Page 47 of An Unending Claim
This is it. I’m going to put that fucking bastard in the ground.
My wolf was in exactly the same mindset, baring his teeth and gnashing, pushing to be set free so he could hunt that sick bastard down and tear his throat out. I didn’t care about my position as Alpha, or on the Councils, or diplomacy, or anything rational. Rage had overtaken me and all I could think about was ending the threat that Xavier posed to my mate. Not only because of her past, but now it seemed he was harboring a serial killer. And I had no doubt the son of a bitch knew. No one took a shit on Castile land without his knowledge and he didn’t allow anyone to stay without knowing everything about them.
“Nathan.”
Peyton’s voice penetrated the red fog surrounding me and the feel of her hand on my cheek cleared some of it away.
“Calm down. You can’t go off half-cocked. We need proof and then we have to take it to the SCA.”
I shook my head, but she clasped both my cheeks and her expression was stern when she continued, “You have to be above reproach, Nate. With everything going on, you can’t risk your place as Alpha and head of the Councils. We need you. Especially if we are on the verge of an interspecies war.”
“She’s right,” Jude agreed. “Look, I was going to explain, but something just came up and I don’t have time. So I’ll just warn you that I’m sending one of my slayers to Silver Lake—”
“In your universe or mine?” I clarified, reminding him that a Silver Lake Pack existed in both universes.
Asher’s sister, Makayla, had found her mate there and decided to stay since he was Alpha. Not many people had the knowledge that we could traverse realms with the right magic, and from the look on Peyton’s face, I realized I’d never explained this to her. There had been too much other shit to wade through.
“I’ll explain later,” I assured her.
“Yours,” Jude answered. “And I suggest you tell your mate everything, Nathan, because the slayer in question will be very important to her.”
“What—”
“I have to go,” Jude interrupted. “I know he’s a stranger to you, but take my advice and trust him.” Then he hung up.
His words struck at a memory in the back of my mind, but I couldn’t quite recall it. However, my wolf had accepted that there was no immediate threat and relaxed, which made it easier for me to think.
I was still a little on edge over everything, but my main concern centered on making sure Peyton and our pup were taken care of. So I shoved my phone in my pocket, then called housekeeping to come and take care of Peyton’s office, all the while ignoring her intense stare. I wanted her home and settled comfortably before I dove into explanations of my otherworldly chess opponent and how our universes collided.
“Let’s go home.”
Peyton nodded and swiveled around to shut off and lock her computer, then gathered up the items she wanted to take home. As she stood, I picked up her purse, then reached for everything she was holding. She rolled her eyes, but handed it over without argument.
“I’m not an invalid,” she muttered, making my mouth curve with amusement.
“You don’t have to be weak for me to be a gentleman,” I teased. “If it’s really an issue, take it up with my mom.”
She chuckled and I winked at her before following her into the hall. It still surprised me when things like that came out of my mouth. I’d never been one to joke around or tease people. Peyton had upended my entire world. She brought emotional complications and often made it difficult for me to think logically—at least when it concerned her. But she also brought an ease that I hadn’t felt since I was a kid. I’d been trying to decipher the cause and I’d come to an unexpected conclusion.
Peyton didn’t expect me to carry her through life. She’d positioned herself as my partner, rather than a subordinate. It wasn’t as if my pack couldn’t make a move without my permission, but it was the natural instinct for a shifter to look to their Alpha for guidance, to seek advice. And while I had no issues with that, I hadn’t realized how much it helped to have someone to bear the responsibility with me.
I still wished she would stay where I put her, but I didn’t want her to lose her spark or her independence. The issue was how to convince Peyton that I wouldn’t clip her wings. I wanted her to remain strong, independent, and self-reliant. Those were some of the traits that made her so suited to be Alpha female—she could teach the women of our pack a lot. And since we were mates, when those things weighed us down and we needed a break, the other could pick up the slack. As I’d shared information with her over the weeks she’d been in my home, and solicited help from her at KBO, it had become easier. I respected her opinions and fresh thoughts, and the times when she simply listened as I worked out a problem were just as important. I’d begun to look forward to the times when we could sit and talk.
It was still early, just after four, but the winter sun set early in New York, so it was already dusk when we reached the SUV. Once Peyton was secured in the car, I loped around and jumped into the driver’s seat. I started the engine, waiting until we were leaving the parking lot to begin the conversation. Part of me was shocked she hadn’t already started demanding answers.
“I’m sure you’re wondering what Jude meant abouthisSilver Lake…” I trailed off, wondering what her response would be. Neither of us were very predictable when it came to each other.
“Yes.” I glanced at her and she was observing me with a thoughtful expression. “I know you weren’t deliberately keeping it from me.”
My eyebrows lifted, but I continued to watch the road. “What makes you so sure?”
“We’ve known each other for a little over two months. And we’ve lived together for over half of that time. In the real world, that isn’t much time, but considering the circumstances that threw us together and everything we’ve gone through in that time, I’m confident that we’ve come to know each other better than many couples who’ve spent years together.”
I nodded and threw her an admiring look. “A very logical assumption. I agree.”
“You’ve been far better than me at being open. I have a feeling this—whatever you’re about to tell me—is a big deal, but it obviously doesn’t have anything to do with B or the projects I’m working on, or you would have told me.” She patted my shoulder and snickered. “And while I come close, nobody is perfect. Not even you, Alpha.”
I would have laughed at her joke, but I groaned instead. “Don’t call me that,” I growled as my body snapped to life, my jeans growing tight, and hunger building inside me.