The Alpha And His Mate (Silver Hills #1)

Chapter 17

When I got home the sounds of laughter and joy emerging from the living room did little to calm the chill I felt in my soul.

As expected, when I walked in to check I saw my mom hanging off every word Sebastian said. He was grinning, but it was more a smile of victory than real pleasure.

It took half a minute of me standing awkwardly by the door for my mom to realise I had come home.

"Oh, sweetheart!" She said flustered. "I didn't expect you back yet. How was Mrs Mason's little gathering?"

"Not little," I said. "The cousins seem nice enough though."

"Whose cousins are these?" Sebastian enquired, his eyes filled with strange interest.

My mom instantly volunteered to tell him. "The Mason's cousins from England. Only one girl is related to them by blood but they're so sweet they recognise Diana as their family as well."

"Diana seemed nice," I offered.

"Did Elisabeth not please you?" Sebastian asked jokingly.

I frowned, cogs whirring in my mind. I hadn't told him the name of the other cousin and there was no way he would've known unless...

My blood ran cold. When I looked over at my mom she had dismissed the comment completely, not realising we had never told him Elizabeth's name.

Maybe it was as simple as he'd heard it from someone else. Or as complicated as he was involved in some conspiracy involving the council.

I checked the clock ticking over our tv. I had still hours until I had to meet with the council on Jax's behalf. My stomach twisted as I wondered what they would want to talk about.

"You look nervous," Sebastian pointed out, his eyes burning into me.

"I'm fine," I snapped, harsher than I had meant. Before my mom could reprimand me for being rude to guests, I stormed up to my room.

Collapsing on my bed, it felt as if the room were spinning. I really didn't need Sebastian adding into my already copious list of worries.

I was considering storming back to Mason's and telling them I wanted nothing to do with their stupid council when I felt a vibration from my phone. I hastily pulled it out.

A message. From Caspar.

A small smile touched my lips. I truly felt comfortable with Caspar, even if it wasn't quite the same way I felt with Jax. I didn't want to start a love triangle or give Caspar the wrong idea but maybe we could hang out as friends.

Hello.

It was a simple, open-ended message. I could take our conversation anywhere. I quickly typed a reply.

I didn't realise ghosts could use phones.

Only the friendly ones.

I stifled a laugh and thought of a way to counter that.

It's the same with goddesses. Only the polite ones get social media privileges.

Social media? I didn't realise you had a strong social media presence. I would've online stalked you if I'd known.

I didn't have any social media presence, so I was safe from his stalking.

Considering the fact we met in a bookshop, do you think I have a strong social media presence?

It's never right to generalise people. You might have been an influencer and a book lover.

I guess you're right. I mean, I didn't have you down for a vampire hunter.

I hoped he hadn't thought I had forgot his links to the supernatural world.

I wish I were a vampire hunter. You can find out all about me if you come and get coffee with me tomorrow at 1pm.

Coffee? With a self-admitted stalker?

If you're going to take everything I say seriously we may have a problem.

Don't worry, there's no problem there. Coffee sounds great.

He sent a smiley face in reply.

At least I had something to look forward to tomorrow.

"Percie!" My mom shouted.

I groaned. It looked like I was in for another lecture.

"Persephone, there's someone at the door for you."

Maybe not then. I glanced in the mirror to make sure I was suitable before darting downstairs. At the bottom, my mom stood, still enamoured with Sebastian.

The strange man sent a shudder down my spine. Whoever he was, he was bad news.

I opened our front door, not sure who to expect. I was shocked at what I saw.

"Genevieve!"

She stood with her dark hair up in a messy ponytail. Instead of leather, she wore a violet jumper and jeans.

"Persephone Smith," she practically hissed. "Why the hell have you been invited to the council meeting tonight."

Her arms were crossed tightly, as if she were squeezing the air from her lungs.

"Because I was invited." I cautiously looked back at my mom and Sebastian. I didn't want them overhearing.

Genevieve peered around to see what had distracted me, and tensed even more when her eyes fell on Sebastian. I saw her jaw clench.

"Come," she gritted out, motioning for me to leave the house. "Let's go for a walk."

She dragged me out by the arm before I had a chance to decide.

"Ow!" I squealed, trying to thrash my arm free from her iron grip. When we were a decent distance from my house she let me go.

"Who the hell is that?" She demanded. "More importantly, what is he?"

I stared at her bewildered. "Aren't you going to gut me or something?" I asked in surprise. "I thought this was going to be a well planned murder."

"Answer the question," she said in a dark tone, "and I may consider letting you live as long as you promise to never kiss another persons partner again."

"Yeah, you're in no danger of that happening," I muttered. "I don't think Sebastian is anything other than a creepy human who's charmed my mom," I lied. I wasn't sure about him being not human, but I didn't think his interest lied in my mom.

"He's dangerous Persephone," Genevieve warned. "I sensed something dark about him. Even from the doorway. Even here."

She paused for a minute as if remembering something. "It couldn't be," she whispered, her voice livid. I stood awkwardly, watching her green eyes widen. "I have to go," she told me. "But for the sake of all that is holy, stop being stupid. And stay away from Jax."

Genevieve began to sprint in the opposite direction. Towards the woods.

I swallowed hard and knew I couldn't obey her instructions.

Tonight. Everything would make more sense tonight.

When I would be one of the first mortals to sit in on a council meeting.