Rescued By The Beta

Chapter 12

CLAIRE

I looked around the bedroom, feeling a rush of memories. After my conversation with Hunter earlier, he escorted me back to our bedroom. Being there felt strange, perhaps because I haven’t been there in a while.

Leaving the room some minutes later, I made my way down the passage with the intention of going to the ground floor so I could see how much things have changed around here.

However I paused when I noticed Jet’s study door was slightly open. Edging close to it, I pressed my back against the wall, listening to the conversation between Trisha and Jet.

Earlier when she mentioned Freya coming back to help, I couldn’t shake the feeling that she’s hiding something. If the information is something concerning me then it’s something I definitely want to know. I’d plan on asking her later without the men present there but curiosity got the better of me.

“I should have gone with her.” I could hear the frustration in his voice. “How long does it take to mourn a dead person?”

“Jet!” Trisha gasped, her tone cautious. “I know it kills you to entrust her safety in Kale's hands but you know Freya can take care of herself and besides, she might want to explore the human world a little since it’s been almost a year since she parted from there.”

“She can explore with me some other time, it’s too dangerous for her to go out there, unless…”

His voice trailed off causing me to think for a second that he discovered me. As seconds trickled by with no words, I took a risk by peeping into the room to see him pinning Trisha a look from across the table.

“You know something.” It wasn’t a question from him. “Has she refused to ever come back?”

“What?” Trisha chuckled, almost sounding relieved. “I don’t think she would have sent a letter if she planned not to come back. Let’s forget about Freya for a second and talk about Claire, without my powers, I can’t make psyche contact with her.”

“There is the thing…” Jet replied, leaning back on his seat. “I’m keeping my reservation about her for the sake of Hunter. While I have no doubt in my mind that she is Claire, something is off.”

I flinched away from the corner I have been hiding like someone stabbed me. Jet might as well have, how could he not trust me? Pushing my hair out of my face, I continued on my way refusing to hear anymore of the conversation.

No sooner than I arrived on the ground floor, the entrance door cracked open. A door which is usually left open during the day is now closed. Two men I have never seen before, poured into the room.

Katherine came out of the servant quarters like she had been expecting them. “This way gentlemen, the Alpha will see you soon.”

As they walked away, I caught one of their scents, shuddering at the wereshifter scent. The taller one among the two, who has a large scar slashing his eyes suddenly pauses to look at me.

I didn’t look away from him, not even when he did until they vanished out of sight with Katherine leading the way. Something about them feels off which could be the fact that I have never met them before.

“You’ve met them.”

I jumped when Camille appeared out of nowhere. Having forgotten how fast she can move undetected, I clenched my skirt. The fear feels familiar, like something I felt quite often even though I don’t remember why.

“I apologize, I did not mean to scare you.” She apologized seeing how frightened I looked. “I only know one of their names, Asher.”

“Who are they and why are they here?” I inquired, waving off her concerns.

“You remember the wereshifters came out of hiding a few months ago after their safety was threatened by the council. The Alphas from other packs don’t trust them, due to their large numbers they feel like they might start a rebellion.”

“But Jet is accommodating them, why do they care so much?” I frowned, not making sense of it.

“They are not happy that Alpha is becoming too accommodating. First were-shifters then the human refugees, let’s just say they are not too happy about that.” She further explained, which shines a bit of light on the subject.

It makes perfect sense that the other Alphas aren’t pleased with Jet especially with the refuges. I wanted more information, I wanted to be brought up to speed about what’s going on but the fact that Jet still doesn’t trust me will make him further suspicious of me.

Smiling, I turned to Camille. “Why don’t we sit in the courtyard and tell me what I have missed over my absence?”

She beamed, following me out to the courtyard. Although there were more flowers blooming than the last time I was here, not much had changed. We have the servants serve us some refreshments while we settle down.

I doubt Camille knows much of what’s going on around here but I need to keep myself distracted until they trust me enough to bring that information to me.

“Not much has happened since you were taken by Heather. Hunter was missing for the first few days, Alpha set out to track him with the help of Asher’s friend. The one with one eye missing? Rumors had it that he lost it while escaping one of the facilities.”

I nodded along.

“Hunter was found badly injured and close to death but as soon as he healed up, they came up with a plan for him to go undercover and rescue you. Back here, Freya spent most of her time in her new study with Trisha…and her hand maid.”

“Trisha and Freya have become quite close right?” I questioned, taking a sip of my drink.

“I should think so, they have been working together to help awakening Trisha's powers. Jet doesn’t know this but Freya didn’t go back for her mother’s memorial, she went back to….”

Annoyed at the fact that she stopped, I followed the direction of her gaze until it rested on Trisha coming up to us. Glancing back at Camille, who immediately snapped her mouth shut.

“They are not listening to me.” She burst out, collapsing next to me. “I have tried to talk them out of going back to the headquarters so soon but they are not listening, Jet just summoned Asher and Killian.”

“That‘s the name of Asher’s companion.” Camille filled me in.

“I see you’ve met them. They are two of the best trackers around. They help Jet track Hunter down in a matter of days, there’s no talking them out now.”

“Are they wereshifters too? Camille was telling me how unhappy the other Alphas are about Jet keeping refugees in his pack.”

“Asher is a wereshifter but Killian is a werewolf who ended up as a rogue. Since his scent marks him as dangerous to other werewolves, he hides his scent. Do you think you can talk them out? Especially Hunter, if Hunter raises his concerns, he could talk Jet out of it.”

“I will see what I can do.” Gulping down the rest of my drink, I wandered off in search for Hunter, having an idea where he would be. I thought back on Camille’s words, wondering what she wanted to tell me before we were interrupted.

Just as I suspected, Hunter was in the training room. He paused when he sensed my presence and I quickly plastered a smile across my face.

“Want a dual?” He asked, tilting his head to take in my appearance.

“Do you think I still remember how to hold a sword—?” My voice faltered abruptly when he pulled out a sword from the weapon rack and threw it in my direction.

I catch the sword, wrapping my fingers around the head. Bringing the blade closer, I ran my finger across the sharp edge. Despite how long it had been since I held a weapon, it felt natural.

“A dual it is.” I agreed.

He came at me immediately, our swords clashing. Using the force of the weapon to push away his attack, I invade him easily. For the next seconds, sword clashes against one another causing a rush of adrenaline down my body.

When he swung at me again, I turned swiftly, moving to his other side which gave me a few seconds opening to cross one of my legs over his. Kicking the back of his knees, I shoved the sword head into his shoulder, slamming him hard on the floor.

He collapsed forward, hitting his head against one of the pillars. I watched him groan then rolled over. Letting go of my sword, I hurried towards him.

“Are you okay? I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to hit you that hard.” I gasped, seeing the cut on his forehead.

Instead of reacting to what just happened, he dragged me down causing me to fall on top of him. His action made me freeze and I resisted the urge to pull away from him.

“When I opened my eyes and couldn’t find you, I died.” He whispered, letting go of his sword to wrap his arms around me, and I almost feel sorry for what I just did…!