The Alpha and the Mistake novel Chapter 18

I knew Ryder heard Mom so I followed her downstairs. Harry stopped us in the hallway. He ushered us both into an empty room, a worried expression on his face. "What's wrong Harry?" Mom asked, worry on her face too.

"Alpha Ryan knows everything. He knows we're here and worse, he knows Brook is Ryder's mate. I've been ordered to bring you back to Black Mountain territory by six in the morning tomorrow."

"What? But I can't go back. Harry, you can't take me back," I said. My voice in a high shriek as panic slammed into me.

"Of course, he's not taking you back," Mom said with determined in her eyes.

However, Harry looked like he was ready to toss his cookies. "If I don't, it'll be an open act of aggression and he'll make sure it leads to war."

I grabbed mom's sleeve and stared at Harry. He couldn't really be considering it, could he? Mom patted my hand and asked Harry just that.

"Nancy, I would never give Brook back to him, but I need you both to understand the situation we are now facing."

I let go of Mom, but my stomach still twisted with dread."Can't I just say I don't want to go back? Who told him anyway?"

"I don't know who told him, and I'm afraid your word doesn't count. You're still a minor. As Nancy is mated with me, we all belong to Black Mountain."

"Why does Ryan want Brook back home so badly he'd risk war?" Mom asked.

"Power, Nancy," Harry said with a defeated air about him. "He hates Brent and his nonviolent ideals more than anything in this world. As Ryder's mate, Brook allows Ryan to have power over him and through him, his father."

"What if Ryder got a new mate?" I suggested, though something twisted inside me as I said it.

Harry chuckled. "It doesn't quite work like that, Brook."

"So what are you suggesting we do?" Mom asked. "Besides hand over my daughter to her abusers."

Harry gave Mom a pleading, sad glance. "Never, Nancey. I swear. Alpha Brent has suggested we stay under the pretenses as P.O.W.s while he tries to work something out with Ryan."

"So why do you look like that?" I asked. There had to be more for him seem so downtrodden.

"We have to run," Harry told us.

"What?" Mom said, her eyes wide with shock. "Why would we have to run?"

"Because this has now all become a power play with Brook in the center. Alpha Brent is a good man, but he is an alpha. Alphas must always put the good of their pack before anything and Ryder is an alpha. It's obvious, he cares for Brook, but I can't promise he wouldn't sacrifice her to save his pack if it came down to that." The downfallen expression on his face was short of tragic. "I'm so sorry, Brook. You deserved to have something good in your life."

My throat tightened, and my eyes burned with the promise of tears, but I wouldn't cry. "It's how it is. How are we going to run?"

"Wait a minute," Mom said, holding up her hand. "How can we be so sure Brent or his son would do something like this. I understand a mate is something special, right? Why would they even consider giving their son's mate to their enemy? Should I be worried?" She gave Harry a challenging glare.

"No, I'd die first, but I'm not an alpha. You two are the only pack I care about."

"So how do we get out of here?" I insisted.

"We have to play it cool," Harry replied. "Brent will never allow Brook out of his territory. He can't risk someone using her to get to his pack. They're going to expect something from us, so we have to try hard not to raise any suspicions. We have to let them believe we agree staying here is our best option."

Mom pressed her lips together. "They can't keep us here against our will. That's kidnapping and illegal."

"Werewolves, Mom. They can do whatever they want. It's only illegal if they get caught."

When Harry gave her a grimace, she shook her head. "Good lord, what did I bring you to?" She pulled me to her and kissed the top of her head. "I'm so sorry Brook."

"It's not your fault or Harry's. It's just the way it is," I told her. I wanted to make sure she didn't get mad at Harry either. Without him, we'd be lost for sure. "Okay, first things first. No way am I letting you stay in that boy's room. Harry do what you need to do to get us out of here. Brook, let's go talk to Emily and find you somewhere more appropriate to stay." Harry and I looked at each other in surprise. Wow, Mom in charge. If she was a werewolf, she'd obviously be an alpha.

We found Emily in the main living room or parlor or whatever the rich and fancy call those rooms. She greeted us warmly, and Mom returned it just as warm. It was they were best friends. "Since it seems we are going to be staying a while. I figured it best we settle rooming arrangements. I'm aware Brook has been staying in Ryder's room, and I'm assuming with the latest, he won't be going back to Black Mountain. It's best she stay somewhere else. She is still underage."

The Luna gave her a brief, odd look then smiled. "I can promise you, Ryder would never hurt Brook, but of course, I can understand the need for another room. I know just the one. Follow me." She led us back upstairs, and I wasn't at all surprised when the room she showed us was next to Ryder's. Not subtle at all.

Mom pursed her lips but nodded. "Alright, this will do for now."