The Alpha Assassin novel Chapter 27

The next day went by fast. There seemed to be a bustle of activity even though it was only a conference. One they weren’t even hosting. I realized just how secluded these ranked members were from even those in their own pack.

My thoughts strayed to the constant activity of the packhouse at Blood Moon, how it was open to all, and how you could always find something to do in the great hall. But here… besides some visitors and, of course, the upcoming trials, the ranked members isolated themselves from everyone. I didn’t understand it.

I waited for him in the library, absentmindedly flipping through a book that told the heroic tales of the previous Alphas of Black River that guarded their stolen land against the evil intruders, even though they started as intruders. A conqueror's tale, I snorted, slamming it shut. I wondered how many of these books actually told an unbiased account, but I doubted many, at any of the packs, did.

I felt him edge closer. I could hear his soft steps on the carpet now, but still only barely.

“What would you have done? he asked, coming to stand behind me.

“Hello to you too,” I said too sweetly.

A side of his lips twitched slightly. “Good Morning,” he said.

“Good morning. What would I have done about what?”

“If you were mated to one of them. The brothers”

I looked over my shoulder. He was standing surveying the unlit fireplace as if a threat would pop out from one of the bookshelves beyond it.

“Nothing.” I shrugged.

“It wouldn’t have changed anything?” he asked.

“Changed what?”

“Your plans.”

“What plans?” I smiled, but he couldn’t see.

He came to sit on the edge of the chair next to me in a way that looked widely uncomfortable. This man had to know how to use a chair?

“Let’s say that you had plans to avenge your family through the deaths of the ones that took their lives.” He glanced at me. “Just pretending.” A corner of his lips pulled up through one of his scars. “And you ended up being mated to one of the targets. Would it change anything?”

“Just pretending?” I asked. He nodded once, still smiling. “Okay, let me think.” I paused and tapped my chin; I could sense his growing amusement. “No.” I pinned him with a serious stare.

“Really?” he asked.

“Really.”

He shifted forward, barely. “But the mate bond might have changed them. Changed how they act toward you.”

“I don’t think that there should have to be divine intervention in order for them to realize that they are shitty people,” I snorted.

The other side of his lips twitched up, and a real, wide smile graced his face. He looked younger brighter, and it was strange but beautiful. “You’re absolutely right,” he agreed, “I didn’t think about it like that.”

“Would you?” I raised a brow, settling back.

“Take a mate that only treated me okay because of the bond?”

“Exactly that.”

“No.” He shook his head.

“Why do you ask?”

“I was just… curious. If things would have changed.”

“The Moon Goddess must not hate me that much,” I sighed.

“I don’t think she does,” he said, his voice soft.

“Do you think she hates you?” I asked, unable to look at him.

He tensed, after a long moment, he said, “I don’t know.”

So we sat there in silence, two people forgotten by our Goddess at best and hated at worst.

He shifted and picked up the book I was flipping through. “Catching up on your history?” Ezra noted the book's cover.

“It’s not my history,” I snapped. “Sorry,” I sighed. “I just, there’s a lot going on.”

He nodded slowly. “I apologize. That wasn’t how I meant it.”

“I know. I just don’t have anyone to take my anger out on, and I forget myself.” With you…

“I understand,” he said, and I knew he did. To some extent, at least.

“Is everything in place?” I took the book back and put it where I found it, noting the other covers. There was so much information here, but none of it seemed to be of much use.

“Yes,” he said. “I’ll leave you to it then.” I saw him nod deeply from the corner of my eye before he left on near-silent feet.

I wandered the library for something to do. Mostly history books, unopened for what seemed like years. Probably various accounts of Black Forest's history glorifying bloodshed. But their line remembered that all too well; they didn’t need to look into a book to know what this pack was founded on.

I clenched my fists and reigned in that lapping anger. It was almost time to get ready.

I showered and waited for Alice to come in. She did an awkward bow, and I internally sighed, feeling more impatient than even normal. “Are you going down to dinner?” she asked. “The ranked members will be leaving soon.”

“Oh,” I said, shaking my head. “I’ll be fine then, I’ll manage. Thank you, Alice. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I offered her a smile.

Once they were out of earshot, Ezra seemed to lighten a bit. “Are you ready?” he asked.

I shrugged. “I don’t think I ever will be.”

This was the first time I tried something like this, and it could be seen as outright rebellion. It might shift everything that I worked for, crumble it, and turn me back into a prisoner. But if I did nothing… then I would always regret it, until my time came, at least.

“Stay here, I’ll go see what’s going on.” He opened the car door again, and I slipped in, watching him walk off.

The ranked member's cars were valeted in another lot. The conference was starting tonight with a party and would go on until Sunday. With the meetings happening tomorrow. As much as I wanted to stick around for that, I knew I would be sent away tonight, hopefully alone.

Ezra came back faster than I expected, slipping into the warmth of the car next to me.

“There are still a few people straggling in, but I think most of them are in there. I heard them start to make speeches or whatever they do.”

“You’ve never been to pack events?” I asked.

“Not as an invited guest,” he responded, looking away from me. “We should be ready soon.” He came back to himself or the persona he slipped into.

I fidgeted with the bottom of my coat. “Then what?” I asked.

“We move forward, I give you a signal, and you dazzle them,” he said with a shrug, but it was tight.

I knew he was risking himself, too, for my cause. Even if he really believed in some moral code to even the scales of injustice or whatever he called it. This was my cause. And our one shot to play ignorance at this level, and there were more things that could go wrong than go in my favor. But I had to make a public appearance if my future plans were to work.

“Okay,” Ezra said, nodding, but he hesitated. I almost felt guilty bringing him into this, but he had an out. He could slip away back to his life. He wouldn’t be blamed anyway. “I’ll go check in with my warriors and be back for you.”

“Your warriors?” I asked.

“You know what I mean.” He gave me a brief smile and left me.

I fidgeted and checked my appearance in the rearview mirror a few times. The sounds of the night seemed to still around the car until he returned. He was impassive and stoic again as he reached out a hand for me. I took off my coat and placed my hand in his. The warmth of his large palm wrapping around mine helped ground me. The touch that was so foreign to me now warmed me and steadied me. He rubbed a calloused finger on the back of my hand, and I appreciated his attempts.

Omegas opened the door for us when we neared. “Go on, Simone.” Ezra dropped my hand, squeezing it one last time.

The warmth and chatter spilled out of the packhouse, and I took a step in. Ezra followed closely behind, and I followed the sounds behind closed doors almost as high as the ceiling itself.

“You got this,” he whispered, and his warm breath made goosebumps prick and my breath hitch, but it was better than feeling nothing but nerves.

“Okay,” I nodded to the Omegas standing outside the doors, holding my chin high.

Tonight, I wouldn’t drop my gaze. Tonight, I wouldn’t avert my eyes. Tonight, I would wear a different mask.

For a few minutes, at least.