Free Vulfen Alpha's Mate by Laina Kenney Page B

vulfen scent and knew of our existence. When I shifted, they did not scream, they continued fighting.”
    “Five humans who knew of our queen,” Valeri said.
    A low murmur ran through the crowd of assembled warriors.
    Valeri continued, “Rylek and I had Ellie with us and they pursued us as we ran. The human who escaped Miros and the one left outside the building were targeting Ellie after Rylek was shot.”
    The blanket tightened around her as Rylek surged to his feet with Ellie still clasped in his arms. She wound her legs around his waist to stay on, hoping that her bare bottom was covered by the soft wool, since she had nothing on under her robe. His claws pricked the skin of her back as he began to pace back and forth. She was careful not to
     
    move too much.
    A loud thump reverberated through the room.
    Ellie raised her head cautiously to find that all the warriors in the room had dropped to their knees. The blaze of Rylek’s anger was warping energy through the room.
    “The queen was not injured in this attack. The only blood on her is mine. I can still smell it,” Rylek said through his teeth. “But she was targeted by our enemies and that is unacceptable to me.”
    “Yes, Alpha.” Valeri was on his knees, too, but he kept his head up and his eyes on Rylek. “Though she was afraid, the queen followed instructions and ran with us down the fire escape. Miros stole a car and we came here to the estate. The car has been returned by the cleanup team and Miros has removed the bullet from your back. All is well.”
    Rylek placed Ellie carefully on the sofa and wrapped her more securely in the woolen blanket. She hugged it close to her face and listened carefully.
    “Warriors, there may be a spy, a traitor among us,” Rylek said. The warriors stood.
    “I hope that it will be proven this spy is not a vulfen warrior. That would be a blow to me as your Alpha and as a warrior who has fought beside each of you. In any case, this person is a traitor to our blood queen. I will not tolerate any danger to Ellie. The crowning ceremony will be held in three days time on the night of the full moon. I want this traitor found and dealt with by then. I have found my queen, and I will not have her crowning day marred by fear. Warriors, you have your orders.”
    Ellie pulled the blanket closer around her to combat a sudden chill. She knew what that meant.
    The warriors exited the huge room, leaving only Rylek, Ellie, and
    Valeri.
    Rylek wanted this vulfen spy caught and killed, and he wanted it done in three days. He was not a man to wait for another attack. He
     
    would never stand by and allow such a threat to stand. He would go hunting. He was going to do what his Alpha character dictated by removing any danger to her.
    Permanently.
     
     

 

     
     

Chapter 11
     

     

 

     
     

     
    “Valeri, I need you to stay here on the estate and help guard my mate. Miros and Matsij, as well as any others you may need. The rest of the Cadre will hunt with the warriors.”
    “I would add one name to your list, Alpha,” Valeri said. “Of course, you may have whoever you need.”
    “Eva Sidarova. She is a strong and loyal protector and is thrilled
    that we now have a queen. She and Mother have talked of nothing else since father told them. The fact that our queen is human never crossed her mind.”
    Rylek nodded once. “I like your choice.” Valeri bowed low and left the room.
    Rylek knew his face was stern, his tone grim. He had faced
    enemies many times, and clan challenges where he stood alone before all to prove his strength. But he had never known betrayal by one of his own people. The Alpha was always up for challenge, but the thought that one of his clan members had deliberately given information to humans who wanted to slay the un-crowned queen was a burning pain in his chest.
    The traitor would die. There could be no justification that would save the vulfen from a sentence of death. Rylek’s blood was up. He wanted