Page 108 of Alpha's Redemption

“So you didn't want to take over the city?” I ask him.

“No, that was my father's plan. I have no future there, and he won't forgive me for killing my sister. We tolerate each other, nothing more and nothing less,” he states.

“You killed her?” I ask, a little shocked.

“I put her out of her misery. That is no life for anyone—lying in a bed covered in bedsores, being pumped full of drugs with a tube breathing for you is cruelty, not a life. My father would have let her rot like that, so yes, I killed her,” he says while stoking the fire. “I have packets of noodles; not much fresh stuff, mostly canned food. It isn't much, but I will get more supplies tomorrow, or I can go hunt something if you like?” he says. I shake my head.

“No, noodles are fine,” I tell him. When he hands me the water bottle, I start to gulp the liquid down rather thirstily, but when I crane my neck back, I hiss and choke a little at the stinging sensation from his mark on my neck.

I lift my hand to it before he’s suddenly in front of me and his hand is sweeping mine away as he grips my chin, turning my head away to examine it. I flinch at his fast movement, not expecting it.

“It's just my venom. It will probably be a little tender,” he says, dipping his head before I feel his breath sweep over my skin, making it tingle. His tongue runs across it, making my entire body shudder as the bond flares to life.

He chuckles, pulling back. “I was afraid the bond wouldn't have the same effects, but I am glad it does.”

“What do you mean?” I ask. My neck is now burning fiercely, developing its own pulsing throb.

“You didn't hear the rumors?” he asks, moving back to the fire; he grabs a kitchen towel and pulls the camp kettle from the fire.

“I was bitten years ago by my mother and attacked by the other forsaken, nearly killing me. My father spent years getting me treatment to lessen the effects. It prevented me from becoming crazed like the others, but I still developed the venom glands. I wasn't sure if marking you would kill you, though I am glad to see the marking gives you some form of immunity,” Carter tells me.

What will that mean when we kill him? Assuming Kalen and John can actually find me out here.

“How far are we from the city?” I ask, changing the subject.

“Four hours, roughly,” Carter tells me, pouring the hot water into a saucepan and dropping the dried noodles in it. I try not to let that bother me. Information is vital, and right now, I need to bide my time. I just hope the tracker can lead them to me.

ChapterForty-Six

Zoe

I’ve been waiting with Marcus at Everly's place for hours since Marcus brought me here after getting the kids from school, yet Macey still hasn't returned home, and I’m beginning to worry. She hates leaving me alone and has always stuck to her times. One thing about Macey is she’s never tardy, and her not being here when she said she would only adds to my anxiety.

Marcus pecks my temple as he passes me where I’m cutting up vegetables. We’re making the kids dinner when Taylor came over, looking out of place without her mother; I feel out of place without her or Everly here.

“Can you try Mom again?” she asks, pulling a stool from the counter and climbing up on it. I glance at Marcus, who chews his lip, before I smile and nod to her.

“Of course, sweetie,” I tell her, about to retrieve my phone when Marcus slides his to me.

‘Have you notified Valen?’I mind-link him, and I see him nod out of the corner of my eyes as I dial her number.

‘Any word from Kalen?’I ask him via the mind-link, making sure Taylor doesn't overhear our conversation. He shakes his head.

The worry on Taylor’s face tells me she knows something is amiss. Her mother rarely leaves her unless she’s with us, but she had said nothing of the sort to Taylor or any of us that she would be running late. Her phone—which I know she would have had on full charge—goes straight to voicemail.

Valen said his father is unreachable too, and none of us have heard from John either. All we get is radio silence when we try their pack tethers, making me believe they can't be in the city or they would be able to be reached via mind-link.

“She might have gotten caught up with work,” I tell Taylor, trying to reassure her. Taylor nods sadly before going off back to Valarian and Casey, who are drawing happily at the table and discussing potential baby names. Everly and Valen are still in the hospital, and I know Valen called earlier to say he was going to collect Valarian after dinner to bring him to meet his sisters and mother.

Opening the mind link, I tug on Valen's tether and he opens it straight away.‘How is Eve?’I ask him.

‘Good. She’s trying to breastfeed. One baby has a tongue-tie so she’s having trouble nursing,’he tells me.

‘Any news from your father?’I ask him.

‘No, and I can't reach John either, but he seems close. I can feel his tether—it came back about 20 minutes ago. Something is going on.’

‘Everly can't contact him or Macey?’

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