The Rogue Queen

Chapter 12 - Clearwater - Calliope & Alastair

--------------Alastair------------------

I took a small contingent of warriors and we headed towards Clearwater. With Greta’s help, we had some bracelets that would mask our wolf and allow us to fit in a bit better in town.

We drove in two separate vehicles to avoid any suspicions of how we arrived. I drove a van with Calliope and Mirya and one of our scouts, Justin, drove in her car.

Calliope was angry with me and sat in the front passenger seat. Since our talk the other day, she had been distant and quiet. I didn’t like hurting her, but I wouldn’t lead her on or lie to her. Rusten was upset with me over it, but I ignored him and told him to focus on the mission.

We approached the town and Calliope sat up a bit straighter, her eyes searching. We found a spot to park in. Mirya passed us heading towards the northern portion of the city. Greta had also given us a few vials to mask ourselves and hide our identities. Last thing we needed was for Kel to spot us and have a chance to run or alert the hunters to our presence.

Getting out of the van, Calliope moved up the sidewalk towards the theater. I headed towards the bar I had noted when I had spoken to Simon earlier. With the time of day, it was closed, but it didn’t mean I couldn’t try and pick up his scent to track him. Finding his den would be a win.

The bar was in pretty good shape. A rolling barrier blocked access to the door, a key needed to be used to unlock it. Moving around, the back door was secured as well. Searching the alley for any clues, I managed to come upon Kel’s brand of cigarettes. I always hated that he smoked, it smelled terrible.

The package was crushed and lying on the ground. I picked it up and took a sniff, confirming his scent.

“I got you asshole,” I growled.

From there, I began to follow the trail. I was getting farther away from where I was supposed to be and I had no way to contact Calliope. She wasn’t a member of the pack, so mind-linking wasn’t an option. I hesitated a moment but then opted to continue. She would understand.

Soon I found myself standing in front of a low-class motel. From the smell, and the grade of people hanging around, I concluded that this was a brothel in disguise. I could only wish to unhear the sounds emanating from the place. It did not surprise me that this is where I would find him. I waited across the street. Staying out of sight waiting.

------------Calliope ------------

I had walked away from the van; I was still upset. I wasn’t angry at him for wanting to mourn his mate. That I understood. But he wasn’t even curious about the connection we had. He didn’t really even want to discuss it; he had tensed up and become defensive just for mentioning it. I resolved to let it go. Maybe this was my sign that Greta was right. It was time for me to move on. I had decided to help him with this one last recon mission into the city, then I would leave.

I had talked to Anderson already. I had told him if he wanted to stay with his mate, he could. Cullen and Anderson both said they’d leave with me, and I appreciated the gesture. I hadn’t said anything to Alastair yet because he was so wrapped up in this recon mission he wasn’t really interested in much else.

Mirya was sad I was going, but she understood. Luther wanted to go with me, and I was tempted to let him. It’s not like I am likely to have pups of my own and I adore him.

I made my way towards the theater. I wanted to get in the town and see if I could get anything about the hunters while Alastair was focused on his Beta. I wanted to get information on the real threat. However, as I was nearing the theater, I saw him. Simon had shown me a picture of him, and I had gone into his room to gather his scent. It was clear that it was him.

I watched from across the street. He had had an arm around the waist of a woman, she was tall, tattoos covered her arms, and she was dressed in torn jeans, a vintage t-shirt, a denim jacket to complete the look. Her hair was dyed black, though you could see the blonde starting to peek through the roots. Her face was caked with makeup, too much from what I could tell even at this distance.

They seemed very familiar with one another, and I found a good spot to take a few pictures. Making note of everyone they were talking to. After a few moments, they went inside the theater, and I made my way back to the van.

When I got back, Alastair was waiting and he seemed upset.

“Did you find anything?” he asked, leaning on the van. I nodded and handed him the camera. He looked through the pictures and growled, “are they still there?”

“When I walked away, yes. But we are here on recon Alastair. It would be stupid to confront him now. You know where he is. Be smart about this. Don’t let your emotions rule you.”

He looked at me and I could tell he wanted to charge the theater, but he knew it was suicide and I could tell he was in debate with his wolf over what to do. Finally, he handed me the keys and got into the passenger side buckling up.

“Rusten refused to aid him in a suicide mission.” Saga would say to me.

“I figured as much.” I said, climbing in as I noted Alastair sending a text message to Mirya.

I looked over at him. I wanted to say something but there really wasn’t anything to say. I know he wants his revenge. It is just not possible right now. He knows that this town is filled with hunters, to do anything now would be a disaster.

We leave clearwater behind. I saw Mirya’s car in my rearview mirror. Turning to Alastair, I opened up the conversation I didn’t want to have.

“Alastair, I am leaving.”