Obsessions (14 page)

Chapter
17

Late that night, Jamie Foster met Ryder at the
airport. He walked out toward the jet and grabbed Ryder’s bag out of his hand.

“You look tired,” Jamie remarked, as he hugged his
Alpha. Humans wouldn’t understand how wolves acted toward each other. It was in
their nature to greet one another that way. This was his second and he owed him
a lot.

“I am.” He half smiled, but he knew Jamie could hear
the anxiety in his voice. Ryder could see his other Enforcers scattered around
the airport watching for anything out of the ordinary. They adjusted throughout
the airport as their Alpha and Beta walked toward the car. Ryder felt uneasy as
he rubbed the back of his neck.

“What is it?” Jamie asked, tensing beside him.

“I don’t know but something is making me feel
uneasy, and I trust my instincts.” Ryder responded, as he got in the back of
the SUV.

“We all trust them,” Jamie replied, as he reached up
and spoke into the black, blue tooth device hanging down from his ear. “Alpha
feels like something is up. Keep your ears and eyes open out there. He’s never
wrong when he gets those feelings. Jason and Kenny, I need you to change and see
if you can scent anything.”

“Alright tell me what is going on and what you found
out?” Ryder smiled at his Beta in the review mirror.

“You knew I had some information?” Jamie laughed.
“You don’t miss much do you, Ryder?”

“That’s why you are my Beta, Jamie. I don’t have to
tell you what to do. You know your job and you go out and do it. I trust the
decisions you make,” Ryder explained, as he made direct eye contact with Jamie
letting him know he was sincere.

In the beginning, Jamie wasn’t used to all the love
wolves showed. The pack he grew up in wasn’t like that. They lived in fear all
the time from their Alpha. Ryder knew that it wasn’t until his mom and dad died
from being attacked by one of the Enforcers in his pack, that Jamie made the
decision to leave the pack and join the military. He wanted to know how to
protect himself and others. He was very young when his parents were killed, and
the military was his passion. The Seal Team he was attached too became his
family.

Jamie was a special wolf. When he got out of the
military, he drifted around the country until he found his way to Alpha City.
Ryder took one look at him and opened up his home, fed him and gave him a
purpose. Jamie told him he would never forget it and has been working for Ryder
ever since. With his skills and knowledge, he made the pack more secure and
safer for everyone including his Alpha. Ryder loved his wolves and wanted them
to succeed. He gave them the tools to do the job and he made sure that they
knew he appreciated everything they did for him and the pack. Every pack member
had a job and was well taken care of.

“I did some checking, and now I’m sure Jim Sanders
is up to something. Apparently, he’s mated to a witch. Her name is Metilda
Blackwood, and Meryl said she comes from a long line of witches who mess with
dark magic. The Council of Covens watches her Coven closely. Her mother Claudia
Blackwood runs this particular group and according to Meryl, she is very evil
and ambitious. I’ve hired some people to keep a watch on her Coven.”

“I hear from my sources that Metilda doesn’t fall
far from the tree. There’s a reason they’re here and it can’t be good. I’ve got
Sanders being followed. His sister is home too, but I saw her leave and go rent
an apartment in town. She looked like someone had punched her in the face. I
don’t know Alpha, but something doesn’t feel right about that pack. I can’t put
my finger on it, but I think you need guards on you whenever you leave.” Jamie
explained like it was so simple. His expression was unfathomable as he spoke
about the dangers he felt.

“Only one guard, Jamie. I don’t want the pack
stretched thin because they are guarding me. We’re meeting with the others
tonight at ten. They need to know what’s going on. I don’t want us to be caught
with our pants down.”

“Yes sir,” Jamie answered. Ryder listened as he gave
out instructions to the Enforcers on what needed to be done. He was worried now
that Jamie had the same feelings as he did about the Sanders Pack and now the
witch he was mated too.

* * * *

London finished packing all of her clothes in the
suitcases and boxes she had stored in the back of the closet. She didn’t have
much to pack, and she was an expert at packing anyway. When you moved as much
as she did growing up one didn’t keep a lot of stuff, because it was less to
pack up. She wondered if her life would ever be normal. Always moving and never
feeling like you were at home.

Did others feel like this before they found what
they were looking for? Would she ever feel like she belonged somewhere? Most
people, she figured didn’t understand. Maybe she was expecting too much. Maybe,
but one could always dream, she thought.

“Hey I’m back.” London heard Zoey clamoring through
the door. She walked into the living room and found Zoey pulling a cart behind
her with boxes on it. The boxes had the Apple emblem on them.

“Hey what have you got?” London asked excitedly.
Apple computers were her favorite.

“Well when I went to buy the computers I found some
more things and I wanted you to take a look, and tell me if you think we could
use them. I got Donnie a computer too. You think he will be happy about that?”
Zoey asked, her eyes big, with excitement shining through.

“Lord yes, he’ll love it. He is a lot like me when
it comes to likes and dislikes. Kinda like you.” Walking over, she looked at
all the boxes. She hadn’t had much time to talk to Zoey in private to see how
she really felt about Donnie. “Are you really okay with hiring him? I know
yesterday, I just assumed that you were okay with it. Honestly, I didn’t think
Ryder would allow him to come to Alpha City, but he said that Donnie had some
Panther in him and that he would be allowed in. Ryder said that they would
explain everything to him once he got settled.”

“Of course I’m good with him. I love the man
already. Everything you said about him is true. He is so sweet and such a good
guy. Most of all, he loves you like I do and that’s reason enough for me to love
him. He has been here for you when I couldn’t.”

London hugged Zoey. She hoped that her friend knew
how much she meant to her. “I need to call Me-Len and let her know what’s going
on. I don’t want her to be upset that I didn’t tell her that I was moving.”

London walked into her bedroom and sat down on her
bed. She almost had everything pack as she dialed her grandmother’s number.

“Me-Len. It’s London.” The phone was static sounding
as London listened.

“Hey sweetie. I’m so glad you called. I wanted to share
some exciting news with you.” Me-Len said. London could hear the excitement in
her voice.  “I got a job offer today and I couldn’t refuse.”

London couldn’t believe it. She didn’t know that
Me-Len needed a job. “Me-Len, do you need money? I would have helped you if you
needed something. I have that money Mom and Dad left me. I would have given it
to you.”

Her heart was hurting thinking that her grandmother
needed money. How could she have been so stupid worrying about this if the only
family she had was in need?

“London, honey listen. I didn’t need the money. It
was a job offer that I couldn’t turn down, and to be honest, I wanted to be
with Meryl.” Me-Len said, gently.

London could hear it in her voice. It took on a
sweeter tone with a touch of excitement that she had never heard from her
grandmother.

The tension she was feeling eased as her grandmother
spoke. “What is the job Me-Len? What are you going to be doing?”

“I will be moving to Alpha City today, and the
movers are here to pick up my stuff and I’m flying out in three hours. I will
be the—”

“What? You’re moving to Alpha City?” London asked
shocked.

“Let me finish dear and I hope it will answer all
your questions.” Me-Len continued. “I will be part of the Coven in Alpha City
that advises the Alpha’s on anything that is magic. Apparently, there are some
things going on and they need my help. London they are going to pay me
eighty-five thousand dollars a year, and a fifty thousand dollar signing bonus
to come today. They have taken care of everything, even packing up our house.
All I need to do is get there today. Can you believe that? I’m so excited,”
Me-Len giggled like a girl.

London sat there listening to her grandmother’s
excitement in shock. She was thrilled that her grandmother was falling in love
again. London’s grandfather had been dead thirty years, and she always said she
was too old to fall in love again, that she’d had her time, and now it was
over.

“Um, Me-Len I’m so happy for you. I like Mr. Pierson
but I have some news of my own,” London said quietly.

“Okay dear, what is it? Nothing is wrong I hope?” Me-Len
quizzed her.

“No ma’am. It’s kind of funny. You see, I will be
moving to Alpha City too. I quit my job yesterday,” London whispered. She knew
that Me-Len would be upset because she knew how much she wanted that job and
for her to just quit then something must have happened.

“What…what…why? Oh my London, are you okay? Do you
need me?” Me-Len fired off her own set of questions.

“No I’m fine, Me-Len. It’s a long story and I will
tell you tomorrow when we get there. Just know that I’m fine and I’m going into
business with Zoey. My friend Donnie is also moving with us. We will finally be
in the same city. I think this is good Me-Len. I really do. I promise I will
explain everything tomorrow in person. Please don’t worry because I think this
is a good move for me and you too.” London could hear Me-Len sniffle like she
was crying. “Are you okay Me-Len? Please don’t cry.”

“Yes dear, I’m fine. I just got worried that
something bad had happened and I was so excited that I didn’t even know that
you…” Me-Len sniffled more unable to finish her sentence.

“Stop crying. We are going to be together now and I
feel good about this move. For both of us. I would tell you if something was
wrong. I would. But just think Me-Len we will be able to have dinner together
and go get our toes done. Just like we did before. So be happy and get to
packing. You want to collect that fifty thousand dollar bonus, so get your butt
in gear, woman.” London chuckled as she teased her grandmother who finally
started laughing.

“Okay, okay. I will see you tomorrow then. I love
you London. I really do,” Me-Len said softly.

“I love you too. See you tomorrow.”

London listened and when she heard Me-Len hang up
the phone, she hit end on her phone and saw that Zoey was watching her.

“You knew?” London asked.

“Just found out before I came in. Ryder had to fly
back to Alpha City. Apparently, there are some things going on and he needed to
get back before us. He told me that he offered your grandmother a job. That’s
good right?” Zoey smiled, as she waited for London’s reaction.

“Yeah, I’m glad we will be together. She’s the only
family I have left. It will be good for her to be near me in case she needs me
for a change,” London answered.

“Well technically, I’m your family too.” Zoey
quipped jokingly while winking at London.

“Yes you are. You are my sister and I can’t thank
you enough for helping me out like you are. I don’t know what would have
happened Zoey if you….” London looked down quickly. Her emotions were lying on
her shoulder already. She didn’t want to cry anymore. This was a positive move
and she could finally be her own boss and create products for Zoey and her
company.

“Hey, I was just thinking about what we would name our
company. Do you have any ideas?” London asked.

“Well I was thinking about that. Let’s sit down and
go over some stuff. Do you have everything packed? I can help you so we can go
over some things that way we are ahead of the game,” Zoey said. “Hey let me get
my trusty new laptop out to copy it down.”

London smiled as Zoey pulled over the cart. It had
three Apple laptops on it, and Zoey took a laptop out of the box. “While I was
at the store I got them to load all the programs we would need and had them set
it up. The desktops are being delivered tomorrow.”

“Did I ever tell you how proud I am of you? I
couldn’t think of anyone I would rather go into business with. You never gave
up on me and I want forget that my friend,” London replied. Zoey nodded her thanks.
She had big tears dropping out of her eyes. “I really mean that.”

Chapter
18

Ryder sat down in his seat in the Council meeting
room, his assistant Will Chambers sat next to him. He had asked Will to
accompany him so he could describe what he saw when Jim Sanders came into his
office.

“When did you get back?” Brody King asked.

Brody was the Alpha over the King bears, and he was
every bit as big as a bear at six foot seven and weighing two hundred and
seventy pounds. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on the man. If you looked at him,
you would think he would break you in half but underneath was a sweet teddy
bear. Or at least that was what they called him to get under his skin. Fortunately,
he was one of Ryder’s best friends and he would do anything for the man and
vice versa.

“About twenty minutes ago. Sorry to get you guys out
so late but I think we have a problem and I want you all to hear what’s going
on now before anything bad happens. I have the feeling that something bad is
about to happen. I want Will to tell everyone what happened while I was in New
York.” Ryder looked at Will to start.

“Well I was working and Jim Sanders came in the
office. He looked agitated when he came in, and he asked if he could see the
Alpha. I explained that he wasn’t available but that I could take a message if
he wanted to leave one. Before I could get my pad out to write something down,
he slammed his fist on my desk. When I looked up his face looked distorted
somehow.”

“What do you mean distorted?” Judd Walsh the Alpha
of the Jaguars asked.

“His face, moved almost like his wolf was trying to
come out, but not exactly like that. I don’t know how to explain it, but it
scared the shit out of me. I was so shocked I didn’t know what to do. I was
already against the wall and I had to go through him if I ran out of the front
door. I tried to calm myself so he wouldn’t do anything, and I told him that
Ryder would be calling in a few and I would tell him that he stopped by and
wanted to see him. Then his face just went back to normal. He blinked a lot and
I don’t know how else to describe it but to say he looked possessed. After that
he seemed to accept it, and he walked out the door. I’ve never seen anything like
that except on a scary movie and I love scary movies but this shit was real and
this man was scary,” Will said.

Ryder smiled at how theatrical Will was when he
spoke. His assistant was a riot when he was calm, but when he felt passionate
about something his hands started moving like he was speaking sign language.

“Thank you, Will. If we have any more questions, I
will call you back in. Can you see if Meryl is here?” Ryder asked.

“Yes sir.” Will answered before exiting the room.

“Ryder? What do you think is going on?” Kayden Lynn
the Alpha of the Panthers asked.

“I don’t know, but I think he’s up to something and
now Meryl is telling me that the Coven feels dark magic being used here in
Alpha City but they can’t find where it’s originating from. Jamie tells me that
Jim is mated to a witch and that she’s bad news.” Meryl and the Coven walked
into the room along with London’s grandmother. Lenny returned the smiles of the
Alpha’s.

“Meryl is here to report what they have found out.”

The Coven stood in front of the Council of Alphas
then bowed to them. Then they all sat down but they looked to Meryl their
leader to inform them of what they found.

“Alpha’s, two weeks ago the Coven felt a power surge
of magic moving in the city. The wards were going off everywhere. At first, we
thought it was a glitch and something was wrong with them, but when we checked
it was a very powerful magic that had activated them. Then the magic would
slowly move around different areas in the county just outside the city limits.
The wards are strong enough to reach into the county to let us have a heads up
that something or someone is coming. It feels like someone is playing with them
deliberately. Trying to test them to see how close they can get to the city
before the alarms go off.”

“How many times has this happened, Meryl?” Nolan
Banks asked concerned.

“Twenty times at least two times a day. They are
checking to see how the wards act when the sun goes down and rises. It has been
known to cause them to weaken during that time. I don’t like it. With
everything that is going on with the Sanders Pack Alpha mating with Metilda Blackwood,
it doesn’t feel right. Her Coven has been known to use dark magic and now with
Sanders wanting to have a seat on the Council well it doesn’t take a genius to
figure out something is brewing. They are planning something.” Meryl shook his
head before looking over at Me-Len who smiled back at him.

“Me-Len, thank you for coming so quickly. Meryl has
told me that you have some experience with witches using dark magic. Can you
add anything?” Ryder asked as he smiled softly at her. Me-Len glanced at Meryl
first, and waited for his nod to begin. Ryder liked that she waited for Meryl
before she answered.

“The testing of the wards is a way to see how weak
your Coven is. They are testing it so they can break through without you
knowing they’re coming. Wards have special magic, and like most magic, it has
loopholes. Back in the day, wards were used more than today and wars were
fought between Covens to see who would be in control. Nothing good came out of
it just a lot of dead witches. This is why the Council of Covens was formed. It
eliminated one person in charge. The Blackwood’s are notorious for stirring up
trouble. Not one of them has turned out to be good. They’re evil and not only
do they dabble in dark magic but they freely accept the dark arts and even
teach their kids to use it.”

“You need to start preparing yourself for battle,
Alphas. I don’t know who or what it is but with the way they’re testing your
wards and the way magic is moving in and out of your city I think they plan to
take over. I know this place is special, but there has to be more to it. Another
reason they want this city, not just because of the Council.” Me-Len finished
talking then looked at the Alpha’s who sat motionless in their seats.

Ryder cleared his throat. This problem was worse
than he thought. “Thank you, Me-Len. We will meet back with you in a few Meryl.
Please don’t leave. I feel this is going to be a long night.” Ryder suggested.

* * * *

London just about swallowed her tongue when she
stepped onto the private jet. It was enormous and beautiful on the inside. With
all the cherry wood, it looked like a five star hotel room instead of an
airplane. The seats felt as comfortable as they looked. They were made of suede
leather and reclined back in case one wanted to go to sleep. She had flown on
some commercial airplanes but nothing this luxurious. Donnie was right behind
London with his mouth open as he took in the amazing jet plane. It looked like
he tried to say something but nothing came out of his mouth. Zoey looked over
at London and they both started laughing at his expressions.

“Freaking unbelievable,” stuttered out of Donnie’s
mouth. “Can I just live here on the plane? It’s as big as my apartment was.
No…I think it is bigger.” Donnie declared as he opened up the door to a
bedroom. “Yep, it’s bigger.”

London laughed as she watched Donnie look in every
drawer and door in the plane. He gave a play-by-play description of what was
behind them.

As London and Zoey sat down, a flight attendant came
in with a tray of cheese, crackers, and drinks. “Ms. Malone if everyone will
take their seats the plane will be leaving in a few minutes.”

Zoey thanked the lady as she returned to the front
of the plane. Donnie sat down and whistled then glared at Zoey.

Pointing his finger at Zoey, Donnie asked, “So sweet
cheeks, how much money does, dear brother, have?”

Zoey sat scratching her head. “Enough I guess. I’ve
never asked.” Zoey spoke nonchalantly about money. London figured if you never
had to worry about it then it wasn’t anything to think about. She wasn’t
jealous of Zoey and the money she had. She was proud of her. She knew what a
hard worker Zoey was. She worked with her brother at some of his businesses and
she was good at it too.

The flight took over two hours to get to the private
airfield in Alpha City, and they had to wait a few minutes so Donnie could take
pictures of the inside of the plane before they could get off. As they made
their way off the plane, London noticed a group of men spread out around it. She
could see guns under their jackets as they walked around, and four dark SUV’s
waited at the end of the stairs. She understood the importance of being an Alpha
but Zoey was just his sister. The protection must spread to his family as well.
She knew they weren’t here for her and Donnie.

A man waited at the end of the stairs smiling up at
them. He was built like a brick house with short brown hair. Even though he
smiled, he had a dangerous look about him. He happened to be good-looking too.
“How was your flight?” he asked Zoey.

“Great. It’s good to be home,” Zoey answered. “Jamie,
I want you to meet my friends. This is London Grey and Donnie Morgan.” London
watched the wolf look her up and down. She figured it was normal protocol since
the others did it at the dinner. They all seemed to look a woman up and down
like they wanted to devour you. Jamie was no different. She could see the hint
of lust in his eyes then it quickly faded.

Jamie held out his hand to her when she got to the
bottom step. “Hello London. I’ve heard a lot about you.” London hesitantly took
his hand and shook it.

“I hope it was all good,” she responded.

“Yes ma’am-mostly-they said you were beautiful, but
they lied. You’re gorgeous.” Jamie had a smirk on his face that said he got
many women with those lines.

London blew out her breath then lightly hit Jamie on
the arm. “Gorgeous, huh? You know, I bet you get a lot of women with that line,
but a girl still likes to hear it.”

Jamie, Zoey, and Donnie all laughed, and Jamie held
his hand out to Donnie. Before he could open his mouth, Donnie placed his
finger over Jamie’s lips.

“Yeah sweet cheeks, I know I’m gorgeous too.”

Jamie busted out laughing as Donnie fluffed his
short hair like a girl would.

“I heard you were a character.” Jamie said, before he
grabbed Zoey and hugged her nuzzling her face.  London smiled knowing that was
a wolf’s way to welcome one home, but Donnie had one raised eyebrow as he watched
them.

London couldn’t help but giggle. Thank God, Zoey
explained everything to her. If she didn’t know the facts, it would look like
they interrupted an intimate moment between lovers.

Donnie moved closer to London as the two wolves
greeted each other. “Now I wouldn’t mind being on the end of that. If this is
how it’s done in Alpha City then count me in. I love this place already.”

When they were finished, Jamie opened the door to
the SUV and helped them in. London couldn’t help but giggle at Donnie’s
reaction. She couldn’t wait until they told him about shifters. His expression
would be priceless.

Before she moved to get in the vehicle, London felt
the pendent on her necklace. For the first time it felt hot as it touched her
skin. She reached in her shirt and brought it out looking at how it glowed. She
didn’t want Zoey or Jamie to see the necklace glowing. They would ask too many
questions. She placed it back in her shirt then looked around at the airfield.
Jamie caught her uneasiness as she looked around.

“What’s wrong London?” Jamie asked.

London didn’t see anything and she sure didn’t want
Jamie to think she was a freak so she lied. “Nothing, I was just looking around
at this airport. Never saw one like this before.”

Jamie seemed to accept her response so he let it go
and didn’t ask any more questions. He looked around at the airport as she got
in the vehicle, and after shutting her door; he climbed into the passenger
seat.