Psyche Shield

by Chrissie Buhr

  “You have a home here with us any time you want or need it,” Billie declared to my delight. I’d lived without family since my parents kicked me out at 17, and suddenly I had more family than I ever imagined. An irate Alpha couldn’t even quell my joy that morning. We talked and shared stories. Kato heard tales of his descendants and spoke of his travels with her Great-grandmother.

  Before the afternoon set fully upon us, Billie announced she had to leave. “Right now it’s a waiting game with your Alpha, which means more work for me.”

  * * *

  Billie pondered Sierra’s assessment of the Montana Alpha’s strategy. She preferred to meet an enemy directly, to strike at the head without any subterfuge or clandestine activities. Graham’s methods sounded like bullying to her, but it also made perfect sense. When hunting elk, they didn’t target the strongest bull. Most often they picked out the weak or vulnerable, separating it from the herd and taking it down as a pack. Graham fought like a wolf hunts, and she could adjust to meet his strategy.

  She mentally listed the most vulnerable Wolves in the pack, Amy and Jazz high on the list. A few others held her concern. With Jazz at work and Amy spending most of her time either with her, Sadie, or Nathan, she decided to check on Ruth first. Stronger and more dominant than she appeared, the old Wolf would surprise any who underestimated her. As matriarch of the largest Wolf family in the pack, Billie suspected her family would congregate around her.

  When she arrived at Ruth’s modest suburban home, she discovered even more than anticipated. Ruth had gathered every Wolf family member and the majority of the Pack’s more vulnerable members into her home. She could hear several throughout the house and smelled others who’d taken up temporary residence.

  “We’re all staying in one place. We miss our families. Together their absence is more tolerable,” Ruth informed her Beta as her nephew-in-law appeared from the other room. “Lina asked William to look after her family, and he’s taking his promise seriously. He is guarding the lot of us.”

  “He always does,” Billie nodded gratefully to the powerful Wolf. “I feel a lot better about their safety with you protecting them.”

  “The Guard has enough to deal with.” He used an older term for Matthew’s team, a relic from his time with them. “They don’t need everyone scattered across the valley. I’m encouraging as many as I can to stay here where I can keep an eye on them.”

  “Who’s here so far?” Billie asked. He listed almost every vulnerable Wolf on her list, including Jazz. “Will you see that Jazz is escorted to and from work each day? I promised Gary.”

  “I’ll see to it. I’m on PTO until this is over.” He worked for Jason’s security company. He could easily arrange time off to take care of pack needs.

  “Penelope too,” Ruth suggested. “She’s not herself right now.”

  “What’s going on?” Billie demanded, her first thought that the Wolf was collared. Sadie probably would have noticed, but neither of them understood the complexities of her powers yet. She wouldn’t take any chances.

  “Bozo.” Ruth’s matronly demeanor hardened when she referred to her daughter’s ex-husband, Bono. She’d nicknamed the man years earlier and refused to call him by his real name.

  Billie’s face hardened. Bono had married a Wolf and spent several years in the pack. He didn’t adjust to Wolf culture or Pack life and only stayed because of his twin sons. The inevitable divorce, followed by a long bitter custody battle ended with Penelope winning custody. He couldn’t tell the judge his wife was Wolf without sounding like a lunatic, so he’d made unfounded accusations of child endangerment. When the judge saw through his lies, he’d cornered Penelope and threatened to expose Wolves to Humans if she didn’t hand over their sons.

  He never understood Wolf culture, so he didn’t expect to find Jason, Billie, Ruth, and Glenn on his doorstep an hour later. They set terms and conditions for his behavior if he wanted to remain in Pack territory. Threats of exposure would not be tolerated, and any action that risked the safety of the pack would meet with a response. Thanks to Glenn’s hacking skills, they knew about some illicit activities he preferred to keep quiet. Bono would face some difficult conversations with the authorities if he crossed the line again.

  Bono hated Wolves but feared them too much to do anything about it. He loved his sons too much to leave. Penelope believed the twins needed their father despite his faults. The Alpha and Beta would respect her decision so long as Bozo didn’t threaten the pack. Billie had disliked the man instantly. He lied too easily and hated too readily. “What did he do this time?”

  Ruth felt the same way about Bono and wanted to run him out of town entirely. She deferred to her daughter’s wishes but loudly voiced what she’d rather do to the man. “The twins refused to visit him last weekend and won’t take his calls. He’s taking it out on Penelope. It’s all talk and he’s careful not to cross the line. But he knows what buttons to push with her.”

  Billie didn’t take her word for it. “Do you have any idea why the twins won’t talk to him?”

  The old Wolf shrugged. “They’ve been listening to him badmouth Wolves and Pack most of their lives. Maybe they’re finally done with it.”

  William added, “Dad looked into it and didn’t find anything. Nothing recent anyway.” Glenn could discover just about anything from his computer, and when it came to his family or pack’s safety, he didn’t worry about legalities.

  With Bono’s history, she wouldn’t take chances. “If he crosses the line at all, tell us right away.”

  “We will,” they promised.

  Billie returned to more pressing matters. “What about Amy. Is she staying here?”

  William shook his head. “No. I invited her. She’d rather stay with Nathan. Those two are getting cozy quick. He won’t let anything happen to her. Dad’s staying here, not that he’ll be around much. But we’ll keep each other up to speed.”

  “Excellent. Do you need anything?” Billie asked them both, pleased at their initiative. William had quit Matthew’s team for his family before she came to the pack. She wouldn’t worry about anyone under the capable Wolf’s protection.

  “Could you send Kathryn by now and again? Everyone’s already anxious, and it’s likely to get worse,” Ruth requested.

  “Of course,” she replied. Keeping the Wolves calm would keep Kathryn busy, and it could be a good training opportunity for Sierra.

  William brought up his wife’s indiscretion at the Pack Meeting. She’d questioned their child’s safety under Sadie’s watch. “Lina didn’t mean any insult, not to you. Sadie scares her, and she spoke rashly.”

  “She questioned our judgment. She grew up Pack. She knows better.” Billie kept her tone mild but firm. Billie didn’t care about Lina’s unintended insult. Lina questioned her Alpha and Beta’s ability to keep the pack safe, undermining their ability to do so. William had lived in the pack his entire life, and he understood better than most the importance of unity in a crisis.

  “She knows better,” Ruth agreed, refusing to excuse her niece’s behavior. “She has always been impetuous. She’s matured, but it still comes out sometimes.”

  Billie didn’t leave room for debate. “We are Pack. That’s the only way we’re going to get through this, by sticking together and trusting each other. Those who’ve bothered to get to know Sadie don’t question her loyalty. Everyone else needs to trust me and Jason.”

  William’s expression shadowed. “Most aren’t ready to trust Sadie, but only a few are still questioning your judgment. I’ve already talked to Lina. Sadie’s an enigma. If she was going to do anything, she would have done it by now. Matthew’s made that point several times.” William had lost his mother and aunt to Mages, and he’d eagerly joined the hunting party. Somewhere along the way, he’d changed his mind about Sadie.

  Ruth added her own two cents. “I don’t know Sadie. I know you and Jason, and you’ve never let us down.”

  “Thank you for that.” They talke
d a little longer. Wolves trickled through in pairs, following their Alpha’s instructions to stick together. She answered questions and addressed concerns. A few needs arose, and she took care of them. As Beta she did more than protect her pack. She ensured their needs were met.

  She’d come to the pack as an overly dominant, out-of-control Pup, crazy, hot-tempered, and dangerous. Most of her packmates had feared and avoided her for months. Those same traits, once she’d found balance and self-control, served her packmates well. Jason and Matthew saw her potential from the beginning and knew if she survived, she’d become one of their strongest warriors. They trained her to fight and taught her to channel her volatile temperament. In only a few years, she transformed into someone that every packmate felt safe around. She would protect them no matter what and against any odds. Everyone knew it.

  When the time came for a new Beta, her packmates expected Jason to name Matthew. Billie surpassed his skill in hand-to-hand combat, but Matthew had decades more experience. Personality made the difference. Her packmates felt comfortable around her and expressed their opinions and needs. Matthew would get the job done every time, but too many of his packmates would never approach him with a problem. To her surprise, Jason named Billie as Beta, and Matthew never once expressed disappointment or resentment for the decision. Together they could handle just about anything, and they’d proved it many times.

  Sadie’s mental voice arose suddenly in Billie’s mind, interrupting her conversation with William. Shit. They’re here. William cocked his head at the mindspeech. He’d sensed it before, and it no longer made him want to snarl. His Beta’s response to whatever she heard did.

  “What’s wrong?” He asked.

  “The Montana Wolves are here.” He set his jaw, ready to take on anyone who threatened his pack or family. His Beta continued her silent conversation, and he waited patiently. She indicated the Wolves under his care and ordered, “Stay with them. Jason and I will handle the trespassers.” She darted out of the house, slowing enough to look Human to the neighbors once she reached the door.

  Chapter 10

  Sierra, Kathryn, and Kato discussed their family all afternoon, sharing stories and memories. The lost look that hovered over Sierra drifted away as she explored the new relationships in her life. Kathryn told her about Isingoma, her Great-grandfather’s brother. She’d heard many stories about the Wolf who’d founded her pack, but Kathryn turned the legend into a person. I listened quietly and enjoyed every minute.

  Something indistinct caught my attention, a nagging feeling that came from the outer limits of my range. It grated on my nerves, but I couldn’t identify it. A few minutes passed while the feeling grew, and the conversation in front of me drifted into the background. Finally it came close enough to recognize. Two strange Wolves moved quickly into our territory, a clear destination in mind. I reached out mentally to Billie and spoke aloud for the benefit of those in the room. “Shit. They’re here.”

  Where are they? Billie asked, and I gave her the general direction.

  Kathryn already had her cell phone out, calling Jason as I followed the invading Wolves’ progress into the city. She had the Alpha on speakerphone by the time he answered. “Sadie senses the Montana Wolves in our territory.”

  Jason’s gruff voice came through clearly, his first question the same as Billie’s. “Where are they?”

  I spoke to the air and trusted he’d hear me. “They’re about eight miles that way and moving this way quickly.” Using my arms to explain myself, Kathryn translated it into compass directions. I knew the location of every packmate, and with a sudden panic, I realized the Montana Wolves’ destination. “They’re headed towards Amy! They know where she is somehow. There’s two of them.”

  “I’m all the way across town. Where’s Billie?” The urgency in his voice increased several notches.

  “She’s at Ruth’s. Matthew’s even further away,” I replied, certain every Wolf in the room could smell my fear.

  “I’m not far. Tell her to meet me out front. Call Amy and warn her.” He hung up.

  “Please don’t let anything happen to Amy,” I begged my mate, not even realizing I spoke aloud.

  You know I won’t, she replied, impatiently waiting for Jason to arrive.

  I began to pace. Kathryn called Amy but received no answer. Through my extended awareness, I sensed the two Wolves closing in on my friend. They circled her, hunting her, and then stopped, waiting. From their peripheral emotions, I sensed growing excitement and knew she had little time left.

  “She’s walking right towards them.” I gave everyone an update. “They’re waiting for her, and I don’t think she knows. She’s on a public street, but they don’t seem to care.”

  Jason’s here. We’re on our way. Did someone call Amy?

  My frustration showed through. “Kathryn’s trying, but she’s not answering.”

  She always answers her cell. Can you tell if she’s okay?

  “She’s fine except that she’s walking right into a trap!” I replied. “I don’t know why she’s not answering her cell.”

  Keep trying.

  Amy had no idea of the danger as she walked the street alone. No Wolf would risk exposure, and she felt safe in broad daylight with Humans around. Kathryn hung up each time she reached Amy’s voice mail and dialed again. “They’re not going to make it in time. No one’s close enough to her to help,” I complained to Kathryn. The Montana Wolves’ excitement escalated, and I clenched my fists in frustration. I couldn’t stand by and do nothing, but my hands were tied. Surely my promise didn’t include watching my friend get killed.

  The void scared me, and I knew using magepower risked its return. My packmates kept the void away. Amy accepted me instantly despite my heritage, the only Wolf to do so without questions or proof. I couldn’t abandon her for fear of the consequences. Nathan brought me out of the void, and he loved Amy. I probably wouldn’t need magepower anyway. Abruptly I stopped pacing, my decision made. “Screw it.”

  Amy, it’s Sadie. Act normal. My sudden presence in her mind made her jump. I heard her thoughts differently than Billie’s or Kato’s. The one-way communication worked because I could read her thoughts, but she couldn’t project them. It felt hollow compared to my conversations with Billie, but it worked. The Montana Pack is hunting you. Help is on the way, but they’re not close enough.

  I needed more information and merged with Amy’s senses. I saw, smelled, and heard everything just as she did. Answering the foremost question in her mind, I continued. They’re downwind, on the other side of the brick building to your left. She thought they’d jump her as she approached her car, and I concurred. Neither of us knew how they planned on doing it without Humans noticing.

  I don’t know if they even care about getting away with it. But you’re walking right into them. Go into that coffee shop and wait. Billie and Jason are coming.

  She did, and I began breathing again. I had to fill Billie in, and I hoped Jason would understand. Amy’s safe for now. I gave her the location of the coffee shop and the Montana Wolves. She’s waiting for you.

  You went into her mind? Billie asked, appalled.

  She was about to get jumped. I had to do something, I defended my decision.

  The damage is done. Let’s make it worth it. A plan formed in her mind, and she shared it with her Alpha. I followed her idea and saw how it would work. He agrees. I told her what she needed to know.

  Amy, it’s Sadie. We have a plan. Stay put until I say the word. She sat at a table, anxiously holding a cup of hot chocolate. She tapped her fingers absently on the table as she waited.

  Miles away, I drummed my fingers against my leg waiting for Billie and Jason to reach their destination. Sierra watched me, her prior wariness returning. The distrust on her face made me question my actions. Kato sat beside her, once again in wolf form, studying me closely while Kathryn maintained her typical state of calm. Am I doing the right thing, Muso? I asked hesitantly.

 
; You do what you must, he replied somberly.

  Sierra whispered a barely audible prayer for her packmates’ safety. When done I informed her of our plan. “They’re confronting your packmates in a public place. We’ll stop this without anyone getting hurt. Jason keeps his promises.”

  The news didn’t reassure her. “I believe you. That doesn’t mean everyone’s going to get out of this alive.”

  As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t dispute it. “They’re almost in place.” Turning my undivided attention back to the Wolves on the other side of town, I waited for Billie’s signal.

  We’re in place, Billie declared. We can be at Amy’s side in about two minutes. Quicker if no one’s watching.

  I’ll make sure of that, I promised her. Amy, they’re ready. Walk to your car like nothing’s wrong. The Montana Wolves should make a move on you, and Billie and Jason will move in.

  Amy took a deep breath and set aside her fear. As Pack Medic, she had long since mastered compartmentalizing her emotions. It didn’t help an injured Wolf to smell fear or hear anxiety. She called on those skills and stood casually. Walking out the door carrying her untouched cup of cocoa, she began whistling an old tune from her youth. Covertly, she observed her surroundings as she headed to her car. I signaled Billie and waited.

  The scene unfolded through Billie’s and Amy’s perceptions. Two sets of enhanced Wolf senses filled my own, adding to my normal observational methods. The kaleidoscopic effect made my head swim, but I managed to juggle all of the different sights, sounds, and smells. Humans walked the streets, unaware of the Wolves in their midst and the imminent confrontation.

  Billie wouldn’t risk exposure even to save Amy’s life, and I wouldn’t risk losing Amy. Secrecy kept Wolves safe, and I believed the trespassers wouldn’t risk it any more than we would. They had a plan to stay unnoticed, and Human witnesses kept them from doing more. Wolves couldn’t sense illusion. I could untie Jason’s and Billie’s hands without doing the same for the Montana Wolves.