by Sydney Addae
“Stop with that,” Silas said, tired of the harping. “Jasmine and I will discuss the matter on my return.”
“About that.” Grandfather took a deep breath. “Goddess has extended the life of the bodies you used to enter the country by five days. Instead of returning them within the next two, you now have seven. Which means you won’t be returning to the States. Instead, you’ll meet with Angus and Hawke soon to explain the mission. You’ll leave the mountains as La Patron. Rumors of your arrival are circulating as we speak, started right after the explosion.”
“You’re kidding, right?” The serious gleam in the old man’s eyes said no.
“This is a matter of life and death for this nation’s pack. You will need every second to persuade them and deal with all the Alpha challenges. Fortunately, the country’s not that big, four maybe five territorial Alphas and one Alpha over them should work.”
“You can’t expect to get all of that done in seven days.” Silas was sure the man had lost his mind. Changing into a National pack took time. Finding a worthy Alpha, the challenges, accepting fealty, all of that took time and diplomacy.
“No. Just set the framework in place. Afterward send the twins of thunder, Abel and Cain, maybe a couple others to work with the regional Alphas.” He paused. “You’ll probably need to mentor the Alpha for a while.”
Silas released a sigh. “Mentor? That takes a long time.”
“Exactly. As I said, this matter is serious, you’re doing a good thing by assisting them to survive. You’ll be waking soon, make sure you explain everything to Jasmine, she’s getting worried. Adam and his mate are arriving at the Compound later today. In fact, all of your pups returned once you went missing.”
Silas’ heart squeezed. He wanted to see them.
“Make sure none of them fly down to meet you. Things will be extremely dangerous initially. People hate change and full-bloods are no exception. The Goddess hasn’t extended protection to anyone other than your small team to do this job.”
“She is most gracious, I will be sure everyone knows of the importance of this mission.” He hoped the pups extended their visits until he returned home.
“Alpha Silas, blood of my blood, the time has come for you to wake and complete this mission.”
Silas opened his eyes. Heat flooded his body, then cooled. Thankful he felt something other than debilitating pain he exhaled.
“Thank goodness, you’re awake,” a woman said.
CHAPTER TWENTY
JASMINE SAT AT THE dining table with the kids and grandkids enjoying an early dinner. Shyla and the boys were there as well as Asia and her teen-aged sons. It was a melancholy event, the whole strength in numbers thing made sense. At any rate, she laughed at Jackie and Renée ’s antics regarding a wedding and commiserated with Quinn who only wanted Jackie happy. It was obvious he hated being in the middle of the funny debate.
“Jasmine.” Her hand flew to her chest. She closed her eyes in gratitude.
“Silas, baby it’s good to hear your voice. How are you feeling? I’ve missed you so much. Where are you? When are you coming home?” Tears rolled down her cheeks, impatient for answers she swiped at them and stood.
“Mom?” Jackie called to her back.
“Your father’s alert,” Asia whispered. “He contacted Hawke. Angus is awake as well.”
Jasmine stopped and leaned against the wall. “Silas?”
“I had an interruption, it seems the good Samaritan has left me in the care of the waitress from the bar, they’re litter mates. He’s negotiating with someone who was using me as bait or a hook to get him to go along with whatever.”
“What?” Jasmine had no idea what he was talking about.
“I’ll explain everything and there’s a lot to explain. Grandfather held me captive for a while.”
“David’s Grandfather?” Her son had mentioned asking the wolf for assistance in locating Silas.
“Actually, you and I are mixed up in his line, but yes, David’s Grandfather. One second, the waitress has questions.”
“What waitress?”
Moments later Silas returned. “Her brother saved and moved me out of the storm, seems he brought me to their home on pack lands where humans are not allowed. He’s in some sort of trouble behind it. She had a few questions to ask. I miss you too. I’m healing well, the pain is manageable and I plan to leave this place soon to find Hawke and Angus.”
“Strange how both of you woke and were healed around the same time,” Jasmine said wondering if Grandfather delayed their healing for some reason.
“Not so strange when you understand what’s going on.” He told her about the attack and how he killed the two wolves, the bombing, and everything Grandfather said. He asked her to keep it to herself for a while until he spoke to Hawke and Angus. By the time he finished explaining and answering her questions an hour and a half had passed. The kids sat around the living room watching her and waiting for answers. Asia and Shyla had both left.
“You’re staying in that place to save the full-bloods in that country? Is that what you’re telling me?”
He released a long sigh. “Remember what the Goddess said when we sought direction from Her?”
“Remind me,” Jasmine snapped, not liking the direction of the conversation.
“She said there is darkness afoot, asked me if I sensed a trap and said pack cares for pack.”
Jasmine cursed. “I’m getting tired of all this double-talk, Silas.”
“Sweet Bitch, we have seven days before the bodies we borrowed die to accomplish this task for the Goddess. I can’t do this without you. Tell me your thoughts.”
Several nasty, cruel ideas of what the Goddess could do with this task flew through her mind. Why didn’t the Goddess mention this when they spoke last time? Why be so underhanded? What if Silas hadn’t gone to retrieve the Knights? Would She have sent him to that place anyway? Questions with no answers rolled through her mind. She didn’t have the same level of faith in the Goddess Silas had, which made accepting this dangerous assignment harder to accept.
“You don’t want to know my thoughts, believe me they won’t help you do any of this.”
“Jasmine.”
“I’m not feeling this, not one bit. Not the way you’re being roped into it or the magnitude of shaping a pack you won’t be a part of. What happens if they do what you say while you’re there and then revert next year or the year after? Will they be killed then? Or what if the other countries... Guatemala, Belize, who else? Nicaragua, El Salvador and any others in that region, what if they retaliate in fear that you’ll step in to make changes with them? What right do you have to do that?”
“The same I had when I went to the untamed colonies over 300 years ago. Instructions from the Goddess to do a certain job. That drove me then and it drives me now. If She intends to tame this continent, She will. How She does it, I don’t know. Only that Honduras is to be saved and I’m the instrument to get it done.” He paused. “I cannot do this without you. We are one. I need your support to effectively do this.”
“Even if I don’t agree?” She hated asking but needed to know where she stood when it came to her and the Goddess.
“If you do not want me to do this, I will not. I’ll return home and tender my resignation as La Patron. You are first, my mate, my heart. I cannot live without my heart.”
His words ripped her apart and healed at the same time. Love for him welled in her breast so strong she couldn’t speak for several moments. Instead, she opened their link wider so he could experience her feelings.
“Sweet Bitch,” he said on a breathy sigh. “How could you ever consider anyone coming before you? I’d give my life for you in a second. You’re with me always. No matter where I am.” He paused. “I will return home, they will search for another champion.”
“No.” Jasmine turned and wiped her face with the back of her hand. “You’re my champion. Champion for the Goddess, for pack, for decency and honor. I’m s
o proud of you, that you’re the one She chose. I won’t apologize for being selfish, for wanting to hold you close, place kisses all over you and inhale your scent. I miss you like I’ve never missed anything in my life. So, no apology for wanting you here with me. None.”
“Okay.”
“You’re Alpha and that means sometimes sacrifices have to be made... by everyone. Right now, knowing you were in an...an explosion... it hurts that I can’t touch you, to see for myself that you’re alright. Know that I hate that more than anything.”
“I know.”
“The timing sucks. Well, maybe not since you’re already there. The fact that full-bloods used explosives to kill humans says how out of control they are.” She sniffed. “I can’t wrap my head around that. Never would’ve guessed that at all. It’s overkill. Don’t they have guns? Knives? What happened to hand to hand fighting? How’d they go to explosives? It’s crazy.”
“I agree.”
“Which is evidence that Grandfather’s concerns are valid I suppose. But to use Lot? That’s Old Testament, harsh days for sure.” She sighed and glanced over her shoulder at the kids. She shared what they’d been doing, Adam and Bella’s imminent arrival, how good it was to have everyone home and she promised they would wait until he returned.
“I love you more than life,” she whispered and poured her feelings into their link. “You say I’m your heart, well you’re mine.”
“I know, Sweet Bitch. We are well mated. My love for you grows stronger with each sunrise.”
“Be very sure of this Silas. I’m on the edge, with the Joint Chiefs blowing up the phone trying to get you to talk, the President’s invited us to dinner at the White House, and now you’re in danger again.”
He reminded her of the Goddess’ protection and the reason no one else could venture over there now.
“I know all that, but it doesn’t change how I feel.”
“We’ll use my presence here to stop Washington from bothering you.”
“Once they know you’re there, that will stop them from trying to speak to you here. They may send someone there,” she said.
“Possibly, but it won’t stop what I’m doing here. The human government can’t or won’t get involved in pack affairs, and since they have no organized pack like in the States, I have to deal with factions.” He paused. “There will be bloodshed. This will be violent. I want you to know that.”
“That’s why I’m afraid. Those assholes used bombs, Silas.”
“But they’ve never used anything like that on other packs. Although I suspect it’s just a matter of time. The Red Wolves who bombed the house must be made an example of to discourage that behavior ever again,” he said.
“You think?” She wished she knew who they were, she’d hang them high and whip their asses until they repeated the Lord’s prayer in several languages.
“Have the Knights made it home?” he asked.
“Yes. They arrived earlier. They’ve been with Dr. Passen. He and Matt have been running tests. From what I’ve been told whatever was given to them is running its course and they shouldn’t have any lasting effects once it’s been eliminated. Matt seemed excited about something. I cut him off because of the meeting with the Alphas.” She told him about the meeting and what was discussed.
“Maybe you should greet them, ease their minds,” she suggested.
“You handled it.”
“Yes, but if they know you’re okay, it would make life easier for everyone.”
“I’ll let them know I’m okay but to still deal with you while I’m on this mission, is that alright? I don’t want any distractions.”
“Okay. I’ll tell the kids what’s going on. The rest of the pack will no doubt hear about it in the news...”
“You’re right. I’ll tell the Alphas and trust them to handle rumors and damage control. Anything else?”
“Just finish this job and come home. We’ll discuss kingdom building in Canada and Mexico at a later date.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Love you.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
SILAS KEPT HIS EYES closed for a few more seconds and listened intently for the waitress or her brother. Both started asking him questions while he spoke to Jasmine earlier and he went human deep to become unresponsive. Otherwise he would never have any peace. Slowly, he rose to the surface to listen for heartbeats.
Two. Those weren’t bad odds. But he didn’t want to hurt anyone. He scanned further out and sensed others, some close, others a good distance away.
Hmm, how to play this? He heard a low murmur of voices.
“I’m telling you don’t do this. Uncle Rick’s using your loyalty to Duke and Tasha to open a Pandora’s box. They never should’ve dabbled in those drugs, you warned them, Lucian.”
Silas recognized Raven’s voice.
“Don’t you think I know that? Even so, knowing the two of them will suffer if they don’t receive help, another drug,” he spat. “I can’t not help, can I?”
“To rob the Red Wolves? That’s insane. Haven’t you heard they used a bomb on humans. They’ve gone loco,” she said.
“And no one’s going to do a damn thing, are they? No one. They’ll do it again, and again. All of this, one pack trying to outdo the other, using drugs, weapons and now bombs.” He sounded tired. “It’s got to stop.”
“Have you heard?” she asked softly.
“What?”
“La Patron is coming from the States. I heard them discussing it in town. He may already be here. There’s going to be a meeting. Some say the Goddess has sent him to deal with the bombers, others say he’s coming to help our packs maybe take over. There’s a lot of talk right now.”
Lucian scoffed. “I’ll believe it when I see it. It’ll take a lot more than La Patron to fix our packs. He’ll be lucky to survive the trip. No doubt one of the gangs have a big welcome prepared for him already.”
“Maybe. But it’ll be good to see a real Alpha again. Someone who puts the needs of the pack first and follows the Goddess. I miss those days,” she said.
“Those days are gone for good. Alphas like Rick will never relinquish the realms of leadership. The other Alphas are no better, it’s no wonder pack members are scattered all over hiding from those who should protect them,” Lucian said.
Silas closed his eyes and shook his head. This might be harder than he thought. Who set up a meeting? He contacted Hawke. “Do you have a cell phone?”
“No. It was destroyed in the fire.”
“Can you get one quickly?”
“In an hour or so.”
Silas wanted to be gone before that. “I need to leave here. I figured I’d call you to pick me up in Comayagua, or I’ll have someone drop me off there, blend in with the crowd, ditch whoever follows me and head into the mountains to meet you and Angus.”
“I’ll need to get transportation as well.”
“Not yet. I’ll have Jacques make reservations for lodging. We’ve got a long road ahead of us and not a lot of time. Start with the phone. I’ll take care of the rest. Let me know when you’re ready. Make sure you have food, I’m hungry.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Silas contacted a happy Jacques and filled him in on what they needed. Jacques would use a South American contact to pick them up, take them over the border and fly them back into Honduras with luggage, credit cards and Id’s. Since Jacques vouched for the person, Silas agreed to the impromptu plan.
Now to get his rescuer to drive him into town without answering a lot of questions.
“IF HE HAS A MEETING I want to go,” Raven said.
Silas smiled at the stubbornness in her tone. She reminded him of his princesses, Renée and Jackie.
“Okay, if it’s in town away from any pack lands I’ll take you. But don’t get your hopes up. This isn’t the States with decent government and police.”
“What if the Goddess has sent him? That means something, yes?” she persisted.
“Maybe, maybe not. Why
now? Where have they been all these years? Things have gotten worse but they’ve been bad a long, long time,” he said.
“Never have we taken drugs to change ourselves, maybe that’s what’s happened,” she said.
Silas became more alert. What drugs? The Liege used drugs and technology to change full-bloods years ago. Or did this have something to do with what General Lee had been doing? Silas wasn’t sure.
“Even that’s been going on for years, it’s just worse now.” He sounded defeated.
“Still you can’t do what Rick wants, not only is it wrong but it may not help Tasha or Duke. All of this is a guessing game, more experiments which got them into this mess in the first place,” Raven said.
A door opened.
Silas counted heartbeats and footsteps. Two full-bloods entered the house.
“It may not help me, Raven, but if I don’t get more I’ll die. Is that what you want?” the female argued.
“Back off her Tasha,” Lucian barked.
“She’s so self-righteous it’s disgusting,” Tasha said.
“Nobody told you to start taking those drugs now you want Lucian to risk his life to save yours when you do nothing to help anyone else,” Raven said, her voice trembling.
“Don’t touch her, Tasha, last warning,” Lucian said in a hard voice.
“You always did take up for her against me,” Tasha said.
“Cut the drama, Tasha, Lucian would do the same if Raven tried to attack you.”
Silas frowned. The voice sounded familiar but he couldn’t place it.
“Right, Duke. How could I forget how often my saintly brother defends me?” Tasha said dryly.
“It’s late, what are you two doing here?” Raven asked.
“Came to make sure the human hadn’t slit your throat in your sleep,” Tasha said and then laughed. “Where is he?”
“In there,” Lucian said. “He woke earlier.”
“Yeah? What did he say?” Duke asked.
“Nothing, went back out,” Raven said.
“Are you going to work today? You didn’t get much sleep last night,” Tasha said.