The Alpha’s Contract (Taylor West) novel Chapter 436

“Is he dead?” Neah whispers

I point to Ryken to check Cooper while I check on Klaus

“Dead.” Ryken mutters seconds after pressing his fingers to Cooper's throat.

“Double check.” I mutter, pulling Klaus’s shirt open to find his chest already healing. A sigh of relief escapes me. “He’s alive.”

“Are you sure?” Neah asks

“One hundred percent.” I watch his wounds knit together abnormally fast. Sometimes I forgot just how quick he could heal. It was almost as quick as me.

“And this prick is definitely dead.” Ryken tells me. “What the fuck was he playing at?”

Hollow gasps rattle from Klaus’s chest and he finally takes a deep breath. “He’s not playing or plotting, at least he wasn’t.” Klaus croaks. “He was only ever here to keep an eye on his sister. He had no plans for any of us. Except me.”

“But what about Maddie?” Neah presses

“She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. He took advantage of the situation.” His breath is still a little wheezy. My guess would be that Cooper managed to hit a lung. “Samara wanted Blair to come here.”

“Why?”

“That’s something I don’t know. I don’t even think he really knew.”

“That makes no sense. He let her out of the prison.” Neah states

“I don’t think he did. I think it was her.” Klaus coughs and spits out a bit of blood. “He talked about her being safer in the dungeon, but also said you lot would be safe with her in there. He said if she gets out it will be a bloodbath now she has her abilities. I thought he was controlling her, but I think it’s the other way around. Or maybe they were controlling each other over different things.”

“Brax would have seen the lies. She already fooled him once.”

“Not if the questions were specifically about Cooper and Cooper's plans. She wouldn’t have known because they were never his, they were hers.” He rolls onto his side and frowns as he stares at Coopere's body.

“She’s a Lycan. I can control her.” Neah mutters

I hold a hand up to Neah. “So he blocked her abilities to keep her safe? That’s why he hasn’t tried coming for her. Samara is locked away, but he wanted to stay near just in case.”

“Not just for her.” Klaus coughs and spits out more blood

I offer him a hand and pull him to his feet as Neah throws her arms around his waist. Telling Klaus how happy she was to see him.

“Everyone, get on the other side of the gate. Ryken, Do you have a lighter or a match?”

“I think so.” He looks inside the little office by the gates and brings me a box of matches. “Am I missing something?”

“Dealt with any Witches before?” I ask

“Can’t say I have. Always taught to stay clear.”

“What’s happening?” Neah asks as I strike a match and watch the little orange flame appear. I toss it at Cooper and it lands on his chest. He goes up in flames, igniting in a ball of orange fire.

“It’s not him.” Klaus scowls, suddenly understanding what I was doing.

“No it is not.”