Page 21 of Stealing Sloane

“It’s all right,” the Alpha assured her. “I would be upset too. Again, no disrespect. Is there a way your Aunt Ella can testify?”

“She’s dead,” Sloane said.

“My condolences. But you can see how this puts me in a delicate position.” The Alpha leaned back in his chair. “The Boston clan is large. Not as big as New York, but still influential. I know Forte’s reputation, but he’s always kept a low profile, and none of his criminal activities have broken Lycan law. You remember the night we went to war with the mages, right?”

“Yeah.” Sloane’s lips thinned. “I tried to come and help when I heard about what happened. But my contacts from inside the clan warned me to stay away, because if Ronan found me, he’d have my head. He was actually hoping I’d show up.”

“He came with all their able-bodied Lycans, and they fought hard. Lost a few good ones, too.”

“And I knew most of them,” Sloane said, her tone bitter. “Good people.”

“Thanks to their sacrifice, we won.” The Alpha paused. “I’m not saying Ronan’s contribution to the war absolves him of his crimes, but certainly, the Lycan Council will consider it.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Sloane barked.

“Alpha, if I may.” Lizzie raised a hand. “You said you need evidence, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then what if we find it?” She tapped a finger at her chin. “Real proof that Forte killed their parents? Or other bad stuff he’s done to his people and other Lycans?”

“I think I know what you’re getting at.” The Alpha folded his hands together. “If you can get proof that he did order the murder of one of his Lycans, then of course I’m obligated to bring it to the council, and they’d have to investigate.”

Yes!Jacob cheered to himself. Now he was glad he called on Lizzie. Not only was she an excellent hacker, but her powers asa hybrid allowed her to break into any computer system in the world. She was the one who found Devon and Stella in the first place.

“That’s settled.” Turning to Stella and Sloane, she said, “Don’t you worry, I’ll dig up something on Forte.”

“That would be amazing,” Stella said. “Right, Sloane? If Lizzie can find solid proof, then the council can make him pay.”

Sloane’s nostrils flared. “I suppose.Ifthey put him away for life, somewhere in a very deep, very dark hole.”

“But of course, you can’t expose yourself, Lizzie,” the Alpha added. “We can’t let anyone know about your special ability.”

“Special ability?” Sloane asked.

“I’ll explain later.” Lizzie patted her hand. “But yes, Alpha, I promise. I’ll start working on it tomorrow.” Standing up, she placed a hand on her belly. “For now, it’s time to feed the monster. I swear to God, I just ate thirty minutes ago, and now I’m starving again.” She winked at Stella. “You must want food too.”

Stella chuckled. “Yeah, I only had a protein bar on the car ride here.”

“You poor thing.” She tsked. “Well, thanks again, Alpha. We can consider that debt paid.”

Amusement flashed across the Alpha’s face. “You’re welcome.”

They all filed out of the office, where the same young man in the suit stood by the elevators, bidding them goodnight as a not-so-subtle way of telling them to leave.

“That wasn’t so bad,” Stella said as they exited the elevator and into the garage. “Can you really find evidence against Forte?”

“I’ll do my best,” Lizzie replied. “But if there’s any trace of it on a computer or on the Internet, I can find it with my powers.”

“Powers?” Sloane cocked her head to the side. “What powers?”

“I can talk to computers.”

“Talkto computers?” Sloane said. “Like literally talk to them?”

“Yep,” she said, popping thep.

“And they talk back?”

---