Seductions (Alpha City Book 4) (7 page)

I
t didn’t matter
where he went, he just needed some fresh air and his bear needed some time out in the woods. Everything always felt better after he let his bear loose. Right now his hopes seemed derailed, but he needed time to think this through. The trees rushed by as he barreled through the woods. Swiping at the bushes as he went by, knocking them to the ground, Brody let out all the emotions he was feeling. Rage, grief, sadness, and pity were all the emotions running through him. But the one that kept bringing him back was love. He loved Sage, maybe he’d even fallen in love with her the first time he saw her. He didn’t know. The problem was that Sage didn’t love him back.

When he looked up he knew he was past his property line and on Bo and Cat Toland’s land.

Brody’s paws stopped and his nostrils flared. He could smell the shifters all around him. Instead of trying to outrun them, he just shifted and waited for someone to approach him. He knew it would only be a matter of time before one of them did. He was an Alpha and he never would run from a fight.

“You lost?” A man jumped down from the tree. Brody could tell he was not only a bear shifter but also a vampire. Judd made sure to let all of his friend’s smell how his scent had changed. It was a different scent that stood out and that scent was all around him. They had marked their territory to ward others off.

“No, but I got caught up in running and before I realized it, I wasn’t on my land anymore.”

Recognition dawned on the man’s face.

“You’re Brody King, of Alpha City?” The man asked.

“Yes, and you are?”

“Trent Sig.”

“You’re the beta for Bo?” Brody asked with a small smile. He could tell the man was watching his lips move because he was deaf, and when he told him who he was he looked surprised.

“When Bo called, he told us about his Clan. But he never said his beta was an Alpha as well.” Brody suggested with a knowing smile.

“He also told you I was deaf?” Trent asked, deflecting the topic of him being an Alpha.

“Yes he did. But I could also tell that you’re reading my lips. I had a cousin who was deaf and she taught me a lot.” Brody watched as men and women dropped from the trees and walked toward them. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to spook you. I got lost in the beast and lost track of where I was.”

“No problem, they will recognize your scent now.” Trent assured him. “Do you need a ride back?”

“No, I think I will run home. Just needed some time to think. Once you get settled, let me know so I can introduce you to my beta and guards. We should know each other’s scent.” Brody answered, then shifted back into his grizzly. Trent nodded and waved as he turned around and started running back. He’d needed this run.

When he got to where he’d dropped his clothes, he scented her. “Brody?” He turned around and found Sage waiting for him.

Shifting, he stood in all his glory, naked as the day he was born. Standing her ground, Sage’s eyes went from his head to his toes. As her eyes came back up, they widened as she took in his erection. The damn thing seemed to grow bigger as she took it in. Yes, just her being near him was making him hot.

“Something wrong?” He asked as he reached down and picked up his blue jeans.

Brody watched as she cleared her throat, “I…I didn’t mean it to sound like I didn’t appreciate what you have done for me. The necklace belonged to your mother and I didn’t want you to give it to someone like me.”

Bewildered, Brody asked, “Like you? What’s wrong with you? I happen to really like you. A lot, if you haven’t noticed.”

“But why? You could have anyone, Brody King. I’m…we aren’t compatible.” Sage blew the hair away from her eyes. “You will certainly get bored with me in time, and get tired of all the self-doubt…”

“And what, woman?” Brody bellowed. He knew what he wanted in life and he had already told her that he wanted her. She was anything but boring, but here she was telling him what he would do in the future! Women…what the hell was wrong with them? “What do I have to do to show you how much I fucking like and care about you?” Brody watched her gasp. “I said that out loud, didn’t I?”

Sage only nodded with a frown on her beautiful pissed-off face. Her red hair glowed as the afternoon sun sparkled through the trees.

Jerking his pants on, Brody wanted to yell, but that would surely run her off. Instead, he thought about all the times Zoey had told him she just wanted to be loved and to be showed that she was appreciated and loved. Stopping, he closed his eyes and blew out a deep breath.

“Sage. I’m trying to court you properly and show you that I’m not like the other men you have known. I’m your mate and I do care deeply about you already, and I want to spend every waking moment with you. I hate being apart from you, if you want to know the truth, and it made me feel good inside knowing that you would be wearing my mom’s necklace with the sister stone. So if that means that I’m going to tell you every day of our lives that you’re my mate and you’re not boring but simply fascinating, then I will,” Brody said, putting a finger under her chin and tilting her face up so he could look into her eyes. “Because that’s what I see. I’m not one of those idiots who have to be coddled by their mate. I want a woman who can stand on her own two feet and make decisions for herself, and you do that in spades. You volunteered to go into Hell to help stop Claudia Blackwood, for goodness’ sake. You are the gustiest woman I’ve ever met and there isn’t anything boring about you, sweetheart. I will show you every day how much you mean to me. If only you would take a chance on me.”

Before he could stop himself, he moved in and gently pressed his lips to hers. A small whimpering sound came out of Sage’s lips, and when she didn’t push him away, he continued showing her just how much she meant to him.

S
age couldn’t believe
what she was doing. She shouldn’t lead him on, but dammit, she couldn’t stop this kiss. Never had a man kissed her like this. He didn’t pull her in tighter, but instead continued to lick and suck her bottom lip into his mouth, until the feeling became almost painful. He wasn’t hurting her, but the ache between her legs was throbbing. She needed more, much, much, more. She had never been good at sex. The men she had chosen only wanted to be pleased, but Brody felt different. He stepped in closer and never missed a beat with those lips of his. Was he being honest? Did he really mean what he’d said, or was it something he would eventually get over like everyone else did? Oh yeah, at first it was new and exciting, but once the newness wore off it was pure hell on the one who’d vested her heart in the relationship.

Brody pulled away. When she opened her eyes, all she saw was the most stunning golden eyes she had ever seen.

“Perfect! Just like I thought.” Brody answered with a laugh. “Trust me when I say there is nothing boring about you, sweetheart.” The corner of Brody’s eyes crinkled. His expression wasn’t smug. Those brown eyes of his held the truth in them; he actually was being honest.

She looked away, hoping he couldn’t see the fear on her face. He was telling her the truth. “Brody…I just need some time to get used to this. It’s a lot to take in and—”

“You want to believe me, but whoever that idiot was did a number on you and now you don’t trust anyone. Does that sum it up?” Brody’s face went blank.

Sage blinked and closed her mouth as she stared at the man, because Brody was right…but how could she tell him he was right? He would think she was a bigger loser then she was. I’m not a loser, she repeated to herself. I’m so not a loser…but the more she stared at him, she couldn’t stop the way she felt. And if she was honest, it wasn’t just one man who’d told her that, but several of the men she’d dated.

But for the first time she felt alive. Being with Brody made her feel good about herself. So why shouldn’t she believe him now? Even though she knew he was telling the truth, she was scared of it all going to hell one day, afraid that it would break her.

Placing his finger on her forehead, Brody rubbed the crinkle between her eyebrows. “Stop thinking so hard about this. Just let it evolve and it will. What you need to realize, Sage, is that I’m not going anywhere. No matter how much that self-doubt creeps up in that pretty little head of yours, I’m still going to be here wanting you.” His eyes burned with fire as he walked past her. He opened the door and held it, waiting for her to come in.

She didn’t deserve this man. She really didn’t, but God help her she was going to try and make it work. If it didn’t, then it would be her heart that was broken and not his. She would never intentionally hurt this gentle giant.

Making up her mind, Sage took a deep breath and turned around and walked toward the door. When she got in front of him she stopped. Looking down, he gazed into her eyes waiting for her to speak. “I love…I love the necklace. Thank you.” Sage pulled it out from her shirt and showed him that she had the sister stone hanging from his mother’s necklace.

Smiling, Brody picked it up in his hands and studied the sister stone. “It’s a very pretty necklace for a very pretty woman.”

“It is beautiful,” Sage responded. She didn’t even know how to take a compliment from the man. She was so damaged.

B
rody inhaled
as she passed by him. Her musky scent had become a part of him, forever seared into his conscience. He craved it and it was rapidly becoming something he needed to get through the day. The woman had no clue what she did to him.

His stomach growled as they entered in the kitchen. She stopped, touching the cold granite, “I want to cook for you. I can’t cook a lot but my specialty is spaghetti with meat sauce.” Sage winked. “I also do a mean salad.”

His lips turned up. “Are you sure? I don’t mind cooking for us both.”

“Afraid?” Sage’s voice was teasing.

“Not on your life, sweetheart.” Brody leaned forward, skimming his lips over hers. Her lips tasted better than the sweetest wine he had ever had. His hands twitched wanting to pull her into him, to feel her soft body slide against his.

He had to pull away and adjust himself. All he had to do was think of her and he got hard. He didn’t want to push his luck. A cold shower might cool him off and get the beast back under control. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to take a shower.”

“Go ahead. I can find everything I need.”

He stood at the doorway, watching as she moved around in the kitchen. She looked natural here in his home and he planned on keeping her here. He would show her every day how much she meant to him.

Before his shower, Brody sat on the edge of his bed and opened his laptop. Several e-mails had been sent from Nolan and Judd, telling him that everything was going according to plan on their end. With everything that was going on, he’d forgotten to talk to Lex about the twins. A meeting needed to be scheduled. Picking up his phone, he sent a quick text asking Lex to meet him in the kitchen in a few minutes.

Brody got in the shower and thought about how he wished they could go back in time and fix this. If Claudia never had the opportunity, then maybe this would have never happened. The twins were innocent in this game she was playing. Now that evil witch had corrupted them. God only knew what she had them doing. They were so innocent and she was using them like puppets. Now he would be acting no better and doing the same. He hoped they would forgive him when this was over.

B
rody walked back
into the kitchen, hearing Sage and Lex laughing. He wanted to knock that fucking jealousy off his shoulder when he heard how happy she sounded. Nothing was going on between them, he knew, and trusted his beta with his life, but he wanted her to smile and laugh with him.

Lex was telling her stories of when they got into the beehive and the bees chased them for miles. “We were pulling stingers out of our butts for days.”

Brody smiled when Sage bent over laughing. He loved to see her so happy.

“Hey,” Lex muttered.

“Hey.”

“Lex was telling me about the beehives and how the bees chased you two for miles.” Sage wiped her eyes.

“It wasn’t funny then, but we did pick the biggest hive I’ve ever seen.” Brody chuckled. “We thought we could take it, but we really pissed them off. It hurt, too. Damn stingers were all over us. We looked like the walking dead with all the places they stung.” Brody chuckled.

“That is too much. Oh!” Sage jumped up from her seat and went over to the stove and stirred her sauce. “I hope you two are hungry, I think I made too much.”

“There can never be too much. Here, let me help you.” Brody took the pot out of her hands and set it on the table. “I think Me-Len and Meryl are staying at London’s house tonight so this is plenty.”

“Okay. I hope you like it. It’s been a while. While we were at Claudia’s we were never allowed to cook. She had a chef who thought she walked on water. So this is the first time making it since my mom and I joined the coven.” She tried to hide her pain, but he saw it. She missed her mom.

“It smells delicious. Come sit down.” Brody pulled her hand a little as she half smiled at him. She walked over and sat beside him.

“This smells wonderful. We haven’t had spaghetti in a while so this is a treat,” Lex added.

“Let’s hope it doesn’t just smell good but tastes good, too,” Sage said with a wry laugh.

Brody poured the sauce on her noodles and passed the plate to her, then dished some out on his and Lex’s plates. She hadn’t even had time to put any in her mouth before they both ate a huge forkful. “This is…”

“What?” Sage asked, concerned.

“Great.” They both said with their mouths full. But they achieved their goal when she smiled before she started eating. They ate in silence for a few minutes, and then Lex asked what he needed between bites.

Brody spoke first. “I wanted to go over the meeting with you and let you know what’s going on. I would have missed it if Me-Len hadn’t pointed it out, but the twins have been put under Claudia’s spell. They aren’t doing it because they hate us, but she is using them for what I don’t know yet.”

“Great news! Now we can remove the spell and get them somewhere safe.” Lex’s smile faded when he saw Brody’s expression. “What’s wrong, this is good news, right?”

Brody frowned. “It’s not that simple, Lex. We need to know what Claudia wanted them to do and the only way to do that is to reverse Claudia’s spell and then get Me-Len to put them under another one.”

“But what if Claudia finds out?” Lex asked, dread coming over him as it dawned on him what could happen to the twins. “I…I’ll be outside, checking the perimeter.”

Brody nodded, watching Lex put his plate in the sink and walking out the door. He understood his beta’s unhappiness. He felt the same way, but he had to think of everyone right now and sometimes as an Alpha, he had to make unpopular decisions that his clan wouldn’t understand. It still didn’t make him feel better. He hated doing this to them. Would they forgive him when they found out? No, probably not, and he couldn’t blame them.

“Brody?” Sage’s voice cracked.

He looked up to find her almost in tears. “What’s wrong, baby?”

“I understand and I can tell that it’s eating you up about the twins. I’m so sorry you are having to deal with this. It’s not fair to those poor girls or to you. I wish I could help.”

“This is why they pay me the big bucks.” Brody tried to make light of what he was going to do, but he couldn’t. It was eating at him. He understood why Lex was mad…hell he was mad, but he had no choice.

Sage laid her head on his shoulder. “I understand.”

Those two words gave him the strength to carry on with the plan. He wanted to change it and say screw it, and get the spell reversed and out of town. But everyone was right—this was an opportunity to stop this if they could. He would make sure the girls were protected at all times.

“Go talk to Lex. He needs you now. I’ll clean this up.”

“No, you cooked and I should clean,” Brody protested.

“I appreciate it, but it’s normal and boring and it keeps my mind off what has happened. So go and talk to him. You both are hurting right now, but you have to stay strong together. We all do.” Sage got up and took the plates to the sink. He watched her for a few seconds, but did like she said and walked outside to talk to his beta.

L
ex was propped
up against the fence staring off into the sky. His beta knew he was there as Brody came up beside him and stared off into the woods. He loved it at night as the wind blew through his hair. His land was beautiful, but he could fell his beta’s restlessness.

“This decision isn’t something I take lightly, Lex.”

Lex pointed toward the stars. “There’s the big dipper. Funny how clear it is tonight, and then tomorrow it will go to hell when that dragon takes to the sky.”

“We hope that tomorrow we can shake him up a little. Throw him off kilter. Bast wants us to use high-powered water hoses against him and when he is trying to fight that off, we use the weapons we have to try to hurt him. I don’t know if it will work, but we have to do something. I feel so fucking helpless and I’m worried that everything we have planned is going to go to shit, but I don’t see a way around this except to stick to the plans the Order has made. I need you to have my back, Lex. I want those girls protected at all times. I want cameras in their house, on their vehicles, and in their phones. I have to do what I can to make sure they are safe, but I know if we waste this opportunity that has been given to us, we will regret it.”

“I understand, Alpha, but don’t you ever worry about me not having your back. I will always be right beside you, protecting this clan. We’ll make sure they are all right.”

“Call them and ask them to come to the lodge tomorrow. Tell them that we have some members that need some help.” Brody spoke quietly. “Me-Len will do the rest.” Lex stood quiet as he looked back at the house. “We have to win this or I’m afraid of what’s coming next.”

Lex didn’t have to say anything. His beta felt the same way. They had to win this.