Three Alphas, One Secret

chapter Three

Aida's POV

Kieran's fingers tightened around my arm. "Tell me what you know," he demanded.

"I've already told you everything."

"Then why are you afraid?"

I hated that he had noticed. My heart was beating so hard that I could feel it in my throat, and I had to fight the urge to pull away from him. He was an Alpha, a man whose commands could force most wolves to their knees. I was an Omega who owned an inn and wanted nothing more than to get through the day without someone threatening my livelihood.

But I refused to lower my eyes.

"I'm afraid because you grabbed me without warning," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "Whatever you think I've done, you could at least speak to me without treating me like a criminal."

Something shifted in his expression. His grip loosened, and after a moment, he released me completely.

Before he could respond, hurried footsteps sounded behind us.

"Alpha!" A young warrior appeared at the end of the passage, breathing heavily. He glanced at me before turning his attention to Kieran. "We have another problem."

Kieran's jaw tightened. "What now?"

"The second Alpha has arrived." He announced and Kieran looked genuinely irritated.

He turned toward the stairs, then looked back at me. "Come with me."

"Why?"

"Because I said so."

I hesitated, but followed him upstairs. I wanted to know why two Alphas were suddenly interested in my inn, and I had a terrible feeling that refusing to cooperate would only make things worse.

The common room had filled with warriors by the time we arrived. My remaining guests sat quietly at their tables, pretending not to watch the armed men gathered around the entrance.

A tall man stood near the fireplace, his dark brown coat hanging open over a black shirt. He carried himself with a relaxed confidence that somehow made him look even more dangerous. His dark eyes moved across the room before settling on Kieran.

"You're late," he said.

Kieran stopped at the foot of the stairs. "And you're early. It seems we're both having an unusual morning."

The newcomer smiled without warmth. "I would have waited if I knew you were busy making yourself comfortable in my territory."

"Your territory?" Kieran repeated. "Since when does the road outside this inn belong to you?"

"Since my patrol found a wounded wolf near the eastern boundary and your warriors carried him away."

So the missing man had been from Kyl's territory. That explained why the second Alpha had come looking for him, though it didn't explain why he seemed convinced Kieran had taken him deliberately.

Kieran walked farther into the room. "Your patrol found an injured wolf. My men brought him somewhere he could receive help. If you have a problem with that, perhaps you should train your warriors to arrive before the bleeding starts."

Kyl's smile disappeared. "Careful, Kieran. You're speaking as though you did me a favour."

"And you're speaking as though I owe you an explanation."

"Perhaps you do."

The two men stood facing each other, neither willing to give an inch. Their warriors had begun shifting into more defensive positions, and I could practically see my peaceful morning turning into a disaster.

I stepped forward before either Alpha could make things worse. "If you're both finished arguing, could someone explain what's happening in my inn?"

Both men turned toward me.

I immediately regretted speaking, but it was too late to take the words back. Kyl looked me over, taking in my plain blouse, worn skirt, and the apron tied around my waist. His gaze lingered on the small bruise forming around my wrist.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"Aida. I own the inn."

"You're an Omega?"

"Yes, Alpha."

He glanced at Kieran. "You allow an Omega to run a business on neutral territory?"

I felt heat rise into my face. "I wasn't aware I needed an Alpha's permission to run my own business."

Kyl looked back at me, his eyebrows lifting slightly. "You have a sharp tongue."

"I try to keep it attached to my head, sir. It makes serving customers much easier."

One of the warriors coughed into his fist. I couldn't tell whether he was hiding a laugh or trying to warn me that I was making a terrible mistake.

Kyl didn't laugh. He studied me for another moment before looking around the common room. "How many rooms do you have?"

"Enough for paying guests."

"And how many are occupied?"

I folded my arms. "Why do you need to know?"

"Because I intend to search this inn."

My stomach tightened. My inn stood on neutral ground, where all three packs had agreed to leave their differences at the door. That was the only reason I could stand before two Alphas and refuse their demands without immediately regretting it.

But an agreement couldn't stop a powerful man from losing his temper. I wasn't afraid of speaking up; I was afraid of what might happen if either of them decided the rules no longer mattered.

"No," I said, before I could talk myself out of it.

Kyl stared at me. "I beg your pardon?"

"You cannot bring armed men into my establishment and search every room whenever you feel like it. I have guests who paid for privacy. If you want to question someone, you can ask me what I know, but you won't have my staff frightened out of their minds while your warriors turn my rooms upside down."

Kyl took a step toward me. "Do you understand who you're speaking to?"

"Yes, Alpha."

"Then perhaps you should remember your place."

My fingers curled against my palms. I was frightened, and he knew it. Every instinct I possessed warned me not to challenge another Alpha, especially one who had just arrived with an armed escort.

Still, I held his gaze.

Then Kieran spoke. "Nobody is searching the inn without my permission."

I turned toward him, surprised.

Kyl's expression hardened. "Since when does Blackthorn decide what happens on neutral territory?"

"Since you walked into someone else's establishment and started issuing orders."

"I came for a wolf who disappeared under your watch."

"And I've already told you that I don't know where he is." Kieran stepped closer to him. "Watch your mouth."

For a moment, I thought they were going to fight. Their warriors had gone completely still, waiting for one of the Alphas to make the first move. Then Kyl laughed softly, though there was no amusement in it.

"Very well. If I cannot search the inn, I'll stay here until the missing wolf is found."

Kieran's eyes narrowed. "You cannot be serious."

"Deadly serious. Unless, of course, you intend to explain why you're so determined to keep me out."

"I'm not keeping you out. I'm telling you that you don't give orders here."

"Then we understand each other."

Kyl turned toward me as though the argument had been settled. "I'll need a room. Something comfortable, preferably away from the noise."

I closed my eyes briefly, asking every patient spirit in existence to give me the strength not to throw something at him.

When I opened them, both Alphas were watching me. Kieran looked suspiciously satisfied, while Kyl appeared to be enjoying my discomfort.

I had spent years keeping three rival packs from turning my inn into a battlefield. I knew how to handle drunken warriors, territorial arguments, and men who believed an Omega's refusal was merely an invitation to argue louder.

But two Alphas under the same roof, each convinced the other was hiding something?

That was a different kind of trouble.

I untied my apron, folded it over the counter, and looked at Kyl. "Fine. You can have room eight. Payment is upfront, meals are extra, and if any of your warriors break anything, you're paying double."

Kyl's mouth curved into a genuine smile this time. I turned toward the kitchen before either man could answer.

Behind me, Kieran's voice stopped me.

"One more thing, Aida." I looked over my shoulder. "Keep your doors locked and stay away from trouble until we find that wolf."

I glanced at Kyl, who was already speaking quietly to one of his warriors, then back at Kieran.

"With all due respect, Alpha, trouble seems to have found me."