Chapter 2 #3
Gideon merely gave him a look. “Since when have I had to explain any decisions I’ve made when it comes to this Pack?”
Quinn lowered his eyes. “I meant no disrespect,” he said, his voice a growl.
Gideon just sighed. “Stop it. I didn’t tell you because Kade wasn’t going to tell Gina or the others we wanted on the council.
And yes, Kade and I knew who we wanted on our councils before we showed up for the meeting, but we didn’t tell each other.
We wanted to wait until we were there for the reveal or what have you.
Only Mitchell and Jasper knew what was going on, but not to the full extent.
Not even our Enforcers or Heirs knew because we wanted to keep things equal and not let politics get in the way.
Though, with any Pack melding, there’s going to be politics.
” His Alpha snarled the last part, and Quinn felt better.
At least he wasn’t the only one kept in the dark.
“So you didn’t tell Ryder about it because he’s the Heir just like Finn?
Finn’s a bit young to be part of all of this.
” Finn was Kade’s oldest son, and therefore the Redwood Pack Heir.
He’d also been forced to hold that mantel since he was just a little boy of three.
Not only had Finn almost been killed the year before that in the war, he then had to deal with the new powers flowing through his veins when the former Alpha, his grandfather, had died at the hands of the demon.
It had been a dark time for all werewolves that day.
Gideon scratched his chin. “Pretty much. Though the boy is an adult now by human standards, so Kade is going to start giving him more responsibility, I think. The kid’s not that hotheaded.
Not like we were when we were his age. The fact that he had every bone in his body broken when he was two, thanks to the demon, changed him.
War and loss changes you. Paves your path in a different direction when you’re not looking. ”
He winced at the reminder of Finn’s injuries. The kid was okay now, but that couldn’t have been an easy experience. “So now we all know?” Quinn asked, taking a sip of his beer.
“Yes. We’re not going to keep it a secret.
This council isn’t for backdoor dealings or political maneuvers.
It’s about a way to make sure our future actually arrives.
I’m afraid if we don’t start working together for more than just a few days a year, we’re going to fuck it up when something changes. ”
Quinn tilted his head. “What changes?”
His Alpha shook his head. “I don’t know. Something’s coming, and we need to find a way to grow before it happens.” He met Quinn’s eyes. “Are you going to be able to work with Gina? We still have time to shift things if you’re having issues. Issues you can’t overcome, that is.”
It was a challenge, and everyone in the room knew it. If Quinn said he wanted out, he’d look weak to the rest of the Pack, as well as the Redwoods. So it didn’t matter that he wouldn’t back out anyway; he now had no choice.
He didn’t like being moved like a chess piece, but sometimes an Alpha had no choice.
Gideon might be a young Alpha, as young in terms of experiences as Kade, but he was not a cruel Alpha. If he didn’t think Quinn could handle it, he wouldn’t have given the task to him in the first place.
Quinn just had to believe it.
“I can handle it,” Quinn growled. He took a deep breath, calming himself. “I can handle it.” He sounded better that time.
Gideon gave him an assessing look then nodded. “Good. Gina should be talking with Kade now about the next meeting. From now on, you two will plan the places and times, but for this first one, the Alphas did it for you. So tomorrow at ten a.m. in the place we met before. Got it?”
Quinn nodded.
“Good. She should be calling you soon to confirm.” Gideon drained his beer then stood up. “So don’t fuck it up by ignoring her.”
Quinn snarled.
“I heard you, Quinn. Just don’t fuck it up.”
With that, the Brentwoods left his home, and Quinn stood there, shaking his head.
He hated when things were out of control.
His life, his work, his son, his wolf…and now he was at it again.
He knew his Pack needed him to be strong, needed him to work with the Redwoods since that was the whole point of the council, but that didn’t make it easy.
His phone beeped, and he answered, already knowing who it would be.
“Quinn here.”
“Quinn, it’s Gina.”
Her voice slid through him and went straight to his cock. He held back a growl and forced himself to ignore his reaction.
“Gideon told me the time and place.” He didn’t know why he couldn’t just stay calm and not antagonize, but he couldn’t bear to listen to her. She stirred up too many things for him.
And she was a goddamn witch.
She paused. “Fine,” she clipped. “See you then. I was just calling to confirm.”
“Consider it confirmed.” He hung up and threw his phone on the couch.
If he didn’t think about her too much, didn’t worry about that annoying ache in his wolf, he’d be fine. Once he pushed her away and set the boundaries, they’d all be able to act normally.
Or as normal as a wolf with only half a soul could act.