In the Alpha's Bed (Stealing the Alpha Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

didn't believe that Peklo was connected with the vampires who had kidnapped Cassie, but he couldn't just ask him. However, if he ignored the possibility, he was being negligent.
    "I have a few minutes. I do hope everything is alright." To the man's credit, he sounded concerned. Luke didn't buy it for a moment, but the acting was impressive.
    "Have any of your associates attempted to encroach on your territory recently? I may have some information that would benefit you, if that is the case." Luke would have loved to talk without euphemism, but there were always ears in the wires. Perhaps the old ones were on to something with their archaic methods.
    "If you think I'm going to reveal internal matters to someone like you, I think we can terminate our relationship right now." Peklo was too experienced to confirm Luke's suspicions with an incautious answer.
    "I'd hate to think that you had authorized the violation of our boundary agreements by letting your own agents wander freely." It wasn't a threat. Luke wasn't in a position to launch an offensive campaign against the vampire.
    "Slavic fellow?" Peklo asked. "I've had a few out-of-towners pass through. They're not mine."
    "Then you don't care what happens to him?" Peklo was probably lying, something about his casual tone sounded off to Luke.
    "In the interest of openness, you may want to watch your back," he didn't answer the question, but the shift piqued Luke's curiosity.
    "Oh?"
    "I got wind of a thief passing through. Came into town about a week ago by plane. I haven't bothered to tail her, and who knows what she's after. Keep an eye on your valuables." He was talking about Mel, he had to be.
    Luke didn't respond, instead hanging up the phone and leaning back in his chair. Was that a taunt or an actual warning? Did Peklo know that he and Mel were... something complicated? Or was he bragging about being involved in the theft?
    Maya knocked on the door and walked in before he could answer. "I've called the meeting. They'll be here in an hour."
    Luke nodded. It was time to ask for help.
     

Chapter Six
    "It's Ava. It's fucking Ava and there's another fucking Well." Mel paced back and forth in their little room, her arms wrapped loosely around her midsection.
    Krista just looked at her from where she sat on the bed. Her injury took a lot of energy to heal, and Mel knew Krista wasn't going to waste any on theatrics. "I can't think of anyone else who would want one. Too volatile."
    "I've seen the craters," Mel snapped. A part of her felt eight years old all over again and she didn't know how to stop it. Any good feeling she'd had with Luke earlier had evaporated. In its place there was only fear. "I thought I could take her if we got our shot. But not when she's going to be so amped up."
    "The Scarlet Emerald has to be a focus," said Krista.
    Mel agreed, though she didn't have the magical chops to sense it herself. A focus let a magic user tap into the energy of a Well. But there was always a long list of rules that went along with magical artifacts. "I stole it, so if she has it, does she own it?" It could mean the difference between life and death for Luke's pack. Hell for the entire state of Colorado. Ava could use a focus she didn't magically “own” to drain a Well of its magic, but she would only get a tenth of the available power.
    Krista shook her head. "No, it should still belong to Luke."
    "Thank God for small favors." That alone made Mel's entire career of thievery worth it.
    Krista ignored Mel's relief and continued speaking, "But even if that's the case, does it matter? We know exactly what she can do with a Well she doesn't own. She must want this one for a reason. They're too dangerous to use blithely."
    That was the truth. Half of Siberia had once exploded when a witch tapped a Well. And in that case, she had owned the focus. As far as anyone knew, that woman hadn't done anything wrong, but the power had rejected her and exploded outward. Three covens were wiped