“He drew them away intentionally so we could get you out,” Jason’s voice rumbled through the vehicle and he punched the dash, denting it. He did not like running away from a fight and only did so because of Kato’s actions. Sierra remembered the way the old Wolf stood in front of her, claiming protection over her and prayed he’d come to no harm because of it. Jason turned in his seat to glower at her. “This is strange behavior even for Kato. Why is he’s so protective of you?”
“I have no idea.”
“He’s up to something,” Jason grumbled and faced forward again in thought. Kathryn silently guided the car along the road, grateful her Alpha didn’t think to ask her.
Chapter 8
Your sister and packmates are returning to you. Her Alpha believes you have collared us all. Kato’s mental voice threaded through my mind. Billie looked sharply at me, sensing the mental contact. She’d quit pacing but waited anxiously for news. Jazz and Gary also awaited my update, though more patiently than my mate.
“What’s happening?” Billie asked when I didn’t relay the message immediately.
I held up a finger, asking her to wait, hoping to have something good to add. Is everyone okay?
Your packmates are unharmed, but be watchful. They believe their packmate suffers and see our pack as a great threat to all Wolves. They will not let this go unchallenged and none are safe until it is resolved. Ask your mate to call for Richard, and I will join you soon.
He ended the contact, and I relayed Kato’s alarming message. “They’re on their way back. It didn’t go well.” Billie texted Richard, her expression pensive as she considered the dilemma.
“This could get ugly.” Billie stated the obvious, and she gazed over the dark foothills as if it held the answer to their problems. In a way it did. The kids played, oblivious of the danger that headed our way. They brought the stakes of a Pack War into a terrifying new light. Billie’s phone, clutched tightly in her hand, chimed and she glanced at it. “Richard’s coming. You better go. I don’t want Human packmates in the middle of this. I don’t want the kids anywhere near it.” With easy agreement, they called their children over to say goodbye.
“When can we come back?” LeeAnn asked eagerly.
“Not for a while,” Billie told her and met Gary’s eyes. “That goes for you too.”
LeeAnn and Dean complained loudly, but Gary stalled their protests. “Aunt Billie’s right. When Wolves argue, it’s best to step out of their way.”
“That’s why I’m going to become Wolf,” LeeAnn declared, raising her chin high.
Jazz corralled her haughty daughter towards the door. “You have six years to make that decision. Right now it’s time to go home.” The family left quickly, surprising me with their calm response to the situation.
Alone once again, Billie and I cleaned up to stay busy while we waited. “How do Humans adjust to all of this?” I asked.
“Most of our Human packmates were raised Pack. A few like Gary married into it. They either adapt or they leave. It’s not usually this bad.” Her thoughts drifted elsewhere, and I left her to ponder the best course of action for her pack. I felt like I’d brought unnecessary danger into Dean and LeeAnn’s lives.
“We won’t let anything happen to them.” Despite her own distraction, she’d noticed where my thoughts had traveled.
“What are the chances Humans will get drawn into a Pack War? Packmates or not?”
“I doubt Graham’s foolish enough to risk exposure by involving other Humans. Our Human packmates won’t likely be targeted, and certainly not the children. But they could get caught in the crossfire,” she admitted. “We may decide to send all of our Human packmates away until this is over.”
“How bad will it get?” I asked, wary of her serious mood.
“Pack Wars don’t happen often. I’ve only heard of a few ever, and I’ve never seen one. Wolves tend to respect each other’s territory. But we’ll fight to the bitter end to protect our home and pack. If that’s what Graham believes he’s doing, he won’t stop. And neither will we defending ourselves.”
I thought about the way Billie defended me against her packmates, refusing to surrender and willing to take on any fight necessary. Jason did the same thing when he hunted us down, believing his actions necessary to protect his pack and to save Billie whom he loved like a daughter. Pack bonds and friendships helped resolve the situation, but we didn’t have that advantage with the Montana Wolves. “How do we stop this?”
“The only way they’ll back down is if they believe we’re not a threat,” Billie replied.
“They have to believe I’m not a threat. Great,” I replied glumly. It didn’t feel possible.
Billie heard Kathryn’s car, and we met them at the door. Sierra looked pale and exhausted, and I thought it had more to do with the meeting than the broken leg. Kathryn settled her in bed, and my new sister looked at me with sad and fearful eyes. Crossing the room, I joined them.
Jason’s chest muscles rippled with tension. I’d never seen him so aggravated, even at me. “What happened?” Billie asked her Alpha. He crossed his arms and leaned against a wall, glaring daggers at an invisible enemy as he relayed the details Kato left out. Richard arrived in the middle of his story, glancing at me neutrally. Jason started from the beginning, and I relayed Kato’s message. Sierra’s spirits lifted when she heard he’d escaped.
“It’s hard to say what they’ll do next. They can’t win a head-on assault, but Graham won’t give up,” Jason declared. He pointed his scowl in my direction. “Can you tell what they’re up to?”
The question surprised me. “Maybe if they were standing in front of me. From this distance I’d have to read them, and I’d have to go through one of you to do it. But I can tell when a Wolf is within ten miles or so if I’m paying attention. I’m paying close attention since I got back.” I neither expected nor wanted approval to read the Montana Wolves.
He considered the options, but his distaste for mental invasion won. “Keep your nose up. Tell us if they come anywhere near us.”
“I will.”
Billie added. “I think we should send every Human packmate out of town until this is over.”
Kathryn approved of the idea. “I will warn Leroy as well. Graham knows my family and will likely assume correctly he is the grandson who found Sierra. Graham is patient and shrewd. He will not attempt a direct assault he cannot win, and they are no match for our fighters.”
Richard listened to everyone in silence before asking Sierra for her input. She thought carefully before answering, her tight face reflecting her internal conflict. We waited patiently while she made her decision. “I can’t in good conscience act against my Alpha, but I’ll lose packmates in a Pack War. Promise me you will do everything you can to stop this without bloodshed, and I’ll help you.”
Jason’s glower shifted into respect for the Wolf’s choice. If she’d acted against her Alpha lightly, she’d have lost his trust. If she’d refused to help, no one could blame her. She found a third option that benefited both Packs and earned Jason’s respect. He made the promise easily. “You have my word that I will do everything I can to prevent a Pack War, and we will not harm any of your packmates except to protect our own.” Billie affirmed the promise with a nod. The fact that Jason didn’t consider me a packmate did not escape my notice.
She accepted their word. “He’ll stay in the shadows until he has the advantage. He’ll strike where you’re most vulnerable and when you’re not expecting it. He will not attack directly but will find a way to pick you off one by one, retreating back into the shadows each time. He will continue doing this until he puts you on the run and you cannot stand your ground. Only when he’s sure he can win will he come at you directly. This is how he hunts. We are not a pack with muscle. We survive through stealth and cunning. My Alpha has lived a long time and is very cunning. He does not need strength to win. If we hadn’t run from him just now, I would be dead. He did not expect us to flee, and it
was our only chance of escape. Don’t underestimate him.”
Kathryn concurred with Sierra’s assessment. “Even as a Pup Graham was shrewd. He could outwit Wolves twice his age. Underestimating him would be a fatal mistake.”
“We’re not exactly spring chickens, my dear,” Richard told his mate affectionately. “We can win this fight.”
I was already tired of assessing who could kill who, and we’d just begun the conflict. So I asked the most obvious question in my mind. “How do we stop this before it starts? How do we convince them I’m not dangerous?”
Richard looked down his nose at me. “We don’t. You are dangerous. We have to convince Graham you won’t harm his pack.”
His statement irritated me, and I challenged him. “How are you going to convince him when you don’t believe it yourself? The Wolves here aren’t convinced, not most of them. They’re following Jason’s orders and leaving me alone, but only a handful actually trust me. I don’t even have Pack Status. How do you plan on convincing them when you don’t believe it?”
“She has a point,” Billie backed me up. “And that brings us back to her first question. How do we convince Graham that we are not a threat to his pack? That Sadie hasn’t collared us. He won’t quit until he believes it.” No one had an answer. Jason studied everyone carefully, his frustration leveling out and a calculative look in his eyes. I suspected that meant he had an idea. If so, he didn’t share it.
Kathryn finally broke the silence. “Until we determine a course of action, we must remove ourselves as targets.”
“Most definitely,” Richard nodded. “We must warn the pack. Everyone should stay in pairs and in public. He will not strike where Humans can witness.”
After hearing from everyone, Jason determined the course of action. “Richard, call a Pack Meeting. Get everyone here within an hour, no exceptions. Kathryn, make arrangements for our Human packmates to leave town for the duration.” Richard and Kathryn pulled out their phones and moved into the kitchen to coordinate.
Jason and Billie talked strategies and made plans while I sat with Sierra. Kato arrived and joined us on the bed. “I’m glad you’re okay.” Sierra ran her hand through his wiry fur, finding a few leaves and twigs.
He rested his head on her leg contentedly, and I filled him in. You speak the truth. How will others trust you when your own packmates do not? I did not wish to bring this on you so soon.
I’m glad you brought her here, no matter what comes of it. But what do I do now? I’d gone on the defense with Richard, but I felt helpless.
Now you wait. It is in your packmates’ hands.
Wolves began to trickle in, and soon Billie’s home held twenty-five Wolves, almost as many Humans, and one Mage. The entire pack came minus the children and one Human adult chosen to watch them. Our large home felt unusually small with so many people in it. They lounged on every chair and couch, some sat on the floor, and voices buzzed with speculation about the emergency meeting. Kato and I sat with Sierra, and a few crowded around us for lack of options.
An uncomfortable amount of attention came at me from all directions. I’d met less than half of the people present, and some still feared me. Many simply stared. I made a point of noticing every mind so I could tell Pack from stranger without having to go through Billie.
With everyone accounted for, Jason called for attention. Billie stood by his side with the Elders nearby. Jason never beat around the bush, and he began by pointing at our injured guest. “Sierra is from the Montana Pack. She was injured in a car accident yesterday morning and came to us for help. Now her Alpha knows about Billie’s mate, and he thinks we’re all collared. He believes we are a threat to stop at all costs.” Murmuring erupted in the room. A low rumble erupted from Jason’s throat, and he received immediate silence. “All Human packmates will leave town immediately and stay gone until this is over. No exceptions. Kathryn has made arrangements - I want you all in one spot and out of danger.”
“I would like to be with my children. Can I go with the Humans and guard them?” A female Wolf asked fervently.
“No. They’re safe without you or any Wolves around. You can stay in contact with your families, but only from afar.” Her face fell but she didn’t argue.
“Are they safe right now? What if the Montana Wolves show up?” A Human voiced his concern.
Jason nodded at me, and I answered with more confidence than I felt addressing the entire pack. “I’m keeping watch. The only Wolves for miles are in this room. If that changes, I’ll tell you with plenty of time to get to your kids.” My announcement relieved some. From others I sensed apprehension about a Mage watching over their children.
Jason and Billie heard a comment too low for my ears. I felt my mate’s annoyance and heard her firm reply. “Sadie will not harm your kids.”
Jason’s eyes narrowed at the offending whisperer, his response shocked me. “Are you questioning me or my ability to protect the pack? I’d throw you off a cliff before I’d let one of the kids get hurt. You don’t know Sadie and you don’t trust Mages. Fine. But she is your Beta’s mate and has proven herself to me.” No one else challenged my loyalty, at least not verbally.
Kathryn filled them in on the arrangements. “I’ve made reservations for everyone in Portland. Once you’re gone, you’ll be perfectly safe, and Portland has many attractions to offer while you’re there. The pack will cover your expenses. Take a Wolf to escort you home and ensure you leave town safely. Gary, will you take charge of the expense account and arrangements after tonight?” He accepted.
“How long will our families have to stay away?” another Wolf I’d never met asked.
“Until it’s safe for them to return.” Billie, the ever-confident Beta answered ambiguously.
“I’d rather stay with my wife. We don’t have any kids to worry about,” another Human asserted.
Billie had anticipated this. “No. If you stay, you’ll endanger Wolves trying to keep you safe. If need be, we can disappear into the mountains. Better to retreat and regroup than risk a Pack War near Humans. You can’t take wolf form.”
“Neither can Sadie.” He wouldn’t let it go, determined to stay by his wife’s side.
Billie raised her eyebrows at the inane comment. “Sadie has skills you don’t have. She stays to help us guard the pack and to show the Montana Alpha he has nothing to fear from us. If a Pack War comes, she can get out of Dodge in her own way.” We hadn’t discussed the possibility of me leaving, and I didn’t like the sound of it. She picked up my thought and met my defiant gaze. I thought for a moment she would wait until later to respond. “Love, you’re a great alarm system. But if it comes to a fight with Wolves, you’re out of the game. Wolf versus Wolf. Mage versus Mage. We agreed to keep any fight on equal footing. If that happens, I want you out of the way.”
“I was fine with it until you said I might have to leave you behind,” I grumbled a bit too loudly.
“Welcome to our world,” s Human spoke loudly from the other side of the room.
“What do you mean Sadie is an alarm system?” William, a younger Wolf asked curiously. I recognized him as one of the hunting party who found us, but I hadn’t exchanged more than a few words with him. He’d softened his attitude towards me, but beyond that I didn’t know where he stood.
Billie nodded at me to answer. “I can sense everyone for miles, and I can tell Human from Wolf from Mage even if I don’t know the person. After tonight I’ll recognize everyone in this room, and I’ll know if an outside Wolf comes around. I don’t have to enter your minds to do any of this. I promised I wouldn’t.” Murmurs began rising in the room, a wide mixture of responses to my explanation. Too many worried about the safety of my watchful eye, so I continued. “For me, recognizing a mind is like a Wolf recognizing a scent. It’s automatic. I don’t even have to brush the surface of your mind to recognize you. I know a lot of you are still nervous or afraid. I can feel emotions without touching your minds too, and it’s pretty thick in
here. If you have questions, ask me.”
Amy’s voice chimed loudly from the dining room. “When are you getting married?” The question caught me off guard, and I covered my reddening face with one hand. A few people chuckled appreciatively.
Jason took back the meeting and addressed the Wolves. “We must avoid a Pack War. They’re most likely to strike when you’re alone. Do not be vulnerable to an attack in any way. Stay in pairs or in public at all times. We don’t want to fight them. I promised Sierra we will not harm any of her packmates unless defending our own. Do not break my promise,” he glowered. “Stay safe while we work it out with her Alpha.”
“How are you going to convince them we’re not collared?” I looked forward to Jason’s answer.
“Trust us. Your job is to not be vulnerable while we figure out the rest. Defend yourself of course, but avoid a fight. Keep your nose up for any strange Wolf. No one runs without my permission until this is over. Any questions?” His tone didn’t encourage any. A few questions arose anyway, and he addressed them with more patience than I’d come to expect from him.
The meeting ended. They milled about making arrangements and gossiping. Kathryn, Billie, and Gary spoke close enough for me to hear. They each handed Gary an envelope. “This is cash, a credit card, and the hotel information. Give the kids something educational to make up for missing school and make sure you stay busy enough that you’re not fretting about us. If time off of work is a hardship for anyone, or if you need anything, talk to Billie or me,” Kathryn explained.
“Don’t be overly concerned about the expense. Take care of each other,” Billie told him. “The only reason you’re in danger here is because you’re not an exposure risk. They’re only interested in us. If you’re not around any Wolves, you’re not in danger.”
Gary didn’t want to leave his wife, and it showed. “Will you keep an extra eye on Jazz? She’s not like most of you. She gets lost in her work and doesn’t notice what’s around her.”
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