Having to say goodbye to Brady before the sun rose hurts like hell, but it had to be done. We can’t take the chance of anybody seeing us together. Not now. Last night, we discussed a lot. The Ryders declared war, and we have to fight back. The hardest part for me will be pretending as if we’re no longer a couple.
Brady and I agreed to keep our distance during the day. He’ll send someone with messages to the bar if needed. I’ll wait until he arrives in the evening to discuss anything. Unfortunately, we have no idea how long this arrangement might last. Brady said it’s the only way to find out what the Ryders are up to. Once we learn their plans, then we react. Until then…
We shared a lot during our short time together. Our hopes. Our fears. Well, almost all of them. I kept the important ones to myself. I just couldn’t tell Brady about my indecision regarding my own alpha status. No need worrying him when I’m not sure what to do about it. It’s why I sent word to Elsbeth. If anyone could help me, it will be her.
Elsbeth comes before I open the bar for lunch. I’m grateful that she exchanged her torn, ancient dress for black leather—something that suits her well. It’s the perfect image of the renegade witch.
“You want to converse with the dead.” Elsbeth states as she rests a hand on the chair near my desk. “You do realize that’s a risky endeavor?”
I’ve heard tales of spirits entering our world through such methods, but I’m willing to take the chance. If I’m going to walk away from the pack, I want to be sure it’s the right thing to do. That decision requires my father’s guidance.
“Honestly, I don’t see any other way,” I admit.
Elsbeth’s brow wrinkles as she examines me. “Ever consider you already know the answer you seek?”
“No.” If I knew that, I wouldn’t have called on her. If I knew that, my life would be easier and Brady would be with me.
“Look to your heart. Like your mate, you know what you want.” Elsbeth eyes me for a moment longer before taking a seat. “Very well, stubborn wolf.”
Understatement. It’s the reason for all these problems. Both Brady and I are like a couple of mules. Neither of us giving an inch when we hit a crossroads.
The Red Witch places her hands on the desk, palms up. “Give me your hands and close your eyes. Think about who you wish to speak to. Feel their presence touch your spirit.”
Closing my eyes, I picture my dad smiling at me with his warm eyes and cocoa-brown skin. The longer I focus on his image, it feels like he’s near.
“Vocans autem spiritu James Nevers. Auditorium cum an ego a te.” Elsbeth’s chanting voice is faint.
As fear takes over, an icy chill passes through me. The room begins spinning, but the furniture remains in place. A hot breeze ruffles my hair along with the papers on my desk. I blink rapidly. The lights flicker, and the computer shuts down and restarts.
A translucent glow appears beside Elsbeth. Slowly, it takes shape. I rub a hand quickly over my eyes. The Red Witch fades away, and in her place, sits my father. He looks no different from the last time I saw him. His lips curl up, and his dark eyes twinkle.
“Dad?”
“Hey there, Audra.” His gaze rakes over me. “I’d like to say it’s good to see you, but if you summoned me, there’s a problem. What’s troubling you?”
I twist my fingers together in my lap. “Everything.”
Dad cocks an eyebrow. “The pack?”
“Yes. I took over as alpha when you died.”
“I know. You’ve been a great leader. I’ve been watching over you.”
“You have?” I never took seriously the idea that the dead watch over the living. I thought it was something people just said to lessen the pain.
“Always.” Dad sighs. “I’m very proud of you. Being alpha isn’t an easy job. I know it’s been especially hard on you.”
The last thing I want my father believing is I regret my decision. I don’t. It was the honorable thing to do. “I’m not complaining.”
“You never do, but you’re not happy.” His hands rest on the desktop. “Audra, leadership shouldn’t be thought of as a punishment. It’s supposed to be an honor to lead the pack. ”
“I don’t—”
“Don’t lie, Audra.” He points to my chest. “I see your heart, and it’s not with the pack.”
Panic grips me. What all does he see? Does he know about Greg? “What am I supposed to do, Dad? Greg’s not ready to take over.”
Dad blows air through his cheeks, and cold air covers me. “Sadly, my son never will be.”
My father’s words rattle me and toss ice water on my dreams. When I was younger, he used to say the same thing—Greg’s not alpha material. I assumed Dad meant Greg needed time to learn and train. So, I’ve led my life hoping that he’d step up one day. While I’ve waited for Greg to show interest in the pack, I learn the politics, the history…everything needed to teach my brother. So much for wishful thinking.
“So, I’m stuck as alpha,” I mumble. It’s a statement—a fact like everything else. I guess it’s never been my lot to enjoy life. Pack first, family second, personal shit last. Always. It’s the code of all alphas, not just the Romeros.
Being the obedient child gave me the Nevers pack by default. I’m its leader because I’m fulfilling an obligation. I didn’t ask for this burden, but I did chose to step into the alpha’s shoes.
Temporarily.
Sure, I enjoy having power and uncelebrated freedom. It’s rare for a female to lead a pack, but that status shouldn’t mean losing my heart…losing Brady.
Dad touches my forearm. “Audra, you’re only stuck if you want to be. I heard the conversation between you and your brother. I know you don’t want to hear it, but he’s right. You can always walk away. Pass the baton to your beta. If you don’t think he’s capable, find someone else.”
Dropping my head into my hands, I squeeze my hair until it hurts. This isn’t the answer I’m looking for. I need a point-blank directive. Do this. Not that.
Perhaps I got the message all wrong. Yeah, that’s it. The weight on my chest lessens. I lift my head to ask Dad another question, but he’s gone. Once again, Elsbeth sits across from me.
“Bring him back!” My breath bursts in and out as my thoughts swirl in my head like a cyclone. I devolve into a panicky toddler wanting to be by her parent’s side. Hitting the desk top with my palm, I shout, “Elsbeth, I’m not finished! Bring him back!”
The Red Witch is a wise female. She didn’t survive this long by giving in to tirades. Folding her hands on the desk, she calmly stares into my eyes. “Your father spoke his piece. I am sorry you didn’t get the answer you desired.”
My shoulders slump forward as my chest tightens. Afraid to say a word, I clamp my lips shut.
“You seek an excuse for your inaction. A reason to remain in charge. Stop looking for something that cannot be found. The spirits will not tell you what you already know.”
So even the spirit world has turned its back on me? Part of me wants to throttle this witch for pointing out the obvious. But I’m not suicidal. At least not at the moment. I’m in an impossible situation. Alone. Always.
“How am I supposed to solve this?” I ask.
“You’re not alone, Alpha. Solving this mystery is as simple as being honest with yourself. As I said earlier, look to your own heart.” Elsbeth pushes to her feet. “The right answer lies within you. You just don’t want to face it.”
“Not true.”
A thin smile graces Elsbeth’s face as she slowly transforms. A dusty cloud forms around the witch. When it clears, she’s back in her raggedy dress, and her pets scurry around her feet. Elsbeth rasps as she says, “Face your truth, wolf. When you do, all will be right in your world.”
With those words, the Red Witch vanishes.
The Red Witch’s departure leaves me torn. Making a decision shouldn’t be this damned hard. For the good of the pack, I need to stay on as alpha. Sadly, my beta isn’t fit to lead either. He’s just a nice guy who is always looking for approval and lacks the ability to protect.
You only have yourself to blame. You chose him.
Yes, I created this pessimistic predicament by selecting someone who wouldn’t challenge my leadership. Betas are supposed to be strong individuals who could take over should something happen to the alpha. Before I can step down, I have to replace him. Maybe Sarah knows the right wolf to put in the position.
Will finding new leadership mend things with Brady?
He wants a wife—a helpmate. As much as I want to be that for him, I don’t want to be like either of our mothers. I can’t bow to his commands and hold my tongue whenever I disagree—the way of an alpha’s wife. Brady also wants children. I’m not sure that’s in my future either. If something happens to us, we leave little ones defenseless. I won’t do that to my offspring.
Glancing at the computer screen, I notice it’s time to open for lunch. These thoughts need to be tabled until later.
Out of all the decisions I’ve made recently, opening Balls Up for lunch is the best one. We’ve only been offering a noon menu for a short time, but we have a waiting list and people milling by the front door. Good thing I anticipated a crowd and brought in extra staff.
Standing at the edge of the room, I survey the rabble and am pleased with the turnout. Well, I was until I see Calhoun Ryder slip into the bar. At his side is a tall, willowy female with intense golden hair and startling cornflower blue eyes. Amber Broussard. I thought she wasn’t due in Falls Creek until next week.
With Calhoun’s attention focused on Amber, I exit the room unnoticed. Stepping into my office, I pull out my phone and send Brady a text:
Audra Nevers: Hey, baby. I thought Amber Broussard wasn’t coming to town until next week.
Within seconds, Brady responds.
Brady Romero: That’s right. Why? What’s up?
Audra Nevers: She’s here. At the bar.
Brady Romero: Alone?
Audra Nevers: No. She’s with Cal Ryder.
Minutes pass with me staring at the screen. I nearly drop the phone when it suddenly starts ringing. It’s Brady.
“What do you mean she’s there with Cal?” Brady screams into the phone. His boisterous voice hurts my ear.
I shake off the pain. “Just like it sounds. She walked into the bar with him.” Opening the door, I take a look out to make sure no one’s lurking in the hall. “I thought you should know.”
“Thanks, sugar. Keep an eye on them for me.” He pauses for a moment. “Hey, did Sebastian drop off paperwork for you?”
“Yesterday.” I shut the door behind me. “Deeds to the bar and the house.”
“I’m sorry about that.” His voice shakes slightly. “In case things don’t work out, I want you to have them. You deserve the best.”
My heart swells. He’s always looking out for me. “As long as I have you, baby, I have the best.”
“Back at you.” Brady breathes into the phone. “Change in plans. I’m going to swing through. Pretend you didn’t get the paperwork.”
“What are you thinking?”
“Amber needs to know she’s not running this show. She can’t do whatever she pleases. Plus, it’s time to let Cal and everyone else think our breakup is the real deal.”
An acting job. Brady and I discussed this last night. It’s the only way to catch the Ryders off-guard. I swallow hard. “Any way to do this without me?”
“Sugar, it’ll be fine,” he reassures me. “Give it your best shot. Just a warning though. I’m going to say and do stuff that will piss you off. Let it. I’ll make it up to you tonight.”
I nod, forgetting I’m on the phone. “I’m going home early. I’ll say my mind isn’t on work and leave around six.”
“Perfect. After our display, it’ll be believable. See you soon.”
Hanging up, I return to the main room to wait. Watching Amber, however, brings back memories I’d like to forget. Two years ago, Brady and I went to New Orleans for a meeting with all the alphas.
As soon as we entered the room, this tall Norwegian-looking wolf stepped up to Brady. She completely ignored me and wrapped her hand around his elbow.
“Brady Romero, I’ve been looking forward to meeting you,” the Ice Princess announced.
Her skimpy red dress and stilettos let me know exactly what type of meeting she had in mind, and I didn’t play those games.
“Excuse you,” I said. Moving closer to Brady, my gaze lands on her hand. “Take your hand off my mate.”
The she-wolf narrowed her blue eyes and tightened her grip. “Ah, you must be Audra Nevers. Last time I heard, Brady was still unattached. He can choose whomever he likes.”
Her voice, too sweet with an edge, irritated the fuck out of me. My wolf sat at the fence ready to leap.
Brady, wisely, remained quiet. He knew I could fight my own battles.
“Who the hell are you?” I demanded.
“Amber Broussard.” Her gaze dropped from my eyes to my feet and back again. “No mark. Honey, he’s not yours.”
Brady cleared his throat. “For your sake, Miss Broussard, step off. I can’t guarantee your safety with my mate.”
But Amber wasn’t smart. She stayed her ground. Before things escalated, a tall, muscular male walked up to us. He looked like the biker type—full-sleeve, colorful tattoos with a bald head and dark facial hair. He stood beside us as if his mere presence intimidated. It didn’t work on me, but it affected Amber.
“Amber.” His voice, robust and deep, vibrated. “Is there a problem here?”
She shook her head and stalked off.
“Forgive my sister.” He extended his hand. “Name’s Ace. The Broussards welcome you to our town.”
Brady accepted the gesture as his gaze flicked between Ace and me. “We’re happy to be here. I speak for me and my mate when I say there won’t be any trouble from us. But if your sister steps to me again like that, I can’t promise anything.”
Ace’s gaze landed on me, and his head bobbed up and down. “Understood. You won’t have a problem with my sister. I promise it.”
I immediately liked Ace. It wasn’t just the way he handled his sister. The male ruled his pack fairly—appreciating the strengths of its members and not taking advantage of their weaknesses. It was how I wanted to lead my own pack. Thanks to his sister, though, I spent the rest of the conference in a foul mood. I’ve hated Amber ever since.
Brady comes in the front door as I walk behind the counter. Damn that male can wear a suit. Undoubtedly, it’s custom-made. I’m wondering how long it will take for me to get him out of it.
His eyes dart to me and then over to Calhoun and the wench before he storms toward their table. Calhoun crosses his beefy arms over his chest. Amber, visibly shaken, opens and closes her mouth like a damned fish. Nice to see her speechless for a change.
One of my servers comes up to me. “What’s going on over there?”
“I’m hoping someone gets their ass kicked,” I say.
“Who? Cal?”
“No.” I let the word linger in the air as I walk around the edge of the bar. It’s time to perform.
“Amber.” Brady’s hand goes to her elbow. “You need to come with me. This isn’t the sort of company my future bride should be hanging with.”
Calhoun laughs loudly. “So it’s true? Damn. Glad to know the pretty she-wolf is back on the market. At least for the moment.”
His beady eyes turn to me as I approach. Suddenly, I feel the need for a long bath and a hard scrubbing.
“Not hardly.” I say. “Being on the market implies property. I belong to no one.”
Brady drops his hand and brings it to his chin, rubbing it before saying, “I’m sorry, Audra. I came by to drop off some paperwork. If Amber will come with me, there won’t be any trouble.”
The wench holds her chin high. “No harm. I’m just catching up with Cal.”
“I don’t care what you were doing. This is a public place, so I can’t make you leave. Just keep your drama out of my business.” I start to walk away.
“Oh, Audra,” Amber says.
“What?” I throw over my shoulder.
“Perhaps you could drink a toast with us? Help celebrate our upcoming nuptials?”
I swear listening to Amber talk might put me in a sugar-induced coma. Nobody should sound that damn sweet, especially when they’re nothing but pure evil. The female is toxic and a pain in the ass, but there’s something else… Something’s off about her, but I’m not going to waste my time trying to figure it out.
“No, thank you. I have better things to do.”
Brady comes over to me. “I’m sorry, Audra. Forgive Amber. She meant nothing by it.”
I hold my palm up. “Just give me the damn paperwork and be on your way. There’s nothing we need to say to each other.”
He nods, reaches into his suit jacket, and gives me an envelope. “The deeds to the house and bar are inside. I’m giving them to you.”
“It’s the least you can do.”
“Audra, can’t we at least be civil?”
My fists go to my hips. “Civil? You bring that cheap-ass skank around here, and I’m supposed to play nice?” My voice goes up another octave. “Get the fuck away from me, Brady Romero! I wish to hell we’d never met!”
“Audra.” He reaches for me, and I step backward.
Jerking my head toward Amber, I shout, “Have fun with the bimbo.”
A chair screeches, but I don’t stick around to deal with her rage. I’ve had enough of acting for one day.