Alpha Knight’s Cursed Mate

NIRVANA

He can never be trusted, Dane told me, and those words kept repeating in my head.

I’d been in the bathroom for fifteen minutes, and my nerves started to get in the way.

“Sweetheart, we can still walk away from this. It’s not too late to back out.” Knight said behind the door.

“Just give me a minute.” I breathed deeply and did the tricks I had practiced overnight. I only had one time to do this, or I would fail everyone.

I took a moment to gather myself before I opened the door. “Let’s go before I change my mind.

That son of bitch chose an open public restaurant to his advantage.

“Shit.”

“What is it?”

“I don’t know what he looks like.”

“Fuck.”

“If you see a smug curly hair son of a bitch in his forties, then that’s him,” Dane said to our line. “He has a wife named Elaine and a daughter named Savanna.”

“Is your team ready?”

“Yeah.”

“Got a table for two,” said the sheriff, Carter Wade. That was his cue. He played a vital role in the plan, as Eloh would never suspect him of being part of the team, considering he was a human.

I checked the time on my phone. This was it. No turning back.

“Either I die today, or my plan succeeds,” I told everyone through our comm. Thanks to Wade, he got us a military-grade audio and video surveillance system.NôvelDrama.Org content.

I took a seat at the table seven. That was the spot where I felt comfortable and safe.

Knight took a seat three tables away from me. That was how that son of a bitch Eloh Hartwick requested, or the meeting is off the table.

My heart pumped so hard. My pulse drummed in my ears. I took a moment to calm my nerves until someone occupied the seat across my mind.

When I lifted my gaze, Dane was right. He was smug in his thousand-dollar suit. His brown eyes told me one thing. He was a snake, venomous, and a traitor.

“I didn’t think you’d show up.” He looked over his shoulder, making me aware that he saw Knight.

“Well, I only get a granted meeting with the head council once in a lifetime. Given that I’m human, I’m honored.”

“We both know you’re more than human.” He gestured his head. “Stand up.”

I sensed there was a man behind me. “Of course.” I did as he asked.

The man checked me for weapons thoroughly, from head to toe.

“I did what you asked. No guns or any weapons, even a toothpick.”

“She’s clean.”

“I told you. I sat back.” I kept my hand on my lap because, honestly, I was scared. If I knew, someone was out there ready to take me down.

“Hands on the table.”

“Gee.” I rolled my eyes at his security as I put my hands on the table. “Pitchy.”

Once he was gone, I focused my attention on Eloh. “What do you want from me?”

“Straight to the point, I like that.”

“Well, you must be a very busy person, considering you’re cleaning the house, tying up loose ends. Let’s cut the chase. What does Cyrius have on you?”

“I didn’t meet that man, but I’m the head of the council, and I aim to end these killings. Just like you, I want order, not chaos, and I want world peace.”

I scoffed. “Wow. Coming from a man who stabbed his boss in his back. That’s rich.”

“Easy, Nirvana. Don’t provoke him,” Dane said to the comm.

“He’s a charlatan.”

“Well, you are overly ambitious and got what you wanted, but you still did not answer my question, Eloh. Or shall I call you Head Council?”

“I want you to turn yourself in with the dagger.”

“What is my crime exactly?”

“You’re a danger to the underworld.”

“I haven’t killed anyone. I haven’t broken any written werewolf laws.” That was a lie. I killed an infected werewolf. It was self-defense, anyway. “One question. You ordered those men who followed us from Portland, did you?”

“You broke the natural order, Nirvana.” He neither confirmed nor denied. Son of a bitch. He’d been trying to kill us all this time.

“As far as I know, that was not my fault. I’m innocent. I was dead, and how would I know someone was capable of bringing the dead back to life? And it wasn’t my choice to wake up from the dead. Unless you have written laws about it, I’m still innocent.”

“Turn yourself in so this problem won’t escalate, or I will be forced to order a shoot to kill on you.”

“Fantastic.”

“Do you think this a joke?” His eyes blazed.

“No.” I looked at him straight in the eye. “I’ve been chased by your people. I almost died running away from you. Do you think I wanted this? But as I look into your eyes, you are more desperate than me, Council Hartwick. I recognize haunted when I see one. I guess he has something you hold dear. Who is it? Elaine or Savanna?”

His eyes glowed in anger, and his face reddened in rage as he fisted his hands on the table and said, “You don’t have the right to drag their names into this conversation.”

I just poked the big bad bear. I meant a werewolf. “Then you can’t use me to get what you want. I lost someone dear to me, too. If you will give me to Cyrius.” I just mentioned his name. I saw the horrified image in his eyes. “You did not just kill your family. You also end the entire underworld. And you will put billions of lives in your hands, Council Hartwick. Now let me ask you this. Who is desperate? Who is selfish now?”

“You smug little bitch. Do you think you can get out of here alive without getting what I want? The moment you walk away from me, your friends, Kailin, McKaye, and your friends from Night Stalker, and that murderer Dane, including your mate behind me, are going to be dead before you.”

I showed him my vulnerability as I rested my back. “You want the dagger? Fine. You can have it. Me, not so much. I’d rather die than go with you alive. Go ahead, tell your people to shoot me or whoever you are assigned to kill me or the people I care about. I’d rather be dead than watch the entire world under the control of an evil warlock.”

“This wouldn’t have happened if it’s not for your bloodline.”

“Well, dude. I hate to break it to you, but as much as I’m involved, I’m also a victim here. I was happy being human because months ago, I didn’t know who I was. I didn’t drag myself into your mysterious, dangerous world. I’m sorry about your family, but I can’t help you with your selfish endeavor. If you think so narrowly, I think of a bigger picture, saving thousands of lives. What did he promise you? He won’t keep up the end of the bargain. He’s an evil you don’t want to make a deal with. If you can stab Victor behind his back, see what Cyrius can do to you.”

“I will kill you if you won’t give me what I want.”

“Fine.” I grabbed the dagger from my left boot and put it on the table. “Here’s the dagger everyone is dying to get their hands on.”

“What the fuck are you doing?” Knight asked through gritted teeth to the comm. “This is not the plan, Nirvana. You can’t ever give the dagger to him.”

“Take it. Do you know why he wants this?” I picked it up and showed it to him. His men on our sides were alarmed. “This is the only thing that can kill him. And if you give this to him, the fate of the world is now in your hands, council. Unless you’re his bloodline, then that thing can kill you, too.” I put it back on the table. “Pick it up.” If he could pick it up, though.

“You are coming with me.” The anger blazed in his eyes, but we both knew he was losing it.

“Oh, yeah?” I arched a brow at him. “Where? To the Werewolf Council headquarter? Because Victor and the cavalry had just taken over the headquarters. You and your men maybe can kill us here, but right now, all the alphas are watching and listening to our conversation. They know what kind of people you are, Hartwick.” I stole a glance at his men sitting on the other tables. “Do you think you’re so clever? And if you believe in the Guardian, whatever it is, I hope not the Guardian of the constellation, then you should let me go.” I stood up.

Before I could step away from the chair, he picked up the dagger, or what looked like the dagger, thanks to Dylan’s grandmother’s spell. He aimed at me and was more shocked to see it was a disposable plastic table knife.

I grinned at him. “Gotcha. You don’t take defeat well, do you? It’s too bad because today is your downfall, Eloh Hartwick.”