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Chapter Nine
Hendrix
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IDON'T HAVE A SINGLEclue what the hell is going on, but the plans have suddenly changed and Moira is shutting down, only forcing herself to act a bit normal for Lexie’s sake. I do my best to keep Lexie occupied so she doesn't pick up on her mother's upset and unease while my alpha instincts scream at me to protect and stash them away somewhere safe while I handle the threat.
I just don't know where the threat is.
Whatever it is, it's bad for Moira to react this way.
I remain on alert the entire trip to the park, grateful it's still so early and we have an hour or so before dark. Neverwhere stays pretty lit up anyway, but I want clear lines of sight in case the threat from the pizza place follows us. Nothing and no one is touching these two. I'll rip them apart before they get a chance.
We reach the park without incident and I lead Moira and Lexie over to a picnic table that has a good line of sight to all the paths leading to and from the park. If we're followed, we'll see them, unless they take to the woods.
"Can I swing while we wait for the food to get here?" Lexie points to the swing set to the left of us, not far away at all.
Moira nods, her smile strained. “Yeah, darling. Just don't go anywhere else, okay?"
"Okay!" Lexie runs off, leaving Moira and I in a tense silence.
"Can you tell me what's going on?" I ask.
I don’t want to push her, but I’d like to know how worried I need to be. Or at least who I need to kill.
She rakes her hand through her hair, staring after Lexie with worry on her brow. “I’d rather only have to explain it once, so let's wait for Ryder. Do you think the two of you can take Lexie to basketball practice? There's something I'm going to need to handle while I know she's safe."
I frown. “How concerned do I need to be?"
I have no problem taking Lexie, but I don’t want to leave Moira unprotected.
"I don't know yet. But don't let her out of your sight until I come for her. Please." She turns her pleasing gaze on me.
I swell, a growl in my voice. “Of course. Nothing will get to her."
Instead of making her jumpy like it usually does when my alpha instincts get a hold of me, my reaction seems to reassure her. She wants the alpha to protect her daughter.
I just wish I knew what the hell I'm protecting her from.
But I refuse to push Moira, recognizing she's poised between fight or flight at the moment. I want to give her the space she needs to breathe and gather herself before she has to take on whatever it is that's threatening her and Lexie.
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RYDER
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THE ALPHA COUPLE AREstill in their seats when I accept the boxes and bags from the hostess with a strained smile of thanks. I've kept watch of them the entire time I've been waiting and they are either excellent actors or they weren't able to scent Moira over the strong smells of garlic and fire and bread in here. I'm hoping it's the latter, but I decide to circle around the corner and keep an eye out for a few minutes to see if they follow me before making my way to Moira and the others.
I can finally breathe a little better when there's no sign of them. It looks like we have a little room to plan. I have no idea what the actual threat is, but whatever it is, we'll help her handle it. I watched them long enough to get a good idea of their types and they are the stereotypical alphas. I have a feeling they're the reason Moira is so skittish with alphas and dominance.
Moira still hasn't told us much about her past or what she's been running from. Are those two alphas her old pack? Is the male Lexie’s father?
Are they here for them? To take them back?
Over my dead fucking body.
