Hiraeth

Chapter 13: Don't Touch Her

The party is packed with werewolves and only a few humans. This is the party Alpha Ralph has been planning for a while and it is up to me to get information while here.

Of course, Kaius wouldn't let me go without Ryder who is always by me but in the background.

I walk in not as myself but as a young woman named Sylvia Messano, one of my favorite alliances. My hair is tied up and under a blonde wig. My dress brushes the floor and it is a tight deep green shade with sequins all over it.

Ryder is dressed in a black suit and has his usual scowl as we walk in separately but near each other.

As I walk around, I hear whispers of the recent attacks.

"The attacks are getting worse."

"Do you think the king knows? Is he doing anything?"

They are right. There has been three attacks in the last month. More and more are happening. It is as if some battle is happening in the background of my life and I fear that I will be caught in one of those attacks. I have plenty to worry about already.

Instantly it appears that luck is on my side. I had done my research and know that Alpha Ralph is not faithful to his Luna. He loves blondes and my plan follows through as he starts to eye me.

I never told Kaius this part of the plan because I know how he will react. Any Alpha would react that way.

Appearing innocent and stupid, I lure Alpha Ralph to me and he is soon showing me around the mansion with my arm looped with his.

I of course act like a bimbo and pretend to be surprised when he shows me new rooms. Little does he know, I've already seen them.

"Here is my office."

"Wow! It's so big!"

Not even slightly true. It is tiny compared to Kaius's not that anyone is keeping notes or anything.

"Come in" he says as he opens the door.

I bite my lip. Ryder is still near by and I know it is dangerous to go into that room alone with Alpha Ralph. I do not intend to do anything with him for the sake of information, not ever.

I am about to decline when a butler approaches us.

"Alpha, your star guest has arrived. Should I send him to your office?"

"Right now?"

"He is eager to meet with you and talk about Mr. Hannum."

I try my best to conceal my surprise.

"Tell him I'll meet him in the main room in about 10 minutes." Alpha Ralph looks at my body suggestively. "That's all I need."

I struggle to force the disgust down.

The butler nods and Alpha Ralph ushers me into his office without allowing me to respond. As I am being pulled into the room, I notice Ryder looking at us from around the corner with his phone to his head.

Shit.

I can only guess he is telling Kaius what Alpha Ralph is going to try to do. I better make my questions quick.

As the door closes, Alpha Ralph crosses the room and starts to remove his tie.

"Who are you meeting with?" I ask completely innocently.

"Just someone I work with. I guarantee you I'll be making a good deal of money with this guy." He smirks at me as if money will get me to strip for him faster.