"It is good to see you again, Matthias. It has been too long," Declan said.
"Oh, I don’t know about that, Declan. I think once a decade is plenty of time between visits. Our animals do not meld well together, and I have a feeling I am not going to like what you have to say. Let’s get on with this."
"It is time for you to take over and lead the Teams," Declan announced.
"No, it is not, you have been training Jackson Thorp for that position. I am to remain what I have always been; a shadow."
"Things have changed, Matthias, and you know it. Jackson is otherwise occupied and cannot take my place at this time. He has a mate and a child to worry about now. His team is also finding their mates and having children of their own. His focus must remain right where it is; on them. My time is limited. My magic and dragon are fading. It is time for you to take the place you were always meant to have and leave the black behind. We always knew this day would come, why fight it?"
Matthias laughed, it was a sound that sounded foreign and rough coming from the man.
"So you say, Declan, but I don’t agree. You just need to find a new anchor, and everything can remain as it always has. I will run NAC from the shadows. I do not need to come out to the community for that to happen. You have been pushing me for years to be more than the assassin I truly am. The only person in this room that needs to stop fighting is you."
"See, that is where we disagree. It is time you accepted your rightful place and claimed your son. He has no idea the power he holds, and you haven’t once attempted to train him in the ways of old. If he is one of the chosen and finds his mate, that power will only increase. If you don’t show him the way of your people and how to harness that power, he could destroy everything we have worked for all these years. That is your burden. I have trained and contained him for all these years, but with my dragon is fading. I no longer have the ability. It is time you stepped up to the plate. I will not allow you to hide from your responsibilities any longer."
"You will not allow,” Matthias grunted. “When have you ever allowed me to do anything, Declan? I am not one of your men. I do not bow to your orders, and I certainly will not allow you to dictate the future. You, old friend, have forgotten your place in all of this. The mistakes of the past are not just mine. All you have to do is bond with your son, and he will become your anchor. The bonds between father and son do not diminish if he takes a mate. But instead of doing that, you are running to look for something else and trying to push your will onto me. Why is that, old friend?"
"Why would you insist I take on my son when you are not willing to do the same? When is the last time you have seen him, or talked with him, last week, or possibly more recently? My son will contain his magic, I have made sure of that. He has been bound since birth. Your magic and dragon helped him through his transition, that is all. What of your son, though? He still doesn’t know his true nature. If he mates and his true beast emerges, how will you explain that? Or are you going to eliminate the threat of that happening like you did so long ago?"
"Fuck you!” Declan shouted. “I did what was necessary at the time. I don’t regret my choice. The girl was never meant to be his, and we both know that. I can throw just as much dirt in your face, Matthias, so don’t act holier than thou now because we both know you aren’t worthy. The sins of the father and all that fucking bull shit. If you do not accept my request, then maybe you will agree to this. You owe me, Matthias, and it is time to pay up. Tobias is alive, and I need to deal with him. And what he is doing, you cannot do that because you are bound by blood to him, your mistake, not mine."
"You are wrong,” Matthias said getting up from his seat, bringing his still full glass to his mouth and chugging it. “Tobias has not been heard from in over twenty years. He has not been a part of the community or influenced them since my release and him going into hiding. You are just saying this to get me to do your bidding. Prove it, mother fucker. I will not be swayed by your lies."
Declan got up from his seat and faced his oldest friend, "I have never once lied to you. Tobias is alive. He started The Association and then abandoned them when he found a new purpose. That purpose is natural born females. He has figured out a way to create them when no one else could. I don’t know what his plan is, but Tobias has always been a twisted fuck. The natural born female we have recently found was abandoned at the age of five and placed with humans. Why he did that? I don’t know, but we need to know. He always did like moving people around like pieces on a chessboard. If you didn’t have the blood bond and the inability to harm him, I would be sending you instead of going myself. But then again, those choices have been removed from us, haven’t they?"
"Asshole, fine, I will handle NAC and the Teams for a limited amount of time, but you and I will be tracking Tobias down together,” Matthias stated. “I may not be able to harm the fucker, but I will be there when you take him out. I want him to pay for every sick and disgusting thing he did and has done to Christian and me while in his den of depravity. I will not sit idly by while you take this on by yourself.”
Matthias turned to leave, and Declan stopped him.
“There is more,” Declan interrupted. “Skylar, the child I spoke of before, is with Alpha Team. You need to talk to her and tell her and the others of the powers that she holds. We cannot have them going into any of this blind. The children will be the most affected, but the others will notice, and it could cause problems without proper explanation."
"Whatever, set up a time and a place and I will be there,” Matthias said. “But don’t expect me to coddle them like you do. They will listen and learn. I will not pussy foot around issues and hope for the best, as you have for so long. I will also not allow the challenge I am sure will come from Jackson. You best prepare all of them before that day, do you understand?"
"Yes of course, but that is not it. Skylar is Tobias’ daughter. Are you going to be able to withhold your judgment of the girl, or are you going to damn her because of the man that created her? I need to know this, Matthias, she is nothing like Tobias. She has already placed herself in front of danger to protect Ryleigh and Quinn. I have no doubt she will continue to prove the legends correct and be the protector these children need. The problem you might have is that she remembers her time with Tobias fondly. "
Matthias laughed again this time a little less forced, "You might be surprised to learn that it doesn’t bother me in the least. I am glad the girl didn’t have to endure the torture and sadistic tactics Tobias often employs. I also have no will or want to try and persuade her otherwise. Let her have her memories. I have learned that there is only so much good in this world, so why taint something that is based on innocence?"
"Set up the meetings. I will do them by teleconference, just as you have done. I see no need for physical contact. Until we have found and eliminated Tobias, you will need to continue to deal with Echo Team. I am not ready to lay all my cards out on the table, just as you aren’t, that is something we both need to agree upon now before any of this goes further."
"Agreed, I will forward you the numbers and times for the meetings with Alpha and the others. Will you be staying in New York?" Declan questioned.
"No, I will be tracking Tobias. Once I have located him, I will call you in. You need to go and find your anchor or bond with your son. Your choice, but if Tobias has made naturals from his seed, he will be stronger than he was before. And I can guarantee he will not go away as quickly or quietly this time if you are going up against him in a weakened state. You need to be at full strength,” Matthias warned.
Declan watched as Matthias walked out the door. Matthias was right; he wouldn’t be able to defeat Tobias in his weakened state. But there was another possibility that the man hadn’t thought of. If Declan couldn’t find his anchor, one other man had the ability to defeat Tobias. All he had to do was move the right people around to make that happen.
Picking up his phone he dialed a number he hadn’t used in many, many years
. The sweet, feminine voice that answered warmed his heart, "Declan, is there a problem?” the woman on the other end of the line questioned. "
"It’s time, Kiera, you need to send her to Cash. He needs her now."
"Understood, Declan, please be safe."
The End.
Ethan’s book is coming soon. But keep watching Whiskey the first of the Ruthless Bastards MC will be out soon as well. These two series will link up because of the connection with Sebastian and his brothers but the Ruthless Bastards will not be like NAC & The Holly Group. I hope you enjoy.
Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed the newest adventure with NAC & The Holly Group. If you liked Sebastian’s and Sky’s story, please take a little time to leave a review. Even a few stars help to let me know I am on the right track.
Authors Note:
They say it takes a village to raise a child. I get that. What I didn’t know when I first started writing these stories was that it took a village to write a book. I have had so much support and encouragement. I will always be eternally grateful.
Sadie, as always, you are the bomb. I didn’t give you much time and you pulled through like a trooper. We will get to that steak dinner sometime. (Sorry, inside joke.)
To my sister, you always have my back and that is something I will never be able to repay you for, thanks for always being there. Thanks for the encouragement and supporting my dreams.
To my husband, I know I make you want to pull your hair out sometimes, but your unwavering support and confidence in my abilities astounds me every single day.
To my readers, thanks for giving a nobody a chance. I hope you stick with me and discover all the trials and tribulations yet to come. I hope I leave you guessing, but most of all, I hope I leave you intrigued. Enjoy the ride and happy reading.
Please check out www.chelseahandcock.com for updates and future books. You can also reach me on Facebook at any time, https://www.facebook.com/AuthorChelseaHandcock/.
Sebastian: NAC & The Holly Group (Alpha Team Book 4) Page 25
