sure I use enough force in the wavelength of my voice to make it last.
She stumbles toward the elevators.
Dammit, if I don’t reach for her elbow to steady her. She’s still my mother.
