Page 170 of Claimed By the Rival Alpha

NIGHT

After I left Bryn, I went for a jog and met up with Dom, Kai, Frankie, and Vince. We went back to the office in the alpha cabin. I intended to go through everything that seemed relevant to the missing pups or hidden bank accounts, and I wanted as many men on the task as possible.

Kai and Frankie had requested a break from hunting down Troy.

I was happy to have them back with me because their minds were as useful to me here as their tracking abilities.

Wayne, I was sure, was happy to have his granddaughter nearby.

Maybe with her around, he wouldn’t be so eager to oppose everything I did.

“I have a meeting with the Kings Council in a few hours,” I told my men, “but I want you all to help me look through all these documents. Anything that seems relevant to missing kids or hidden accounts, anything that directly references Troy, anyone he associated with, or a portal—I want it all, even if the references are just in passing. The only problem is that nothing here is organized.”

Dom smirked. “What? You and Bryn didn’t go through reams of paperwork and alphabetize everything?”

I smirked as the others chuckled.

“Since you’re so eager to make those kinds of suggestions, maybe I ought to make that your job. Think you could handle it?”

Kai let out a low “ooh.” Dom chuckled. Neither of us was serious.

This paperwork was enough to drive even the most meticulous organizer insane.

Admittedly, Bryn and I had neglected it these last few months while we got comfortable in our new roles.

But I didn’t have the luxury of letting these documents collect dust any longer.

“Alpha Night?” Frankie started, running a hand through her short chocolate-brown hair. “This portal thing…do you think there’s any merit to it?”

“Do I think there’s any merit to a doorway that leads to worlds that hold other shifters? Hell, no. But Troy is crazy enough to believe it’s real, and I’m sure we can use his superstition to our advantage.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Oh?”

“Absolutely. Months of searching for him has led us nowhere, but somewhere in here”—I gestured to the bins of paperwork around us—“might be something that could draw Troy out of hiding or information that will lead us to where Troy’s hiding.”

“Ah.” She nodded. “Understood.”

“Great.” I clapped my hands. “If that’s all, let’s get started.”

We got to work. Each of us took a corner and started going through documents. I found more complaints and disciplinary reports from the past years and tried to go through them with a fine-toothed comb. Any piece of information could point us to where Troy was hiding.

Two hours into our search, Vince approached me.

“Hey, Vince,” I said. “You find anything?”

“Not really, but I did have a thought.”

“All right, let me hear it.”

“Wouldn’t it be useful to speak to members of the Kings about this?” He spoke slowly, cautiously. “One of them could help us make sense of some of this stuff, or have pack knowledge that’s useful to what we want to know.”

“That’s…not a bad idea,” I replied. My mate was out there asking wolf parents if they and their families felt safe.

Why shouldn’t I be doing the same? “I didn’t think of having a King as part of my inner circle.

We’d need to be absolutely certain that they’re on our side, though.

Do any of you have Kings in mind that we could start vetting? ”

“I don’t know about ‘trust,’” Dom said, “but if we’re just talking about pack knowledge…well, Lance.”

“Lance? Really?”

Dom shrugged. “If nothing else, adding him to the team will allow us to keep an eye on him. We might even learn more about his goals.”

“I’ve heard about this guy,” Kai said. He was approaching his late forties, his red hair graying at the temples. “Nothing substantial, but the Kings talk about him a lot. He seems to have a lot of connections.”

I made a face. “I think I’d rather throw myself at the council. They might have information at the meeting.”

Dom shrugged. “Still. Something to consider.”

“Maybe as a last resort.” I couldn’t even picture myself getting close to Lance, let alone sitting down and having a conversation with him about the history of the Kings Pack. But Dom wouldn’t have suggested something like this without thinking it over.

“If you do end up meeting with him,” Dom said telepathically, “you might get him to admit something about what he and the Wargs Council are planning.”

That was true enough, but I still wasn’t very excited about the idea of talking to him.

After a couple of hours, Dom and I left the others to their work with Kai in charge while we met up with the Kings Council.

When we arrived at the meeting room, we exchanged greetings before I asked them straight out, “Is there anything else you can tell me about the portals the Redwolfs were obsessed with? Or about any of the people working closely with them?”

Edward scratched the top of his bald head and yawned as if anything involving the former alphas bored him. “It’s been months since any of us have thought about that, but as far as I know, we’ve told you everything. I, for one, don’t have anything to add.”

The other four nodded in agreement.

“You’re all positive that there isn’t more information you can give me?”

Colby leaned back in his chair and stroked his gray mustache.

“We don’t have any more information to give you.

We only knew what we saw Troy and Gregor doing.

Nearly everyone they worked with left the pack after the ferals attacked us.

There is an unfortunate degree of separation between us and any layperson the Redwolfs worked with.

You’ll want to talk to someone more in the mix, I’d say. ”

“Like who?” Dom asked before I could.

“Lance, for one. He’s been part of the pack since he was sixteen, and from what I can tell, he seems to know everything that goes on in this pack.”

Dana smiled. It was the first time I’d seen the older, cruel woman show any sort of genuine expression that wasn’t mocking or spiteful. “That boy will make a fine addition to the council someday.”

I didn’t need to look at my beta to know that he was shooting me a knowing look. He might as well have just said, “Told ya so.”

“Or you’ll have to do your own research, Alpha Shepherd,” Grant said. “But before we let you go and do that, we want to hear how this merger is going. How are things progressing?”

I suppressed a sigh. No need to let them see how disappointed I was. “Things are going smoothly for the most part. As far as I know, both the Wargs and Kings are making a real effort to make things work. There are fights and skirmishes, but that’s to be expected with such a big change.”

“And what about housing?” Grant asked. “Are Kings finding adequate places to stay on Wargs’ land?”

I raised a brow. I couldn’t tell if the old man was being tactless or taking a subtle dig at my home territory with the word “adequate.”

I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.

“Bryn, as you all know, is handling the relocation, so she would be able to give more specific answers. What I can tell you is that those who have settled on Wargs’ land are cared for.

And not that you asked, but the Wargs who have settled here are comfortable, too. ”

“Of course they are.” Grant nodded. “That’s to be expected.”

“Uh-huh.” I guess the old man just lacked tact. “How about your meetings with the Wargs Council? Are you all getting along?”

“The Wargs can be…” Ross hesitated. “Blunt—”

“I’d say rude,” Dana jumped in.

“Crass, even, at times,” Edward added.

“—but we seem to agree on most points.” Ross went on, ignoring the other two. “It’s refreshing to see that they are also passionate about their pack. We all want what’s best for our people.”

It was a relief to hear that the Wargs Council hadn’t let on that they wanted the Kings annihilated, but that meant they were keeping their true motives close to the chest. I’d have to do the same. I didn’t want to know what the Kings Council would do if they knew about those plans.

When the meeting ended, Dom and I grabbed lunch for everyone before going back to the alpha cabin. We looked through paperwork for a little while longer, then I let everyone go home.

I smelled dinner even before I walked into the kitchen. Bryn stood at the stove, humming to herself and dancing while she stirred the rabbit stew. Seeing her there gave me an immediate shot of joy. My wolf yipped happily as I moved closer to her.

“Hey, Night,” she said without turning to look at me. “Come taste this. It’s missing something, but I’m not sure what.”

“Sure.” I opened my mouth to accept the wooden spoon she held out for me. I winced when the broth touched my tongue. It was hotter than I’d expected.

She gasped and put the spoon back in the pot. “Oh no, I’m sorry. Did you burn your tongue?”

I was about to tell her it wasn’t a big deal, but her concerned expression was too adorable. I just had to tease her.

“Yeah. It hurts pretty badly, love.”

Her frown was more of a pout. “I should’ve blown on it more before giving it to you to taste.”

“Maybe, but it’s too late for that now.” I pulled her close and ran my hand over her soft cheek. “Wanna make me feel better?”

She quirked an eyebrow, and her slow smile told me she was catching on to what I was doing. “Yes, but what can I do?”

“I have a couple of ideas.”

“I think I do, too.” She stood on her tiptoes to kiss me. Gently at first, and then the kiss deepened into something more, something searing.

Bryn broke the kiss, dragging her mouth from mine down to my neck. She kissed my throat as she slipped her hands under my shirt to caress my stomach, my chest. I circled her waist with my hands and sighed at her touch. It relaxed me as much as it turned me on.