95

95
Chapter 19 – Coincidence
The Mayan Riveria. It seems so long ago and yet only just a year ago when I found myself dancing with my beautiful mate for the first time. Moon Goddess, I was so lucky to have her. I twirled her around and she suddenly froze.
“What’s wrong?” I asked Eudora who was as tense as a wolf about to attack.
“Victoria.” That was all she said, and I quickly turned to follow her gaze. A large tour bus passed and the street on the other side was empty. There was no sign of Victoria.
“She was just there. Watching us.” Eudora said out loud.
“Are you sure it was her?” Mateo asked.
“I know what I saw.” Eudora turned to look up and down the street. I knew it was pointless, wolves could move much faster than humans. I considered trying to scent her out and find her, but there were too many people around. As much as I would like to sizzle her where she stands, I needed to take her alive to question her.
“Do you want me to try and track her?” Mateo mind linked me.
“I didn’t get a chance to see the woman Eudora saw. It may not even be her. Let’s get to the park and talk to the elder first.” I linked back. I didn’t want my mate and pup out in the open if Victoria was lurking in the shadows.
We followed the brick-paved sidewalk to the park on the corner. Large cement pavers in the shape of dominos lined the sidewalk to the black iron gates leading into Domino Park. The park had several large covered patios with tables specially made for playing dominos. Everywhere we looked human elders sat at the tables and the sound of clanking dominos filled the air along with the smell of cigars and coffee. I kicked the wind up to help clear the air a little.
“Great place for him to hang out and mask his scent with all this rich cigar smoke.” Paola said just as I locked eyes with the elder wolf who was seated with three other humans. We waited for his game to finish, and he excused himself from the table.
“I recognize a LaRue when I see one.” He walked over to us with his beady eyes trained on me.
“Guillermo?” I asked and he nodded. “I’m Alpha Ares Crow.” I extended my hand to him.
“King. You’re the Alpha King.” He corrected me and shook my hand. “I may be without a pack, but I’m well aware of what is still happening in our world.”
“I was hoping to speak with you about that. I met Mitza, she thought you might have more information.” I told him.
“We also met Tymber, the Gamma’s daughter. She’s our Beta’s mate.” Eudora added.
“I see.” He nodded his head as he looked Eudora over, noticing my mate was human. “What can I help you with?”
“The hunters. We’ve tracked a research lab to Miami but haven’t been able to pinpoint the exact location.”
“When we first had wolves disappearing, Alpha Romero sent out search parties. They found a facility south of here, near Turkey Point, but it had already been abandoned. The place was equipped with cells, medical equipment, and science labs.”
“Near Turkey Point?” Mateo asked. “Is there an address or description of the building?”
“No. Alpha Romero ordered it to be burned down and contacted the shifters council to let them know what he had discovered. Whatever science experiments were being conducted there was a crime against nature. A few of the council members came to meet with the Alpha. It was just before the hunters attacked and the Alpha was killed.”
“The attack, did it happen during the new moon phase?” Mateo asked.
“Yes. When wolves are unable to shift for the night. Some of the hunters possessed the strength to rival the strongest of warriors in human form, but they targeted the Alpha.” Guillermo added.
“Did you meet the council members when they came to your pack?”
“No, I was visiting my sister at her pack in Louisiana, but I know it was Alpha Randall and a warlock that came to our pack.”
The information Chris and Conner tracked to the Miami lab was more recent, there’s a good chance the lab had just moved locations. “Have you noticed or heard anything else that would indicate there is another lab location in Miami?”
“The hunter population in Miami is saturated. Florida no longer has wolf packs or vampire covens. This is no coincidence.” His reply was grim. “I’ll tell you about another coincidence. Alpha Randall was seeking full allegiance, warning those who stood against him would fall. Alpha Romero refused and pledged his allegiance to the good of our kind and the wishes of the Moon Goddess. He never trusted Randall.”
“And that’s when the pack was attacked.” I added and he solemnly nodded.
“The number of hunters has been growing. You can’t go to a nightclub, the everglades, or even the port without running into them. Miami seems to be their base.”
“But why the everglades?” Paola asked.
“Disposal of bodies in alligator-infested wetlands. Humans can be very creative, my dear.” He replied.
“You believe Randall is working with the hunters and coordinated the attack on your pack because Alpha Romero refused to pledge his fealty with Randall?” I asked.
“Indeed. He approached the packs he believed had no alliance with your family, using his power with the shifters council to sway a few of the Alphas. Those who refused were attacked. Even now, with the rise of the kingdom, some packs have not sworn their allegiance to the crown. This is no coincidence either. Look to those packs to align themselves with Randall.”
“Do you believe Randall is working alone or for someone?” Eudora asked.
“My dear Luna Queen,” he bowed his head. “Randall is a mere puppet for someone or something else.”
“But he is also a werewolf, why would he seek to destroy his kind or work with someone who would?” She asked.
“I’m afraid I do not have the answer to that.”
“Thank you, Guillermo. Please let anyone from Alpha Romero’s pack know they will always be welcome at the Moon Realm.”
“Of course, Your Majesty. And may I offer my warmest congratulations to you and the Luna Queen on the expecting pup.” He said as he bowed his head.
“Thank you, we’re all excited about the new pup.” Mateo quickly interjected. “Here’s my card. Please call me if you remember anything else, need anything, or decide you would like to relocate to The Moon Realm.”
“Good save.” I linked Mateo, hoping my mate might just think the old man was confused and sensed the pup Paola was carrying.
“Thank you, Zeta. And congratulations on your expecting pup as well.” The sly old man winked, and I felt my mate’s eyes burning a hole through me.
“Busted.” Mateo linked back with a chuckle.
I tried to keep a straight face as we made our way out of Domino Park. I reached for Eudora’s hand, and she quickly pulled it away. I could sense her heavy breathing and irritation. We continued to walk in silence to the car. I carefully slipped Lukas out of the sling and buckled him in his car seat. Mateo took the wheel and Paola sat in the front.
“How long have you all known?” Eudora broke the silence. Paola stiffened and looked at Mateo. Mateo glanced nervously through the rearview mirror at me. No one said anything.
“Known what?” I asked like a fool and Apollo let out a huff.
“Don’t play dumb with me! Wylder already let it slip this morning that my scent was different.” She glared at me. “You remember, the fart you thought you smelled.” 
“I told you to tell her.” Apollo chimed in my head.
“Not helping.” I told him.
“She’ll be cuddling with me tonight.” Apollo reminded me.
“Well?” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“I thought I caught a faint scent yesterday, but I wasn’t sure until this morning.” I told her.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“After what happened the last time, I wanted to plan something special. I asked everyone not to tell you until I had the chance to plan something. I was considering a rooftop dinner tonight and buying some special jewelry or something.” I confessed.
“Yeah, so she could throw you off the roof!” Apollo snickered.
Eudora looked out the window and said nothing else. I groaned internally and wondered how long she would be mad at me this time. My wonder quickly turned to worry, thinking about what Guillermo had told us. Miami was overrun with hunters, and I need to get my mate back to pack territory as soon as possible to help keep her safe. She won’t pass for a mere human anymore now that she was carrying our second pup.
We reached the hotel parking garage and Eudora unbuckled Lukas from his car seat, carrying him to the elevator. I followed behind her while Mateo and Paola followed behind me. I tried to mind link Wylder to warn him but didn’t get through to him. I tried Chris, but she wasn’t responsive either.
Our elevator reached the top floor and we found the suite empty. Eudora set Lukas down on the floor with a blanket and some toys. Paola made herself comfortable on the floor with pillows, playing with Lukas.
“Eudora?” I called to my mate as I tried to pull her into my chest. She pulled away from me and Apollo let out a low whine.
“Amor, talk to me.” I tried again.
“I’m not ready to talk about it.” She huffed. “It’s life changing news and I’m always the last to find out what’s happening inside my own body.” She walked off to our bedroom and Apollo urged me to follow her.
“Just let her cool off. She’ll be fine. She’s always wanted a large family.” Paola gave me a reassuring grin.
“Any word from Wylder?” Mateo asked me.
“Nothing.” I replied just as I heard the elevator door ding open down the hall.
Mateo moved to the front door and pulled it open exposing a near-naked Wylder. He had nothing on except for what looked like a torn shirt wrapped around his waist like a beach sarong. The smell of smoke lingered in the air as he stepped inside the suite followed by his new mate, Chris, and a shirtless Conner.
“What the hell happened to you?” I asked Wylder.
“When we reached Tymber’s apartment, we caught the scent of hunters. We left and waited across the street to see if any of them turned up.” Chris explained. “A short while later, Mr. Casanova here decided to go check out the apartment to see if it had been ransacked or if anyone was waiting for Tymber.”
“It smells like fire.”
“When Wylder reached the apartment, it exploded. Since he’s fireproof, he was unscathed but his clothing burned. My mate gave him the shirt to cover up his man meat. Didn’t want to attract the human police on our ride back.”
“Wylder, go take a shower. Tymber, we can buy whatever you need, please make yourself comfortable. Mateo, Chris, and Conner, I’d like to speak with you upstairs.” I instructed and led the way to the stairs leading to the private rooftop swimming pool.
We reached the top and I turned to face the three. “Tymber was doing just fine before we arrived. After a year of living as a lone wolf, she’s now being targeted. My bet is on the video surveillance from Starbutts. They know we’re here and it’s not safe for any of our mates. This is a LaRue owned hotel, so it won’t take long to track us.”
“Chris and I can stay behind, in a different hotel and continue the search for the lab.” Conner offered and I nodded my agreement. I continued to fill them in on what elder Guillermo told us. The location of the last known lab and Randall’s involvement.
“That’s not all, Dora believes she saw Victoria in Little Havana.” Mateo told them.
“If we find Victoria, do you want her dead or alive?” Chris asked.
“Questioned first. Unless there’s no other way, then dead.” I replied, hoping I would be the one to watch the life drain from her eyes after she stole two years of my life.
“I’ll call the hangar and put a rush on the jet.” Mateo said.
“We’ll keep the bikes and I’ll make arrangements elsewhere for us. I’ll call you when we have something.” Chris told me.
“I’ll go call my parents and let them know what’s happened. Also, my mate knows about the pup. The elder we met let it slip with his congratulations.”
“So he’s going to be back in the dog house for a while.” Mateo smiled.
“Glad I’m not on that flight home.” Conner chuckled.
We stepped back down into the suite. I went to our room to notify my mate of our return home but Eudora was not there. I made my way into the living room, where Paola was still on the floor playing with a squealing baby.
“Where’s Eudora?” I asked.
It was Tymber who answered. “Alpha, she went to the pharmacy up the street to get diapers.”