Behind The Alpha Book 2 WES

THEA

I stare at the beautiful Brazilian woman before me. She stands tall, smug and proud. She looks at me through narrow eyes. Her scolding face tells me she’s not here just to say hello.

I push off the tree and take big steps to her. “Nala! What are you doing here? You cannot be in these woods. You can’t cloak!”

“Don’t talk to me like I don’t know what my presence means here, Thea. You give me no choice, sister.” She arches a brow and her cold, dark eyes flare at me. Her emotionless voice rings deep in my chest.

“He will find you. He will find me! Is that what you want?” I grit at her.

“Thea. You’ve exposed yourself. If he finds you, you bare that consequence.” Nala holds her hands behind her back.

“I have not. I have complete control.” I cross my arms.

“Then how to explain how I found you? I’ve been watching you for sometime, Thea. If I can find you, so can he.” Nala warns.

I point to her. “We wouldn’t have to hide if you would just help us, brother.”

“The problems of your world, are not my problems, Thea. You chose this side of your life just like all the rest.” She holds her chin high.

I frown at her. “Why are you here?”

“To tell you what you already know. You’re veil is weakening. He will find you and if he does, you will not be able to save him from the madness that will consume him.” She tilts her head forward.

I shake my head. “No. You’re wrong. I’ve strengthened my bubble.”

She steps to me and looks into my eyes. “Is that so. Tell me, Thea. Have you touched him?”

I look away and only glance at her.

“If you have, your veil is failing. No amount of blue light recharge will strengthen it. His heart is strong and you will weaken as a result. He seeks the truth whether you like it or not. He will see it. He will see you and his mind will snap like a twig on your tree. You know what you must do.” She speaks to me like an elder.

I look down at the forest floor. “I can’t. He won’t understand.” I squeak.

“If he finds the truth before you shift, Thea, he truly won’t understand. His fragile mind cannot bare your state as you are now. If you allow him to see you, you’ll have to give his essence to the elders.” Nala says quietly.

“No! They’ll take his life force!” I turn to her and grab her arms.

“Precisely. If you wish to spare him from the trees, choose a form.” She says.

“He’ll come, Nala. Don’t you understand? He’ll hunt me. You don’t have these worries. You have the demigod to protect you. We have nothing.” I say with worry on my words.

She takes my hands off her. “I understand perfectly, child. I tried to fight him once. Now I do hide too. Don’t think I don’t understand your plight. You have your veil. I do not. The King maybe strong, but Artemis is an enemy Zander has never had to face. So, don’t talk to me about fear. I feel it. Even more so now I’m here.” She turns and takes a few steps from me. Her long legs taking regal steps across the pine needle covered ground. She turns. “You must do what’s right for Wesley. Regardless, of what awaits. You chose this, Thea. You knew this situation would have to end this way.”

“But how do I do it without putting him in danger?” I ask her.

“You will think of way, dear sister. Just prepare yourself. Artemis is cunning. He’s a good hunter and relentless. Once you’re fully exposed, you won’t have much time.” Nala cautions.

I nod and hang my head.

“You shouldn’t have left the woods, Thea. Because of your curiosity, you’ve endangered a lot of people. You cannot go back.” Nala meets my eyes as I raise my head to her. “Please. Be safe.”

“You will help, right?” I ask.

She looks at me, turns into a barn owl and flies into the night sky. Her owl screeches into the vast darkness as she fades away.

I look to my tree and my heart hurts. “I’m sorry.” I choke as a tear falls.

I leave and walk the woods for five days and nights. Wondering what to do. I hold up my hands and look at my veil. I can’t come out. I can’t.

I need to hang on for a while longer.

****

“I’m just saying, Zanders being a dick. Quinn deserves something for capturing the killer. He almost die, for fuck sakes.” Wes says as he walks down the steps of the Phoenix City Unit.

“I know, Wesley, but if he’s not willing to listen, you can’t persuade a king.” Grey says.

“Stop calling me, Wesley, Grey.” Wes scowls. I can’t help but giggle. It’s a constant argument with them. “There’s got to be something we can do.”

“Quinn made his bed, dude. You can’t win every case.” Grey shakes his head.

“I know. He refuses to plead innocent. Zander wants 80 years. Grey, I can’t do that to Bella. It'll kill her. What do I do?” Wes looks so hurt because if his friends problem.

“You’re the lawyer, bro. Cut a deal.” Grey shrugs.

“I tried. Quinn’s not listening. He’s determined to go down for this. He’s even taking the hit for his mate.” Wes seems so defeated. It’s his job to protect, yet he acts like he’s failing.

I stick to the wall of the building and watch them from behind my veil. Their forms wave like they’re underwater.

Grey look at Wes. “Ok. Forget Zander. What about the others?”

“I have Darcy and Mateo’s ear. They both did things they aren’t proud of. Jakes tipping. Being an addict himself, he can relate.” Wes says.

I jump off the building and join them at their backs. I watch them closely as they talk about Quinn who seems to be in trouble with his elders. I wonder if I can help Wes in some way. I walk around them as I think.

I’ve also spent a lot of time thinking of Nala’s words. I just can’t bring myself to do as she says. I feel it though. The line between my existence and reality is thinning.

Wes is sensing me again. I may have to shed my veil after all, but will Wes accept it.

“So. You persuade them. Play on their guilt. They’ll come around.” Grey says.

“I’ll try.” Wes says.

“Ok. Stop thinking about that. Think about tonight.” Grey stops and faces Wes.

I always smile then they do that. It always feels like there’s a sheet of clear winter ice between them and their reflections are bouncing back and forth.

“Grey. I don’t want to go to Starlight.” Wes whines. He’s so cute when he scrunches his face like that.

“Wesley. You’ve been avoiding the ladies for years. You need this.” Grey says

“No, Grey. Every time I go on a date, it ends horribly.” Wes growls.

“So, you dumped your dates dinner in her lap. Who cares? It happens.” Grey waves him off.

“That’s the thing, Grey. I didn’t do it. It’s like the plate flew off the table and that’s not the only thing. The weird shit has started up again and it’s best I just hide.” Wes hangs his head.

“Not this again. You’re not haunted. You’re not being stalked. You're awkward as fuck. You’re just trying too hard to have what I have with Mia.” Grey points in his face.

Wes scowls at him. “What? No, Grey…”

They stop at a crossing and wait for the traffic to stop.

I stand behind them and wait.

As I wait, barking scares me. I jump back in my bubble. A dog barks right at me. He can see me. I shush him and flick my head to Wes. The boys both look at the dog as it’s human pulls on its rope. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s got into him. Coco, come on!” She says as she pulls on him.

He relentlessly barks and jumps at me. Wes looks behind him and I panic. I look to the dog, narrow my eyes and growl at him. My angry eyes glare into his. He drops his ears, whines and joins his human. I watch him leave, but as I do, I see my veil pulse. I reach out and touch it. It pulses again. “Oh no.” I whisper. It can only mean one thing. It is failing.

“Eh. Wesley, don’t deny it. You’re sabotaging yourself because you can’t deal with not having a girl as sweet and beautiful as my foxy lady.” Grey says smugly.

“Oh my god! No!” Wes throws his hands up.

“Oh my god, Yes! You think having a twin means our girls need to be the same. Don’t deny it. I’m older.”

“BY TWO MINUTES!!” Wes throws two fingers in Greys face.

Grey holds up a finger and closes his eyes. He lifts his chin. “I’m still older and wiser, Wesley.” He nods.

They continue on, leaving me on the corner.

“Whatever! I’m done with this conversation.” Wes growls and crosses the street.

“What are you doing?”

I turn around with a yelp.

Behind me is a thin, young looking man with messy, brown hair. He’s eyes are curious, but stern. He crosses his arms.

I point to him. “You…You can see me?”

He leans to me. “Hello. I’m Len. Of course, I can see you. Now, what are you doing?”

“Nothing.” I mutter.

“No. You’re torturing that poor schmuck. Why?” He narrows his eyes.

“I’m protecting him. He’s my charge.” I hold my chin up.

He points at me. “You’re out of your element. You can’t be here.”

“I know the rules.” I scowl. “This is important.”

“You know what you’re doing to him. You end this now and go back where you came from.” He scolds.

“I can’t. He said thank you. I can’t just ignore it.” I flop my hands to my sides.

“Then reveal yourself before his damn brain explodes. Your power is too big for him.”

“I know.” I turn to Wes walking down the other side of the street. “But what should I choose?” I turn back and the being known as Len is gone.

I press my lips together and disappear. I reappear behind Wes and walk with them. Even the cosmic beings want me to reveal myself, but none of them will help against Artemis.

“Alright, I’ll go. Just a few drinks, but no girls.” Wes grumbles.

“We'll see about that.” Grey smirks.

If I did reveal myself, what form would Wes like. I want him to like me. I’ll have to study closely.

I also have to prepare for Artemis. He will rise quickly once my presence is felt in the world. I just hope I can fight him like my sisters have done in the past. They’re so much stronger than me.

I also think I need to prepare Wes in some way. Some form of contact before he actually sees me. It might lessen the blow.

But how?

I’ll need a hideout. Some place Artemis wouldn’t dare attack.

I think I know just the place.