The Alpha and The Fool novel Chapter 26

“Antoine Bell is our challenger,” the man, Marquice said as we sat around a large oval table. The name sounded familiar to me, but I couldn’t place where I’d heard it. “He’s been in the country for ten years, and we’re not sure what exactly brought him to this country. He’s been living down in Louisiana—”

Louisiana. It hit me. I knew who Antoine Bell was and that he was challenging Nic’s father couldn’t be an accident. “Did he come with someone?” I asked.

Everyone turned to look at me confused. “What does that matter?” Marquice demanded.

“Answer the question,” Nic said, though I could tell she was as confused at the rest.

“A woman, why does—”

“Where are they now?”

Marquice guy scowled. “They’re staying at the Hotel on the edge of our territory. Wh—”

Nic held up a hand. “What’s going on?”

“Not sure yet. I’d have to talk to Bell’s mate,” I replied.

“Why?” she asked, and I swear she almost sounded jealous.

I grinned at her, took her hand in mine. “To see if I’m right, of course,” I said, gave it a squeeze then stood. “I’ll be back soon.”

“It has to be now?” Wes asked, frowning at me.

“Yeah, I think it might have to do with why we’re here.”

“Then I’m going with you,” Nic said, standing as well.

Marquice started to object, and she practically snarled at him. “I don’t need the guy’s biography. Meeting him in person is going to give me more information I need that what is his name or where he comes from.”

“Are you sure that’s safe,” Wes said, now looking worried.

“If he’s got half a brain, yes,” she replied. “It’d be stupid to do anything to jeopardize his right to challenge. Come on, Dean.” We left the office and went outside.

Jon got a car for us, and we all piled in. “So what’s going on?” He asked as we drove.

“You know my history with Black Mountain, right?”

Jon and Nic nodded. “You think this has something to do with Mike and what happened before?” she asked.

“I don’t know, but I find it odd that your challenger is mated to my cousin and Mike’s sister, Beth,” I said.

“She holds a grudge against your family?” Jon asked.

“I didn’t think so, but now I don’t know. Beth was more than a bit of a bitch, especially to Brook. When my uncle died, she stayed with us until she met her mate then moved to Louisiana. I thought she was happy there…”

“Yet, here she is challenging my old pack,” Nic finished for me.

“It could be a coincidence, but I have to know for sure,” I replied.

“Agreed,” Nic said, leaning in her seat.

At the hotel, the receptionist called up to the room to announce us, and to my surprise, we were given the okay to go up. I really hoped that was a good sign. I hadn’t seen Beth in years and I really didn’t want her to be a superficial bitch like she used to be. I knocked on the door, and sure enough, Beth opened the door. Her blond hair was in a mass of curls, and she looked like she’d put on a few pounds. Her bright eyes widened when she saw me.

“Dean,” she said, practically squealing and throwing herself on me and hugging me. “I didn’t know you were in Kansas!”

Okay, kinda weird, but a good weird. “I just got here,” I said then took Nic’s hand and pulled her forward. “I came with my mate, Nic, who's old pack yours is trying to take over.”

The smile that started to spread on her glossy lips froze, and her eyes widened again as she looked at me. “What?”

“Is your mate challenging the alpha of Golden Plains to try and hurt me and through me Dean,” Nic said, bluntly.

It wasn’t how I was planning on breaching the subject, but it was done, and I couldn’t help feel a sliver of pleasure that she was angry on my behalf. Usually, people were angry at me not for me.

“What?” Beth repeated again, her eyes wide. She glanced between us then to me. “Do you really think I’d do something like that?”

“I don’t know Beth. You have to admit, it wouldn’t be that far-fetched. I mean, you’re the one who told your dad we had Brook and sparked the war into happening,” I replied.

Her pale complexion paled even more. “You knew about that? But Uncle Brent never…”

I shrugged. “Dad didn’t blame you for it. Alpha Ryan was your dad after all. Now seriously, what gives?”

“I think you should come in,” She said, opening the door wide. “Dean, for as much as it’s worth, I promise this isn’t some plan to hurt you. Quite honestly, I don’t even want to be here.”

“What do you mean?” Nic asked, glancing around the room.

Beth took a seat in one of the chairs. “I was just fine in New Orleans,” she said with a hint of bitterness.

“So then why are you here?” I asked, her taking a seat as well.

“Antoine,” she replied. “We’re expecting.” A bright smile spread across her face. “And suddenly being a chief enforcer for our pack wasn’t good enough for him. I wasn’t safe enough under another alpha.” Beth rolled her eyes. “He became obsessed with finding a pack to become alpha of. He’s convinced it’s the only way the baby will be safe. I can’t tell you if his reasons for choosing this pack was because he knew we’re family or not.”

At that moment the door opened, and her mate walked in. He looked formidable, to say the least. His eyes narrowed at us when he saw us. Beth got up from the chair. “Look who came to visit, it’s my cousin, Dean.”

Some of the tension leaked from the massive man, but he still eyed us with suspicion. “But you may have already known that,” Beth said, her toe tapping. “Antoine, did you choose this pack because the alpha’s sister is mated to Dean? Is this some kind of misguided revenge plot of yours,” she demanded, just as blunt as Nic apparently.

He frowned, looking as surprised as Beth was when Nic had asked her. “No,” he replied, his voice a deep rumble. “I chose the pack because it’s weak.” His eyes narrowed at us again, especially Nic. “I know your brother has shown himself a coward and your father weak. Have you come threatening my mate for me to resend the challenge.”

Instinct kicked in, but Nic spoke up first. “I would never threaten your mate. The only coward in my family is Brandon, and I don’t want you to resend the challenge.”

“You don’t?” Antoine looked surprised and confused by that one.

“Nope. Seeing you now, I think we’re going to have one hell of a fight.”

“We’re?” He repeated looking even more confused.

“Yes, Nic is accepting the challenge in her father’s name,” I said, putting on a smug tone, but I was a little worried. This guy looked was built like a bull and looked like he had the strength of one too.

“You,” Antoine said in a flat tone. “You’re a woman.”

“So?” Nic said looking up at him in a challenge.

“I do not fight women,” he shot back with a look of disgust.

“Why are you afraid you might lose?”

“Are you delusional” He demanded.

Nic shrugged. “Perhaps, but that’s the way this challenge is going to go. You against me. Don’t like it, you are free to rescind. I’m sure your mate here will be the happier for it.”

“I am not rescinding,” he demanded.

“Then it looks like you’re going to fight a woman,” I jumped in, smirking at him.

He scowled at me. “Why aren’t you taking the challenge if she’s your mate.”

“Why should I when she’d do better than me.”

Antoine frowned, and Beth spoke up. “We really don’t have to do this. We can just go home now.”

He shook his head slowly. “No, this will be our home.”

“We’ll see,” Nic said, looking smug. “However I would like to put down some conditions.”

“Of course,” he said, rolling his eyes then grunted when Beth slapped his arm.

“No death match here. We fight to the best of our ability. If one of us is knocked unconscious, pinned, or hurt in a way they can’t safely continue the match is over,” Nic said. “You have a kid on the way, and this isn’t worth my life. Also, we can be civilized about this, right?”

“Yes,” Antoine said, though he sounded a bit begrudging.

“If you win, I’d like you to set something up for my father. He’s not a bad man, and I think he wouldn’t cause you trouble once he realizes you’ll keep his people safe.”

“And if you win?” he asked.

She grinned. “I get bragging rights,” she said, but the way she grinned I could tell she had something else in mind. Only, I had no idea what. “Now, unless you want to visit some more, Dean, I think we should get back.”

She was definitely cooking up something. “Yeah, I’m sure your dad is going to have a fit after we left like that. Congrats Beth,” I said, and hugged her. “Sorry about the whole plot thing.”

She hugged me back. “No, it’s fair. Just know I’m not that person anymore.”

We left the hotel room, and I took Nic’s hand in mine. “So what are you cooking up?”

“Me? Cooking up? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied, giving me a sly look.

“Uh, huh. You have something planned.”