Chapter 62

Arthur

After two weeks of being looked after by Almara, Arthur felt as good as new. Better than new, actually. Almara's attention was the best kind of medicine. He was tempted to feign his injuries for longer just so he could have her continue to play nursemaid. Maybe he would even buy her a nurse's costume.

The thought alone turned him hard. It has been too long since he had last had a taste and he was positively starving. lmara had made it clear that there would be no sex until the doctor okayed it. Arthr frowned. He couldn't have his cake and eat it too.

It was the promise of sex that finally had Arthur up and moving around. They would be visiting the doctor later in the day and he would give the okay. Arthur was sure of that, but there was something important he had to take care of sooner rather than later.

He gathered his things and called for his driver directly. He didn't want anyone to know where he was going. This had to be dealt with as quietly as possible. There was no reason to stir up the rumor mill on just a hunch. He needed something more concrete than that before letting the public know.

Which was why he was going to see the pack's private investigator. Almara hadn't been able to remember many details of the case and Arthur didn't blame her. She had lived a sheltered life and had never had to experience assassination attempts.

But Arthur had. He'd grown up being taught how to memorize tiny details in a single glance. Anything that would help him identify a potential danger. There had been plenty of attempts on his life over the years from wolves hungry for a taste of power. And Arthur had always come out on top. This would be no different.

Despite how fast everything had happened, Arthur had recognized the vehicle. Even though the license plates had been changed, he knew Sofia's car when he saw it. He just didn't want to believe the Sofia he knew was capable of attempted murder.

So before he went about accusing her directly, he thought he'd let the private investigator try to dig up some evidence of her involvement. Sofia was the only person with motive to kill Almara, but that didn't mean she was the only suspect. Someone could have been trying to frame her.

After all, Almara was meant to be the new luna. There could have been any number of she-wolves aching for the position. Typically, werewolves would fight for the chance of the title, but not always. Especially since Almara didn't have the official title…yet. There was nothing to challenge.

Arthur went back and forth in his head with all the different possibilities as his driver took him to Tarah Sloan's office. There were too many variables and he had little time to work on it himself. He also didn't want to worry Almara. He would just let her think it was a random hit and run for now.

As Arthur walked up the stone steps of the red-brick building. he pulled his ball cap farther down on his head. He hated the ridiculous thing, but he didn't want anyone here to recognize him.

He pushed the buzzer for her office. Several seconds passed by before the garbled voice of her receptionist came over the speaker.

"This is Tarah Sloan's office. She's busy at the moment. Come back later." The receptionist sounded annoyed and it was confirmed when she ended the connection before he could respond.

Arthur pulled back his lips, baring his teeth. He wasn't used to this type of treatment. Most wolves practically fell over themselves to please him and perhaps he was spoiled, but that did not change the fact he was their alpha.

He pushed the buzzer again.

"Take a hint! Come back later or we won't be doing -"

Arthur cut her off before she could finish. "This is your alpha and you will let me in. I don't give a fuck if she's busy."

The intercom went silent. Arthur was about to just go ahead and rip the door off its hinges when it came back to life.

"Apologies, Alpha. Come right in," she said and Arthur smirked at the slight fear he heard in her voice. That was much better. She should fear him. He had a reputation to uphold, after all.

The door unlocked and he went straight up the stairs, two at a time until he was on the third floor and just outside of her office.

Arthur waltzed in like he owned the place. After that little display, he considered buying the building. But Tarah Sloan had her own reputation and she was a much better friend than enemy. He could play nice if he had to, but he wouldn't be too nice. Just nice enough to not piss her off.

The receptionist bowed low, her short blonde hair falling forward to obscure her face. When she straightened, she kept her eyes cast down out of respect and probably out of fear of repercussions.

"Welcome, Alpha Arthur. We are so glad that you've come to us in your time of need," the receptionist said, her voice soft and demure. There was no sign of the snappiness she had displayed earlier.

"Where is she?" Arthur asked without preamble. They had already wasted enough of his time this morning.

"In her office, Alpha. She's waiting for you," she said, bowing again. Arthur headed in that direction without saying another word.

He barged in, not bothering to knock. Tarah glanced up from her desk, brown eyes watching him wearily. She had her brown hair in a tight bun, leaving her face empty except for the square glasses that rested on her nose. She didn't look like a private investigator, but he guessed that was the point.

"I need your help." Arthur kept it brief and to the point. He'd already been gone longer than he thought he would and he didn't like leaving Almara by herself for very long. To be honest, he didn't like being away from her for very long.

“Let me guess. You want me to find out who was involved in the hit and run." It wasn't a question. Arthur wasn't surprised that she knew about it. Word spread so quickly through the pack.

"Yes. I have my suspicions, but I want it confirmed."

Tarah's eyebrow rose. "Would you like to share with the class?"

Arthur gritted his teeth, but kept his smart ass comments to himself. "I'd rather not. In case it interferes with your own investigation."

She considered him for a few moments, leaning back in her chair as she thought the case over. Arthur kept his face neutral, but inside he was raging. He was not a patient man. At least not with people who weren't Almara.

"Very well, Alpha. I will do this pro bono…if you don't terrorize my receptionist. She was just doing her job," Tarah said, standing up and holding out her hand. Arthur gave her a smirk as he took it.

"I wouldn't dream of it," Arthur answered as they shook hands, their deal completed. It didn't matter though. Arthur already planned on paying her handsomely, no matter what she found out. He would do anything to protect Almara and their child, no matter how much it cost him.