Nocturnal Revelations

by Amanda S Green

  She waited, looking between Jackson and Ellen. They both seemed to relax. Even though she hadn’t said the man was a normal, the fact he was being booked into jail told them. Had he been a lycan, she and Pat would have found reason to turn him over to Mateo before leaving the house.

  “And Branson?”

  “I contacted Mateo and he is trying to get a lock on that bastard’s car and cellphone. He’ll let us know when he does.”

  “Was Caudell able to tell you anything?” Elizabeth asked as she joined her mother and her daughter’s jaguar-form on the sofa.

  Jael shook her head. “He was unconscious when we reached him. It will be a miracle if he wakes.”

  Even if he did, she had no doubt he would suffer permanent damage from the beating he’d taken.

  “Does Wysocki know?” Ellen asked.

  “No.” As far as she cared, the woman could wait until Hell froze over. “But I did find enough at the scene to confirm our suspicions. The pack is going to move against the pride, most likely at the meeting tonight.”

  This time when the jaguar growled, Jael shivered. Anger burned in the jungle cat’s eyes. She watched as it gathered its muscles and started to rise. Before it could, both Ellen and Elizabeth soothed it with voices and hands. Still growling, Mac’s jaguar-form lay back down but it continued to watch Jael with Mac’s eyes and she knew the woman was very much present in the jaguar’s mind, listening to every word she said.

  “Then we need to call off the meeting,” Jackson said, his expression grim.

  Ellen shook her head and Jael had the impression the jaguar agreed with her.

  “We can’t. If we do, we’re letting the lycans know we suspect something.”

  “Then what do you suggest?” Elizabeth asked.

  “We need to make our own move before they realize we’re onto them.”

  Jael didn’t like it but it was the only thing that made sense. It was also exactly what she’d recommended to Mateo when she reported to him on her way to the safehouse. At least she could tell them he agreed and was simply waiting to hear from them before acting. But there was one worry and it lay on the sofa, watching and listening.

  Mac.

  Glad as she was to see Mac strong enough to shift, she knew it presented a problem. The younger woman would insist on taking part in what happened next. Her sense of duty, not to mention her need to make sure no one else was hurt, required it. But that didn’t mean Jael wouldn’t do everything possible to keep her and her unborn child safe. Even if it meant handcuffing her to the bed and setting an armed guard on her. Of course, they’d have to be human so Mac wouldn’t be able to roll them. There were disadvantages to trying to contain an alpha when she didn’t want to be.

  “Have you briefed Mateo?” Ellen asked.

  Jael nodded. “Not only is he working to get a location for Branson, but he’s doing the same with the pack’s other major players. He said to let him know when you’re ready to make a move. He’ll have members of his squad as well as Mac’s ready to go.”

  “We need to make sure our people are safe,” Jackson said and the jaguar nodded.

  “Send word to them. Don’t tell them everything but tell them there is possible danger and they are to go to ground until further notice.” Jael thought for a moment. “Better yet, have them get together at a few central locations. There is safety in numbers and I hope the lycans aren’t stupid enough to attack in the middle of the city.”

  Not that she’d place a bet on it. She’d learned long ago the pack tended to act before considering the consequences and that made them very dangerous on so many different levels.

  “And us?” Elizabeth asked, her right hand stroking the jaguar’s flank.

  “Part of me wants to tell you to bunker down here and let the rest of us deal with the lycans.” When the jaguar turned its head in her direction, there could be no mistaking the message. She wanted to be part of it and wasn’t going to take “no” for an answer. “However, I also think it is time to make a very clear statement—and to see what we can find out in the process.”

  An almost predatory expression crossed Jackson’s face as he leaned forward, elbows on knees. “And?”

  “I think it’s time the two of us pay a visit to Ferguson.” She held up a hand to forestall any of the protests she knew would come. “Under normal circumstances, it would be Mac meeting with Branson. We all know that isn’t going to happen.” She shook her head, her eyes flashing, as the jaguar growled in protest.

  “Mac, listen before you decide to do something foolish.” Jael waited until the jaguar nodded once. “We have to keep up the ruse that Mac’s hurt badly, at least for a little while longer. We also have to keep Pat where she is, with the cops, so some of the squad don’t start looking too closely at what happened and why. God knows, it won’t take much for them to start asking about how Mac continues to survive injuries that would kill others.”

  This time, the jaguar lowered her head and covered her eyes with her paws. As she did, Jael grinned, picturing Mac hiding her face behind her hands.

  “So I’ll go with you. But we’ll have backup as well. Sgt. Lee and at least one other member of Mac’s unit will be with us. They’ll cover our six while we have a chat with Ferguson.”

  For a moment, no one spoke. Jackson looked serious as he considered what she proposed. Elizabeth’s concern was written on her expression. Jael watched Ellen, knowing she had the final word, not only as an alpha in her own right but as a member of the Tribunal.

  “Won’t going to Ferguson tip him off that we know more than we’ve been letting on?” Ellen asked.

  “It may. But we need to see if he is involved and Jackson, as alpha, will be able to tell.” The fact Jackson was a stronger alpha also meant, hopefully, he’d be able to control the lycan if Ferguson decided to try something. Of course, that’s where she came in. She’d be armed and armored and wouldn’t hesitate to put a bullet in the lycan’s skull if it meant keeping Jackson safe. “While we suspect Ferguson of being involved in what’s happened, we have to be sure. I don’t see any way besides confronting him.”

  Jackson stood and paced the length of the room. No one said anything as they considered Jael’s plan. Then the jaguar slipped off the sofa and padded to where Jael sat. For a moment, it sat in front of her chair, tail wrapped around her paws. Then it stood, carefully placing its front paws on the seat cushion, and looked Jael in the eye. The message was clear. Mac, no matter what her form, planned to take part.

  “Talk to your mate. I’m not going to agree,” Jael said.

  The jaguar chuffed and leaned forward to lick her cheek. Then she turned and padded across the room to where Jackson stood. Ellen and Elizabeth followed. Knowing this was one of those times when discretion was the better part of valor, Jael stood and carried her plate into the kitchen. Maybe by the time she finished eating, they’d have reached some sort of agreement.

  * * *

  “Jackson, are you sure this is what you want to do?” Jael asked as she parked the SUV. “It’s not too late to call it off.”

  Even though part of him wanted to say “no”, he didn’t. He had to do this. He had to do is as an alpha and as pride leader. He had to do it because of what happened to Mac. His wife had come too close to losing her life—again—to let this latest attack go unchallenged. He had to do it because he could have lost her and their child. Most of all, he had to do it to protect not only those who looked to the pride but everyone. If the lycans had their way, war was the only result.

  “Let’s go.”

  He opened the door and stepped out. The moment he did, Sgt. Lee appeared from the back seat. The Marine reached out and placed a hand on Jackson’s arm, stopping him. Then he scanned the parking lot and front of the building. Jackson waited, letting the man make sure they weren’t walking into a trap. Then, when Lee nodded, he moved around to the rear of the SUV and opened the hatch.

  “Ready?” he asked as he reached out and caressed the ears of
his wife’s jaguar form.

  She gave a soft prrrow and rubbed her head against his hand. Then she climbed down. He watched as she stretched and then wove in and out of his legs like a house cat. He grinned and rested a hand on her shoulder, waiting until the jaguar looked up at him with his wife’s eyes.

  “No foolishness,” he warned.

  The jaguar yawned, as if bored.

  “Jael, you’re with the two of us. Sgt. Lee, you have the door.” Jackson stepped away from the SUV and paused, looking back at the two. “Keep her safe.”

  The jaguar bared her teeth and then gave a very human sigh as he simply arched one brow in her direction. Taking it for agreement, Jackson relented a little and knelt down on one knee.

  “Mac, you’re our ace in the hole right now. But I won’t risk you unnecessarily.” He stood and rested a hand inside his jacket pocket where the gun Jael had given him rested. He wouldn’t hesitate to use it to protect his wife. “Let’s go.”

  He crossed the parking lot and pushed open the door leading to Ferguson’s office. As he stepped inside, the man’s secretary leapt to her feet. Her look of outrage at his entry turned to surprise and then fear as the jaguar rushed across the office. Before she could protest, the jaguar had her pinned against the wall, teeth bared and growling in warning.

  So much for keeping Mac in the background.

  “Normal,” Jackson said as Sgt. Lee stepped forward. “Secure her and get her out of here.”

  Lee nodded. The jaguar dropped back to the ground and padded over to where Jackson stood. In one swift movement, Sgt. Lee spun the woman to face the wall. He pulled her hands behind her and secured them with flex-cuffs. By the time he turned her around, another member of the unit was there to escort her out of the building.

  Jackson checked to make sure the others were ready. Then he crossed to stand in front of the door leading to Ferguson’s private office. Warning, he lifted his right foot and kicked the door. It swung open, the doorframe splintered, on hinge barely hanging on. Not that it mattered. Jackson kicked it with enough force to embed the door knob deep inside the wall.

  Ferguson surged to his feet. Palms flat on the desktop, he threw his head back and howled in outrage. Jackson’s lips peeled back in a feral smile. He could smell the fear and outrage on the lycan. Good. The wolf knew a bigger, meaner and much deadly predator had entered his territory.

  “You trespass,” Ferguson snarled, his features blurring as his control slipped.

  Mac/Cait snarled in response from where she stood at Jackson’s side. Her mate rested a hand on her head and bared his teeth. He was in full alpha-mode and would not back down. Over the last year or so, he’d learned a great deal from both his wife and her grandmother. Now he was putting those lessons—and his anger—to good use.

  “Get out!” Ferguson bellowed, keeping the desk between them.

  “Not until you answer some questions.” Jackson signaled Jael and Sgt. Lee to take up positions on each side of the office. Ferguson wasn’t going to get away. Not if he could help it. “We have a few things to discuss. Sit!”

  Ferguson dropped onto his chair as if his legs simply gave out on him. Anger and disbelief raced across his expression. The sound of the jaguar purring in satisfaction filled the air. Jackson continued looking at the lycan alpha, waiting to see if he’d try to stand—or worse.

  “What the fuck do you want?” Ferguson asked.

  “Answers.”

  “Go to hell.”

  Ferguson’s hand fisted on the desktop and Jackson waited, eyes narrowed. The moment he saw the lycan gather his muscles to stand, he acted. He lifted his hand from the jaguar’s head, giving her the signal to move. In a split second, she went from sitting at his side to leaping on top of the desk, teeth bared at Ferguson’s throat.

  “You will answer my questions now or before the Tribunal.” Jackson kept his tone reasonable, almost personable. “First question. Did you know about the attack on my mate before it happened?”

  “No,” the lycan snarled.

  “Try again.” Jackson took a step forward. “Did you know they were going to try to kill my mate?”

  “I’m not telling you anything.”

  “Perhaps I should let my mate deal with you.” Jackson smiled as the jaguar growled menacingly. “She’s more than a bit upset at being shot in our own home. When we learned it was someone who looked to your pack, we had a choice to make. We could go to war and the Tribunal would back us. After all, the pack has been warned before about causing trouble between our peoples. Or we could try to get to the bottom of this. I chose to give you a chance. I’m not quite as hot-tempered as my mate. But, since you refuse to cooperate, I’ll happily turn you over to the Tribunal.” He glanced at Sgt. Lee.

  “Wait!” Ferguson tried, and failed, to stand as the sergeant moved in his direction. For a moment, he struggled against Jackson’s order to sit. Then he sagged back in the chair, his expression stormy. “All right. I’ll answer your damned questions.”

  One corner of Jackson’s mouth lifted in a smile. “Let’s start with what I already asked. Did you know about the attempt on my wife’s life before it happened?”

  “No.” He shook his head vigorously, as if the faster he shook it, the more believable he’d be.

  “When did you learn your people were involved?”

  “That morning, after it happened.”

  “Who took part? I want every name and where to find them.”

  “Why? So you can kill them?” Once again, Ferguson’s control slipped and his wolf danced across his features.

  “No, so our laws can be upheld. Now answer my question.” When Ferguson remained silent, Jackson signaled Sgt. Lee. “It’s obvious he’s a part of what’s happening. Secure him and then transport him to await the Tribunal’s judgment. Mackenzie, come. We have others to hunt tonight.”

  “This isn’t over, Caine!” Ferguson rasped.

  “It is for now.” Jackson turned his back on the man, knowing it showed insult. “Jael, search the office. I want to know everything he does about what happened and about what he and Branson have planned.”

  “Understood, Alpha.”

  She inclined her head, making a show of giving Jackson the respect the pride leader deserved. Any other time, he’d tell her to stop but not today. Not when both of them were making a point to the pack leader. No longer would the pride give them the benefit of the doubt. Any good will the pack built up was long gone. Now it would pay for its violations of their laws and the of the laws of the normals.

  30

  “Are you sure you’re up to this?” Jael asked in concern.

  Mac carefully pulled on her shirt, wincing slightly as pain in her left shoulder reminded her she still had some healing to do. But the shift back to human hadn’t hurt as badly as her shift to jaguar. She’d give almost anything to have the opportunity to shift several more times. But that was a luxury she didn’t have. Time was running out. If they didn’t figure out exactly what the lycans planned, tragedy would follow.

  “I have to be.” That didn’t exactly answer Jael’s question. Seeing her former mentor’s frown, she smiled slightly. “Jael, I’m not going to lie. I hurt and I’m tired and hungry. But the pain’s not as bad as before I shifted. You saw my wounds. They look like they’re a week or more old instead of a couple of days. The rest of it is normal after a shift.”

  3Jael nodded, not completely convinced Mac told the truth. “I know, kid, but we’ve all been so worried. The last thing any of us want is for something else to happen to you.”

  “Trust me, I don’t want anything else to happen to me.” Mac finished buttoning her shirt and moved to slip her right arm around the woman’s shoulders in a quick hug. “I don’t think I’ve said thank you for saving my life.”

  “I’m just sorry I didn’t get there a few minutes sooner.”

  Mac gave her shoulders another squeeze. As she did, she had no doubt Jael would be at least five minutes early for any appointmen
t from now on.

  “Jael, you were there when I needed you and you did what had to be done. Remember that.” She moved to sit on the edge of the bed and bent to pull on her boots. “Did the team find anything at Ferguson’s office or home that will help us?”

  Jael nodded. Her cold smile sent shivers down Mac’s spine. She’d seen that expression on the woman’s face once before. Mac had still been a rookie cop and they’d been pulled in to assist detectives in tracking down and arresting a rapist who had been terrorizing one part of the city for months. She and Jael had been included because they’d been first on scene for three of the rapes. That night, her mentor was every bit the predator Mac turned into now when she shifted.

  “Tell me,” she said simply as she pulled on her second boot.

  “Let’s just say we found enough to reasonably conclude he knew Branson planned to use Caudell to kill you. We also found information tying him back to old man Wilkinson—may he forever rot in Hell—and Derek Reed.”

  Mac hissed, not in pain but in anger, when she heard the two men’s names. Alexander Wilkinson, like his daughter Cassandra, thought they were above the laws governing their kind. Greed and ego led to their downfall. Their deaths had been decreed by the Tribunal. Neither could be allowed to live after the magnitude of their crimes against shapeshifters, not to mention normals, were learned.

  The Tribunal also confined and punished a number of others who assisted the two in their crimes. Some met their deaths in the Circle. Others would never see the light of day again, at least not and be free to roam the Earth. Even so, they knew they hadn’t managed to ferret out all of Wilkinson’s supporters. Mac knew her grandmother had long suspected Derek Reed of complicity but there’d never been enough evidence to move against him. Now, perhaps, there was.