The Hidden Alpha (Alma Venus Shifter Brides 2)

“That’s a story for another time…”

Amelia would have insisted if Seth hadn’t entered her in a quick, swift motion. She moaned and let her head drop on his shoulder, relishing the feel of his pulsing cock inside her still soaked pussy. She dug her nails into his back as he made love to her slowly, his hands running all over her body, massaging her breasts, squeezing her hips, and burying themselves in her messy hair. They felt as if they were one, their bodies moving against each other in a perfect rhythm, their hips rolling and thrusting, dancing to a song only the two of them could hear. Their eyes were locked when they came, their muscles tensing and relaxing, their lips parted to let out the long, silent moans which had been building up in their chests. Amelia sighed when she felt her pussy filled with his hot, sticky seed, and Seth let the last milky streams pump up close to the entrance of her womb. He didn’t pull out not because he was too exhausted, but because he wanted to be connected to her for as long as possible.

***

Initially, Roman Sylfur had wanted to have the meeting in his office downstairs, especially since he hadn’t used it in a while. When his brothers announced they wouldn’t miss it for the world, he grumpily changed his mind. Damon had gone back to Canada right after the mating ritual, but Sebastian, Julian, and Charles had been eagerly waiting for the Blackmanes’ trial the whole month. There was no way they would miss the updates they knew Redfur’s cousin would give Roman in real time. So, Roman plastered a big, fake smile on his face and invited his brothers to join him, Seth, Blake and Amelia in his own room. It was bigger than his office, but after half an hour of chatting and speculating about what was happening in London, it had gotten pretty stuffy.

“It’s curious that the advisers aren’t participating in the trial,” noted Sebastian. His dark, bushy eyebrows looked as if they were frozen in a frown.

“I think it’s better this way,” said Roman. “After all, Councilor Voinom’s own advisers were involved in the battle at Alma Venus. Maxwell and Karl Blackmane have a lot of explaining to do. It wouldn’t be fair for the other councilors to have their advisers by their side.”

Charles raised an eyebrow and huffed. He was leaning comfortably in an armchair, a glass of whiskey in hand. “Werewolves have always been trouble. I’m not surprised this has happened. Humans bitten and turned against their will, a bloody battle they actually thought they could cover up… It’s disgusting.”

Amelia was boiling with anger. From what Seth had told her, she understood that it hadn’t been Clan Blackmane’s fault. They were just trying to defend themselves, and Max was protecting Avelyn, his bride, and their unborn baby. She couldn’t believe Roman’s brothers could have such a terrible opinion about the wolf clan without knowing them and before hearing the whole story. She pursed her lips and swallowed hard. There was no point in arguing with them, and she was sure they wouldn’t care about what she had to say anyway. She pressed herself against Blake’s side, making sure her human scent covered the vixen’s. Blake wrapped an arm around Amelia’s waist, playing the role of a very enamored husband. Seth was sitting close to Roman, his Inari. Amelia was grateful she could look at him every time she needed some encouragement.

“You forget about the fox-shifters who sided with the rogue she-wolf, brother. Don’t you think what they did was also disgusting?” Roman’s voice was low and well-measured. He didn’t need to shout to make an impact. None of his brothers said anything to that. The phone rang and Roman picked it up. “Yes.”

“If it’s Jane, then you should put her on speaker,” Julian pointed out.

As much as he hated it, Roman knew he had no choice. He would have loved to be alone with his Yako, Blake, and Amelia, the only people in this room whom he trusted. Unfortunately, being the main Inari didn’t mean he could do everything he wanted, didn’t mean he could defy his brothers, who were Inaris in their own right and ruled over their own earths of fox-shifters.

“Jane, I’m putting you on speaker.” Roman pressed the speaker button. “I’m here with Sebastian, Julian, Charles, my Yako, my son and his bride.”

“Oh… hello everyone!” Jane’s voice sounded hesitant. She probably didn’t expect such a phone conference. “The trial hasn’t begun yet, but all the parties involved are here.”

“Tell me, Jane, what’s Jonathan’s position on what has happened?” Roman didn’t have time for pleasantries or small talk.

“Just like all the other councilors, he wants to find out the tru

th. Right now, he doesn’t seem convinced by the Blackmanes’ story, although the fact that Viggo, the dragon-shifter, supports it does make him a bit reluctant. We’ll see… There will be many witnesses called at the stand.”

“Dragon-shifters are known for their loyalty and truthfulness,” whispered Blake into Amelia’s ear. “What about Jason Woodtail?” The question was addressed to Jane. “Has he been found?”

Jane hesitated for a split second, which was enough to ring the alarm bells and make Roman uncomfortable. He doubted he would like what she was about to tell them, and if he didn’t like it, then it meant his brothers would cheer at it.

“About Jason Woodtail… long story. I don’t know if I should tell you. I mean, Jonathan doesn’t even know I’m talking to you now.”

“Why didn’t you tell him?” asked Julian harshly. As the councilor’s adviser, Jane should have been honest with Jonathan and loyal to him at all times. The fact that she was doing something behind his back meant things weren’t so peachy between them. Yes, Roman had been offered the position in the Council of the Six Factions first, but he had refused it and given it to Redfur. Jane was supposed to stand by Redfur’s side.

“It’s starting,” she said quickly. “I have to go.”

“We’ll be here, Jane. Keep your eyes and ears open,” said Roman. The phone clicked on the other end, and Roman closed the connection. He looked at his brothers, then at Blake. “Well, this will take some time.”

“What the hell is happening, Roman?” asked Charles. “I thought Jane was updating us because Jonathan had asked her to.”

The old Inari spread his arms to his sides and shrugged, showing them he was just as confused. “I have no idea. I thought that too.” Seth and Blake knew him well enough to notice he was not being entirely honest. “Let’s just calm down for now. We don’t know enough to reach any conclusions. Jane will call the next time she has a chance.”

Sebastian shook his head. “There’s something rotten here.”

“There’s something rotten, all right,” thought Roman. “And it has been for a while…” He had started talking to Jane more often in the past month, after he found out about the battle at Alma Venus and about Redfur’s increased interest in what the werewolves had done, and not in how the werefoxes had broken the peace treaty for no apparent reason. When Jonathan began avoiding his calls, Roman thought about the councilor’s two advisers and eventually turned to Jane. He remembered her as a young, level-headed vixen who had supported the idea of a peace treaty between humans and shape-shifters even before the war was over. As it turned out, Jane was more than eager to share her thoughts with him and even ask for his advice. Soon, she started telling him how she didn’t always agree with the fox councilor’s choices. Roman advised her to listen to Jonathan and do as he said. Antagonizing him would have landed her into trouble, or even out of the Council’s circle of advisers, and Roman needed her there.

As they waited patiently for Jane’s next call, Blake pulled Amelia out of the room. She needed some fresh air, as the close presence of her uncles made her uncomfortable. Seth chose to stay with Roman and keep an eye on the old Inari. The Alpha had days when he could barely get out of bed, and his Beta was afraid this whole thing would take too much of a toll on his health. It didn’t help that his brothers almost made it too clear they weren’t on his side.

“Jane sounds like a good adviser,” said Amelia. They were on the porch watching the sky turn gray. It would rain soon.

“Maybe,” answered Blake. “On one hand, I’d like to keep her when I take Redfur’s place, but on the other hand, the fact that she’s technically betraying the councilor now doesn’t speak very highly of her.”

“You’re not serious, are you? She is clearly on our side.”