Page 58 of Fated to the Enemy Alpha

That hatred that I’d felt earlier threatened to burn through me again as I fixated on what Magnus had robbed me of.

But as if sensing it once again, Lina said, “We can take him before the Shifter High Council of New York. I’ll make a call now.” The High Council consisted of an elder from each of the New York packs and was used to arbitrate any heinous acts such as murder.

Lina, always quick and efficient, had her phone out, ready to communicate our victory to the council.

“Thank you,” I said, a feeling of awe and fondness for her squeezing my chest as she pulled her cell phone out of her pocket.

She handed Betty to her mom. “You stay with Granny, won’t you a moment, sweetie.”

Betty wrapped her arms around Miriam, already looking at home in the older woman’s arms as if she recognized her instinctively as her family. My chest tightened, wondering and hoping for a moment, but Lina’s footsteps reminded me that I needed to lead, too.

Power and purpose filled me. “Mason,” I ordered, calling over one of my rogue wolves. “Bring the bindings from over there.” I gestured to the room in which Miriam and Betty had been contained. “Tie him up.”

“Hey Ben, come here, would you?” I called over to my leading pair of rogue wolves, who were still guarding Blackthorn wolves.

“Of course, Alpha,” Ben said, a smile on his face. As my best friend, I didn’t use my alpha’s tone. Gratitude for his loyalty filled me. We’d done what we’d set out to do almost ten years ago after my mother had died.

Lina returned from making her phone call. “Paul and some of my team are coming to escort Magnus to the High Council.”

I nodded. “Ben and Victor, you can escort him, too. Take all of the pack,” I said, gesturing to our rogue brothers around us. “I know I can entrust you with this, too,” I said, handing Ben the USB stick. “Make sure the Council gets this evidence.”

As Lina’s men joined us at the facility, along with my rogue wolves, they led Magnus out of the facility, taking him to the High Council.

My rogue wolf pack had been instrumental to that. But as I looked at Lina, Miriam, and Betty, my chest swelled full of love for the strength and resilience of these wonderful women, and I knew I couldn’t have reclaimed my heritage and be on the cusp of getting justice for my mother without them.

“Thank you, Miriam—for all you’ve done for my mother and me. I know if she could be here, she’d tell you she’s grateful for your friendship.”

Miriam came over and wrapped her arms around me. “And she’d be proud of the man you’ve become,” she whispered.

My throat tightened as I hugged Lina’s mother, feeling for a moment as if I’d gotten a little piece of my mom back through her friend, who had been brave enough to protect her secrets, even at the cost of her own freedom.

As Miriam let go, she turned to Lina. “Sweetheart, I…I’m so sorry,” Miriam began, her voice trembling, her eyes shimmering with unshed emotions. “I wasn’t brave enough to stop your father from forcing you into that mate ceremony with Magnus.”

“Mom—” Lina began.

“I heard what happened today,” Miriam interrupted. “When I heard you were once more forced to stand beside that loathsome man today, I was out of my mind with worry.”

My chest felt tied up in knots as Miriam’s words mirrored so many of my own regrets. I should have found a way to save Lina from that arranged ceremony years ago. Seeing her walk down that aisle toward my father earlier had been excruciating. I was glad Magnus had already been taken to the High Council because otherwise, I’d be tempted to enact my own justice.

“You did save me all those years ago,” Lina replied to her mom. “If you hadn’t pushed me out those doors, I wouldn’t have had the chance to escape him. You saved us,” she said, squeezing Betty more tightly to her.

Miriam’s tears finally spilled over, but the fondness dancing across her face as she ran her hand over Betty’s hair was one of sheer joy.

“Besides,” Lina said. “I’m sorry, Mom. “I thought I lost you,” she explained. “I did lose you for years–”

Miriam shook her head. “You found me, Sweetheart.” She cupped Lina’s cheek with her other hand. “And I’m going to cherish every day I get to spend with you and my beautiful granddaughter,” she said firmly, her gaze dipping to Betty, who now with Miriam smiling and her full attention once more on her, chirruped, “Beautiful like a ballerina!”

Miriam laughed. “A beautiful ballerina,” she agreed.

“Granny, I teach you ballet!”

“Now that sounds like a fabulous idea,” Miriam declared.

I felt a swell of warmth as Lina’s loving smile had never looked so radiant. She gently handed Betty over to Miriam, and I watched the older woman delighting in this precious moment with her grandchild, who was soon leading her granny across the concrete floor as if it were a stage, not an abandoned, drafty space.

I drew toward Lina, feeling the hairs on the back of my arms prickling, responding to her nearness, my whole body lighting up at her scent and nearness. But I didn’t want there to be anything left unsaid between us. I needed to leave her in no doubt of my feelings for her. Now that there was no Magnus overshadowing us and making us contort ourselves into playing parts.

But as she came toward me, I wondered if now was the right time. “Are you all right?” She looked tired, and I couldn’t help myself. I laid a gentle touch on her side, where she’d been wounded.

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