Denying The Alpha
Chapter 93

Kyle

pov

HE IS WHAT. It's the mind link that I have been hoping for but never expected to actually receive.

It's Alpha Declan Smith, he is at the northern borders. He is requesting to speak to you. What would you like us to do Alpha? The warrior on patrol repeats back to me. Is he alone? I didn't expect him to have Faith with him, but maybe some backup.

Yes he's alone. The warrior confirmed, to my complete surprise.

Are you sure? Declan was stupid and reckless, that I knew already, but I never expected that after last time that he would dare show up here alone again. Or again at all. Yes I'm sure. The officer confirmed.

Hold him. I order the wolf. Although I doubt he needed restraint. He wouldn't show up here all alone unless he had a good reason, I'm sure. But still, only a fool doesn't take precautions.

Hold on. The officer's mind links and I can tell something has royally pissed him off, his tone has changed and he sounds very short and cross.

Yes, what is it? I asked impatiently. Damn, I wish I had done a patrol myself this morning.

He said if you tell Beta David that he's here, that Luna Faith will die. He's snarling, but I let it go because I know it's not directed towards me. He was just upset that his Luna was being threatened. Not that I had any doubt, but at least now I could confirm that Declan has her.

What? I can't help but to seethe with anger. How dare he tell me what to do. But as much as I wanted to tear his head off and shove it up his arse, my hands were tied, he had Faith and we both knew it. If I wanted to get her back alive, I would have to play along with his stupid game, at least for now.

Did he say why? As much as it pissed me off, I couldn't understand what he had against my Beta.

Maybe this is part of some deal. Maybe David helped take her and Declan promised to keep his mouth shut about his involvement. Duke says. And just like that, doubt started seeping in. After all, why keep just David at arms length? I consider briefly calling Ingrid for help. Maybe she could make Declan talk. Torture wouldn't help me on an Alpha Wolf, they were too proud and too strong, but maybe a little bit of magic would do the trick. There, however, was a churning in my gut and it told me that was a bad idea. I couldn't explain it but I had learnt to trust my instincts and decided not to ask Ingrid for her help just in case. Besides, she would likely tell David and I couldn't take a chance like that.

Just that it wasn't a threat but a warning and something about trying to save her.

Was he trying to insinuate that David had something to do with Faith's disappearance?

I told you. I feel duke raise his hackles.

I will kill the traitorous bastard if he did. Duke roars.

Calm down duke, I don't think David would do that. His remorse was sincere. Let's just go and see what he has to say. I didn't really want duke calm. His fury would give me strength, but I had to go after the right people or risk letting them get away with it. It is wiser to ask first and shoot later sometimes.

MITCHELL MEET ME AT THE NORTHERN BORDER NOW. I bellow with urgency through the mind link. As Faith's father he had every right to be there, and if I couldn't call David for now, he was the next best choice, having already been a Beta.

What is it alpha? His reply to my relief was instant.

It's Declan. He's at the border. I need you to meet me there. I explained quickly.

Is he alone. I can hear the hope but also the fear and doubt in Mitchell's question.

Yes. I answered with a heavy heart. I know Mitchell was hoping for a chance to see Faith. We all were.

After that, the link went silent. There was no need to say anymore, we both knew this could change everything for us. Just how much we couldn't know.

"Open those doors" I shouted at some young omega walking past the front entry.

"Yes alpha" saw her blink in surprise and drop her books, as she hurried to throw open the big door for me. Poor thing, I didn't mean to scare her or out so much authority behind such a simple command, but right now I don't have the time to stop and apologise for startling her the way I did.

Let's go, Duke roars through my mind. I take one last step and shift as I bound through the entry way landing on all four paws.

Don't kill him straight away. I warn duke. I could feel his blood thirst, it was as if he was starved for it, I guess he was. I had no qualms about killing Declan, but I needed what information he had first. If I killed him without ever even giving him the chance to speak, then I'm as good as killing faith and our pup too.

No shit. He grumbles, annoyed by my lack of faith in his intelligence.

From the corner of my eye I saw Mitchell running in his wolf form towards me, determination on his face, and three more just behind him. I knew immediately that they were Amelio, Amy and Faith's mother, Heather. Of course, Mitchell told them what was going on. I'm not slowing down for them. Duke huffed as he continued to run so fast his paws tore up the earth. Declan's threat to Faith had left Duke on edge, and he was worried about this uninvited tagging along in case it provoked Declan into doing something rash or getting Davids attention. He couldn't know we were onto something, otherwise he might come to help and Declan would hurt faith.

They'll catch up. I told Duke. Honestly, I was a little annoyed too, but I understood. We all wanted Faith home. Amy and Amelio were supposed to be overseas by now and yet they refused to leave until they knew that Faith was going to be alright. Is David coming? Mitchell linked me and I could tell he was surprised that he wasn't already running alongside me.

No and don't link him! I don't know why but Declan threatened to kill faith if he comes. I growled fully, letting my anger flow through me. It was so intense that the others stumbled a little under the pressure, but to their credit they kept pushing on. I felt bad and reeled the power back in that I had lost control of.

That bastard. Mitchell gave a blood-thirsty roar. We all felt the same. Declan must die, and he would for his crimes, but first we had to get my mate back. Once I have her, I'm never letting her go again! Not for a damn minute, I will follow her into the bathroom even. No one was harming her again.

When I made it to the border, I saw four of my men standing around with Declan in the centre of the small circle they had created. I was royally pissed that they were all in their human forms. Only one of them needed to be human to make contact with Declan. The others should have stayed in their wolf form, ready to attack at all costs. However, I didn't want to chastise them in front of Declan but I sure would later.

"Where is she?" I stared at Declan, with so much hate I could feel it burn deep in my soul.

"I only had a small part in taking her" Declan stated, guilt swirled in his eyes, but I didn't believe it. I have heard his pathetic excuses and apologises before and he always fucks up again. My hands began to shift to claws and it took all of my will power, every ounce of strength and self control that I had not to swipe out and cut his head from his body just thinking about how much damage he has done to my mate.

Just then, Mitchell, Heather, Amy and Amelio bounded through the trees behind me. They shifted immediately and I had to catch Mitchell as he leapt towards Declan with his claws still extended.

I want him dead too. But if we kill him, we kill faith, get it? I linked Mitchell and he stilled. His face went blank.

Thank you. He linked back, the disappointment thick in his voice. I don't blame him, fear made it easy to lose control sometimes.

"Why should I believe you," I asked Declan, ignoring what had just happened. I had to be careful here. I had to make sure I wasn't walking into some sort of trap.

"I need your help to save her." he looked down. I knew shame when I saw it.

"Save her? She was safe with me until you took her!" I growled. What could he have done to her, to have him here begging me for my help?

"Couldn't have been that safe if I managed to snake her out," he grumbled as low as he could, but I still heard it.

"If you weren't the only person who knew where my mate was, I would kill you for that comment alone." I threatened him. "Where is Faith?"

"I'm not the only person who knows. In fact, that's why David can't be here. He can't know. Ingrid, that Witch you invited into all of our lives, well she is the one who took her."

I wanted to hit him for his insinuation that I was the reason that Faith was in trouble, but if he was telling the truth, and Ingrid really did take my Faith, then he was right. It was me who brought her here against my better judgement.

"Let's just pretend for a minute that I believe you. Why would she take faith? I know they didn't exactly see eye to eye, but it wasn't anything so extreme to warrant this type of action." I was willing to hear him out, after all I myself had suspected Ingrid of being involved myself, I just didn't have any proof.

"You killed her daughter." he replied matter of factly.

"You know about that" I asked, surprised.

"I'm sure there's more to the story, but that's all Ingrid would tell me." he sighed and I could tell he was disappointed in himself. "But honestly, I didn't care. I didn't need a reason to help her. I just wanted to get Faith away from you. Once she was away from you, all I had to do was figure out how to get her away from Ingrid. But she has your trust, not to mention she is mated to your beta, and she plans on using those connections in the worst way possible, and she has help." I noticed Declan's eyes flash at Mitchell. I could sense his uneasiness as he stared at him, and his eyes changed, almost as if he was begging him.

"Connors is alive and she has him." Declan said, staring deeply into Mitchells eyes.

I watched Mitchell and his expression was utterly shocked and then angry, so very angry, I almost thought I was going to have to stop him from lunging at Declan all over again.

"Your Lying." Mitchell replied bitterly. His fists bunched by his side, his arms shook with rage.

"Who is Connor?" I asked, feeling frustrated. Why were we talking about some dude when Faith was in danger?

"My older brother," Declan replied, but his eyes never strayed from Mitchell's. The way he said it, it was like he didn't really believe it himself.

"You're lying" Heather cried. "We saw the body."

"Did you see his face? Could you be sure that it was him?" Declan asked Heather rather bluntly.

"It was him," Mitchell growled.

I blinked in shock, I didn't know Declan had an older brother, and if he did, why did they pick to name Declan Alpha when he carries on like a child and lashes out without thinking.

Maybe Connor is even worse. Duke says.

And that thought alone chills me to my core.

"Look, I don't have time to explain. We need a plan and we need one now." Declan demanded.

"I have a plan. Take me to Faith right now." I growl, annoyed by this whole charade.

"It has to be planned perfectly. You don't get it. Faith is skin and bone. She is weak and chained in silver. I can't sense her wolf and there is every chance that she's died. I can't help her. Faith is in terrible condition. I can't do it on my own. If I could, I never would have come here. We only have one chance to get this right." Declan painted an awful picture.

My stomach churned with grief, fear, loneliness, loss and heart ache. I wanted to throw up right there. My poor sweet mate was in distress and I was unable to help her.

"Very well come to my office." I hated inviting him into my packs but I was uncomfortable talking about this out in the open any longer.

"And risk Ingrid seeing me?" The distress in his voice was unmistakable, and I could feel myself starting to believe him.

"Does my Beta David know?" If he does, I'll kill him for treason. He's watched me break down and cry, just completely fall apart, since I have lost my girl. If he didn't say anything, then there was no saving him.

To my relief and also my horror, Declan shook his head. Relief because at least David was still trustworthy. My horror because, what kind of mate betrays her man like that? He's been breaking himself to earn her.

"No. He doesn't know," he finally says.

"How can you be sure?" I would be an idiot if I didn't check.

"How late is it?" Declan suddenly changed the subject.

"Why?" Heather beat me to the question.

"Because. Ingrid will be back soon, and she will notice I'm missing. I need you to keep her from leaving. I don't care what it takes, but you have to keep her here so I can't get back. You'll need me on the inside if I'm going to save her. We will need to make a plan. You have no reason to trust me, I know, but what reason do you really have to trust Ingrid?" He explains, but if I'm honest, he's lost me a little.

"How do you know when she's coming back? How often is she there?" Maybe I could replace a way to bring it up with David without David noticing. Then I could decide for myself if Declan's claims checked out or not.

"At night. She makes David sleep in a different room. And once he's out for the count, she transports herself to where we are. She has some sort of spell on her room, so when David tries to come in, she can transport back into the locked bathroom of her room, then she makes some excuse like she's showering or on the toilet or something." He explains. Honestly, it was plausible. We all knew of her special ability to travel and I have seen for myself that David and her aren't yet sharing a room.

I paused a moment, trying to decide whether I trusted him or not. In the end, I decide that I don't trust him but for now, I do believe him.

Bring me a burner phone. I'm at the northern boarder point. I linked Felicity. She was one of the few friends Faith had made in her time here. I trusted her enough to keep her mouth shut about this.

Yes Alpha. Her response was quick and I could feel her on the move as she cut the link.

"I'll make sure she is distracted long enough for you to get home. I have a pack member running one of the few burner phones we keep in case of missions like this, out to me as we speak. I want you to take it, and contact me with updates. The first opening you see we will take it." I informed Declan. It's not a great plan. Hell, it's not even a good plan. But it was a start. "How far away is Faith being held?" I yearn to know she's close, but I don't dare to hope.

"I started running as the sun broke in the sky this morning, and I didn't get here until your men alerted you. I ran the whole way. I stopped for less than 5 minutes, about half way." He explained.

"Damn. That's going to be one hell of a distraction." Not that, that's what bothered me. Faith was a whole day's trip away? She's likely not even in the same state. Duke wanted to howl and although I wanted to let him, I couldn't. Ingrid might hear us. A cry from an Alpha doesn't just go unnoticed.

"Very well. You must return. Tell Faith that we have spoken. Let her know that I am coming for her." I promise. Nothing can stop me now.

"I will" Declan agreed.

"Declan." I can see Heathers struggling and I feel bad for her. Something about this Connor character really rocked her.

"Yes, Heather. I over heard them talking. It's Connor." Declan beats her to it.

"So you didn't actually see his face?" She sounded hopeful and yet desperately sad.

"I need you to hear me, Heather. It is Connor." Heathers clearly emotional and I don't like how harsh Declan's being with her, but I don't fully understand the whole situation so I keep my mouth shut.

Mates mentioned Connor before. I remember it now. Duke says.

What? Has she really? I'm surprised that I don't remember it.

Something to do with why he hits her. We were to angry. We didn't think there was any reason to hit her, so we didn't care about the why as much as we cared about the hitting. Duke explains. But I didn't like the explanation. I get why we were so angry. We might have lost focus, but I bet they why is important to Faith, and anything that is important to Faith is important to me too.

"You can't know if it's truly him. You don't remember who he was before he died, you were too little, and you didn't even see him now. How can you know?" Heather continues to deny Connor's death.

"Look, Heather, Mitchell, I get it. He's been dead or presumed dead for my whole life. It's shocking. Trust me or don't trust me. But he is alive, I know that it is him. Can you tell my parents, please? I don't know how he ended up with Ingrid, but he was just a boy so it's likely it wasn't by choice." I can see how uncomfortable even talking about his parents made Declan uncomfortable.

"I'm not going to tell Cassidy that her son is alive when he isn't. That's too cruel", Heather hiccuped.

"He's not dead. It's not cruel. And my parents will help us save Faith for the chance to save Connor, and we want as much help as we can get to ensure it's a safe win." He uses the Faith card to his advantage.

"I'll tell her. But I will tell her that you are my source. It's on you if you're wrong." Mitchell said with a hardened expression. I could see Heather wanted to argue but thought better of it.

Just then Felicity trotted through the trees with a small bag in her mouth. Her smallish but fierce wolf dropped the bag on the floor. It was an instant shift, she tore open the bag and pulled out a light casual slip on dress that she quickly pulled over the top of her head. Once her clothes were settled she reached back into the bag for the phone and handed it to me.

"Here you go, Alpha" she smiled politely at me.

"Thankyou Felicity. With the exception of Mitchell, who can tell his old friend about his son, other than that, no one, and I do mean no one can talk about this. We don't want to accidentally leak this to the wrong people. So am I clear, not a single word. You never know when you might be overhead. Felicity I'm talking to you too, you didn't run this out here, okay." I explained to everyone.

"Okay Declan. Leave. I have the perfect plan to distract her all night."

"What is it?" Amy asked something for the first time.

"I'm sorry Amy, but that's for me to know," I said.

Let's move out. My patrol men leave for their posts. Declan shifts and takes back off into the woods.

And I choose to link David, Ingrid, and my brother James.

James. Come to the office and bring dad. I link James first.

David, would you and your mate please join me in my office please. I say as pleasantly as possible. I don't need them coming to me on the defensive.

Yeah sure man. My brother responded.

Yes Alpha. David confirms. Happy to have something to do, finally I shift myself and make a run for it, just leaving the others standing there.