Argus: Accepting the Challenge (10 page)

“Thanks Ryan.”  Quin said.  “We are going to have to do a little more digging.  Any ideas?”

***

Roarke stood in his office and looked out the window to the glorious mountains that he could see on the clear bright day.  He wished he could just leave and run in the foothills for a while, searching for prey and being in his natural form.  But no, he had to stay here, hidden in the apartment building with his Master. 

Braden came into the room and growled.  “Where are we with the challenge?”

Roarke sighed and turned away from the window.  His Alpha had become increasingly tense and unstable.  He was also becoming more demanding about learning what progress had been made.  “Master, I am expecting a call any minute from Michael.  He is going to give us an update.”

“What’s taking so long?  I need my mates.  I would think he would want to please me.  Once I have my mates, I will be able to continue with the plan.  I can’t do anything until they are here.  You heard what the Seer said.  She predicted this.  That stupid Alpha Quin never questioned if the Seer predicted anything else.  Thank goodness, Oliver had me take her back to the Old Council compound.  No one knows that she never made it.  They never questioned where she went.  It is amazing really, how these people are so arrogant, that they think that nothing will touch them.  Blaine maybe able to get a vision being the new Seer, but until the Old Council Seer passes the title, he will only get glimpses of what is to come.  None of them have read the fine print.  Well, of course, they were never given the last page, but still.  Oliver should have caught it.  But he was too excited to see his daughter; he was not a good Alpha.”  Braden ended in a happy voice.

Roarke nodded and looked back out the window.  The New Council had trusted Braden; they had no idea how many secrets he held from them.  Maybe the Chosen were strong, and their destiny was written, but all of it could change if Braden has his way.  One small slip up and their destiny will fail. 

His cell phone vibrated in his pocket and he pulled it out.  It was Michael, thank the Gods.

“Yes.”  He said briskly into the phone and then listened.  They had needed more time to carry out their plan.  Michael had added a vote of confidence after the challenge.  It should give them enough time to slip in and get Jordan and Lacy from their mates.  A plan had already been put in place.  To ensure they would not be going to the challenge a small amount of poison would be slipped into their evening meal the night before the challenge.  Both women would be too sick to attend the actual challenge.  Their mates would be required to go. 

Roarke was sure that they would still have security on the women, but he did not worry about that.  They could not possibly be expecting that they were trying to capture the women.  Roarke had read the fine print of what the Seer had predicted.

All the Chosen were explained, but also the Rogues were explained and what role they would play in the battle for control.  First, they thought if they could only get one of the Chosen, they would be able to stop the New Council from forming.  But as they studied the Prophesy, the Seer had written that they would never actually be able to separate them.  The Chosen were all being called by higher powers and every time they tried to capture one of them, something would interfere.

The Seer predicted the New Council would all be seated without fail.  All of them would be found and accepted by the New Council.  All the women would become with child as expected.  It was the child of the witch and the child of the human that would change the destiny of the Rogues.  This is why Braden wanted them so badly.  He thought if he could take them as mates and impregnate them, he would rule the New Council. 

Roarke was still not sure what the Seer was referring to.  She was no longer cooperating with Braden and was hiding what she was seeing.  Since she had not turned over her power yet, she was still seeing things in the future as they changed.

Roarke hung up the phone and smiled at Braden.  “Things are right on schedule.  The Alphas are chasing their tails trying to figure out what they are going to do.  And they are watching Michael closely.”

Braden nodded and then looked out the window that he had been staring out of only moments before.  They saw such different things.  Braden looked at the expensive high rises that surrounded them and thought when he was Alpha; he would be able to buy one of those for his use.  He would be Master of the Shifters and they would be able to use the humans as he saw fit.

Chapter 7

Skye could hear the pounding on the door.  Argus was demanding that she come out and talk to them. 

“Like hell” she whispered to herself.

“I heard that.”  Argus yelled.  “Woman, we just want you to talk to us.  Open the damn door.”

Skye snorted and then looked at the door.  If they really were shifter lions, they could easily break it down.  Maybe she had been dreaming she thought and thought about her morning.

She had found out that Bob the asshole was in town and then freaked out a little.  Shit she was supposed to be at work in thirty minutes.  Skye chewed on her lip.  She did not want to go, but Ronnie would come over here.  She had to get her stuff and get out.  Looking around the bathroom, she gathered up everything in her bag and then looked at the window.  Shit too small.  She was going to have to go to the door.

Taking a deep breath, she walked to the door when she heard Jacob say softly.  “Skye, baby, please come out and talk to us.”

She bit her lip again and thought of a plan.  She could use them to get out of here, then go, and get her car.  Once she had that, she was out of here.  No looking back.  Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and stepped out into the room.

Argus was pacing back and forth in front of the door, while Jacob was leaning against the door frame.  Argus stopped pacing and growled at her.  She looked at him in fright.

Argus rolled his eyes and said.  “Please woman, like I would hurt you.  God’s damnit why the hell did you run away.  We were trying to explain.”

“Yeah, sure.  Like a normal person would stand still when a stranger changes into a killer.  And what about this sharing thing, I mean there are two of you, what the hell is that about?”  She snapped back.

“I am not a killer.”  He ground out.  “I am a lion shifter.  My lion does not kill anything except for prey, not humans.  You are our mate.  I tried to tell you that.  That means that you belong with us, we have two mates because of our destiny.  Now get your stuff packed because we are going back to the compound and discuss things.”

She looked at him with wide eyes.  Who the hell did he think he was?  She would go wherever she wanted.  Destiny, her destiny is to get the hell out of dodge and fast.  And going with them suited her, but she was not going to some compound, it sounded like a cult.  They would probably make her bite the head off a live chicken as initiation.  The thought made her shudder.

“Uh, no.  I have my things, and I am willing to go and discuss things in a very public place where people can see me.  Then I will leave and you can go back to your chicken head biting compound and leave me be.”  She said and walked to the door with her bags. 

“What the hell are you talking about?”  Argus roared and she frowned.

“You know, I don’t like being yelled at either.”  She announced and stepped outside.  Ari was standing there grinning at her and motioned her to the truck that was parked in front of her door.

She nodded and went to the passenger side and waited until Jacob came and opened the door for her.  Argus stood in the door of the motel room for a moment just glaring at her.  She refused to back down so she lifted her head up and stared him down.  Ari laughed and hit is leader on the shoulder and said.  “Good luck with that one.”

“I don’t need luck.  I need a pair of handcuffs.  Meet us back at the compound.”  He said grimly, walked to the driver side, and slid in.  Jacob tried to cover the smile that he had, and Argus shook his head.  So, this was how it was going to be.  Argus was going to be the bad guy while Jacob got the snuggling.  It just did not seem fair.

“Where to?”  He said gruffly.

“There is a coffee shop a few miles over.  And no more tricks, I don’t know how you guys pulled off that illusion but quit fucking with my head.”  She said.

“Illusion.  Woman I turned into a fucking lion in front of you, did you see any mirrors or smoke.  I am telling you we are shifters.”  Argus ground out.

Skye rolled her eyes and looked out the window as the streets went by.  She was not going to fall for that, she thought.  Maybe she was a little gullible for falling for their tricks but she was not crazy.

Skye had chosen a coffee shop close to where her car was.  That way she could leave when she wanted.  Hopefully, it would be soon.  She knew that Ronnie would be looking for her soon, which meant that Bob would be also.  She needed to be well on the road before he found her.

They pulled into the small shop and Argus looked around.  He had been here before.  It was one of the places that he and Jacob like to come when they left the compound to talk privately.  The owner knew when they came in that they would be talking business, and would clear a section for them.  The small coffee shop was separated into three different sections each of them having different things.  One had a couch and chairs; another had tables, while the last had stools and counters.  He preferred the tables because it was in the corner and he could see the whole place.  It probably did not hurt that he paid the owner handsomely for the privilege.

They entered the coffee shop and Argus led her to the table in the back while he nodded to the owner who smiled and waved.  Jacob went and ordered three coffees and chatted to him about the weather while he waited. 

Skye took in her surroundings but did not seem real excited about being there.  The place was warm, decorated in browns and greens, the leather couches in the front looked comfortable, but she did not want sit too close to the front window.  Bob would probably start looking for her soon and she wanted to remain hidden until she was out of town.

“So, Skye, why don’t you tell me about yourself?”  Argus said brusquely.

“Why, we are only going to have coffee and then we will never see each other again.”  She said firmly and looked at him defiantly.

“I hate to be the one to break the bad news to you, but we will certainly be seeing one another again, and it is going to be much more than coffee.”  Argus drawled.

Skye snorted and looked at Jacob as he walked toward them.  He had a lot to learn about women if he thought she was going to sit here and follow his orders.

She smiled at Jacob and wanted to stick her tongue out at Argus but she held off.  Skye was feeling a little childish at that moment apparently.

“So, Skye tell me a little about yourself.”  Jacob said and smiled sweetly at her.

“Sure,” She said looking at Argus and glaring at him before turning back to Jacob.  “You know my name; I am from Florida, traveling through to Colorado.  I have always wanted to live by the mountains, and so I decided, after a failed relationship, that I needed a change.  No brothers or sisters, and parents are deceased so I had no one to hold me in Florida.  Just working at the restaurant until I made enough money for my car repairs, which I have.  Now I will finish my coffee and take my leave.  It was nice meeting you Jacob.  Argus I wish I could say the same but you are a pain in the ass.” 

Jacob laughed and slapped his hand on the table.  “Sweetheart that was awesome.  I don’t think anyone has talked to Argus like that in years.  But, I have to say that I kinda have to disagree with a few points there.  When we told you that you were our mate, what did you think we were saying?  I know that you are having a hard time.  Honestly, we were going to do this right.  I planned to have flowers and chocolates sent.  Of course, I had to cancel them, considering what had been going on, but I wanted you to know we did think about it.”

“Uh, duh, thought you were crazy!  Using those tricks and stuff on me.  Personally, I think that if you wanted to get laid, you should have left out the lion part.  The flowers and stuff would have been good but turning furry would probably negate the gifts.”  She said.

“Well then, let me explain this a little further.  Shifters are sexual creatures, and yes, we are attracted to you.  But when we say that you are our mate, it means that we are going to be with each other forever.  As long as our life spans allow, which is usually around 200 years.  You are the only female we will ever take into our bed from here on out, we want no other.  We have a compound for all of our Pride.  Currently, it is about five miles to the south.  But because of recent revelations, we are moving to Milliken, Colorado.  So, you see, fate has already stepped in.  The Gods have given you to us.  If we had not met here, we would have in Colorado, it is destiny.  Argus and I can truly shift into lions.  When you are changed, you will too.  I bet you will be a gorgeous lioness.  You will be the female lioness of our Pride, which for you will be instinctual.  You will want to care for the Pride, and they will show you unwavering loyalty.”  Jacob said.

Skye looked between the two men and frowned.  Argus sat straight in his seat, looking at her for a response, while Jacob took her hand and soothed her with his touch.  She was not sure how this was supposed to work.  Two men?  Ok, the lion thing is crazy, but a ménage?  She was sure that she would never be able to keep the two men happy.  Bob had always told her that she was a frigid bitch.  Not that she believed that totally, but he seemed to not be aroused by her body, and would always insist on her using her hand to make him hard before sex.