Page 42 of Demon Rejected

I nodded.

“Is he the guy who has Matt?"

“Scarlett, Matt is one of the original five Alphas who created SN. If anyone cracks him, they’ll get to the source of our power. It’s not simple."

“Why five Alphas?"

“Initially, shifters had three parts--human, beast, and magic. The tribes were Fire Wolf, Earth Wolf, Water Wolf, Wind Wolf, and Spirit Wolf. Sadly, the tribes lost their magic power over time, and we can’t rule over elements anymore.”

“Why is Matt so important?"

“He killed the last Fire Alpha and took his place, but he was never able to unleash the power of fire himself. All the Fire Wolves lost their magic. We searched for an heir but never found one. For a bit, Matt and I thought that you were a Fire Wolf, but we were damn wrong.”

Everything fell into place. Matt was plagued by guilt. This made sense now. “What you’re saying is that Matt is responsible for the end of the Fire Wolf tribe?"

“More or less. The other tribes lost their magic soon after, and we all ended as regular wolf shifters."

“Hm. I see."

“Scarlett, this is all classified. You’re not allowed to know all this, but I had to tell you. You can’t talk about it, not to anyone."

“I understand. I’m in. When are we going?"

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning. You will get a fake ID and everything you need to work in the guy’s club as a stripper. It’s on you to convince them to hire you. I know you don’t have time to prepare, but I’m sure you can bust some moves."

I nodded. “What will I wear? I don’t think that I have stripper clothes."

“I have a stylist putting everything together for you, no worries. All you have to do is show up.”

I bit my lip from the inside. I couldn’t tell Ziggy that I still had my V card, who had heard of a virgin stripper. Even Cello had hers swiped. Wolves don’t think it’s a big deal when it comes to sex.

“Good to hear. I need you on my team. I am sure that you are going to gain access to Grayson."

Is Grayson the guy we hunt?"

“Yes, he’s dirty. His entire business is mixed into weapons and drugs and dealing with prostitution. I also think shifters. There are people out there who know about Shifter Nation and feel rather offended because they don’t have a slice of the pie. By trapping one of the original Alphas, Grayson is in a position of power."

I nodded. Could I ask Ziggy to help me scratch my itch? No, that would be way too weird, especially as we’ll work together and I have to pose as a sex worker. I sneaked a look toward the way his shirt clung to his strong muscles and had to swallow hard.

I get it why shifters are having lots of sex. They all look so damn good.

“I’m sorry about what happened to you. I suspected it that night we met, but even now, it feels wrong talking about it. For what’s worth, you’re awesome and Matt is an idiot."

I felt the need to smile, it was a bitter-sweet smile, not really from my heart, but it was all I could muster.

“Do you have an idea for your stripper name?"

“Red Flame?"

“I like it. I should have come up with it myself. Your name will be Autumn Summers. I hope you like the sound of it."

“Yeah, sounds good."

The forest was stretching out in front of me, miles and miles of pine-scented freedom. Normally I’ll like the view, but today it reminds me of Matt, of his soft lips and the way his body felt pressed against mine. Memories of that first day when he saved me resurfaced, the way he held me close to his chest and I listened to his heartbeat, convinced that everything would be fine.

Our fights, me being stubborn as a mule, him teasing me and pushing me above and beyond my limits. Our banter and that feeling of home and safety that I only had with him.

Other images resurfaced, my first glass of wine and the way I felt that night, how glorious and freeing it was to finally shift and how proud he was of me. My silly confession that my wolf thinks that he is my mate. It was true, and he acted as if he was disgusted by my lack of experience when, in fact, he felt guilty for probably killing someone I was related to. Damn, life is complicated and awkward sometimes. This did make anything any better. I still wanted to kick Matt in the balls, hard and repeatedly, but the thought that someone else was doing it infuriated me.