Choices: Alpha City, Book 3 Read Free Page B

think it will work between me and Judd. He doesn’t seem to like me much. I know everyone says it will work out, but I think maybe I need to find somewhere else to live. Maybe then he will relax and be around his friends more. I never wanted there to be trouble. It just seems to always find me.” Maggie blew out a long breath.
    “I thought you liked it here,” Carina whispered.
    Looking back down at the child, Maggie knew she couldn’t lie. “Oh, I do, Carina. I really do, but I just haven’t found my home yet. I don’t want Judd to stop coming around his friends because I’m there. It would kill me if I caused problems between Judith and everyone else. She wants me to stay, and I do too, but I just don’t think it’s working out. This place is special, and everyone gets along so well here; I don’t want to mess that up. Besides, I could never forgive myself if somehow Judith got treated different simply because she’s kin to a vampire.”
    Maggie couldn’t believe she’d just said that. Judd seemed to be the only one who had that problem, but it was starting to become a huge problem between Judd and Ryder. She’d just witnessed Judd slamming her Alpha against the wall. All those thoughts he tried to keep to himself projected out toward her, and she could read them.
    “No, he will come after you if you leave,” Carina said without expression.
    “You’re so young, Carina, and I know you don’t understand, but this time I think you’re wrong.” She turned, placing Carina on the bench. “I will miss you though. I’ll write when I get settled. Maybe we can be pen pals. You know what that is?”
    “Yes.”
    “Good. I was hoping we could still be friends,” Maggie answered sadly.
    Hearing a door open, Maggie looked up and saw Rose walk in. She waved at Carina’s sister. “I think my replacement is here.”
    Without another word, Maggie got up and smiled at Rose. “How are you?”
    “I’m fine. How are you doing?” Rose asked.
    “Good.” Maggie’s voice was convincing. She could tell Rose didn’t believe her, but the woman didn’t say anything and she was glad. All she could think about was getting as far away from Judd as she could. Maybe then the ache she was feeling in her heart would subside.
    She waved before quietly walking out. She waited for the guard to get permission to let her out the door. She wanted to cry, but what was the use? Alpha City was just another place that didn’t accept her. She couldn’t go back to the clan, and she couldn’t stay here. She had enough money saved up; maybe she could just keep going until she found someplace safe for her.
    Was there such a place?

    “ I understand that , but we have to do more. The witch is already two steps ahead of us. We have to find out who’s feeding her information,” Judd cautioned. He moved around in his seat, trying to get comfortable. Something was off. “It’s got to be someone close to all of us, someone who would be able to get that kind of information. I think it’s time to flush these traitors out.”
    “I agree,” Nolan echoed. All the known members of the Order were present except Bast and Carina, who were playing in the next room with Maggie. They had to do something. He could feel it—something bad was going to happen. He didn’t know what, but they had to come up with some sort of plan to shut this woman down.
    “I think we all agree with you, Judd, but we have to figure out how to do that in a way that ensures only those who are in this room will know. Until we figure out who these traitors are, we can’t trust anyone, even our own pack members,” Ryder added sadly.
    “I never thought the Keepers would betray us, but they did. I’m afraid that before this is over we will find out just how far this treachery has gone. Claudia has had a long time to weasel her way into our society, breaking down our bonds and creating jealousy and distrust.” Brody shook his head in disgust.
    “That goes to show us