Alpha Rick
Chapter 65

Livie

The party began and I was pleased to see that for the most part, it seemed everything was going off perfectly. All of the guests were excited, and what made me feel even happier was the big smile on Ricky's face.

It was a genuine smile, one that made me feel at ease. He introduced me to all of his old-school buddies and their mates. All of Ricky's friends and their dates seemed so nice.

My brother felt awkward at first, and yes, I know... He's still considered a rogue, but for tonight and while he is staying with us, under our protection, no one is allowed to touch him or anyone in his pack for that matter. Orders and threats by none other than my wonderful husband, Ricky, of course. And now that his friends know about our situation and met the real Rogue King, they also warned everyone to treat Brandon and his pack with respect.

I don't know what is it about this guy, Hunter though. He looks scary, but he's extremely nice. But it gave me bad vibes when he had to step away to talk to Leah.

Speaking of the she-devil, I have not seen her all night, and I know for a fact she was ready for this party. My Goddess, I hope she is not up to something sketchy. Whatever happened between her and Hunter a few hours back has me in thoughts I don't want to say. I don't know if I should be asking him. Or maybe I should ask Evelyn? Maybe I should leave it alone, I don't know! It's troubling my mind though.

I was dancing with Ricky in the middle of the dance floor, smiling away like an idiot as kids ran playfully together and everyone rejoiced when my brother came to my side. "May I cut in?" he asks cordially, holding his hand out to me and smiling at Ricky. Ricky is really territorial when it comes to me, as every Wolf with their mate I would suppose. But he was becoming comfortable around my brother. He smiles, unwrapping his arms around me and gesturing for my brother to proceed. "I'll be at our table, sweetheart," he says, holding my hand and kissing my knuckles as he steps away.

I can't help but blush as he smiles, and winks before leaving me with my brother. "May I?" he asks, holding his hand out for me. "You may," I say giggling. "I always dreamed of being able to dance at least one song with my sister. And no matter how much thought I put into it, I can't believe I am finally here with you dancing," he says, with a bright smile, bringing tears to my eyes.

The truth is, I always dreamed and hoped he was alive too. How I longed to see him, hug him, dance with him and dad. I'd cry just at the thought and yet... here we are now. "Don't cry, baby sis."

"I'm just so happy. I... I thought I had lost you and Dad forever. I wish Mom was still here, with us." I said as the tears fell freely. He looks at my scar, taking a big sigh and wiping my tears away. "I know. Believe me, if I could go back to that day I would try harder. If I had known I..." he says, closing his eyes and clenching his jaw as a tear betrays him, falling from his left eye.

"Dad and I looked for you. We never stopped looking for you, Liv," he says, as he pulls me into a bear hug. His woodsy scent filled my heart with a feeling of protection and warmth. "I know. I know, brother. You don't know how happy I am that we are finally together again." I say, hugging him around his torso and resting my head on his chest.

He and I danced a few songs until Dad joined us. My best friend Desiree joined us soon and she danced with Dad, though it was difficult for him because of his back. The medicine and therapy our doctors have him doing are helping him slowly recover, but he still has to take it easy.

We ate and celebrated Ricky's birthday in peace, and let me tell you... if Hunter said something to upset Leah and make her cave herself in her room, I would be forever in debt to him, because I have not seen her all night. I need to remind myself to thank him later because the last I needed was to deal with her drama tonight. Everyone has been enjoying themselves drama-free.

But- it was short-lived. As we began to quiet down and people began to withdraw into their rooms, Skylar and Nadelyn came out hysterically. "Where is she? Tell me where she is. That good for nothing hag!" he says as he storms toward Evelyn, who is sitting on a visiting beta's lap.

Her eyes widen in shock and she stands up abruptly. "I, I, I, I don't know what you're talking about, Sky."

"Don't play stupid with me, Evelyn. Where is Leah? I'm going to fucking kill her!" The few of us who were still out couldn't help but stop dead in our tracks and wonder what was happening.

"Tell me where she is or so help me, I will,"

"Sky, dear. What's the matter with you? What's going on?" his mom says as she comes to his side worriedly and places her hand on his shoulder.

Ricky and I went to them. Regardless of this being a personal matter, this was still our pack and it was our obligation to keep peace. "She stole everything, mom. Everything," he says sounding desperate. He runs his hands through his hair, cursing under his breath as Madelyn tries to comfort him. "Calm down, sweetie. What do you mean? Who stole everything?" she asks for clarification.

"Leah, mom. Who else? That stupid wench took everything. Every last, Penny from my account, the money we had saved in the safe box, even the jewelry... everything! Her scent was so poignant in my room, that I just knew it had to be her. I went to her room to confront her, but she was not there. My car keys are gone, and none of her stuff is in her room." he says, making my eyes widen in shock.

Ricky and I exchanged looks and we alerted the guards, but she had already crossed the borders. They had seen her, and she said she was going out to visit a friend, allowing her to cross overseeing she had her luggage. They didn't think much of it, being she takes off all the time.

"Damn it!" He says, kicking a concrete bench by his side. "She can't be far, Skylar. I will send my men after her. We'll track your vehicle and her every step. She won't get far, I promise you that." Ricky affirms, making Skylar frustrated.

"What's the use? She would rather burn the money or throw it down a well before giving it back. I'm.... fuck... what am I going to do now?" he asks, turning toward Madelyn and cupping her face.

"I had plans to buy you your engagement ring this weekend. And I have so many contractors waiting to be paid for all the work they were doing at our pack territory. I had plans of rebuilding our rightful aloha's cottage and having you and I live there." he says, making my eyes widen.

Him and Maddy? Living in my old home? Kind of weird, but hey... for all it's worth, that home felt magical when I had my family there.

"We will look for a solution, Sky. Don't worry. I'm sure we can come up with something." she says, holding his hands.

"Alpha, we might have a clue, she went eastbound, toward the King's castle." one of our guards says, looking at Ricky.

Skylar's eyes widen, hoping for good news. "Great. Tate, assemble a group. Go after her. But don't hurt, uh..." he pauses looking at me. He clears his throat and looks back toward Tate who is awaiting orders.

"Don't kill her. If she resists, you know what to do," he says, clenching his jaw. My hormones have been haywire, and I am for some odd reason or whatnot, very territorial with him right now.

"Calm down, Wolfie. You know that's his mood, do not harm women, protect women, yadda yadda yadda." Freya taunts me in her thoughts. "Shut it, Freya!" I say, making her chuckle.

"Baby, it's late. Why don't you go and rest? I will talk to my friends and see what plan we can come up with to help alpha Skylar." Ricky suggests, making me pout. Though I want to protest, I am tired, and these stilettos are making my feet ache a little. "OK. Maddy, why don't we go for a nice warm cup of coffee? We'll let the boys play with their gadgets." I say as I tap on the tablet Taye is holding as he types away, already trying to track her down by looking for Skylar's car. If he can hack into Skylar's GPS, they won't take long to find her.

Goddess, this is a mess. I had plans for tonight to surprise Ricky, but I guess now, it's going to have to wait.

I grab

Could it be possible that Leah and he had a plan to drain Skylar of the money he had? Because let me tell you... it may not be even thirty percent of what we have, but it was still a lot of money. Enough to live in luxury for at least a decade without having to move a muscle or work.

"How can you be so sure, Freya?" I ask my Wolf as I guide Maddy into the pack house and toward the kitchen.

"Because I can feel his heart. He might look scary and all... but then again, so did Alarick, right? He's not Alarick's best friend for no reason. He's got a big heart, I can feel it. For all you know, maybe he was Leah's true mate, and he dumped her. In return, her psycho- ass retaliated by taking her anger out on what she does best... running, and hiding... to do that, she needed money. Who else to steal from than her ex? She probably knew all his passwords." she says, making a bit of sense.

"But.. Still. Why him? Skylar and she were done and over with. Why steal from him, if she knows he doesn't have much?"

"You think she would be stupid enough to try and steal from you and Ricky? Alarms would be set off within the second and the whole pack would be after her. She's not going to risk dying before she can reach the pack's door." Freya says, making me roll my eyes. "Whatever her plan is... or whatever truly happened, I just hope she's out of our lives for good," I say, making Freta sigh. "Yeah, I suppose you're right. I hope she never gets found, and if she does, she never comes back our way." Freya adds.

"I am just glad that Ricky's birthday was a success," I say, smiling unconsciously.

"Hey, what about Brandon? Did he go to sleep as well?" Freya asks, not feeling his wolf close by.

"No. He left with Lucian. Probably in the cellar, having a drink of that 1800's bottle." I say, making her chuckle.

My father-in-law took pride in his precious collection, and he was probably already going through the umpteenth bottle for my dad and brother to try since the day they came to our pack.

Whatever the deal with Leah was, Freya was right, I hope that she never comes back. She can stay far, far away from us.