21. Help #2
The alpha was gone for a while. Long enough for the omegas to make sandwiches and tea for us all.
I even heard Dakota’s papa head outside to check on the enforcers they’d taken with us.
When Jason returned, he had a faint smile on his gently lined face.
I knew from my records that the alpha was around a hundred and ten.
The Luna had blessed the alpha pair with two children in their mating, but they had no grandchildren.
“Well, there’s quite a story for you to hear,” Jason said as he took the armchair Dakota had occupied, making the man sit on the floor by his side.
The room had too few seats for all. My brother gave up his seat on the sofa for Eva.
James, Dakota’s papa, perched on the arm of the sofa next to Aldrin, his mate.
“Turns out,” Jason continued. “That Roan is indeed working for the council and has been for the last five years. He came to them admitting that Rincoln had nearly trapped him into a coerced mating as the result of a pregnancy. Roan realized just hours before his betrothed’s heat began that the contraceptive that Rincoln Hayes had given him was actually a fertility boosting potion.
He loved Ryder, his betrothed, but agreed that they needed to wait longer to have pups.
He also expressed some concerns about how the omegas were being treated.
Turns out he’d seen some bruises on Jasper, Rincoln’s mate. ”
Dakota let out another rumbling growl but motioned for his alpha to continue.
“After Ryder, Jasper, and Angelica were taken into protective custody, they gave Roan a deal. Protect Ryder, or Kade, as we know him, and gain enough proof to have Rincoln ended or incarcerated permanently. Then they’d pardon him for his part in not coming forward sooner.
For the last two years, Roan has lived close to Kade, but without his wolf.
In their last city, there had been an incident.
Kade was hurt and his father nearly caught up to him.
The council erased all photographs of Kade.
Then they tweaked memories, so he was forgotten. ”
“Why is the council stalling on issuing the order if they have proof of what he’s done?” I couldn’t contain the words. It made little sense to me that they wouldn’t act.
Jason rubbed a hand over his face. “The council is divided. Councilman Ford, the one I spoke to, and the one working with Roan, is in the minority. There are a few others who are aware of the Roan situation and provide support, but the other alphas have control. Ford and the others are doing this because they want more rights for betas and omegas. The councilman wants to put them on the council.” There was a sharp intake of breath around the room.
Alphas always ruled the council. “In fact, he wants his beta daughter to replace him when he retires.”
Eva gasped, her eyes filling with tears.
James reached a hand to her in comfort. Even from my privileged alpha position, I knew what a big deal that it would be to female shifters, in particular betas.
To some, at least omegas had value, even if they weren’t valued as The Luna decreed.
Beta females were often treated like they held no value when each designation had a function in a healthy pack.
My female betas were fantastic enforcers.
I was proud of them and could trust them around the more fragile omegas in a way that I couldn’t with male betas.
Those women were fierce protectors. I hoped they knew how much I valued them.
Making a vow for when this was over, I swore to The Luna that I would make sure that all the female betas of my pack, no matter their role, knew just how much they belonged and were needed.
Jason continued, breaking the silence as Eva got herself under control, fingers twisting around a tissue.
“Councilman Ford, who I spoke to, said that Roan had been in touch to confirm that Rincoln was making a move and had summoned him. Ford gave Roan permission to have his cuffs removed, so he now has his wolf back to defend Kade if need be. Roan sent video evidence of Kade being taken from the house and Ford was having his phone tracked so we can get his location. He recommends texting Roan on a number that Alpha Blake wouldn’t have, just in case.
Send something innocuous, so that Roan knows help is incoming. ”
“That’s good and all, but how do we know this is on the level?” Dakota questioned. He must have felt the glare from his father, Aldrin, because he added, “I mean no offense, Alpha.”
It was Eva that answered. “We check with the witches in the area that could perform that kind of unbinding. There aren’t many, are there?” She looked at her husband and nodded.
“You’re right. There’s the coven leader, maybe a couple of others, and Poppy from The Spell Shop.”
“Poppy,” Dakota said firmly, looking at me. I nodded at him. She made the most sense.
“She’s where Kade got the scent changing spell, isn’t she?” I asked, though I didn’t need the answer.
“With permission from the council,” he said in an affirmative. “Last I heard, she was being investigated because of the effects on Kade. Seems the council is pretty invested in Kade’s health.”
Alpha Jason looked at me before asking for the note.
“Dakota, you call Poppy and confirm what Councilman Ford said, then I’ll text Roan with an invitation for drinks with how many of us there are.
Once we get the location, we’ll make our move.
Roan doesn’t know, but there’s a kill order for Rincoln.
Let’s get Kade back safe, then you and I,” Jason looked at me, “need to have a talk about merging the packs again. It’s time the Sweetwater pack was whole. ”