Prey of Fate (bxb)

Chapter 30 - Alistar - Part 3

Just like the first day we arrived, the living room quickly filled up with people. Not as many as then, but after we moved into the room, people who passed by automatically stopped to join us.

After all, they had seen the three sceptical clan members in my and Mason's presence and I wasn't surprised that they were intrigued.

But if they had any questions, none of them asked. I had no doubt that Sharon, Steve and James had authority here and people knew better than to question their decisions.

Eventually two younger hunters whose names I didn't know, Atlas and an older hunter, joined our group.

The only two people missing were the key to the situation. However, Rachel offered to go get them, as she was used to looking after Alistar, so we agreed that sending her would be the best option, as they had at least some trust in her.

It wasn't long before two wolves, one in human form and one in wolf form, entered the living room in her company. If Kristof was worried or confused, he didn't show it. He was the opposite of an open book, but I was sure that just being in the same house as Mason had to make him nervous.

I didn't know what would happen next. If this was the situation in our pack, Mason would have taken matters into his own hands, but judging from the older clan members' previous reactions and the way they called him, I knew he didn't hold the same respect here.

Kristof didn't seem to volunteer to start the conversation either. He stood in his spot, away from everyone else, and Alistar - or the wolf we thought was Alistar - was huddled at his feet.

"Kristof," Steve addressed him. "We've shown you nothing but hospitality since you've been here. I hope you'll return the favour by answering our questions."

Kristof raised an eyebrow and it was hard to tell if it was surprise or disinterest. One thing I had no doubt about, though, was that when he found out what we wanted to talk about, he would surely be in defensive mode, as he always was when it came to his mate.

"An answer would be nice," Sharon echoed, running out of patience.

"I'll answer your questions," Kristof replied simply.

Sharon nodded vigorously and then turned to Mason. I mentally prayed that she wouldn't call him 'kid' again. Especially in front of these two, as that might prevent them from seeing him as an authority figure.

"Mason," she addressed him and I relaxed. "You can start."

Still watching Kristof's expression, I didn't miss his brief hesitation. He wasn't worried about the hunters, but the same couldn't be said for our future Alpha.

Mason took a step forward, approaching him, and suddenly he was the closest of us to Kristof. He wasn't cornered, but it must have seemed that way to him. I had no doubt.

"I have some questions, Kristof, and although I believe you can answer them, I would prefer to hear the answer from your mate," Mason spoke up. He deliberately didn't use his name so that Kristof didn't know what he knew. For the moment he could keep his calm. But only for a moment.

Kristof paused, then his eyes slid to the wolf at his feet. He was still in wolf form, so he was unable to answer aloud. However, he looked healthy, so there was no reason why he shouldn't shift.

My theory was that Kristof and Alistar were deliberately postponing the conversation as long as possible. That was why they weren't being honest about his condition, taking advantage of the fact that the hunters didn't know much about wolf health.

"Kristof," Mason addressed him, not giving him a chance to stall any longer. "We both know I can make him talk. I'd prefer if I didn't have to."

His words made Kristof frown, and it almost looked like he was thinking about attacking him. A stupid choice, and I believed he had to realise that.