Chapter 3 #4
“You had no right to tell Raphael any of it,” Claire insisted, getting angry all over again.
“I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m sorry I betrayed your trust, but I am not sorry I told him.
You needed a good hard shove, and I didn’t know what else to do.
You were with them for a couple of hours and Victor brought you back, so I’m pretty sure you’re being courted now.
Will you please forgive me? I didn’t do it to hurt you.
I honestly care about you and would never hurt you intentionally. ”
Claire released her frustration with a sigh and stood up. “I’m over it. It’s forgotten.” She hugged Heather and then smiled. “And you’re right. Victor and Raphael are courting me.”
“Oh, thank God,” Heather laughed. “I’m glad something good came out of my impulse. I hate it when people are mad at me.”
They sat down and the conversation returned to less serious topics.
“Molly started a pool,” Heather told them in a conspirator’s whisper. “She’s taking bets on who will attract suitors first.”
Claire rolled her eyes. “Who are people choosing?”
“Kristen, of course. She has six bets already.”
Kristen was built like a centerfold, so that was no surprise.
“Who else?” Tara asked, though she didn’t seem amused by the development.
“Claire has two bets,” Heather admitted. “I wasn’t the only one who noticed Victor watching her.”
“Did you place one of the bets?” Claire asked with a playful glare.
“No, but only because I had inside information. I knew you were alone with them at the time and didn’t think it would be fair.”
“Would Kristen be upset if she knew people were betting on her boobs?” Tara asked, then laughed helplessly. “That did not come out right.”
“She is very proud of her boobs, so the answer is an emphatic no,” Heather assured her.
“Well, I’m about to make two people some money,” Claire said with a dreamy smile. “Victor and Raphael intend to court me, and I’ve decided to allow it.” Heather and Tara both laughed uproariously, so Claire asked, “What the hell is so funny?”
“You honestly think you had a choice,” Tara said in between peals of laughter. “That’s adorable.”
“They are apex predators with perfect vision,” Heather reminded as her giggles turned into an envious smile. “And you, my friend, are solidly in their sights.”
A firm knock on the door to Alex’s office drew his attention away from his troubled thoughts.
The entire day had been one frustrating dead end after another.
Everyone was more than happy to take his bribes, but no one could manage to produce useful information.
The alpha council had only allowed him one day to decide on the next course of action, and he still hadn’t determined who was responsible for the mountain stronghold attack.
“Come in,” he greeted. His office was tucked away on the second floor of the clubhouse.
What it lacked in luxuries, it made up for in privacy and quiet.
It was one in the afternoon and already boisterous conversations and the occasional argument could be heard in the open area below.
By midnight the clubhouse would be utter chaos.
Nate pushed open the door and moved into the office. The beta looked annoyed. “Jake from Aspen pack just dragged his younger brother into the village. Jake has blaster burns on his chest. The brother has a broken jaw and screwed-up lip.”
Confused by the news, Alex wadded up the report he’d been reading and tossed it in the general direction of the trash can. The information was obviously fabricated, so the garbage was where it belonged. “Jake was assigned to the perimeter patrol. What happened?”
“According to Jake,” Nate stressed the disclaimer, “they stumbled onto a secret meeting and the participants attacked them.”
“A secret meeting?” Alex rolled his eyes. He knew bullshit when he heard it. But why the fuck would Jake lie about being attacked? “Who participated in this ‘secret meeting’?”
“A cat and a bird. If you’re buying Jake’s story, the cat was one of those Shadows who can make themselves invisible.”
“And how would Jake know this if they just stumbled onto the meeting?”
Nate chuckled. “That’s one of a hundred holes in the ridiculous story, but the brother’s injuries are real. So are Jake’s. Something happened out there, but I don’t think we’ve heard the real story yet.”
“Where are they now?”
“Doc is working on the brother,” Nate told him. “Jake is downstairs regaling everyone with his tall tale.”
Alex stood up and came around in front of his desk. “Go get him. I have a few questions for our resident hero.”
Nate nodded and left the room.
Alex had no doubt that part, if not most of the story was ridiculous, but what if the meeting took place?
If a cat and a bird were meeting secretly in the woods, it made an alliance more likely.
Nate returned before Alex’s mind could travel too far into the black hole.
The beta gave Jake a little push when the petulant guard hesitated in the doorway.
“Sounds like you had an exciting morning,” Alex said, arms crossed over his chest. He was intentionally blocking the path to the chairs situated in front of his desk. He didn’t want Jake to feel comfortable. Lying to the village alpha was a punishable offense.
Jake’s gaze turned hostile as he responded, “My brother is having his jaw wired shut. Is that what you mean by exciting?”
Alex ignored the sarcasm and asked, “Did you recognize the bird or the cat?”
“What’s with the fucking inquisition? They attacked us.”
“I’ve only asked one question. Hardly an inquisition.” Alex pushed off the edge of his desk and rose to his full height, which was at least six inches taller than Jake. “Did you know either of them?”
“Of course not,” he snapped.
Nate slapped the back of Jake’s head and growled, “Watch your fucking tone. That’s the village alpha you’re addressing.”
Jake dropped his gaze, but not before anger erupted in his eyes. “Sorry, alpha. I didn’t recognize either the cat or the bird.”
“Then what made you think the cat was a Shadow?”
Jake signaled his impatience with a heavy sigh. “I saw him lower his shield. Only Shadows fade into view like something out of an entertainment vid. He was definitely a Shadow.”
“How long were you watching them before they attacked you?” Alex put sarcastic emphasis on the last phrase, ensuring that Jake understood his skepticism.
Jake’s hands balled into fists. “I was doing my job, sir.” The title was anything but respectful. “They were in our territory, so I did my fucking job.”
“Meaning?” Resentment rang through every word Jake uttered, but at least they were getting closer to the truth.
Jake met his gaze and sneered, “I jumped them, alright? Is that what you wanted to hear? I defended our territory, which is more than you seem willing to do!”
Alex backhanded the mouthy wolf hard enough to knock him to the floor. “So why lie about what happened?” He stood over the other wolf, demanding an immediate response.
“No one is sure what you want from us,” Jake defended as he wiped blood from his swelling lip. “Elias was ruthless, but he was easy to understand. You haven’t made your expectations clear.”
Alex held out his hand and helped Jake to his feet. “I expect honesty, and loyalty to our village. Your interaction in the woods was not the problem. It was your choice to lie to everyone. I should have been informed immediately after the doctor tended your wounds.”
Jake straightened his spine and lifted his chin. “I apologize for my reaction. It will not happen again.”
Accepting the apology with a nod, Alex motioned toward the door. “You’re dismissed.”
Nate closed the door after Jake left the office. “I’ll keep an eye on him for a few days, make sure his shitty attitude doesn’t return.”
“I hate to admit it, but Jake is right,” Alex returned to his chair behind the desk and sat down. “I haven’t been clear with my expectations.”
“You haven’t had time to clarify them in your own mind,” Nate defended. “It has been one crisis after another ever since the night we took out Elias’ pack.”
“That’s no excuse. The other packs can’t support us if we haven’t told them what we need.”
Nate studied Alex for a moment, then nodded. “Did you learn anything helpful from any of your contacts?”
“I learned that I need new contacts,” Alex grumbled. “I honestly think that Jake might have stumbled onto the only piece of useful information.”
“If anything he said was true.”
Alex leaned back in his chair with his hands locked behind his head. “The details of the fight are irrelevant. Do you believe the meeting took place?”
Nate nodded. “It’s too odd and Jake isn’t that creative. I think a bird was bragging to one of the lions about a successful raid on our stronghold.”
“I think you’re right. Which means the fucking birds are working with the cats.” Alex lowered his arms and scooted to the edge of his chair. “So much for Gabriel’s neutrality.”
“What are you going to do about it?”
“Gather the pack alphas so we can plan a raid on Eagle Village. We’re going to get our females back.”