Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Kate was, indeed, belied by the wrists to the headboard of an old wrought iron bed frame. The frame was completely bent out of shape by now from her struggles and possibly from age. I decided I’d need to drop some more money at the front desk to cover the damage when I saw the deep ruts scraped into the floor.

“Kate,” I growled, coming over to her side of the bed.

Her eyes widened and she stopped struggling. “A-Alpha.”

“I seem to remember you being stationed in Jessup Town.” I went on, leaning over the bed so I could scowl down at her properly.

Kate gulped. “It’s nice to see you, too, Alpha. I’d love to explain why I’m here, but I’m a little tied up at the moment. Could you-could you maybe help with that?” I easily snapped each belt in half. “I know why you’re here.”

“Shawn’s been captured,” Kate babbled, as though I hadn’t spoken. She sat up and rubbed her wrists. “Kora and I were going after him. Oh, then Jim at the front desk told us about how Kora’s dad was under a spell and was being controlled by a witch-”

“Deborah Shadowmoon,” I provided.

“Right, right,” Kate said. “So we were going to go in and get them, but then as I thought about it, I realized we just couldn’t do it by ourselves, so I told Kora we should go back and talk to you…” She peered around me. “Um… I don’t suppose you brought reinforcements?”

“We’re at war with Shadowmoon right now. I couldn’t bring reinforcements,” I sighed.

“Oh.” Kate squinched her eyes shut. “Oh, we are so f*cked. Or, at least Kora is. I would have gone after her, Alpha, I swear…”

I patted her knee. “I know. You’re a true and loyal friend. If not a very obedient soldier.”

“I wish I’d come to my senses in Jessup Town,” Kate replied miserably. “Maybe I could have stopped her from coming here in the first place. We could have gone home and talked to the commander and maybe gotten a small spearhead team-

“It’s all hands on deck, I’m afraid,” I said. “You’ve only got me.”

Kate dropped her head into her hands. “No offense, Alpha, but that’s not exactly comforting.”

I had to agree with her. “I’m going after her regardless. I would order you home, but I doubt you’d follow that order.”

“No, Alpha, I would. t,” kate mumbled.

“I thought not. As you said, it’s too late to catch her now, so we need to come up with a plan.” I sank down onto the lumpy mattress next to her. “We’ll need to do some reconnaissance, get the lay of the land. I wish we knew someone who’d been in that territory who could give us a little guidance.”

“Maybe Jim, the innkeeper?” Kate suggested.

I wondered how much that would cost, and if he would even involve himself for any amount. “Jim seems to keep himself well out of things, but it can’t hurt to try, I suppose.”

There was a knock on the door, then Jim stuck his head in. “Someone to see you.”

Oh, thank the Goddess. Kora had come to her senses. “Excuse me, Kate. I need to put the fear of the Goddess into my mate-”

The door opened further, and Shawn, n*ked as the day is long, stood in the doorway. He was filthy, with leaves and sticks in his hair.

I froze. “Shawn?”

“Oh. Hi. Alpha.” Shawn said, his eyes widening.

“I’ll just leave you all to it.” Jim bobbed his head and disappeared again.

“Weren’t you expecting me?” I asked.

Shawn shook his head. “The old man just said my ‘party’ was here.”

“He took one look at you and decided you needed to see us? That’s a wily old man, Jim.” I said, unable to stop a chuckle.

“I think he’s psychic,” Shawn agreed.

“He’s certainly knowledgeable. He knows Kora’s dad and likes him. He told us to go home last night,” Kate said.

Shawn sat down on the mattress, getting it d*rty. It looked like I’d be replacing that, too. “I wish you had. Lyle is a complete psychopath.” He looked at me and then bowed his head. “Alpha… everyone is dead. Everyone.”

“I heard. I’m sorry,” I replied.

“So… I’m going to go out on a limb and say Kora’s gone to find me?” Shawn said, picking some flakes of dirt from the mattress and tossing them on the floor.

“You’d be right.” I looked Shawn up and down. “You look like hell.”

“I feel like hell,” Shawn replied.

“They have a shower here?” I asked Kate.

“Communal, I think. Down the hall,” Kate said.

1 nodded. “Shaw.., you go shower. Then we’ll talk about whether or not you’re going back in

Shawn shuddered, but then tensed his jaw. “Of course, I’m going back in. Kora’s about to be captured.”

“No doubt.” My stomach turned at the idea. “But after what you’ve been through and what you’ve seen, I know it would be asking a lot for you to come with us.” “I’m the only one who knows the way,” Shawn said softly.

“You could draw us a map-” I began.

“I’m going!” Shawn shouted, his whole b*dy vibrating with tension.

I reached out and gently squeezed his shoulder. “Alright, fine. You’re going.”

Shawn got to his feet. “That way to the shower?” he asked, pointing to the right. “Yeah.” Kate confirmed.

Shawn stalked out of the room.

“He’s going to be royally f*cked up in the head after this,” Kate murmured.

“He’s already royally f*cked up in the head,” I said, recognizing the signs. I’d seen others come back from the last war when my father had been killed. No one would describe the scene to me, even to this day.

“And we’re taking him?” Kate asked, uncertain.

I shrugged. “You really think I’ll have any more luck keeping him here than you?” “No.” Kate conceded.

We sat in companionable silence until Shawn returned with a towel wrapped around his waist. “He wants Kora,” he said without preamble.

“I know,” I responded.

“He’s also got a war going with us. So I expect it’s just us here,” Shawn sighed.

“You’d be right.” I looked into his eyes, searching for signs of weakness. “You’re sure you’re up to this?”

Shawn nodded. “I’d walk through fire for Kora, you know that.”

“She’s still MY mate,” I reminded him.

Shawn chuckled. “The only reason she ever asked me to mate her was so she could stick around and find out more information about her father’s betrayal. Alpha, she’s loved you since we were all kids. I couldn’t even compete, and I wouldn’t want to. We’re just friends.”

That made me feel a bit better. “Alright, then. Let’s get ourselves dressed-“]

looked pointedly at Shawn. “-and get moving.

“I need to relay some information to you first. I assume Beta Eddie is in charge back at the castle?” Shawn asked.

“Yes,” I said. “He is.”

“Lyle sometimes bragged about his battle plans, and the guards he stuck on me never kept their mouths shut about what was going on with the Shadowmoon Pack. So… I think we need to get a message to Beta Eddie…” Shawn rubbed the back of his n*eck. “Not that I know what the h*ll they’re going to be able to do against magic.”

I frowned. “I saw Jim has a phone. I’ll call Eddie. But I think it’s best you tell me your information, and quickly.”

Shawn began speaking then, outlining all the plans he knew.

By the time he was finished, my stomach was in knots.

“F**k,” I breathed.