Page 14 of Red and the Alpha
“I can take you,” she volunteered.
“I don’t want to cause you to miss the ceremony. I heard it was tonight.”
“Finding my grandmother’s killer is more important than the public viewing. Azin and the council can handle that.” She wasn’t expected to be there. The more important rites of passage would be later when the moon was at its fullest.
“Then by all means, lead the way.”
Kamila spun on her heel and strode toward the doorway. She sensed Maxius behind her. His footsteps were silent, but his alpha waves were floating through the air. It was wreaking havoc on her libido.
Why, she didn’t know and couldn’t understand.
Witches had soul mates, but Kamila was different.
Her family heritage wasn’t pure.
Hazel’s mother was a pure witch who had fallen in love with a being who was not of their kind. Destiny had seen fit to make the person who carried the other half of her heart to be Fae.
Kamila’s great-grandfather was full-blooded Fae. Hazel, like Kamila, had inherited traits from him that enhanced their powers.
Kamila came to an abrupt halt at the sight of Kadir standing in the doorway.
“Where are you going?” he asked. His gaze flicked to Maxius. He leaned against the doorframe, blocking their exit.
“The alpha is here to help. He’s trying to gain the scent of Hazel’s attackers. I’m going to take him to where Hazel was found,” she announced.
“Not without me, you aren’t,” he murmured. He had yet to break his gaze from Maxius.
The wolf standing behind her growled low.
“This is not the time to be at odds,” she snapped.
“Where you go, I go,” Kadir stated. He stood to his full height. “Do I need to remind you that the prior priestess is dead and you are to come into power tonight?”
“I am more than capable of taking care of myself.” Kamila rested her hands on her hips. They were on coven grounds, and it was daylight. She would be fine. “Right now, we need to ensure that the entire coven is protected. I need you to do that for me.” She softened her words. They didn’t know if this attack was a single act of violence at the moment. It was imperative that each member of Eternal Flame felt safe.
“We can assign—”
“I’m asking you.” Kadir blew out a deep breath and glanced at her.
She knew he was bending to her wishes. He ran a hand over his hair and shook his head.
He focused his gaze on Maxius. “If any harm comes to her, your head will be on a stake.”
“I will protect her as if she were mine.” Maxius’s voice was deadly with a chilling effect to it.
Kamila glanced over her shoulder and met Maxius’s eyes. Somehow, she believed him.
* * *
Maxius walked around, avoiding the footprints and animal tracks. His gaze roamed the area, and it had been disturbed from moving Hazel’s body. Had he been here when Hazel was still lying however she was found, he would have been able to follow the wolves. With the naked eye, he immediately saw there were multiple wolves.
The woods were unusually quiet. He paused and looked at the woods but didn’t sense anyone or anything else around. It must be the reaction of the creatures sensing his wolf nearby.
“What is it? You’ve picked something up already?”
The soft voice of his mate brought him back to the present. He glanced over at her and saw her keen eyes were locked on him. In her scarlet cloak, she was breathtaking.
Red.
