Wolves, Witches and Bears...Oh My!

by Nicky Charles

  He knew there were reasonable explanations for each point, but would it be enough? Finally, it was Machado’s turn.

  “Mr. Speaker, honoured members of High Council, Lycan Link has presented an extensive and I admit rather convincing argument against these men. However, each and every claim can be refuted when the whole story is told rather than select pieces that suit one’s purpose.”

  Counsel McGuire scowled at the last comment.

  The Speaker nodded. “Proceed.”

  “To begin with, I’d like to point out that Lycan Link does not have anyone named Soldoti in its employ. A simple request sent to Lycan Link’s payroll department easily verified the fact.” He cast a meaningful look at Counsel McGuire before handing over a thick file to the clerk who passed it to the Speaker.

  The Elders that comprised High Council looked at each other and Armand sat up straighter. This was news to him.

  Machado continued. “That being the case, I fail to see how Mr. St. John can be charged with disobeying the order of a Lycan Link operative when the man named isn’t even in Lycan Link’s employ. From what I can determine, Soldoti was mentioned in a cursory way in Agent Tinley’s report but beyond that, the man doesn’t seem to exist.”

  A titter ran through the room and the Speaker tapped his gavel again before looking at the other members of High Council. They all nodded.

  “We are in agreement. That charge will be stricken from the record.”

  Armand began to relax, his faith in the Lycan High Council growing.

  Machado nodded. “As for the charge that Daniel Scott Phillips-Rhodes has repeatedly attempted to hack Lycan Link’s security system, I’d like to present a copy of his bank records and also this log of the discretionary funds for Lycan Link’s IT department. You’ll notice the highlighted dates and monetary amounts. They are a perfect match. Bradley Owens, the head of the department, often hires the accused for short-term contract work. Mr. Phillips-Rhodes’ task is to test the system by attempting to break in.”

  “We would like to see those records, please.” The Speaker extended his hand and the documents were passed over. There was a pause in the proceedings as the members of High Council checked the records and conferred in hushed tones. Eventually the Speaker tapped his gavel yet again. “We agree Mr. Phillips-Rhodes was employed to test the system.”

  Counsel McGuire stood. “We concede the accused has been employed by our organization for brief periods, however this does not exclude the possibility that there were also times he accessed the system of his own volition in order to copy sensitive information; information he then passed on to members of the FSE.” She took her seat, a hint of smugness about her before it faded into her usual impassive countenance.

  Machado countered her claim. “If he’s working with the FSE, then why would he help Mr. St. John access the data on the flash drive, share it with his Alpha, Ryne Taylor and then help submit a report to Lycan Link warning of the leak?”

  “He was covering his own tracks.” McGuire rose to her feet. “He never expected to be asked to help access the information he himself placed on the flash drive. To refuse would have been suspicious.”

  The confidence Armand had been feeling moments early began to fail. A glance at Ryne and Daniel’s grim expressions showed they felt the same. They’d been chosen as scapegoats and McGuire was determined to hammer the nails into their coffins. His gut twisted. This was not going to go well.

  Chapter 40

  Lucy listened to the proceedings, her stomach in knots. The case seemed to swing back and forth in favour of Lycan Link and then back to Armand and Daniel. Beside her, Reno was leaning forward, his elbows on his knees and his chin on his clasped hands. His eyes were narrowed and, from the look on his face, she had a feeling he was seeing ghosts from the past.

  When the Speaker called for a short recess, Reno gave his head a shake. Sitting up straight, he looked at her and her companions. “Your men are holding up well.”

  “The case they are presenting against Daniel is strong.” Tessa spoke in her quiet, faintly accented tones, her face a study of worry. “Back home, I’ve overheard him mention hacking into Lycan Link but I’m sure it was never for illegal purposes. That woman is twisting things around to make him seem guilty.”

  “That’s her job…the bitch.” Melody reached out to take Caleb.

  Lucy pressed a kiss to Caleb’s head before relinquishing him. Thankfully, he’d fallen asleep after nursing. “Armand and Daniel did nothing wrong, surely the court—I mean, High Council—will realize that.”

  “Machado has scored some points and I’m sure he has more tricks up his sleeve.” Reno stood and stretched. “I’m going to step out into the lobby and grab a coffee. Do any of you want anything?”

  They declined and Reno left. Several people cast looks their way, whether it was because they’d been sitting with Reno or because she and Jenna ‘smelled’ human, she wasn’t sure. Armand was also casting looks her way. He didn’t appear pleased to see her, but she didn’t care. She’d stand by him no matter what.

  “How are you holding up?” Jenna came to stand beside her.

  “Fine.” She gave a brief smile, still not sure how she felt about the woman.

  Jenna glanced towards Armand and then back at her. “We haven’t had much time to talk but I wanted you to know that nothing happened. Between me and Armand, I mean. I kissed him once—part of my cover—and he didn’t respond. He’s totally devoted to you.”

  “Oh. Thanks for telling me.” Her smile was more genuine this time. “I…um…did wonder. When we broke up, I told him to find someone else—”

  “All the while hoping he wouldn’t, of course.” Jenna folded her arms and gave her a knowing look.

  “Yeah. Something like that.”

  “Well, rest assured you’re the one he wants and I really hope the two of you can make it work. He’s a nice man and he deserves to be happy.”

  “I hope we can make it work, too.” She paused then gathered her courage. “Can I ask you something?”

  “What?”

  “Is it hard? Being the only human in a group of shifters, I mean?”

  She shrugged. “Shifters are people just like everyone else but, yes, there are some difficulties. I told you about my mother, how she distanced herself from friends and family?”

  “I remember.”

  “And then there’s the shifting part. Lycans enjoy going for pack runs; my mother could never join in. Of course, bears are a different species.”

  “Armand used to disappear into the woods a lot. He’d say he was going hiking or camping.”

  Jenna nodded. “Well, that’s something you can probably do together.”

  She had more questions to ask but the recess was over and everyone was returning to their seats. Sitting down, she put thoughts of the future out of her mind and concentrated on the current proceedings.

  Machado addressed the Speaker, “If it pleases High Council, I’d like to call forward a witness, Jeffrey Tinley.”

  Jeff the chef? Lucy hadn’t noticed him sitting near the front. So, he was a shifter too? She hadn’t considered that point but now recalled how Kathy had called him a coyote and he’d referred to her as a fox. She wondered if Kathy was there and studied those gathered. No, but was that Gin sitting two seats over from Jeff? Good heavens, she’d been surrounded by shifters all that time and never even realized it!

  The Speaker nodded and Jeff took the stand.

  Machado began to question him. “Mr. Tinley, you were working undercover at the King’s Plate in Chicago, correct?”

  “Yes, sir. My job was to befriend Kathy Crevan.”

  “Ms. Crevan is a fox-shifter, correct? And,” the counsel referred to his notes, “she’s currently in a high security facility awaiting trial.”

  “Yes, she’s quite outspoken in her contempt for Lycan Link and is suspected of being a member of a subversive group. It was hoped I could gain access to the core leadership of the group a
nd then reveal their plans and location to Lycan Link.”

  The Speaker interrupted. “For the sake of clarity, the subversive group you refer to is the one formed by the exiguous shifters?”

  “Yes, sir.” Jeff nodded. “The FSE.”

  “Very well. You may continue, Counsel Machado.” The Speaker folded his hands.

  “Mr. Tinley, in your time undercover, did you ever encounter these men, Armand St. John or Daniel Scott Phillips-Rhodes?” Machado pointed to them.

  Jeff craned his neck to see before answering. “Only the dark-haired man but never the other one.”

  “And when did you see the dark-haired man, Armand St. John, to be specific.”

  “The last week before the case ended.”

  “You’re sure? He was never a customer at the King’s Plate? Never attended any of the FSE meetings?”

  “No, sir. He would definitely have been noticed if he’d been there.”

  Machado turned to the Speaker. “I present to High Council the fact that bears have never been considered exiguous shifters and Mr. St. John is not a member of the subversive group but rather a victim of circumstance who inadvertently stumbled into this case.”

  Counsel McGuire stood up. “Mr. Speaker, this is all conjecture. Mr. St. John could still have been part of the FSE. There are members of the more prominent shifter groups who have some sympathy for the exiguous ones. The fact that Agent Tinley didn’t see the defendant could simply mean Tinley had not infiltrated the FSE as deeply as he believed or that Mr. St. John was highly skilled at staying under the radar.”

  The Speaker nodded. “Point taken.”

  Lucy clasped her hands tightly together. “This is complete and utter nonsense,” she muttered. “It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t called Ryne when I was mugged, Armand wouldn’t have come looking for me and gotten involved.”

  A few nearby observers turned to look at them.

  Reno shook his head at her, a finger pressed to his lips.

  “I don’t care. Armand and Daniel are probably going to be charged with some non-existent crime.”

  More heads turned their way.

  “Be quiet or you’ll be thrown out of the room.” Reno hissed the warning.

  “But I—”

  The Speaker banged the gavel and she looked up to find him glaring directly at her with a sour expression. “Ma’am, if you’re so eager to talk perhaps you’d like to come up here and address High Council?”

  She ignored the sarcasm in his tone and stood up. “Yes, I would!”

  Gasps filled the room and there were flashes as reporters took her picture. Tessa tried to pull her back into her seat, but she shook off the grasp. A quick glance showed Caleb sleeping in Melody’s arms, so she stepped around Reno and marched down the aisle to the front of the room.

  “Lucy, I don’t want you here.” Armand stood and growled the words at her.

  “Too bad. I’m going to have my say.” She folded her arms and jutted her chin.

  Armand hesitated only sinking back into his seat when Ryne stood up and whispered urgently to him. He continued to glare at her, however she ignored him and faced High Council. “I’m Lucy Chalmers. Um, I mean Chandler… Well, the name thing is complicated but what’s important is that I want to tell you the real story of what happened.”

  “She’s a human,” Counsel McGuire surged to her feet, protesting. “Humans aren’t involved in these matters! They aren’t even part of our world and have no right to be here. How did she even get past security?”

  Lucy ignored the last question, not wanting to get Reno in trouble and tackled the rest of the woman’s statements. “For your information, I’m going to be part of your world once you set Armand free and we can pick a wedding date or whatever your kind call the ceremony.” She gave her hand a negligent wave. “And as for not being involved, it was my box of tampons that started it all. You can’t get much more involved than that, can you?”

  A murmur swept over the room and the Speaker signalled for silence before clearing his throat. “A box of tampons, you say? I don’t believe that’s a topic we’ve had brought before this council before.” He leaned back in his chair. “Please continue.”

  “Thank you, sir. That’s so kind of you.” She gave him her best smile, the one that always ensured she got a big tip, and began to explain.

  It took some time with both sides asking her questions and Jeff the chef corroborating certain parts. To her surprise, it turned out Gin was an ordinary human and, like Jenna, worked for Lycan Link. Her task had been watching Jeff, unbeknownst to him, to ensure his loyalty. The tale of who knew what was more twisted than a nest of snakes but eventually everyone on High Council seemed to understand the sequence of events.

  When she was done, she took a deep breath. “So you see how it happened? They were just trying to help me, and we handed the information over to you as soon as we could. Or at least we thought we’d handed it over but since this Soldoti isn’t really one of you, I guess we didn’t. That’s hardly our fault, though. Right?”

  “True.” The Speaker nodded. “And I commend you on the style of your oratory. It was both entertaining and informative.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled sweetly at him. He was a condescending old goat, but she tried not to hold it against him. Likely no one had ever taught him better. “I was on the dean’s list at college and at the top of my communication courses.”

  “Indeed? Well,” he cleared his throat, realizing he’d been chastised in the politest way possible. “I believe we’ll be able to make a decision on the facts as they were presented. Unless anyone else would care to add something?”

  Caleb chose that moment to wake up and coo loudly. Everyone turned to look at him, smiles tugging at the corners of their mouths.

  The Speaker tapped his gavel. “High Council will confer over lunch and present our decision when we reconvene at...” he consulted his watch, “two o’clock.”

  Armand sat with Daniel and Ryne eating the boxed lunch that had been brought to them. The sandwiches were dry but at least he and his friends had been allowed to share a meal, albeit with two Enforcers posted outside the room and a one-way mirror preventing them from having any privacy.

  “I still can’t believe Lucy did that.” He took a gulp of milk to help wash down the sandwich.

  “You should know by now she’s spirited.” Ryne peered suspiciously between the slices of bread.

  “Yes, when she lived in Stump River. But she was different in Chicago, quieter, more careful in her actions.”

  “That’s like Tessa. Marco said she was full of life back in Spain.” Daniel ate his food, seeming not to notice or care it was subpar.

  “Home turf, it brings out a person’s confidence,” Ryne said.

  “Lycan Link Headquarters isn’t Lucy’s ‘home turf’ though,” Armand pointed out.

  “But you’re here.” Daniel rummaged in the container the food came in and pulled out an apple. “Home is where the heart is.”

  “Cheesy, however Daniel’s right. Lucy might be human but we’re her pack and subconsciously she knows we have her back.” Ryne dumped the debatable sandwich back in the box and munched on the small package of store-bought cookies instead.

  Armand mulled over what they had said. It was true. He and Lucy and Caleb, it didn’t matter where they lived, as long as they were together it would be home.

  Unless we are in detention, his bear grumbled.

  That was a sticking point. If he was found guilty, he couldn’t expect Lucy to spend her life alone, visiting him on weekends in a detention centre. Nor could they live a life on the run, especially not with a child. He shoved his chair back and stood up, beginning to pace the room. If the trial didn’t go in his favour, there was one option, but he was reluctant to use it.

  “Relax,” Daniel dusted the crumbs from his hands and leaned back in his chair. “Lucy did a great job defending us. High Council will make the right decision, I’m sure of it.”

&nb
sp; “Are you?” He raised a brow. “You were a bundle of nerves earlier.”

  Daniel nodded. “I know. Machado was trying his best but getting nowhere. Lucy came at it from a new angle.”

  Ryne nodded. “She can be very persuasive.”

  Armand rubbed his chin, hoping they were right. Truth be told, he hadn’t heard half of what Lucy had said. He’d been too busy fuming over the fact that she was there, addressing the Lycan High Council, no less. His plan had been to keep her as far away from the murky mess as possible and instead she’d landed right in the middle of it. If she said the wrong thing, there could be negative consequences for her. After all, Lycan Link had twisted things enough to make him and Daniel seem involved. Who was to say they wouldn’t do the same thing to her?

  “Mel must have told her you’re a bear shifter,” Daniel commented interrupting his thoughts.

  “True,” he nodded, his surprise over seeing Lucy in the council chambers having obscured that fact. “I’ll have to thank her. I wasn’t sure how to broach the topic.”

  “When I told Melody, she thought I was bat-shit crazy.” Ryne chuckled reminiscently.

  An Enforcer opening the door ended their conversation. It was time to return to the High Council chambers. Armand’s stomach knotted. His future with Lucy would be decided in the next few minutes. Beside him, Daniel’s lunchtime bravado seemed to have faded. His shoulders might be squared but his clenched jaw told a different story. Ryne was little better, his fingers beating a nervous tattoo on his thigh that belied the cocky expression on his face.

  As they entered the room, they all glanced over the faces that packed the gallery, looking to the back where their women were seated. Lucy gave him a nod and Mel did a thumbs up. Tessa’s lips formed a nervous smile before she busied herself with the baby. Yeah, they were anxious as well.

  Taking their seats, they waited for the arrival of the High Council.

  Ryne leaned over, speaking quietly. “Kane texted me a few minutes ago. He said he contacted several members of High Council who he knows personally.”

  “And this might turn the balance in our favour?”