Bound to Kill
Chapter 17

Stacey

"How long do you intend to keep me here? It's been forty-eight hours. I'm a wolf. I need to run!" I shout through the wooden door.

The asshole guards ignore me like they have for the last two days. Huffing, I sit on my single mattress, glaring at the pink walls. Why the hell did I paint them hot pink? Being trapped here makes me hate the colour. And I hate looking at the stupid Alpha's face in the pack photo of us hanging out at Stella's last year; I rip the frame from the wall and throw it in the walk-in closet.

Flopping back onto my bed, I talk to Michelle through the link. Have they said when we get out of lockdown? It's getting ridiculous!

Michelle sighs. The guards are ignoring me. I can't believe this is happening. I'd never betray my pack.

It's hard to believe anyone would betray the pack, I add. I'm going stir-crazy.

Same, Stacey. At least we can communicate with each other.

Small mercies.

Alexa

While Darius is in his meeting, I head to our room to book our flights but replace my mum in the hallway.

"Hi, honey. I just felt my connection with Paul blink out. It's such a relief he's dead." She grabs my hands, gently squeezing to show her gratitude. "Lakeside will be full of challenges to become Alpha over the next few days. I need to head back."

"Do you need a ride?" I ask.

"Sure. Thanks, sweetie."

We make our way downstairs and head outside. While starting my car, I link Darius to let him know I'm taking Mum home, then pull out the drive and head for Lakeside.

Breaking the silence, I fill my mum in on what went down in the cell. "We found out Paul's cousin Theo is my handler. I have his address; we fly out in two days."

Mum gasps. "Alexa, this is far too dangerous. Paul was getting his spells from Theo."

"I'm aware, Mum. Don't stress. I've been doing this for a long time, and I'll have Darius to watch my back."

"Not like this. Theo works for the SEB. He's well-trained and has magic at his disposal. You could get hurt or worse." Panic is evident in her voice.

My grip tightens on the wheel. "Theo helped bury Kayleigh's body, and put a hit out on my mate," I growl. "Plus, he's our best shot to replace our traitor."

I spare a second to look at her, spotting the worry lines on her head.

"Can't you just go to the Supernatural Council with proof and let them take care of it?"

Blinker on, I make the last turn. "I considered that, but what if Theo has someone on the council in his pocket? I can't take that gamble. We need the element of surprise."

Mum links with the sentries. They wave us through.

She sighs, admitting defeat. "Fine. I'm coming with you."

I pull up at the gate and look at her. "No way! I'd only worry about you. I need all my focus on Theo."

"Lexi—"

"I said no, Mum!"

She folds her arms, giving me a stern look. "Call me as soon as you land. And when Theo's taken care of, then again, when you arrive home." She pauses for a second, considering if she needs to add more demands. I bite back a smile. "Then you, Darius and I will go out for a meal. We have a lot of catching up to do."

"Sure." I'm full-on smiling now.

She kisses me on the head before opening the passenger door. "Please be careful."

"Always."

I watch her walk inside, give her one last wave, and then drive off.

Before heading home, I stop at a family clinic to get an IUD.

Once back at the mansion, I book flights to LA, then explore the packhouse. Stacey is still under lock and key. I don't have to worry about any run-ins.

Entering the lounge, I spot the same elders who sat here the night Stacey showed me around—sat at the bar smoking cigars. I pour myself a bourbon and pull up a chair.

"Did I hear that right? You're the one who left Hunter naked in the canoe?" I interrupt their reminiscing.

"Ha!" The white-haired man with a long beard and beer gut pats his leg before puffing his cigar. "Damn straight! He thought he was the dog's bollocks cos he beat me at poker. Needed tae teach the pup a lesson."

We chuckle and raise our glasses for our lost friend. I spend the next two hours drinking and sharing stories with them.

Darius

I meet with Beta Amanda and our lead enforcers to ensure things run smoothly in my absence. They enter my office and grab a seat.

"Paul killed himself," I inform them.

The room is silent. We may have grown up with Paul, but none of us will shed a tear for the sorry son of a bitch. I keep it moving.

"I'm heading out of town for business on Wednesday. Amanda and Neil will run things while I'm away."

Amanda smiles, eager to dive into her new role. "You got it!"

"Yes, Alpha," says Neil.

"Have there been any problems with the five we detained?" I ask.

Stan, our deputy enforcer answers. "Other than Stacey whining about the injustice, there's no issues tae report, Alpha."

"Good. Keep guards posted at their rooms for the time being."

"Do we have any leads?" Stan asks.

Shaking my head, I update my team. "Paul stood firm that he had no informants in Shadow Creek. No indication he was lying."

Frustrated, Amanda asks, "How do we replace the rat?"

I pause to consider how much I should tell them. It infuriates me that I'm doubting my closest advisors. I can't risk Theo getting tipped off.

Deciding to keep my cards close to my chest, I tell them enough truth they won't scent a lie. "The only lead we have is Theo. If he calls Paul's phone, I'll bluff, say Paul's life is on the line."

Their faces are grim.

"In the meantime, we keep Paul's death between us."

"Yes, Alpha," they say.

Ending the meeting, I stand. "That's all for now."

After they leave, I slip on gloves to dust the front and back of the notepad I made Paul write his confession on, removing my prints. I slide it into a clear ziplock bag, which I wipe down, too. Then pass it on to my packmate Rose. She works at the police station and will come up with a story about how it came into her possession.

With that handled, I move on to my next issue... Stacey.

I block her through the link, but it only dulls her voice. Her persistence is grating on me. The exertion to mute her gives me a headache. She's like a gnat in my peripheral. I swat it away, only for it to return a moment later. Over and over, all day long. That's Stacey in a nutshell. There's only one way to eliminate the irritation she creates—hear her out.

Deciding to visit the less annoying detainees first, I knock on Adrian's door.

"Come in," he calls.

I open and enter. Adrian sits at the corner desk, laptop open, streaming some corny reality show. Man is addicted to that shit.

Sitting on the bed, I wait for him to give me his attention. "How are you holding up?"

"How do you think? My wolf is chomping at the bit to get out. Are you any closer to replaceing the traitor? I'm losing it in here."

I sigh. "We're working on it."

"Why would you suspect me? I've been a loyal friend to you since primary school." The look of betrayal on his face sends a twinge of guilt through me.

Grimacing, I tell the truth. "Growing up, you were as close to Paul as you were to me." I place a hand on his shoulder. "You're family, but someone has turned on us. I won't stop until I replace them."

There's still sadness in his eyes, but also understanding. "When Paul got exiled, I cut ties with him. I'd never betray you, D. I'm not the rat."

Rubbing my temples, I swallow back my guilt. It hurts to see Adrian like this, but the pack comes first. "Then I'll make it up to you when this is over. I've instructed your guards to go for a run with you. You have an hour."

Adrian nods as I stand and head for the door.

He growls a request. "When you catch the fucker, I want to be by your side to see them pay for their treason."

That I can do. "Understood."

One by one, I visit the other detainees, leaving Stacey last. I knock on her door. She answers dramatically in true Stacey fashion, forcefully ripping the door open and causing a bang as it slams into the wall.

Raising my brow, I enter her room. Once again, I'm irritated beyond measure. "Save the theatrics for somebody who has time for it, Stacey!"

"I've been asking to speak with you since last night. The guards ignore us. You block our link and turn your back on us," she hisses. "You're supposed to care for your wolves, not treat us like common criminals. It's unjust."

My wolf rises to the surface. It takes great effort not to snap back at her. "It would do you well to remember I am your Alpha! Everything I do is to keep my wolves safe. Until we replace the rat, we are vulnerable. I'm keeping you locked in this room to keep everyone safe."

She throws her hands up. "But how long do you plan on keeping us imprisoned?"

"For however long it takes," I growl. "Instead of hounding me for an audience, let me focus on doing what I must to end this."

Her shoulders slump as she runs out of steam. She looks at the floor. Her voice drops to a whisper. "I missed Hunter's burial."

I feel a lump in my throat. My anger fizzles out. "I know. For that, I'm sorry. The guards will be taking you for a run soon. Why don't you spend some time at the cemetery?"

"Okay."

"We're doing everything we can to replace the traitor," I assure her. "Just give us time."

With that, I head for the door. Following the pull to Lexi, I replace her in our bedroom, gently snoring. The smell of bourbon lingers, most likely the culprit for her early evening nap.

Not for the first time, I thank the Fates for gifting me such a treasure. It's been one thing after another since she charged into my life like a wrecking ball. We haven't had the chance to get to know each other. I plan to change that now.

Walking over to her, I sit on the edge of the bed. The top she wears hangs off her shoulder, revealing the red strap of her lacy bra. I brush her collarbone with my thumb, gliding lower to cup her breast.

Tracing circles around her nipple, I bend to trail kisses up the side of her neck, then suck on her lobe. She moans, pushing her tits into my hand as she bites her lips. The sight makes my cock throb.

Freeing her lip from her teeth, I replace them with my own, gently biting it, then sucking. When she gasps, I slip my tongue in her mouth, tasting the bourbon she drank.

I break the kiss. "Hi."

She gives me that sexy little pout that makes my cock twitch. "Come back." She pulls me in for another kiss, but I grab her wrists and smirk.

"I'm taking you out on a date. Let's get dirty in the shower."

I feel her desire through the bond and smell how aroused she is. If I pulled off her panties right now, they'd be wet, her pussy glistening for me.

Removing my clothes, I watch her enter the en-suite and turn on the shower. She makes a show of stripping for me, wiggling her little ass as she slides her panties off.

I bite back a groan and fist my throbbing cock through my boxers. I can't wait to fuck that ass, but not tonight.

She steps under the spray and lathers soap over her beautiful tits. I can't take my eyes off her.

Peeling the rest of my clothes off, I join her. Lexi surprises me by dropping to her knees. The sight makes me even harder. Looking up at me, she opens her mouth and waits for me to feed her my cock.

I guide my shaft to her, watching her tongue dart out, licking the precum gathered on the tip. She moans, grabs my cock and wraps her lips around my head.

"Fuck!" I place my hands on the walls to hold myself steady. The spray of water runs down my back as I watch Lexi bobbing up and down on my dick, taking me deeper each time.

I groan when I hit the back of her throat, thrusting my hips forward, going deeper still and making her gag. Tears run down her cheeks, mixing with the drops of water dripping from her hair.

She pulls back, sucking harder.

"Oh shit!" Closing my eyes, I enjoy the feel of her tongue swirling all over me.

I place my hand on the back of her head. Lexi looks up at me, cheeks hollowed and doe-eyed. She cups my balls and moans on my cock. It feels fucking incredible and physically hurts when I pull her off. She'll swallow my cum, but not tonight.

Helping her stand, my mouth collides with hers. I use my knee to spread her legs and insert two fingers in her pussy. She's soaked.

Curling my fingers, I fuck her tight hole while my thumb rubs her clit. She arches her back and makes that sexy moan that drives me wild.

I can't take it anymore. I need inside Lexi. Grabbing her ass, I hoist her up. She wraps her legs around my waist as I push her back against the tiles. Her tits are in my face, begging for attention. I lick one nipple, then move to the other, grazing my teeth over it while burying my cock in her warm, tight cunt. We both groan.

"Dont pull out. I got an IUD."

Yes!

I love it when her voice gets breathy like that. Releasing her nipple with a pop, I kiss her again.

Damn, she’s tight. My eyes roll as I bask in the pleasure.

I fuck her slowly. Lexi's nails claw down my back, marking me. Her mouth opens in a perfect oh. She stares at me with half-lidded eyes, making my balls tighten.

"Being balls deep in your sweet pussy is my favourite thing in the world, little wolf."

She mumbles something incoherently as I pump her as if my life depends on it. I grit my teeth, fighting off the impending explosion, burying my dick so deep her eyes roll.

"Darius!"

She screams my name as her orgasm hits. Her walls clamp down on me, and I'm a goner.

"Fuck!" I groan, jerking, filling her with cum.

Resting my head on her chest, I hold her while we catch our breath. Then we clean up and get ready for our date.

Theo

Since Paul told me the cabin was an ambush, I've been concerned my informant gave me bad intel on purpose.

The pressure to end this shitshow is getting to me. I haven't slept for two nights. I'm prone to fits of rage. If the SEB replace out I've gone rogue and put a hit out on Alpha Darius, I'm dead.

I need him gone before anyone replaces out Paul killed Kayleigh, and that I helped bury her. Pouring another rum, I consider my next move. Paul is useless. I'll need to task my informant with killing Darius.

When I call the number, it rings six times before going to voicemail. Gritting my teeth, I redial. It's late in Scotland.

"Hello?" answers a sleepy voice.

"That ambush could have killed my cousin. I'm starting to doubt whose side you're on."

"That was as much of a surprise to me. I gave you the information I had. I'm on your side. One hundred per cent." There's a brief pause. "I tried to reach you on your other number, but it's out of service. It's about Paul. He's dead."

"Fuck! How?"

"Darius captured him, so he killed himself."

With a roar, I throw my glass at the wall, watching it shatter on impact.

"There's more," my informant continues. "Darius and Lexi know who you are. They'll be coming for you in two days."

Another outburst of rage overcomes me. I feel my magic build, eager for release. Instead, I throw my cell across the room. It smashes off the wall and joins the pieces of glass already on the floor.

How the fuck did they replace out my name? No matter, maybe this is the answer. If a job is worth doing, do it yourself.