by Sydney Addae
Table of Contents
Title Page
Knight Defense (Rise of the Wolf Nation, #2)
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CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
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Knight Defense, Rise of the Wolf Nation – Book 2
Sydney Addae
Copyright 2018 by Addae, Sydney
ISBN: 978-1-937334-90-1
First Edition Electronic February 2018
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author‘s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, businesses, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only. The publisher does not have any control over or assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their contents.
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Knight Defense
Silas isn’t sure Canada or Mexico are places he’s comfortable expanding into, but he knows he has to at least look into them. Cain, Abel and David are heading out to explore those areas and report back. Meanwhile there’s an odd migration across the Canadian borders of rogues and rebels. Silas and the Alphas become suspicious when the name of an old enemy surfaces. Plus the Joint Chiefs and the Administration are on the offense putting the Pack in danger. Silas uses new and various weapons at his disposal to mount a Knight Defense.
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Thanks to all my Den-mates and admins, Michelle and Vicky, you are all the best at keeping me laughing with new creative ideas. I heart you much.
A special shout out to Vicky Z., Sally R., Karen M., and Kelly, I could not have presented this story without your help.
Thanks
Sydney
CHAPTER ONE
DRESSED IN VARIOUS uniforms representing all branches of the military, seven men sat around a long wooden table engaged in a heated argument regarding what some considered the most serious threat to national security.
“We need to do more,” Admiral Bents said in a strong tone. “If we don’t act now, the Russian threat will be like child’s play compared to this.”
“I don’t see the threat,” General Williams said. “The Wolf Nation has lived here, grown alongside us and has protected this country more than any of our allies. You and I both know they’ve saved our asses more than once. What happened in Honduras, kidnapping the Knights, that move cost us the trust of Silas Knight. And you can’t blame him.”
“I do blame him,” Admiral Bents argued. “It’s not realistic that we sit on our asses and don’t do anything. They’re stronger, faster, live longer and are richer than the rest of us. Admit it; they have us at a disadvantage. With one word, their King can order them to destroy us, and we have nothing to defend ourselves.” He slammed his hand on the table. The others looked at him. “That’s unacceptable. I think the Wolf Nation is a greater threat to the freedom of the United States than all the other threats combined.”
“I disagree,” Admiral Blue said with some heat. “Silas Knight has no interest in challenging or threatening anyone in the States. He’s been a good ally for hundreds of years. After we’re gone, chances are he’ll still be here.” He looked at Admiral Bents. “Like most Americans, all they want is to be left alone. They pay taxes and serve as public servants across this country. We don’t criminalize American citizens because they’re different.”
General Strait snorted. “They aren’t American citizens. They’re... they’re some kind of animal, how can you say they’re citizens and entitled to rights under the law?” He pointed to Admiral Blue. “Now, I agree Knight has no interest in threatening us, but it’s more because he’s lazy and doesn’t want to extend the effort. If something he didn’t like happened, he’d act and we won’t be prepared. That’s the matter set before us. How do we withstand an attack from this group?” He looked at the others. “Right now we can’t. And if we don’t come up with something, we’re doing a disservice to our country.”
“First of all,” General Williams said, leaning forward, obviously growing angry. “Every member of that pack was born here, in the States, or has been here long enough to meet the criteria and definition of citizen. That’s a Constitutional fact. They’re not immigrants; they’ve been here, along with the Indians, experienced the growth of our great Nation, fought alongside us for Independence and every war since then.” He pointed at the Admiral. “To say they aren’t citizens because they’re different is outrageous and you know better. Don’t let your biases cause you to break the law.”
Admiral Bents grunted his disagreement but otherwise remained quiet.
“Secondly, you keep saying they’re a danger if they attack. So is North Korea, China, and Russia. The difference is the Wolf Nation lives here and has a vested interest in keeping this country safe. Even if they don’t trust our leaders or want to work with us, they live here. Silas Knight would never allow a foreign power to attack his pack, this country, without retaliation. He has better relationships with world leaders than we do.”
“How is that possible?” Admiral Bents asked, sounding skeptical.
“Because he’s been around a long, long time,” General Williams said. “Silas Knight can shake the world economy, speak with heads of states, and receive assistance from any continent he chooses. His influence is everywhere; don’t mistake his laid-back demeanor as a weakness. The reason you don't know this is by his design. He’s smart enough to have levers in place for emergencies but doesn’t use them unless pushed.”
“You’ve just explained why we need something to fight them. If pushed, he would crush us,” Admiral Bents, argued.
“I’d rather work with them than against them. If this Administration
hadn’t disbanded the office created by the past Administrations to have a Representative in the West Wing, we wouldn’t be in this mess.” Admiral Blue said looking around the table. “Read the records, Silas Knight has never betrayed us or walked back on a deal or initiated any kind of attacks. Not even when he was lied to on his wedding day and his son was used as bait without his knowledge or permission.”
“He stopped dealing with the Joint Chiefs,” General Strait said. “Every time he gets angry, like a child having a tantrum, he pulls away.”
“What’s his alternative? Sue the United States for breach of promise? Because every time he got angry and left, it was because we lied or betrayed him,” Admiral Blue said. “Again, read the records, they speak for themselves. Then maybe you’d understand why he doesn’t trust us.”
“I don’t trust him either,” Admiral Bents said leaning back in his seat, staring at the table. “He has too much power, there are too many of them. On our best day, we would lose if we chose to defend ourselves. That’s not a good thing in my opinion.” He sighed and looked around the table. “When the President arrives, my vote will be to put some kind of defense in place in case of an uprising. We should treat this as any other possible threat.” Several members nodded and murmured their agreement.
“We should continue working alongside the Pack to make life better for everyone. If we offend them, there could be a price to pay,” General Williams warned.
“That’s why we need offensive and defensive measures in place. How can you defend them on one hand and then warn against offending them? That’s not something you say or think about most citizens,” Admiral Bents said. “That’s the language used when discussing a foreign threat.”
No one spoke for several seconds.
“The President is on his way and will be here soon,” one of the aides said.
General Williams looked at each of the men at the table and realized he’d lost this battle. No doubt they’d feed their fears to the President as they’d done with every President when he took office. In previous years, Presidents recognized the stability Silas Knight added to the country and welcomed a good, working relationship with him. This time it was different. He looked at Admiral Blue, read the same wary, disappointment in his eyes and knew things would go from bad to worse. The most they could do is help slow down the collision on the horizon since it wouldn’t be stopped.
The door opened.
They all stood as the President entered the room alone. He nodded at Bents and General Strait, another sign of impending dismantling of decades-old protocols with the Wolf Nation.
“Gentlemen,” he said taking a seat at the head of the table. “What do you recommend we do about the Wolf Nation? I extended a dinner invitation to that Knight guy, but he hasn’t set anything up.”
“Sir, we have differing opinions on the way forward. I suggest we explain our positions and find the best compromise to make this work.” Admiral Bents waved at the others around the table. “Admiral Blue has the most experience dealing with Alpha Knight and we would be amiss if we didn’t appreciate his unique perspective.”
“Have you met him? Talked to him face-to-face?” The President asked.
“Yes, Sir, I have. Several times in fact. He is smart, savvy and a survivor,” Admiral Blue said.
“Sounds like me,” the President said and then smiled.
“Yes, Sir. Definitely, there are similar characteristics,” Admiral Bents said. “Both of you protect those beneath your care.”
General Williams glanced at Admiral Bents who continued watching the President.
“That’s a commitment I made to the people, to put them first,” the President said. “Tell me again how they operate?” He looked at Admiral Bents.
“As a pack. One Alpha, who leads everyone else. Silas Knight has done something different, he has an Alpha in every state who reports to him. Each Alpha cares for the pack members in their state,” Admiral Bents said.
“This allows the needs of all pack members to be met,” Admiral Blue said.
“Fifty Alphas?” the President sounded surprised.
Admiral Bents nodded. “Yes, Sir.”
“How many of them are there?” The President looked around the room for an answer before looking at Admiral Bents again. “How many are we talking about?”
“We don’t know. We’ve estimated a few million but there may be more.” Admiral Bents looked at Admiral Blue for confirmation.
“We don’t know for certain, but I’d say you’re really low in your estimates. There’s more than ten million across the country. And I’m sure that’s a low number,” Admiral Blue said.
“Isn’t that something we should know?” the President asked. “Are they included in the census?”
“Yes, Sir,” Admiral Bents said. “All citizens are included in the census.”
The President frowned. “Citizens? I hadn’t thought of them like that.”
“They were born here and meet the requirements of citizenship,” Admiral Bents said quickly, glancing at General Williams who hadn’t said anything yet.
“I see,” the President said slowly. “So, what’s the problem?”
“We have no defense against them,” General Strait said in a sober tone. “If for some reason Silas Knight got angry or if he lost an Alpha challenge and the new Alpha was no longer our friend, it could put us in a bad situation. Right now we have no way of defending against them. They’ve removed their people from our military—”
“Knights,” General William’s said. “Silas Knight removed the Knights from the program, not all of their people.” He met the President’s gaze. “We’ve worked and lived side by side with them for decades and never had a problem. I’m not sure why there is a belief we may have one now.”
“I asked for Knights for my security detail,” the President murmured before looking at General Strait. “Has something happened? Why should we change now? Have they made a threat or something?”
“No. There have been no threats. Silas Knight doesn’t threaten, he acts. It’s better to be prepared for the unexpected. If something happens to Silas Knight, the next Alpha may not be as cooperative.”
“They live here just as we do and will defend this country because it’s their country too. Silas Knight has made it clear around the world to come here, to fight on American soil is a death sentence,” Admiral Blue said. “He’s been around a long time and is a loyal American.”
“No one’s questioning his loyalty,” Admiral Bents said. “Silas Knight is on our side as long as we get along. But when we make decisions... decisions that are in the best interest of our country, he doesn’t always agree and pulls away. How do we know he’s not plotting against us? Or planning some kind of coup? We don’t know how his pack operates, yet he knows about us. It’s a lopsided arrangement if you ask me.”
“Is that what this is about? You want to know how the Wolf Nation operates?” General Williams asked.
“That and more. How many are in the military? Why can’t we identify them? Is there a way to interrupt their communications? What’s the mating thing about? How much money or financial wealth do they have? Do they vote?” Admiral Bents ticked off questions.
“They communicate mind to mind, it’s a part of their makeup and can’t be interrupted without messing with their brains,” Admiral Blue said slowly. “If you walked through a school, a library or a lineup, you couldn’t determine who was a pack member, not by looking at them or by their blood unless they’re really old. The only way to tell is their mannerisms and that’s not always a good indicator. From birth, they’re taught pack structure and understand the hierarchy that’s in place. They live everywhere, work everywhere, they vote and pay taxes. As far as their wealth, or their numbers I don’t know.”
“We damn well should,” General Strait said. “I’ve always wanted to know who was who in my troops.”
“Why?” Admiral Blue asked. “A good soldier is a good soldier.”
; General Strait didn't answer.
“What you’re saying is Silas Knight has millions of people around the country who does what he tells them to do? Without question, they just obey him?” The President looked at Admiral Bents.
Admiral Bents glanced at Admiral Blue. “Something like that. As Alpha, he’s responsible for their well-being and governs from that perspective. He’s good at it, I have no qualms about his leadership or commitment to his people. I believe we should engage in offensive measures and in the event there’s a problem, defensive measures as well.”
“How can you do that without knowing how many there are?” The President asked.
No one said anything.
“Perhaps we could gather information in the field, get an idea of the numbers,” General Strait said. “Silas Knight has a compound in West Virginia, plus every state has an Alpha house. I’m sure there are thousands in that area near those places.” He looked around the table. “The President is right, we need to know the numbers, right now we’re operating at a disadvantage.”
The President nodded and leaned forward. “Set something up to gather information on how they operate as well as their numbers.”
“Sir, we’ve done that and have a lot of information on Pack structure, customs, and protocols,” General Strait said. “What we need is a census, an accounting of how many Pack members are in this country and a way to identify them.”
“I agree. Do what you feel is necessary,” the President said. “Send in some women to tempt the men, kind of like Delilah and Samson. Some men too, in case they swing that way. Best way to learn information I think.” He looked at Admiral Blue. “What do you think? Is this a good idea?”
Admiral Blue took a moment to respond. “Be honest and upfront about it, ask Silas how many are in his pack, he might tell you. Otherwise, I don’t see how you’ll get a real number.”
“Will he tell the truth?” the President sounded skeptical.
“If he decides to tell us, it’ll be the truth. I’ve never known him to lie,” Admiral Blue said holding the President’s gaze. “He’s a man of honor.”
