“How?”
It was the mage who answered. “We have taken care of it. My acolytes have been deployed throughout the territory causing chaos. The Alpha and her heir will stay to protect their people, and they will be too distracted to defend against a direct assault.”
His blood froze in his veins. He could only guess what kind of distraction the mages had employed.
“But we must act fast,” Anatoli said. “Before they figure out that we are working together.” His eyes gleamed. “Soon, we will be rid of those bitches who dare think they control us! And we will rule this territory and do with it as we see fit!”
“And what about New York?” he pointed out. “How do you plan to escape the wrath of Grant Anderson after you kill his mate?”
“Grant Anderson is of no consequence,” Anatoli said.
“We will take care of him,” the mage said. “You do your part and deliver Adrianna Anderson, and you will be rewarded with his territory as well.”
His stomach was in knots, but he needed to know what they were planning. “Why not kill the bitch too? She is not Alpha yet and useless. She doesn’t even want to be Alpha.”
Anatoli’s face grew red, but before he could answer, the mage spoke. “Young man,” he began. “What is your name?”
“Darius. Darius Corvinus.”
The mage cocked his head at Anatoli, who suddenly went stiff as a board and quiet as a mouse. Darius swore he saw a bead of sweat trail down his uncle’s forehead. “Adrianna Anderson is none of your concern. The Family will be rich beyond your wildest dreams and own two of the biggest Lycan territories in the world. One woman is a small price to pay.”
He felt the claws of his wolf shred his insides as it flew into a rage. It was mentally exhausting to restrain it now, and he feared he would lose control any second. “You are right,” he said through gritted teeth. “I must prepare for tonight then. Should I go outside with the rest of the enforcers, Alexandru?”
“I will join you shortly,” he said. “I must have a word with your uncle.”
He nodded, then strode out the door. As soon as he was far away enough, he turned a corner, let out a pained growl and dropped to his knees. Its claws felt like hooks, digging into him from the inside.
Stop! Stop, I say! He begged his wolf. No harm will come to her. I swear.
It didn’t seem to believe him.
“I swear,” he whispered. “But you must let me do things my way.”
That seemed to calm his wolf down, and he let out a long breath as the claws released him, and he was able to breathe again. When the pain lessened, he staggered to his feet and trudged toward the garage. The Family had numerous vehicles for their use in there, and he could steal one and drive to Jersey to warn Adrianna. She was probably still angry at him, but he didn’t care. He was going to make her listen.
He crept into the darkened garage, not bothering to turn the lights on as he walked to the cabinet on the other side where all the keys were kept.
“Where are you going?”
Goddamn Remus! He turned around slowly to face the burly enforcer. “I was searching for a tool.” Glancing around, he saw a discarded pair of bolt cutters on a table. “Ah, here it is.” He waved the tool in Remus’s face. “Tell those idiot mechanics that if they don’t return the tools to their proper places, I will use these on their balls.”
“Whatever you need to fix can wait,” Remus said. “Your uncle needs you to assemble and get ready with the other enforcers.”
Was Anatoli having him followed? Did he suspect everything was not right? “Of course.” He put the bolt cutters down and brushed past the other man. “I’m headed there now.” He walked away from Remus, heading toward the direction of the outside courtyard where the enforcers would be waiting.
He turned a corner when he was sure he was out of Remus’s sights, pondering his options. Damn Anatoli. Curse him and his greed. He was betraying their kind by working with the mages. Did he not realize the depth of his treachery or did he not care?
Save Adrianna. That was the most important thing now. Obviously, there was no chance for him to get away and warn her. He would have to play along for now and convince his uncle that he was on their side. The moment the mages tried to take Adrianna, he would stop them. He would have to stay close to their leader, the man in the red robe.
A deep, unknown sensation ran down his spine as he thought of that man. There was something about him he just couldn’t put his finger on. Something … familiar?
He cursed as a pain jolted behind his eyes, like a hot poker had pierced into his skull. His stomach roiled, and he heaved and hunched over, trying to wait until the feeling passed. He was Lycan, he never got sick, but this … what was it?
Remember.
He glanced up and looked around him. Remember what?
“Darius!” Alexandru was standing in front of him. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” he said through gritted teeth. The pain had been so bad he didn’t see the other man approach him.
“You’ve been gone for over an hour. Anatoli sent me to find you.”
“An hour?”
“Yes,” Alexandru said. “Remus said he saw you in the garage an hour ago and he saw you head outside.”
“I …” He massaged his temple. How could he have been in pain for an hour and not realize it?
“Darius, are you all right?” There was real concern in the other man’s eyes.
“Is everyone assembling?”
“Yes.”
Darius did a double-take. Alexandru had a healing cut on his cheek. When he opened his mouth to ask him about it, the look he gave him made him think
