QUEEN OF THE UNDERWORLD: Earthbound series Lucien and Scarlett (Book 2)

A few days later.

Everything is a fucking mess.

We now know who has been taking the naturals and humans.

Our old enemy has somehow risen from the dead.

The young human we had found, his memory had started to return; he was still human; how long for, no one knew.

Jacob and his mate had swiftly left the meeting after telling everyone about Enzo being back in the picture. We had all agreed that we would double our patrols and start questioning our people, that if they saw the slightest thing they thought was suspicious, they had to report it.

The reports were piling up. My people had checked them through. Even if most weren’t even worth giving a second glance, it had to be done.

Damien, the bastard, was still pissed off and had told me to get my shit together before he had left. He would be back once he had cooled down.

Chamuel; still hadn’t made an appearance. I had been tempted to take Archer to one side and question him. It had been a stupid idea. The fewer people knew what Chamuel and I were to each other, the better.

Jaden had returned. He had gone to find out if his suspicions about Jax were correct, and from the look of the pissed-off expression he had had on his return, I’d say he had been right. Jaden now sat in Damien’s chair. Though I had known Jaden nearly as long as I’d known Damien, I didn’t confide in him as much. Jaden was one of the oldest vampires who walked this Earth; he was nearly as old as Nathan. Jaden was very private and never spoke much of his past, and even though I knew he kept secrets, I knew I could trust him. Fate, the crafty bitch, was right; he should sit in Nathans’s place and not Jax. Why he didn’t think he was worthy enough, I didn’t have a fucking clue, and if he wasn’t willing to tell me, I would never know. Long ago, he had disappeared for months only to reappear; he had changed, anger radiated from him, and it had unbalanced him for a while. He had become one of my deadliest men and still was. I believed it had something to do with what happened while he had been gone.

I knew of one other vampire that could also take Nathan’s place if he so desired. He was older than Nathan and bat shit crazy. The problem was that most trembled in fear when they heard his name. Which made Jaden the best bet.

Aria had noticed that I wasn’t acting like my old self. She had remarked more than once on what was wrong, and I had brushed her off. She was getting more irritated over the fact that we hadn’t been intimate; I had sat there on more than one occasion watching instead of joining in. That had brought on many suspicions on her part. She wouldn’t be so easygoing for much longer. She had now gone to her own region; something unexpected had been brought to her attention that only she could deal with. She wasn’t pleased to be called away; I just hoped she was gone longer than she intended. She had wanted me to go with her; I turned her down. I wouldn’t leave my region vulnerable.

Scarlett had avoided me ever since I had arrived outside the room she was staying in. I had felt our connection more than once over the last few weeks; it was so fleeting that if it hadn’t been for my demon, I would have been sure I had imagined it.

I heard Jaden moving around on the chair he had sat on, his brow furrowed as if he was trying to work out how to tell me something. Neither of us were the type to pussy foot around. To see him on edge wasn’t a good sign.

“Spit it out, Jaden.”

Eyes narrowed, his back became ramrod straight, his face darkened with emotion, and he spoke freely about what he had on his mind.

“Something’s going on in the coven. One of Nathan’s people hinted they wanted me to take over from Jax. Some men who had been in the meetings with him approached me. They were too afraid to say it out in the open. I can understand everyone is on edge knowing that Nathan’s missing, but something else is going on.”

“Is it possible they just don’t want Jax to be in charge while Nathan’s gone?”

“Jax thinks he should be King, and even though it has been proven time and time again he is incorrect, he persists. How he even got elected is a puzzle. Somehow, Jax had gotten the rules overturned. I also heard that some of our old guides thought that Jax should be allowed to permanently take his place.”

“I’m not up on vampires’ rules and regulations, but surely every single one of your guides who agreed with Jax’s proposal would have to be supported by the vampire population?”

“Normally, yes, but that’s not the case. That is why some people have stepped forwarded asking me to challenge Jax’s place.”

I knew Jaden had taken a step back from the Coven long ago, but asking him to challenge Jax for other vampires was a big deal, even if it only meant either of them to sit in that chair until we found Nathan.

“What are you going to do?”

“Fuck Lucien, I don’t have a clue. Even if it is only for a short time, I don’t want to take on the responsibility. I stepped away from the Coven for a reason, and it still stands,” Jaden paused, frowning memories from before still haunted him, “but I cannot in all consciousness let Jax think he can take Nathans’s place or the ones who blindly support him.”

“I think you have already answered your own question.” I replied, “You are going to have to challenge Jax. To keep Nathans’s position intact, you will have to temporarily take Nathans’s place and everything it entails.”

“I know,” Jaden sighs; he looked like a heavy weight had been placed on his shoulders. I knew what that felt like. “Over fifty vampires are waiting for me to give them the nod.”

Fifty was nowhere enough. “That won’t be enough for Jax to be removed. You know I will stand by you, as I’m sure the other leaders will. It’s convincing the guides who supported Jax and the others who want him to sit on that seat. What about Drake? Can you get his support?”

Jaden lets out a hollow laugh. “You remember Drake is bat shit crazy, and I haven’t seen him for months.”

“Whether or not he’s crazy doesn’t matter. You know he has a hell of a following. If you can get his backing, then you would be halfway there,” Yes, Drake, as he now liked to be called, wasn’t the entire ticket, but if Jaden could get him to back him, it would be so much easier. I hadn’t asked him at the meetings because of the craziness he causes.

With a shudder, Jaden replied, “Shit, I’d have to go to that creepy ass castle of his. I hate it there! You know he still has those freaky women still living with him?”

“I thought he’d gotten rid of them years ago?” They were beautiful, but you couldn’t turn your back on any of them. They’d have you stripped and drained in a heartbeat.

“No. Nathan found that out when he turned up unexpectedly. Nathan had gone ape shit when they tried to seduce him. Drake hadn’t been too happy either. So, unless it’s essential, we all keep away from visiting him.”

“So, get Drake to come here.”

Jaden shook his head in dismay. “If I do this, I will have to go to him.”

“I know you have your own men to rely on, but take a handful of mine as well. In case you need extra backup.”

“I accept your offer. I will inform Drake that a handful of my men and I will arrive in three days.”

“They will be ready and waiting for you.” I already know who of my men will leave with him.

Changing the subject, Jaden said, “When is the next meeting?”

“In three days. I hope that there will be more information.” I replied.

“After what we all witnessed at the last meeting. Is Jacob going to be there?”

“He hasn’t informed me otherwise.” As far as I was aware, he was still attending, and until I heard differently, I assumed he would turn up. It had been one hell of a shock to everyone to find out he had two mates, and one had turned out to be a Witch-Omega. I had never heard of shifters having two mates. I had heard if one mate died, then it was possible you might find another, but it was rare. Usually, the one who had been left would grieve for many years, mourning the loss of their mate. I had heard of forced bonding and wondered if that had happened between Jacob and Marguerite. It would explain a lot. I had noticed the hate on Jacob’s mate’s face as Melissa had confronted them.

“Is there any intel on Enzo or Ezra?”

“Only that we suspect Enzo is the one taking the humans and naturals.” I felt frustrated that nothing new had come through.

“Fucking bastard. We need to find him and Ezra. As far as we are aware, Ezra’s the only one who can control him.”

“Until we get a firm sighting of Enzo, we are in the wind, and I’m not a hundred percent it was even him. I’m not the only one who wants more proof. It was a really crappy video.”

“I could ask Drake to help,” Jaden offered. “He might be crazy, but he’s good at what he does. As always, he might want something in return.”

He was correct; there wasn’t anyone better than Drake. I should have thought of him. If Enzo was out there, Drake would find out.

I took a sip of the drink in front of me, loving the burn as it slid down my throat. “Nothing is free. Drake has fingers in every pot, if he doesn’t already know, Drake will find him.”

“I will ask him about both of them,” Jaden replied before he took a sip of his own drink as he leaned back in his seat.

I nod my head as we sit there in silence, deep in our own thoughts. Knowing our lives are getting more complicated with every passing day.

They had confirmed who Aria’s spy was. It hadn’t come as a shock. Samuel was a snake shifter, and most were typically known to be untrustworthy. I had been keeping him closely monitored since my suspicions. To my demon disgust, I had let him live. I was now giving him false information that he could pass on to Aria. I now had to wait until they both dug a big enough hole to fall into.

Placing the drink I still held in my hand onto the table, I reached for the phone. Jaden wasn’t going alone in this meeting, and my men needed to know well in advance that they would be accompanying him to Drakes. It would be a mixture of naturals and humans. Some of my best men and women.

I felt Jaden’s gaze as he watched me. I pressed the 0 on the base of the phone. It rang three times before I heard the voice on the other side.

“Boss.” Leigh is the leader of my Blue Light Team.

“You’re going on a brief trip. Gather seven others from your team and meet Jaden and me in the concourse in an hour. You will be given more information then,” I told her, then hung up before she could ask me questions.

“Leigh,” Jaden said in utter disbelief, “You do know that they have a rocky past?”

I knew what Jaden was referring to, I wouldn’t let it stop me from sending her to Drake’s.

“She’s one of my best, and she will just have to put any feelings she might have to one side.”

“Shit. It could get messy.”

“Leigh can handle herself,” I tell him as I rub my forehead, my demon was itching to get out, and it was taking everything for me to hold him back, “Warn Drake that she will be one of the people arriving with you and to keep his women in control, so there aren’t any problems.”

I heard the huff that came from his mouth. “That won’t stop those crazy bitches from trying to get to her or any of the men.”

“It’s up to Drake to put them in their place, and if he can’t control them, then he needs to put them down like he was meant to years ago.”

“We all found out a long time ago Drake isn’t one you control. Never has been. Never will be,” Jaden reminded me.

“That’s one thing he has never been,” I agree.

Pulling out an old cell that has seen better days from his jacket pocket, he doesn’t miss my expression. “What?” He looked down at the old cell in his hands. “I hate these new fancy ones you can get.” As he pressed a number, and listened to the ringing coming through, “I can’t get the hang of the fucking things.”

I heard the rough voice and its non-polite greeting. “Jaden,” the husky voice bellowed out, causing Jaden to take the cell from his ear with a grimace, “what has caused you to ring me at this appalling hour?”

“Drake,” Jaden replied, “I thought I’d come up for a visit.”

“When do you come to see me for a visit? Cut the bullshit. What do you want, Jaden?”

“Fine, I need your help. I will explain more when I arrive. I’m coming with a handful of Lucien’s people, so be prepared, and er, Leighton will be with me.”

Silence, nothing but complete and utter silence, comes down the line at Jaden’s words.

“Drake, you there still?” Jaden asked, pulling the cell from his ear, looking down at it before looking over at me with raised eyebrows, then placing it back up to his ear.

“Yeah, I’m here,” came the rough voice, “you know we have a somewhat mucky past?”

“How could I not? Just keep your…” Jaden paused, “women under control and away from me, Leighton, and my men, and there will be no problems.”

“Jaden, my women, as you call them, are always under my control,” Drake stated, “but I will make sure they are as far away as possible while you are visiting.”

“Thanks, see you in three days,” Jaden replies.

“See you then,” Drake replied, hanging up the call.

I looked down at my wristwatch; it was time to meet Leigh at the concourse. “Leigh will be waiting for us,” I told Jaden, as I got up from my chair and walked over to the door. With Jaden close behind me, I pulled open the wooden door, and together we made our way to meet Leigh.

The concourse was a large stone walled courtyard. It would fit at least two hundred people at once at a push.

I noticed Leigh straight away. She’s hard to miss. Sitting on a small, brick wall, polishing the sword she carries with her. She’s dressed entirely in black leather. I could see the tension in her slim, muscular body; Leigh knew something was up.

At the sound of our foot’s steps, she swiftly turned her head; her golden hair was cut close to her scalp, her eyes a light blue. Sitting next to her was her second in command, Aella; she was also dressed in black leather, dark copper hair was tied up high on her head. Her dark brown eyes lit up as they locked on Jaden. I heard the curse fall from his mouth upon seeing her. He wasn’t happy at seeing her sitting by Leigh’s side. Aella had just transferred from another team, so I hadn’t expected Jaden to know her.

“Shit. What is Aella doing here?” Jaden asked.

I turned my head; his dark eyebrows were slanted in a frown. His mouth had tightened into a thin-lipped smile. “If I had known you knew her and it would be a problem, I would have warned you. I can take Leigh to one side and tell her to take her off.”

“No. Any problems I will deal with.”

“Boss,” Leigh acknowledges me in her husky voice, her eyes lit up upon seeing Jaden. “Hi Jaden, long time no see.”

Aella stood silent; her dark eyes were pinned on Jaden as if she were in some sort of trance. I couldn’t miss the look of possession that formed in her eyes as she carried on staring at him.

“Leigh, it’s been a while.” Clearing his throat, he briefly turned his head to the woman next to Leigh. “Aella.”

“Jaden, it’s been so long since I last saw you.” Joy shone in her eyes; her honey toned skin seemed to glow under his gaze.

A shadow of alarm touched Leigh’s face; she had noticed Aella’s reaction. The cogs in her head turned; suddenly, they clicked together and made a connection. She swung her gaze back to me as if to say, ‘what the fuck, really?’. Whether or not she liked it, I’m her boss and what I say goes.

I take in the group standing behind her. I nod at them in greeting. “Glad to see that you have your best men and women here.”

“When the big man says meet me and bring some of my team well, I can’t refuse such a request,” she replied as she put her sword onto her back, “So boss, are you going to tell me why you asked me to meet you here?”

Leigh wasn’t the type of female who would be intimidated by any male, even me. Maybe the fact I’ve known her all her life and, along with Damien and Jaden, trained her. She knew what she couldn’t and could get away with, and being lippy was one of them.

I looked at the small group standing all dressed in black leather. “You all know what’s been happening. We are being attacked from every corner. Naturals and Humans alike are being taken against their will,” I tell them, “now we know our old enemy is back.”

I listened to the muttering around me and watched their reactions to my announcement. “Jaden is going to take you to the one natural who might help us find out where Enzo and Ezra are.” I paused, letting my words sink in before I carried on, “Drake is the only natural who might be able to help us.”

Leigh’s head swung towards me at my words. A fleeting moment of shock is written on her face; she blinked, then focused her gaze. She’s back to the calm and collected woman you would typically see.

With a voice that rang with command, Leigh said, “When do we leave?”

Jaden turned his head to answer her. “In three days, we will leave at dawn and will reach Drake’s land by nightfall. If you have anyone you need to tell, get it done before leaving.”

“How long will we be gone?” someone asked from the group.

“It depends on how quickly Drake can find out the information needed,” Jaden replied, looking at the dark-haired human man who asked the question.

“Isn’t Drake the vamp who has all those crazy-ass women living with him?” a male natural asked.

“Yes. Drake has assured Jaden that they will not come near any of you while you are staying there,” I replied.

“Avoid them at all costs. If in the likelihood you run into one. DO. NOT. ENGAGE,” Leigh warns them, “These women are dangerous. They will try to seduce you, whether you are male or female, and if they succeed, will drain you of your blood.”

Noticing the worried expressions etched across their faces, I gave them a way out. Some of them have families, “If any of you do not want to go, then back out now, no one will hold it against you.”

I heard the mutterings between them.

“I’m going. I’ve no mate,” comes from one of the male naturals.

“I’ll go,” a human female calls out, stepping through the small group standing at the front.

The willingness to go spreads around the group. All but one agreed to go; we watched as the male natural walked out. His mate is pregnant, so none of us blame him.

Leigh turned until she was facing Jaden and me. “I think we need more than the handful we have here. I’ve been to Drakes, and I know what these women of his can do.”

“My own men will join us, but I would like to know what you’re suggesting?” Jaden inquired, waiting to put all the pieces together as he regarded her curiously.

I can’t say she’s wrong. I have also had the unpleasant pleasure of encountering Drake’s women.

“It’s great that your own men are coming, but I still think we need at least another ten,” Leigh replied.

“I’m ok with that. Jaden?” I asked as I regarded him. He looked as if he was weighing the odds.

Nodding his head, Jaden replied. “That’s fine with me.”

Turning my attention to Leigh, “Leigh, you have the go-ahead to pick another twelve from your team and meet Jaden here in three days.”

I absently listened as she gave her orders before she turned to face Jaden and me. “I’ll see you in three days, Jaden.”

We watched as she left, with Aella following closely behind her. The others follow one by one until it’s only me and Jaden standing there.

Turning his attention to me Jaden says, “Where’s Damien?”

“Visiting family.”

He stared at me in astonishment. “Family? As far as I knew, Damien’s family died many years ago.”

How I hate to be questioned. “He’s gone to see Alison and her children. He will be back sometime tomorrow.” I could see the skepticism in his expression. I wasn’t lying; he had mentioned Alison and that he needed to visit her. I could tell he didn’t believe me. I didn’t give a fuck. I wasn’t lying, and even if I was, I didn’t give a shit.

“While we are throwing questions around, why hasn’t Drake ever challenged Nathan? He has every right to do so.”

With a shrug of a shoulder Jaden replied, “He has never had an interest in the title or role.”

“Never?” I can’t see Drake never considering taking the seat or challenging Nathan. It wasn’t in his nature.

“No, never,” Jaden replied. “I know it’s hard to believe, considering who Drake is and the backing he has. Drake has control over his own land, and the people, whether they are naturals or humans, support him, and he doesn’t want or need anything other than that.”

I can see the logic, but it still doesn’t add up.

“Plus, he isn’t completely sane, and he knows that. So he would rather live on his island with his people and his crazy ass women.”

As I was about to reply, we heard running footsteps. Adrian’s assistant bursts into the courtyard.

Blue eyes wide with excitement he yells across the courtyard as if I was a mile away and not a mere few feet away.  “Sir,” No one calls me sir.

“What’s wrong?” I demanded, stepping toward the panting human.

“Adrian needs you at the medical bay. It’s the young man, he remembers, sir.”

SCARLETT

AFTER THE MEETING

The woman hadn’t been lying.

It had been a shock to find out their old enemy was back. There had been complete panic when Lucien had confirmed it. Now my family and I were sitting together again, trying to figure out if we could do anything. Melissa had confirmed that she thought that the woman who kept appearing was her daughter, Lilianna. We had all agreed. None of us recognized the man she had been with. We tried to guess her age and figured she would be in her late thirties, the man roughly the same age. I hadn’t told them I thought he might be the child I was carrying. We had also realized that it could be some sort of time portal they were coming through. There wasn’t any other explanation.

When she appeared again, and I knew she would, we needed to get her to answer some more questions. Melissa had seen no reference to time portals in the old books, but there were so many of them. Maybe it is in one that she hadn’t come across yet; of course, there was the chance that at this moment in time, it hadn’t been invented. Anything was possible.

Melissa’s markings still glowed. Even under the tattoos of her wolves, you could still see it. So far, no one had dared approach the topic, but I could see the questions that burned in their eyes. I couldn’t deny I wasn’t the same.

I heard the sigh from Melissa’s mouth as she turned her head and looked at every single one of us; her odd-colored eyes took in our expressions. She had put a protection spell around the room so we could speak freely. Speaking through our mental link can put pressure on you and drain you of your powers if done too often.

“I can see you’re all dying to ask me. So, let’s get it over and done with,” Melissa said, her voice breaking with emotion.

Everyone spoke at once.

“I honestly don’t know where to start!” Evelyn replied, “I knew that something happened years ago, as I’m sure we all do.”

Sighing, Emma said. “Well, she turned up pregnant, so, of course, we knew.”

Frowning Abigail said, “I remember you returning home but didn’t really understand what was going on. Mia and I were too young.”

Nodding her head in agreement, Mia replied, “True. You came home, got fatter and fatter, and then they popped out.”

Nodding her head Abigail said, “And we had three new members for our family.”

“It was hard keeping your secret from Clayton, Asher, and Waylon,” Pamela remarked, “making up that excuse helped. You were lucky that we talked them out of confronting Jacob.”

Lifting her chin up Melissa said, “It wasn’t all luck. I had to prove to them that confronting him wasn’t in my or my children’s best interest. I had to show them what had made me run.”

Leaning back in the chair with a sigh Pamela said. “It wouldn’t have been a good idea full stop. They are male omegas, and we all know what could have happened.”

Male omegas are rarer than females, and if anyone found out the outcome it wouldn’t be pleasant. Though loved by many, many feared them more.

Nodding her head towards Melissa arm Ava asked, “So, this marking you both have, is it permanent?”

Looking down at said arm Melissa answered. “Yes, it’s permanent,” lightly running her fingertip over the parts she could see. “It’s always been there, just not visible.”

“I heard of it, but never really seen it,” Ava confessed.

Lifting her head smiling Melissa said, “You have now.”

Leaning forwards to get a better look, Ava said, “Will his be the same?”

“Yeah, the only way either of our markings will fade is on one of our deaths,” Melissa revealed.

Stunned expressions marred their faces, leaving them temporarily speechless.

“So, you are saying the only way for that marking to go is on your death or Jacob’s?” I asked. This wasn’t good. I had seen the crazy look in Jacob’s mate’s eyes as she walked out. I knew Melissa was going to have to watch her back.

Her forehead creased with worry Evelyn asked, “Fucking hell, Melissa, have you told Clayton, Asher, and Wayton?”

“Not totally,” Melissa confessed, “they can be overprotective as it is; I didn’t even tell them I was coming here.”

Oh, this is getting better and better. Shit is going to hit the fan when they find out. I knew where she was coming from; they would not be happy when they found out she’s been telling them half-truths. I’m just glad I’m not in her shoes.

Her voice shaking with disbelief, Pamela said, “So, where do they think you are?” That’s what we all wanted to know.

“They think I’m staying at an old friend’s. They think she needed my help with a spell and healing.”

As her eyebrows raised in shocked surprise, Pamela said, “And they believed you?”

With a shrug of one shoulder Melissa replied, “They had no reason not to.”

“So, they don’t know about Megan?” Pamela said.

“No, I never told them,” Melissa confessed. “I couldn’t risk them wanting to come. It would have been too dangerous.”

Eyes widened in surprise, Pamela said, “You know they are going to go crazy. You should have told them about Megan.”

Her gaze flew to Pamela’s. “I would not risk their safety,” Melissa replied.

“Melissa, with what they do, they are in danger all the time,” Pamela reminded her.

“That is beside the point,” Melissa fired back. “They are my brothers. You forget they do not mix well with naturals!”

The tension in the air was like a storm casting a gray shadow over the land. I shivered as if someone had run their bony finger down my spine, like a forbearing.

I knew where she was coming from. I would do the same thing. Whether she thought she was doing the right thing or not. At some point, her brothers will have to know. There was something that puzzled me. “Melissa, I know we have mentioned this; how can Jacob have two mates? I thought shifters could only have one?”

Holding up her hand, to draw our attention to herself, Mia said. “Unless their mate dies, then they may find another I know that much.”

Looking at her twin, who in return made a face at her, Abigail replied, “Yes, but Melissa is alive and kicking.”

Anger rippled through her so fast you could see her breasts quiver beneath her top. “Their mating was forced,” Melissa told us.

I’m trying to get my mind around the idea. It sounds barbaric. “How does that happen?”

“I’m not a hundred percent sure,” Melissa admitted. “Jacob’s sister Sava told me that the Elders did the forced bonding between Jacob and Marguerite. They knew Marguerite wasn’t his true mate, but they wanted the bonding. Jacob is what humans would call royalty; the blood that runs through his veins hasn’t been diluted. Marguerite’s blood is the same.”

I didn’t like where this was heading. I could see the reactions on every one of my family’s faces.

“Hold on,” I interrupted, “are you saying they don’t let outsiders—”

We listened on in horror as tears trickled down our cheeks.

As if she hadn’t been interrupted, Melissa carried on, “To answer your question, they do not mind shifters of non-royalty mating, but if the Alpha finds their mate and that mate isn’t of royal blood. The elders can overturn their bonding.”

“Fate was telling the truth then.” I can’t believe this. It’s horrible, “The bitch got those fucking bastards to overturn your mating bond.”

“Yes, Fate wasn’t lying. Though I wish she hadn’t mentioned it. Marguerite wanted Jacob and all the power that being his mate would bring. She knew we were true mates, but she never cared about that. She went to the Elders and put her case to them.”

Tears gathered in my eyes as I whispered. “Why didn’t Jacob object to it?”

“That’s something you would have to ask him,” her voice quivered. “I thought I was going to die. My markings seemed to be gone.” She looked back down at her arm, the colors of the markings constantly moved, changing position, “Then one day I realized the markings had reappeared.”

Never had I witnessed such grief on Melissa’s face. “You went to tell him, didn’t you? What did he say?”

The muscles in her throat constricted as tears threatened to choke her; Melissa laughed; it wasn’t one of those belly laughs; it was one of pain and sadness. As if the memory was too much to bear, “Yes. I thought he’d be pleased; he wasn’t. I won’t tell you what he said. Let’s just say it wasn’t pleasant.”

A small portion of my rage died as I saw the expression on Melissa’s face. “So, the bastard has known all along?”

“Yes.” She gritted her teeth to hold back the sob of despair that was threatening to be released. She hated that they could see how much it still affected her. Would she ever be free of this pain? Tears were just a waste of her time. “Don’t let Marguerite trick you. She has known this whole time.”

Taking her hand in my own I say, “What happened when you found out you were pregnant?”

“I knew I had to leave,” Melissa replied. “I decided I would not tell Jacob. He had made his choice, and I couldn’t trust Marguerite. After their mating, she had already attacked me; I was a threat, and I knew they would be an even bigger one. If it hadn’t been for Sava and a handful of others from the pack helping me, then I very much doubt I’d be sitting here now.”

As if they had brought a distant memory to the surface “I remember now!” Pamela declared.

Ignoring Pamela’s outburst Melissa carried on, “Yes, she, with a handful of others, helped me. She still hated Marguerite, and she begged Jacob not to do as the Elders demanded. She told Jacob he would regret taking Marguerite as his mate and casting me aside. He didn’t listen.”

“He doesn’t know about Lilianna, Colt, and Haydon?” I said.

“No, and I’d rather it remains that way.”

“You know that’s not always going to be possible? They are getting older and will begin to ask questions.”

“I know, and when that time arises, I will answer their questions to the best of my ability,” Melissa replied.

“Do they know anything about their father?”

Nodding her head. “Some,” Melissa replied, “They know he’s a shifter. They have met Sava on more than one occasion; they think she’s just a close friend.”

“You know they might want to meet him, even if it’s just because they are curious.”

“Yes, the thought has crossed my mind. I will deal with it if or when that happens.”

“You know shit is going to hit the fan when he finds out!”

Melissa sat there in silence before she replied, “Once he knows, it’s going to lead to so many complications, but their safety comes first.”

“We will be there for you when or if that ever happens,” Pamela replied before changing the subject and turning her head towards me. “Have you heard anything down your link with Lucien? Has there been anything suspicious?”

Shaking my head, “Only that Aria has left Lucien’s side on more than one occasion.”

Wrinkling her nose, Mia said, “Well, that’s unusual; she’s normally like some sea urchin clinging to him.”.

“Or a leach, sucking his blood,” Abigail said and made these awful sucking noises. It sounded like that irritating noise people made when slurping their tea. At least their teasing had lightened everyone’s spirits.

As she turned her head to look at Melissa Pamela asked, “Who can we get to follow her?  Melissa, could you set up some sort of spell to show us what she’s doing?”

Melissa sat there in silence. I can see the cogs going around in her mind as she thinks. “The leach idea is a good one.”

What the hell is she on about? How on Earth will we be able to put something like that on Aria?

In disbelief. Pamela replied,  “And pray tell how we are even going to do that?”

With a roll of her eyes, Melissa replied, “It won’t be an actual leach; it is small like a fly but way smaller. On my last trip through the portal, I grabbed one at home. I have it with me. I can’t leave it just hanging around. I had thought about it, but with everything going on, it kind of slipped my mind, and I only remembered while I was gone, and it slipped my mind again until now.”

Looking Melissa up and down, Emma said, “So, where is it now?”

With a saucily wink Melissa replies., “Somewhere no one can see.”

I couldn’t see this working. They would have to be close enough to be touching. “That’s all good, but how are we going to get close enough to put it on her?” I said.

“That’s the hard part,” Melissa cleared her throat, “Scarlett, you’re going to have to cause a distraction or start a fight to get it on her skin.”

I freeze. Is she crazy? My stomach coiled into a knot. No way would I do this. I couldn’t; I realized I was shaking my head as the words fell from my mouth. “I can’t. It could put my child at risk.”

“We will have your back,” Melissa promised, “The first sign that you’re in any sort of danger, then we will get us out of there. It’s entirely up to you, but if any of us approach Aria. She’s going to know something isn’t right. Don’t forget that she gives you daggers every time she sees you. She is itching to start something, so it will be the right time to say something. Once you are close enough, just stick it on some part of her body. Her neck or chest will be the best place. There’s another meeting taking place in a couple of days. That’s when it will have to take place,” Melissa reminds us.

Her teeth worried the soft flesh of her bottom lip, Emma asked, “There’s no other way?”

A sigh escaped her lips. “I can’t think of anything else,” Melissa replied. “I honestly wish I did. If any of you have any ideas.” Melissa looked around, waiting for someone to say something. We all looked at each other. Nothing. “Scarlett’s link with Lucien hasn’t gained us any insight into what Aria’s up to. So, this is the next best thing.”

The thought that I have got to go near the crazy cow gave me the heebie-jeebies. My witch would come out if she thought the baby or I were in any danger. I just hoped they realized this could go tits up. I could see everyone’s faces as my witch emerged. There will be chaos around us. I had a bad feeling in my stomach if I agreed to this. Something was bound to go wrong. I felt their gazes on me as they waited for my decision, one I no doubt would regret.

“Fine,” I sighed, “I’ll do it—” banging on the room door interrupted what I was about to say.

“Yes,” I yelled out.

The wooden door is flung open with a bang; standing on the other side is Logan.

“Lucien wants you all at the medical bay. The young human has remembered everything.” He turned and walked back the way he had come, expecting us to follow. He doesn’t have to say another word. We jumped up from our chairs and ran out the door after him.