5. Flashbacks and Plans
Flashbacks and Plans
H elen smacked at Geralt’s hands. He scowled at the older she-wolf, but she ignored him, readjusting his tie.
“Quit it or you’ll look like a fool in front of the king,” she admonished. Geralt tightened his lips. He already felt like a fool for agreeing to bring his only child before the Lycan king.
Geralt had every intention of ignoring the king’s proclamation that every unmated she-wolf past the age of sixteen attend the ball at his palace in the Adirondack Mountains. Abbigail’s 18th birthday loomed closer and fear gripped his heart at losing her, even to another male. She remained all he had left of Angel.
But the king sent a representative to each pack, an unspoken threat. He chaffed at being thrust into the situation without his permission. Praying to the moon Goddess, he stepped away from Helen, certain she’d knotted his tie correctly.
Gabriel knocked softly at the door, but instead of answering, he strode toward it. Impatient to return home and eager to get the night over with, he stalked past his Beta without comment. Ryker remained unsettled. A premonition gripped him, but he shoved it aside. All would be well, he reassured the beast. They just had to survive the night.
D azed, Geralt glanced around the room, wishing once more he’d taken a chance on the consequences of disobeying the king and kept his daughter at home that night.
His best warriors stood in a semicircle before him. Rex, Jaxon, Brice, and Gabriel waited for his instruction. Geralt’s eyes wandered to Ella. He speculated on her usefulness when she’d hesitated at telling the truth. His instincts urged him not to trust the female. Traitor , Ryker voiced in his mind.
“How do you want to proceed, Alpha?” Rex asked. Blue eyes gleamed with a hunger for violence. Blonde hair hung in uneven spikes around an angular face. Jaxon’s green eyes shifted in Ella’s direction frequently as well. Geralt suspected the dark-haired male pondered the same question as him. He trusted Gabriel filled them in on the details before they entered his office.
“With all due respect, Alpha, going against the king would be suicide,” Brice spoke up. He’d pulled his blonde hair up into a bun atop his head. A few wayward strands weaved in front of hazel eyes. Geralt gave the male a curt nod, acknowledging the truth of his words.
“Ella, if you know more than you’re telling, speak up now.” Geralt sent a menacing glare her way, lips twisting with a scowl. Once Abbigail returns home, he never wants Ella darkening his door again. No one meant more to him than his pup, the only bloodkin he had left.
Biting her lip, Ella nodded. “If you want to get Abbigail away from the king without endangering your pack, your best bet is a witch.”
“A witch?” Jaxon scowled at the suggestion. Only the king and his men were reckless enough to hunt for witches, enslaving them for their magick. Geralt preferred keeping magick out of his pack. Rogues provided enough trouble. Hunting witches was only borrowing more trouble than the pack could handle.
“We’re not witch hunting, cousin,” Geralt stated firmly, a hint of irritation in his voice. His skin still felt tight after two shifts, and Ryker kept pressing insistently for release, for blood.
Ella brought those doe eyes up to look directly into his. “I’m not suggesting you enslave a witch like the king does.” She glanced back down at her hands. The constant twisting and tugging had him fighting the urge to rip the damn things off her. Ryker purred his assent. What’s a threat with no hands, the beast taunted.
Ella continued, “A witch escaped the palace. There are rumors she’s found refuge in Redwoods?—”
“You mean the cursed forest near the palace? The one where anything living goes in but never comes out? Are you trying to get our Alpha killed, Beta?” Rex took a step in the female’s direction and Gabriel shifted to his left, positioning himself in the male’s path.
Geralt snapped, “You four will clean up any blood that spills on these floors.”
Brice placed a gentle hand on Rex’s shoulders. Rex snapped his jaws at the hand, stepping away from Brice and Gabriel.
“I don’t trust this female. Why hasn’t Abbi contacted Geralt herself?” Rex asked.
“Ever consider she can’t?” Jaxon fired back, brows dropping low and arms crossing over his chest.
“Enough!” Geralt had heard enough. “All of you, get out. Except Ella.” His red stare pinned her in place. “I want to hear more about this witch.” Turning to Gabriel, he said, “Book me a flight to New York. You will be in charge until I get back.”
Jaxon stepped forward, but Geralt stopped him with a warning growl. If a witch and a cursed forest were all that stood between him and his pup, he’d take his damn chances.
“I can trust that you three will back up Gabriel and ensure everything runs smoothly until I get back?” he questioned his team. Gabriel acted as Beta, a second in command. But he considered Rex, Jaxon, and Brice as his Delta, Gamma, and Theta, respectively. They weren’t official positions but outside of the Elders, he trusted their counsel and they protected the pack fiercely.
As one, the males nodded their heads in agreement. Some of the tightness in Geralt’s chest eased. He had a lead and a destination. It was a start. I’m coming, baby girl . He made a silent vow to Angel that he’d bring their daughter home, no matter the cost.