Page 49 of The Alpha’s Seer (The Shifters of Stormhollow #1)

Chapter Forty-Nine

CALIX

Alpha Asher and his pack are about to leave, and we’re all gathered to see them off. I spot Azra at the edge of the crowd, scowling as Alpha Asher speaks.

“I know this shit isn’t over,” he says to me, his eyes sweeping the crowd as though he’s looking for something. Or someone. “We need to find the children, but first, we all need to heal… both physically and mentally.”

It’s good to hear this from him. I was worried that he would make a bitter, twisted Alpha, and his pack needed him now, more than ever. So, for him to tell me he’s putting his pack first eases my anxiety somewhat.

A rogue Alpha isn’t good for anyone, and hopefully, after all the tragedy he’s been through, he can focus on healing and moving forward. I feel like Faolan’s death may have eased his rage somewhat, like he avenged his family.

I know I feel that way too.

“I agree,” I state. “We will find the children and look after them.”

I know we have to. It doesn’t matter that the trail has gone cold—not all the women who birthed children against their will survived, and so, according to my mother, we owed it to them to help.

Even if it means their father’s blood tainted them, we can’t let the evil bastards that had them bring them up, creating another generation of twisted individuals our kids will have to fight one day.

Our kids.

The word isn’t just a thought anymore—it’s real. We’d found out two weeks ago after the healer confirmed it—my mate is carrying my pup.

Our pup.

We’ve kept it quiet, holding it close like a secret too sacred for anyone else yet. Only the healer knows.

But now, as I glance at Blair and see her hand drift to her stomach, the truth slams into me all over again. I wink at her, and she bites her lip, sending blood straight to my cock.

Even pregnant, I want to ravage her. Shit, especially pregnant. She’s fucking glowing.

She catches my stare and leans in, her voice brushing my mind through the bond. Stop looking at me like I’m fragile. I’m pregnant, Calix, not broken.

My wolf rumbles his approval, and I swallow hard. You’re everything, I send back. But I’ll be damned if I don’t protect you and our baby with everything I’ve got.

Her cheeks flush deeper, and for a second, it’s just us, the crowd fading, the future we never thought we’d have pressing in between us.

But safety is paramount. We must make the land safe and eradicate all enemies.

No matter what.

Alpha Asher meets my gaze and says, “I have a request.”

I already know what he’s going to say, and all I can hope is that Azra understands and can one day forgive me.

“She joins my pack.”

I nod instantly, watching as Blair frowns at me, shooting her question through the mind-link.

Who?

I know I should’ve spoken to Blair first, as she and Azra were close, especially after what they went through. But this isn’t for us to get involved in. Something deeper is happening between Asher and Azra.

“You have my blessing, but you’ll need hers.” I nod at Blair, who glares at Asher.

“Who?”

Alpha Asher looks uncomfortable for a moment, but then he turns to her and requests, “Can I speak to you alone?”

I shake my head, but Blair nods, her hand pressed to my chest. I don’t care how well I know Alpha Asher—Blair is carrying my child, and I am fiercely protective.

Alpha Asher leans close, and the two of them step away to speak in low voices, and I watch them with my whole body.

Today is the day Blair wants me to tell her about Faolen and her mother. She wants to know everything, and I have to tell her. I’m worried about it affecting the baby, but she’s assured me nothing will touch our baby.

Our baby.

Goddess, I want to weep at the thought of having my own family.

We haven’t told the pack yet. Blair wanted to wait until after the ceremonies, until the dust settled from Faolan’s death.

She said we’d earned one small piece of peace before the world claimed it from us.

Only the healer knows. But soon… soon the whole pack will.

My wolf is ecstatic.

Watch him, he commands as Blair speaks with Asher.

I scoff in response. I don’t take my eyes off my mate. She looks deep in thought, and when our eyes meet, I hear her voice in my head.

Azra’s his mate, isn’t she?

I shrug, not knowing the answer, even though I suspect as much. Things work in mysterious ways in the wolf world, but I hope for Asher’s sake she is, or he’s about to make a huge mistake.

Blair finally nods and glances at the crowd, her face paling.

Don’t feel bad. She’ll understand eventually, I tell her, reaching out as she walks closer.

Alpha Asher addresses the crowd.

“Azra, you will now join my pack, the Applegate Pack. Your Alpha and Luna have given their blessing.”

A gasp rises from the back of the crowd, and it parts to reveal a stunned Azra.

“No,” she stammers, shaking her head. “Blair, no. Please…”

Blair looks like she’s going to cry, but then she reminds me why she is my mate.

“It’s a trial, Azra,” Blair explains in a calm voice. “I will check in on you all the time. Please trust me.” Her eyes flicker to Alpha Asher, and Azra follows her gaze. “Alpha Asher is your...”

“You can come willingly,” Alpha Asher interrupts, glaring at Blair. “Or I can take you.”

“Alpha Asher, please explain to her...” Blair pleads, trembling from beside me, and my mother scowls at Alpha Asher, then me.

I will explain to her later—but right now, my mother can only see her friend being forced into captivity again.

Alpha Asher says nothing but he continues to stare at Azra.

Then, a woman steps forward from the Applegate pack, holding her hand out to Azra.

“Please join us. We need to heal together, and even though he’s grumpy, he’s not so bad once you get to know him.” She winks at Alpha Asher, who says nothing. He locks his gaze on Azra, coiling like a spring, ready to jump if she runs.

“Please,” another woman encourages, joining her friend. Soon, women from all over the pack are stepping forward and offering their hands to Azra, like she’s their savior.

Azra blinks and stares at the woman; then finally, she turns to look at Blair.

A wind whips between them as she remarks, “I hope you’re right, Luna.” Then she bows her head and walks into the group of women, who hug her and greet her warmly.

Alpha Asher looks relieved but puzzled. I don’t blame him. Azra went far too easily, and the women’s behavior in his pack seemed a bit bizarre.

Blair nods as her eyes shine with tears as Azra turns to her.

“Because if you’re wrong, a curse will fall upon you and all children you bear.” Azra stares at my mate coldly before walking through the crowd toward the trucks waiting.

Rage engulfs me, but in an instant, my mother is by my side, her hand gripping my arm.

“Be calm, Calix. Azra is from an ancient pack filled with magic. She’s angry and defending herself.”

I can barely speak. “And if we’re wrong, a curse will fall on my mate and children? No! Damn her!”

Blair looks like she’s been slapped, and my mother reaches for her too.

“You let her go. You must have known it was the right thing to do.”

Blair says nothing, and my mother continues. “You would never have agreed, Blair, if it were going to bring her to harm.”

I want to rip Azra’s arms from her body and beat her to death with them, but Alpha Asher watches me; his gaze is heated. I can sense his rage at Azra but also his wariness of me.

We have to stay united.

“He won’t bring her to harm,” Blair comments shakily, her hands on her stomach protectively. “But she should never have cursed me and my children. I’ll never forgive her.”

With that, Blair turns and walks into the packhouse, her shoulders slumped.

“That fucking psycho bitch! After everything—” I rage before I follow Blair.

“Azra’s scared, Calix,” my mother chastises sharply. “She thought she was safe with me and Blair. She doesn’t trust men.”

I snarl and wave a hand in the air. “She’d better fucking learn to, because if anything happens to my mate or children, she’ll need one to protect her.”

Alpha Asher growls, but I ignore him.

I hope he makes her life hell.