Page 42 of Alpha Power

"What is your name?" Luther demanded.

"Kylo Victor Slaten," the shifter replied immediately, his eyes glazed and voice robotic.

"What are you?"

He hesitated briefly before answering. "A...lion shifter."

"Who is behind the creation of Night Flare?"

Kylo clenched his teeth, like he was fighting to keep his mouth shut. It didn't work. "I. . . don't know."

Luther tsked, his jaw clenching. "How do you get your supply?"

Kylo's eyes flashed gold, his lion battling against Luther's compulsion, trying to break free. He started to sweat, his breathing heavy as he continued to struggle. "I meet. . . someone at a secure location," he said between clenched teeth.

"When and where is the next delivery?"

The shifter growled. "In three days, at the Electrical Holdings Industrial Area in the City."

Luther stood to his full height, straightening his tie. He shared a look with Axel. Axel nodded, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small item. He handed it to Luther.

"Wha-what are you doing?" Kylo stuttered as Luther grabbed his wrist.

Luther raised one finger in the air, his nail lengthening into a long, razor-sharp claw. Without hesitation, Luther slashed horizontally along the inside of Kylo's wrist.

"Stop!" He yelled, trying to pull his arm free.

Luther ignored him. He quickly spread the cut wide open, using his fingers to keep the skin from stitching itself back together and shoved the item deep beneath his skin. Blood dripped to the ground, forming a small puddle at their feet.

Kylo watched wide-eyed, mouth open in horror as his skin healed over, burying the item in his body. "What have you done?" He whispered in fear.

"You're going to forget you saw us tonight," Luther commanded, straightening the lapels on Kylo's dark jacket and dusting imaginary lint from the fabric. "You're going to show up at the next delivery like nothing is wrong and everything is normal." His eyes flashed red, ripples of power lacing the air.

"Everything is normal," Kylo repeated in a trance like state.

"The young lady you accompanied outside paid for the drugs and then left." Luther grabbed the vial filled with Night Flare, replacing it with a wad of hundreds and handed it off to Roman. "You and your shifter friends were then ambushed by a group of demons." His red eyes flicked to the dead bodies lying on the ground, blood pooling all around them. "Unfortunately, not all of you made it."

With nothing else to add, Luther struck him hard across the face, his fist connecting with Kylo's jaw and knocking him out cold. His unconscious body slumped against Axel and Ophelia.

"Dump him somewhere close to the club, where his friends will be able to find him," Luther instructed.

Axel nodded. "Yes, my Lord." He picked Kylo up and slung him over his shoulder, walking out of the alley.

Ophelia gave Zamorra her classic bitchy death glare before facing Luther, bowing her head slightly. "Yes, my maker," she purred. She spun and ran after Axel, her vampire speed making her appear as nothing but a blur.

Zamorra had always been jealous of the vampire's super speed. She was fast. Real fast. But she could never outrun a vampire. Maybe in her shifted form, but she had yet to have the opportunity to test that.

For a moment, everything was quiet, the only sound she could hear was the wind howling through the cold night air. Maddox gave Darius a look, who replied by shaking his head violently, a look of fear in his eyes.

Maddox pursed his lips, gripped Darius by the shoulder and shoved him forward. Darius fumbled a few steps, then turned glaring back at Maddox.

Maddox pointed at Luther.

Darius took a deep breath, as if to steady himself and swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down in his throat. "My-my Lord-"

"Call Rixton. Have him dispose of the bodies, and then all of you head back to the mansion," Luther ordered, cutting him off.

Darius breathed a sigh of relief and bowed. "Yes, my Lord." He headed for the SUV. "Come on Z, I'll give you a lift."

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