Chapter 58
Caspian
“My brother?” I repeat, stunned.
“Honestly Caspian, I knew you were incompetant, but I never thought you were stupid.” James drawls. “Did you never wonder how there could be such a large age difference between siblings? Our grandmother was already thirty when she had mom, she was in her fifties by the time I came around - not exactly prime breeding years.”
“They died before I was born.” I remind him, “I never knew the math.”
My head is reeling, but I have to admit it makes sense. It would explain why my mother always treated him like a son, why she loved him so much more than she loved me. We were both her children, but he was the one she actually wanted.
“Why lie about it?” I demand, “My father let her get away with everything, why lie about your relationship?”
“It was never about your father.” James scoffs, “It was about mine. He would have taken me from her if he’d known I existed. She was nothing to him, just another she-wolf in a long line of conquests, but he never had other heirs.”
“Heirs?” I parrot, a sense of dread swirling in my stomach. Only Alphas had heirs, and just about every Alpha on the continent is mated with children. There are very few who fit this description, assuming his father is still in power now.
A sour expression comes over his face now, a horrible, bitter look that almost made me feel for the man. “Little did she know she had nothing to worry about.”
Something occurs to me then, “How did you know about the mermaids in the first place?” I question, my suspicions growing when he offers me a cold smirk.
“Starting to catch on, are you?” He taunts, circling me slowly. “You were right about one thing. I do intend to take over your pack, but not with Damien’s help. That man wouldn’t help a dying babe even if all he had to do to save it was bring it in from the cold.”
“You’re trying to prove yourself to him.” I guess, the puzzle pieces slowly falling into place. “Prove you can be as ruthless as he is, prove you’re strong and powerful enough to lead.”
“That’s right.” He agrees. “After Mom died, it took me a few years to figure out exactly who my real father was. When I learned it was Damien I tried to go to him to take my rightful place - I was actually angry she’d kept me from taking my rightful place. But he took one look at me and kicked me to the curb. He sneered at my weakness, insisted I couldn’t possibly be his because no son of his would ever be so scrawny.”
Digging through my memory, I recall James running away for a few weeks when he was a teenager. I remember my father being beside himself with worry, and the entire pack on the lookout. Then one day James came strolling in as if he’d never left.
“So I came home, but my time in Sangville taught me about the pearl farms.” He pulls a small white orb from his pocket, holding it to the light and seeming almost as though he’d forgotten Chase and I were there. “And when I discovered how many mermaids escaped, I realized that bringing them back would not only be extremely profitable, but could help prove to Damien I was worth more than I appeared.”
“And you think if you can earn him enough wealth and get rid of me, he’ll finally recognize you, formally name you his heir?” I demand.
“Even if I fail, leading the Nightshade pack would be adequate compensation.” He shrugs. “Don’t you see, little brother? I have the blood of the strongest Alpha the world has ever known running in my veins, you should be bowing at my feet, not giving me orders.”
“And Mordred?” I wonder aloud, “Where does he fit into all this?”
“That oaf?” James derides, “He was just a convenient scapegoat. His escape made you look foolish and I’m always on the lookout for more degenerates to help move girls out of the mermaid settlement. I figured he could take the fall if things started to get too hot, but he’s ended up causing more problems than help.” He acknowledges, shrugging and muttering, “twisted fucker.”
“Well you’re right about one thing - you and Damien are certainly cut from the same cloth.” I growl. “He’s a monster, and you’re an abomination, but you’d do well to heed the advice of someone who spent years trying and failing to earn the love of a parent who did not want them.”
As I speak Chase is circling behind James, preparing to move in as I distract him. “There is nothing you can do that will ever make Damien see your worth. You can take over as many packs as you want, and torture and kill countless mermaids, but you will always be weak in his eyes.” I inform him coldly, “Because no matter what you do, he’ll always know you’re not doing it for yourself, you’re doing it to impress him, and caring what anyone else thinks is for lesser wolves - not Alphas. No man with even a modicum of self-respect would bend over backwards to earn another’s approval, even if it is his father.”
“You’re wrong!” James hisses, looking as though he’s preparing to lunge for me. Before he can, Chase tackles him, wrenching his arms behind his back and yanking him up. Thrashing violently against my Beta, James snarls and roars in outrage.
“You see,” I mock, moving to tower over the captive wolf, “you can’t even outmuscle a single Beta.”
Chase shoots me an unamused look. I know my friend is incredibly powerful, even for a Beta, but acknowledging just how exceptional he is would defeat the point. I want James to feel his failure deep down in his bones, I want him to be so outraged and ashamed that he’ll slip up and tell us how to find my mate.
“You can help yourself here, James.” I state icily, “you’re headed for a prison cell either way, but how you get there and what it’s like when you arrive depend on whether or not you cooperate.”
“A cell?” He bursts, “And you call me weak? What kind of Alpha puts his challenger behind bars rather than fighting them head on?”
“One that needs answers.” I retort, “And one that doesn’t believe killing his own brother is a mark of honor. Make no mistake James, I’ll do whatever is necessary to lead this pack and get Viviane back, but I won’t kill my own blood unless forced.”
He rears up to spit in my face, but I smash a right hook into his jaw before he can manage it. “Where have they taken Viviane?” I interrogate, wrenching him up by the collar when he veritably collapses against Chase after a single punch.
Spitting out blood, James begins to cackle, “That’s right, you go after her.” He suggests gleefully, “Because I guarantee they’ve taken her straight to the auction house in Sangville, and Damien will snap her up the moment he sees her. You try to get her back, and he’ll kill you on the spot. Then the pack will be mine whether you like it or not.”
Viviane
I only ever heard about the Bloodstone brothels in horror stories from other escaped mermaids, now I get to witness them for myself. At first glance they aren’t anything special - everything in this city is so ridiculously opulent that standing out would be nearly impossible. They look like the buildings on either side of them, the shocking part is how openly they’re advertised.
I can see from the huge signs out front that mermaids of all shapes and sizes are available for the patrons’ entertainment, ready to fulfill any kink or proclivity, no matter how sordid. Once we’re led inside, filing behind each other one after the other, we find a large, open courtyard. An auction block sits at the center of the atrium, framed by a sprawling square complex. There’s a raised dais for the sales and walls lined with shackles for the “merchandise”, also known as: us.
As we enter, an intimidating woman dripping in finery emerges at the top of the stairs, nodding with approval towards our captors, “I see you had a good catch.”
“Yes Madame Mechant, we did.” The lead rogue announces. “There are a few pearls in this batch.”
“So I see.” She grins cruelly, approaching us with a cold, assessing stare. “Welcome ladies, to your new home.” She begins, “I am the proprietress here, and that means from now on you answer to me. Over the next few days you will be prepared for auction, and trained to serve our customers. Those of you who are not sold, will stay here to join our roster of full time concubines. No matter your fate, trust that your utmost obedience will be required, unless you wish to be punished most gravely.”
She’s been walking down the line of frightened mermaids, looking each girl over in sickening detail. Now that she reaches me, she stops in her tracks. “Well well, what have we here? A remarkable beauty indeed,” She traces her fingertip over my cheek.
“And she’s been marked by an Alpha.” The trafficker chimes in.
“I can see that.” She growls derisively, offering me a terrifying smile. ”We doubtless won’t need to teach you anything about pleasing shifters, you clearly already know how.” The Madame observes, using my chin to turn my face from right to left. “Assuming of course you’ll be a good girl and do what you’re told.”
I can only blink. Once upon a time she might have been right, I would have cowered and trembled before her, so terrified of incurring a shifter’s anger that I’d do anything to avoid pain. But I’m not that girl anymore, and I don’t ever want to be again.
One thing is certain: I’ve truly entered hell.
