CHAPTER 665: 665-THE ALPHA SWITCHES

Helanie:

"It’s not that I’m embarrassed. I just don’t think people are ready yet. We’re dealing with monsters and the X Codex. We can’t handle all sorts of other rumors at the same time," I tried to explain to Emmet once we stepped into the guest room.

My old room that I used to share with Vani. I noticed two single beds placed side by side, each against a wall.

"Rumors can’t kill us. There’s some other reason you’re too scared to talk about," Emmet said calmly as he took off his coat and folded it neatly. He then grabbed my bag to place it in the closet too.

"How are you so sure I have another reason?" I asked, watching him smile and shake his head.

"I know you, Helanie. Just because I drank a lot, you all think I’m just a drunk guy who doesn’t know what’s going on around him."

I felt hurt by his comment. It wasn’t insulting to me, but it made me wonder if he still carried pain from long ago.

I knew Emmet almost never complained, so it was possible he had a lot of unspoken frustration with the people around him.

"Well, we’re not sharing a room. That would be weird," I said, changing the subject when I realized the two beds were for us.

"No problem, I can sleep somewhere else," Emmet said without looking at me, and it made me feel guilty again.

"No! Wait. There are two beds, we’ll be fine," I quickly added, and he turned to give me a puzzled look.

"Don’t look at me like that," I muttered awkwardly.

That’s when a knock on the door broke his stare from my face. I was glad someone had interrupted.

Emmet opened the door for Vani, who always had a bright smile whenever she saw us.

"Alpha Altan sent his warriors to pick you up. I was thinking of making dinner for you, but the warriors said you two will be eating with Alpha Altan. So, my plan is canceled," she pouted, folding her arms.

I didn’t want her to stand in the kitchen and make a whole dinner for us. Since her mother never cooked for us, I knew that job would fall on Vani’s fragile shoulders.

"It’s alright. I’ll bring pizza on my way back. You don’t have to cook for anyone tonight," I said. Of course, I wasn’t going to let it go. I planned to talk to Larissa and remind her of her responsibilities.

Vani was losing weight because there was no food at home. Larissa and my so-called dad would eat out with their friends every day. My stepbrother would feast with his own group. That left Vani, who didn’t even have groceries to make herself a meal. I wondered when would they ever learn?

Emmet and I grabbed our bags full of weapons and files and were about to leave the house when Vani spoke up.

"Thank you for coming here."

My heart broke seeing her like that. She didn’t deserve this kind of life.

"Stay outside and keep an eye on everyone, especially anyone who looks suspicious," Emmet warned the warrior, stopping him from walking away from the house. He had brought his own warriors to protect Vani. That was the only reason we felt okay leaving her alone with Larissa, who barely ever cared for anyone.

When we arrived, we were welcomed by Altan’s royal beta and gamma. These two young men used to be Altan’s high school best friends, the same ones who used to make my life hard. Now, they stood in front of me with their heads lowered, offering a full bow.

"Alpha Altan is waiting for you," said Beta Rocky, motioning for me to follow him. "Rogue King Emmet, why don’t you come with us and choose a drink of your choice for yourself and the Alpha Queen?"

It was Rocky’s subtle way of letting Emmet know the Alpha wanted to speak to me alone first. I gave Emmet a reassuring nod, and although he didn’t seem thrilled, he followed the gamma while I walked into Altan’s study.

He was standing by the window, rubbing his palms together. When he saw me, he quickly walked over to shake hands, but I acted like I didn’t notice.

"Everyone’s pretty shaken by the kidnappings. I heard a child was taken just yesterday too?" I asked, looking away and focusing on the table where I placed my bag.

"Yeah, it was chaos. We looked everywhere for any sign of forced entry or for anyone who looked suspicious but there was nothing that we could find." he took a pause before uttering again, "By the way—hi, welcome back to the Vicious Banes Pack," he greeted me formally, taking his seat across from me while I sat next to the empty chair meant for Emmet.

"I suppose you wanted to talk about something before we get to the main issue?" I asked, crossing one leg over the other. I had changed into black jeans and a black top after a shower, matching with Emmet, though it wasn’t intentional. He mostly wore black suits anyway.

"I’m not someone to tell you how to do your job, but there have been some things happening, and I wondered if you even knew about them," Altan said, slowly rolling his chair closer to me as he opened a file on the desk.

"What kind of things?" I asked, leaning back comfortably. I didn’t react to him moving closer. If he thought I’d respond the way I used to, he was wrong. His closeness didn’t matter to me. It didn’t affect me at all. I was here for business—to help, save the children, and protect my little sister from the monster hiding in the shadows.

"The North has been doing Alpha switches," he started, and I frowned in confusion.

"The Alpha of the Blood Hunters Pack suddenly stepped down and handed his title to his royal beta, making Coombs the new Alpha. Didn’t that bother you? Did they not even inform you?" he asked, clearly disturbed.

My body tensed at the mention of Salem’s father.