Page 44 of Destined Bear
“If she wasn’t such a great damned spy, I would have drowned her in a well years ago,” Emeric mutters. “How did you stay friends with her for so long?”
I smother a laugh and look out the window. “Isn’t it odd that Stonecrest would want Willow Grove?” I muse aloud. “It’s so far away from here.”
Emeric nods in agreement. “I thought about that, too.”
“That only reinforces my belief that the attack wasn’t Alpha Roman’s plan at all.” I look meaningfully at the other enforcers in the van, but they don’t appear comforted.
“I guess we’ll find out, won’t we?” Sabo says.
The driver steers the vehicle off the highway and toward a covert side road. Almost instantly, rain starts to pour from the sky in sheets.
“Oh, that’s not ominous at all!” Alessa groans, tilting her head up to look at the sky. “Where the hell did that come from?”
A huge mansion appears through the gloom, and I sit back, stunned by its eerie beauty. A line of Stonecrest enforcers stands outside in the pouring rain, unflinching as we approach.
“Are they robots?” Alessa is in awe of their unwavering expressions.
I’m slightly terrified.
As if he can read my concern, Emeric shifts closer and pulls me in. “It’s going to be fine. I see Nox’s SUV. And I believe that’s the Shadow Pine Alpha’s car, too. Everyone is here already. It’s not an ambush.”
“Not yet!” my best friend chimes in.
“Alessa!” I say sharply. “That’s enough.”
She grins at me, but I catch the glint of worry in her eyes. Guilt floods me. I should have known she was using humor to deflect the fear. But coddling Alessa is not at the top of my list right now.
Silently, the driver stops the van, and one of the Stonecrest enforcers steps away from the lineup to open the door and let us out.
“Welcome to Stonecrest. Enjoy your stay.” His tone is as monotonous as his expression.
“They might be robots,” Alessa confirms, scrambling through the rain toward the covered porch.
The front door swings open as we gather. Emeric steps protectively in front of me when a tall, gray-eyed male looks us over. My instincts go haywire, predicting danger, but also partially trusting him. I’m baffled by the twist of feelings inside me.
“Alpha Emeric.” He extends a hand.
“Alpha Roman.” They shake, and I glance at my mate, waiting for a reaction on contact, but Emeric doesn’t seem to have one. If he’s not feeling intimidated, should I?
“Let’s get you out of this rain. I should have warned you about that. It never stops in these parts.”
Roman gestures for us to follow him into the splendor of his marble foyer. The sight is breathtaking and contradictory to the outside. Crystal chandeliers brighten the interior, and light, happy music plays from a house sound system, as if the Alpha is hosting a dinner party. “The other Alphas have arrived, too, so you’re just in time.”
Our enforcers remain in the hall with the others, but before Emeric can cart me off on his arm, Alessa pulls me back. “You know how to call for help, don’t you?”
I eye her skeptically. “What?”
“You know all the signals still? How to get help if you need it?”
“I’m sure?—”
“Yes or no, Viv?”
A knot of dread forms in my stomach. “Two short whistles?” I whisper.
She nods. “Good. I pray you don’t have to use it. Have fun. I hope the food is good. I’m so jealous!”
Emeric gives my friend a look she knows too well, and I hurry forward to take his arm again.
