The Beta's Alpha 2

Chapter 11-More puzzles

Stone.

My head is pounding and my tongue feels like sandpaper; what the hell was going on? I try to open my eyes but the light stabs at my brain and I quickly forgo that idea, ready to ring for the nurse when a voice reaches me and I still, knowing it wasn’t Rayne but recognizing the voice.

“So you’ll never guess what Ray,” A pause followed by a chuckle. “You, my dear friend, have lost a drinking buddy for a little while, at least until this ball of fur is born.” A tiny sigh, followed by a sniff. “I’m pregnant Rayne, you are going to be an aunt.” My heart lifts as I understand who is in the room with us and I now I do fight the stabbing intrusion of light to congratulate Corrine. I sit up stiffly and hear her gasp. “Stone?”

“Hmm.” I want to talk but my mouth is pasty. A glass with a straw is placed into my hands and I nod my thanks, downing the liquid about to ask for more when another glass is placed into my hands. “You would make a great nurse.” My voice sounds like an old man but at least I can speak. “Even better mother.” I c***k an eye open to see her blush. “Congratulations Corrine,” I lift my cup. “To the health and longevity of the Volk pack and heir.”

She smiles, tears in her eyes. “Thank you Stone.” She pulls me into a hug and I expect her to simply release me but instead she whispers in my ear. “And I don’t believe a damn word those doctors say; we will see a cute Brooke’s Varcolac bundle running around here in no time.” I smile sadly remembering the doctors words when Corrine pulls back to look at me. “I mean it Stone, doctors don’t know everything,” she smiles coyly. “Call it mother’s intuition.”

I laugh. “Alright, holding you to that.”

“Good.” She hugs me again as I hear someone clear his throat.

“Leave her alone for a few minutes and already she’s moved on.” I glance at Silver and laugh as I struggle but finally stand.

“You know me friend, always with the looks.” He laughs and pulls me into a hug.

“Glad to see you awake Stone.” He holds me a little tighter than normal and I smile.

“Glad I woke up in time,” he looks at me as I release him. “Congratulations Silver, I wish you and Corrine all the best, health and longevity to the Volk pack and heir.”

His smile is stretched across his face. “Thank you, Stone.” I glance past him and he laughs. “This is Chloe, the healer from Bates’ pack.”

“Nice to meet you and thank you for coming.” She shakes my hand and I pull it back quickly feeling as if I have been burned, she smiles.

“Ah yes I heard the bond gave its wolves a heightened sense.”

I glance at my hand then back to her. “You’re a witch.” I don’t ask but rather state and she nods.

“I am.”

“Well that explains a lot.” Corrine mumbles and Silver laughs.

“Doesn’t it though.”

Corrine puts a hand on her hip. “You knew?”

Silver’s face falls and I chuckle, was this what Rayne and I looked like. I glance over at her sleeping form only now realizing that there is no physical contact and I panic, my eyes darting to the machines to be sure she is still alive when that burning sensation sets upon my shoulder. “Easy Stone, she’s fine.”

I look at Chloe. “How?”

She inhales glancing over at Silver. “Do you want the honors or shall I?”

I look between the two of them. “Honors of what?”

Silver nods at Chloe. “Fill in the medical terminology, deal?” She nods and Silver looks at me. “Rayne wasn’t poisoned with silver Stone.” I frown in confusion, my legs feel like jelly suddenly and Chloe offers me a chair as we all sit. “I came over to see how you were doing and I found you on the floor with Chloe holding a syringe in her hand, naturally thought she was trying to kill you so I tackled her but turns out she was saving your life, and Rayne’s.”

I rub my hand over my face. “How?”

Chloe takes over. “I believe whatever your mate has been given it is made to mimic silver poisoning and keep her sedated so you could show up and feed her.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “For what purpose?”

Chloe does not mince her words and I am grateful. “To kill you.” I raise my eyebrows. “With you dead Rayne would wake up, discover you were gone, the bond would eat at her slowly until she went mad; the Brooke’s pack would be without lineage.” I compute the information before something in my mind clicks.

I pin Silver with a hard stare. “Please tell me you aren’t going to mention my brother is all of this again.” I reply from behind clenched teeth.

He shrugs “I cannot confirm nor deny that right now; did Jayden know about the bond you share?”

“He knew we were mates not sure about anything else.”

Silver nods and Chloe chews her lip. “Ok well someone had to know besides you two,” she glances between Rayne and I.

Silver places his hands on his hips. “Maybe your brother did know.”

I glance at him. “How?”

“Cade mentioned Rayne going nuts on stage, like she was having a heart attack but given what we know now it must have been your pain she was feeling.” I fight the urge to wince as I nod. “What if he saw it and someone saw you in the wood, say Oak’s son.”

I sit a little straighter. “It’s possible I wasn’t focused on anything but running when I bolted.”

“But why?” Corrine blurts out suddenly and we all stare at her. “I mean what was the point; to gain control of the pack? To get Rayne back? It doesn’t make sense.”

“I might be able to help on that front.” Alpha Bates voice booms and we all glance toward the entrance of the door. “But I do need the presence of someone before I start.”

I frown and glance around. “Who?”

Alpha Bates shares a weird look with Silver before looking at Rayne. “Her mother.”