Page 42 of Rescued by the Alpha

He shrugged loose from Nic’s hold. “I was careful, I didn’t just burst into the room.”

Nic clenched his teeth, lowering his voice to keep his words between only them. “I know how to take care of us. But I don’t trust her at all and didn’t want her to find out you’re here at the cabin.”

Elam’s features softened. “Okay, I understand. But I’m thinking you need to bring me in on your reasoning for what you do, what your ideas are about keeping me safe and so on.” He let out an aggravated sigh. “I love how protective you are of me and the baby, but I’m part of this relationship too. I’m not just a mindless puppy obeying your every command.”

Oh. Nic licked his lips as he tried to come up with the right thing to say while remaining aware of the potential threat behind him. “Sorry. I don’t think of you that way, but I need to handle this right

now in case there’s legitimate danger. Discuss it later?” He arched his eyebrows, silently imploring Elam with his gaze how serious he believed the situation with Dara to be.

Elam glanced over his shoulder then nodded. “Of course. Later. And I’ll wait in here.”

He squeezed Nic’s hand as if reiterating he wasn’t upset. Nic squeezed back then faced Dara again, pleased that she’d remained on her knees with her head bowed the entire time. He approached her then halted once he was within a few feet of her kneeling form. “Up. Take a seat at the table. You have two minutes to convince me I give a shit about what you have to say.”

“Thank you, Alpha.”

Dara kept her gaze lowered as she followed his command. After they’d both settled, Nic eased back in his chair, arms crossed, ready to toss her out of his home on her ass if necessary.

“Speak.”

She lifted her eyes and the pain in them was clear. “I don’t want to make excuses for what I did, but I’ve heard the rumors being spread—no doubt from Artur—that the fated mate deception was my idea. I swear, Alpha, it wasn’t. He came to me and I was so lonely, so sure I’d never find my true mate, that I accepted his offer.”

“I imagine he promised you wealth, power?”

She nodded. “I won’t lie and say that wasn’t an incentive, but what I really wanted was a child.

I was tired of waiting to find someone.”

In light of all that had happened to him since he’d met Elam, he couldn’t deny that her explanation sprouted within him a seed of compassion.

“Okay, fine. I believe you. If that’s all you have to say, then we’re done here.”

“No, wait, please. There’s more. The main reason I came here is to warn you that Artur has taken up with the Yukon Delta Pack. He’s discussed it with me in the past—before all of this. He told me that as soon as I was pregnant, he’d seek them out, offer to be part of the rebellion against the Alliance.” She put a shaky hand to her mouth before continuing, “That he’d support them if their Alpha challenged your father, killed him then put Artur in his place.”

Nic frowned. But that’s exactly what he’d feared the night before he disappeared. “Now that, I don’t believe.” Yet, he couldn’t detect any artifice from her scent.

“It’s true! I hadn’t known of his disappearance until my sister visited me where I’ve been staying with my mate.” She flushed. “We’ve remained isolated at my mate’s cabin—similar to what you’ve done here. But she brought me up to date on everything. Artur’s disappearance, you replacing him…” She swallowed. “Your mate and the pregnancy.”

“Hmm.” Nic continued to stare her down while working out in his head how to proceed. “I don’t buy your story because the last time I saw Artur, he was terrified that the Yukon Delta Alpha

would kill our father and that he’d no longer be heir-apparent, that their Alpha would rule over both packs.”

Dara nodded. “Yes, but since the Alliance would have to approve one Alpha ruling over two packs at the same time, wouldn’t it make it easier for the Yukon Delta Alpha to go in league with Artur like he’d planned before?”

Nic understood her reasoning, but he still had such a difficult time picturing the Yukon Delta Pack agreeing to let his brother be in charge of anything after the way he’d deteriorated. Unless it’sall a trick to lure Artur in.

“All right, so let’s say all this is true. We can call in some extra security from the Guardian Pack, but we can’t openly accuse another pack without proof.”

Tears filled her eyes. “I know. But even if I never loved your brother, I do care about him. And even if you don’t believe me, I care about the pack. I wanted to warn you, so you’d be aware, that’s all.”

Nic ran a hand across the top of his head. Maybe I can somehow get to Artur, try to reasonwith him. His father would have to request a meeting with the Yukon Delta Alpha through the Alliance and since he didn’t know for certain Artur was there and accusing the Alpha of colluding would also require proof—he wasn’t sure how to proceed. Contact the Alpha as part of a socialvisit? Request permission to visit Artur as if I already know he’s there? It was possible that such an inquiry could put his brother into jeopardy.

Nic rose and Dara followed suit. “All right. I’ll take your statement under advisement. But I must admonish you—if I find out you’ve breathed a word of what you just told me to anyone other than you already have, I’ll find you then bring you back to the pack to go on trial for your scheme with Artur. Understood?”

She gave a small bow. “Yes, Alpha. Understood. Thank you for your mercy.”

After he’d bolted the door behind her, Nic leaned against it for a moment, his thoughts in a whirl. Looks like at least part of the holiday will be spent in a deep discussion with Papa. But first, he had to smooth things over with his mate.

When he entered the bedroom, Elam had crawled under the covers again, his bare shoulders peeking up from the top. Nic blinked a few times in confusion.