Alpha's Rescue (Shifter Ops 5)

Humans.

Shifters.

So stark, so black and white. I thought Teddy and I had a connection. I thought we were mates, and it was fate. I thought I found a family. But here he is talking like he's one species, and I'm another. It’s worse than having a rich, white stepfather. Way worse.

“You would do that to me?” I ask. “Make me forget you? Us?”

Matthias looks from me to Teddy and back again. “I'll let you guys talk this out. He gives me a nod and disappears into his cabin.

Teddy's still turned away from me, his shoulder stiff. “It might be for the best.”

I choke. “You think that? You think that it would be for the best if this had never happened? If I never found out who you are? If we'd never been together?”

Matthias talked about true mates, and I got my hopes up. But obviously I'm not Teddy's one and only. Because right now he's trying to throw me away like trash.

And I'm not going to let him. I raise my chin. “Fine. Do it.”

“What?” Teddy’s head comes up. “Babygirl–”

“No, you don't get to call me that anymore. I'm going to forget all about you, remember? I want it done.” The air in my lungs has turned into daggers. Each breath is painful. “I thought we had something good. I felt it in me. I thought I was going to be a part of your family.”

“Lana–” He puts a hand on my arm, and I shake him off. No more Viking cuddles. If he puts his arms around me, I’m going to fall apart.

“You know what Teddy? You're right. Your secret is too important. If this will help you, if this will keep your family safe, then I want it done.” I whirl and rap on the cabin door. “Matthias? I'd like to go now.”

Matthias pads out, his face expressionless. I feel endlessly tired. “I'd like to go now. I’m volunteering to do this mindwipe thing. Can we make a stop to pick up my bag with all my things?”

“Lana.” Teddy's at my side. I hold up a hand and don't look at him. “No, I don't want to talk to you anymore. I don't want to see you. If this relationship is ending, it's ending on my terms.” I turn to Matthias and say words I'd never thought I'd say. “Take me to the vampire.”

Matthias peers at me, and I get the feeling he’s seeing more than my squared shoulders and the tears tracking down my face. “You sure about this?”

“I’m sure. But I want to ride with you and not with him.” I’ve put my back to Teddy, making it clear I’m talking to Matthias now. If anyone's going to take me to get this procedure done, it's going to be him.

“Lana,” Teddy growls. “I don’t want it to end like this.”

“Too bad. You made your choice, and now I’ve made mine.” I look at Matthias and not him. “I want to go now.”

Lana

Matthias takes me down the mountain in the ATV. We make a stop at the triplet’s cabin for my bag. No one seems to be home, but Matthias leaves me in my seat while he runs in to grab my stuff, just in case. He and I agree, If the Terrible Threes get wind of what I’m about to do, this will get messier than it already is. Best case, they’ll make a fuss. Worst case, they’ll have Everest kidnap me in an attempt to rescue me from my fate. I sit tense in the ATV, waiting for shouts of outrage, half expecting Hutch and Canyon to burst out of the cabin, shouting for Bern to get the chopper, so I can escape.

But that doesn’t happen. Matthias gets in and gets out, returning to my side with my pink backpack in hand. The fabric glows in the dark, but the sight doesn’t cheer me as it typically would. I’m completely drained of cheer. Trying to think of a positive spin on the situation just makes me feel tired.

Dully, I wonder how the mindwipe works exactly.

Matthias lets the silence stretch between us as the ATV bounces down the trail between the dark rows of trees.

I force myself to open my mouth and ask some questions. “How long is the drive?”

“A few hours.”

I sink into the seat. Only a few hours to hold onto my memories of Teddy. The good ones. “Will it hurt?”

“No.”

“How do you know? Have you ever been mindwiped?”

“No, Lana. I’ve never been mindwiped. But it doesn’t hurt. It’s like being hypnotized. It’ll be just like falling asleep.”

That’s fitting. I’ll fall asleep, and everything I’ve experienced will be like a dream. Will I wake up well rested or scared and confused, like I had a nightmare? I guess it doesn’t matter.

Matthias is still talking. His voice is smooth and even, like a professor’s, and I tune him out until he stops and glances over at me.