Chapter 12 #2
“Not a hundred percent,” Nix said, his shoulders already creeping up to his ears again.
“In the beginning, there were fourteen of them. Knox’s Beta and then a lot of enforcers.
But over the months, the group got smaller.
I think they needed them back at the pack.
Knox is not a pleasant Alpha.” A shudder ran through his body, his fear spiking, the sour stench hitting everyone’s noses at the same time.
To their credit, no one acknowledged it.
“I know they’re constantly fighting other packs in the area, so I guess having fourteen enforcers running around the country for months wasn’t feasible.
His Beta’s still here, though. His name’s Bear and he’s almost as mean as Knox.
Not a bear, though. When I last saw them all together, they were a group of six. ”
“Thanks for the insight,” Paul said, still writing something down.
“No problem,” Nix whispered, eyes fixed on the map of our territory.
“Our patrol is not equipped to fight off six attackers at once,” Rhett noted.
“Until now, they’ve never breached our border as a pack,” I said. “They intrude in groups of two. We just don’t know why. It doesn’t make any sense.”
Nix was quiet, eyes still focused on the map, but his throat was working, hands tensing on the table.
“It does,” he said quietly, but there was no need to speak louder. He had everyone’s rapt attention.
“You think?” Oakley coaxed, the smile on his face warm and inviting.
Nix bit his lip but nodded. “They’re not trying to fight you.
I’ve seen them fight; they’re strong and ruthless.
I think…” He swallowed. “You know that I enforced the barrier, right? They can feel that. I think… I think they think that you caught me and own me.” He looked like he was about to puke.
I didn’t think, I just acted and reached for him, grabbed one of his hands and squeezed lightly.
The whole room froze.
Nix stopped breathing, his heart skipping a beat, eyes turning wide, those turquoise lakes swimming with fear and something else. Something warmer.
“We would never do that to you. You’re safe here, I swear.”
Nix stared at me for a few seconds, then nodded, deflating as he let out a breath.
“Thank you,” he whispered, then looked right back up at the other wolves, new resolve visible on his face.
But he didn’t pull his hand back. Our connection was still there, his hand oh so cold in mine, yet at the same time hotter than fire, burning the moment into my memory forever.
“I think they’re trying to bait you. They want you to lose patience.
They’re waiting for one of you to follow them out of the barrier.
I bet the rest of them are waiting just out of sight. ”
“Shouldn’t we be able to scent them if they’re waiting for us? And why? Do they want to kill us one by one?” Angelo asked, raising his brows, golden eyes shining with curiosity.
“I don’t think they want to kill you at all. They don’t know you, don’t know your strength, so they probably don’t want to risk an open battle. They want leverage. Take one of your wolves prisoner and negotiate an exchange. Your pack member for me.”
Next to Nix, Rhett nodded, expression grim.
“Not saying I approve of anything they’re doing, but if that’s what they’re planning… the plan isn’t that bad. Question is, what do we do? Keep playing cat and mouse until we catch someone?” Heath asked.
Silence spread across the room, people exchanging glances, but no one said a word. No one had an answer.
“Nix?” Rhett finally said, focusing his attention on my mate. “I was told that a barrier that’s in its prime can keep paranormals harbouring ill will out. Is that correct?”
Nix gave a short nod. “Yes. That’s an option.”
“Are you able to do that?”
Nix looked at me, eyes wide, his hand tightening around my fingers, squeezing, fear spiking.
He doesn’t want to reveal what he can do, I realized. He didn’t want to show his hand, didn’t want to give away how useful he could be. Or maybe he didn’t want to reveal that he wasn’t that useful at all.
Silly mage, my wolf huffed. Ours.
Yes, he was. And we certainly wouldn’t kick him out just because his magical abilities weren’t what we’d heard about in legends.
“You have our protection. Always,” I vowed, ignoring the curious looks of my pack. “No matter if you can or can’t or don’t want to help.”
Everyone in this pack contributed in some way. That was what pack was about. Lifting each other up. But if Nix needed to take his magic out of the equation, that was okay.
“I am able to further enforce the barrier,” Nix said carefully, his words stilted, the hesitation obvious to everyone. “But it needs time. And at some point, I’ll need the pack’s help. You’d need to be willing to be connected to the barrier.”
Rhett furrowed his brow. “I am connected to the barrier.”
Nix shook his head.
“Not properly. Not by a mage. And it isn’t just about you, it’s about every single member of the pack.”
Jenny cleared her throat. “I think you two can discuss that later. The question right now is, can you get the barrier to a point where it can keep them out?”
Nix looked at her, eyes filled with distrust and hesitation. “Yes.”
“And are you willing to do that?” I asked. “We won’t force you.”
I let my eyes sweep over the table, glancing at everyone, daring them to contradict me, but no one did. Instead, Oakley was nodding fervently, his round cheeks a deep red. He always understood people and nuances better than I did, so I wasn’t surprised.
However, Heath’s willing acceptance surprised me. He came from a pack that was a lot more ruthless than ours. I’d almost expected him to demand that my mate take every action possible.
“I am,” Nix finally said, blue eyes boring into mine, voice firm even as his bottom lip wobbled.
“Great,” Oakley said, voice bright. “In that case, we’ll keep chasing them out until they’re unable to get in at all. And then we’ll wait for them to lose interest.”
I sighed as Rhett shook his head.
“I’m afraid it’s not gonna be that easy,” I said, thinking about pack members going on trips to neighbouring cities, on vacation or supply trips. “We can’t keep the pack confined to pack lands forever.”
“Exactly,” Rhett said. “To be honest, I had a different idea… but it might be a bit bloodier.”
My wolf perked up in interest.
Bloodier?
Bloodier sounded better to my wolf and me.
We’d have to make a point, so they’d never return. Ever.