Page 27 of The Alpha’s Seer (The Shifters of Stormhollow #1)
Chapter Twenty-Seven
BLAIR
Pandemonium.
Wolves and humans run around the packhouse, their faces filled with terror, panic, or both.
Cox watches me from the chair facing the door, his face grim. He's been told to watch me—that much I know—and watch me he has. But he hasn't told me anything, and I'm about to go crazy.
Calix raced from the packhouse hours ago, and three wolves are in critical condition with the pack doctor. I've heard whispers that they aren't going to make it.
I sit on my hands to keep them from jittering, but it's no use. My mouth is dry, and I can't stop thinking about Calix. For him to leave me like this... it tells me we're in danger, and that terrifies me.
“Cox,” I rasp, my tongue wetting my lips. “Is he safe?”
Cox continues to stare at me silently before nodding.
Relief floods my body, but he still doesn't speak, and I'm about to lose my shit.
“What's happening? Please, Cox, tell me something!” I'm desperate, and although I'm only a human, I want to help. I'm the Alpha’s mate, and everything is falling apart around us.
Vix guides the young boy, Soren, out of the room with a stare that tells me she's seen something she'll never forget.
“Vix? Are you...” I start, twisting my body to speak to her.
“Don't.” Cox's voice is sharp and loud, and I whip around with surprise. “Her mate was attacked.”
An ache stretches across my ribs, and I bow my head, my hand clamping to my mouth.
“Is he alive?”
Cox sighs. “For now.”
Oh no.
Poor Vix, and of course, poor Soren. I don't think I've met her mate, but it's impossible to say with the amount of people I've seen here. I’m suddenly annoyed with myself for not making more time to learn more about the pack and its people, and my brows crash together. “Do you know who did this?”
I'm so fucking restless. My legs won't stop jigging, and my heart races like I've been running. I've barely moved in hours; it doesn't make sense.
Cox shakes his head. No.
“I know you're worried, Cox, but so am I,” I snap. “Please tell me something. Anything.”
Cox stares past me, his eyes vacant before he sits upright. “Alpha Calix is here.”
I bolt from my seat and leap—yes, leap—over the back of the sofa, halfway out the door, when I see my mate across from me. He's shirtless and panting, but as I scan his body, I'm relieved he doesn't appear hurt. I run to him, crashing into his arms as tears prick my eyes.
“I'm okay,” Calix mumbles, kissing my forehead. “Let's go inside.”
“What's happening? Cox won't tell me anything, and people are hurt—”
Calix silences me with a brief kiss on my lips. “Try to keep up; come with me.”
Usually, I’d be pissed or offended by his comment, but before we’re even in the packhouse, Calix is surrounded by the men I've learned are his second, third, and fourth in command.
It's hot in here with all of us panting and raging, and as Calix begins to talk, I rush around the kitchen filling pitchers with water.
I fill the table with glasses and start handing them out once they're filled, and the men take them gratefully.
Calix especially, who nods his thanks to me before downing two glasses in a row.
“They're not normal. They're not like us.” Calix pants out, and I pour him another water, my fingers trembling. “I saw one.”
My stomach churns with dread at his words.
“What are they?” Cox demands, his fingers curling around the back of a chair so tightly it cracks. “What did you see? Did he say anything?”
Calix dips his head, and sweat drips down his neck and onto his chest. Like everyone else, I wait with bated breath until he finally raises his head.
“He told me they were exiles. Rejects.”
The men shift but say nothing as Calix continues, twisting his neck this way, then that. I wince when it cracks.
“He was deformed. Burned, I think. But he was fast,” Calix says, looking every man in the eye before adding, “Too fast.”
“How fast?” Cox asks, his brows knitting together.
I follow his gaze with intrigue as Calix grimaces.
“Too fucking fast. Lightning fast?” He shakes his head and stares at the table before him. “He disappeared before my eyes.”
Cox exchanges a look with Blake. “What?”
Calix grits his teeth. “What I said, Cox.”
“Black magic,” Lyron mutters, pacing the room. “What did Lexie say, Cox?”
Cox shakes his head. “Nothing of value. She saw no threats—”
“We need a Seer!” Blake shouts, and Calix turns to me, shaking his head, warning me to keep my secret safe. “Luna Marie, maybe?”
I'm itching to talk, but Calix holds my gaze, his voice echoing in my head.
Don't mention it.
But...
Blair. Don't.
“But maybe I can help!” I say before clapping my hand over my mouth.
Shit!
I'm not used to mind talking or whatever it is—and now everyone is staring at me warily, wanting me to explain my little outburst.
“Ignore her,” Calix commands, turning to glare at me. “She can't help. She's just a human.”
Anger flares in my veins, and I glare right back at my mate.
Just a human?
Why would he hide my skills if the pack needs them so badly?
Is he ashamed that I don't know how to use my powers?
I try to keep a lid on my rage, but I can't, and I slam my hands on the table, matching Calix's fury with my own.
“You may be the Alpha,” I state boldly, challenging him before everyone. “But I'm a Seer.”
There's a sharp intake of breath from Cox, and the others gape at me before looking at Calix nervously.
Calix flushes a deep red but closes his eyes, battling his rage before opening them. “That's right, I'm the Alpha. You can't help us, Blair.” His voice softens as I narrow my eyes and huff.
“How do you know? Why don't we try?” I argue as the men surrounding us back away.
“Leave us,” Calix directs everyone with a growl, moving toward me with terrifying speed.
The men leave the room, and it's just us, and suddenly, I don't feel so brave.
It's like he's able to strip me bare with one look, and his dominance and power make me want to fall to my knees.
But something else is happening—and I don't understand it, but I'm not fighting it.
I want to help this pack, and my mate will not stop me.
“I know you're scared of me getting taken, but you need me, Calix! Your pack needs me!” My voice is steely and brave, but I'm a trembling wreck.
“You just deliberately disobeyed me,” Calix snaps, throwing his hand out to hit a chair beside him.
It crashes into the wall and splinters before he repeats the action with another chair.
He reaches for my throat and pins me against the wall, his eyes wild with disbelief.
“What the fuck do you think you're doing, disobeying your Alpha? Your mate?”
His nostrils flare, and my legs turn to jelly, but something in my stomach holds me steady, assuring me that I'm right. I take a deep breath and meet his gaze, knowing I'm dancing with danger but not caring.
“I'm thinking of the pack, Calix,” I respond, wincing as his grip tightens on my throat. “I've seen what may happen. I'll do anything to prevent it—including defying you.”
Calix searches my eyes before releasing me, his hand sweeping across my cheek before he exhales heavily. The scent of his sweat and fury invades my nostrils as he buries his head in my neck, but when he moves back to look at me, he's calmer somehow.
“You'd do anything to prevent something bad happening to the pack,” he repeats, his nostrils flaring. “Including putting yourself in danger by making your gift public knowledge.”
I swallow and nod. “Yep. Even that.”
Calix shakes his head and stares at me like he's never seen me before. “You have no idea how important you are to me, Blair.” His voice cracks, and he slumps a little against me, making my heart race. “I’ve already lost so much—I can't lose you, too.”
Something happened out there when he saw that vile man. He's terrified of losing me—why? Then I remember my vision, and panic crawls up my throat.
Did he threaten me to Calix? Is that what this is?
“Did he threaten me?” I ask boldly, curling my fingers in the hair at the base of his neck. “Did he?”
Calix growls and tugs my body against his, his mouth pressing against my wound from last night, licking and kissing it until I'm moaning. But he doesn't answer me.
He doesn't have to.