Fake Dating Alpha Hockey Captain novel Chapter 74

#Chapter 74: The truth About Michael

#Chapter 74: The truth About Michael

+25 BONUS

We shift and make our way northwest toward the mountain We figure that’s our best bet at finding the encampment, base…whatever it is. If we don’t find anything there, we can work our way back going east.

Worst come to worst, we make it home, regroup, and try again tomorrow, but I’m not leaving until we find them. For Michael. For Cynthia.

Since we’ve been gone, my body has recovered. Distance must play a part in that. Since Ryan and I can’t link, we can’t talk, and I have the opportunity to think about why I was sick.

When I asked Ryan earlier, he said he didn’t know of anyone that could perform the ritual other than maybe an Elder. But who would have done that in my own pack?

It could have been done before I left the Ayzena base by any one of the Elders. If it was one of them, my money would be on Owein. He was determined to use Cynthia as bait, and I may have been the only one standing in his way. Physically.

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But would he really do that to me? I would like to think all our Elders are noble. Then again, fear can make you do stupid things. Isn’t that how the saying goes?

No–none of them would dare incur the wrath of my father. The only way any of them would risk such a stupid move is if he gave the okay. That wouldn’t happen. No matter how they feel about Cynthia, neither of my parents would risk my safety.

That leaves some other culprit. But who? It could have been done once I reached the Malkeye base…easily. But who would do that? And why? My fate has no bearing on their future.

But one memory keeps nudging into my thoughts. Last night when I walked into the kitchen, Ryan had his arm around Cynthia. It sure looked like he was making a move on her while he had the chance. What if he has ideas for her? She is special…

Somehow…somehow Cynthia is the key to all this. I don’t know how she fits in with my brother, but my mother thinks she recognizes her, and the rogue wolves are definitely trying hard to get to her.

The ‘why‘ is not an easy question to answer. Who is Cynthia that she’s attracting so much attention. I mean…she sure got my attention. I’ve never been able to explain my fascination with her. At first, I just thought she was charming and sad, like a puppy who had been lost in the street looking for someone to take it in, and I just wanted to help her.

No. Looking back, I felt the need to help her. Somehow, I knew she was different, even then.

I make sure to keep an eye on Ryan. My original suspicions of him linger, and his actions are certainly skeptical. I mean, why wouldn’t he jump at the chance to avenge his older brother? Shit–these could be the same rogues that attack him!

A voice breaks through my thoughts, intruding upon my mind: Alex.

I stop running, so Ryan slows down, turning around to watch me.

Father, I reply.

Where are you?

Hunting for the rogue’s lair.

We need you home.

What’s happened?

It’s your brother. He has been poisoned.

What??? Poisoned? How?

During the attack. He was given Wolfsbane by one of the attackers.

That’s why he won’t heal? That makes sense now that I think about it.

He should be dead, which means they either didn’t give him enough or…he was able to spit it out.

Who knows how to use Wolfbane? I don’t even know where you find it?

That’s why you must come home: You’re not safe there.

Tell me!

Ryan Merlot.

My eyes meet Ryan’s. He doesn’t know what I’m hearing, only what I’m doing. I judge by his size that he could take me. He’s older, more experienced, and my time as a human has made me a little rusty.

I’m with him now, I tell my father.

Get Cynthia and leave–now.

I don’t have time to reply to my father. Ryan is watching me.

Now I hear his voice. What?

Hell…he can link with me…

I crack my neck, stalling. All of this is unexpected, and I have to think before I do something rash.

Just because signs point to Ryan, doesn’t mean he did it. We don’t know what happened when my brother was attacked, because Rita was busy fighting for her own life. Would she have noticed if something was shoved down his throat?

What? Ryan repeats.

What do I say? Can I just pretend I don’t hear him?

No–I need to know. This needs to be delt with before we go any further…and I risk the unkown.

At first, I’m not sure if I can respond. Tell me about Wolfsbane.

Okay it worked. If he did it, this statement will trigger a reaction. If he didn’t, I won’t have offended him.