The Twisted Links

Chapter 60

CHAPTER 60

Cub Creek Territory...

Landon was running along the boarders near the main path leading out to the highway when he heard a vehicle approach. He was cautious since they weren't expecting any guest and school was not out. Staying to the cover of the trees he alerted patrol and Reilly, since the Beta was in charge while the Alphas were absent, of a possible intruder. It wasn't unusual for the occasional college or high school student to just be out riding and come across the subtle roadway that could pass for a long driveway. Usually, they turned around when they reached the gate and life continued without further incident.

The vehicle stopped at the gate and Landon waited tensely. From this angle he couldn't see within the cab and that was concerning. The passenger door opened and a female jumped out. The breath caught in his throat as soon as he realized that it was Carrie Greenbriar, his future Luna.

As much as he wanted to approach, he knew better and waited to see who else was in the green pickup truck. The wind changed direction and he caught the scent of a rogue though it wasn't as pungent as some.

"I know you're there." Carrie called out. She recognized the Gamma scent but couldn't tell if it belonged the which of the couple since both of their scents blended so well. "Landon? Jessie?"

Landon shifted and threw on a pair of shorts.

"Carrie?" he called as if he still couldn't believe that she was there.

She smiled at him. "I have a guest who helped save me. Nadine, could you come out please?"

A woman with dark red hair exited the vehicle.

"This is Miss Nadine." Carrie said. "She's my friend from my time as a rogue and has saved my life twice. Nadine this is Landon Page, Gamma of the Cub Creek Pack"

"Ma'am." Landon said respectfully as the rogue smiled at him good naturally. He was willing to overlook her class and status since she protected his Luna.

"Well aren't you just a cutie." Miss Nadine said in her usually half flirty tone.

"Could you let my mates know that I am here?" Carrie requested.

"They had a lead to where you might be so they took off hours ago to track down a suspicious van."

"Ah. Well shower and food instead then. I also need to borrow a phone to call my father."

"Of course, Luna." Landon said as he unlocked the gate for Miss Nadine to drive through.

Carrie took a deep breath as she mulled over the title. Once they completed the mating process and transfer ceremony, Salim and Dayton would be Alphas and Carrie would be their Luna. She shook her head as doubts began to creep into her mind. Uncertainty took over as she thought.

Is this really what I want?

LaRosse...

Laken brought a covered tray of food into the room they had been assigned. Malachi lay with Stacey on his chest he was running his fingers through her hair.

"She still asleep?" he said.

"Da." [Yes]

Laken set the tray down and laid next to his lovers. "Why did her brother just abandon her?"

"I don't think he had a choice. You saw the resentment he had. Eternal Ones are a vampire's everything. My guess is that he was taken by force."

"Then we can go to the Council. King Hussein made it a law that a product must consent to become a vampire."

"A woman can be VERY persuasive." Malachi said suggestively.

"That shouldn't count." Laken argued.

"I agree but then the deed is done and unfortunately the consequences could be dire."

"What do you mean?"

"If we have Lady Orla arrested and brought to trial for forcing a human to become a vampire, the concern is what will happen to Josh. He's a vampire and cannot return to being a human. Without Lady Orla, he has no Progenitor and unless someone agrees to take over the role then Josh will be eliminated."

The men pause as Stacey's heartrate spiked. Malachi kissed her forehead. "We know you're awake, Moy Voin [My Warrior]."

Stacey sat up leaning against the headboard. Malachi turns on his stomach next to his Beloved so he could see her face.

"Before you ask." Malachi said holding up a hand before Stacey opened her mouth. "I cannot take him on because I already have Laken and Margo. Cotton is well known among the Royals because Gideon insisted that she come to court as well. The fact that she has been helping with Margo in addition to her own Beloved has been a huge help. But still, I already have two young vampires in my house. That is why it will be so difficult to gain permission to turn you. Hezekiah and Lord Gideon are waiting for their Beloveds to come of age and it would be selfish to ask them to risk losing their chance to gain the permission they need."

"So what? She gets away with this? Or my brother dies?" she asked angrily. Her bottom lip quivered as she tried to control her tears. Laken took her hand and placed a kiss on the back for comfort.

Malachi sighed but he didn't lie to her. "Da. [Yes]"

Stacey quickly dashed away the tears that spilled down her cheeks. "It's okay, baby." Malachi said wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to his chest. Laken placed kisses all around her face as she sniffed.

"He always looked after me. It's not fair." She said sadly.

"We know baby." Malachi said. "We'll do whatever we can to help but unfortunately being with Lady Orla may be his only option."

--------------------

Cub Creek Territory...

It was two in the morning before Salim and Dayton arrived back home. They ran up the stairs to Carrie's room. Opening the door quietly, they closed it behind them and went to stand next to the bed. Their wolves had been going crazy ever since they woke up alone in the forest. Now Blake and Banner would not stand for them to be apart from their mate for a moment longer.

Kicking off their shoes and stripping down to their boxers, they climbed into the bed cuddling close to their mate. The brothers fought their tiredness to savor the feel of their mate once again being in their arms for as long as they could. Burying their noses into both sides of her neck, they fell asleep breathing in her sweet scent.

============================

It occurs to me that I don't do the whole cliffhanger thing very well. I really should figure out how to do those.

I only have between 10 – 20 chapters left. What would you guys like to see in the bonus scenes if I don't get around to putting it in the book?