Chapter 24 #2
Well, Goddess forbid there’s a third option.
After what happened to Mom and Dad, you know as well as I do that I can’t predict what must be decided or what actions you must take in my absence.
But I trust you. I have left a supportive framework for you that will quickly be revealed.
You have always put our pack first. I know it both was and wasn’t an easy decision for you to take a knee to me back then, but I also know that you are the smartest, most level-headed guy I know when it comes to the daily operations of the Targhee Pack.
And whatever happens in that nebulous situation, please know that I trust you to make the best decisions possible.
Lean on Duncan and Badger and seek their advice. Hopefully, you also have Dewi, and you should lean on her as well.
And Ken is Dewi’s mate. Let me tell you something—that man knows things and can do things you have no idea about, and he is a powerful asset to you. Ignore the fact that he’s human and be sure to include him in your inner circle to help you. You’ll soon learn why.
If something’s happened to Ken, then there is another envelope in my safe. It’s labelled “Trent - AW” and only open it if Ken’s incapacitated or proven deceased.
Follow your instincts. Take stock of the resources I have left you—some of which you do not yet know about and will only learn of should certain parameters be met—and make your decisions accordingly.
Love you, big bro.
P.
Badger slowly let out a breath as he glanced at Trent. He wasn’t sure if Trent knew what the AW stood for, but Badger was nearly certain who it referred to.
Aisling Walsh.
Peyton’s secret weapon.
It wouldn’t shock him if in Peyton’s safe was a letter for her as well.
Trent already looked like he’d aged several years over the last few minutes. Badger passed the letter to Duncan and sat back, taking another sip of coffee to buy him a moment.
“Peyton’s only missin’ right now,” Badger slowly said. “If ye want my opinion, we tell only Gillian an’ Dewi and go from there. I’d say don’t even tell Dewi, ’cept she’s a Prime an’ here, an’ the moment she senses somethin’ wrong wi’ Gillian she’ll like as not drag it outta her.”
Trent nodded but didn’t reply.
Duncan blew out a breath and set the letter on the table. “I vote we don’t tell Gillian yet,” he finally said. “Or Dewi.”
Badger chewed on that for a moment as both he and Duncan watched Trent. “Perhaps he’s right, lad,” Badger said. “Pack Alpha business. If Peyton pops up in a day or two—or sooner—we’ve worried ’em fer naught.”
Badger knew Peyton had confided things in Aisling and given her instructions, some that Peyton had revealed to Badger and some that he had not. And Badger didn’t want to put her into play any sooner than necessary.
Especially now that he knew she and Tamsin might become mates in the near future. “After all,” Badger added, “it’s not unusual for Peyton to be outta touch for a couple of days while over there.”
“But not under these circumstances!” Trent argued. “Trevor saw them take Peyton with his own two eyes! Don’t you think I have to tell Gillian and Dewi, at least?”
“With Gillian upset at him,” Duncan noted, “she might assume he’s giving her space. If he returns on his own, he might prefer that she doesn’t know what happened until after he gets home. If at all.”
“An’ ye honestly think ye wanna have that showdown with Dewi?” Badger asked. “’Cause I sure don’t.”
Trent slumped back in his chair and took another sip of coffee.
“We don’t tell either of them yet,” he finally said.
“But I’ll need you and Da to do something about Gillian and Dewi.
Maybe quietly give them Prime orders about not asking questions.
Because both of them will sense something’s wrong with me.
” He looked at them. “And I need a story to explain why I look like I got kicked in the balls because while I can ask Asia not to ask me about what’s going on, and she’ll back off, that won’t fly with Gillian and Dewi. Not without Peyton there to handle it.”
“Agreed,” Badger said, looking to Duncan. “You handle Gillian, and I’ll handle Dewi. She’s used to me asking her to keep her snoot to herself about family and Pack Alpha business. Although I haven’t needed to do that in years.”
Duncan nodded. “Okay, then. Sounds like we have a plan. How long do we wait before we tell them?”
Trent looked at Badger, expectantly, obviously awaiting further guidance.
“I’d say forty-eight hours,” Badger suggested. “Unless circumstances change before then, warranting us tellin’ ’em. Because we’ll need to call in Enforcers to swear to the new Pack Alpha, should we have to declare one.”
“And Ken?” Trent asked. “Do we tell him? Peyton obviously has plans that include him.”
“Not yet,” Badger said. “Let’s wait a couple of hours an’ confer with Trevor. See if anything develops. But when we do break the news, we tell Ken before we tell Gillian an’ Dewi.”
“Why?” Duncan asked.
Trent snorted. “Because he might be the only chance we have to keep Dewi in check.”
“The poor bastard,” Badger added.