Alpha Micah Black: Homecoming

Chapter22

March 8th, 10: 38 AM, Wolfdale City Police Department, Forensics

Down in the cool bowels of the police department, I met with Demon and Cerber-nerd to discuss my discovery of the CCTV footage. Chief Edwards joined us since he is overseeing this investigation.

“So, any leads on our mystery POI?” the Chief inquired first.

“Not much, but I found a section of footage with the POI in question,” I answered, handing the SD card to Raymond. “But it needs to be cleaned up if possible. The footage is grainy.”

Raymond quickly found the file on the card and pulled it up. It was a still of someone wearing a WCPD baseball cap, glasses, and a white lab coat.

“Found it, but it may take longer than usual. I also, unfortunately, can not guarantee the quality of the resolution,” he calmly stated in his mono-tone.

“No other leads from the CCTV?” the Chief pressed.

“None,” I grunted. “That POI is the culprit. Using the camera footage, I could track his movements. Entering, confronting Anderson, and exiting the lab undetected.” I let out a long sigh after uttering my short rant.

“Gutsy bastard,” Fenton Edwards frustratedly blurted out. “Have you checked the door codes yet?” He directed the question to the minions.

“Miss Mason is currently working on that,” Raymond assured us of the progress.

“Good. Please keep me or Sergeant Black posted with your findings,” our boss praised the forensic minion.

“Has Noah discovered anything yet?” I asked, changing the conversation’s direction.

“Not that I know of,” Demon answered, standing behind us. “And nothing unusual came up with the keypad codes. Everything checks out.”

“f**k,” I frustratedly whispered. “This is beginning to look like a well-executed inside job… And Rusty would love having another shot at my head–both figuratively and literally.”. Yay, me. I’m so loved.

“Mine too, but let’s not worry about that right now. Concentrate on getting the POI’s identity and bring him in for questioning,” Chief Edwards instructed. “We need this case wrapped up ASAP.”

“Yes, sir,” the minions and I acknowledged the command given.

Meanwhile…

2526 N. Hampton Street, Blackwater Industries, Inc. building…

My cousin’s business office was on the modern minimalist side instead of his cozy traveler-themed home one. Shoot. The police department’s interview rooms have more personality than his office. It’s no wonder he’s been a grump and an asshole to deal with. Between Dylan having to deal with Jabberwocky daily and working in a zero-personality office space…eew, it’s torture. Heh, I almost feel sorry for him…almost. Am I glad I gave up the title to my cousin? HELL, YES. Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to yell.

With the door open, passing employees could pick up on the argument inside.

“You’re mistaken, Dylan,” Cole Grayson yelled, pointing his finger. “There are no discrepancies in the books or with the inventory.”

“Luna Hanna and I—”

“Luna Hanna,” Cole mocked.

“---suspect there’s been some shady business going on behind my back,” Dylan finished his statement.

“Shady? Your stint in the human kennel did a number on your brain, Alpha,” Cole snipped at his friend. “You’re outta your damn mind. There is nothing shady about the business.”

“Enough with the gaslighting, Cole.”

“What?” he mouthed.

“Then explain to me how Blackwater Industries, Inc. owns some old university property,” Dylan pressed his Security officer for answers. “I don’t recall signing off for that particular deal.”

He leaned up against his desk. His arms crossed in front. And he nailed the signature Blackwater “don’t mess with me” look. I’m pretty sure that’s the look he uses on Jabberwocky. It’s also the same look I use on POIs. It’s quite effective when used properly.

“I-I don’t know the property you’re talking about,” Cole struggled getting his words out, swallowing some phlegm.

“Stop being coy with me, Cole. You know full well which property I’m referring to,” Dylan growled. His tone graveled deeper with each word. His wolf threatened to surface.

“So what if we acquired it in your absence? We had to cover your furry ass while you were having a nice little vacation,” Cole spat out his confession. “Besides, we’ve gained a buffer zone for the pack lands. Where’s the harm in that?”

“It was no vacation. I can assure you of that. And why would we need a buffer zone?”

“Doesn’t matter now, does it? But if the council ever found out about your absence…” Cole rattled off.

“And who would’ve informed them?” Dylan quickly pressed his gamma, sensing the veiled threat. “Seems to me you enjoyed your temporary time in charge too much. Well, I hate to inform you, Cole, but your time as acting CEO is over. You and Debbie will respect me and my choices.”

Cole Grayson rolled his eyes, scoffing in disgust. “Sure. Fine. Whatever you say, alpha,” he muttered. “But neither Debbie nor I will ever accept that cripple as our Luna.”

A low warning growl escaped Dylan’s lips, sending shivers down Cole’s back. He knows he’s treading dangerous waters with his best friend, but he doesn’t care.

“When are you going to admit it to yourself, Dylan, that you don’t even want her?” Cole challenged his alpha.

Dylan’s muscles tightened and squeezed his designer suit to its limits. Shadows of his wolf subtly surfaced on his face.

“If you really wanted her, she’d be wearing your mark by now,” Cole continued to dig with his insinuations.

In a flash, Dylan struck Cole hard across his face, sending him backward into the wall. More like partially through it. That’s gonna leave a mark. Blood splattered and flowed from his broken nose. The poor wall crumbled, leaving bits and pieces scattered on Cole’s slumped body lying on the carpeted floor. Dylan didn’t give his gamma a chance to strike back. He calmly walked out of the office.

“Call housekeeping and maintenance, please. And have them clean and fix the mess in my office,” he grumbled to his executive assistant in passing. His designer suit hung in strips over his body as he stormed toward the elevator to his penthouse. He punched the up button hard. No one paid him attention and carried on with their work. After all, it’s just another day at Blackwater Industries, Inc.

Back in Dylan’s office, Cole slowly came to. The blood dripped heavily from his nose. He glared his steely eyes in his alpha’s direction while a sinister sideways grin grew on his face.

“Your days are numbered, alpha,” he vowed to himself. “And you won’t even see it coming.”

Cole struggled to lift himself off of the floor. His arms trembled under his weight. His breath became labored. Sweat dripped, soaking his clothes and the carpet. His wolf, however, remained out of reach. Ha, that sounds vaguely familiar…not sure why, though. Within minutes, the maintenance personnel arrived to assess the damage. They helped lift their gamma off of the floor.

“Get off of me,” he snapped at the omegas, shrugging off their aid. “I don’t need your help.” He stumbled out toward the elevators and smashed the down button. Welp, Cole Grayson has left the building.

Upstairs in the penthouse suite, my cousin burst through the door. He exchanged a meaningful look with Henry and went directly into his office, slamming the door shut.

“Dyl..” Hanna quietly uttered. She wheeled herself out to greet him.

But in his ‘Mr. Grumpy-butt’ state, Dylan walked past his fated mate, completely ignoring her. Hanna’s face immediately fell.

“Great,” she sighed, holding back tears. “We’re back at square one again. He’s such an asshole.”

She wheeled herself back to her room. The door quietly closed on its own behind her. Only in the privacy of her room, does Hanna feel safe to let the tears fall. Grrr… I don’t like it when Hanna cries. If my cousin isn’t careful, I’ll turn his grumpy ass into a pair of numb nuts!

12:17 PM, The old athletic storage shed, new Blackwater Industries, Inc. property…

Small piles of melted snow covered the dry, fallen leaves on the floor. The old wooden shelves still held the old sports equipment. A petite figure moved mysteriously between the shadows and shelves. The sun’s rays poked through the hole in the roof.

“I knew you’d be back…wolf-boy,” the seductive voice taunted. A pair of mesmerizing green eyes peered through the holes of the shelves.

“Shut up and give me the stuff,” Cole Grayson barked. A low growl escaped his lips.

Trixie, Mr. Buggy’s assistant…um, Brigsby’s assistant, slowly sashayed from her hiding place. Her hair still had the pink tips, but now it lay in soft curls around her face. She pulled a small vial containing a bluish-purple swirling liquid.

“You want this…don’t you?”

“Give me the damn thing,” Cole demanded, grabbing her wrist.

“Uh-uh…not without the agreed payment,” Trixie reminded him.

Cole dug out an itemized list from his pants pocket and handed it to his little dealer.

“Fine,” he grumbled, snatching the vial from Trixie’s hand.

“Thanks,” she said with a sinister smile. “Gramma Emogene would love to see this.”

She leaned on one of the shelving units, watching the Chief Security Officer of Blackwater Industries chug down the contents. The liquid scratched his throat on its way down. He closed his eyes, waiting for the magic to happen. Ten minutes later, Cole felt the buzzing of the liquid throughout his body. The bruises and cuts inflected by his alpha began to heal and his muscles and frame suddenly became larger. He felt stronger and energized. He could now challenge his alpha and take over the pack and companies. The Blackwater Canyon council members would be pleased with the results.

Satisfied with the results, Cole let out a sigh of relief. A soft blue mist escaped his mouth. But with his eyes closed, he couldn’t see it. His breath floated toward Trixie with glee. If such a thing could... It obediently entered into an empty vial in her hand. She capped it and hid it within her loose-fitting clothes.

“Need a ride into town?” Cole graciously asked her, opening his eyes.

“Kind of ironic, don’t you think?” she teased.

“Whadda mean?”

“You…a wolf-boy offering to take me to my grandmother’s place…”

“Whatever…do you want a ride or not?” he snapped. “Damn stupid fairy tales.”

“Sure… Let’s go.”