ALPHA
CHAPTER 22

-Adira-

It didn’t take long for Selene and Lucas to reach the cabin with their warriors. All but Selene were shifted and ready for any attack. Rhys was still in wolf form keeping our new prisoner contained. He wouldn’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

“We’re going to need him to shift Alpha.” Selene says moving next to me eyeing the wolf with quiet fury. I was aware that if I gave the order, my sister would not hesitate in ending my assailants life. For that, I was thankful.

With the warriors and Lucas now completely surrounding Rhys and the wolf, it was now safe for my mate to release his hold.

His blue eyes met mine and I gave him a stiff nod. The order was clear. Rhys huffed and dropped the wolf in a not so gentle way. He let out a warning growl towards our prisoner, hopefully he wasn’t too foolish to try to run.

“Shift.” I ordered keeping my chin up and making sure the authority was clear in my voice.

I could see the wolf attempting to resist my order but he was unable to deny his nature and soon we all watched as he shifted back into his human form.

Selene let out a frown at the sight before us. I was unsure at who exactly this man was but I knew he was part of this pack. “Sel, do you recognize him?” I asked not taking my eyes off the naked man kneeling on the ground.

“That’s Roger Keith, he’s the local bakery owner who lives in town.” Selene seemed more and more confused as she spoke “He’s always seemed like a nice guy...not some assassin.”

“Looks can be deceiving.” I mumbled before clearing my throat and getting Roger’s attention. The blonde middle aged man stared up at me with so much hatred and anger that I was momentarily startled.

After regaining my composure I spoke “So it seems that we have finally caught my attacker. Roger is it?”

“Go to hell Alpha Adira.” He spit outs the word alpha mockingly.

I inhaled deeply trying to keep my temper in check but my wolf doesn’t take disrespect well, I wasn’t sure how long I’d be able to hold back.

Rhys let out a growl and bared his teeth towards the now trembling man. Roger flinched and looked away from the giant wolf towering over him. I didn’t blame him, wolf Rhys was terrifying.

“Someone has sent you to kill me, on multiple occasions. Who is it? Tell us and we may be able to work something out here.” I try reasoning with him.

“Fuck. You.” He growls out “I’m not telling you anything. Go ahead and lock me up.”

Selene and I exchanged looks and I sighed in disappointment “If you say so.” I nodded my head towards Selene who threw a pair of shorts towards Roger allowing him to get dressed then cuffed the man in silver chains. He let out a hiss of pain as the silver burned against his skin.

“Take him to the cells. No food or water for three days. We’ll question him again then.” Selene ordered towards Kris and warriors.

Kris nodded in response then tilted his head back letting out a howl and began leading our prisoner and warriors away.

Lucas disappeared into the house only to re-emerge moments later shifted and fully dressed. He held a pair of clothes in his hands no doubt for Rhys.

I noticed the way his eyes seemed to avoid Selene and I caught her doing the same. It was obvious something happened between them. I would ask Sel about it later.

Once Rhys was shifted and dressed he brought me into his arms and captured my lips with his “Are you okay?” He asks as he pulled away, his eyes roamed my face then landed on my wound that was slowly healing.

“I’m fine Rhys. I’m healing as we speak.” I reassured him by pecking his lips.

“So what are we going to do with the prisoner?” Lucas asks breaking our moment. He crossed his arms and looked between the two of us.

“Since Roger isn’t going to speak to any of us anytime soon, I’m going to bring a little outside help.” I mused.

“Outside help?” Rhys’ brows furrowed in confusion.

“I know some people who are excellent interrogators. Their results are...satisfactory.” I couldn’t help but grin.

Selene’s eyes seem to light up like a Christmas tree “Please tell me you mean who I think you do?”

Lucas groaned in annoyance knowing exactly who I was meaning “Oh fuck no Adira. Do not bring them here!” He exclaimed.

Rhys rose a brow “What am I missing here? Who exactly are you bringing in?”

Selene and I exchanged excited glances “Our cousins Giovanni and Enzo. They live in Wago, a city a couple of hours away from here. The pack they are apart of is...special.”

“They’re the Mafia you mean!” Lucas exclaims then looked to Rhys “Just a warning, those guys are assholes and absolutely terrifying.”

I waved a hand in dismissal “Lucas is exaggerating. They aren’t in the mafia..”

“Gio nearly broke my arm the last time I saw him! They’re crazy!” Lucas argues incredulously.

“You just get annoyed with them because they act like Selene’s guard dogs and don’t let you anywhere near her.” I say rolling my eyes.

Selene smirked and shrugged her shoulders at Rhys’ questioning look “It’s true. We were close growing up.”

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Rhys asks not seemingly bothered about Gio and Enzo but wanting to make sure I was making a good decision.

I nodded my head with confidence “I am. We need to know Rogers' motives. There’s no way a kind baker turns into an assassin overnight. Someone out him up to this and I want to know.”

“Okay, I’m for it as long as you’re sure.” Rhys shrugs wrapping his arms around my waist. Lucas let out a groan while Selene cheered in excitement.

Deciding that it would be better to return to the pack house, Rhys and I trudged upstairs towards our room feeling the nights events finally catch up to us. I quickly showered the dried blood from my skin and didn’t waste another moment away from my bed.

For the rest of the night Rhys held me tight in his arms, as if he was afraid I would disappear at any moment.

When morning came I immediately got up and got ready for the day. I needed to contact my cousins as soon as possible to get them here.

Just as I was about to pick up my office phone and dial Enzo’s familiar number, the phone began ringing. I jumped back slightly feeling somewhat spooked.

There’s no way they know...right?

Exhaling through my nose I quickly picked up the phone. “Hello?”

“Adira?”

I let out a relieved chuckle hearing Alpha River’s familiar voice “Alpha Thompson. This is a surprise.”

“I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time.” He questions.

“Not at all.” I reassured sitting up in my chair “Was there something you needed?”

“I’ve been informed about the attack on you last night. Are you all right?”

I was momentarily concerned on how he knew that information but remembered about the spy he had in all packs. I wasn’t sure I liked knowing there was someone in my pack who reported back to River. For now I would let it go.

I cleared my throat “Yes, I’m perfectly fine. We’ve contained him and are awaiting to interrogate him. I was actually about to contact some people before you decided to call.”

“Good. I’m glad you’re safe. There is another reason why I called Adira.” He spoke slowly and cautiously “It’s about The Crimson Pack.”

I felt my head begin to pound at the thought of this conversation. Was I ready to hear about Rhys’ pack now?

“Oh...uh...River we might have to discuss that at another time. I really need to make this call.” I say in a hurry.

“Adira you need to know-“

“Sorry River, I’ll call you back.” I interrupt before hanging up the phone.

I sighed and leaned back into my chair running a hand through my hair. Okay, I probably shouldn’t have done that to the Alpha of Alphas but...I wasn’t ready for what he had to say even if I didn’t know what it was.

The Crimson Pack was the last thing on my mind, right now I needed my cousins here and fast.

I picked up the phone once more and dialed Enzo’s number. It rang for a few moments before I was greeted by a familiar deep voice “Che cos'è!?” (What is it?) Enzo growled out.

“Is that anyway to greet your favorite cousin?” I reply with a smile.

“La mia bellissima cugina! (My beautiful cousin!) Adira it’s been awhile!” My cousin’s mood instantly switched and he was softer and spoke with excitement. Being more in touch with their Italian side, much more than my sisters and I could say for ourselves, they spoke our native language almost fluently.

“It really has Enz.” I laughed out.

“Now you don’t usually call me out of the blue cugina, is everything alright?” Typical Enzo, he was more aware than Gio and usually knew when something was wrong.

“I’m afraid not Enzo. Not long after I was made Alpha, I was attacked in my bedroom and have had several attacks on my life several times after.” I admit knowing his reaction wasn’t going to be pleasant. Our cousins were protective of us, spending most of our summer’s together as kids allowed us all to be close. Things seemed to cause distance between us as we got older but I knew the love they had for my sisters and I was still strong as ever.

“Che cosa? Perché non ci hai chiamato?!” (What? why didn’t you call us?) Enzo demands angrily “Have you caught this person?”

“That’s why I called you, the prisoner isn’t exactly friendly towards me and refuses to talk. I need your and Gio’s….services.”

“Say no more cugina, Gio and I will be there in three days time after the full moon. We’ll get that bastard to talk.” He says darkly. I felt a shiver run down my body.

While Lucas exaggerated a lot about Giovanni and Enzo, he was not wrong about my cousins being dangerous. Growing up in a tough city line Wago, the pack my cousins grew up in was not one for the faint of heart. Even the Lycan Alpha tended to stay away from their pack unless he was needed.

“Thank you Enzo. Please get here soon.” I say quietly into the phone.

“We will do our best cugina.”

Enzo was the first to hang up leaving me to lay back into my chair once again. With the twins coming in three days I knew I would be able to relax again once they were here.

I sat in silence for a moment before realizing what Enzo had said during our phone call.

The full moon.

The mating ceremony was only two days away. I sat up feeling my heart rate skyrocket. Rhys and I would finally become a fully mated Alpha pair.

Oh fuck me.

What did you all think about this chapter? Adira’s assailant being a baker?

What about River’s need to talk to Adira about the Crimson Pack?

And of course the mating ceremony being right around the corner?? Who’s excited for that? Cause I am!

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!

Ps: I’m trying to decide which Angelo sister’s story I want to do after ALPHA, if you have a favorite sister that you want to read about next, let me know in the comments!