Page 229 of The Alpha's Second Chance Mate

Forcing down my revulsion, I clasped his free hand with mine. He grinned at the show of affection, and I knew I had him.

Kyle licked his lips and scanned me up and down, devouring me with his eyes. “I’m gonna make you forget all about that bastard.”

For an insane moment, I thought he might try one of the degenerate fantasies that were probably playing through his head right then. If he did, I’d have to drop the act. I couldneverallow him to touch me like that. The mere thought of his sweaty body atop mine, his fetid, grunting breath billowing into my face as whatever pathetic thing he called a cock rammed into me, was enough for me to wish for death.

No, not death. There might be a child growing inside me. Instead of death, I’d simply fight until there was nothing left to fight with.

Thankfully, he didn’t nudge me toward the bed. Instead, he took a single step back.

“Before that, you need your rest,” he said. “You’ve had a busy day, and I want you to fully recuperate before we enjoy each other.”

As badly as I wanted to be rid of the man, I still had questions. Things I needed to know, or else I might go mad trying to figure them out.

“Wait,” I said. “Don’t go.”

Another of those hungry smiles appeared on his face. “My love, all you have to do is ask.”

Before he could think I wanted him here for something more physical, I sat on the small loveseat beside the bed.

“What’s the plan? For Cole? They have no clue what you’re trying to do. I have to be honest, I can’t figure it out, either.”

I’d hoped to play on his ego, and sure enough, it worked. He sat on the chair across from me, resting his elbows on his knees.

“I suppose you would be curious. To be honest, we’ve had to do some additional planning since things didn’t initially work the way we wanted. My plan from the beginning was to get Lance to sign over the rights to his pack to Dallas. Once that was complete, we’d push Lance out and install Dallas as pack alpha. I would take control from the shadows until Dallas was established. Afterward, he would sign it over to me, lawfully.” Kyle grimaced. “Of course, that old bastard up and died. Not only that, but he diedbeforegetting the new will notarized and filed. If I had to guess, he probably still has the original will hidden away somewhere. Once that avenue was destroyed, and Cole returned from whatever wilderness he’s been in for nearly sixteen years, things became more complicated.”

“I bet,” I said sympathetically. “But you’re such an intelligent man. You probably already had another plan going, didn’t you?” It was a miracle I could compliment him with a straight face.

Kyle’s eyes gleamed at that. “At first, I hoped he would only be passing through and give control of the pack to his brother. But then he didn’t, and it came out that he had a son.” Kyle winked at me. “A strong boy who inherited all his mother’s glory and noneof his father’s trash DNA. The plan became simple at that point. Kill Cole, and by law, the pack will pass to Ashton. As Ashton’s new stepfather, I will lead the pack as de facto alpha until he comes of age. I will expand my influence, as well as begin to groom an heir to the empire I’m building. Two birds with one stone.”

“It makes total sense,” I said, the sick weight of his words in my stomach like a heavy stone.

Kyle sat back, grinning, pleased with himself. “It does, doesn’t it? Though, to truly assert our dominance, me andmyson will need to prove our power to the Harbor Mills pack. I have a plan in place for that. A coming-out party, if you will, for Ashton. He will be the one to kill Cole Garrett and steal away his pack lands.”

I stared back at Kyle, keeping my face emotionless while a storm of emotions roared through my mind. He wantedAshtonto do his dirty work? This asshole didn’t even have the spine to face Cole himself. He had to send a boy to do it? Even if Ashton had actually been on his side, it would be disgusting.

“Oh my God, Avery,” Kyle said happily, throwing his head back. “It’s going to be glorious. You have no idea. The plans I have would sweep you off your feet. I know you’ve seen the effects of the drug we’re developing. It will change the world one day. Not just the state or the country, but the world. Once we perfect it, I’ll use it to increase the numbers in my army. I’ll slowly take pack after pack. One day soon, I’ll be the richest and most powerful alpha in the country.” He gave a self-satisfied shrug. “Maybe the world. We’ll see. Even the humans won’t stand against me, because I could turn any of them into a shifter or wolf whenever I want.”

This man was completely unhinged. We’d already decided Kyle was crazy, but this was a whole other level of madness. The fact that I could see he believed every word of it only cemented that fact.

Biting back my thoughts, I said, “I don’t know that I like the thought of Ashton being a killer, Kyle. You’re so much stronger than Cole. Wouldn’t it be better if you did it?”

Kyle’s smile slipped, his eyes turning hard. Had I stepped too far? Had he seen through my ruse?

“I have already shown my strength, Avery. To lead a pack, onemustmake a show of force. Otherwise, your pack members will never respect you. Your son—ourson—must show strength. Do you want the pack to think Ashton is a weakling?”

All I wanted to do was stand up and plant my foot in his face, but I restrained myself. There was a plan in place. If Sydney was right, by tomorrow night, I’d be out of this place. Ashton and I would be safe again with Cole. All I needed to do was survive until then.

“Of course. When you say it like that, it makes sense.”

The smile reappeared. “Good girl.”

He stood and stepped close, bending over and planting a kiss on my temple. My stomach heaved.

“Get some rest.” He traced a finger down my shoulder to my collarbone, but blessedly pulled away before reaching my breasts. “After tomorrow night, we can celebrate.”

Watching him walk to the door, I swallowed again and again, feeling the hot burn in my stomach. As soon as the door was closed and locked behind him, I sprinted to the bathroom.Lifting the toilet seat, I shoved my head inside and emptied my stomach.

“One more day,” I whispered before I heaved again. “One more day.”

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