Chapter Thirty Six

Duncan’s POV

As Dante and Lux reached Sampson’s road, Mike hadn’t yet arrived. They saw the glow of the fire and smelled the scent of unfamiliar werewolves. Crouching in the tall reeds, they waded closer to the camp. Surprised by the size of the camp, Duncan counted at least 10 warriors and a few scouts. Some wandered the perimeter, while the rest gathered around the fire.

“Why so many warriors for a meeting?”

Luca noticed a scout heading in their direction, stepping beyond the light of the fire. He motioned to Duncan, who, anticipating his path, moved closer to the shoreline to intercept him. They waited. Hoping Mike would not show up and scare him off. As the scout passed by, Duncan grabbed him, covering his mouth. Mike pulled up in a Suburban, and they pulled him inside. “I will not hurt you, but if you try to shift or try to get away, I will fucking kill you.”

The scout’s eyes widened, but he nodded in understanding. “What are you doing out here?” Duncan asked, as he removed his hands from the scout’s mouth. 

“We are hunting the rogue that attacked Mora.”

“Here?” Duncan glanced at Luca, who nodded.

“Why do you think he is here?”

“He was at the Village, and they saw him headed this way.”

“Why are you hunting him? Has he attacked someone else?”

“I don’t know, Sir. I am just following orders.”

Luca nodded again. So Duncan said, “You may go.” He let the scout out.

Duncan looked at Luca. “Any attacks on Aberdeen I don’t know about?”

“Not that I am aware of. Don’t they realize he is a Gamma?”

“By the looks of it, no.”

“Why would Aberdeen be doing Mora’s bidding?” Luca asked.

“No idea. We need to get back.”

Tatiana’s POV

The next morning, Tatiana woke before Luca. She watched him sleep until his eyes fluttered open groggily and he smiled at her. “What are you looking at?”

“The tantalizing werewolf in my bed.”

Luca rolled her on top of him. “You want some of this?”

She could feel his arousal against her hip. “Indeed, I do.”

As he was sliding his hands under her t-shirt, Duncan popped into her head, “Luca, Tia can you come to the office.”

They groaned, looking at each other.

“We will be there in a minute.”

As they climbed out of bed to get dressed, Luca looked between his legs. “Shit, what do I do about this?”

Tia giggled. “Go take a cold shower. I’ll tell Duncan you‘re running late.”

She threw on a shirt and some slacks, ran a brush through her hair, and left him to it. 

As she entered the office, Duncan was at his desk on his telephone. “Ok, keep me posted. The Alphas should start arriving around 1:00. Let me know when they arrive.”

He hung up the phone and looked at her. “Where is Luca?” 

“He is right behind me. He was getting out of the shower.” Duncan nodded.

“Did he tell you about last night?”

“No, tell me what?”

“We found Aberdeen pack warriors 2 miles south of our pack territory. We questioned a scout who said they’re looking for the rogue Gamma that hit Mora.”

“Why would Aberdeen hunt the rogue Gamma?”

“I don’t know. Any ideas?”

“No, but he’s in the area. Zoe saw him at the Village.”

“Why didn’t you mention it?”

“Because I didn’t find out until after you left. He stopped in briefly to trade.”

“Someone notified Aberdeen and mentioned he headed in our direction when he left.”

“Do you think he’s coming here?”

“No, why would he?”

“Is it possible he’s heard about the Alpha meeting?”

“Why would a rogue Gamma come to an Alpha meeting?”

“I don’t know, I am throwing out plausible ideas.”

Luca said, “There isn’t any negative or aggressive energy. He won’t attack.”

“Good news. He is passing through. I notified the patrols, and they’re on the lookout. They’re instructed to observe but not engage him. I want you both with me at the Alpha meeting.”

Luca’s POV

The alphas arrived for the meeting around 12:30. The first arrival was Alpha Justin from Aberdeen pack and Alpha Colson from Crescent Lake Pack. Alpha Kiernan and Alpha Stewart from Sol Duc Pack were the next. Alpha Lyman from Queets Pack arrived with Jeremy from Quinault Pack because they’re brothers-in-law. Duncan and Justin had an animated discussion outside the entrance because we pissed Justin off by detaining his scout. Tatiana deescalated the situation and calmed Justin down. It was always adventurous having these many egos in one place. Alpha Harrison from Ozette Pack arrived with his Luna Mandy. Alpha Vex arrived with his father, Naren. The final Alphas to arrive before the meeting started were Sol from Wishkah Pack, Zach from Triton Cove Pack, and Connor from Taholah Pack. Alpha Finn from Dungeness Pack joined by telephone. His mate was going to have pups any minute. 

Duncan opened the meeting, “Thank you, everybody, for traveling all this way to attend this meeting of the Alphas, and welcome to Kalaloch Pack.” Alpha Justin snorted from the back, but Duncan ignored him. 

Vex was glowering at Tatiana, but she ignored him completely. 

“I want to introduce my sister, Tatiana. We also have Ozette’s new Luna Mandy and our Luna Sadie will stop in later to introduce herself.”

A commotion sounded from the back door as Alpha Dylan from Mora and Alpha Luther from the Blue Moon Pack arrived late. 

“We’re here to discuss the slate of attacks on rogues in our area.” 

The Alphas started murmuring around the table until Duncan raised his hand to silence them. “I know we all have our different opinions about the situation, but the law of the Pack Alliance and the Village Consortium Pact states rogues may live among us, outside pack territories. They specifically stated that Village land is neutral territory. Yet the attacks increase on the outer limits of Village territory.”

Vex snarled. “We didn’t make those laws. The Elders devised them.” A few others grumbled in agreement. 

Harrison interrupted. “So, are you saying that your pack does not recognize the laws of the Pack Alliance? Do you need more sanctions to convince you?”

Naren straightened. A low growl emanating from him, but he stayed quiet. 

Colson, Kiernan, and Stewart nodded in agreement, as Kiernan asked, “Are you admitting responsibility for the attacks, Vex?”

Vex laughed. “What would you know about protecting your own you pussy?”

Kiernan stood up, growling. His canines elongating, but Stewart grabbed his arm, “Vex, if anyone in this room respected or cared what you thought your insults might be hurtful, but as it is your infantile name-calling reinforces what we already know, that, you have nothing of intelligent to say.” 

Vex jumped up, slamming his chair into the wall. He slammed his fists on the table and growled. Every muscle in his body tensed and was ready to pounce. Duncan bellowed. “Enough! Vex, sit down or I will have Zeta Luca escort you out.”

Vex glared, but took his seat. 

“We all have our opinions. However, we will respect the laws, despite our opinions. The attack on rogues must stop now.”

Zach from the Mora pack stood to speak. “A rogue recently attacked us. Are you saying we don’t have the right to retaliate?”

“No, As a member of the Pack Alliance, you may avenge your loss, by killing the perpetrator. However, are you aware that the rogue that killed your warriors is a Gamma?”

Zach’s face paled. “No, those are only rumors.”

Duncan shook his head. “The Elders confirmed it. The rogue you are hunting down is a Gamma.”

Several Alphas gasped. Justin glared at Zach. “You sent us out hunting for a Gamma?! You stupid shit. I sent ten of my strongest warriors on a suicide mission for your sorry ass.”

Justin’s eyes lost focus. They could tell his was mind linking with his warriors. When his eyes refocused, he looked at Zach. “We’re done. My warriors are packing up and returning home. You are going to fight your own battle.”

Zach flashed a toothy grin at Justin. “We have plenty of help from Hoh pack. We don’t need you, and if you want help with your territory dispute, don’t come crawling to us.”

Duncan looked at Justin. “What territory dispute?”

Sol from Wishkah spoke. “He wants the lower Wishkah river, but we pushed him back last year.”

Duncan looked at Justin. “Is this true?”

Justin looked over at Sol. “No, we have what we need. It was a lapse in judgement from a few of my warriors.”