Sins of the Father

by JJ King

  Katherine slipped the coin into her pocket and followed everyone as they relocated to the long table Sylvie had gotten delivered to her room early this morning for just this purpose. She again took the spot to her mother’s left with Lady MacLaren at the table’s head, and opened her laptop, ready for business.

  Discussion opened on how to inform the world’s current Alphas without causing panic and new conflict. There would be some regardless of how they approached it, everyone agreed, but it had to be done, today. News like this wouldn’t stay confined long.

  “The Council members were no doubt in constant contact with their staff and families at home,” Sylvie pointed out, worrying her lip with a frown, “if we don’t make the announcement by this evening, someone is going to come looking.”

  They’d gathered the various communication devices brought by the Council members; phones, tablets, laptops, and had brought them all to the somewhat cleared office. Teagan was working his way through them, searching for further proof to bring against the Alphas. The more they had to convince everyone they’d done what was right and just, the better.

  Katherine wished she could just out Quinn as one of the Geliget; it would make everything so much easier. But, the Guardians were just myths to most of her kind, figments of childish stories and imagination. Quinn had promised to ask, but she couldn’t see them coming out of the shadows for this. Yes, things were complicated, but it would get better, she really believed it.

  As soon as there was a lull in the discussion, Katherine cleared her throat and addressed the group. “I know you’ve all been informed of Malachi’s confession of guilt in regard to my father’s murder,” she swallowed hard and forced herself to stay unemotional. “There was something more he confessed that I’d like to discuss.”

  All eyes focused on her with rapt attention. Katherine met each eye, instantly more comfortable now that it felt as though she were in a courtroom. She slid back into the role seamlessly. As the Sisterhood listened, Katherine recounted her abduction and torture by Raphael the year before and brought everyone up to the point where Rose was captured on Wild River land.

  “Rose had barely any scent, thanks to a serum she’d covered herself in that erases wolves’ natural scent from their skin. She’d stolen vials of it from Raphael before escaping the castle to find her way here.” Katherine lifted her glass of water and took a long draw, wetting her parched throat. “We used the serum again during our approach to Classiebawn and discovered stores of it in the mountain after we’d subdued Raphael and his men.”

  “Something like that could be very dangerous in the wrong hands,” Dalia’s eyes showed equal parts worry and fascination.

  Katherine nodded, “Exactly what we thought. Which is why we gathered up all remaining samples and files and brought them back here with us. The reason I bring all of this up, however, is because Malachi’s confession, or rather his boast because he thought I would die momentarily, included his connection to the serum and Raphael’s army.” She paused and pulled out the lab results she’d gotten from Teagan before coming to the meeting, “Anthony found blood in an airshaft leading to Dad’s room down in Montana and had it tested against Dad’s and Rose’s, since we still weren’t sure of her allegiance at the time. It came back positive for familial markers. Dad’s murderer was one of Raphael’s creations, one of Dad’s other sons.” Katherine steeled herself and turned to look at her mother.

  Sylvie’s face blossomed a deep red and her hands bunched into tight fists. Katherine hated seeing her mother in pain, but she refused to see her as too weak to handle harsh realities anymore. She reached for her mother’s arm and squeezed gently. “Malachi’s under lock and key, Mom, and this time, there’s no one on the outside masterminding an escape. He’ll pay, the entire Council will pay.”

  Lady MacLaren reached for Sylvie’s other arm, “She’s right, my friend.” She sat back and addressed the group, “I think we should keep this information quiet for now and the serum and documents should be locked up securely until our leaders have gathered. How is the release coming along?” She looked to Katherine.

  “It won’t take me long to finalize.” Katherine glanced over the document she’d been drafting during their meeting. “I’ve been thinking about how we can reach every Alpha worldwide, though, and I think Teagan can help us with that.” She smiled, thinking about her youngest brother and how amazing he was with technology. “Dad had him set up a multiple Alpha chat once when there was a rogue issue in Europe. Given a few hours I’m sure he could securely connect all the Alpha households at once so we can speak face-to-face, so to speak.”

  “Like in the movies,” Lady MacLaren smiled widely, “Yes, I think that would be great.” She rested her hands before her on the table and looked around the room, “Let’s reconvene here at 5:00 p.m. to prepare.”

  The women pushed noisily away from the table, twisting and stretching. Katherine waited until they’d all left the room before speaking. “Mom…”

  “I didn’t handle your father’s death very well,” Sylvie interrupted before Katherine could get more than a single word out. She pushed her chair back into the table and began making her way around, tidying up even though she didn’t need to. There were staff to do that sort of thing.

  Katherine started on the other side of the table.

  “It was the most painful thing I’ve ever experienced, losing him like that.” Sylvie shook her head and closed her eyes for a moment, “It was like having part of me ripped out with no warning or anesthetic. I was whole one moment, then the next I was… in ruins.” Tears slipped down her cheeks and Sylvie just let them fall.

  The familiar ache that had taken up home in Katherine’s chest the moment her father had died, intensified now like it did from time to time. Along with it came the familiar guilt that she could sometimes feel less pain, even sometimes forget that he was gone and she shouldn’t be able to breathe. Katherine rubbed her chest with her palm and waited silently for her mother to continue.

  “I know you all stepped up and made all of this happen,” she waved toward the table, but Katherine understood she meant what had happened with Raphael and the Council, even the Sisterhood. “And I know you kept secrets from me so I could heal and find myself again,” Sylvie put down the glasses she’d gathered on a tray and turned to face Katherine. “But, I’m going to be alright. I’ll never be whole again, but it doesn’t hurt as much today as it did yesterday or the day before. I still miss your father with every fiber of my being, but I can’t disappear again, not for you or the boys, or Eve. Or the children you’ll all have.” Sylvie smiled sadly, “Our family will heal, and you made that happen.”

  “No Mom,” Katherine emptied her arms and rounded the table, pulling Sylvie into her arms, “you made all of this happen. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever known and you taught us to be strong, too. We’d be nothing without you.”

  Sylvie brushed the hair back from Katherine’s face, “You’re so much like your father, you know that?”

  Katherine nodded, “I do.”

  They were silent for a moment, then Sylvie linked her arm through Katherine’s like she used to do when Katherine was a young girl, and she started toward the door. “Now, let’s go tell your brother that you volunteered him to do the impossible in a little over five hours.”

  They’d just about reached the door when Quinn appeared, his face set in grim lines. Katherine stared at him waiting, then waved her hand and said, “Well, what did they say?”

  Quinn exhaled and looked back and forth between Katherine and her mother, “They said to cancel any announcement we’ve planned and that we’re expected in Zurich within the next forty-eight hours.”

  Katherine gaped at him. She’d hoped the Geliget elders would choose to involve themselves, but she’d never expected this kind of summons. “Who exactly do they mean by “we”?” Her eyebrows crept up as she thought of all the wolves currently residing at Wild River.

  Quinn sighed and nod
ded, confirming her suspicions, “Everyone,” he held up his hands and shook his head, looking baffled, “they said everyone.”

  ♀♀♀

  “So, all the Alpha families will be there? How big is this place going to be?” Daphne shook her head in wonder. There were presently seventeen official Alphas worldwide as recognized by the now defunct Alpha Council. Not every country had its own Alpha as wolfkind existed long before humans settled on the current incarnation of borders. Most Alpha families were vast, with many generations, unlike Katherine’s small family, so inviting all of them was unthinkable.

  Keme folded another sweater into his already full suitcase, glancing up at her before reaching for another pair of underwear. Daphne wondered if he were packing for a month. “I don’t think they’ll all be coming,” he didn’t sound confident, “it would be complete chaos. Sita said she’s leaving Echa home and that Kitche and Kanen are coming alone, as well.”

  “Do they know about Dalia yet?” Daphne asked cringing. Keme’s reaction to seeing his mother again had been intense, but he’d been messed up in craziness for months, so seeing the truth in Dalia’s story had probably been easier for him. There was no telling how his brothers and sister would respond.

  “Dad told them,” Keme rubbed a hand over his chin as he always did when he was tired, mentally or physically. “I don’t think they’d have agreed to come if the summons hadn’t come from the freaking Geliget.”

  Daphne huffed, “Can you imagine everyone’s reactions right now? Their lives haven’t been in constant chaos like ours, this summons will be coming out of left field for them.”

  Keme chuckled, “I’ve got over a hundred and fifty new texts from my family,” he showed her his cell phone screen, which was lit up with alerts. Daphne grinned back at him, then let the grin slide off her face as she turned away to resume packing. There were no alerts from her family, not now, not ever. Although, she supposed, once word leaked out that she was caught up in the restructuring of power in their world, she might get the occasional text or call.

  Pushing the morose thoughts away, Daphne pulled a long satin gown out of the closet, “Think I’ll need this?”

  Keme nodded, “I’m bringing my Armani. With all the Alphas present, I’m sure there’s going to be at least one formal event.”

  Knowing the fabric would wrinkle regardless of how she packed it, Daphne folded the gown and placed it between two soft day dresses. It would have to be ironed once they arrived anyway. She busied herself by mentally reviewing what she’d already packed and what she might need. There was no way to know how long they’d be in Zurich or what she’d need. A slow smile crept across her face at the thought that she’d be in the beautiful old city in less than two days. She’d always wanted to see it. “Have you ever been to Zurich?” She asked over her shoulder.

  “A few times,” Keme’s voice rumbled just behind her. Daphne twisted, surprised by his stealthy approach.

  “Hey you,” she smiled up at her mate.

  “Hey,” he lowered his mouth to hers. The kiss was slow and deep, melting her knees until Daphne had no choice but to cling to Keme to remain standing.

  When he pulled back, she sucked in a lungful of oxygen, “What was that for?” She managed to ask.

  Keme brushed his knuckles over her cheek and pressed his lips to her again. “Do I need a reason?”

  “Never,” Daphne breathed. She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. She knew he was thinking about his upcoming family reunion, but there was no point agonizing over what might happen. He needed her by his side when the big event went down and that was where she’d be, and until then she’d be in his arms.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Rose covered her mouth in awe as the sleek black car that had been waiting for them at the airport pulled up and stopped in front of a castle so beautiful it stole her breath. She’d been born and raised in a lovely old castle on a beautiful piece of land, but in comparison to this, Classiebawn had been a hovel.

  “It’s like a fairy tale,” Rose said in a hushed tone, reaching to take Liam’s hand. “And I grew up in Yeats’ country,” she glanced away from the spectacle, “so I know fairy tales.”

  Liam leaned over to look out her window at the brightly lit castle. It shone like a beacon in the night sky, lighting up the countryside and making the approach more magical than it could have ever been in daylight. “And I thought my family’s home was grand,” he whistled. “I think we may be underdressed.”

  Rose looked down at her outfit; black dress pants, a pale blue blouse that was wrinkled, and a pair of black wedge boots, all borrowed from Katherine’s wardrobe. She’d have to change as soon as they found their room but, for now, she was presentable. She sized up Liam’s dark dress pants and cable knit gray sweater. “We’re fine for now,” she assured him.

  The driver came around and opened the door for them, holding out his hand to help Rose from the back. She took it, not sure if refusing would be considered rude, and felt like an idiot when he paused in front of her, clearly waiting for a tip. Rose fumbled to open her purse, chastising herself for not thinking ahead, but stopped when Liam offered a crisp bill without blinking an eye. She smiled in thanks and took his offered hand, pulling herself up tall to walk beside him into the impressive abode. He’s so good at all this, Rose thought, and I’m not. The weight of her inadequacy was ever present, which is why she’d been shadowing Sylvie since they returned. She was an amazing woman; totally confident and adept at whatever she attempted. There was a natural grace to Sylvie that Rose wasn’t sure she’d ever achieve.

  The thought that one day she might be called on to be first lady to Liam’s Alpha status made her feel nauseated. His father was still strong and fit, though, so hopefully he’d remain Alpha for some time, allowing her to pick up as many good qualities from the women around her as possible.

  More than once, she’d heard Katherine thank the Old Ones that Quinn wasn’t part of an Alpha family. Being first lady wasn’t one of her aspirations, although, Rose knew for a fact that being an actual Alpha was. She wondered what Katherine was thinking now that things were about to change. Wanting something unobtainable was one thing, going after something within grasp was completely different.

  They made their way in awed silence inside the castle and followed a decked-out staff member up the winding stairs to their room on the second floor while another person followed behind with their luggage.

  At their door Liam again handed out tips while Rose walked the room with her mouth agape. She managed to hold it together until the door swung shut, then she squealed and ran around the room like a child, completely overjoyed at their luxurious accommodations.

  “It’s amazing!” Rose poked her head into the bathroom and sighed. “I could get used to this.”

  Across the room, near a gorgeous fireplace, a set of French doors covered in the sheerest gauze called to her. Rose walked toward it, fingers crossed, and pulled open the twin doors. The whole of the Swiss countryside opened up before her, cast in long dark shadows that were illuminated only by the lights of the castle. Rose sighed and stepped out onto the balcony, which reminded her of the dreams she’d had as a girl that someday a handsome prince would come to Classiebawn and whisk her and her family away to safety. As she got older, she’d realized that her dreams were just childish fantasies and that if she wanted to ever be free, she’d have to make it happen herself.

  There were no princes in shining armor, not in real life, although Liam came as close as she could have ever imagined. He was strong, kind, smart, and incredibly loyal to those he loved. But, he didn’t treat her like a storybook princess, one who would be content to wait in a tall tower, locked away from everything she loved, waiting for someone to save her. Liam made her feel smarter, more capable, and stronger than she’d ever viewed herself.

  Rose looked back into the room to see Liam on his cell, speaking animatedly with whom she could hear was his mother. She closed
the doors, leaving behind the fantastical and thanked the Old Ones for the real live man before her.

  A knock on the door started them both. Liam bade a quick goodbye to his mother and went with Rose to the door. They weren’t expecting anyone.

  An older woman stood on the other side of the door, all by herself, waiting with her hands folded in front of her. Her hair was long and pale around her shoulders, shimmering with streaks of reddish blonde and silver. Rose stared at her, unable to look away as her eyes traced the woman’s long lines, her delicate fingers, the curve of her neck.

  A lump formed in Rose’s throat and her skin tingled with awareness. Every part of her strained toward the woman, wanting to touch her, needing to see if she were real. It was like looking into a photograph of her mother, a photograph she’d never had.

  “Rose?” The woman’s heavily accented voice was shaky, not feeble but filled with emotions. Her lips twitched as if she wanted to say more, but instead she waited.

  Rose started to cry, her tears coming from a place so far down that she’d forgotten it existed. It was the place she’d tucked away the memories she had of her mom, of the stories she’d told before bedtime, of the way she’d kissed her forehead and snuggled her close at night. It was the purest, more untouched part of her, and now it was breaking open.