Chapter 16

"My coven stands ready to offer assistance if you must, Liam. After all, we only need to taste your pack's blood for exchange… we could use another sip of your nectar." A smile of anticipation touched Lady Morgana's lips. "If you want this Alpha Alexander dead, I'm sure it can be arranged."

"No, I don't want the council on my tail, Morgana. I just need someone to give him a little scare." Alpha Liam could think of a few things that would please him more than ordering the death of Alexander Jaguar. Unless it was sinking his alpha's own werewolf fangs into the bastard's throat. There were times when being a believable authority was a bitch, but modern times have become nothing but a ruse of a political council kissing ass.

"Oh, Liam, you know you only have to say the word."

"A tempting offer, but, unfortunately, the rogues are uncommonly devoted to this bastard. If he were to suddenly die, I don't doubt that my pack would be held to blame. But I hope to avoid all-out conflict for now. I need someone to mess with his life instead, and you and your witches could do that in exchange for our blood, of course."

Lady Morgana gave a small bow on her head. Whatever her own desires, he would concede to Liam's authority. For now. She smirked. "So pray tell... do you have a plan?"

"Hardly a plan, but I do hope that I might have found a bit of leverage over Alexander and his secret trading business with the elven folks." He pulled a small photo from his pocket and handed it to her.

For a moment, Lady Morgana studied the small, dark-haired, delicate woman in the photo. With her long, curly hair and raven eyes far too large for her heart-shaped face, she looked like a beautiful dark angel.

"Not my type, but certainly eye-catching." She glanced up. "Is she Alexander's lover?"

"Hell no, the bastard doesn't have a heart, but he has spent an immense amount of money and power tracking this woman. I believe he has, at last, discovered her in London."

"Under his nose?

"Yes."

"What does he want with her?"

Liam shrugged. "The elf I had summoned to keep track of the unpredictable bastard had managed to get their hands on the photo, as well as follow him discreetly. The elf couldn't, however, get close enough to discover the reason behind Alexander's obsession with the woman."

"Worth a try," She murmured and took a small sip of her wine.

"I don't have the least idea, but she's obviously very important to him. She is important enough that he might be willing to negotiate for her return if I can capture her first." Liam added.

A hint of surprise touched her pale, beautiful face. "You intend to kidnap her?"

"You will… I intend to keep her as my guest until the London pack can be made to see reason," he corrected, his entire body stiffening as the witch tilted her head back to laugh with rich entertainment. "What is so amusing?"

The woman pointed at the picture in her hand.

"Have you taken a good look at this woman?"

"Of course." Liam frowned. "In the event, the picture was lost or destroyed, it was necessary to memorize her features. Why?"

"Did you seriously not recognize her?"

"Come on Morgana… Why?"

"Liam, look closely. She looks like your cousin, except for the dark hair and dark eyes. Look carefully."

He creased his brows. Oh yes, she looked like Barbara. "How the fuck-?"

"Coincidence?" She said and raised her eyebrows.

"When the bastard is involved, nothing is a coincidence, Morgana, you know that; everyone knows about his obsession with Barbara."

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" She asked with visible amusement.

"Oh, yes."

"And yet you will willingly take her beneath your roof? and hold her captive?"

"Well…" Liam thought how odd it was to have the woman look like Barbara. "But she is just a mere human," he replied instead. "She is worthless."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." He replied with another sip of his wine.

"Is there some reason you should not be kidnapping her?" Lady Morgana demanded.

"The obvious reasons… is-" Liam battled a flare of impatience. If Lady Morgana's assumption was correct, then he had to do something about the woman. He needed more information as well. Why did she not just speak it instead of behaving in such a mysterious manner?

"Come on... Morgana... You speak in riddles, old friend. Do you believe the woman might pose some sort of danger?"

The witch held up her hands. "Only in the manner that any gorgeous woman stands a danger." She smirked as she overlooked the city in the distance. This part of Liam's office had glass walls high above the rooftops of the multicolored houses and shops that streaked the streets. Pedestrians strolled by, some with shopping bags, others with travel gear, and still others with their hands in their pockets as they talked about the day's events.

Morgana had never really spent much time in the town of Ireland, and surely not in this particular city. The need had never come up. Now, she regrets that fact. The gorgeous countryside, the architecture, the food, the culture, had all grown on her in the short span of a day since she'd arrived. Unfortunately, it was time to travel again and talk to Alexander.

Alpha Liam narrowed his gaze as his beta chuckled on his side, clearly entertained. "Seriously?" Liam asked. Did the witch think he was susceptible to the enticements of a mere female? Who looks like his cousin? A mortal one at that?

If he wished for a woman, he had only to glance over the hallway. The lounge was filled with ladies, and more than a few fellows, who had made their interest flamboyantly apparent since he had walked through the door.

"The woman will be my hostage, nothing more," he said coldly.

"Of course."

Sensing the witch's lingering amusement, Liam recklessly pointed toward the picture. It was, after all, the reason he asked her to come here in the first place.

"Do you know where she's standing?" He inquired.

Lady Morgana re-examined the image "Yes, that is a paranormal research facility. Somewhere in London. I have three ladies working in the lab." She paused for a moment before nodding her head.

"Good… so I can trust you with her?"

"Of course."

"Thank you, old friend." Liam moved quickly. He stretched out to take the photo, which he then placed in his pocket.

Lady Morgana sprang to her feet and put a controlling hand on Liam's arm.

"Wait, Liam." She swallowed her excitement. She didn't have time to stay. The sooner she apprehended the woman, the faster she'd know if she was actually important to Alexander. "I'll take care of this lady. While you take care of the ferals. This is something we need to work on together."

"I know, Morgana."

"Good."

"So what are you going to do?" He asked.

"Well. I intend to kidnap the woman and bring her here. No biggie."

"Just like that?"

The witch frowned in confusion. "Yes."

"You cannot be discovered. Alpha Alexander has many spies, keep watch, they are sure to try to stop you."

"I do not fear a pack of spies, Liam," Lady Morgana retorted in a scornful tone.

Liam refused to relent. "Morgana."

She heaved a sigh. "I'll have my witch close by," she promised, referring to her well-trained assassin warriors who had been her constant companions for decades. They were as much a part of her as her own shadow.

However, Liam was still not satisfied. "And where will you take her?"

"To my London lair."

"What? Are you crazy?" He laughed sharply and added, "You can't take that poor woman to your damp, nasty lairs."

The witch smirked. In truth, she hadn't given much thought to the less-than-welcoming environment of her coven dens, which she occupied. To her, they were merely a place to get out of the enemies and mortals.

"The vast majority of my lairs are extremely pleasant…I have everything I need."

"Morgana, it's terrible enough that you're kidnapping the woman. At the very least, take her somewhere with a good bed and a few comforts."

"What difference does it make? She isn't anything more than a human being."

"It is significant because she is a human being. Christ, they're frailer than you." Liam said with quick, gliding steps, he walked toward the side table desk that took up a huge portion of his office behind the terrace. He reached inside a drawer and took out a piece of paper. He slid his hand into his pocket and drew out a little key after penning a few lines. When he returned to the woman, he put both in her hands. "Here… take this."

"What in the world is this?" The witch enquired.

"A key to my cozy cottage east of town. Bring her to Dublin instead. It's quiet and secluded enough for your needs, yet considerably more comfortable than your lair." He motioned to the piece of paper. These are the instructions. I'll notify my patrol and the rest of my pack that you're coming."

Lady Morgana protested by opening her mouth. Her lair may not have been the most exquisite or opulent, but it was well-protected and, more significantly, she was acquainted with the surrounding area. Still, she supposed there was something to be said for providing a bit of comfort for the woman. Why does he care, by the way? If it were nothing but mortal, then why does Alpha Liam care so much about her?

Humans, as he had mentioned, were tediously frail, and she was well aware that they were susceptible to a bewildering number of ailments and injuries. But she needed her to be alive if she was to be of any use. Furthermore, it would allow Liam to keep an eye on Alexander, and she would be able to provide her coven with infinite werewolf blood.

"If you want to negotiate with Alexander, perhaps it would be best to stay close enough to the London pack so that you can talk to him." He added.

She raised a brow.

"Morgana, it's close enough to call for assistance if you need it," Liam added and thought that they have to play this right. After all, he had taken lives on many occasions. Unlike many poor souls, he wasn't plagued by the faces of those he killed. No, his conscience was clear. But he realized that he had never enjoyed the killing, and that realization had rocked him, and now his only head through kept the woman who looks like Barbara away from alpha Alexander.

"You have a point there, fine then..." Lady Morgana pocketed the key. "Now I must go."

They stepped out of the office and made their way down the stairs toward a set of double doors that hung open. They reached the next hallway as the beta stuck his head through and motioned that he had a phone call coming. He nodded

"Take care, old friend."

Alpha Liam gave a silly nod of his head as he grinned.

"I'm not bloody old, Liam!"

"Yes, you are, Morgana…older than my grandmother."

"Fuck you, Liam!"

The alpha's laughter echoed through the pub in no time.