Reorganized Wolf (Seraphine Thomas Book 12)

by Erin R Flynn

  “I understand.” Brian cleared his throat awkwardly. “I just wanted to make it clear it won’t be like it was before. It won’t unless I’m needed and someone calls me in.”

  “Got it,” I cut in before he continued. I decided to lay it out on the line. “I want you to go to Melicent and ask for her guidance, her blessing, and act like that was the plan once I accepted your proposal, you filled me in on the plan and we moved forward. Stay a week and get a crash course with Bemus on how to be a consort so once we’re off the FBI clock you know exactly your role if you want it.”

  “Of course I do. I wasn’t such an idiot I didn’t know there would be lots I needed to learn. I did plan on that,” he said, sounding a bit miffed we were assuming he was that dense.

  I ignored that and continued. “I would say visit President Nuri or Greece next but now isn’t the time with what happened in Russia, but make it clear that’s coming when you can take the time. Visit Laila with Jonik if he’ll help us. Yes, get a crash course, but also invite her here for a formal visit once we’re official and ask she bless our son.”

  “Our son?” he breathed, hope in his voice.

  “Yes, but…” I glanced at Dain, glad when he nodded.

  “Phobie?” he guessed, blowing out a slow breath when he felt the answer from me. “She’s not wrong and that woman has reason to be so distrusting as well.” He focused on Brian. “The concern is if you adopt Topher officially, you risk his dual citizenship. Sera has it and the adoption is done so Topher has it too now. If the government takes a turn against us or comes for him, Greece can’t help if—”

  “Who do you want on paper then?” Brian asked.

  “I’m not sure yet, but I’m leaning towards Dain,” I answered. “Fairy law… It would be a big fucking deal to go back on a lot of everything here with the monarch living within the US and all the money the government makes off the fae. It’s a protected consulate recognized by international law if something happens. That gives him layers.”

  “But you’re saying he would still be my son?”

  I met his gaze then, letting him see my love for him. “Bri, you already love him like he’s yours. Do you want him to be your son even if you never get the court document?”

  “Yes.” His answer was immediate and firm.

  And he wasn’t the only one.

  I blinked between Hagan and Reagan, who both answered. I nodded my head. “I’m not against that. He can have four fathers and several uncles. The question is can you all accept that? You discussed your roles of the twins being my husbands to the pack and wolf things. Noah my husband for vampire everything. Brian to the FBI and legally. Dain to the fairies and maybe if he gets into Chicago politics. Is this a life you can all seriously see working for us?”

  “Yes,” they all answered.

  “Then I can too,” I admitted, flooring myself how easy it was to say that given how hard I’d run from relationships in the past. “It won’t be easy and we’re not all just okay. But I think we’re clear on our path.” I cleared my throat, knowing the next issue. “You all know that Alena and Melicent have—”

  “Double or triple what you’re suggesting plus occasional moon mates,” Noah cut in, giving me a smile. “And for the record, I’m firmly of the answer of being Topher’s uncle. I can love him more, maybe like a son, and I hope that’s welcome, but we both know it would only make him a target. I will always be there for him and anything he needs I will gladly provide, but everything is too tumultuous to risk him.”

  “I love you too.”

  “Glad we know how we feel then,” he teased, giving me a wink.

  Yeah, I was too because for a while there I thought he only loved me but it wasn’t more and I felt the same. But things changed when he saved me from Vlad and stepped up. We realized… We admitted it was more. We might not want that every night, picket fence idea with each other, but we had a piece of the other and it was real.

  “I would also like you to meet with Haton while you’re in Vegas,” I told Brian. “It makes sense you would be so close.”

  “But you’re plotting something else,” he accused.

  “Yes, but I need to talk to Eugene first,” I sighed.

  Dain nodded. “You assume the wolf elder will invite himself to try and throw his weight and power around to intimidate Brian even if he’s removed from that chain of command working for the FBI. He’ll assume he’s new and still thinking like an arrogant human.”

  “Wouldn’t you think that of any of the council not our friends?” I drawled as I reached for another container of food. I wasn’t shocked when several snickered.

  “And you’re hoping you can talk Eugene into being there where he’s on neutral terms and he’s no longer working for the council so he can have a chat with the elder,” Carter surmised. “His bullshit risked your safety and more and that will piss off Eugene since he used him to do it.”

  “Assuming he still feels the same about me,” I muttered, focused on my food.

  “They both feel the same for you, which is why they’ve been distant,” Dain said gently. “They’re trying to be mature and not make a confusing time worse for you.” He waited until I nodded. “And Eugene admitted he was worried his wolf would challenge Brian after he hurt you.”

  “Shit, he’d tear Brian to shreds,” I hissed, a thrill of fear racing through me. “He’s way more serious about me than he’s been letting on if his wolf is vying for the spot of my mate.”

  “He seemed a bit shocked his wolf was so ready for it,” Dain admitted but then was quiet for several moments as if choosing his next words carefully. “I think this was a stage and position he never wanted to find himself in as it’s exactly something everyone had hoped. Except then he met you and the Dorcuses and they’re so different than his family or other shifter royalty that he…”

  “What?” Hagan asked.

  “I don’t know,” Dain confessed with a frown. “He’s so conflicted he isn’t clear on what he feels or what. His wolf is clearer. Brian received a golden ticket that placed him almost as your mate—higher than being sirened for sure—and he abused it. He deserves to lose the place and his wolf wants it because he would never let another treat you that way.”

  “But Eugene’s not ready?” Brian checked, sounding nervous.

  “No,” Carter answered. “But he spoke to me about wanting several words with you to explain what a pack is and how to be a wolf in a leadership role. Oh, and that you have to fight for that position and he looks forward to making you earn it.”

  “You made your bed,” I chuckled darkly, shocking all of them. I shrugged, smirking at Brian when his eyes flashed shock. “You want me to play favorites and not have you earn your spot, Boy Scout?”

  “Fuck no,” he snarled, his eyes flashing his wolf. “I might be new but I’ve had decades of training and you are worth as many ass kickings as it takes to get to the right spot. I won’t be a full-time Beta but I will be one and make sure of it to stand next to you.”

  “You better or we’re all in serious trouble, which includes you now,” Hagan warned. “So what’s your answer? You willing to deserve your Alpha?”

  “I’m willing to deserve you,” Brian told me, his eyes never leaving mine even if he was answering Hagan’s question. “I never cared you were boss or a wolf or any of it. I respect your position just like you did mine but that was never why you liked me. So yeah, I’ll jump the extra hoops and learn what I need to. I’ll show that I’m willing to do this right and protect all of us.”

  “And from this moment on you will stop being so fucking trusting,” Dain added quietly. “Please, please, Brian. I’m over six hundred years old. Noah eight hundred. Carter ancient. Please believe us that while your belief in what’s right is truly one of your finest qualities, your continued belief that those on your side are on your side will get us all killed.”

  “I get it,” he promised. “I do, I swear it.” He let out a shaky breath and ran his hands over his
head. “I thought—Murray was working in the DC office when we were in New York and he said the shake-up and cleaning of house was such a relief. I fell right in the trap of thinking he got cleared by your branch of the DC office.”

  “No, that’s what they wanted you to think so they didn’t object,” I grumbled, realizing this was more than Brian being trusting and a twit. He was good at his job and checked what he should. They played him.

  And that pissed me the fuck off.

  We were all supposed to be on the same fucking team.

  “And what we say at these meetings goes no further than these walls, not ever,” Carter warned Brian, glad when he nodded. “So we have a plan and we figure out how to make all this work? Is that it for tonight or onto other topics?”

  I popped the last dumpling in my mouth. “I know what you want to discuss but I trust you to handle it. That’s not a group discussion. I’d like everyone to think about the best tour for Brian or whatever and have a plan ASAP. Otherwise, I’d really like to crash. I’m still down on the tank and we’ve had way too many upsets.”

  “Can I stay?” Brian asked.

  “No, not yet,” I whispered. “And I’m not wearing your ring yet on my finger. I will on a necklace. I hope we’ll talk a lot while you’re gone. Phobie says she hopes you talk to her too. She says she’s going to be a bit pushy if we’re open to it because she wants us to work and the pack needs us stable since we want to be together.”

  “I welcome the help and chance to talk to you.” He stood and came around the table, leaning over and kissing my hair. “I love you, Sera.”

  “Me too.”

  He didn’t leave though until I looked up at him. “I don’t want to poke Dain or open old wounds, but I need to know this won’t hurt you like I’m walking away or abandoning you.”

  “Not as long as you come back and make sure you’re talking to me,” I answered, happy he thought to check with me. I sat up and kissed his cheek. “Maybe we can teach you not to be such an idiot.”

  “I have my moments.”

  “Don’t we all,” I snickered.

  Luckily everyone realized I was at my limit and didn’t push me anymore. Even Enzo took a guest room when the twins offered to stay and I accepted. I wanted my wolves and they needed the comfort as well. The boys would be fine down the hall and it wasn’t even about sex.

  No, we just needed each other or at least I needed them. It seemed they longed for the same when I crawled in between them naked and they simply held me, not even trying for more. Best way to sleep when too much shit was going on in my opinion.

  Now I could and that was something I never took for granted.

  14

  The next morning all of Enzo’s people had arrived and were already assigned where they were bunking with Carter and our coven. We gathered in the party room and game lounge on one of the top floors. Their cover was set and introductions made all around, which I barely nodded my head with and let Carter be in charge of while I looked over what I needed to.

  I’d never worked a bomb threat case before so I was poring over all the reports coming in. Luckily Oswalt had vast experience and gave me several reference ones when I asked him so that was what I was currently studying while I waited for everything to come in from the FBI I requested on cases involving explosives or suspects that threatened churches or religions since that was all we currently had.

  Yeah, it was a wide net but I wasn’t a fan of just sitting around with my thumb up my ass waiting for more to go off of. People died when law enforcement did that. Granted, people could die if we did all we could, but at least we did all we could.

  I might have only been half paying attention, but I made sure my ring was in my pocket because I also wasn’t stupid. I swallowed a sigh when it was time for me to act the boss. I handed my tablet over to Emilio and went over the problem… Because there was always, always a problem.

  I aligned with my siren and turned up our power before the ancient vampire even realized I was near him or up to something, completely enthralling him with my allure. I ran my hand up his chest and smiled at him. “Do you love me?”

  “Yes, with all I am,” he panted in a sexy French accent, moving his hands to my hips. “You are everything, Mistress.”

  “Would you kill for me?”

  “Of course.”

  “Would you kill yourself for me?”

  “If you wish,” he answered immediately, not even having to think about it. Several people growled or cursed under their breaths.

  But I wasn’t done yet. “Really? You wish to slit your throat for me if I want it? Why? Why would I want it?”

  His face fell. “I’m so sorry. I was thinking such horrible things about you.” He dropped to his knees and lowered his head. “I’m so sorry, Mistress.”

  “What did you think of me?”

  “Please don’t hate me,” he begged. “I was a fool. I did not see the goddess and wonder you were. I thought you ordinary. Punish me however you want, but I beg you to not make me say it to you. Thinking it was crime enough.”

  “The others need to know so they understand. Your friends might get angry at me for how I’ll punish you if they don’t know.”

  He snarled, his fangs coming out even as he looked at Enzo. “I would kill all of you if you even think to hurt her.”

  “Holy fucking shit,” one of them hissed.

  “Carter, do you guys regenerate like shifters? I know some humans have gotten infected and regrown a leg after shifting but that’s rare. Do vampires do any of that?”

  He cleared his throat nervously. “Small things. A finger I’ve seen but anything more, no, the wound will heal over.”

  “Tell your friends what you were thinking… I don’t know your name.”

  “Absolon, Mistress. My name is Absolon,” he rasped, lowering his head dejectedly. “I thought horrible things that you were probably strong for a wolf but a nice piece of ass that lured in real power like the councilmen to give you their people to protect you. I never wished to lead but taking Carter’s place was my new goal as he clearly does as he wants and has you.”

  “And?” I pushed.

  “And you have wealth and power outside of the Dorcuses. That comes with many, many perks. I want freedom, not to break laws or do wrong, but the rumors of the fun your ancients get to have sounds amazing. My power is more than yours and you would be so lovely on your knees for me every night thanking me for keeping you and your pack safe.”

  I cranked up my power higher but not all the way, just to top all of theirs. “Anyone else think my power is less than theirs?”

  “No, Mistress,” they all immediately answered.

  “Just because I don’t flaunt it doesn’t mean I’m weak,” I warned them. “I’m not. I just don’t have a dick I feel the need to whip out and compare sizes of. We don’t roll like that in Chicago. However, I have no problem being harsh as it protects my people. Never forget this moment and don’t doubt that if you plan to spend time here.”

  “I won’t ever again,” Absolon swore to me.

  I chuckled darkly. “No, you won’t.” I leaned down and kissed him to feed, feeding more and more until my siren tapped out. “Chew off your own finger and give it to Enzo as an apology for misbehaving when he vouched for you. Don’t ever even think of taking out my people again or next time I’ll have you slit your own throat.”

  “Yes, Mistress.” He didn’t hesitate, using his ancient speed and strength to snap it off.

  My stomach soured but I made myself watch. I was doing this; I didn’t get to turn away because it was monstrous. I swallowed it down when he handed it over to Enzo and the councilman didn’t just accept it but licked the blood from the finger to see it all for himself. Rage instantly filled his eyes even with his always controlled everything and I wanted to curse under my breath at my mistake.

  “You kill him and you give validity to his point that I can’t fight my own battles,” I muttered before he reacted, my wol
f sensing the increase in his adrenaline like he was going to act even if his face was completely calm. “And I don’t kill people for their thoughts, Enzo.”

  “They’re my people,” he reminded me. “And I’m a councilman.”

  I raised an eyebrow at that. “Yes, you are, but you’re here on a personal request and asked for a very personal payment so that makes you here as Enzo, unless you’d like to change what you’re asking for.”

  “Not in the slightest,” he conceded, tossing the finger over to Carter. “Fine, I won’t kill him for embarrassing me. He’s yours now anyways, yes?”

  “No, my allure will wear off in a few hours. I don’t just take people as that pisses off who they belong to.” I glanced at everyone else. “Take it as a warning though and let’s get on with the tour.” I shot a quick look at Absolon and was glad to see he wasn’t bleeding out or anything before taking my tablet back from Emilio.

  “Sera,” Carter murmured as he reached for me.

  I shrugged him off. “Don’t try and comfort me when I act like a monster. I deserve to feel like shit. That doesn’t mean I regret it.” I kept walking, hitting the button for the elevator a bit harder than needed.

  “What she did will haunt her,” Carter told them quietly. “But she would do it to protect any of us. That’s the leader she is and why we follow her, fight to protect her and what she’s building here. Pay attention as it’s vastly different—and with respect, Councilman—better than what we’ve had as options before. Not through any fault of the council or even Papadopoulos, but this is…”

  “Chicago is like Narnia in a way,” Emilio offered. “It’s a mix of cultures and progress we’re not used to in the old world but also freedoms not all support. Yes, you pay for those freedoms but the chains aren’t as heavy, and you must fight for them. That’s the price, so understand that and know you sign up for a cause here, not just a new address.”

  I grabbed Orson’s arm when he moved next to me and quickly pulled him down to share power, smirking when he moaned. “I took too much from him in punishment.”