Twice Tempted: Between Two Alphas (Mia and Cameron)
Chapter 72

Chapter Seventy-Two

"I haven't been here in a long time," I tell Eric.

I point to the iconic Space Needle in the distance and the bevy of shops and restaurants along the waterfront.

"Someday we'll get to enjoy this city," he promises.

It's hard to imagine a time when things won't be so... insane. I've been in survival mode for a long time and it's almost impossible to conceive of a time when I can do normal things like stroll along the pier or order ice cream.

It's hard to imagine a future with both Cameron and Eric in it.

He kisses my hand. "We'll figure it out."

I want to believe that, but I'm not so certain.

"It's just up ahead," he tells me, looking at his phone.

He guides us toward Olympic Sculpture Park. There are huge stone faces and a red-painted steel structure that has tourists crowded around it and snapping pictures on their phones. We naturally angle ourselves away from the cameras and keep moving.

Ahead on a concrete bench, I see-

"Alex!" I let go of Eric's hand and run ahead.

"Damn it, Mia!"

He's seated beside a younger guy, maybe mid-twenties and the wolf scent of him hits me and stops me in my tracks.

"Mia!" Alex yells. Then he's racing toward me and I'm swept up into my former boss's arms for a tight hug.

Alex isn't affectionate. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Find ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Even when he visited me in the hospital, post-delivery, he didn't hold the babies or do more than awkwardly pat my hand.

He draws back and holds both of my hands now. "Are you all right!? I filed a missing person's report. You haven't called. You haven't come home or to work! Where are the kids?"

I glance around him to Philipe. His blue eyes are mean and amused.

I don't know what he plans by bringing Alex here.

But I doubt it's good.

"Mia?"

I force my attention back to Alex. "I'm okay. I had some unexpected family issues come up."

He frowns as he sees Eric approaching. "What is MacPhearson doing here?"

"I know her father," Eric says easily. He extends a hand for Alex to shake.

Alex does, but he's looking between us and obviously confused. "You never called. We were all terrified something horrible happened."

I nod. I feel awful. Alex has been nothing but wonderful to me and I didn't even give him the courtesy of letting him know I was okay.

"I didn't mean to ghost you, Alex. I was sick, and I had to go back to my old home..."

He frowns. His expression disbelieving.

Some of the best doctors in the world are in California.

"When you disappeared, I didn't know what to do. Agent McNally told me he was following up on the case..."

Ah, so that's how Philipe got close to my boss-by pretending to be an agent on my case. I address him. "As you can see, Agent McNally. I'm alive and fine."

"So it seems," he says. "For now."

Alex frowns. "What about the twins? Where are they?"

"Jacelyn and Aaron are with my dad." I don't want to share much more, not with Philipe bemusedly watching and listening to everything. "You know I didn't leave on good terms. We're working on reconciling." He is quiet for a few seconds. "Are you all right?"

I nod. "I am." I glance at the Alpha beside me. He has his hand on the small of my back in a gesture that is possessive.

Both Alex and Philipe notice.

I hate the disappointment I see in Alex's eyes. He was my boss and he is a friend. I think there may have been a time when he wanted something more.

He's processing all of his feelings as I watch.

Sorrow that I left and never called.

Confusion that I'm with a former client of Quest Diagnostics.

Joy that I'm alive and safe.

Disappointment as he recognizes that any chance we may have had is long gone.

I throw my arms around him and hug him hard.

He pats my back.

As I hold him, I scan our surroundings. There are wolves in the periphery. I'm not sure if they're Eric's or Philipe's. There are ravens circling around overhead which is too reminiscent of New Orleans for my liking. I smell vampires.

Something's about to go down.

I sure as fuck don't trust Philipe. If he's anything like his sister, then he won't care who he hurts to get what he wants.

"Come on, Alex," I tell him, "Let's take a stroll and catch up."

ERIC

I watch Mia lead her boss along the path.

Stay close enough that I can see you, I tell her.

She gives the slightest nod.

My own wolves are moving into position. But this feels so much like a trap, and seeing how Philipe looks excited to see us, with his smug grin and relaxed pose, I'm wondering just how this whole meet-and- greet is going to shake out.

Opting to play the game, I sit beside Philipe on the park bench.

He has one arm slung over the back and his legs stretched out.

"Will it be just the two of us, or is Ashley making an appearance as well?"

"Oh, she's close, but one can never predict a woman's moods. Maybe she'll visit, maybe she'll wait to connect with you more personally." Philipe shrugs. "Timing is everything, right? You didn't stick around when you decimated my pack all those years ago."

"Are we back to this? Philipe, we're wolves. Our packs have long fought for dominance. Mine won. Yours lost. Move on."

"Move on?" He scoffs. "Maybe if you hadn't tricked us..."

"I did nothing of the sort. My motives were clear. I sent formal notices informing your parents of my plans to expand McNally lands, and the benefits of merging into my pack. Your father knew what I wanted long before my men came to your door."

"Lies! There was no warning of your intent to attack us."

I try not to lose my patience. "Philipe, I have copies of the documents. Contrary to whatever you might think, my goal has always been unification, not war."

"You were supposed to come to marry Ashley. You were supposed to come in peace. Your men... when they claimed the main house, they killed our guards first. We'd been expecting a party to celebrate your marriage to my sister... we weren't prepared."

I listen, but say nothing. I've heard of the false prophecy. But I never laid eyes on his sister, let alone could say I was mated to her.

And I sure as shit wasn't marrying someone for an alliance. I would only marry my mate.

And she was walking around this park with her old boss.

Philipe's blue eyes are vacant. He looks like Ashley. A small nose, strong chin. Same full mouth. Their coloring is different, but there is no denying they're related.

His gaze cuts to mine. It brims with so much hate. "They raped my mom...and my sister."

I gasp.

"That was never intended. It should have been a clean battle, nothing more. I never would've sanctioned-"

He shrugs. "They didn't kill my mother, you should know. Her shame and despair was so great, she killed herself." His expression is reflective. "My father held me back. I think he knew what she would do. I didn't know what she was about-and once she slit her throat..." He gives another shrug. "I lost my sister, my mother, most of my friends. You took our lands, our resources, our pride... You destroyed my life. My family!"

Fuck. Was it any wonder these wolves wanted revenge?

"My team was supposed to eliminate any threats and secure the packlands. Your pack was marked for assimilation into mine. Not...that."

"My sister fought hard. But in the end, it didn't matter." His throat flexes as he swallows. "They raped her many times. When I found her..."

I think about Ashley...I never even saw her. This young woman who was supposed to be my match.

I know something of these horrors. When my own pack was attacked and Corinne and I were dumped into the pits, they tortured my parents too. My mother knew a similar fate.

I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

It makes rage pulse in my blood.

"Those men... the ones who did this, they will be dealt with."

Philipe scents the air. "You're angry. On our behalf?" He snorts. "You're nothing more than a bully, Eric. Your ignorance does not absolve you of your crimes. Your pack did this!"

Philipe is young, younger than Ashley. But his wolf is powerful and his hatred...it's a force all its own.

"Why are we here, Philipe?"

The wolf stands and shoves his hands in his pockets. “Because I wanted you to see my face. I wanted you to know that for your crimes, I will wipe your bloodline from this earth and kill everyone and everything you love." He smirks. "Your sister... Mmm, that was satisfying. And I'm just getting started."

I stand. My wolf pulses beneath my skin.

"What's to stop me from tearing out your throat right now?" I ask.

He laughs and points. "That."

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