The Alphas prize novel Chapter 23

Cain POV:

I rounded my desk and sat in my chair; Ryder entered my office and closed the door before approaching my desk.

I glared at him for interrupting my moment with Freja. “You better have a damn good reason for disturbing me,” I said in a low and dangerous tone.

His eyes flicked around the room, avoiding my stare. “I apologize for interrupting, sir, but it’s about Calyx. I overheard him speaking with Samara about joining him.”

My eyes widened and confusion wrapped around me. Samara had always been loyal to me, and to think that she was conspiring with my brother to kill my mate and me, threw me for a loop. I shook my head, refusing to believe this. “No, that can’t be right Ryder, she would never do something like that. Samara has always been a loyal pack member.”

Ryder sighed heavily. “I know, sir, she has been an upstanding pack member, but I heard Calyx tell her to meet him later today to discuss the plans.” So he Informed me, regret lacing his tone.

I was taken aback by this new information; first, my own brother and now other members of my pack were conspiring against Freja and me to take us out and kill us. My head was spinning with everything, and I could not comprehend it all entirely. I pinched the bridge of my nose as I tried to think of my next move and how to handle this shit show of a situation, as my father would. Taking Freja out tonight was probably a bad idea, but if something happened to either of us, I didn’t want to waste this valuable time we had left together and show her the man she deserves.

I stood from my chair and started to pace the room. “I want you to get a few of your most trusted men together and have the men follow them both, don’t tell them why; just instruct them to follow Samara and Calyx. Freja and I will be going out tonight, and I don’t want anyone to find out. Any details of importance you discover, notify me immediately, understood?”

Ryder nodded his head “Yes, Alpha, understood. Will you be taking any men with you tonight?”

I wondered for a moment if I should, but aside from Ryder and Freja, who could, I trust right now? “No, it will just be us two.”

He was silent for a moment; I could tell Ryder was against this, especially with the threat lingering around us at this time, but he wouldn’t dare go against my wishes or orders. So, he just nodded reluctantly. “Be safe, Alpha and I’ll report if needed.”

“Thank you, Ryder.” He then straightened himself and left my office, leaving me there with my never-ending thoughts.

Freja POV:

I left Cain’s office and went to find Samara, hoping she had found something out or gotten in with Calyx. As I walked down the hall, I was abruptly grabbed and yanked into a dark room. I started to thrash around, trying to free myself and was about to scream for Cain when a hand was clasped over my mouth “Shh, don’t scream, it’s me, Samara.” She whispered before removing her hand and releasing me. I whipped around to see that it was Samara and was instantly relieved. For a moment, I had thought this was it, and I was about to die. With everything going on lately, I am constantly on edge.

I smacked her arm “Fuck Samara, you scared the shit out of me.” I scolded her.

Samara gave me a remorseful expression. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to, but I have some news. So, Calyx overheard me talking about you to some other pack members, about how I wish you would just disappear, that I don’t like you and so on. He pulled me aside and asked me if I would like to join him in getting rid of you. Of course, I said yes, and he told me to meet him later today to discuss his plans and things in further detail.” She told me, a little excited about things.

I chuckled lightly at her, glad that I had someone I could trust to help me with all of this. “That’s great, Samara, but are you sure you are ok with doing this?” I asked, a little concerned regarding her safety.

She waved me off. “Yes, I am sure. I’ll be fine, plus we need to get to the bottom of this one way or another, and I like having you around; you’re not so bad.” Samara smirked playfully.

I smiled at her. “Ok, but if you feel unsafe, get out of there, promise?” I said sternly.

Samara rolled her eyes. “Yes, I promise.” She looked at her watch, and her eyes widened. “Shit! I have to go; I am supposed to meet with him in 20 minutes.” She started towards the door, but I stopped her before reaching for the handle. She looked back at me, a bewildered expression on her face. “Thank you for doing this Samara, I truly appreciate it, and I couldn’t have asked for a better friend,” I said honestly and wholeheartedly.

She smiled. “It’s my pleasure, Luna.” Samara then hugged me before leaving the room and leaving me to wonder if this was indeed a good idea. I was worried for Samara’s safety and apprehensive that this whole thing was a mistake, that Gunnar was right. I waited a few moments before leaving the bedroom, hoping no one would see me, but just as I closed the door and was turning around, I ran straight into what could only be described as a brick wall. However, to my dismay, it was the same man that had disrupted mine and Cain’s fun time earlier.

He stared down at me, and I craned my neck up to glare at him. “Fuck giganto, that felt like running into a brick wall,” I said while rubbing my forehead.

He arched a brow. “Are you alright?” He questioned in a deep, baritone voice.

I wrinkled my nose. “Yes, I’m fine,” I admitted, being a little honest. My head hurt a bit, but nothing I couldn’t handle.

The man nodded his head hesitantly. “Good, pay better attention to your surroundings next time, Luna.” He said firmly, almost as if he was scolding me. What he said and how he had said it reminded me of Gunnar, making me miss him even more. The large man was right though, with everything going on right now, I needed to be on my toes.

I nodded in agreement. “Your right; I will be more attentive,” I said assuredly.

His brows pulled together slightly before he curtly nodded his head and continued down the hallway towards the staircase. I stood there, thinking about the last good memory I had with Gunnar; it was our training session on the day before the final battle. Since coming here, the memory had been my cushion, something I reflected on many times to get through this life-changing reality. This whole situation had been a mind twister; it had been hard on me. Especially in the beginning and I had felt lost at times, but thinking of my family was what helped me to get through it. Now, things are even tougher with the new threat in the air. Yet, somehow, I feel stronger and more confident; I feel like the warrior I was born to be as a woman and a wolf. I know things will be alright; Cain and I will get through this and prosper, like the Alpha and Luna that we are.

I headed towards the staircase, and as my foot was about to hit the first step, I stopped, feeling the urge to go into Calyx’s room, wondering if I could find more on him, something that may help me. I knew he was supposed to be meeting with Samara right now, and this would be my chance to sneak in there and get some answers.

I looked all around me, carefully focusing on the darker areas. I didn’t see anyone around or hear anyone close by; I reared back from the stairs and cautiously walked towards Calyx’s bedroom. I gripped the handle of the door, glancing around me once more and turned the knob. I was kind of surprised that his door was unlocked; it made me wonder if I would even find anything if he were this trusting. I pushed the door open and closed it behind me but left it slightly open so I could hear anyone coming. I slowly observed the normal-looking bedroom.

The walls were light blue, hardwood flooring, modern style furniture and a large bed, with white blankets that neatly hugged the mattress. Not very many nick nacks throughout the room; it was plain and simple.

I approached the white dresser and pulled out the top drawer. The clothes were skillfully folded in the drawer, throwing me off. I didn’t think Calyx was such a well-ordered individual; he didn’t seem like that type of person. I carefully moved the clothes around and searched for anything but came up with nothing. I continued to search through all the drawers and came up with nothing. There was a nightstand next to the bed, and I explored that next, finding nothing again. As I closed the table's small drawer, I heard a clunk. I pulled the drawer out again and closed it again, hearing the clunk once more. Finally, I pulled the drawer all the way out, and a small key landed on the floor in front of me. I put the drawer back into the table and closed it. I grabbed the key and began to examine it; the key was completely foreign to me, especially when I wasn’t familiar with any of the keys for this place. However, if I was right, this was for a padlock.

I stood from the floor and glanced around the room, trying to find something to which this key may belong. I froze, hearing someone in the hallway walking towards the room. I quickly stuffed the key into my pocket and bolted towards the door, casually opening it and closing it behind me. I walked out, acting as casual as I possibly could.

“What the fuck were you doing in there?” A thunderous and angry Cain bellowed out, and I knew I was fucked.

“Nothing, I was looking for Calyx,” I said casually, trying to hide the fact that I was just in there snooping around his brother’s room because he is trying to us kill both.

Cain stormed up to me and moved me aside before bursting into Calyx’s room. Although, of course, it was empty, he glanced around the room and sniffed the air for a moment, then his head whipped towards me. “Why are you looking for Calyx?” He questioned as he sauntered menacingly towards me. My breath hitched for a beat, becoming more and more turned on with each taunting step he took towards me. Cain looked so delicious at this moment, and the urge to have him was overwhelming. His chiselled chest peeked out from the few open buttons at the top of his white shirt, the soft material hugged his muscular biceps, and his dark locks were tousled, giving him a rugged look.

I shook my head quickly and cleared my throat, saying the first thing that came to mind. “I was going to ask Calyx to take me to see Samara.” I lied.

His brows pulled together as he glared down at me. “No, if you want to go somewhere, Ryder or I will take you. Calyx will not be accompanying you anymore.” He said in a firm tone.

I was a little unsure of how to answer him. “Oh, why is that?” I fully agreed with him, I didn’t want to be alone with Calyx, but I didn’t want Cain to know, not yet. My eyes trailed off from his, roaming down his beautiful body. Cain chuckled softly. “My eyes are up here, love, and because I said so, don’t argue with me on this.” His tone was firm and deep.

I rolled my eyes. “Fine, whatever you say, Alpha,” I said sarcastically.