Chapter 11 - Rael
Rael was seated at Silas's dining table while Javi droned on about security measures. More than an hour had passed, and they had achieved precisely nothing productive. Javi kept finding reasons to make passive-aggressive remarks.
“—and, in case we have to liaise with external contacts, we must ensure that they are well vetted,” Javi was saying, his eyes darting to Rael. “We cannot trust anyone who saves every damsel in distress.”
Rael drummed his fingers on the table. “Will you continue doing this all day, or can we concentrate on the mission?”
“I am concentrated on the mission. That is why I am worried about distractions.”
“No distractions here.”
"Really?" Javi leaned forward with a scowl. “Because, from where I sit, you were so caught up by the woman you saw that you wasted a year of intelligence.”
Rael's hands clenched into fists on the table. “I told you what happened. She was being sold at that auction. Was I to sit back and let her—”
“You were to keep up your cover and collect intelligence,” Javi interrupted.
“That was the mission. But no, you created a fuss and freed a bunch of women—which, of course, is noble and all—but at the same time, you burnt your cover identity, and we lost our best tip when you could not keep your priorities straight.”
“My priority was to save innocent people who would be trafficked,” Rael said through gritted teeth. “And unless that is also your priority, then you and I have greater issues than my decision-making.”
“You know I mean what I say, don't twist my words.” Javi's voice grew louder. “You saw a pretty face and forgot all about the plan, and now she stays in your house, and distracts you from the real work we ought to do, and you are too pussy-whipped to see it.”
Rael sprang to his feet, the chair scraping against the floor. “Watch your words when you speak of my mate.”
"Or what? You'll punch me again?” Javi stood, facing his brother across the table. "Go ahead. Prove my point about how she's affecting your judgment."
"Enough!" Silas's voice cut through the argument. The two brothers went silent, but Rael still had his hands clenched in fists. “Both of you, sit down!”
Rael stood still a moment longer, breathing harshly, then slowly sank back into his chair. Javi followed suit.
“Javi, your fears about the blown mission are justifiable, but they are also of the past. We cannot change what has happened. We can change by adapting and moving on. Rael made a call in the field according to what he knew. He saved lives, and that is all that matters.”
“It does matter, but it also sets us back months. And I am expected to assume that we are now running with a liability on our hands?”
“Alanis is not a liability,” Rael countered, his voice deep and threatening. “She helped in freeing those women. She has been cooperative since—"
“She is shiftless,” Javi deadpanned. “She cannot protect herself adequately, she cannot assist in operations of the pack, and she is putting strain on the pack. Half of the pack believes you should not have claimed her.”
"I don't give a damn what half the pack thinks."
“Well, you should, since it is not only you who has to bear the consequences of your choices. You cause divisions in the pack every time you protect her, every time you fight on her behalf, and divided packs don't survive. You of all people should know that.”
“Leaving out personal feelings,” Silas said. “We have three possible locations where the network could be in operation. What's our approach?"
Rael had to force himself to take a deep breath, to push the anger down and concentrate on the mission. “We need to split up. Cover more ground, gather intelligence simultaneously. If we move on all three locations at once—"
"We risk spreading ourselves too thin," Javi said immediately. "Standard military strategy says you don't divide your forces unless you have overwhelming numbers."
“The standard military strategy, too, says you adjust to the situation. This network has always been a step ahead. But if we strike several areas at the same time, they may be taken by surprise.”
Silas looked at the map on the table. “Rael is right, but we must have dependable support on the ground, somewhere. We cannot go in alone.”
“We could send word to our allies,” Rael leaned forward to take a closer look at the map. “They might be interested.”
“That would do,” Silas nodded. “I will inform August about this. Both of you would go to the eastern point. Javi, you go to the west. I would coordinate here, with the assistance of Elle. She may be able to pick up energy tracks.”
“And what about your mate?” Javi asked. "Is she going to be joining you on this mission? Or will she be remaining here, safe and sound, whilst the rest of us do the actual work?”
Rael's jaw clenched. “Alanis is not trained to work in the field like this.”
"Convenient," Javi muttered.
“What the fuck is it your problem?” Rael snapped. “You want me to put her into a potentially dangerous situation to show her that she is not a burden? That's insane."
“I have a problem with the fact that you are basing your decisions on emotions rather than on logic,” Javi scoffed.
“You claimed a woman you barely knew because of some bond you felt, disrupted a critical mission to save her, and now you're defending her at every turn while the rest of us are trying to clean up the mess.
When does it end, Rael? When does the mission become more important than your mate? "
“The mission has always been important to me,” Rael said coldly.
“But if you believe that I am going to apologize for saving the life of a person, for claiming my mate, for protecting her against assholes who are willing to judge her on issues that she is not capable of controlling at all, then you do not know me at all.”
The silence that followed was oppressive and heavy.
Silas sighed heavily. “We should take a break. We will reconvene at night when everybody has cooled down.”
Javi sat up, pushing his chair back. “I will be at the training grounds, in case anybody needs me.” Then he walked out.
Rael prepared to follow him and clear things up, but Silas caught his eye and shook his head. “Let him go. Give him time.”
"He's being unreasonable."
“He is just scared. We both know Javi does not adapt to change very well, and your mate is a great deal of change to the pack, to our operations, to the relationship between the three of us. He will, however, come around, sooner or later.”
"And if he doesn't?"
“He will. Just give him some time.” Silas stood, collecting the maps. "For now, let's—"
The door to the dining room opened, cutting off whatever Silas was about to say. Elle entered. She looked at both of them with a raised eyebrow.
“Did you guys argue again?”
“Just brotherly conversations,” Silas murmured.
"Uh-huh." She smiled, eyeing them both. “Well, your brotherly conversation is making Isa anxious. She was going to visit her uncles, but I told her that the grown-ups were being noisy and cranky.”
As if being summoned, Isabella Weston-Jones appeared at the doorway. She was three with dark hair and green eyes. She hesitated a moment and looked into the room. A big smile broke on her face when she saw Rael.
"Uncle Rael!" She squeaked, running with her tiny legs on the hardwood floor. Her two hands caught hold of the leg of his trousers.
Rael scooped her up, resting her on his hip. "Hey, little wolf. What are you doing up? Isn't it nap time?"
“No nap,” Isa hugged her arms around his neck. “I am big now. Big girls do not nap.”
"Is that right?" Rael's lips curved into the only genuine smile he'd had all day. “Well, since you're such a big girl, where were you when the grown-ups were holding their meeting?”
"Painting!" Isa's eyes lit up. “I painted a picture of wolves. You wanna see?"
“I would love to see it.” Isa snuggled against his chest, her little hand toying with the neck of his shirt.
“Why did you yell, Uncle Rael?” She asked softly.
Rael sighed. “Well, Uncle Javi and I had a slight argument “
"About what?"
“Adult matters. Nothing to be troubled about.”
Isa pouted. “Mama says whenever people yell, they should apologize and have cookies. Would you like cookies?”
His body vibrated with laughter. “Very good advice. Your mama is a clever woman.”
"The smartest.” Then she turned in his arms and looked around. "Where's Uncle Javi?"
“He had to check on something. He will be back.”
Isa's face fell. “But I wanted to show him my picture, also.”
Just in time, the door opened again, and Javi entered, looking a little less angry than when he had walked out. He paused at the sight of Isa in Rael's arms, and his face softened completely.
"Uncle Javi!" Isa immediately reached for him, her little arms outstretched.
Javi walked closer and gently took her out of Rael's arms, settling her against his chest. Isa reached up and pinched his cheeks with her fingers, giggling.
“Ow. What was that for, little menace?”
“You are in a bad mood and grumpy. Mama said whenever people are like that, you have to squeeze their cheeks till they smile.”
Javi's lips twitched. "And does it work?"
Isa tightened her grip and pulled his face into a grotesque smile. "See? It works!"
Javi threw his head back, chuckling deeply. “Yes. I am feeling much better now.”
"Good." Isa stroked his cheeks, looking pleased. “You should come to see my picture. I painted wolves, trees, and a big moon.”
"A big moon, huh? Sounds impressive. But you know what? I believe I should keep you. Your parents can have another child. You are mine now.”
"No!" Isa giggled and twitched in his arms. “I am Mama and Papa's!”
"Are you sure? Because I'm pretty fun. I could teach you all sorts of things your papa wouldn't approve of."
“Javi,” Silas called out in a tone full of warning and amusement.
"Like what?"
“Like how to toss knives, how to climb up really tall trees, how to steal cookies out of the kitchen without being detected—”
“Ah! Nope, not going to happen,” Elle shook her head.