Rose waited most of the night, but she didnāt hear from Ty until early the next morning before the sun had a chance to rise. Heād found a living victim, found, and captured Jack alive, and found the remains of many of the missing wolves from around the region. Tyās hands were full, but he finally relented and came home to sleep. He had to be carried to bed because heād crashed sitting up in his desk chair trying to get things started. Roseās feelings were mixed by what heād found and Benās findings in one of the last storerooms told her all she needed to know. Thatās where Russell kept his ill-gotten gains. Antiques taken from the house, along with antiques heād acquired from his dirty dealings, were stored there waiting for who knows what. Maybe to be sold off or traded to pay off his debts for whatever nightmarish pursuit caught his interest. Rose was disgusted at the thought that this wolf had shared blood with her. He let his pack flounder, knowi
āIāve got a message from the Ruling Council Rose. They want to know if anyone in our pack wants to face Jack and get answers to questions. Would you or Jules want to confront him?ā āI know I have questions, so yes. I know I do. What about you Jules? Do you want to know anything?ā āIāll start making my list of questions. You might want to warn the Ruling Council that Iāll need time to get through all my questions.ā āRight. Try to keep it under an hour. We donāt want to hold up the process of justice. They have a busy schedule.ā āI canāt promise anything. My father has a lot to answer for.ā āIāll put out a call to both packs and see what the response is. I might have to get everyone to give me their questions and then weāll record his responses to play it back later for everyone, just so that we can move things along.ā Ty was talking about the preparations for Jackās trial. The Ruling Council werenāt holding back on this beyond getting contact i
āHave you heard from Mikey?ā Heather asked Jay when she returned with Ben. Jay looked at Ben with an upset expression on his face. Jay was sulking because heād not been able to find out how it was going in town with Heather and her father. āI only know that theyāre making some kind of progress, and no oneās come out of the canyon as of yet. But Iāve been stuck most of my time in and around the Icehouse. Itās going to be a nightmare to torch the place to the ground.ā Jay lost some of that sullen look once he embraced Heather and could breathe in her comforting and familiar scent. Heād been missing both of his mates. Jay kept reminding himself that it was because their mating was so known. But heād always been a needy type of bloke, as his stepfather called him in disgust. āYeah, well, Iāll trade you my job for that. I must oversee the job of matching up the bones, so we have one skeleton person. Right now, I have boxes of miscellaneous bones that more than l
Heather arrived the next morning at her fatherās clinic. It was hard to do, because of how many mixed signals were there. Her mother, whom she didnāt remember, rested in a bed above her fatherās office. She couldnāt come to call it to their office. Heād always ensured she knew she was nothing more that the administrator, and general office help. She wasnāt sure how to react to her mother. How did one act to the stranger that gave birth to you? It was difficult enough being in a triad mating. She knew how her father felt about them, but she didnāt know how her mother did. Her mother was so fragile right now, physically, and mentally, that Heather couldnāt mention anything like this to her. She didnāt want to argue with her father in front of her. This only made things more difficult as the day went on. Sheād taken on more and more of the workload as her father focused on her mother. āDad, I think we need help here. Why canāt we let some people,
Ty stood there and watched as they finally removed the last of the debris from the mound blocking the canyon entrance. Jack wouldnāt tell them anything about what happened after the explosion blocked the canyon. So, they were using drones to see what or who was there. They were using the one piece of technology that the shifter society feared probably the most after cellphones. They had to wait until after nightfall to send the drones in, otherwise theyād be shot down. When the second one in as many weeks was picked off, they knew someone hostile was on the other side. With that sent in, Mikey maneuvered the drone in with itās night vision camera on. What greeted them was a camp with maybe three humans in it. There was no sight of any wolf shifters. Were they dead? Or hiding somewhere else? It took several hours and almost drained the battery on the drone. They needed to get in there for the humans only. Jack was the survivor of all the wolves that w
The humans were glad to see them when they believed they were human. That Ty saw the first time he laid eyes on them. The Ruling Council enforcers allowed him to go with them if he stayed in the background. It was a good thing heād listened to the Ruling Council Enforcers because once the humans realized they werenāt their people. Theyād been abandoned by the people they expected to be saved from the humans who were anything but friendly. They drew weapons, and they forced everyone to take cover until a mage and druid teamed up to disarm them. That was something you didnāt normally see. The mageās magic created a distraction. While the druid used their magic to manipulate the foliage around the humans. This caused the very earth beneath their feet to heave and writhe until the humans could not do more than cling to the solid boulders and such they hid behind. Vines whipped and tore at the guns. When successful, it forced the guns from the humansā hands to d
āI will understand none of this. What made Russell do what he did? Or humans hunting other intelligent creatures, including each other. It doesnāt make sense at all. The thrill, what thrill is there in doing something like this?ā Ben lay on his bed, having woken from an afternoon nap with Julie. He lay looking up at the ceiling. āNo one says you need to understand any of that. Iām just hoping that your latest lead isnāt a dud like the ones youāve talked about in the past.ā Julie mumbled from under her pillow. The sheet he lay on top of, covered her to her neck. All he could see of her right now was her long hair. āItās different, I think. Look, first the Ruling Council found those who were feeding the hunter ring their information. Then thereās Daisy, whoās watching the traffic coming and going from the warehouse.ā Benās eyes grew wide when Julie went from lying there relaxed. To still half asleep, to suddenly kneeling on the bed beside him with her eyes wide open
The key members of the Shadow Pack sat around a large conference table. Ty stood while Rose sat at one side of the tableās end near a white board. On the other side of the same end stood Ben, with Julie sitting. Theyād been hashing out the plans theyād use, and everyone searched for flaws or holes in the plan. If something went wrong, did they have a plan to circumvent or replace the problem? This wasnāt the first time, though, Ty hoped it would be the last time they needed to do this for a mission. After this, these meetings would be to work out issues within the pack. To make sure they knew how to keep it going and growing. āI want you to tell Rose exactly how you got the information on the transportation routines of the warehouse. Sheāll find it interesting, to say the least.ā Ben found himself surprised by Julieās words and the stoked anger behind them. She interrupted Ty when he started talking about the stats he received from their person on the groun
- 2 years laterā āHey thatās enough, you guys. If you donāt settle down, someone is going to get clawed and weāll need to get Heather over here to patch you up. Then you wonāt be able to go swimming until it heals. Do you want to sit in the bank while everyone else swims?ā Frowned as she chastised several young pups and their poppas. The pack had grown in recent years, and they had a few pups to keep everyone on their toes. Gone were the days of beer on the patio and loud music at all hours of the night. They now had a second extension on the packhouse, and this included a large space to pack all the pups for naps and such. It wasnāt something that happened for humans, but in a pack; it was common for pups to bond with other pack close to their age. Growing up together, they either loved or hated each other. There wasnāt a third option, and sometimes the pups could vacillate between love and hate. But they were always pack. Roseās boys were the eldest of th
Rose clutched Tyās hand nervously as they entered the private restaurant. This place was for the elite of the shifter world, and it turned out to be run by Roseās biologist father. This would be the first time theyād met. They talked on the phone, and thatās all. It had been hard for him. Because no one ever breathed the word about Lily, Roseās motherās death, or the fact that Rose existed. Lily was supposed to meet him once he got settled, but he couldnāt contact her after that. She wouldnāt or couldnāt take his calls. He couldnāt go back, not after what happened between Russell, Ethan, and himself. Theyād gotten into a fight that now, years later, Alec suspected, was instigated by Russell. Lily had mated with Alec before Russell got his hands on her. But Alec insisted he knew nothing about Roseās existence. Heād always held out hope that Lily lived and was happy. Now it saddened him to know how mistreated sheād been. Alec was the one that broke the
Jack could feel Russellās fist pounding on the inside of his mind. He couldnāt sleep anymore. If he did the Russell would take the wheel of Jackās body. Jack was fine living the rest of his existence in a quiet cell alone. Russell wanted out. He wanted to burn the world as they knew it for his death and punishment. Russell also didnāt want to share Jackās body. He wanted to own it. Russell wanted Jack to go permanently. Russell wanted to start by burning the prison and he wouldnāt hear that it would not be possible. The mages saw to that. Russell wanted to kill everyone around them. No, not just kill. He wanted to rape, tear, and mangle every single one. Jack witnessed every single gory image Russell shared with him. Even when he didnāt want to see it. Jack hated his life and the surrounding people. Sure, he did as Russell ordered for years, and sometimes he had fun with it. But Russell never showed him this side of him. If there was a monster in th
Ty received a text message from Rose as his truck rolled into town that morning. She asked him to pick up a package from the post office they wouldnāt deliver. This happened when the package was larger. He didnāt think much about it until the afternoon when he got to the post office and found it wasnāt one package. But several large packages. Along with the packages was a note for him to stop at the hardware store in town and pick up something there. Now Ty didnāt know what to make of this. It wasnāt something Rose did often. So Ty indulged her. At the hardware store, he found the order was for paint and supplies. He wasnāt sure what she planned to do or what room this was for. Then he was handed another note. This one had him going to the pharmacy and the grocery store to pick up things there, too. This was taking a while, and he was running out of the room in the back of the truck. Now he understood why she insisted he took it. But he didnāt think it was any
Amber hadnāt learned a single lesson about what Heath wanted in life and she didnāt seem to care that Heath wasnāt happy.No, Heath knew he just wasnāt unhappy. He was miserable. Was this the fate he was dealt or was it entirely a mistake? Did he want a mate so badly that he took the first she-wolf that might be compatible? Was she even compatible? Heath didnāt know.With everyone around him so busy with all the changes and the work to fix things. It was difficult for him to find anyone to be a sane and good sounding board for him.That and he was embarrassed to mention how badly it was going between them. How did fate give him someone so controlling and selfish? Sheās jealous of everything her friends have in their mates. Did she settle for him to feel like she was part of the group? Heath hated to think that way, but it was clear now that was what was happening, and he was a little sad.Deep down, he wanted it to work out, and theyād live a charmed life. But nothing seemed right for
The fact that Bill arranged a ride to the healing centre the very next day, much too many peopleās surprise. Mikey and Heather both worried heād hold a grudge against Michael for competing with him and winning Mae. But when Bill realized Mae had a change of heart about accepting the rejection of their triad relationship. Sheād been kidnapped and unable to communicate with anyone. That this was all complicated by external circumstances they couldnāt have controlled. Bill only wanted to know if it was too late for them to try again. Michael, on the other hand, crumbled at the sight of his other mate, leaving everyone stunned. He clung to Bill once he finished stating his interest in exploring the possibility of them exploring their relationship and bond. Maeās healer had several questions and the three later sat down with the healer. He wanted to know several things. There were tests he wanted to perform. But he needed samples from all three. There was new research on the
Mikey and Jay finally finished up with their efforts and, with the results in hand, returned to the pack. Excited to tell everyone the news of what theyād found and achieved.When they got back to the healing center, Heather was there with her parents and all three faces looked hopefully toward the two wolves. Mikey had to admit, he felt like he was a conquering hero coming back from the war with a chest full of medals.Jay looked pretty much how Mikey felt, so he figured Jay felt just as successful as he did.Heather stood up from the chair she sat in and came forward to greet them. Once she was done hugging them and grabbing a kiss from each, her manner sobered. āSo⦠What happened? What did you find out about my other father?āāFirst, we found him. Second, no, he didnāt find a second chance mate. Third, he is living and working at the rehabilitation facility. Fourth, he wants to meet with all of you to find out if thereās a future with you. Fifth, he wants me to call him with a date
āYes, yes. I see. I can contact my clients right away and set something up with them.ā Mikeyās grin broadened as he spoke sporadically between listening to the doctor. āHe may have to go to them if he can. Sheās not been cleared to leave the healing centre and it may be a while yet.ā Again, he listened. āIāll get right on it. Thank you and have a nice day. Iāll call and Iāll arrange a time and date for their first meeting.ā He disconnected the call and his smile lit up the room with how excited heād become with the outcome of that call. āHe wants to meet with them and talk. Bill also wants to meet Heather and us. Itās looking good for this.ā āI canāt wait to see Heatherās face and Mae will be over the moon about having both her mates. You know, I donāt think I could have chosen between you and Heather. Iād have felt like there was someone missing in my life all the time.ā Jay could help with it. This was the best outcome they could have received and now it just kept gett
Mikey sent the photos and left his number so that the Alpha could decide on what he would do about this situation. That was the best Mikey could do. This wasnāt his problem to decide on. All he could do was think of everyoneās feelings about the matter as he followed the information. Heād barely had a moment to fill Jay in on the news and no time to discuss what that could mean for them. When Jay jumped out of his skin when Mikeyās phone rang in his hand. Mikey snatched it from Jay before he could accidentally drop it. āGo grab us something to eat. Iāll try to work my magic on this doctor.ā Jay frowned. He wanted to be there for the talk. He didnāt want to hear about it second or third hand. āYou suck love.ā But he was hungry, and theyād not eaten today before they started all of this. So, Jay left, slamming the motel room door behind him in a huff. Mikey would make it up to him. But Mikey didnāt want to have to deal with his disappointment if this w