An Alpha for Valentine

FIVE

DEVIN

I stepped out of the car and took deep breaths of the fresh, crisp air. The scent of pine trees and the damp earth filled my nostrils, and I could sense the tension in my muscles starting to ease. It's been too long since I've been back home to the pack, but I was not here for a social visit. I was here to find Satake. Valentine was at my side, her expression grave. It killed me to see that look on her face. But I could not help it. I could not have left her alone in the apartment. The Crow still had enemies. People who would do anything to get their own pound of flesh. Looking for Satake would be a whole lot easier if I could concentrate.

We made our way up the long driveway toward the large, imposing house. The scent of the pack grew in strength and I could feel my senses sharpening as we got closer. The front door swung open, and we were greeted by a group of servants.

“Devin,” Jason bellowed, stretching his arms wide.

“Jason,” I mouthed, accepting the hug and drawing him into a close embrace. As much as he tried to mask it, I could smell his worry. It was thick and suffocating. It had to be bad. Jason usually never asked for help if he could handle things.

"It's good to see you again, brother," Jason said, his eyes flickering toward Valentine for a moment before landing back at me.

“You brought the Monarch,” He chuckled, looking Valentine up and down. He didn’t even try to fake a smile. Jason disliked Valentine. To my brother, the girl shouldn’t exist. Valentine should have died that night. That was the vow we made that night when w came for her parent. We were supposed to deliver divine justice. The Monarch had connived with Candice Blossom and the Silverlaws in order to exterminate the entirety of the Crow. It was only fair we did the same. The fact that Valentine was my fated mate changed nothing in the eyes of my brother. She was still the seed of monsters. “Scared your delicate butterfly is going to fly off?” He continued.

“A vampire once broke into my apartment in search of its sister,” I replied, “I think she is safer close to me.” To prove that his attitude and indirect jabs were not going to change a thing, I wrapped my hand around her waist and pulled her closer to me. I was met with resistance. I was certain Jason would have liked that. It made no sense to my brother that Valentine Monarch would agree to a life like this. Mating the man who murdered her parents and turned her world upside down. “Do not give Jason a reason to make this place hell for you,” I mentally sent. Her shoulders slumped and she resigned with a sigh. Jason seemed to buy it. That everything was fine.

His sneer softened and he offered his hand to Valentine. The coldness in his eyes vanished as quickly as they came. "Welcome Valentine Monarch," He said, leading us toward the entrance of the mansion. “I hope the Crow is everything you expected it to be.”

Valentine didn’t take his hand. She was wary of Jason. But she nodded and began walking. I followed suit as the giant doors now overgrown with ivy shut behind us.

The pack members inside were more than the ones outside. It made my heart flutter knowing how much the pack had healed. They greeted us with bows and formalities, but I could see the tension in their eyes. They knew why we were here.

"Welcome home, Devin," Kerri, a powerful sentinel of the pack said.

"Thank you," I replied, nodding slightly. “I wish it was under better circumstances.”

Kerri’s eyes traveled to Valentine and my sight followed. Several pack members swarmed her, offering to show her around the mansion. It was a good thing. But Valentine’s mind was still gloomy and I had myself to blame for that. It had to be all those horrible things I said to her in a fit of rage yesterday. Valentine was frightened. Her mind was in shambles. Guilt and regret filled the box that was her mind to the very brim. She believed they were out to get her. But they weren’t. It was just as surprising for me too. I expected a few dissenting voices. But since there was none of that, I figured it was best I let her know my pack was a home for her too, and that no one resented her. I turned back to Kerri and asked, "Kerri, would you be willing to be Valentine's guide and bodyguard while she tours the house?"

“Bodyguard?” Kerri repeated.

Of course, Kerri was confused. Before I gave anyone the idea that Valentine vehemently believed that she was in danger here, I added, “Valentine is clingy. She would feel a lot at ease if a close friend of mine gave her a tour around this big house.”

I saw the life flush out of Valentine’s face. But she did not say a thing.

Kerri nodded, although still very confused. It had to be the part where I called her a close friend. "Of course, Devin. I'll make sure she's safe."

“Thank you,” I managed to mutter,

With that settled, Jason and I headed toward the study room. Our late father’s favorite room. He's gone now, but the space still held a certain reverence. When we reached the door of the study, the pack's Betas stepped aside, allowing us to enter. The room was dark, lit only by a few flickering candles, and I could feel the weight of my responsibility settling on my shoulders.

“What do you know about his disappearance?” I asked, taking a seat.

Jason took a seat across from me, his expression just as grave as it had been since we arrived. "We don't know much," he admitted. "He's been missing for weeks, and we've searched everywhere we can think of. It's like he vanished into thin air."

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. "Has anyone seen anything suspicious?"

Jason shook his head. "No. It's like he just disappeared. And the longer he's gone, the more worried we are."

I frowned, thinking. "We need to broaden our search. Talk to anyone who might have seen him or knows something."

"Agreed," Jason said, leaning back in his chair. "I did not want to have to but it seems we have no choice now. We'll have to mobilize the pack. Get everyone searching."

I nodded, my mind already racing with plans and contingencies. Finding Satake was our top priority, and we'd do whatever it takes to bring him home. But there was something else. I knew my brother. I knew there was something he was keeping from me.

Jason," I said, turning to my brother. "Is there something you're not telling me?"

Jason's expression shifted, a flicker of guilt crossing his features. "I... I didn't want to worry you."

"What is it?" I pressed, my tone firm.

"Satake... well, he…," Jason said slowly. "Before he vanished... He told Olamide he was going to David Blossoms' funeral."

“You think witches had something to do with it?”

Jason nodded, his expression grim. "It's possible. We've had a truce with the witches for years, but that doesn't mean they're not a threat. And with the recent tensions between the pack and Yasmin Maplewood, it's possible someone else saw an opportunity."

I frowned, thinking. We never really got to know why Satake was targeted by Ginger’s mom. "We need to investigate this. And we need to do it carefully. We don't want to start a war if we don't have to."

"I agree," Jason said, his tone serious. "That is why I have decided to hire a delicate.”

"A delicate?" I asked, surprised. "Are you sure that's a good idea? We've always been skeptical of psychics…"

"I know," Jason replied. "But this delicate is different. She's worked with other packs before, and she has a reputation for being discreet. I've already arranged for her to meet us tomorrow morning."

I hesitated, still uncertain. "I don't know, Jason..."

"Devin, we're running out of options," Jason said firmly. "We need to find out what happened to Satake, and we need to do it soon. If this delicate can help us, we have to take that chance."

I nodded, reluctantly agreeing. "Alright. When do we meet with her and when?”

"Tomorrow night," Jason replied. "I've already arranged it. She'll meet us at the church David Blossom’s funeral was held."

I nodded, mentally noting the location. "And what about security? We don't know who else might be watching us."

"Don't worry," Jason said, a confident grin crossing his face. "I've got that covered. I'll have a team keep watch of the area and make sure it's safe."

I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in my brother. He was a natural leader, always thinking several steps ahead. It was one of the reasons he was such a strong Alpha.

"Alright," I said, standing up from the seat. "I'll see you tomorrow then."

Jason nodded, standing up as well. "We'll get to the bottom of this, Devin. I promise."