Chapter 39

Drayden Morales was parked thirty feet away from the Newsome home, bored to tears. He glanced at the time. He had come on duty when the Silentshadows joined the Newsomes for dinner. That had been over two hours ago. Every hour, Isabella demanded updates on Donil's doings. The female Alpha had chuckled over Laylah Le Croix's cold-shoulder treatment of the Panther Alpha.

He wasn't surprised by it. If Laylah was anything like her old man, she probably thought she was better than Donil and his family. She might even toy with the Panther Alpha before stomping on his heart.

A sharp rap on the window startled Drayden. His right hand automatically gripped the pulse pistol on the seat next to him. He lowered the window when he saw Stefan's reflection in the side mirror. "What do you want?"

Stefan's wolfish grin made him tense. The car limited Drayden's mobility, but he was still lethal if he had to be.

"I find it interesting, Drayden, that you've been following Alpha Donil. I wonder how he would respond to the news of his invisible stalker." Stefan carefully inspected his nails and waited.

Drayden gritted his teeth. Isabella would be pissed if she found out Stefan was snooping around and interfering with her plans. "Donil should feel honored. Alpha Isabella only puts a watch on those she considers potential allies or potential threats."

"Which category does the good Alpha Donil fall into?" Stefan grinned.

Drayden shrugged. "I'm not in my Lady Alpha's mind to know her thoughts. I only do as I'm told."

"Still sniffing after a prize you can't have, Cub?" Stefan chuckled.

Pricked by his words, Drayden snarled, his grip tightening around the pulse pistol as it squeaked in protest from the pressure.

"Stay out of this, Stefan. You only have temporary Omega status. You can always go back to being scum. You told me before that you don't play the politics game anymore. You should stick to your words."

"True, I did say it. That was before you involved Laylah." Stefan leaned forward, his brown eyes shifting to wolf yellow. "If you destroy anything that makes my niece happy, then you will pay with your life."

"Is that a threat?"

"No, Drayden, it's a promise." Stefan's eyes changed back to normal. "You have a good night, Cub."

Drayden bristled at the condescending tone, but chose to let it pass. He watched Stefan disappear into the darkness and pondered how upset Isabella was going to be with his report.

~***~

Light from the imposing Sevicorps building sliced through the evening's fog. Outside, guards patrolled the ten-mile protective fence.

Inside, Henry harassed his interns. He was in a foul mood and lashed out at his staff. They might not like his treatment of them, but they knew who paid their salaries and their silence. Resentment brewed, but greed and the hope of getting a cut of the profits if the drug was successful kept them all working.

Not that he cared. Over the last two months, he'd pushed his staff to the breaking point to get more results. He needed the drug ready now. His financial backers were getting antsy. He glared at his 3-D display. He could not get his trials to match the first test results from the original source. What to do? What to do? He needed answers and time was running out.

It was moments like these that he missed Helena most, her quick mind, her teasing smile. Her encouragement that moved him to go above and beyond his limits. He grieved for her more than he ever let on. Seeing his daughter only made his heart hurt more. Why had Helena saved the brat? He and Laylah had never really bonded.

From birth, she'd always clung to Helena. Laylah would cry hysterically if he came near her. He had wanted to wash his hands of his only child and heir, but his wife's gentle, yet firm, insistence that he try harder paid off. By the time Laylah was one, she enjoyed being around him as much as her mother.

He'd had it all and then Zina interfered. That crazy female. Never could take rejection well. The one thing he hated most in a woman was arrogance. True, being an Alpha tended to instill that quality in an individual, but Zina took it to extremes.

She had taken Helena from him, leaving him angry and vengeful. She had the audacity to try to take Laylah, his last link to Helena.

Henry cared nothing for his daughter's welfare, but he would not let Zina score a victory against him. He would crush the female Alpha, once and for all. And he had the perfect bait — Laylah.

The intercom chimed and Delilah's voice intruded on his scheming. "Dr. Le Croix, a Mr. Yon is here to see you."

"Ah, yes. Send him to the conference room. I'll meet him there."

"Yes, sir."

Henry left his office and took the elevator to the conference room on the third floor. This building was not his only lab, but it was the largest at fourteen stories. He walked in, checked to make sure the coffee was fresh and sat down at the head of the table.

A few minutes later, Henry heard Yon's footfalls as the older man drew near. He gave a feral grin. Henry couldn't stand the Jaksenville Alpha. But when he'd needed capital for his scientific research, Dayid Yon had been one of the first to sign a contract. Of course, there were stipulations attached. Not that Henry cared. The reward was so much greater than the claims laid out in their agreement.

He glanced up at Yon's knock. "Enter."

Yon strode in and without preamble started speaking. "Henry, we need to talk!"

"Indeed? Why not calm yourself and have a seat."

"Don't take that tone with me! I am older than you. I am an Alpha. Or have you forgotten how to behave around your own kind?" Yon folded his beefy arms across his chest, rage flashing in his eyes.

"Peace, Alpha Yon. Peace. No need to bristle. Coffee? It's imported and quite good." Henry rose, his gaze on the surly Alpha. Yon stood an impressive 6'7" and, though he had many vices and lived extravagantly, Yon's bulky girth was more muscle than fat.

In his youth, Yon had been a promising amateur wrestler. He'd given it up to become Alpha of the Jaksenville Wolf Clan. Under his guidance, the clan had grown in reputation and financially. He was not a man to cross. Rumor had it that Yon was seeking a Were Council seat.

Yon stared hard at Henry before seating himself with a grunt. "Make it black."

Henry nodded and poured two cups. "Why are you here?" He set a cup in front of his visitor.

"You said that the Silentshadow issue was handled."

He stiffened. "It has been."

"Hmm, interesting. Then tell me, Henry. Why was he was at Citrus Academy today talking with your daughter and her friend?"

"I see. I was not aware, Alpha Yon, that you were that concerned with my clan affairs."

Yon laughed mockingly and Henry growled.

"My dear Henry, everyone's dealings, especially in New Florida, concern me. Even more so with you, since things that affect your image impact our various agreements."

He took a sip of his coffee and regarded Yon. His ally was more ambitious than he'd anticipated. He needed to have Yon watched more closely. "Our contracts are solid. I will handle this issue tomorrow."

"That's all that I ask. Now, I'm off to dinner with that actress Bongita."

Henry laughed. "That's one thing you can't be accused of — poor taste. Have fun."

"But, of course." With a chuckle, Yon heaved himself to his feet and left.

He waited until he could no longer hear Yon's steps before stabbing buttons on the comm console. "Delilah!"

"Yes, Dr. Le Croix?"

"Set up a comm conference with Jacques and Kenneth immediately!"

"Yes, sir."

He fumed while he waited. Why had he not been notified about Donil's whereabouts? It was only 8:00 pm, plenty of time for either of his Betas to report in. He snarled in disgust. He was sure of the reason why Jacques hadn't informed him about his daughter's transgression, but that did not explain why Kenneth had failed to report in.

The comm chimed and the 3-D display split into two views. Kenneth's long blond hair was pulled back in its customary ponytail and his intense baby blue eyes focused on Henry. Jacques looked pissed and wary.

Henry resisted the urge to verbally rip into his two Betas. Jacques was keeping secrets, a fact he was going to have to address soon. His trust in his Invarnash Beta was almost gone. Maybe it was time for fresh blood. He knew he could find loyal young men looking for a jump in pack position.

"My Alpha!" Both men replied formally as they bowed, momentarily disappearing from view.

"Rise! I want to know why I was not informed about Donil's contact with Laylah."

Jacques squirmed and Kenneth appeared surprised. Henry decided to work on him first. "Well, Beta Kenneth?"

"I wouldn't know, my Alpha. Bryon was on duty today, not I."

"That's not right, Kenneth. Your days this week were today and Friday," Jacques interrupted.

"The memo said next Monday and Wednesday. Bryon was there and we read it together. I swear on my honor that it is true."

"Jacques, I see that not all traitors have been rooted out. Find out who they are immediately, and bring them to me. Jacques?"

"Yes, my Alpha?"

"I will be in Invarnash tomorrow to meet with you and have a talk with my wayward daughter. Disobedience will not be tolerated. Good evening, my Betas." Henry terminated the feed before either man could respond. He rose from the chair, went to the giant bay windows and stared at the twinkling Ohcale contemplating his next move.