Chapter 52
CHAPTER 52
T hey rejoined everyone in the formal dining room. The table was covered in plated foods like; mini sandwiches, mini pies, sausage rolls, and mini quiches. Plus, an assortment of mini cakes, tarts, mousses, and scones on cake stands and everything else needed for afternoon tea.
“Sorry if we kept you,” Robbie said as they walked in and sat down.
“You didn’t, darling,” Aubrey replied.
General chit-chat continued and when there was a break in the conversation, Annfield asked Jacob how he was feeling.
“Getting better every day. I have a few lung issues, but that’s about it. It was touch and go for a while, but with the help of everyone here, I've recovered.”
“Were you ill, dear?” Samantha asked him.
“I was poisoned by silver. It almost killed me.”
Samantha gasped. “But no one uses silver these days.”
“It was a rogue wolf,” Berni explained. “Three of them came across Jacob while he was staying in a hotel not far from here. A battle ensued and Jacob was severely injured saving Frank. It was a few days later when my son-in-law suggested that he be tested for silver poisoning. The wolf that poisoned him had his claws covered in silver.”
“Dad declawed him , and I tested his claws to see how he didn’t poison himself. It would seem he used a special substance at the base of his claws to stop the silver from going into his system. None of our researchers know what that substance is,” Robbie continued.
“That has to be part of whatever is going on at the moment,” Cresswell said.
“Yeah, it seems to be. I have people I trust looking into things at the Council offices. We think we know two people who were connected to whatever is going on: Bishop and Darren Harrington,” Berni said.
“Darren Harrington? Nidal’s father?” Cresswell asked.
“Yes. Bishop was paid nearly five hundred thousand by Harrington,” Frank said. “Harrington works at the council offices.”
“That would tie in with everything I found,” Cresswell said. He looked at Jacob. “I discovered your father’s secret cupboard. Inside I found a tablet, a secret mobile, and a few folders. I’ve downloaded everything and can send it all to you in a moment, but it details a planned attack against all wolf packs, killing all Alphas and Betas and putting their own people in positions of power.”
“Do they have enough people to implement their plan?” Berni asked.
“Not that I found. They set a date of five years. The date for everything to happen is next September,” Cresswell replied.
“Then we have time to root out the rogues and put a stop to this nonsense,” Robbie said.
“Did any of the paperwork you found mention MM Wolf Ltd?” Jacob asked.
Cresswell pulled his phone out of his pocket. “It did, Mortimer and Mabbitt own the company. It took some digging to find who they were though.”
“Eamon Mabbitt?” Berni queried.
“Yes, and Tarrant Mortimer,” Cresswell confirmed.
“Both two-bit Alphas with small packs,” Frank said.
“Darling, how do you feel about hosting an Alpha and Beta dinner?” Aubrey suggested to Berni.
“You mean bring everyone here?” Cresswell asked.
Berni smiled. “Yes, that’s a brilliant idea. We can inform everyone about what we have found and who’s involved.”
“I can’t imagine other Alphas will be impressed with what’s happening,” Finn said.
“You could invite the wolf Council ministers as well,” Jacob suggested. “Especially as some seem to be involved in all this.”
“Excellent idea, Jacob. Now we just need a weekend to hold this thing.”
“Any help I can give, just let me know. I’ve sent you everything. There’s a lot and it’s been compressed,” Cresswell said.
“If there’s a lot, we can read everything for you Berni, and pull out everything you need to know,” Joe offered.
Berni nodded. “Thank you, that would be a big help, and yes for your help when the time comes, Romsey.”
Just then Frank’s phone rang, but before he could answer it, the door burst opened and one of his enforcers ran in.
“Sorry to disturb you Alpha, Beta,”
Frank jumped up. “What’s happened?”
“Andrew’s been found dead. It looks like he was on his way either to or from the dungeons,” the enforcer said.
“I’ll come. Everyone stay here for the moment until I can assess what’s happening,” Frank said, running from the room.
“As if,” Berni growled out, standing up.
“I’m coming as well,” Robbie said, jumping up.
Cresswell joined them.
“Don’t leave the castle,” Berni said as they rushed out of the room.
Clairmont chose that moment to walk in. “Are you all staying in here? If so, shall I make more coffee?”
“I think we’re finished in here, thank you, Clairmont. I’ll take everyone to the morning room and then go and see Andrew’s family,” Aubrey replied.
“Can I come with you?” Samantha asked.
Aubrey smiled. “Thank you, Samantha. Christine, are you coming as well?”
“I will do. I met Andrew’s parents the other day.”
“Mum, are you sure you shouldn’t stay in the castle?” Ezzy asked.
Aubrey shook her head. “No, we need to see Andrew’s family.”
“I’ll come with you,” Jacob offered.
“We’ll all come,” Ezzy said. “Except for you, Joe, you should show your parents around the castle.”
“Nonsense, young man,” Morty said. “We can come as well and protect both Alpha Mates if needed.”
“We can walk there, Andrew’s family live on the estate to the East. Clairmont, if my husband returns before we do, can you let him know where we are?”
Clairmont shook his head but said, “Certainly, Your Grace. Expect lecturers when your husband and son return though.”
Aubrey laughed, not in the least bit fazed by the butler’s announcement. “I might tell him he can raise the drawbridge, that should appease him.”
Ezzy, Finn, Joe, and Jacob tried to smother their laughter.
Aubrey glared at them. “Am I missing something? What dastardly plan are you troublemakers concocting?”
“Really, Mummy, that’s rude. We’re just sat here enjoying life and you accuse us of plotting something. How could you?”
“Because your mother knows you, and we all know what boys your age are like,” Christine replied before Aubrey could.
Ezzy looked at his friends and sighed. “So rude.”
“And on that note, we’ll be off, Clairmont,” Aubrey said, leading the way.
Frank reached Andrew’s body a few moments before the others arrived. He was kneeling down next to him, looking at the wounds. “He was shot. Who shoots wolf shifters?”
“Have you checked the dungeons? There should be a young man in them,” Bern asked, reaching them.
“I did, Alpha. There’s only the two from the other day in there,” an enforcer said.
“Then chances are Nidal did this. Fan out and search the area for any strange wolf scents, but proceed with caution. Try and bring him back alive,” Berni ordered.
“I’ll help you search as it’s my fault Nidal is here,” Cresswell said. “I’ll pay whatever restitution is requested for this poor enforcer’s family.”
“Thank you for the offer, but you brought Nidal here with the best of intentions.”
As they were chatting more enforcers turned up, many in wolf form.
“Find that rogue wolf,” Frank told them and watched the enforcers all head off in the same direction.
“I’m going out on a limb and saying Nidal went that way,” Robbie said.
“Then let’s join them,” Berni said, quickly shifting.
The others shifted and they joined in the hunt.
“What did Nidal hope to achieve by coming here, trying to attack Finn, and killing that enforcer?” Joe asked.
“To cause problems,” Jacob replied, stopping, everything becoming clearer.
“What do you mean, Jacob?” Morty asked, joining them, Finn and Ezzy at his side.
“Pretend to be our friend to come and check on us. I don’t think he planned on attacking Finn when he arrived, but his anger got the better of him. He came here to try and cause problems. I mean, if you want to topple all Alphas and Betas, you start with the strongest. By killing that enforcer, he’s split us up. Berni is on the hunt. We’re with Aubrey on our way to the enforcer’s house. If you can’t take out the Alpha, take out the Alpha’s mate.”
Ezzy gasped. “That would kill both Mum and Dad.” He looked around and saw his Mum some distance away. “Come on.”
They hurried to catch up with Aubrey, but Jacob just knew they wouldn’t be in time. As he ran he shifted into his silver wolf and ran as fast as he could. He knew he would pay for it later, but he had to protect Aubrey.
Somewhere behind him he heard wolves howl but ignored them. Just before he reached Aubrey’s side, he again saw what was about to happen.
He managed to jump in front of Aubrey just as a shot sounded. The last thing he heard was a scream of pain and terror, and the last thing he felt was pain in his head as he fell to the ground unconscious.