“What about the others? Is everyone okay?” I ask.
Lynch walks up in a pair of low-slung shorts, blood running down his leg, but he nods grimly. “Adam’s arm is busted, and Doyle’s nose is broken. It’s nothing that won’t heal.”
My mind instantly thinks of Kaitlyn and her sweet baby Hunter, who seem to have taken a shine to Adam, and I worry that his injury will frighten her even more.
“We need to track them,” Talia says as she reemerges from the truck with a still shaken Anna.
“What does he want with Justice?” Anna asks, and I can tell she’s been crying.
“He’s going to torture him,” Kash says quietly. “To get to us.”
Anna begins to cry again, her shoulders shaking delicately.
“Hopefully, it won’t come to that,” I say.
Kash’s brows dip in confusion.
“I told Justice to tell Brody what he wants to know.”
“Why on earth would you do that?” Anna asks worriedly, but Kash studies me and nods slowly.
“We can control how it goes down,” he says. “We can be ready.”
I nod. “Exactly. So we need to get back to the rest of the pack and call our allies together. We don’t have much time to come up with a plan.”
“We also don’t have much in the way of allies,” Talia mumbles, but I ignore her. I refuse to believe Brody’s gotten the upper hand.
We split up and head home with Lynch driving Anna’s truck–after he promised not to bleed all over her new upholstery. Kash and I take Anna in the SUV along with Adam, who does his best to keep his injured arm from moving too much until Danielle can take a look at it.
“We’re going to get him back,” I say into the silence.
No one argues. But no one offers their agreement either.
The pack is already assembled and waiting for us at the main house when we pull up. Even Lina is there.
She reaches for Anna, taking her by the arm.
“Let’s go find some tea,” Lina says, and Anna nods numbly before they both disappear into the main house.
“Boss?” Lynch says when he and Talia emerge from the dessert truck he’s parked behind us.
“Get everyone out here,” Kash says quietly.
“Holy ground?” Lynch asks, nodding at the tree where Justice’s ceremony was held.
Kash nods. “We need all the help we can get,” he says. “I’ll be right back.”
Lynch wastes no time herding the rest of the pack toward the ceremonial space and the Oak that stands in the center strung with lights.
I turn to Kash who’s checking his phone with a scowl etched into his features.
“What is it?” I ask.
“The council. I reached out to them again, but they still haven’t responded.”
“Cowards,” I grumble. “What do you want to do?”
Nerves make the question hard to form. Kash has always been loyal to the council, and I’m half-terrified he’s going to tell us to wait for them.
He takes my hand in his and pulls me around the side of the house. “Move forward without them. Justice is a member of our pack, thanks to you, and that means we’re well within our rights to go after Brody’s pack and get him back.”
My nerves unwind, and I exhale in relief at his words.
“We will get Justice back,” he says, and I force myself to believe it.
Everyone assembles surprisingly fast. Within minutes, the space is crowded with bodies, including many of the pregnant girls.
With this many pack members present, the ceremonial space in the yard is the only place they’ll all fit. So far, all of our meetings have been in small groups behind the closed door of Kash’s office, but I realize now that we’re past all that. It’s time to include everyone, to ask them to put their lives on the line and fight for their homes and their families. We’ll need every member of the pack united if we’re to have a chance of stopping Brody from trying to take it all away.
The voices fall silent as Kash moves to stand before them.
A sense of pride wells up in my chest as I watch my mate take his place as alpha and leader. But rather than address them, Kash glances back at where I’ve stopped to wait on the sidelines.
He motions for me to join him, and nerves grip me as I make my way up front.
“By now, you all know what happened tonight,” Kash begins.
Murmurs rise around the group.
“Brody’s pack numbers have grown, and we were caught off guard. As a result, Justice Erikson was taken by our enemy and will be tortured for information. Brody will want to know how to attack us, what makes us weak, and how best to come for us. Justice will tell him where and how to find us, but we won’t let Brody get any farther than our borders. One way or another, he’s coming. To hurt those we care about. To take our homes. To rob us of our land. We will not let that happen.”
The pack rumbles in agreement.
“What do we do now?” Adam asks, clutching his injured arm.
“We are calling on our allies and our friends,” Kash says.
“What about the council?” someone yells.
Kash tenses beside me.
“The council is doing what they can,” he says, but several mutters go up.
“The council members are politicians,” I say, and all eyes fly to me. “They’re hoping if they ignore the situation long enough, we’ll handle it without them so they can keep their hands clean. It’s a coward’s way if you ask me, but it doesn’t change what we have to do. This fight is up to us, and I, for one, am ready for it. Brody thinks we’ll just roll over and let him take what doesn’t belong to him, but he’s wrong. When he comes, we’ll be ready for him. This is our war to win!”
The pack cheers, and Kash offers me a small smile. “Who’s the politician now?”
“What can we do, boss lady?” Doyle calls out, and I hesitate, too surprised by the fact that we’ve come full circle since I entered Kash’s crazy world. Not only am I werewolf and mated to an alpha, but the guy that once mistook me for a stripper just called me boss. Never mind that he’s cupping his bleeding, broken nose with a dirty handkerchief.
“What can they do?” Talia urges in my ear, and I realize she’s stepped up beside me like a true beta.
On Kash’s other side, Lynch stands tall. He’s winking at Talia but still.
“We need some patrols and lookouts set up along the border of the pack lands,” I say. “We want to know the minute Brody arrives.”
“Done.” Finn jumps up, motioning for Bellamy, Anders, Henri, and Carter to join him.
“And the girls need to get somewhere safe,” I say. “Somewhere far away from the fight.”
“We can call Birdie,” Kash says. “Ask her to spell a hiding place for them.”
“No need to call. I’m already here.” Birdie appears from the back of the gathering and marches up the center aisle to where we stand. She carries a black bag that reminds me of the ones old-fashioned doctors used to carry. “Here.” She holds the bag out to Danielle, who jumps out of her seat to take it.
“What’s this?” Danielle asks.
“First-aid supplies. Field medicine stuff mixed with a few of my own remedies. If war is coming to our doorstep, you need to be ready for injuries.”
“Me?” Danielle blinks.
“I need to shore up these wards that the asshole is going to try and break through, and my spell-work requires all my concentration, which means you’re on your own,” Birdie tells her.
“But, I’m not qualified to–”
“Honey, you’re the best we’ve got, and you’re better than you think. They call me doc, but the truth is you’re the one who’s going to deliver those babies and patch up their step-daddies.”
A few of the girls–and guys–within earshot flush at her words.
I can’t help but chuckle under my breath because Birdie has called it. I have a feeling if we make it through this war, there will be a lot of new families forming around here.
/>
“Do you think you can help hide the girls somewhere safe?” I ask Birdie.
“I’m here to take down that bitch, Regina,” Birdie says, her eyes narrowing as she speaks. “But I brought a couple of friends to help with the nuts and bolts. Mirabelle. Deissy.”
Two women come forward. One is around Birdie’s age with graying hair pulled back in a braid. The other looks younger than me with dark hair and eyes. They smile and introduce themselves as Birdie’s coven.
“Deissy here can do a cloaking spell on the girls and on whatever location you choose for hiding them,” Birdie says.
“Thank you,” I tell her, and she nods then hurries off with Danielle to assemble the others.
“I’m going to round up Girlfriend and send her with them,” Lynch says and hurries toward the house.
“Mirabelle and I are going to walk the perimeter,” Birdie says. “We’ll strengthen the wards to keep that shithead out as long as possible.”
“Actually, I have an idea about that,” I tell her and then fill her in on my plan for Justice.
“You want to lay a trap?” Birdie assesses me shrewdly.
“I figure we can purposely weaken the area of the wards we want him to come in from,” I tell her.
“Not a bad idea. I like it.” Birdie glances at Mirabelle. “You want to take a walk, old lady?”
“Who you callin’ old?” Mirabelle says, brow arching toward her silver hair.
Birdie snorts, and I suspect this kind of banter is normal for them.
Talia hands Birdie the keys to Anna’s truck. “Here. Take Maria. And if you run into any trouble, just press the red button.”
Standing beside Lina with a mug cupped in her hands, Anna looks terrified.
“If you run into trouble, just call,” I correct, and Birdie looks suspiciously at Talia before marching off with her friend.
“What do you want me to do?” Anna’s voice is small and wobbly, but her bravery is on full display and almost makes me cry.
I’m on the verge of asking her to please go with Danielle and stay safe when Lina pushes her way through the crowd. I’m surprised to see her dressed in black fitted pants, boots, and a jacket that has me secretly wondering where she shops. “Anna, I’d appreciate it if you stuck with me while I run an errand.”
“Mom?” Kash frowns. “Where are you going?”
“And why do you look like a total badass?” Talia asks.
Lina smirks. “Someone has to hold the council accountable for what they’re doing–or not doing, in this case.”
“Ma, you should stay here where it’s safe,” Kash says, but Lina stops him with a look.
“I’ve had enough sitting around to last me a lifetime. It’s time I returned to my place in this family, and that starts with helping you defend our home. Anna will go with me as an eyewitness to what happened tonight. She’ll be safe.” Lina glances at Talia and me. “I swear it.”
Judging from the array of weapons I’ve already glimpsed beneath her jacket and strapped to her boots, I’m not inclined to argue.
“I hope they listen,” I tell her, and her eyes glitter with an edge I’ve never seen in her before.
“Trust me, they’ll have a hard time ignoring me.”
I look at Anna, but she doesn’t seem uncomfortable with the prospect of leaving with Lina.
“Are you okay with this?” I ask because I don’t want to force anything else on Anna if I can help it. She’s already been put through enough things that have been out of her control.
“I can do this,” she says, nodding. “I want to help.”
“Call us if there are any problems,” I tell her, pulling her in for a quick hug.
Talia leans over and wraps an arm around us too.
“I will. Now, please kick Brody’s ass for me,” Anna says inside the circle of our arms.
“Done,” Talia says firmly.
I watch as Lina leads Anna around the side of the house, leaving me to wonder if Lina has a car parked somewhere over that way. When they’re gone, I catch Kash staring after them, the same worry swirling in the pit of my stomach echoed on his face.
“They’ll be fine,” I say, squeezing his hand and doing my best to assure us both.
He blinks and turns to me.
“Yeah, I just hope we can say the same of the council when she’s done with them,” Talia says.
I glance at her. “She reminds me of you.”
Talia grins. “Why do you think I let Anna go with her?”
But Kash doesn’t react to the joke. He’s watching the remaining pack members with a growing look of concern.
“What is it?” I ask.
He sighs. “Brody’s a lot of things, but he’s not stupid. When Justice gives up our location without much of a fight, he’ll suspect it’s a trap.”
“Doesn’t matter. He’ll still come,” I say. “And he’ll have to bring Justice with him if he has any hope of crossing the wards.”
“Yes, but he’ll have time to anticipate us.”
“What are you saying?”
“Those posters for the missing athletes–none of those guys were in the group that attacked us earlier, but judging from their technique, all of them were newborns.”
“You think he’s turned more than just the athletes we saw on those posters?”
“I think it would be unwise to underestimate his numbers.”
I look out at the pack and bite my lip. “You think we’ll be outnumbered?”
Kash doesn’t answer, and I know we’re thinking the same thing. Without the council’s blessing, no other pack will be willing to come to our aid. We’re on our own.
“Boss.”
Lynch walks up, nudging Kash as he hangs up his phone.
“That was Finn calling from the front entrance. We’ve got company,” Lynch says and points. We all look toward the driveway where a pair of headlights appear from the main road.
Whoever it is can’t be a threat if Finn let them pass.
“Who is it?” Kash asks.
“Higgins,” Lynch says, and my eyes widen as I notice a second set of headlights. And then a third. “Apparently your mom called and told him what happened tonight. He rounded up a few friends and came to help.”
Chapter 14
The arrival of Xan and his fellow hunters invigorates the entire pack, including Kash and myself. I can’t help but feel awed as I watch the werewolves work side by side with huntsmen and witches–each using their skills and strengths to protect our family as best as they can.
Birdie and Mirabelle strengthen the wards then return to the front and, following my instructions, allow a section of the wards to weaken. We take positions along the perimeter with Xan and his friends scattered in among us and settle in to wait. Kash remains close, but not in a smothering way. With him on one side of me and Talia on the other, I’m filled with a sense of belonging. A strength that comes from knowing I can defend myself. I’m no longer a vulnerability to my pack.
But as the night gives way to dawn, and still Brody doesn’t appear, my nerves are once again strung tight. On top of that, we haven’t heard a word from Lina about her visit to the council. She’s been gone too long for them to have shut her down like they did us, but I’m not sure whether that’s good or bad. At least Anna’s safe. I’ve only texted her a bajillion times to be sure.
A periodic check on the girls–all spelled and cloaked inside Levi’s cabin in a secluded area of the property–assures us they’re all safe. Though, Levi’s kitchen wasn’t prepared for a house full of pregnant girls and a nursing mother. Luckily, Anna’s leftovers were easily transportable in her new dessert truck.
“What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?” Kash whispers before kissing my neck and pulling me back into his embrace.
I close my eyes and savor the feeling of contentment that only comes from being in his arms before turning to look up at him.
“I’m worried,” I admit, biting my lip. “About Justice.
I guess I kind of assumed that Brody would come charging in here like the arrogant prick that he is as soon as he found out the location, even though I know I shouldn’t underestimate him like that. It’s just getting harder the longer we wait–I can’t help but envision all the terrible things they’re doing to Justice. I know they need him to get through the wards, but they only need him alive. There’s a lot of grey area between life and death.”
Kash frowns at my admission. “Justice is strong, Pepper. Stronger than Brody ever gave him credit for.” He reaches up, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “I won’t lie to you and tell you that Justice will come back to us completely unscathed, but I can promise that all of his injuries will be paid for with Brody’s blood.”
I nod, still too worried to be completely soothed by his words. Watching Justice’s leg snap last night still haunts me.
“When Brody comes,” I begin, bracing myself for the argument that’s sure to follow my words, “I want to be the one to–”
“Pepper, please don’t say something I’ll be forced to veto. I don’t want to argue right now.”
“I can use my powers of persuasion.”
“Except, for that to work, you have to touch him. And that’s way too close for my liking.”
“He’s got us outnumbered.”
“That remains to be seen, but we know which way they’re coming in. We’ve practically got a funnel of death waiting for them.” He waves a hand toward what looks like an assembly line of murder thanks to the way the pack has stationed themselves in a line parallel to the ward’s weakest point. “Our strategy will work, and you’ll be able to stand back and watch. It’ll be over quickly.”
I scowl. “I don’t want to stand back. This is my vengeance just as much as yours.”
“Fine. Slaughter werebros to your heart’s content.” He presses a kiss to my temple, his hands on my hips, pulling me close. “But please let me handle Brody.”
I smirk up at him. “How about we play a game called ‘whoever gets there first?’”
Kash sighs. “Do you want to take a ride?”
My eyes fly wide.
“Now?”
I glance around at the front yard now bathed in cheery morning sunlight. Most of the pack has stretched out on the cold grass for a snooze by now. The ones still awake are passing out coffee Danielle brought up from the house.
The Girl Who Cried War Page 13
