It’s been a few long, agonizing hours, and it doesn’t shock me that I haven’t heard any news from my brother. All I’ve done is pace the living room floor, wondering what could be going on in Raelynn’s mind. Then, the sound of a car coming up the road catches my attention. I charge over to the window to see Stark pull up in his truck. I wanted it to be Raelynn, but of course, that’s wishful thinking.
Before Stark can get up to the door and knock, I open it. He smiles, but then it fades when he looks at me. “Hey, man,” he greets cautiously. “The pack’s going out to the bar tonight. So I figured you’d want to hang out a little more before you leave.”
All I can do is stare at him, wondering what my following words should be.
Stark’s expression transforms into curiosity, but I can sense his hesitance. “Is there something wrong?”
I jerk my chin for him to enter. “We need to talk.”
Stark is a royal, and I trust him. Has his allegiance changed since joining the Black Hills pack? I’ll just have to see. He walks past me into the cabin, and I shut the door.
“Talk to me, Lyall. You’re obviously pissed about something.”
Pissed doesn’t even describe all the emotions wreaking havoc inside of me. I walk over to the bar separating the kitchen and living room and lean against it, crossing my arms over my chest.
“First off,” I begin, “I need Raelynn’s number.”
Stark furrows his brows. “Okay. It’s …” He recites off the numbers, and I repeat them in my mind. “Is there a second request?” he queries.
“There is.” I meet his gaze head-on. “What do you know about Soren Blackridge?”
Stark shrugs and moves over to the couch. “What’s there to tell that you don’t already know? He’s the Chief of Police at the Silver Springs police department. From what I’ve witnessed over the past four months, he’s a good alpha. I know he’ll make a good mate to Raelynn.”
Anger ignites in my chest, and I can’t contain it; it blasts out of my body like a burst of raw energy.
Stark holds up his hands and jumps up from the couch. “Whoa, I felt that like a punch to my chest. Why are you so fucking angry?”
Fists tightly clenched, I walk over to him. “You and I were once part of the same pack. Your loyalty was to the royal wolves. Is that still the same?”
Stark nods. “Always. You and the others are my family. The only reason why I’m here is because of Raelynn. Dany doesn’t want to leave her.” He cocks his head to the side. “What’s going on?”
As I release a slow breath, I untighten my hands so the blood can flow through them again. All I want is to be close to Raelynn. It should be simple, but our situation is anything but that.
“Raelynn’s my mate,” I tell him. “The mating signs appeared this morning.”
Stark’s mouth drops open in shock. “I don’t understand. Soren’s her mate. She feels the connection.”
Just hearing that makes my whole body fill with rage. “I’m not saying he’s not her mate. All I’m saying is that I am, too.”
Stark shakes his head. “This is fucking crazy. What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know,” I answer honestly. “I’m not sure what Colin’s told you about my niece, Laila, but she’s half-fae and the most powerful being I know. Zayne has her looking into it.”
“I’ve never heard of a female having two mates.”
I shake my head. “Neither have I. I’m sure you can see the dilemma I’m in.”
Chuckling half-heartedly, Stark sits back down on the sofa. “Do I ever. Soren’s not going to let her go without a fight. He’s super protective of her.”
“Of course he is,” I grumble. “Raelynn’s a royal arctic female.”
Stark runs his hands through his hair and blows out a sigh. “Does that mean you’re not going out with the pack tonight?”
I sit down in the recliner across from him. “Oh no, I’ll be there.”
“What if Soren finds out?”
I can see the worry on his face. “One way or another, he will. I just need to talk to Raelynn. She left so fast I don’t even know what’s going through her mind.”
Stark hangs his head. “What a clusterfuck this is.”
“I know you’re friends with these wolves. Whatever happens, I don’t expect you to fight them.”
Stark lifts his head, his eyes filled with turmoil. “My job is to keep Raelynn safe. If she wants to stay with Soren, I’m not going to stand in her way.”
I don’t blame him for that, but it’s still not easy to hear. “And what if she wants to go with me?” I counter.
He stares right into my eyes. “Then we’ll leave together. It’s not going to be easy.” Stark leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees. “Whichever way this goes, it’ll end in a brutal fight. You and Soren are both alphas. He may not be a royal, but he’s just as strong as one. I’ve never seen another alpha with his kind of influence. He can shield his presence just like us.”
No normal wolf can do that. What is it about Soren that makes him so powerful? When I think of the visions I’ve had of the black wolves and Faith, it’s like it’s just out of reach of me seeing the whole scene. I keep digging deeper to see more, but a wall always blocks me from it.
“What do you know about Soren’s family?” I inquire. “Are there any other black wolves in the pack?”
Stark sways his head back and forth. “No. I’ve heard Soren talk about some friends of his who are, but I’ve never met them. And as far as Soren’s family, they were killed about a century ago. He never told me how.”
It seems like there’s more to Soren’s story I should be finding out. “How old is he?” I wonder.
Stark’s phone beeps, and he pulls it out but doesn’t look at it yet. “Around your age. I think he’s closing in on the one hundred and fifty mark.” He glances down at his phone. “Shit, it’s Raelynn. She says she needs to see me.” Laughing, Stark gets to his feet. “I’m sure it’s to talk about you.” He starts for the door and opens it. “If you’re serious about going out with us tonight, we’re meeting at the Backstreets Bar and Grill at seven o’clock.” As soon as he steps out, he jerks around quickly. “Just promise me you won’t lose your shit if things go sideways.”
I glare at him. “I’m not impulsive like that, Stark. I think before I react. What I do need, though, is alone time with Raelynn. Think you can help me with that?”
Groaning, Stark heads down to his truck. “You’re going to get me in so much trouble.”
“Is that a yes?” I shout after him.
He opens his driver’s side door and looks at me over his shoulder. “Yeah, I’ll help. Don’t blame me if you get caught.”
“I’ll be ready if I do.”