“Matthew pulled a knife.” It wasn’t a question, but she treated it as one and gave a single nod. “Tyler showed me the scar.”
Of course, he did.
She wasn’t entirely sure where she stood in relation to the fight between the two men because she lacked details or a personal stake; however, she could understand Matthew’s anger at what, by the known details, wasn’t completely consensual. She remembered the anger and fear of her early days, following the deaths of her parents and her own injuries, then the strangeness of adapting to the wolf’s presence in her body. It hadn’t been easy for her to deal with the survivor’s guilt even with Micah and Steven at her sides so how much worse must Matthew feel at his inability to protect his sister? Had he seen turning as worse than death?
Landon’s frown prompted her to continue.
“Obviously Charlie had to get involved when that happened,” Imogene said, pausing as the waitress delivered their plates. Her falling curls were gathered back into a ponytail then wrapped again to avoid getting in her food as she smiled to the waitress then added pepper and waited until they were alone again. “He got Matthew out while one of the waitresses tended to Tyler in the back office. I don’t know what was said when Charlie came back, but neither of them spent too much time at Bordertown after that, Tyler due to exile and Matthew due to guilt, I guess.”
Landon gave a snort. “Guilt is not what Matthew’s feeling,” he remarked before picking out a bite of his lasagna. “Although since when do you hang out at Bordertown? Aren’t you the one who said bars were for people too dumb to hold a real conversation?”
The reminder of her words, spoken with all the intelligence of a fifteen year old, made her cheeks flush as she glanced down to her food. She ate a bite of mashed potatoes and gravy before replying, “Letty likes them, and I have to meet new people somehow.”
“And Letty is?” His question caught her off-guard as much as the intensity of his eyes.
She started to say none of his business except what harm was there in admitting she’d replaced him? He likely hadn’t thought twice about her during those twelve years away so he wouldn’t care that she’d found a new friend or started stepping outside her comfort zone more and more while he’d been off playing happy biker.
“My best friend,” she replied, pointedly focusing on her food. “I kind of had an opening for one of those after you ditched me. She and several others joined the pack about five years back, were nomadic after losing their own to hunters before coming to Worsham.”
“So they’re all turned like you?” Landon’s question earned a shake of her head before he questioned, “If there were purebreds, why didn’t they join one of the primary packs?”
Imogene snorted “Oh, right, you don’t know, do you? Your mother and Scott made a new law that only purebreds by blood could join Langford and Miller aside from marriage or a direct bite so yeah, they didn’t really get a choice. It was us or no one.”
Chapter Ten
Landon’s eyes widened and his fork dropped from his hand as the implication of Imogene’s words sank into him. He had no problem imagining Scott Langford making that kind of pronouncement, but his mother had gone along with it? While his mother had always been proud of their position, always taken a certain pride in being a purebred, he’d never known her to so blatantly reject others. It felt wrong, though Imogene had no reason to lie to him and nothing to gain.
“What about Alexis?” he questioned, remembering how she’d sat alongside the twins. “Or was that before her turning?”
“Given Tyler turned her, she’s automatically part of Miller,” she explained as she went back to work cutting her food. Her eyes slid over to him before she focused back on her food. “You look surprised.”
Frowning, he forced himself to pick up the fork and scoop up a bite of lasagna he didn’t want to eat; however, he forced himself to go through the motions. “I guess I just don’t remember Mom being so much of a purist,” he finally admitted, stabbing a chunk of lasagna. “That was always more Dad’s thing, but . . .”
Imogene paused in eating to look at him. “Are you thinking that Scott somehow forced or tricked her into it?”
While he hadn’t been thinking about it, Landon had no trouble imagining the other wolf doing whatever felt necessary to get what he wanted. He’d need an ally against Micah who’d rejected a lot of their ways on account of growing up in an overly oppressive, purebred pack like Steven had, too. His mother had never been the type to be bulldozed, though. What could have forced her to agree to a law that limited pack growth?
“It would make sense.” Except it didn’t.
Imogene hesitated then said, “Micah wondered the same thing, but when he confronted her about it and offered to help, she rejected him outright. I don’t know details, but things were never quite the same between them, still aren’t.”
Instead of making him feel better, the news his mother had apparently screwed up their ties with the Durand alpha deepened his frown. How many lectures had he gotten growing up about pack unity and the importance of inclusivity? How many hours had he spent at Micah’s just to be with Imogene? How many outsiders had come in when they were growing up? His mother had never made a single complaint and often kept his father from acting rashly yet she’d effectively cut them off from real growth which made him wonder why.
“They seemed fine at the tribunal,” he pointed out, forcing himself to take another bite. “I mean, the usual tension aside.”
“There’s nothing usual about their level of tension,” Imogene replied while she speared another bite of potatoes. “Sure, they keep things civil in front of the packs, but there’s more discord now than before the tribunal started deciding everything.”
Focusing on his food, Landon ate several bites while he wondered whose idea taking everything to tribunal was and why. He had a few memories of tribunals being called about major events that would affect the town or all three packs, but it seemed ridiculous that everything went to tribunal now. However, he didn’t have enough context for the last twelve years to gauge why changes had been made so he made a mental note to speak with not only his mother but Charlie, to see what he could learn.
As if the thought had somehow summoned him, a distinct ringtone from his pocket following the sight of his brother’s name distracted him. He almost answered then sent it to voicemail and set the phone aside, making a mental note to call him back later.
“When did the packs start sending everything to tribunal? It used to be just for any blood crimes, exiles, or threats to the packs,” he said, giving his attention back to her. “I would have expected my return to be handled internally through Mom and Charlie with the others told at the end result.”
Imogene’s shoulders lifted in a shrug. “About five years ago, I think? It started around the time Letty’s group came before the tribunal about the deaths, but I don’t know details since Steven was still Micah’s second back then.”
She paused for a bite of her food then a follow-up drink.
“I know four bodies were found outside their camp, including at least one per pack, so it came to the tribunal and death was agreed on for their so-called leaders then they were absorbed into us since your mother and Micah agreed not to punish the whole group for the actions of a few.”
Landon’s brows furrowed. “Was Jane one of the four?”
Even before the nod, his appetite dropped away as he thought about his sister-in-law and wondered just how badly she’d suffered. He had few memories of growing up that didn’t include her among them or at Charlie’s side. His mother had often joked that her influence had created Alexis’ attitude, but she’d been good for Charlie, good for them all, willing to do anything necessary for the pack. Add in a smart mouth, and she’d had no trouble convincing others she belonged as a future alpha alongside Charlie.
“Judging by your face, I’m guessing you didn’t know what exactly happened to Jane?”
Imogene’s tone remained
sympathetic, though a follow-up ring brought his attention away from her. A text that read pick up your damn phone greeted him along with Charlie’s name.
Frowning, he snatched the phone and hit the call button to bark, “What?”
“I need you at Bordertown now,” Charlie said without a proper greeting. Voices and a distinct howl were audible in the background. “How fast can you be here?”
“I’m in town, so about twenty,” he replied, glancing at his watch. “What’s going on? I’m having lunch with a friend.”
Charlie stayed silent for a couple minutes then informed him, “You might as well bring Imogene with you since this is going to become a Durand issue. And Landon? Hurry.”
Still frowning, he hung up then glanced over to find Imogene’s concern mirrored his own as he raised a hand to attract their waitress’ attention. Withdrawing his wallet, he tugged out several bills that would more than cover their meals then explained, “Charlie said we need to get to Bordertown, that something’s going to become a Durand issue.”
Imogene frowned. “I’m technically still on the clock, Landon. I can’t just ditch work.”
“Charlie asked for you by name,” he informed her, sliding out of the booth. “I’m sure Lucinda will understand it’s a pack thing. Or would you rather we call Micah away from whatever he’s doing?”
She looked ready to argue but slid out of the booth on her own side, already scrolling through numbers on her phone. “Fine, but we’re taking my car. I’m not riding your death trap.”
A corner of Landon’s lips twisted up into a smirk before he remarked, “That’s a much different tune than twelve years ago, but I bet I can get you on it again.”
“When pigs fly.”
Chapter Eleven
Upon pulling into the parking lot of Bordertown, Imogene regretted the extra time she’d wasted on the phone and arguing with him about motorcycles. The lot remained largely empty, though she recognized the vehicles present as mostly Millers along with Scott’s; however, the most telling sign of a problem came from the large pair of wolves at the door, fully transformed and growling in their direction from the minute she pushed open the door.
“Do you recognize them?” Landon asked, coming around to her side. His eyes slid toward the wolves guarding the door. “They’re not the right colors for my siblings and way too big to be the twins.”
Imogene shook her head, though getting closer allowed her to get a better idea of their scents beneath the layers of blood, alcohol, and sweat. “Nothing exact, but they have the Miller scent pretty strong, and I’d bet they’re part of the guard,” she said as she reached for the door just as it swung open. “Watch out.”
His hand came out to jerk her back just before Paul Langford slammed out the door followed by a scowling Charlie, hands clenched into fists at his side. The scents of blood got stronger at his approach, though his shout of, “You arrogant little prick!” caused Paul to stop in his tracks and turn around, scowl in place.
Before she had time to question the exchange, Landon had planted himself between the two with a hand against his brother’s chest. “What’s going on?”
“One of Micah’s people got attacked out back today and Prince Asshole doesn’t think it’s worth his time because she’s just a Durand,” Charlie snapped, straining against his hold. “But if it happened to one of his people, he’d be throwing the usual tantrum.”
Despite her curiosity about the latest blow up between the pack heirs, Imogene fixated on a member of her pack being hurt and made her way inside. Another pair of wolves greeted her, though their smaller size and grayish coloring let her recognize them as her own pack members. She caught a glimpse of Tyler and Riley sitting in a booth together, one of her hands holding a damp cloth tinted red from blood loss against the side of his head. Other half-healed injuries were visible along with the rigid scar near his collarbone given his lack of a shirt, and she could see torn and swollen skin on his knuckles.
However, the person that spurred her into action was Letty sitting at a back table with Alexis, dark hair a mess, clothes torn, and a beer bottle held against a large bruise taking up most of her face. Another bruise ran down the length of her arm and when their eyes met, she could see a fresh bruise ringing her right eye.
Rushing to her friend’s side, Imogene wrapped her arms around her and didn’t think about the possibility of causing more pain until Letty’s pained hiss. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, though Letty tightened her hold when she’d have pulled back. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, thanks to Tyler,” came the quiet reply with her friend’s head pressed against her shoulder. “I didn’t get a good look since someone hit me from behind, but I can only imagine how much worse it could have been.”
Her eyes slid to Alexis who gave a nod then moved away as Imogene extricated herself from her friend’s hold and settled into the now empty chair. The bruises made her frown, but she forced herself to settle for squeezing Letty’s hand as she asked, “Why didn’t you turn, or at least use claws?”
Letty frowned. “It was the weirdest thing, Im. I couldn’t turn,” she said, voice lowered to avoid carrying beyond their table. “Like every instinct I had said to turn and eat the asshole who dared touch me, but I couldn’t make it happen. Neither could Tyler.”
“But the others are turned,” she pointed out. “I counted at least four at the door. Have you tried since getting inside?”
She gave a nod. “It worked just fine in here, if a bit more painful than usual, but for whatever reason, it didn’t work out there,” she repeated with a glance toward the door. “Charlie’s thinking about a temporary shutdown until we can find a cause since you may have noticed healing wasn’t immediate despite the turn.”
Even as she listened to her friend’s words, Imogene tried to come up with possible solutions in her head. Wolfsbane and silver would have increased aggressiveness without hampering the wolf which put them out as causes. Nothing current or upcoming on the lunar or eclipse radar should make shifting difficult plus it couldn’t have been long between the attack and their successful shifts. Her concern increased that whatever had happened was strong enough to affect not only a turned wolf but a purebred so she could understand Charlie’s worry.
“I’m going out on a limb to guess Paul doesn’t think the shutdown is necessary?” she guessed and got a nod from her friend. “Then again, what does he care about how the Millers run their business?”
Letty’s shoulders lifted in a shrug as she settled the beer bottle against her face again. “Going off previous Langford rants, I’d say it’s more about ensuring the packs look strong,” she said, wincing a bit when she tried to smile. “Or maybe he’s hoping they’ll somehow off all of us and Worsham can go back to being a purebred paradise?”
Imogene frowned at the attempted joke. “You don’t really think he’d do something like that?”
“No, conspiracy theorist,” she replied after a minute. Her fingers squeeze, gently as if to comfort her. “Whatever happened didn’t feel personal, Im, like I could have been anyone and the circumstances would have been the same. Why else come all the way out here, of all places? There’s at least a half dozen bars in town that turn way more of a profit than here.”
Landon’s arrival interrupted their conversation. “How are you feeling?” he questioned, offering a hand toward her. “I’m Landon, by the way, one of Charlie’s brothers.”
Letty’s lips tipped into a smug smile followed by a wince as she accepted his hand. “Landon, you said? Like the Landon?”
His eyes cut toward her with a raised eyebrow. “I’m the Landon now?”
Trying to hide a sudden blush, Imogene snagged the beer bottle and mumbled, “Going to find a colder one of these.” It was a terrible excuse, but she slipped her hand away from Letty’s and went to the bar under the pretense of getting a replacement. Instead, she kept a covert eye on Letty and Landon’s conversation as she set the beer aside then waited for the bartender doin
g some type of inventory of the liquor supplies behind the bar to notice her.
Something he said made Letty laugh then wince followed by an apology, giving her shoulder a squeeze with one hand. Against her wishes, Imogene felt the smallest bit jealous at not only the ease of their conversation but how he touched her even if it looked only friendly. Besides, wasn't Letty supposed to be on her side that Landon was the worst? A follow-up laugh said she just might be losing her strongest ally against his charms.
The bartender’s placing an ice cold beer bottle in front of her broke the reverie she’d slipped into, but she pushed it aside as she snagged the bottle. Several dollar bills were tucked into the nearby tip jar despite the bar being closed then she headed back to the table, passing the beer into Letty’s waiting hand.
“You two look like you’re having fun over here,” she said with a glare cast toward Letty who didn’t look the least bit sorry. “What’s the joke?”
Landon’s eyes slid over to her and the smile sent her way caused that stupid flutter in her stomach again. “I was just telling Letty about some of our old adventures,” he replied then laughed at the narrowed eyes. “I didn’t say a word about the unicorn costume, though.”
Letty’s brows came together in a surprised expression. “Unicorn costume?”
Narrowing her eyes on him, Imogene demanded, “Don’t you need to check on Tyler or ensure Charlie doesn’t kill Paul?”
He glanced over his shoulder then lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “Tyler has Riley, and Paul left so Charlie would have to travel to kill him, but . . .” A ring of keys were tugged from his pocket and held up. “I have his keys so he’s stuck.”
“Which leaves plenty of time to tell me about the unicorn,” Letty interrupted with a smile. “In detail.”
Obviously sensing the real threat to his life from her gaze, Landon pushed himself up and offered a smile. “I should check on Tyler,” he finally said, shoving the keys back into the pocket. He glanced at her before stage whispering to Letty, “Find me later, and I’ll tell you all about the unicorn.”
Rule of Claw: Wolves of Worsham #1 Page 6