Alpha Brothers - The Cold Hearted Sister (book 5)

Chapter 20

Chapter 20
Allie
I was in the library. I recognised the bookshelves that lined the wall and the detailed fireplace whose fire burned bright. I spied Callum's desk that was covered in paper work that he still refused to do. The soft light shined through the two large windows that were three meters apart with thick maroon curtains that hung on both sides of them. I turned and saw the two door at both ends of the room making me smile at warm memories.
My attention turned to the room itself and spied the familiar lounges that sat across from each other with the coffee table in between and the arm chair that sat safely by the fireplace.
Finally, I noticed the people around me. The family that I had missed so much over the past month. They all sat in a circle with their hands joined and me in the middle. I chose not to focus on that yet and just took in their features. They all had something different about them but at the same time, none had changed.
I started with Callum. His thick curly black hair was slightly longer and his eyes were worn and tired. His stubbles that covered his strong cheeks, jawline, upper lip and chin were longer too but not quite a full beard. Next to him was Liv. Her big blue eyes were red with little sleep and her blonde normal curls had grown longer. Malcolm was next. Like Callum, his stumbles were longer and had dark circles under his pale blue eyes. He look like he hadn't had a good night sleep in a month. Tarna was next. The only change in her was that she was back to her size four body. Her hair was still hip length and she still had a sharpness in her eyes that the others had lost. Amy sat next to her, looking on edge. Nothing had really changed in her appearance either. She still had her brown long hair with a slight side fringe. Her big brown eyes were filled with worry, making me wonder just what was going on. Archie sat beside her, surprising me with his change. His once shoulder length hair was cut into little spikes on the top of his head. It looked good on him like everything - not that I would admit that. His long stubbles still covered his cheeks, jawline, chin and upper lip and eyes were red and worn like the others.
Next was my 'dearest' twin brother. His appearance did surprise me. Uptight, baby faced Graham was clearly gone and what was left seemed to be pieces of a man - not that I would admit that. Like our older brothers, stubbles covered his jaw line and chin and his hair was a tingled mess. Sleep looked like a thing of the past and he looked like he was about to loose control at any moment. Completing the circle was Bleu. Her black hair draped over her shoulders as she muttered something with her eyes close.
Finally, I started to wonder what was happening and just exactly how I got here.
"Okay," Bleu started, opening up her eyes.
Instantly, the others shifted in their spots looking a combination of nervous and excited.
Nervous and excited about what?
"Allie, if you are in the room, it means it's working."
"What's workin'?" I asked her but she didn't answer me.
In fact, she didn't even look at me. None of them were looking at me. Was I even in the room?
"How do we know if it's working?" Amy asked, leaning forward.
"We don't," Bleu answered.
"So, we could really just be talking to air right now?"
"Yep."
"Have little faith, Amy," Graham teased her.
"I'm sorry but I've never been involved in a spell before."
Spell? Is that what this was? A part of my heart sunk as I realized that I wasn't really here. I was still at the place I called Hell.
"Anyone want to start?" Archie asked, getting them back on topic.
"I'll go," Tarna spoke up, proving that she was still the bravest of us Pattersons, "okay Allie. I hope you're safe and well and I hope you come home soon because there's someone I really, really want you to meet."
My heart raised as I realized who she was taking about. My niece or nephew.
"We had a beautiful baby girl," she blurted out, beaming with pride.
"Yes!" I cheered, though I knew no one could hear me.
Already, I was making plans to take her out to clubs when she turned eighteen and teach her how to drink, to get lads, teach her everything that Malcolm hates. God, I loved the universe sometimes.
"Her name's Bee," Malcolm told me making me groan.
That's so cute.
"She would be here but the only time we get some peace is when she's asleep."
"She is a Patterson after all," I moaned, feeling my heart burst with love of her already.
"What else is goin' on?" I asked, forgetting that they wouldn't respond.
My gaze turned to Liv and Callum who shared looks. Callum gave a slight shake of his head and they both remained silent.
"What's goin' on?" I asked them, but neither of them answered me.
"Ah," Callum started, "we're no closer to findin' you or Hector. The search parties have increased but it's like...it's like Hector is makin' false tracks or somethin'."
"Aye, that's exactly what he's doin'," I told him, "The bastard is closer than you think."
"But we are lookin' for you Allie," he told me, "and we won't stop until we've got you back."
I smiled, my heart warming. Aye, I was still angry about his decision to banish the whole of Macangus Pack, but I had been through hell for the past month so it felt nice to feel the warmth of my family.
In the silence, Amy started, "okay, I'll go. Allie, I really, really, really miss you. I really, really, really want you back. Life sucks without you, so can you hurry up and find a way to get free because let's face it, we're nowhere near finding you."
Archie scoffed, "righto Amy. Tells us what you really think?"
"What? It's true."
We all snickered under our breath, knowing it was just typical Amy.
"You're up, Archie," she said nudging him.
"Right, okay, Ah. I miss you, I want you home, we're tryin' to find you as best as we can. Yeah. Who's next?"
"Archie," Callum scoffed.
"Try any harder," Malcolm teased.
"What?" He asked, "I just said exactly what everyone else did, just summarised."
"Tell her what you really thank," Liv egged on, knowing something that I clearly didn't.
He sighed, "fine. You boy toy is helpin' us."
Boy toy? Nick's not - oh Justin. I had forgotten. Damn, that's going to be awkward when I get home.
"He owed me his life so in return, he's helpin' us by givin' us his vampire contacts. So that's tripled our numbers. When we find Hector, he won't have a chance."
That did make me happy. I wanted Hector to die for all he's done.
"Graham," I turned around at Bleu's soft voice and spied an uneasy Graham.
"Ah, hey Al or the small particles of air," he started, looking at the carpet instead of me, "I don't really know what else to say. I hope your givin' Hector hell and maybe he'll just give you up so that he doesn't have to listen to you anymore," I couldn't help but laugh, "I want you home and that's really all I have to say."
"Graham," Liv said, looking disappointed in him.
The others looked as if they knew the reason why he didn't want to continue, including me , but it was only Liv that questioned it.
"What? I'll tell her the rest when she gets home."
I liked the idea of that. I made a vow than and there that I would at least try and change things between us when I returned home.
Taking in a deep breath, Bleu's eyes closed, "the connection is weakin'. Allie, if you are here, I'm sorry but our time's up. We all miss you and we're tryin' to get you back. Stay strong and -."
I jolted awake, returning to Nick's bed. I was frozen, my mind still working out where I was and what exactly had happened.
"Bad dream?"
I jumped at Nick's touch, turning my head, finding him right next to me. My mind was still confused, working out what was a dream and what was reality to even remember what had been last night or even how I got here. I didn't understand why Nick was so close to me and why the pillow wasn't between us.
And then I remembered. The pain and the trauma of the last couple of days. I remembered being beaten, being chained up, ripped apart and even branded. I remembered Nick soaking me in the hot pool and holding me as I cried.
Realizing that I hadn't answered Nick's question, I sat up and said, "No it wasn't. It was a spell."
"What?" Nick asked, frowning.
"Yeah, yeah, it was a spell," I said as the memory of the dream flooded my head, "I was in the library and everyone was around me. They told me how much they missed me and that they were tryin' to get back me back."
"Wow," he said, surprised, "that's amazin'."
I nodded, not being able to contain my smile. I had seen them. I had seen all of them. They missed me. They wanted me back - even Graham.
"Tell me about them."
I was so surprised by his request that I wasn't sure that I had even heard him right.
"You want me to tell you about them?" I asked.
"Yeah," he answered with a little shrugged, like it was no big deal.
"Um, okay," I started, trying the come up with ideas, "well, Callum's the level-headed one. Everyone respects him and he's just," I sighed, "he just has this heart, you know, that people like us just don't have. Even our enemies respect him, I mean, how can you not. And he's married to Liv -."
"And she's human, right?" He interrupted.
I nodded, "aye. She's so cute and they're just perfect for each other, you can just see it. I mean, I know that mates can read each other's minds and everythin' but I seriously think they know what each other is thinkin' just by the look in their eyes," he laughed, still interested, "and then there's Malcolm. I'm sure you know all about him."
He nodded, looking almost ashamed by his knowledge.
"Hector speaks of him like he's some big monster."
I rolled my eyes, knowing he would say that.
"But I want to know your version."
I frowned, not sure if his motives before I gave up, "um, I always looked up to him. He was just this strong person, you know. His wolf was rippin' him apart inside and he still had the strength to get up in the mornin'. And then when Bonnie died, he had the guts to turn away from us and disown his wolf..." I trailed, feeling my heart ache at the memory of how I treated him when he tried to return to us. I had given him hell, I wouldn't even hear him out. But deep down, I was jealous, in a sick way. I would never have the guts to do what he did. I don't think any of us could.
Shaking away the thought, I continued, "and he's mated with Tarna and -."
I stopped when Nick's face dropped. He looked like he was about to say something before shaking it away.
Not allowing him to get away that easy, I asked, "what?"
"Nothin', it's just..." He paused, "I think I've met her."
I frowned, "what, when?"
"It was long before we met, just when we came back to this area. Davy and I were out doin' the boundary check and found her. We took her back to Hector and he -."
"And he tied her up and cut up her torso like he did me," I finished, remembering Hector's little story before he sliced me up.
He nodded, looking uneasy as he waited for my reaction.
"I was just doin' as I was told Allie," he explained.
I bit my lip trying not to get angry. Twice he had done what he was told and it had ended with someone being put through a paper shredder. But I had been here long enough to know that if Hector wants something, he's not far away from getting it. If he wanted to hurt me, he would have with or without Nick here.
"Who was I up to?" I asked, moving subject to Nick's relief, "oh right, Tarna. She is so right for Malcolm, it's amazin'. Not many people could accept his past let only accept the fact that he mated another woman."
"And she did?" He asked.
I nodded, "in her own strange way. She taught him how to accept his wolf and gave him a new life."
"And then there's Archie," he guessed.
I nodded, "aye."
"He's the one that worked with vampires."
My mouth dropped. I knew that he had known all about Adin Hudges, but this was the first time that I decided to question it.
"You did follow us, didn't you?" I asked.
He sighed, "I was -."
"Doin' what your told," I finished for him, "it's seems to be a common theme."
"What can I say? My life is different to yours. It's -."
"It's dangerous, I know," I buttered in again.
He raised his hand in defeat, sighing and dropping it again.
"Tell me about it?" I asked before I could stop myself.
His mouth dropped and before he could argue, I buttered in, "and don't tell me that I wouldn't understand because I just spent all of Monday bein' tortured."
He sighed, giving in easily, "how about, you tell me the rest of your story and then I'll tell you mine."
Fair enough deal.
I continued, "Right, so Archie's mates with Amy who is also Liv's sister."
"Really? That's so weird," he chuckled.
"No, it was really funny when they first met. I don't know who hated the idea more. Amy or Liv."
He chuckled again, enjoying this.
My good mood was damped by disappointment and the memory of Graham.
"And then there's Graham," I muttered, avoiding his gaze as I played with my fingers, "my twin but I'm sure you knew that."
I heard him nod before he said, "I met him once. He's a really...I don't even know the words to describe him."
I giggled, knowing it was true. Graham wasn't a difficult character to grasp, well he wasn't at least. He was self-centred, a trouble maker, a trickster and one with brainless ladies. At one point, he was my best friend and we protected each other but now, we were almost enemies.
"You don't look very happy," Nick had guessed, reading my facial expression.
Looking at my fingers, I admitted, "Before our parents died, he was my best friend. We did everythin' together."
"And then..?" He tailed off.
"And then my parents died. We all changed. Callum started puttin' himself last, Malcolm turned away, Archie started to live a secret life, Graham became self-centred and through himself inside any woman he could find, and I..." I trailed off not knowing if I could say it.
"And you, what?" He asked.
I sighed, "I became heartless. I don't...feel anythin'. I mean, I've tried, God knows I've tried. But I can't. It's like I'm motionless."
Nick chuckled, causing me to frown and a fire burn inside of me.
"Why are you laughin'?" I asked, not hiding my anger.
"Because I don't think that's true. When you saw Freya, Allen's wife, Bein' hit, you went to fight the wolf that did it and you didn't even know her."
"That's different," I stated, "women's rights and all. And men should never hit a pregnant woman."
"Okay, what about yesterday?" He asked.
I swallowed. The pool. I had almost forgot. Nick had seen me naked not to mention seeing me cry. I was done for.
"What about it?" I finally asked.
"You cried."
I scoffed, hiding my uneasiness, "I was exhausted, delirious. I had spent the day bein' stitched up and the day before that bein' beaten."
He swallowed, clearly not liking the idea. Either way, he didn't have a choice. He wasn't there and I was beaten by his sick, son of a bitch Brother.
"Well," he start, shifting closer to me, "Do you feel this?"
I froze at his touch, closing my eyes to focus on the feel of his ruff hands against my cheek. My mouth dropped as air escaped my lips, the nerves I felt before suddenly returning. My heart became a ticking time bomb. I thought surely it would explode if he didn't stop.
"See," he purred, making me swallow as an ache inside of me grew, "you have a heart. It's beatin' inside of you as we speak."
"M-maybe it's a trick," I mumbled, not completely understanding the effect he had on me, "or your in denial."
He chuckled, taking my hand and placing it between my breasts. I closed my eyes, feeling numb by the sudden tension we had found ourselves in. My heart only began to beat faster under my hand making my cheeks burn red.
"Tell me who did it?"
I frowned, confused by his sudden change of subject. My eyes opened, looking at his tensed face. He swallowed, looking in absolute pain. A part of me softened but only for a moment. Why would he brin' it up? Why would he ask? Why would he ruin a perfectly good moment between us?
Narrowing my eyes as him, I snapped, "What? Didn't think I would admit it otherwise?"
"No I just –."
"What, had to soften me, had to make me believe that I had a heart to tell you who would hurt me," I snapped, rolling off the bed and further away from him, "Don't you think I can get revenge myself?"
"No, that's not it and you know it," he argued.
"Then what, Nick!" I shouted, now furious, "the fact is that you weren't there for me then, so why the hell would I want you there for me now?"
His mouth dropped and his gaze turned away. It was clear that he had already come to that conclusion that if he hadn't had left, the last two days would never had happened. And by the looks of things, he felt as guilty as all hell.
I groaned, frustrated that I had once again been taken in by his sweetness. That I once again, forgotten who he was and gone back on my word to not fall for a man with a good smile. I knew it was hopeless, I knew it was inevitable. But it was something I just couldn't do.
Giving in, I answered his stupid question, "It was Hector. The person that did it."
"Right," he said in that fighting tone making me turn around and watch him roll off the bed and pace toward the exit of the tent.
"Wait, what are you doin'?" I asked, stopping him.
"Somethin' I should have done a long time ago," he said stopping and looking me straight in the eye, "It's time Hector and I have a brotherly chat."

Nicholas
"You promised. You gave me your word!" I shouted, slamming my hand down on Hector's desk, trapping him in.
I was furious. I don't think I had ever felt this rage before. It shook like a living person inside of me, lighting a fire at the pit of my stomach. My wolf was stirring. It wanted out, it wanted to kill him.
My own Brother! My own brother did that to her. My own flash and blood tore my mate to bits. And for that, he would have to pay.
Throwing back my hand, he stood, not caring that there was no space for him to.
"No," he growled, pushing me back, "I said that no one touches her. I said nothin' about myself."
"You bastard," I growled, as he continued to back me into a corner, "You knew what I meant. You led me to believe that –."
"Believe what?" he shouted, hitting my chest, "That I would spare her, huh? That in your absence I wouldn't hurt the little bitch!"
"You bastard!"
I swang for my target but my fist never got there. Instead, a numbing pain hit my face, knocking me out for a second as I hit the floor.
"You're weak!" Hector spat as my head span, "No wonder our father was always disappointed with you. Watch out for Nicky, he used to say, watch out for Nick and his useless pathetic heart."
I forced his words out of my head though deep down I knew that they were true.
"I never believed him till now. How could you have fallen so low that even just a small, pretty little smile will turn you against your own blood?"
I was too furious to even realize the danger I was in. Hector was on edge, turning more animal by the minute. Not to mention that he was growing closer to the truth between Allie and me.
"I'm not weak!" I growled, "and I don't have feelin's for Allie. But I don't believe in punshin' her for somethin' she didn't do."
With a growl, he kicked me.
Crack
I had been shot. That's what it felt like. My lungs inflated chasing away all the air particles from my lungs. 
"Your pathetic," he snarled, "That's what's goin' to get you kill."
I swallowed the pain, making my way to my knees. Hector backed off pacing over to his desk. He snatched a bottle of rum, pulled off the cap before taking a gulp of the burning liquid.
Kill him, I growled to myself, do it now and then maybe there might be a chance with your mate.
Leaping to my feet, I gave a mighty roar cry. With his back to me, I saw my opportunity. I launched for him, wrapping my arms around his neck in a head lock.
"Your idiot!" he growled.
In a blink of an eye, I was on the ground coughing for air.
"You fool! You should know not to challenge me," he growled looming over me, his eyes glowing their bloody red, "You would think you would have learnt the first time."
With that he left and I gave up the fight. My body beaten, my hopes lost, my dreams broken. There truly was no future for any of us.