Page 20 of Forsaken By Fate

“No. We were expected,” Wyn replies.

“All of you?” I nod deliberately toward the stranger with them. He’s clearly part of their pack, but I wasn’t expecting him.

“I did mention we were bringing Lachlan along,” Rex explains hastily, nodding toward Fenris.

“I explained that added security isn’t necessary,” Fenris sighs, rolling his steely blue eyes heavenward, clearly pained by the extra body.

My own eyes catch sight of one of the curtains moving on the second story, and I realize that Aurora is watching us from her suite.

If she’s so curious, why didn’t she just stay for the meeting?I wonder, shaking my head ruefully.

“He’s not security—” Lancer starts to say, but a heavy blanket of humidity drops abruptly over the estate, and suddenly, the air grows thick with the smell of smoke.

“What is that?” Wyn gags, raising his nostrils upward.

The exterior lightbulbs smash out in tandem, glass splintering, and we take cover to keep from being rained on.

“Maybe we should take this inside,” I suggest, ushering everyone through the doors.

The house energy is on the fritz again. My haunches raise as I secure the doors behind us, pursing my lips. In the grand foyer, I falter, unsure of what to do with them, my indecision troubling me. I have to decide what to do and quickly, before I show weakness in front of these Alphas.

“What is that burning smell?” Wyn asks again, and Zane brushes it off with an explanation about something in the kitchen.

“I’ll have the staff get some drinks,” I tell the Alphas, signaling the house staff as I look to my brothers. Zane ushers the others toward the dining room, and I notice the chandelier overhead swaying wildly.

Something is very off again.

My chin intuitively turns upward, and a flash of blonde catches my peripheral vision. “Aurora!” I call out to her, but she doesn’t materialize. I’m half-tempted to go up after her, but theothers are waiting for me, Fenris lingering in the doorway of the office, his eyes shadowing with annoyance.

I wave him toward me and out of earshot of the Oklahoma Alphas. “Who is Lachlan, and why is he here?” I demand.

“I don’t know,” Fenris snaps. “They asked if he could come along, and I couldn’t very well say no, could I?”

“Why the hell not?”

Fenris rolls his eyes. “Zane and his peacekeeping ways are rubbing off on me?”

Grunting, I shoo him into the dining room and force a stoic expression on my face. “Refreshments will be along shortly,” I promise, taking my place at the head of the table. “Please, be seated.”

Everyone sits, and I look to Wyn, waiting for an explanation for this convention.

“Well?” I finally say, unable to continue with the drawn-out pleasantries. “What is this about?”

“We understand you have a girl,” Wyn blurts out without preamble, and I gape at him, blindsided by the unexpected declaration.

“What?” I state with equal boldness.

“You know who we’re talking about,” Lachlan blurts out.

His blatant disrespect infuriates me, and smoke emanates from my nostrils. I already didn’t like him, and he’s not doing anything to help his cause. How dare he speak to me without a proper introduction.

“Lachlan,” Wyn hisses. “Leave the speaking to us.”

The underling has the good sense to sit back, lowering his head demurely. “Sorry.”

My eyes narrow. “What girl?” I spit, every muscle in my body constricting. I already know exactly who they’re talking about, and I don’t like where this is going one bit.

“If you’re referring to Aurora, we already reached out to you about her,” Zane interjects diplomatically, glancing worriedly at Fenris. “Haven’t we, Fenris? Weeks ago.”

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