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Roan - Earlier That Day
“I’vefoundhim.Ryder. I’ve got eyes on him. He’s in Sweetwater and partially bonded to the alpha of the pack. You need to get here before that bond becomes permanent. Though Blake’s days are numbered, so maybe it doesn’t matter. Depends if you want damaged goods or not.” I bristled at how callous he was towards his own son’s wellbeing. Like Ryder, no, Kade didn’t matter a jot to him. I hated Rincoln Hayes.
The man may have been my alpha at one point, but I’d long since lost respect for the man. I hated everything that he believed in, everything that he stood for.
“Are you sure it’s him?” My tone was sharp, reminding Rincoln that this wouldn’t be the first time that he’d sent me on a wild goose chase. He’d used our hunts for Kade and Jasper as a test of my loyalty after my “screw up.”
“I caught his scent and my source confirmed his new name. Even let me look at their gate book with all the people allowed on the property. Had his new picture. He’s prettier now, he’s got himself a new face. Hope you won’t miss the red hair too much. It’s brown now.”
“What do you need me to do?” I worked to keep my tone even.
“Just get here to make your claim.”
“I’ll be there by tomorrow,” I said to buy myself time.
Once the call disconnected, I immediately called my council contact to give my report. The council was made up of alphas, most stuck in their ways, but increasingly more... progressive alphas were taking up seats. My contact was one of them having been warned that Jasper and Ryder Hayes were going to be important to shifters in the future in some sort of vision sent to one of his pack elders years ago.
“He’s making a move now that he’s identified him, Sir. He’s seen photos this time.”
“Hmm... We knew it was coming. You have permission to get the cuffs removed. I’ll call Poppy and let her know. Keep your scent charm on, though. You need not be seen or detected in the area until it’s time to make a move. If Rincoln can get his hands on Ryder —“
“Kade.”
“Yes, Kade. Then we will have the evidence to end him. We have almost all the votes we need. Taking a mated omega, even one with a partial bond, from their alpha is grounds for punishment. Trying to force a mating means death.”
I rolled my eyes, knowing all this already. For the last five years, I was the puppet, and the council held the strings.
“I understand. Don’t make a move unless Kade is in real danger of harm. Stick to my story.”
“Roan? Do this and we will pardon you. You can get on with your life.” He paused and left me hanging. “Are you sure you don’t want to continue to work for the council?”
I scoffed internally. It wasn’t like the council paid me, so it wasn’t exactly a job. They gave me a stipend for expenses, and I had managed to get some freelance editing work so I could earn some extra cash around watching out for Kade.
For the last two years, I’d lived down the street from my ex and he hadn’t known a thing about it. I had keyed his alarms to my house and the police in secret. Few knew about my place in his life; lingering on the periphery.
The council had held my life in their hands for the last five years, ever since I’d gone to them with proof that Rincoln had tried to trap both me and Kade into a mating with getting pregnant. My former alpha had tried to use a potency boosting potion on me instead of a contraceptive.
They’d faked a car accident as cover for why I’d missed Kade’s heat, and Rincoln, already in the hands of the council awaiting sentencing, had bought it. Rincoln Hayes was a smart man, managing to evade proper punishment from the council on technicalities and half truths. It helped that he had people in high places in his pocket. He hadn’t fully trusted me since, keeping me at a distance from his plans.
My only regret was not being there to help my betrothed escape his father. I’d lived with the emotional scars of knowing that Kade had nearly died because I’d run away. The guilt ate at me every damn day.
Five years of trying to get proof enough to convince a half corrupt council had me desperate for change. I couldn’t live like this forever.
“No, I want my life back, Sir. I want to earn my forgiveness and move on.”
“As much as I understand, I do wish that you’d reconsider. I have the feeling that you are going to be very important one day.”
I scoffed, and there was a rumbling growl down the line. “I apologize, Sir. It’s just difficult for me to believe. I’m nobody.”
“Maybe so right now. You’ve many years ahead of you.”
“And Rincoln Hayes does not. I need to get these cuffs off and get back to protecting Kade.”
“Keep me updated,” he said and then hung up the call.
I huffed and put my phone away, heading for where I kept my helmet and keys to my motorcycle. The machine was the best thing in my life. It represented something I had little of — freedom. When I rode it, I could be my real self. I had control.
