CHAPTER FIVE
S eeing that man this morning sent a chill down his spine. After last night, he thought that Bates would be out of his life. Eamon told him that he had been dismissed from the force, but unfortunately, that didn't dismiss him from the Pack. Troy wasn't excited about having to run into that jerk, even if it was rare.
"Yes, it was," Eamon answered slowly. "He wants me to reconsider his dismissal from the Sheriff's department." Troy was taken aback.
“The only person who may deserve a second chance is Mason. He didn’t participate in the abuse, but he didn’t stop it either.” Troy gave his opinion.
"Bates will never again work for any aspect of authority in Salida or in this Pack he showed his true colors, and I doubt you were the first person to be abused by him. You just happened to be high profile which brought his behavior to everyone's attention." Eamon was not considering him for forgiveness so that allowed Troy to relax.
"He is not getting his job back," Eamon said a bit more emphatically. "There was something about him that felt off. I don't know what it was, but it wasn't right. As Alpha, I have the ability to read my people, not like I read you, more of a sense and a feeling, but I couldn't read him, not clearly anyway." Eamon was sincerely troubled by this.
“Were you able to get anything from him?” He asked and first Eamon shook his head but then spoke.
"There was something there, something that seemed concerning, but it was scrambled and blurred. I called Sean to have him look into it. He was going to have Noah, my lead enforcer, accompany him since he knows Bates. Sean is originally from a pack in Maine, so he's not yet as familiar with everyone."
“I don’t want to sound like an alarmist but what you described sounds like an inhibitor.” Troy suggested.
“Magic?”
"A form of magic similar to a glamour but affects the interior rather than the exterior. He doesn't look different, but he reads differently." Troy explained. "I'm just throwing that out there; I'm not accusing Bates of anything."
"You can accuse all you want. Please always speak freely around me."
"If it's magic, then it would have been bought or bartered. Wolves don't naturally possess such powers. Bates would have had to purposely acquire it with the plan to keep his thoughts and feelings from you." Troy added to his previous concerns. "But I could be wrong."
"This Pack nearly pulled itself apart after the Alpha died without a successor. The worst of us rose up and tried to take from the rest, and murder was not a deterrent to their greed for wealth and power. People who were thought of as loyal and honest turned on their friends and neighbors, and we were very close to being destroyed. The Chamber of Elders, also referred to as the Council, and the Wise Ones, who are our moral and spiritual leaders, kept us from going over the edge, but so much damage was done." Eamon paused, a faraway look in his eyes, and Troy could see that he was reliving the pain.
“You put it back together Eamon. My brother and my Master watched what was happening here worried that they were witnessing the end of the Salida Pack, but you came forward, you and your friend Sean pulled it together and saved these people.” Troy reached across the table and took his hand. “There’s still work to be done but you and those loyal to you will succeed.”
"There are more good people here, but I fear there are still those among us who would prefer destruction," Eamon said with a heavy heart. "They are hiding among us, and it is going to take time to ferret them all out."
“I can help you.”
"You're helping me already. There are few I trust apart from Sean and Noah, but having you by my side means the world to me."
“There is no place I’d rather be.”
“There you are.” Councilman Martindale walked up to Bates who was seated at a back table in the Café. “You were supposed to come see me after you met with the Alpha.” He was mildly chastising him because they were in public but actually he was furious that Bates had dismissed him. “That spell I gave you can be turned in many different ways please don’t force me to do something terrible.” That got Bates’ attention.
"We're in trouble," Bates announced under his breath, and Martindale quickly took a seat. "The vampire was at the Pack House with the Alpha."
“Why is that a problem?” Martindale signaled for the waiter to bring him a coffee.
"The Alpha had a claiming scar on his neck, and the scent of the vampire was all over him." Bates slowly raised his eyes from his cup to lock with Martindale. "They're mates." He dropped the bomb, and Martindale sat back in his seat, clearly taken aback by the news. He quickly started calculating how best to make this information work in his favor.
"If he'd been able to pick up on my thoughts and feelings, I would be dead right now," Bates said and took a long drink of his coffee. "I need something stronger."
“This could be just what we need to get rid of him.”
"You're talking crazy. That vampire is the brother of the Coven Second, and if we interfere, we could both find ourselves dead." Bates was not seeing the big picture.
"Only if we're seen as the problem. What happens if the Alpha gets his mate hurt or possibly killed? How do you think the Coven will react to one of their own being harmed by a wolf? I don't think the fact they are mates will matter if the vampire is dead. Besides, with Castille Florin's reputation, I'm pretty sure his brother will not tell him of his bond with Eamon, at least not right away. We need to get to him first."
"How do we do all of that?" Bates had the nerve to roll his eyes at the councilman, but Martindale controlled his anger. There was time enough to deal with Bates later.
"Do you know any like-minded individuals who would be willing to assist you in removing the Alpha?"
"Yes, I know several that lost their positions in the Pack because they backed Jaron for Alpha. Eamon let them remain in the Pack because they weren't involved in the murders, but they knew about them. They knew what Jaron was doing and supported him." Bates gave a dark laugh but kept his voice down.
“I’ll let the Coven know of the situation while you and your friends find a way to separate the happy couple.” He just kept pushing Bates toward his goals.
“You want us to kill him.” Bates leaned over the table and whispered.
“Yes, I want you to kill him.”
"This will be fun." He gave a short laugh. Bates was more of a cold-hearted customer than he'd first assumed. He would remember that for future assignments.
"There is nothing in his record to explain his prejudice or his lack of social etiquette, and he's been described as narrow and angry. He's a basic asshole, from what I've found." Sean gave Eamon a run down on what he'd found as they sat together along with Noah on the deck of the pack house.
"Noah spoke with him and some of his acquaintances," Sean added.
“He really doesn’t have any friends in the normal sense. His circle are people who don’t get together unless they need something, and they depend upon each other in that respect. Even Mason doesn’t hang out with him after work.” Noah seemed shocked.
"I'm going to need a list of these so-called friends of his," Eamon interjected.
"I will send them to you." Noah pulled out his phone and sent the list. "The people I spoke with simply described him as angry, difficult to be around, and always pointing fingers. All his problems were the fault of someone else."
“How in the hell did he make it onto the force with an attitude like that?” Eamon asked with a shake of his head.
"He's a strong wolf and apparently acted the part well enough to get the job," Sean added his opinion.
"He's giving me such a bad feeling," Eamon stated. "And with a new mate in the house, I don't like getting bad feelings from someone like Bates."
"Understood." Sean agreed. "His behavior with Troy is enough in itself to have him banished from the pack." Sean pointed out, but Eamon shook his head.
"There's so much bad blood right now flowing through the Pack. I don't want to do anything hasty without enough cause. I personally think it's plenty of cause, but the membership will look at it as playing favorites if I can't show enough harm."
"That's fucked up." Noah
groaned.
"Totally," Troy responded to Noah as he stepped out onto the deck with fresh drinks for everyone. They'd already met inside when the two men had first arrived, but Troy had excused himself, knowing that Eamon had a lot to discuss with his men. But he found the distance too much, and after an hour, he had to search for his beloved. Thankfully, Eamon felt the same way and eagerly pulled him down onto the bench beside him.
The kiss and the cuddle were so welcome, and the fact that he did it in front of the others warmed Troy's heart. They talked for a while longer, and then Sean mentioned they would follow up on Bates at the Sheriff's office. "Marius is pretty protective of his officers, but he has no time for people who take their authority to extremes. We'll see what he's comfortable sharing and get back to you." Sean said, and Eamon shook his head.
“Get everything Sean don’t let Marius play any games with you. He’s a good man but first and foremost he needs to remember that he is a pack member, and he answers to me and to you.” Eamon made himself very clear.
"I'll make sure I get everything he has on Bates," Sean assured him. Once they'd left, Eamon asked Troy if he'd like to go to town for lunch.
“Your toast this morning was amazing but I’m getting a bit hungry.” He said and pulled Troy close for a sweet leisurely kiss. Troy joined in the kiss and ran his hands down Eamon’s back feeling the flexing muscles beneath his touch. He’d never envisioned himself bonded to a wolf, but he couldn’t imagine a more perfect man than Eamon Coles.
He'd called his brother earlier and informed him of his bonding with the Alpha wolf. Castille was speechless for a few minutes after receiving the news and then asked if he was happy and if this was what he wanted. Troy told him he was ecstatically happy, and Eamon was everything he wanted.
His brother was cautious but not dismissive, which was all he could ask for at the time. He promised to call him tomorrow when they said their goodbyes. It might take Castille a day or two to get behind this massive life change, but he would never deny anyone their true beloved.
Eamon leaned back and stared down at Troy with those eyes that pierced every thought and emotion. “I’m falling for you so hard.” He said and smiled shyly. It was a look that melted Troy’s heart and brought tears to his eyes.
"You're one of a kind, Eamon, and you belong to me." He responded that, for some reason, he needed to stake his claim once again. It felt right. "Every minute I spend with you, my heart opens further and beckons you inside."
“A wolf and a vampire.” He mused. “Who would have thought.”
"Who would have thought, indeed."
They parked several blocks from the restaurant that Eamon preferred in order to have a chance to see and be seen. He wanted his people to witness him with his mate and to start getting used to seeing them. Troy had changed into a lightweight pullover sweater and faded jeans not the faded jeans Eamon was used to these were designer faded jeans and they made Troy look like a million bucks.
Eamon had Troy’s car fixed and brought to the Pack House so Troy could get his luggage and other personal items. He was absolutely gorgeous, and Eamon felt like the luckiest man in the world to be walking through this life with him.
Unfortunately, not everyone saw it the same way. He noticed several people give him a less than pleasant expression when they walked by and others who outright turned away. Eamon stopped and pulled Troy into his arms and kissed him hard and passionately right there in the middle of town.
Eamon then hit them with some of the harshest looks he could give, and they were dark. Many gasped and quickly took off, and others turned away and tried to pretend they were innocent. Eamon saw them all, and he would remember every face. Eamon held tight to his mate, who was obviously picking up on his irritation.
"They'll get used to it, Eamon. They're just surprised." He was making excuses for them, and they didn't deserve it.
They made it to the restaurant and stepped inside. “They are pissing me off.” Troy took his hand and then rubbed his shoulder.
"Like I said, they're surprised. Give them time."
"You're too good, Troy."
“I can honestly say I’ve never been accused of that before. My brother calls me an obstinate pain in his ass.” He was working hard to calm the tension building in Eamon.
“I love you, baby.” He said and kissed him on the lips before pulling out his chair and helped him get seated.
“I love you too wolf.” Troy responded easy and honest. He was the answer to everything Eamon needed and wanted in his life. Being with him was making even the air sweeter he was an exceptional man so poised and sophisticated and yet comfortable in a pack house with a crazy old wolf.
"Lunch is on me," Eamon said and flashed a teasing smile.
“Well then I’ll have the cob salad and iced tea.” Troy spoke to the young man taking their orders. Eamon had introduced him as Travis a pack member.
“Pleased to meet you, sir.” He said to Troy.
“Pleased to meet you too Travis.” Troy shook his hand. Travis then looked hesitantly at Eamon and spoke without making eye contact.
"Congratulations, Alpha."
"Thank you, Travis."
“I need to see Bates’ personnel file and anything else you have regarding his time here with the force.” Sean made the request clear and waited for a response.
“I don’t share personnel files. You have to get a waver from the Council to be allowed in the files of this office.” The Sheriff stood tall, but Sean had his orders and he was going to carry them out.
“I’m Sean Brendon the Pack Beta of the Salida Wolf Pack and I’m here under the orders of Alpha Eamon Coles. You will provide me with the items I requested, or you will be removed from your post.” The Sheriff looked shocked and stood silent for a few seconds obviously not expecting such a retort.
"I cannot allow you to . . ." He didn't get the chance to finish his sentence. Sean turned to Noah, who had accompanied him to the station.
“Remove the Sheriff from the station and confiscate his badge and his gun.” The Sheriff did not fight it and left with Noah but the shock of it was rebounding around the room. Sean saw an officer by the back wall and recognized him.
“Deputy Frost.” He stated. “You will take over the duties of the Sheriff during his absence. I want the personnel file of Deputy Bates and any other related intelligence on him, and I want it now.” He was not playing around. Deputy Frost disappeared into the backroom and came out with a thick file and a manila envelope and handed them to Sean.
"Here, sir." He said, then took a step back. "The Sheriff was just following protocol sent down by the Council." He tried to defend Sheriff Wellstone.
"This Pack has one leader, and his name is Alpha Eamon Coles. You answer to him and no one else. The Council has no authority to be making protocol regarding the Police Force." Sean took a step forward toward Deputy Frost as he spoke, and the Deputy, to his credit, held his ground.
“Yes, sir.” Sean left the station and met Noah outside.
“Any trouble with Sheriff Wellstone?”
“No, he went quietly, and he apologized. I told him to speak with the Alpha.” Noah told him. Sean handed him the file and the envelope.
"Let's take that to the Pack House. I'm sure Eamon will want to look through it." They got into the Jeep, and Sean's phone went off.
“There’s a situation at the Neon Restaurant come quickly.” It was Travis Dray a waiter and one of Sean’s new recruits who was training to become a member of Pack Security in the IT sector. He wouldn’t be calling unless it was serious.