Mated To The Cold Hearted Alpha
Chapter 113

The following morning, Tommy and Frank showed up right on time for their almost daily tattoo sessions. Before Tommy could even get settled in the chair, I approached him. His attention sharpened instantly from the expression and my body language, but I couldn’t hide my anxiety.

“What’s up, Whiskey?”

“I’ve got to take a little trip. Not more than about two days, I hope.”

“Okay…” he responded, knowing there was more to come.

“We don’t have any family here to keep an eye on Hycinth.”

Understanding lit his expression. “And you want us to look after her while you’re away?”

I nodded.

Finally settling in the chair, he made eye contact with Hycinth and grinned. “That’s easy enough, baby girl.”

My hands curled into fists. The timbre of my voice dropped into a warning, “Without the s****l innuendos.”

“What?” Tommy looked at me with the innocence of the newborn, but couldn’t quite hide his smirk, and then he became serious, “She’s family. You both are. Never think you are without again.”

Warmth rushed over me. I was desperately lacking in regards to family, and he’d said exactly what I needed to hear.

~~~~~~~

The Suzuki Gladius purred beneath me as I rolled into our old pack. Memories hit me in waves of nostalgia, yet I questioned every one of them. How many were real? Or were they all just pretty lies made up to cover ugly truths?

I hadn’t phoned ahead, so my arrival caused quite a stir. And news spread quickly. I’d barely cut off the engine before two large males I’d never seen before approached. From their body language, it was clear they held authority. And neither of them looked pleased to see me.

“I’m Luca…Diamonte,” I introduced myself, barely stomaching the last name.

Muscles rippling beneath his tightfitting black T-shirt, the bigger of the two studied me with. razor-sharp blue eyes. “We know who you are,” he replied shortly. “Why are you here?”

Well, shit. This wasn’t going well.

“I’m not here to cause any trouble if that’s what you’re thinking,” I tried to reassure them. “Just wanted to say hello to some old friends.”

His eyes narrowed, a clear sign he didn’t fully believe me, but he didn’t press the matter. “I’m Duncan and that’s Forrest.” He nodded in the other male’s direction while maintaining a steady glare at me.

I eyed the other man. Dirty blonde hair and brown eyes, he stood with his shoulders back and feet planted apart in a matching black T-shirt and black cargo pants. His expression was not as harsh, but he certainly wasn’t welcoming. I gave him a short nod which he didn’t bother to return.

“Where will you be staying?”

I hadn’t thought about that. The home I’d grown up in had burned to the ground the night we left. Before I could reply, a familiar but unexpected female voice came from behind me, “He can stay with me.”

I turned around to replace Sydney, looking cool and indifferent, all business. We hadn’t left on the best terms so I was surprised at her offer. What was she up to?

Duncan was also suspicious. He frowned, but before he could object, Sydney continued smoothly, “The house I’m staying in has two bedrooms. There is plenty of room.”

Interesting that she felt she needed to clarify our intended separate sleeping arrangements. I waited patiently for Duncan’s response. I held no authority here and understood it would be best not to make waves.

After a long moment, he grunted in agreement and then walked away. Forrest finally acknowledged my presence with a curt nod, but he too turned around left without another word.

Sydney didn’t seem to be in the talking mood either, only uttering, “Come on.”

I walked the bike behind her. It only took about five minutes to reach the modest house she was staying.

As soon as the door shut behind us she spun around, eyes flashing. “What the hell you doing here?”

“It’s nice to see you too,” I replied dryly.

Stepping right into my personal space, she placed a hand on my chest. “Luca, this is no time to play games.”

Now she had my attention. Much more was going on here than just our usual verbal sparring. Setting my small duffel bag on the floor, I walked around her into the small living room and sat down on the couch. When she was seated across from me in a large overstuffed chair, I murmured, “I’m not here for games. This is my pack. It’s purely a social visit, and then I will be on my way. Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?”

Sydney bit her l*p, hesitation reflecting in her eyes and then she seemed to make a decision. “The tension between the two packs is at an all-time high. We’re on the verge of war once again. For Leander’s sake, I don’t want you caught in the middle. You need to leave.”

Her words crashed into me-war?

“What? Why in the hell are you a war? The old Alpha and Luna are gone. It’s clear Leander has his own wolves in authority here, and from my understanding from Ever, it’s been that way for more than three years. What changed?”

Crystal blue eyes darkened. She spat through gritted teeth, “Really? You were that bastard’s son, and you’re asking me why?!” The skepticism and hatred in her voice caught me off guard. Clearly, the information she had was necessary for me to know.

I switched tactics, working to soothe her bristled fur. Speaking softer, I decided to go with full disclosure on my part, well as much as possible. “Sydney, I can assure you, I do not consider the late Alpha Grant my father, and no, I really don’t know what’s going on. I just received news that my m-mate…” my throat closed up tight at the word. I had to swallow several times before I could continue, “was killed. I just came back to get answers. That’s all.”