Peace amongst Packs was something Mason had worked hard with the other Alphas to ensure. While it was common for individual leader and Pack members to bicker, it had been agreed that for the good of our kind, we needed to all work together. If ever a threat surfaced, an accord was struck that a meeting would be called, summoning everyone to discuss it.
Although the Master had yet to affect the other territories across the U.S., it would be naive to believe he would keep his destruction to Mason’s land and the surrounding area.
This wasn’t just a threat to the Mystic Wolves. It was a countrywide assault in the making.
I understood that. The direness of the situation explained why emotions were already high in the office.
“For what it’s worth, I agree with you, both,” Wade interjected, bringing the conversation back to the matter at hand. “I see the wisdom in not wanting to spook the others; but like Mason said, I see the potential for a war unlike anything we’ve seen. If the Master is left unchecked, it won’t just be us who witness the fallout.”
“I’m not saying we don’t call the Alphas,” Daniel fired. “What I’m saying is to wait until we at least get additional Intel from Devlin.”
“Where is he?” I asked, not seeing him here. I hadn’t seen him in the house, either.
“He went back to the Council headquarters to personally see to some of the investigations. Zane called an emergency meeting to discuss the ramifications of my abduction. In light of Helena’s confession, Amber’s attempted possession, and the Master’s arrival, he thinks it would be wise to set up a contingency plan,” Mason answered. “Something I believe we need to do as well.”
“You know I have your back,” Daniel replied, turning to his Alpha. “If you think we need to call a Summit, then I’ll begin the calls right now. I just felt we needed a little more information. They’re going to ask why.”
Gripping Daniel’s shoulder, it was evident there was no hard feelings. “I know you do, and I appreciate you speaking up. Your opinion is always valued. I count on it in order to look at any given situation from all angles. If it wasn’t for the events of the past few days, I’d be tempted to agree with you and give it a little time. I just don’t think we’re going to have the luxury of time.”
“You don’t think your judgment is clouded because you were tortured and what happened with Darcy?” Wade asked.
His question didn’t offend Mason. “Maybe, but it’s still my call to make. War is coming. I feel it deep in my bones. This isn’t about setting up a witch-hunt. This is about knowing death is coming and wanting to safeguard as many lives as possible; because trust me, I don’t see this being easily resolved. We are going to need every friend, every alliance, ever Pack to join in the battle to stop the Master. This is bigger than anything we’ve ever seen before.”
All doubt and hesitation fled Daniel and Wade’s faces as they listened to their Alpha’s words. It was one thing to share reservations, but another to argue against truth. Even I could feel the weight of it in Mason’s short speech. His instincts were rarely wrong. If he said we needed to act now, then every second counted.
Bowing his head in finality, Daniel conceded. “Then we’ll contact the other Packs and notify them of the Crisis Summit. I think they can all be here no later than tomorrow night, if they leave immediately.”
“I’ll notify Zane of our plans so he’ll know to be expecting nine lead Alphas within the next twenty-four hours. Then we’ll need to plan the ceremony,” Mason added.
Once the decision was made, the tension in the room eased. There’d be a lot to do to make sure everything was prepared—rooms to air out, food to purchase, and a bonfire to build for the Summit. I’d never attended one before; but as Mason’s mate, there was a good chance I’d need to be there by his side.
“What do you need from me?” Wade asked, still waiting for an assignment.
This caused a huge smile to break out over Mason’s face before he reined it back in and returned to his more solemn expression. “I was going to wait until later for this, but now is a good time.” Standing, he gestured for Wade to join him. Placing both his hands on his friend’s shoulders, holding his gaze, Mason began, “Wade Grant. As your Alpha, I call you forward, recognizing the loyalty and love you’ve shown me in the past.”
The room stilled until all I could hear was the faint ticking of the clock. Each of us knew something important was happening as Mason began his formal Invitation to Service. In a Pack of many, few were chosen to fill leadership positions.
Having a slight clue about what my mate was about to do, this was long overdue.
Wade knew it as well. “My duty has always been to you and this Pack,” he answered.
“You have been faithful in that service, a man of integrity, someone I know I can entrust with the safety of those whose lives I value most.”
Mason’s magic stirred, causing the hair on my arms to rise and tears to well in my eyes—even Wade nodded, his Adam’s apple bobbing slowly with emotion. “With my life.”
“Then I call you to be the official Enforcer of the Mystic Wolves. You are hereby charged to protect your Alpha and everyone who holds membership. Not just this, but you are also responsible for the safety of these lands and all that lie within our territory. It is to your discretion to act on behalf of the Pack in security matters, seeking and following my counsel as if I were there. Do you accept?”
Wade’s voice cracked, preventing him to speak at first. “I swear to bring you honor.”
Mason pulled his friend into a hearty embrace, pride beaming from his blue eyes. “Good.” Pounding Wade on the back, the two men parted before Daniel offered him a similar congratulation. “I’m just sorry it took this long to make it official.”
“Hey, I was already doing it. As far as I’m concerned, this was merely a formality.” Wade chuckled.
“Then you know what needs done. We need a perimeter set up around the property while everyone is here. I don’t want anyone coming in or out without you knowing it. If some choose to stay in town, we’ll need to arrange security for them as well. Call Devlin and see whether he can spare any Enforcers. I can’t emphasis how vital it is in these discussions that everything run smoothly.” As everyone turned to go about their newly assigned tasks, Mason continued. “If what Michael told Daniel is true, Packs are already looking for strength. We can’t give them any reason to believe they need to accept the Master’s invitation. We need to present a united front and show each Alpha that continuing the alliance, against this new enemy, will be in their best interests. Together, we will defeat him. Alone we’re just sitting ducks at the mercy of his cruelty.”
It was a cruelty and brutality we’d already seen. After seeing the aftermath of Mason’s torture, I knew I wasn’t the only one in the room who didn’t want to see it repeated.
“What can I do?” I whispered, watching as Wade left and Daniel sat at the desk, phone in his hand about to begin dialing.
“Keep me sane, sweetheart. Keep me sane.” Kissing the top of my head, I knew what he meant. I could feel the tension that brewed inside him, the personal war he fought to keep himself from breaking down into the blinded, furious wolf of earlier. He had sins to avenge, punishment to mete, but he couldn’t do it if he lost complete control.
“Then consider it done,” I answered, rising on my tiptoes so I could return his kiss. I’d be there for him as long as he needed me.
Taking a seat, again, I quietly watched as my mate made his own calls, the weight of his responsibilities heavy across his shoulders. There would be more long days ahead, sleepless nights, and heated discussions. It was the life of an Alpha and one I supported wholeheartedly.
I settled into the cushioned couch, prepared for whatever the next few hours would bring.
As phones began ringing periodically, the message we’d been waiting for came a lot sooner than I thought. Waving to get Daniel’s attention as he held his own private conversation a few feet away, Maso
n’s demeanor was like a storm cloud of doom.
When he knew he held the room’s focus, he spoke. “That was Devlin. The Master has finally delivered his demands to the Council.”
“And?” Daniel and I responded in unison.
“‘Obey me or suffer the consequences’.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Mason
There was still so much to do. Rubbing the back of my neck, I pushed away from the desk and relaxed into my chair. The afternoon had been a series of never-ending phone calls to worried Pack members and anxious Alphas. The word continued to spread about the Master and his promises of leniency to whoever chose to obey him, rather than fight.
The fact that I’d been captured and tortured had fueled their misgivings—the fear of what a direct attack to their own members would do becoming their driving force. No one wanted to think of something happening to those they loved. Thankfully, after a few moments talking and sharing my thoughts, most felt the same as me.
If we cowered before every threat, we might as well shackle ourselves as slaves.
Unfortunately, not everyone enjoyed the extra security of a large Pack, and it was the smaller groups that concerned me the most. After talking to Trent Holden and Reid Harrison, the Alphas of the Green Peaks and Pleasant Valley Packs, I could understand their hesitancy in jeopardizing their people. Being private men, it was tempting to try and fly under the radar.
My deepest worry was that the Master wouldn’t settle until he’d taken control of everyone. No one was safe.
It was stand united or fall. I just hoped that any doubts still remaining would be answered at the Summit.
“You should try and get some rest. You’re still healing.”
Opening my eyes, Daniel was standing in front of the desk, looking every bit as exhausted as I felt. “There’s no time.”
“I’ve got this covered. Wade’s working with Asher to ensure that everyone’s arrival is coordinated. Those flying in will need safe passage to their accommodations once they arrive at Zane’s airstrip. He’s set up a schedule with those who volunteered to make sure each location is guarded at all times.”
“And how many Alphas are arriving?” We’d gone over the list earlier, but if there was one thing I knew I could count on, it was that things could change in the blink of an eye.
“There’ll be nine, including you: Michael, Moses, Colt, Benjamin, Paxton, Trent, Reid, and Max. They’ll be traveling with their own entourages and some have asked that if instead of staying inside the house, they be allowed to camp in the woods. Max and Colt have made alternative arrangements to stay in town, as well.”
I’d expected a few of the men to request that. It was hard enough having the Summit where so many testosterone-filled egos would be discussing politics, let alone expecting them to all reside happily in one place. Wade had anticipated it, as well, and had assigned additional coverage at the Alpha’s preferred lodging.
Nodding, I knew one name hadn’t been mentioned. “Any word from Thorn?”
Even though he wasn’t a werewolf, circumstances had made him Alpha of the Midnight Bayou Pack. The once thriving clan had since been scattered to the wind by a revenge seeking Thorn, a bear shifter, after his cruel Alpha had massacred Thorn’s small family with the aide of his pack. It was a bitter rivalry that spanned Thorn’s entire life, beginning when his mother had broken protocol and fallen in love with someone forbidden. When Thorn was born and experienced his first change, the entire Pack had been horrified to discover the animal spirit he’d been paired with wasn’t a wolf, but a black bear. It had instantly made the young teen an outcast amongst his people—earning him the scorn and hatred bred from ignorance.
“I’ve called him and left messages, but nothing,” Daniel answered, shaking his head.
It didn’t surprise me. “We were honor bound to notify him and extend the invitation. Maybe he’ll come.”
My response caused Daniel to shrug. “Honestly? I wouldn’t hold my breath. You know how he feels about Pack. There’s a reason why he’s hidden himself away in that bayou, ignoring everyone.”
I’d once spoken to Thorn, hoping to somehow bridge the divide he’d created between the other leaders and see if there was any way I could help repair the damage his own Pack had done. My efforts had been answered with a swift threat delivered through clenched teeth and at gunpoint. Anyone found on his property would be given the same treatment as the members involved that he’d killed in a rage of bitter grief and vengeance that dreadful day five years ago.
There’d been an unspeakable pain that flared in his eyes, causing me to willingly retreat. I’d given him his space, but silently vowed to return sometime and extend another olive branch. It had been a personal mission of mine.
This was business and, like it or not, Thorn Grey couldn’t hide away from the Master. Even in the deepest parts of the swamp he loved, evil would find a way to flush him out.
He would need allies, friends. When that day came, I would be there.
“We’ll see. Maybe things have changed.” Chances were they hadn’t, but the offer was still there. “Darcy’s working with some of the others to make sure there’s enough food. Last thing we need is for tempers to run hot on empty stomachs.” Darcy had recently shared the current definition of being angry and hungry was ‘hangry’ and warned me it was a recipe for disaster. I didn’t care if we emptied every store in Woodside Hollow and the neighboring towns, there was no way I would let things get so out of control that the Master became the least of our worries.
“She’s had plenty of experience keeping me fed.” Patting his stomach for extra emphasis, Daniel grinned. “Just tell her to prepare to feed about twenty of me and we should be fine.”
Sending her a visual image through our connection, her response was panic-filled, causing me to laugh out loud before quickly explaining. “I think I just freaked her out. She said one of you is a handful and that maybe we should take this Summit somewhere that offers slaughtered cows in bulk.”
Daniel tipped his head back and laughed heartily. “Yeah, she’s got it under control.”
Pride filled me knowing he was right. As daunting as it was to feed a large number of men, Darcy would take it all in stride. “Okay, so we’ve given notice to everyone. We have accommodations, food, and security. What am I forgetting?”
He paused to think before answering. “Nothing. That’s why I’m telling you to go rest. You’ll need to show everyone you’re at full strength.”
Cocking my eyebrow, his comment made me curious. “Are you saying I look like shit? Because I feel fine. My body’s healed from the ordeal.”
“You always look like crap,” Daniel joked, flashing the sarcastic grin he was notorious for. “But I’m just saying I think it’d be wise to relax while you can. You’ve got everything covered and all that’s left is to wait. Whether you believe it or not, you took a hard beating, one that would’ve killed a lesser man.”
“Well, I’m not one of those, so I’m fine.” My tone was firmer, this time.
“You’re also a stubborn ass, but you already knew that.”
“Look who’s talking,” I retorted. “There’ll be plenty of time for sleeping once this is over.” When he went to argue more with me, I raised my hand to stop him. “Seriously. If I lie down, I’d be staring at the ceiling the whole time, worrying. I might as well sit here and do some work. Be productive.”
As if to prove a point, my phone vibrated against the desktop as the ringtone started playing. It was Devlin calling and I answered it after the second ring. “Mason.”
“You busy?” His voice was all business.
“Not at the moment. Just waiting for everyone to arrive for the Alpha meeting.” I shrugged at Daniel as he watched on. “Why?”
“We just got a tip off about suspicious activity outside of Woodside Hollow. The report mentioned someone who fits Helena’s description. You want to come with?”
This was exactly the kind of activity
I needed. “Absolutely. Text me the address and I’ll meet you there.” Hanging up the phone, I was already out of my chair, grabbing the keys to my truck.
“Where we going?” Daniel asked, rightfully assuming he’d be joining me.
“Helena’s been sighted. Devlin’s sending me the address to meet him and whoever he’s bringing. They think they might’ve discovered her new hideout. Find her, and it could clue us in to where the Master is.”
Heading out the door, Daniel stopped, looking over his shoulder toward his bedroom. “Let me go grab something, and I’ll meet you outside.”
“Okay. Hurry, though. Time’s of the essence,” I urged, eager to be on the road.
Five minutes later, we were both grimly seated in the truck, heading to the coordinates from Devlin’s message. There was no way of knowing what we’d find when we arrived, but it didn’t stop me from sending up a silent prayer that somehow luck would be on our side.
****
There was no other way to describe the scene that greeted us other than an absolute bloodbath and senseless destruction. After meeting with Devlin and the Enforcers with him, we’d talked strategy about what to do once we stormed the suspected hideaway. Even though there were cars outside the secluded mansion that stood amongst a cropping of trees off the highway, once inside, it was clear the premise had been hastily vacated.
Whoever had been here was, no doubt, connected to Helena and the Master. The ritualistic murders screamed of the dark witch and her preference for chaos. Before we’d even entered the home, the scent of blood filled the air, hitting Devlin and the other vampires at full force. They were highly trained in dealing with such situations, but after watching Darcy struggle with her thirst, I knew this was torture for them. Breathing through our mouths to avoid the heavy, coppery scent from overwhelming our senses, we entered cautiously, quietly hoping there’d be someone left alive.
Darkness Unleashed Page 20
