by Sydney Addae
“Did you really mean it?” Storm asked.
Surprised, Silas looked at him. “Mean what?” he had no idea what Storm was talking about.
“Today, in the meeting.”
“What exactly did I say to make you ask that question?”
“Going to war? Against the U.S.? To protect the pack?”
“Storm, I would give my life for my pack, without hesitation. I’ve been through the fire and tested several times. I’m Alpha, the first and last in the line of defense for this pack. I take their health and safety very seriously.”
“Is that why they follow you?” Storm asked.
“Part of it. I personally trained every Alpha. They spent time with me and I with them, our beasts bonded. We respect each other and work together but I’m Alpha.”
“I heard about you, who hasn’t?” Storm said leaning forward. “In my mind I had this idea of a totalitarian sitting behind his wall, giving orders without taking risks. The meeting today... everyone had their own opinions, there was discussion, these men weren’t clones of you.” He shook his head. “I’ve never seen anything like that. Completely mind blowing.”
Silas chuckled and crossed his arms over his chest, interested in Storm’s opinion. “Not clones for sure.”
“That’s not the right word but the only one that comes to me right now. I never really realized how large your pack was until today. Fifty Alphas. Unbelievable.” He shook his head and stared at the table for a few seconds.
“It took a long time to build, wasn’t easy either. They’re hard-headed, opinionated but loyal with a love of pack. I wouldn’t trade any of them,” Silas said with conviction.
“I could tell. I’ve only served one Alpha, and there was nothing even remotely close to the pack dynamics I saw today.” Storm stared at the table with a pensive look. “I saw a real pack today and it was fucking amazing.”
Silas laughed.
Storm glanced at him and smiled. “I’ve been thinking about it all day. Just...wow.”
“I wanted you there today to hear first-hand of the challenges headed our way, we all need to be vigilant.”
“What about Razor?” Storm asked. He and Razor were cousins and both newly mated.
“He and Trista are setting up their home, he couldn’t make it,” Silas said diplomatically. Razor refused to leave Trista’s side to attend the meeting today.
“Would you like me to talk to him?” Storm asked.
Silas thought about it for a few moments. With them joining the pack Razor needed to understand refusals like today wouldn’t be tolerated. “I’ll talk with them, it’s important they both understand.”
Storm nodded but didn’t say anything.
“What’s really on your mind?” As much as he didn’t want to get involved, Renee’s prolonged absence and Storm’s posture clearly said there was more.
“I’ve been thinking.” He looked at Silas. “I offer my hand and heart to the pack with you as my Alpha.”
Silas stared at the serious look on Storm’s face and didn’t say anything for a moment or two. He hadn’t expected the young pup to come around this soon but was pleased he finally saw the value in joining a pack. He stood.
“Come here.”
Storm stood and offered Silas his neck. The strike was quick and the permanent connection was made. Storm shuddered and fell to the ground in front of Silas and took several deep breaths. “Never had a connection like that before, either.”
He gripped Storm’s arm and pulled him up. “Welcome to the Nation.” He hugged him and slapped his back.
“Ah, Jackie and David are here,” Silas told Storm as they broke apart. Storm wore a wide, relieved grin and stuffed his hands inside his pockets as David and his sister walked in.”
“Oh good, Storm’s here, Quinn’s on the way,” Jackie said as she kissed Silas on the cheek and headed toward the bedroom.
“Mom’s in there?” David asked pointing to the bedroom.
“Yes,” Silas said.
“Be right back, got lots to tell you,” David said as he left them.
Quinn knocked on the door and walked in smiling. “Hey, heard this is where the party’s happening tonight.”
Silas’ brow rose. “Party? Here tonight?” He tried to remember if Jasmine mentioned a party and he’d forgotten.
“No. That’s just... slang sort of. Means, this is where everybody’s hanging out, chilling, having fun... never mind,” Quinn said heading into the kitchen.
“Where’s Quinn?” David asked Silas. He waved at Storm and headed to the kitchen.
“Looks like this is where things are happening tonight,” Silas told Storm.
“Seems like it.” Storm sat on the love seat.
“Storm just joined the pack,” Silas told Jasmine.
“Renee told us, she’s happy, so am I. He’s a good guy,” she said.
Silas broadcasted an announcement to the others of Storm’s new status and was pleased by the congratulations he was certain Storm received.
David and Quinn walked out with food and glasses of tea.
“Glad to have you, Brother,” David said to Storm.
“Welcome to the pack,” Quinn said to Storm. “It’s good to be connected, I’m biased of course.” He smiled and bumped Storm’s fist.
“Jackie contacted me earlier,” David said, as he sat on the sofa and placed his plate on a coaster on the table. “Uncle Ramos’ contact had given me most of the information on Jonas. I was going over the logistics with Jackie and Quinn. She mentioned a young man who lost three brothers to the rebels. She wasn’t sure if it was Jonas or not and promised to do some checking.”
“Yeah nice kid,” Quinn said. “Alden and his friend Jude were stolen by the rebels, they escaped and found us. We were able to get him back home to his family.”
“But the name he called the rebel leader was Taurus, not Jonas,” David said. “I think they’re the same person.”
“Taurus I’ve heard of,” Silas said, recalling the intelligence reports he’d received last year from several Alphas. “We’ve been looking for him. He’s in Canada? Using the name Jonas?”
“First name’s all we have right now,” David said. “Another person, Marsha, contacted me just as I was coming over for dinner. Antwan gave her my information, she claims there are people looking for Taurus to punish him for his crimes. She also said, a lot of pack believes his promises of a better, more prosperous life in Canada. She knows people who’ve joined his pack, and says they disappear. Cut off all communication, he rules hard.”
“Sounds like a confirmation of everything you’ve learned already, that’s good information. He hasn’t changed his M.O.” Silas said.
“Marsha?” Quinn snapped his fingers. “She came through around the same time Jackie and I mated. There was a younger girl with her, she was from Canada I think. Her parents sold her to Taurus for breeding. He wants pure full-bloods, something like that.” He frowned. “Can’t recall the pup’s name.”
A few seconds later, he grinned. “Thankfully, Jackie has a mind like a trap. Penny is her name, nine or ten years at the time.”
“Her family sold her? To breed?” Silas asked in a cold voice.
“What’s wrong?” Jasmine asked.
“Taurus bought a child for breeding,” Silas said.
“Who’s Taurus?” she asked.
“Jonas, the one who met Jackie at the restaurant.
“Ah, I see.”
“He’s moved his operation to Canada.”
“Is that who David talked about?”
“Yes.”
“She may have escaped from him, but I’m sure he hasn’t given up the idea of impregnating bitches to build his pack,” David said. “Another reason to move to a remote part of Canada.”
“No matter how remote they may want to be, there are basics everyone needs. If they’re off the electrical grid, then they have an alternate power source,” Silas said looking at David. “I’ve got Hawke on another
assignment, you and Storm research possible areas where they could have moved. Keep in mind it will take large amounts of food and water to sustain a clustered group.”
David nodded. “If they set up an encampment in the mountains, they’d need supply trucks or airplanes to drop critical supplies. Everything I’ve discovered about this guy says he’s got money, we’ll check flight plans, see what we find.”
Storm stretched his legs and looked at David. “If these were humans, I’d rule out supplies being bought in over rough terrain. For full bloods, carrying several pounds on their backs is nothing.”
“Good point,” Silas said looking at Storm. “I want to know where they are, before the team leaves for Canada next week.”
Silas looked at the door. “Adam and Bella are here,” he told Jasmine and waited for his son to join them. Bella greeted him with a kiss on the cheek, waved at everyone and headed into the bedroom where Jasmine and the others were talking.
“What’s this I hear about Jarcee finding his mate?” Adam said sitting next to Storm. “Who is she? Where did they meet?”
“Faye Larson, Realtor, they met at the mall.” He told them about the incident with the kids in the car.
“Hold up, Jarcee at a mall?” David said.
“He accompanied Razor and his mate, she’s buying things for their new home,” Silas said.
“They went to a mall?” Adam said leaning forward in his seat. “Does Razor have any idea how many full-blood males are in that mall? He’s still mating, his beast—”
“Didn’t let them go inside,” Silas said smoothly. “Rather than say no to the idea, Jarcee drove them to the mall and allowed them to come to their own conclusion. This is all new for Razor, Trista is helping him acclimate but she’s learning what it means to be mated.”
“No way could I handle anyone around Bella when we were mating,” Adam said.
“Some beasts are more feral than others,” Silas said.
“I don’t know about that,” Quinn said. “I still don’t like the idea of another male leaving his scent on Jackie and I don’t consider myself feral at all.”
“You’re just as bad as Daddy,” Jackie said walking into the living area and placing her hands on Quinn’s shoulder. “I don’t bother explaining those growling sounds you make when a male, human or wolf, gets too close.”
“There’s no need for you to explain,” Quinn said as he took her hand and kissed the back of it. “They get the message.” He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her.
“When are we meeting Jarcee’s mate?” Bella asked looking around.
“Good question,” Jasmine said. “Do you think they’ll be done mating before the wedding?”
“She’s human?” Renee asked.
“Breeder, like me,” Jasmine said.
“She may want a wedding,” Renee said.
Jackie, Bella, Adam and David, groaned. “Please just stop,” Jackie said.
“Jarcee’s like an uncle,” Renee argued. “We have to do something big for him and Faye.”
“Mama, please, stop her,” Adam said.
Storm chuckled and pulled Renee on his lap. “You want everyone to have a special day like you, I don’t see why that’s wrong.”
She kissed him. “See, my Boo gets it.”
“Cause your Boo wants to keep getting some,” Jackie said, with a smirk.
The others laughed.
Jasmine sat next to Silas. He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. “What if we wait until after we meet Faye to try and plan her wedding,” Jasmine said. “Your wedding, and the informal ceremonies for Adam and Bella, will be enough.”
“Is that why you’re waiting for your reception?” David asked.
“Not really, it’s timing that’s all,” Jackie said.
“It’s something in the air,” Renee said snuggling closer to Storm. “Trista said she and Razor may have a wedding, she’s not sure yet. If they do have a ceremony, she wants me to plan it for them.”
“That’s great, Honey,” Jasmine said.
“I hope we see Jarcee again before we leave,” Bella said. “It won’t be the same without him there.”
“I know.” Adam looked at Bella for a few seconds, then she smiled and leaned into him. “Alpha Barticus offered his house again as well as security so I won’t be dragging my mate with me to every practice.”
Alpha Barticus was Asia’s father and a good friend.
“That wouldn’t have worked,” Bella said.
“Too much wolf-testosterone,” Adam agreed and placed a quick kiss on her lips.
“Where you guys going after the wedding?” David asked Renee.
“I don’t know yet,” Renee said. “With the museum repairs, and planning the wedding, I haven’t given it much thought.”
“I will take care of it,” Storm said into the brief silence.
Renee’s eyes widened. “That’s okay, I’ll look into a few places.”
Storm covered her hand. “You are doing everything, which is too much. I’ll take care of our wedding trip.” He kissed her forehead and missed the look of utter horrified shock on her face.
Silas chuckled.
CHAPTER NINE
FRIDAY, AT FOUR IN the afternoon, Faye arrived at the address Jarcee had given her and looked around. The large one and a half story home sat at the end of a cul-de-sac on a nice lot that backed to a natural protected forest.
She’d checked the tax records, a woman can’t be too careful, and learned he’d owned this very expensive piece of real estate over 23 years. There was no record of either a marriage or divorce, and he’d never had so much as a parking ticket for any of the three vehicles in his name.
His credit was excellent, something she made sure to check before becoming serious about any man and of course, there was no criminal record.
Pleased by their conversations over the past two days, they arranged to meet at his place for dinner, if she was lucky, they’d be sharing breakfast as well. Something about the man made her mushy inside. Maybe it was the husky timbre of his voice, or the sexiness of his walk, or the “don't-mess-with-me” vibes he threw off. All three drew her to him like a bee to honey.
Besides he was tall and fine, someone she could crawl on top of and ride until she couldn’t move. Damn, it had been too long since she’d done that. Hopefully Jarcee would break her dry spell.
Wearing red heels, a red short dress that hugged her curves and a red thong, she walked toward the entry and removed her sunglasses. The door opened before she pressed the bell.
She liked that. “Hi, this is a nice area, have you been here long?” She entered the foyer and looked around. Since he was so big, she expected large over padded recliners and furniture, but the place had a clean minimalist feel that she liked.
Jarcee surprised her, another thing she liked.
“Come to the patio, I’ll get you something to drink,” he said moving toward the back.
Faye took pleasure in watching his tight buns move in those fitted jeans. Muscles bunched and relaxed as he opened the glass door leading outside.
“Thank you.” She stared at the oasis he’d created. The pool hadn’t been on the tax record, nor the lanai equipped with an outdoor kitchen. Whatever simmered on the stove, smelled divine.
“What can I get you to drink?”
You, she thought as she took a seat. That’s when she saw the huge jacuzzi on the side of the pool. This place was perfect to for what she needed. Maybe she should strip and get in the jacuzzi now. Or wait until the sun went down?
She accepted the diet cola and watched him return to the stove. “Are you cooking?” She didn’t particularly care to cook and didn’t expect anyone to do it for her.
“Yes.” He chuckled. She liked the deep, sexy sound.
“Well, the supermarket cut and seasoned it, I placed it in the oven, along with the side items.” He shrugged. “It’s a good thing they do that now.”
“Indeed, I pick up prepared food a
ll the time. Who decorated your house, it’s lovely.”
“The lady from the store, a designer. I told her the furniture had to be comfortable and sturdy, no carpet, hardwood and she did the rest. A couple pieces, my bed and easy chair in the den were custom made.”
Faye took a sip from her glass to cover her interest in seeing his bed. Screw it, she wanted to see. “Do you mind if I look around your home?” She pointed toward the inside.
“No, go ahead.”
Taking her drink, she returned to the large kitchen, high end appliances and a nice granite counter-top. He’d spent money on the cabinets and the bamboo flooring through-out the first floor, nice open concept. She moved down the hall, saw a half bath, a den with a large TV and several comfortable chairs and a bar. Across from the den, was his bedroom. This place was a Realtor’s wet-dream. Large, with lots of natural light, huge en suite bathroom and massive walk-in closet that made her panties wet.
I’m moving in, she thought completely awed by this suite. When she forced herself to leave the closet, she stepped into the bedroom. Jarcee sat in a chair in the corner watching her.
Damn if his closet didn’t tip her over the edge. She wanted to jump his big ass right now.
“Want to see upstairs or do you want to eat? The food’s ready.”
Was there a hidden meaning in his question? Probably not. Her hormones were going crazy. Before embarrassing herself, she nodded and walked slowly toward the door.
“Food is good.” Heat flooded her cheeks and spread through her body like wildfire. What was wrong with her? “I will not jump his bones. I will not jump his bones.” She repeated those words while sitting at the table on the lanai, watching him prepare plates. When he turned and smiled, a small dimple appeared in his chin and his green eyes brightened. Her fingertips itched to play in his thick, shoulder length blonde hair.
Didn’t he say he was from someplace up north? A real Viking, she thought before saying a quiet grace over her food, just in case he slipped a little something on the meat.
He sat in front of her with a platter instead of a plate. They didn’t talk while they ate, which was a good thing because food was the last thing on her mind. Heat blossomed between her legs, dampening her thong. Her core contracted as thoughts of his big hands roaming over her body. Good Lord, look at his long fingers. She closed her eyes and counted to ten. This was ridiculous, it hadn’t been that long since she’d had a release... had it?
