Chapter 28
Nadia spread the map across the slate conference table in the main lodge, smoothing the curled edges with her palms. The room smelled faintly of pine cleaner and old stone, the wide windows letting in a cold, clean light that bounced off the snow outside.
Two enforcers stood near the door, pretending to be uninterested in the meeting while very clearly clocking every movement.
She could feel others outside as well, posted along the perimeter. Caidrik hadn’t taken any chances.
Her large purse sat in the corner of the room, heavy with the notebooks. She was acutely aware of them, like a physical tug at the back of her mind. She needed to get to them sooner rather than later. She’d almost forgotten this meeting entirely until a phone call had reminded her that morning.
Paco Johnston sat across from her at the table, hands folded neatly, posture relaxed but alert.
He had to be a couple hundred years old at least, his dark silver hair combed back from a sharp, intelligent face.
His green eyes missed nothing. He’d been the city planner for years before finally retiring, and apparently retirement hadn’t stuck.
“All right.” Paco leaned over the table, pointing a gnarled finger at the land between Slate Pack territory and the mine leased from Jackson Tryne. “If we extend here, we could create a cooperative farming area with the Copper Pack.”
“That’s what I thought,” Nadia said, excitement rushing through her. This was finally going to happen. She leaned forward, bracing her hands on the table. “I have contacts there who are phenomenal farmers.”
“So I’ve heard,” Paco said with a faint smile. “That’s fine by me.” He cleared his throat. “Are we any closer to getting an Alpha? I heard Luca Cross was out of the running.”
“Yeah.” Nadia nodded. “He’s with Doc right now, but we don’t know if he’s going to make it.”
Who had left him on her porch? It had to be Bulwark.
Paco nodded. “That just leaves Caidrik, right?”
“Yes.” She shoved down her reaction to his name. Her body was already changing. She could feel it on a molecular level, the mating settling in, rewriting her. She probably only had twenty-four hours where she’d be able to mask it.
The door opened and Solomon strode in, dressed in a navy-blue suit with a green tie. “You called? Repeatedly?”
“Solomon,” Nadia said, relief bleeding into her voice. “I’ve been calling you for days. I need to get my hands on the grimoire.”
“You can’t get your hands on it,” he said easily, “but you can certainly look at it. You know that.”
“Thank you,” she said, meaning it.
The outside door opened again, and Taryn soon appeared, cold air trailing after her. “I have too many enforcers on me today to think. Caidrik is being a bit overprotective, isn’t he?”
Nadia sighed. “He’s just trying to keep everyone safe.”
Taryn looked around. “Full house here, huh?”
Paco chuckled. “That’s what I was thinking.”
“I just heard about Luca Cross,” Taryn said, eyes wide. “Is it true?”
“Yeah,” Nadia said quietly. “He was stabbed with a lot of silver. Caidrik got him to the doctor right away, but it didn’t look good.”
Taryn leaned against the doorframe, as immaculate as ever in winter white pants and a blue sweater. “That is unfortunate. Who do you think stabbed him?”
“I don’t know,” Nadia said. “Bulwark’s our only guess. I don’t really know the guy, but he doesn’t seem like he’d use silver. It feels like he would’ve just cut off his head.”
Solomon cleared his throat. “Could be some sort of offering?”
Nadia swallowed. “Maybe. But Bulwark’s no longer in the running for Alpha.”
“Well,” Taryn said carefully, “he might not understand that. When you get a pure Alpha like that, they want to win.”
The far outside door opened again.
“Who is here now?” Paco muttered. “We haven’t had this much activity in the main lodge in forever.”
“This will be normal in the lodge,” Nadia said, gesturing to the map, “once we start planting and harvesting all of the planned farms.”
Helena McGregor stepped inside and looked around with open interest. “Hello, everybody.”
Paco instantly stood. “Hello. I’m Paco.”
“Helena McGregor,” she said with a smile.
Wow, the female really knew how to get male attention. Nadia had never seen Paco move that quickly. “How was breakfast?”
“It was excellent.” Helena leaned over the map, studying it with open approval. “Oh, good. You’re planning.” She straightened and glanced around the room. “However, I really need to talk to my son. Does anybody know where he is?”
“I think he went out scouting,” Nadia said.
The door opened, and heavy footsteps echoed across the stone floor. Enforcers shifted subtly, hands moving closer to weapons, eyes tracking the entrance.
“My goodness,” Paco muttered. “I’ve had enough of all these people.” He smiled at Helena. “I was thinking about getting some coffee. Would you like to join me, ma’am?”
“I would,” Helena said lightly, “but I need to speak with my son.”
Nadia knew those footsteps. Awareness rushed through her body so fast it almost knocked the breath out of her. She angled her head. “Caidrik. Hi.”
He walked inside, gaze sweeping the room, clocking everyone in seconds. “What’s all this?”
Nadia looked around. “Farming plans. Any news about Luca?”
Caidrik’s jaw flexed. “Margaret said he didn’t make it, and she was trying to contact his people for instructions as to burial.”
Oh no. Nadia fought nausea. That was so sad.
“Do you think Bulwark did it?” Helena asked.
“I don’t know,” Caidrik said. “I scouted and couldn’t find any scent of him around the house.”
Helena swallowed. “That’s why I wanted to get ahold of you. One of my enforcers called.”
Caidrik’s head snapped up. “Yeah? How are the Nightveins?”
“They’re good. I’ve had them stay out of the territory until an Alpha is chosen, but they’re over on the east side. They say the Ravencalls are making moves. They’re edging closer to the pack territory.”
Caidrik glanced at Nadia. “That’s not good,” he said, rubbing a hand through his thick hair. Man, he looked devastatingly handsome. Focused and dangerous. She wished she could let the scent of him flow freely, but she didn’t want to cause more problems.
He looked at Solomon. “I’m done with this whole trial situation. I need to take over as Alpha. I’m the last one standing.”
“Yes,” Solomon said calmly. “I’m aware. There’s one more challenge.
The same one every Alpha has to do. It starts tomorrow at dawn and takes all day.
I’ll give you the instructions when dawn arrives.
Just so you know, Philip completed the task successfully, so I have no doubt you can. Once you do, we’ll have the ceremony.”
“Good,” Helena breathed.
“Yes,” Solomon added. “After you’re named as the Alpha, you can claim your trophy.” He grimaced as he looked at Nadia and then Taryn. “And hopefully change the archaic laws so I never have to use that word again when talking about a female.”
Caidrik nodded. “That sounds like a plan.” His phone buzzed. He lifted it to his ear. “When? Now? You’re sure?” He paused. “Okay. Do an all-call for soldiers and enforcers. Meet at the football bleachers in twenty minutes.”
Nadia blinked as awareness slid down her spine.
He clicked off. “I need you and everybody to take cover. I’ll have four enforcers on the house.” He looked at Taryn, then his mother. “Why don’t you go to the main house as well? I can keep all of you contained in one place.”
Solomon stiffened. “I can fight if necessary.”
“It’s necessary,” Caidrik said.
“What’s going on?” Nadia asked quietly.
His jaw clenched. “The Ravencalls are edging up to our eastern line, and apparently the Ghostwinds just crossed the northern boundary. They’re coming for us.”
Her stomach lurched. “You think they’re working together?”
Caidrik shoved his phone back into his pocket.
“I think it’s a distinct possibility. With Luca out of commission and me having killed Merritt, I can see them making an agreement.
” He shook his head. “I don’t like separating the pack, but we’re going to need to hit them at both lines.
” He glanced at Solomon. “Be ready in fifteen.” His voice lowered again. “Nadia, walk me out.”
Taryn rolled her eyes, Helena smiled, and Nadia’s heart leaped. She hurried forward and took his hand as he led her outside, the enforcers moving across the street to give them space.
“How are you doing?” he asked, gaze probing.
“I’m good. I mean, my molecules feel like they’re popping left and right, and I’m having to work pretty hard not to say anything or smell like you.”
“Ditto,” he said. “Did I hurt you last night?” His thumb traced her cheek gently.
Her knees wobbled. “No. I’m fine. I just want everything settled.”
“So do I.” He leaned in and kissed her hard. “This time, listen to me. You stay at the house with enforcers all around.”
“There’s nothing I’d love more,” she admitted. It would give her plenty of time to go through the grimoire. Solomon couldn’t take it with him to fight, now could he?
Caidrik had never fought so hard or felt so responsible for other people. His pack. He’d kill or die for them. The mating with Nadia had taken root, and he felt her connection to the Slate members. Strong.
Caidrik hit the Ghostwind line already bloody.
The Ravencall wolves had been the first wave, loud and arrogant, pushing hard along the eastern boundary and not expecting a decent fight. They’d miscalculated.
The Slate Pack had met them fast and deep, driving them back with teeth and weight and discipline. Caidrik had torn through the front ranks himself, snapping necks, crushing throats, and sending the rest scattering back into the trees. Ravencall broke easier than he’d hoped.
Probably because they didn’t have a strong leader.
Ghostwind was different.
They came quieter. Leaner. Meaner. Their soldiers moved like they expected to die and planned to take as many with them as possible. That made them dangerous.