Fated for the Alphas: The Complete Collection (Nine Book Paranormal Romance Box Set) (31 page)

Sequoia bit her lip. Lia wondered if she was reluctant to give up her brother’s secrets. “Be careful with the food and drink he presents to you. His cook, Claw, is very good with herbs. Not the tasty kind, the nasty kind. If anything smells or tastes strange, just pretend to eat it.”

That sounded like rather ominous advice.

“He probably won’t waste herbs on you though,” Sequoia said.

“We can only hope.” Ronan looked over the pack members who were prepared to go, his face grim. “Any other questions?”

They shook their heads.

“This is it. Let’s move out.”

***

True to his word, Cougar was waiting for them at the border. Lia noted that he stood on undisputed land. She wondered if that was on Shade’s orders, or if Cougar didn’t want to risk getting killed by Kane and Ronan.

“This way,” he said once they had all made the crossing. Cougar proceeded to lead them on a merry tour of Shade’s territory. They looped through forests, tramped through thickets. They crossed the river that split Shade’s domain at least five times. Cougar might be trying to confuse Kane and Ronan by not taking them directly to the Shadow pack’s den, but the Alphas just looked annoyed.

What seemed like hours later, Lia was starting to contemplate throwing Cougar in the river he loved crossing so much. She was tired, sweating, her hair filled with burs. If he didn’t reveal his den soon, she was going to turn around and go home, courtesy be damned.

“Here we are,” Cougar said.

Lia stopped short. The ground yawned open in front of them, leading to a cavernous darkness. Her heart hammered in her chest. She didn’t want to go underground, cut off from the light and trees. She didn’t want to be trapped beneath the earth.

Ronan looked at Cougar. “Lead the way.”

Lia took a deep breath, afraid there might not be quite enough air down there. But if Ronan wasn’t afraid, she wouldn’t be either. She let the others pass her as she prepared herself to enter.

“May I?” Kane offered her his arm, and she accepted it gladly. With Kane beside her, how could she possibly be afraid? Together, they descended into the dark.

Slowly, her eyes adjusted to the dim light. They were walking down a long tunnel. The ground was cool under her feet.

They were almost to the end when she froze. Stalactites hung from the ceiling like teeth. It felt like they were entering the giant maw of a beast that could swallow them whole.

Kane propelled her forward. “Don’t worry,” he murmured, “we won’t be here long.”

They entered a cavern, lit by flickering oil lamps. Jagged rocks were everywhere, growing from the floors and ceilings. Steady dripping sounds echoed all around. Lia began to shiver as the cold air froze her sweat.

“Twin River pack!” Shade stood on a rock formation that looked like it had been carved into a throne. “I see you’ve come at last. Welcome.”

“We would have gotten here earlier if Cougar hadn’t led us on a wild goose chase,” Lia grumbled.

“Don’t rise to his bait,” Kane said.

Lia raised an eyebrow. Was Kane really giving her advice on holding her temper?

“We’ve prepared an exquisite banquet in your honor, of course,” Shade said in his silky voice. “But first, I propose a tour. In your new mate’s honor.” Holding out his arms, he grinned at Lia. The sight made her want to vomit. She almost wished she could, and let him worry about getting the smell from his den.

“Of course,” Shade continued, “it would be my privilege to personally escort you.”

Lia tried to back away, but Kane stopped her. “No choice,” he said. “We’ll get out soon though, I promise.”

Reluctantly, Lia stepped forward. She tried to look like she was happy to be there, and not completely miserable. She could put on a show, couldn’t she? For Kane and Ronan? “This is a very lovely den,” she told Shade. “I can see why you chose it.”

“And it’s looking even lovelier today, with you here.” He offered her an arm. Lia took it, pretending it was Kane’s. She couldn’t stop the goose bumps that radiated from his touch, or the sudden revulsion that coursed through her. Lia wondered if Shade noticed, or if he even cared. He seemed to like making her uncomfortable.

Shade looked slyly at Ronan. “Are you sure you don’t mind me accompanying your mate?” He was just rubbing it in now. He knew Ronan couldn’t say no.

“Of course not.” Ronan gave a small smile. “After all, who knows whether you’ll see her again?”

Lia saw the barest grimace cross Shade’s face. “This way, lovely Lia,” he said. “Let me show you our secret wonders.”

Kane, Ronan, and the pack followed. Fox looked especially nervous. Maybe it was because speed would do him little good down here. Or maybe, like Lia, he was unnerved by the oppressive dark. The lanterns only lit so much. Beyond their reach were endless shadows. She could only guess what lurked in them.

Cougar and Raid fell in on Shade’s left side, while Wasp, Canker, and Crossbones spread out behind the visitors. It was nerve-racking to expose the back of her neck to them, though Lia felt far worse being clutched by Shade. From the pressure he exerted on her arm, he wasn’t intending to let her go any time soon.

They went through a narrow opening that only allowed two to pass at a time, then into another large chamber. Lia couldn’t help but gasp. At the center lay a large pool. It was a shimmering, unearthly blue. It almost didn’t look real.

“Would you like a closer look?” Shade seemed pleased at her reaction. Without waiting for an answer, he guided her toward the pool.

Lia stared into its depths, mesmerized. It was completely still. She wondered what it would be like to scry in it.

Shade tightened his grip on her arm. “Don’t get too close.”

“Why not?” Lia asked.

“How deep do you think it is?”

She frowned. “It’s only three feet or so.”

“Wrong.” He grinned, showing off his canines. “Almost 25 feet. It’s an optical illusion. You must be careful, now. It’s a very dangerous pool. People have drowned in it.”

There was something about the way he said it, almost with pride, that made her certain he had helped them along. She wasn’t sure she’d like to look at it much longer.

Shade must have sensed her discomfort. “Do you still like it?”

She looked at his handsome face, marred by claw marks. “Sometimes the most beautiful things are also the most dangerous.”

“Very true. You’re a smart one.” Shade turned to Kane. “You could learn a few things from her.”

Kane gave him an enigmatic smile. “I already have.”

If Kane wasn’t going to lose his temper, Lia wouldn’t let herself lose hers. She didn’t much like the pool, or Shade. They reminded her of everwort, the tiny white flowers that Magda grew. They smelled like heaven, but if you indulged your senses for too long, you would find yourself in blissful sleep—forever. Once Lia found out what they were, she had never touched them again. She wished she could leave Shade and his den behind in the same way.

“Let’s move on, shall we?” Shade swept her away before anyone could protest. Briar and Clove seemed happy to leave the pool behind. Blossom sighed, loath to abandon her reflection. Raid and Cougar coaxed her away, both telling her how pretty she was. Lia smiled. They were wasting their time. Blossom was quite happy with Cage and Grey, though she obviously didn’t mind the advances of two muscular males.

They came to another tunnel, this one so narrow that Lia started to feel claustrophobic. It didn’t help that Shade refused to leave her side. She wanted some space, some fresh air, to be left
alone
. Of course, saying any of that would be horribly rude. She just had to hold out a while longer.

Lia wasn’t sure how much longer she could. The lamps were few here, and the dark seemed to press in on them. She would have moved closer to Shade for comfort, if he weren’t so repulsive. Touching his arm was bad enough.

“Here is my pride and joy,” Shade said. “It took forever to find the right blacksmith, but it was worth it.”

Lia peered into the gloom. The lamplight flickered over some kind of metal. Bars, maybe? With growing horror, she realized she was looking at a cell.

“Is that a… prison?” she asked, her voice rising.

“Don’t be alarmed.” Shade laughed. “It’s not occupied.”

“Why do you need a prison?” Ronan asked.

“I don’t need one, but it has its uses.” Reflections of flames danced in his eyes. “It reminds my pack that they need to stay in line.” He swung the door open. “Would you like to test it out, Ronan? You’ll find it’s quite comfortable.”

Lia noticed the dripping ceiling, the water pooling on the floor. She highly doubted it. There was nothing but a narrow cot, a scrap of cloth for a blanket, and chains set into one wall.

“I’ll test it out,” Ronan said. “Right after you.”

“Fair enough.” Shade let go of Lia’s arm, for which she was very thankful. “After the banquet, perhaps.”

Kane tugged on one of the bars. “This is good work. Do you have the name of that smith?”

“His name was Vardo, not that it matters. He tripped in the night, hit his head, and fell into the pool.” Shade gave a heavy sigh. “We didn’t find him until morning. So unfortunate. He could have used his skills to fortify your den.”

“Yes. Unfortunate indeed.” Kane put an arm around Lia. It helped a bit with the queasy feeling that was rolling through her.

Did Shade really kill a blacksmith just so no one else could use his skills? With all the other stories she’d heard about him, she probably should have guessed it herself. Taking a deep breath of chilled air, she tried to keep calm.

All she wanted now was for all of them to get out of here alive.

“This way to the banquet,” Shade said, doubling back the way they’d come. He looked at Kane and Lia, a wicked gleam in his eyes. “Ronan, walk with me.” He lowered his voice, but it still carried throughout the narrow tunnel. “Does it bother you that your mate prefers brawn over brains?”

Even in the dull lamplight, she could see Ronan stiffen.

Lia clenched her fists. How could Shade say such a thing?

“Don’t.” Kane hugged her shoulder. “Ronan can handle himself.”

“I don’t know that she prefers one over the other,” Ronan said clearly. “Luckily, some men possess both.”

Shade was silent as they passed the pool again. Lia grinned. His wits were no match for Ronan’s.

They entered a cavernous room, this one blazing with light. A rock formation bloomed from the floor, forming a long table with stalactites dangling off the edges. Pillars of rock had been cut into seats around it, looking like they’d been smoothed by decades of use.

“Please, sit.” Shade waved a hand over the room. “And eat, whatever you desire.”

Lia sat between Ronan and Kane. She looked at the spread before her. Everything was in covered silver dishes. Where had Shade gotten so many fancy dishes? On second thought, she’d rather not know.

The other pack members settled in. Blossom sat between Raid and Cougar, flirting up a storm. Raid twirled an ax, but Blossom was doing a very good job of distracting them. Lia could see why the Alphas brought her. She had Shade’s henchmen wrapped around her little finger.

Shade sat directly across from Lia, immediately ruining what little appetite she had left. Still, she had to make an effort. Removing a silver cover, Lia found a basket of knotted breads. Remembering Sequoia’s warning, she sniffed one of them. It smelled like rosemary, but she didn’t want to take any chances. Not while trapped under the earth with Shade. To be polite, she took a few nibbles.

Snapping his fingers, Shade signaled to the boy, who came to stand behind him. Lia looked closely at the lad. It might be the lack of light, but he looked paler than yesterday, with dark circles under his eyes. She wondered if he was doing magic, and far too much of it.

“Do you find everything to be to your satisfaction?” Shade asked.

Lia nodded, not wanting to speak with her mouth full of bread.

“You must be thirsty. Canker!” Shade snapped again. Canker arrived at her arm with a jug. He poured a dark liquid into her goblet, leering at her all the while.

“Thanks.” Lia tried to take a sip, and almost choked on the bitter liquid.

Shade gave a thin smile. “Drink up.” He stood, and clapped twice. Two men Lia had never seen before entered, both straining to carry a huge platter of meat. They set it on the table, then retreated.

Carving a piece, Shade served himself first. “Venison,” he said. “Freshly caught. By Lia, actually.” Cutting another slice, Shade hummed to himself, ignoring or not noticing when Kane stabbed his knife into the table, shattering the blade.

“I’m glad I could contribute to your banquet,” Lia said. “I wouldn’t want you to empty your stores on our account.”

Shade set down his knife, giving her a rather ugly look. Lia did her best to keep smiling sweetly. Let him think she didn’t know she had deeply insulted him.

“What makes you think our stores are so low?” he asked, his voice tight.

“Why else would you take my first kill?” Lia took a dainty bite of her bread. “No matter. Consider it a gift.”

“Lia’s right,” Ronan said. “There’s no need to dredge up past misunderstandings. We came to enjoy time with our southern neighbors, after all.”

Lia doubted that anyone besides Shade was enjoying himself at all today, but she didn’t say anything. Shade seemed dangerously on edge, and there was no need to push him over.

But it might already be too late. Slowly, Shade rose. “I believe there have been a few misunderstandings too many,
Alpha
.”

Around them, his pack tensed. The boy behind him closed his eyes. Lia’s breath caught in her throat. He couldn’t hurt them, right? It was too late to run.

“It is time,” Shade continued, “for the Twin River pack to learn its place. I’ve allowed you to make the rules for far too long.”

Ronan stood. “If you mean the boundary line, we’re open to discussions. What we don’t want is—”

“I’m tired,” Shade snapped, “of hearing what it is you want. Well, hear what I want. I want your lands and I will have them. Your men can stand or die. Your women can join my pack or flee. But all of you must submit.”