King Arthur continued, “He would not sell his own soul to get it as he would die. The one offering their soul has to be willing, so he couldn’t offer a fairy up on treason charges. He had to wait. I’m sure he thought the name the knife would be after was Haley or her Alpha. She’d be easier to get to than Aiden himself.”

I practically dismissed the explanation, “Well, they have it and are doing some magical thing to keep it in Faerie until they can destroy it.” King Arthur said, “You could’ve extracted quite a bit out of the King in exchange for that knife.” I admitted, “I don’t really care. He seems to appear when needed and helps because his sister is here. My problem is some fucked up, twisted sack of shit wants my unborn pup, and another wants my mate.” King Arthur said, “We heard.”

I sighed, “I called with information about Susanna.” Susanna gasped, “Me?” I cringed continuing, “About your parents, your birth parents.” Susanna admitted sadly, “I don’t remember them. I didn’t know until Robert told me that that I was adopted. I confronted my family about it, and they told me my parents never returned from a mission. Heath’s father searched for them until the day he died. He couldn't find them.”

I inhaled before explaining, “Well, your father went through a name change before you were born.” Susanna questioned, “Why?” I explained, “He didn’t want to be associated with his crazy, fucked up family.” Everyone was silent.

Susanna begged, “Don’t say it. Please don’t say it, Alpha Chase.” I apologized, “I’m sorry, Susanna. Your father was the youngest member of the Newcome family.” Susanna started to cry, “The man who killed Lexi and Heath’s parents is my uncle?” So that information had circulated in their trusted group. Or the Vampires found out and told her. I hoped for option one.

I consoled her, “By blood. In reality, the man is nothing to you.” Susanna cried, “He let me get stabbed!” I reasoned, “I don’t think he knew that would happen.” I linked Derrick, “Fuck, seriously? I’m defending him.” Derrick linked, “Let’s move on from that.”

I told them, “Prince Bjourn believes your parents may be alive. That your dad is hiding from his brother and sister.” Susanna whispered, “They just left me all alone?” Robert hissed, “I’ll find them, darling.” Damn. It was a bad day to her biological parents. You didn’t want Robert the Butcher to find you if he was mad.

I said, “Obviously if they are alive, when we find them, we will ask for their reasons. The Hackura could be wrong though, he could be dead.” Susanna snorted through her tears. She bit out sarcastically, “Sure because the Hackura often gives out information they aren't positive about. My parents are alive, and they left me with people who didn’t care about me. They could've taken me with them!”

I found myself apologizing again, “I’m very sorry to be the bearer of such news. I just thought you deserved the information.” Susanna admitted, “I’m glad I know. I agree with you though. The Newcome’s are nothing to me. They did nothing for me, and I don’t recognize them as family. They betrayed our people, and they are trying to hurt Lexi. She’s one of my best friends. I’ve hated Noah since LONG before he LITERALLY stabbed me in the back.”

She took a deep breath then said, “I’ll swear to you in blood if you need me to, Alpha Chase. I have nothing to do with this. Lexi, Heath, Sally, Ted, and Isaiah are family to me. I would never betray my family. My REAL family. If you need me to lure those Newcome fuckers into a trap, then I’m there.”

I assured her, “The Hood himself was more concerned about the vampires needing that promise. He’s prepared to speak to Susanna’s loyalty should you require it, King Arthur. I believe you about where your loyalty stands, Susanna.”

Robert emphatically defended his mate, “My Susanna cannot lie to me. I feel her through our bond. Her loyalty is fierce when granted. I know she is loyal to her people, Lexi, and myself. My maker has her loyalty through me.”

King Arthur said, “Calm down, my son. I require nothing from Susanna to prove her loyalty. We are not our parents. I have lived long enough to realize that. Everyone chooses what type of person to be. Susanna is a good one. I will not let her be bait though, Alpha Chase.”

I replied derisively, “I didn’t ask you to do that. Even though you're using my mate as bait.” Susanna laughed. King Arthur said, “Touché. Susanna is not my mate though.” He wouldn’t let anyone use his when he met her. I’d wager he’d never have let anyone use Faelynn either.

Alpha Eric linked, “We are headed your way.” I replied, “I’m on the phone with King Arthur.” Haley popped into my office with Alpha Eric. Haley said, “Sir Arthur, I meant to tell you earlier. Bex has two more houses to get through to try to find the key.” He must have told her who I was on the phone with. I’d forgotten about that fairy box. Sir Arthur chuckled, “I’ve waited this long. I can wait longer for my love’s last gift. I’m sure it’s a fairy trinket of some kind.”

Haley frowned, “Perhaps.” Sir Arthur laughed, “What do you think it is if not a trinket, lass?” To my shock, Haley stammered, “I…. well… it….” Sir Arthur interrupted, “Don’t stress lass, I’ll just wait. I’m a patient man.” At least this time Haley didn’t seem to be fighting magic, she just seemed uncomfortable. We hung up.

I told our group, “Let’s get downstairs.” Alpha Eric grabbed my hand and Derrick’s. Haley put her hands on his back and popped us down to the dungeon. I snorted at the sight that greeted me. Cameron had done a number on his prisoners. Most were dying or dead. I see he did not make it back to his dungeon. He was wiping blood off his hands.

He jerked his head towards Prince Bjourn and said, “Can I just say…? I’m glad he’s on our side. The torture techniques he has….” He trailed off. Prince Bjourn laughed. I asked, “Did you get any answers?” Cameron’s face darkened, “There’s some coven of warlocks obsessed with MY damn mate! They keep coming because they want her. They don’t want to fucking give her back to me.”

I closed my eyes, “They can’t have her either. Nothing will happen to Reagan.” Cameron growled. I turned to my dad, Matt, and Heath asking, “What do we know?” Heath said, “Noah and Hanson are fighting.” I sarcastically replied, “Shocking. What else?” Heath nodded his head, “These four were here to take Lexi.” I growled at them.

He pointed to the other two, “These two were here to cause her to have a miscarriage, on Noah’s orders.” I roared and partially shifted. Bolt and I ripped the first man to shreds. I slung body parts everywhere. The second man’s screams were music to my ears. I turned to him next. I gripped his guts out and proceeded to tear him apart too. When I was done, I was breathing heavily. I could smell pee. I turned. The remaining prisoners had emptied their bladders and bowels. I growled, “Pathetic!”

My dad said, “I’m sure they’ll tell us more now to avoid that happening to them.” Haley announced, “I’ve got this.” She looked into all their eyes, “Tell us every detail of the plan as you know it. Where were you supposed to deliver Lexi?”

The man answered her, “Her apartment. There’s a holoport in the kitchen only a warlock and Lexi can pass through it. Lexi cannot pass through alone.” I growled. Another man said, “We were to kidnap the little girl.”

My dad, Cameron, and I all growled. He was unphased. “She was supposed to be the choice for Alpha Chase. He can have his sister or Reagan back.” Cameron growled, “LUNA Reagan!” Derrick punched him, “You can’t have my fucking sister.”

The guy said, “There’s some coven leader who thinks she’s his.” I thought Byron was the one who wanted her? Now there was another one? Jesus. Cameron growled and ripped the guy apart. He yelled, “SHE’S MINE! SHE’S ALWAYS BEEN MINE!” I grabbed him, “She’s yours, Cameron. They can’t have her.” Cameron growled and pushed me back breathing heavily. I let him gather himself.

I politely instructed, “Haley, please ask about my daughter.” Haley complied, “What do you know about Lexi’s unborn children? How do you know one is a girl?” Matt linked me, “That’s an excellent question.” One man said, “Our man inside the Shroud found out. We never see them in person. This would’ve been the first time we saw Hanson, when we delivered Lexi.”

Haley frowned, “That’s not the full answer. Who have you seen in person?” Her power was amazing. Bolt grumbled, “But I don’t get my anger out this way.” I replied, “You can after we have answers.” That satisfied him.

The guy answered, “We’ve only seen Noah in person. The plan is to keep Lexi until she gives birth. Once she does Hanson gets the baby, Noah gets the Lexi.” I jumped in, “What about my son?” One answered, “That’s the debate they are having. Hanson says they leave him on your doorstep, so you’ll leave the girls with them.”

I sneered, “That wouldn’t happen. What does Noah want?” One gulped. He fought having to answer. Haley told me, “It’s fine. This hurts him to try and fight me.” I was fine with that. Finally, he said, “Noah wants to kill him. He wants to make Lexi watch as he either drowns the baby boy, or as he slits his throat. He’s not settled on how he’ll kill him. He does want Lexi to see it though.” I growled and lunged for him.

Nothing could’ve stopped me. I ripped our remaining prisoners to shreds. I growled loudly. A hand came down on my shoulder. I turned and found Alpha Eric standing there alone. I asked, “Where did everyone else go?”

Alpha Eric answered, “I told them I could understand how to help you best. I asked them to give us a minute.” I disagreed, “What can you say? Until they die nothing will make me feel better.” Alpha Eric offered, “I can tell you I understand what you feel right now. I knew Haley would be taken from me, and I knew there was no way around it. The Moon Goddess told me herself. I felt inadequate, like the worst mate alive.”