by Alice Frost
“If I told you you would have told your brothers and then everyone would’ve known,” Freya said.
“I wouldn’t have told my brothers,” Charise growled. Freya’s look said she didn’t believe her. Charise was ready to pounce on her friend but was stopped by the arms that wrapped around her waist.
“Can we move this to the living room? Maybe talk about what brought the Danu pack Alpha to our door instead of brawling on the front porch?” Xavier asked, his eyes twinkling with laughter.
“That would be nice.” Freya walked into the living room and sat down in the armchair and waited until her four companions had settled on the couch. “I moved my pack to the area because of Ares, he was already suspected of kidnapping several women but we had no concrete evidence. Dejah convinced me that by moving us here I would be one step closer to catching him and it would bring Charise, an added layer of protection.”
“Much good that did,” Xander growled.
“Yes, I know that I wasn’t a very good protector or friend when it came to Char but when she was taken I had been sent to investigate a possible lead into the abductions. This lead is a woman only known as Nightshade. Because of the fact I was stretched thin trying to do that and be there for Char the Council has decided to build an agency building here in Millersburg.” Freya sighed. “As for Ares cabin, all the evidence we found either belongs to Char or Ares. But we’re still missing 15 women and that’s only the ones that Ares is suspected of taking. It could be more because not every missing person gets reported to the Council. I believe he has a den somewhere in the area, but the Council refuses to give me the man power needed to do a search of the area.”
Xavier leaned forward, studying Freya solemnly. “I don’t want to think badly of a clan but is it possible that his clan knows where his den is? Maybe even participating in whatever he might have been doing to these women?”
“It is possible, but like you I don’t want to think badly about a clan. Plus I would have to have concrete proof to take to the Council before they’ll let me question anyone,” Freya said angrily. “They expect me to do my job but tie my hands so I can’t.”
“Do you have to have proof to search their territory?” Xerxes asked.
Freya thought about it for a moment. “I’m not sure. I will have to ask.”
“If they are tying your hands on this then I wouldn’t ask. I would just do a quiet investigation without them knowing, there might be someone connected to the Southern Den that doesn’t want you finding something,” Xander said bluntly. He knew that contractors tried to cover when they used low grade materials the same was most likely true for the Council. “Something else, Charise had a theory about all of the missing people around here. She suggested that there migth be a shifter black market or collector.”
Freya stood up. “That is a definite possibility. I will get more agents out here to help look into everything. Thank you for your time. I shouldn’t have told you any of this so I would much appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone until later on.” She stared pointedly at Charise.
“Hey! I wouldn’t have told anyone,” Charise growled.
Freya chuckled and smiled at her friends aggravation. “I know. I just like teasing you.”
Charise climbed out of Xerxes lap and hugged her friend. “Thank you for being one of my bestest friends.”
Freya hugged her back. “You’re welcome but I am not your vibrator. Little piece of advice, mark them ASAP because I really don’t want to see you brawling with some poor female because they don’t have the mating mark.”
Charise chuckled and smacked her friend on the arm. “I don’t need that anymore. I have three men to take care of that and I plan on marking them as soon as you leave.”
“You have a vibrator? Can I see it?” Xander asked, but all three men watched her expectantly.
Freya laughed at her friend’s expression. “I’ll see you later.” And let herself out. She shook her head as she heard Charise tell her men that if they were very good she would let them see it. Hopefully she would be hearing about their mating in the next couple of days. Maybe next week as a round of roaring and screams came from the house.