Ch. 551..555: The Alpha Contract Chapter 551-555

Chapter 0551

Brax

White Cliffs was north, that was the extent of my knowledge. Somewhere I had never been before, but then I never had a reason for a visit, there were always enough Rogues down south.

I flip open the notebook with Silas's directions and information. And still the castle was not at all what I was expecting.

Stretched out across a cliff and surrounded by a concrete wall that is easily twelve feet tall, maybe more. Clearly the wall was not just designed to stop people getting in, but people getting out.

I glance down at the image Silas had drawn. It was exactly the same, turrets and all. It wasn't until he told Damien and I that a spell had been put on this place, that it began to make sense. Hiding it from plain sight. Thankfully, I wasn't blind to it.

Heavy gates sit closed, but surprisingly no one guards them. Between us is a fast flowing river that leads to a waterfall at the cliff side. The water crashes down onto the rocks below. Even standing here, I knew the sea below was rough, stopping people from arriving on boats, just like Samara had told everyone.

A single drawbridge that is closed, stops me going any further. It wasn't going to be easy to get inside, but like anything, there would be a weak point.

My eyes move back to the castle. Silas could have warned me that the people here lived in medieval times.

I could hear people. Happy people. Not a single sound of someone who is in trouble. Music plays and the smell of a roasting hog is strong in the air. It takes me a second to realise they are celebrating something.

Behind me, footsteps are slowly and quietly edging forward. Turning my head slightly, the footsteps stop.

*How did you know I was behind you?" A female calls out. She brings her hand up and a little ball of fire appears, hovering just above her palm. So much for her not using her ability in years.

*Put it away Thalia."

"How do you know my name? And how did you get through the barrier?"

*Silas." I mutter his name and the ball of fire disappears as she drops her hand.

*You have spoken to Silas?" She seems to have forgotten the other question that she asked.

"More than you." I turn to face her properly. Tight curls hang down to her shoulders, a fringe stretches down to her lilac eyes. Though there is no scar on her face like there had been in the photo. She didn't even look as though she had been touched by fire. But then why would she.

"You don't know anything, Hunter." She spits

"Ah, so you do know what I am." I muse

*You stink." She tells me in a sneer. "A Wolf full of arrogance. Just like the rest of them."

I tilt my head to one side and smirk. "Do you say that to your Wolf mate?"

Her lilac eyes lock on to mine. "My relationship with my mate has nothing to do with you!"

"You are right, it doesn't. But he has been offered a deal and I am fulfilling my end." I stare back at her. Her soul is full of little black orbs, flying in all directions. Different from a Rogue and different from the waves I had seen within Neah. But like anything, there will be those that drift into the darkness, like it is their destiny.

"A deal?" She scowls, not believing a single word I tell her.

"Yes." I was bored of the conversation.

*Silas doesn't make deals."

"Maybe being away from this place has made him a different man. He has realised Serkan is a nut job."

*You are wrong. Something is wrong with Silas." She mutters. "Is he erratic? Has something happened? Why didn't he come back? Did you do something?"

"Oh dear Thalia, do you really think I'm that fucking stupid? You were ready to kill me on the spot. You only changed because I knew who you were. Now you are playing this little game of innocence. Tell me," I tap my cheek, "Where is the scar from that awful fire that killed your son?"

The colour drains from her golden skin. "I don't know what you are talking about, Hunter."

*The innocent game continues."

"It's not a game. Why are you here?" She demands

*Fancied a walk." I snort, making her glare at me. "To return you and your son to your mate."

"I told him we are not leaving. This is our home. This is where Silas belongs."

*So you want to do it the hard way?" I ask. "I'm not fussed either way."

"What, you think you are going to get in through the gates and just take us?" She chuckles. "There is no way they are going to let in a Hunter. I just have to give the word and you will be killed on the spot."

Chapter 0552

Definitely a follower of Serkan. Silas had been blind to so much, I almost felt sorry for him. If only he realised his own strength.

"I never said whether you would be dead or alive. I won't kill little Quinn, but you, you have already pissed me off. All I hear and see is lies. Did Serkan put you up to it? Did he want to keep Silas under his thumb? Or was it your idea? You saw him that day, thought he was an easy target, right?"

"Piss off."

*You saw him and thought 'easy target.' Right?" I ask again. Her soul tells me I'm right, but her face looks as though she is ready to kill.

"He is my mate!"

*Is he or did you just want him to be? You see, I found a lovely photo of you and your son. Only something didn't add up. You play with fire, yet you were scarred because of fire and now, by some kind of miracle, you're not. A little hole in your story, Thalia. Somehow he missed it, but he probably didn't, did he, not really. I reckon he asked you questions. I think even then, things began to unravel and you had to do something right? And now, he is unaware that you have some sort of hold on him."

I watch the irritation grow. Her lilac eyes drop to my feet and orange flames erupt around me, trapping me in a small circle. "Burn in hell."

I smirk at her as the fire quickly warms me. "Do you want to know a little secret?"

She doesn't answer me.

*There is no hell. The higher powers," I gesture to the sky, "They have no need for hell when they can make you live it."

"Higher powers?" She snorts. "You Hunters are all the same."

"Even Witch Hunters?" I muse, I was curious of how far I could push her until she completely loses it. "You underestimate the father of your children, Thalia. He may be confused right now. But he is changing, he is starting to see everything for what it is. The longer he is away from you, the clearer his mind becomes, because you are not present to fuel the spell you cast on him." I look down into the flames that surround me. "Is this what you did to Jarret? You killed his son because you couldn't get him to stop being so clingy."

*Screw you." She strides past me.

"No thank you, I would rather fuck my mate."

I step through the flames towards her. Her eyes widen and her jaw drops. "How... You can't do that! You are a Wolf."

I glance back at the circle of fire. "Looks like I just did." She didn't need to know that I met another Witch on the way up here. Or that the Witch was the reason I could see the castle.

She brings her hands up and balls of fire appear.

"Do your worst." I smile at her and she throws ball after ball at me. They bounce off, landing on the grass and causing small fires. The Witch had done a fantastic job of protecting me from fire. I might have to pay her a little more.

"What are you?" She snaps

*You have already said it. A Hunter. Now you are going to help me get inside and you are going to introduce me to your son as though I'm an old friend. Do you understand? And then, and only then. I might let you live through the night."

"If I don't?"

"I will kill every last person inside of that wall."

"You are lying!"

"Would you like to test me? Four days it has taken me to find this place. I have killed a dozen Rogues on the way, f not more. A few irritating Wolves that thought they were above everyone and now, I am currently staring at my next victim."

*Silas will kill you?"

"No he won't. He may think that it's you he wants. But it isn't, not really. His son is all that matters and sooner or later. He will realise that."

She hits me with another ball of fire. It doesn't even knock me back a step. "You will never get inside!"

She moves backwards onto the river bank and she steps into the water. She appears to be standing on top of the fast flowing river. A smile plastered to her face. "Follow me then, Hunter," she sneers.

I step down the river bank, but my foot drops into the water as she continues to walk away.

I hear a cackle as she crosses to the other side and watch as the gates open just enough to let her pass through.

They slam shut as I retreat. I hear multiple locks slot into place, deadbolting the gates shut.

No one in and no one out apart from a select few.

This is going to be fun.

Chapter 0553

Dane

I stand just outside of Neah's hospital room, watching her through the window. Still nothing had changed. She looked peaceful. Relaxed as though she was sleeping. Monitors are still connected to her, just in case, including one wrapped around her stomach for the twins. Yet everything points to her being in some sort of deep sleep.

The doors to the hospital open, a gush of air rushes in, accompanied by my twin's scent.

He was alone, which surprised me. The pack were yet to accept him. Giving him stares and odd glances wherever he was. Some even went as far as checking in with me to make sure it was him.

The pack had heard my side. Every single Wolf and Lycan had listened to the news of what my father had done and thankfully, they still stayed, just as Mallory said they would.

It was a relief. Though they were unsure of him and probably would be for some time. I didn't blame them, not after everything I had learned from a single phone call with Brax.

"Where's Damien?" I ask

*Helping Samara with something. He said you wanted to see me?* Silas stops next to me, looking in through the window that separates us from Neah. His eyes move to my mate and a small frown appears on his face. "Still not woken up?"

"No." I confirm

*Is this why you wanted to see me? I can't help with this. Is it the pup?"

He had been here for a week and somehow, he had still not learned of Evrin and Logan.

"No." I nod my head at one of the nurses and she heads in to sit with Neah as I take Silas into another room and quietly close the door. "Why didn't you tell us about White Cliffs? The walls? The river? The deadbolt gates? The fact that the entire pack is concealed under a spell of some sort."

"I thought the walls and the gates would be expected. You have gates. As for a spell, I don't know what you are talking about." He shakes his heas as he cocks an eyebrow

I stare at him. Brax did suggest that he was under some sort of spell too. That his mate, Thalia, had tricked him. Just like Cooper tricked so many people, only the one Silas is under is more severe.

*I assume Brax is there then?" He asks me.

"Yes."

*I swear, there is no spell, Dane. If there were, I would have told him. I even drew a picture of the castle he needed to look for."

"Okay." I mutter, not believing him about the spell. He had to know something.

*Thalia and Quinn, are they safe.?"

*He has met Thalia."

He lets out a sigh of relief. "You don't know how good it is to hear that. Is she okay? She must be, I would know if she is hurt."

*Thalia doesn't have a scar." I tell him without missing a beat.

He opens his mouth to say something, but changes his mind and closes it as a frown develops.

*Brax told me. Don't you find that interesting? I know I do."

He snorts. "Brax is lying. I've seen it. I've spent years convincing Thalia that it doesn't bother me. It covers part of

her shoulder, the side of her neck and her face. That was the worst day of our lives. We lost our son and now you are telling me that I imagined the fire that burned down our home? What the hell is wrong with you?" Brax did say there would be denial.

"Next you will be telling me that I imagined my children. Just because you have had problems with a Witch, it doesn't mean I have."

*You need to calm down."

"I thought you were going to help. That was the deal."

*Damien made the deal, not me. My deals usually favour me." I turn away from him and sit on the empty bed." Tell me why she refuses to leave? Why wouldn't she bring your remaining son to safety? Why doesn't she believe you?"

"Why does everyone keep asking me that? I have explained myself over and over. She doesn't see Serkan as a threat. It has taken some time, but I do. I understand that, but you are making my mate sound like she is his sidekick."

I fold my arms up across my chest and lean against the wall. "Come on, Silas. Surely you are not that blind? Did you know what Cooper did to all those prisoners?"

*Not entirely." He frowns at me.

*Honestly, I'm a little surprised Samara hasn't told you considering you are sleeping on their sofa."

"Well why don't you enlighten me brother?" He snaps

*Firstly, you need to earn the right to call me brother. There is only one person that I will accept that from and you are living in his home. As for Cooper, he lured them in with the pretence that he was their mate. Created an aroma that would convince people that they had found their fated mate. Male, female, he didn't really care as long as he got what he wanted.

Chapter 0554

"Now we have already worked out that was how Serkan has been growing his population. Then you were sent to go and get them."

*That doesn't mean my mate was involved." He tuts. "You are implying that she has tricked me. There is no way she could keep that going for years."

"Really?" I scoff. "You really don't think a Witch with the ability to control fire would be involved in something like this? Witches like two things. Power and money. Is she driven by money?"

"No."

"Interesting."

'Maybe a good clip around the ears will help.' Aero tuts.

"All I want is my mate and pup. That's it." Silas pleads

"She won't be welcome here." I tell him

*Just her or all of us?" He scowls at me

"I don't think that requires an answer." I lock my eyes on his. "A mate bond is strong. It provides a level of comfort. We are able to see past the surface. Connect with them on a different level to everyone else. Neah is in some sort of deep sleep and where am I? I am here, in the hospital, every day and I will be here every single day until she wakes up. Even in her sleep she feels my presence. Whereas your mate will not even consider that you are telling the truth. Do you know what that tells me?"

He doesn't speak

"She knows what Serkan is like because she is doing his bidding. Just like how you collected people for him."

"She's not bad." He protests. "Brax will bring her here. Just speak to her. You will know she is on our side."

*Brax did speak to her. She tried to kill him with fire. Now I know he can be a bit of an asshole and it does take some time to get used to his ways but she didn't hesitate."

"You're lying. The same as this idea that my mate killed my other son. What is wrong with you?!"

"Brax isn't a liar. In fact lying is one of his most hated things. That and Rogues."

He rolls his eyes at me.

I couldn't get through to him. I don't know why he couldn't see that his mate was involved.

'The spell maybe?' Aero suggests

'Potentially.' I murmur back

'I'm guessing the spell won't be broken until Thalia is dead." Aero mutters.

'It seems that way.

*What does your Wolf think?" I ask. I was curious. If Thalia was able to put a spell on Silas, could she put one on Lyall as well?

"He is unsure." Silas runs a hand through his hair, and shakes his head. "You have to be wrong. We had pups together, you would have to be mad to carry a relationship on that long."

"Were they planned?"

"Yes, we spent months trying to get pregnant."

"Months?" I ask curiously.

"Yes!" He snaps "Then finally, the twins came along."

"Was she happy?"

"What kind of question is that?" He demands. "Of course she was."

*Silas. I am trying to help you. I don't know if it's because you were sheltered or what. But I have dealt with a lot of shit over the years. Witches. Lycans pretending to be Wolves. Bitten Lycans. Watching my sister descend into death while her twin brother invades her body like it was his own. Rogues. The list goes on and at the most, all you have ever had to do is 'save people","

Shit. That was what Cooper was talking about. He never saved people in the way I thought. He was saving them for Serkan. The punishment speech was just to make them believe they deserved it.

*You have power, I can sense it. You have Alpha genes, Silas. But you don't fucking act like it. Somehow, you agree that we are not wrong about Serkan, why do you think we are wrong about your mate."

*She loves me."

"I don't see any form of love. She's cut you off, Silas. The only way you are going to see your son again is if Thalia is dead."

He glares at me, ripping the door open until it ricochets off the wall. He storms past Neah's room and out the door.

'Damien.' I link him 'You need to find your house guest and keep him inside your house."

"What has he done now?" Damien replies.

'I'm sure he will be more than happy to tell you.'

Chapter 0555

Damien

I roll my eyes and get off the bed.

"Where are you going?" Samara asks as she sits up. The sheet falls away from her revealing her flush skin.

*Beta duties." I mutter in frustration. Dane's timing couldn't be any worse.

"But..." I see the disappointment in her grey eyes

"I will make it up to you later."

She flumps back on the bed with a sigh. "That's the third time this week."

"His mate is still in hospital." I remind her as I pull on my jeans. "They still don't know what's wrong with her. It won't always be like this."

"I thought they said that Neah was fine."

"Yes to an extent. They still don't know why she won't wake up." I lean down to kiss her but she wrinkles up her nose. I connect my lips to hers anyway and she relaxes into it, hooking her arms around my neck. She frowns as retreat. "Until then, I am picking up some extra duties and this one includes keeping an eye on our guest."

*Silas has annoyed Dane?" she asks

"Yes. Did you expect anything less?" I muse

"A sibling thing?"

"I'm about to go find out."

"Well I guess I better get dressed then." She sucks in her cheeks but doesn't move.

"This way suits you more." The fading flush returns, burning into her cheeks as she drops her gaze. "If I'm not back, can you walk across to pick up Dottie?"

"Of course. I said we would make muffins this evening."

I give her a final kiss, and grab my jacket. Maybe I should just tell Dane that he keeps interrupting every time I come close to marking Samara. Especially when he keeps asking me if I am going to mark her.

I had finally decided to do it. But each and every time, I was pulled away. It was unbelievably frustrating.

It didn't take me long to find Silas. He is standing by the training ground watching the females spar.

Some of the women pause to look at him before making their way to the opposite side. Others clearly didn't give a shit who he was while some were still nervous of his arrival.

"The women train?" He asks me as I put a hand up to the trainer.

"Why wouldn't they?"

"They are female."

"What century are you from? Of course they train. All of them are Lycans. Neah may be in hospital, but they train for her."

"Can the men not protect them here?" He quips

*You do realise who the leader of the Lycans is, don't you?"

"Of course I do. And I know she is powerful, but she was born into that bloodline. So why is there a need to train the other females?"

I was starting to understand how he may have pissed off Dane. "I assume they didn't do that in White Cliffs?"

"No." He frowns as one woman is knocked on her ass

"You have been here a week and you have not expressed your concem before."

"It doesn't seem right. Men are naturally stronger."

"Maybe so, but what is the point of them being able to shift if they are unable to defend themselves?"

"You might have a point."

"Maybe? Is this what you said to Dane?"

His crimson eyes flicker to me. "We didn't talk about training."

"No? What did you talk about?"

His brow crinkles into a frown. "He thinks my mate is helping Serkan."

"And you don't believe that?" I state the obvious

He throws a hand out, palm facing up like he just couldn't believe that it was a possibility. "It's mad. We have been together for five years. We had twins. We have a three year old. Why the hell would he think that it is even a possibility? Do you know he told me that she doesn't have a scar? You saw the photo. The burns are thick on her delicate skin. I have spent the last couple of years studying them while she slept. I told Dane how I had to convince Thalia that I didn't hate them. That I still loved her for her."

I nad letting him talk.

"It's mad, right? To even suggest such a thing. And then he started telling me something about our siblings."

'Did he?"

He nods, but cocks a brow. "It didn't make any sense."

"Come with me." I turn away from him

"Where?"

"You will see."

He follows me to the small cemetery. Maddie is just finishing laying fresh flowers on all the graves.

"Do you want me to go?" She asks

I shake my head. "You carry on."

*You had me come here because you want me to visit my birth parents?" Silas asks

"No. Your siblings."

"I didn't know them."

"I know that. But I want to tell you a little story about what happened to them. I want you to understand that not everything is always what it seems. That sometimes there are other things at work and we just can't see it until it's too late."\