“Over time? You mean during Higgins’ time.” Reno took another sip of the vile brew in his mug.
“Yep. I’ve been doing some research.” Fielding took another drink. “A lot of subtle changes happened during his time. Clauses were added to laws, bills rushed past High Council. I think he was consolidating his power.” Fielding shook his head. “Everyone trusted the front Higgins presented and assumed he was doing what was best for Lycan Link. If they’d taken the time and effort to dig deeper, they’d have realized all was not as it seemed.”
“People are complacent. They don’t want to get involved.”
“Yep. But that’s a topic for another time. Right now, we need to make sure two innocent men aren’t thrown in detention.”
“What do you want me to do?” Reno went to take another drink, frowned at the contents of the cup and set it aside.
“Contact the pack in Stump River and assure them we’re on this and then get a hold of any pack Alphas you know who have some influence. Tell them the facts. We need to put pressure on High Council, give them the correct version of what went on, not the cock and bull story Higgins probably told.”
“Kane Sinclair will be the best man for the job. His opinion carries a lot of weight. He actually asked to be taken off the candidate list for a position on High Council.”
“I remember that. Created quite a buzz. High Council was impressed…once they got over having their noses put out of joint. No one had ever refused the honour before!” The captain finished his coffee in one gulp and stood up. “I’m going back to headquarters to see if there’s anything I can do to get the charges dropped.”
Reno nodded and, after the captain left, wandered into the kitchen. “Might as well make a fresh pot of coffee,” he muttered to himself. “I won’t be getting any more sleep tonight.”
Back in Stump River…
Lucy sat at the kitchen table in Ryne’s house, Mel on one side of her, Jenna on the other. She must be dreaming. Or they were crazy. Or maybe both. There was no way the man she loved, the man she’d had sex with, had created a child with, was an animal. A bear, no less!
“I know this is a shock,” Mel reached out and patted her hand, “but it’s all true.”
“We debated about telling you—very few humans know the truth—however Melody assured me you were trustworthy and would keep our secret.”
“Our secret.” She looked at the women on either side of her. “Are you telling me you’re both bears, too?”
“No.” Mel shook her head. “I’m actually a wolf, or a Lycan as we prefer to be called.”
“And I’m a human, just like you.” Jenna added. “But I was raised in a wolf pack when my mother married a Lycan.”
“Wolves? Bears?” Lucy gave a strained laugh. “It’s like I’m in the middle of a box of animal crackers! Where are the cows and elephants and giraffes?”
“Only the predatory shifters remain to the best of our knowledge.” Jenna replied, her face completely serious.
“Right.” Lucy inched away from crazy person number one, which brought her closer to crazy person number two, aka Mel.
Maybe they were on drugs? She’d been away for a while and sometimes people got involved in bad stuff. They needed help, counselling, except she wasn’t qualified for that yet. For a moment she felt like telling them to stay right there and she’d be back in a couple of years with her degree. It was a ridiculous thought but ridiculous seemed to be the theme of the night.
On a more sensible note, her first duty was to her son. She needed to get Caleb away from here.
She eased her chair back. “Well, it’s been real fun visiting with both of you, but I need to head on my way. Great cookies, by the way.”
They both reached out, each grabbing one of her arms.
“You can’t leave.”
“Armand would never forgive us if we let you go.”
Oh crap, she was trapped! What had she done in another life that deserved this much bad Karma? And Caleb, he was just a baby! She had to stay calm, find a way to escape. Her heart was pounding and she tried to remember to breathe slowly.
“Lucy, I can tell we’re freaking you out, and I really didn’t mean to do that.” Mel stood up. “But I can prove to you we’re not crazy.”
“By turning into a bear?”
“No, she’s a wolf.” Jenna corrected. “Armand is the bear. Remember?”
Mel nodded, fingering the buttons on her shirt. “But I’m only a half so I have some limitations. I can’t change form with my clothes on.”
Lucy felt her eyes widen. Mel was going to strip in front of her? They’d been friends but not that close. Or was she some kind of exhibitionist?
“I’m just going to step into the pantry, if you don’t mind.” Mel gave an awkward smile. “I’m still not into stripping down in front of others.”
“Sure. Take your time.” She gave a cheery smile and waved her on her way. With Mel out of the way, there’d just be Jenna to tackle. Maybe she could overpower the woman and—
“Would you like another cookie?” Jenna passed her the plate as if nothing wacko was going on. “Or more coffee?”
“Coffee? That would be wonderful.” If Jenna stepped away to make more, it might give enough time to bolt for the stairs. She’d barricade herself and Caleb in the room, call 911 and…
A soft yip interrupted her thoughts and she turned to see a pretty, light brown wolf trotting out of the pantry, head held high and tail wagging.
Oh. My. Gosh!
Chapter 38
Armand sat in a detention room, arms crossed, outwardly as calm and steady as a mountain. The fact that his shirt was covered in dried blood and his ribs still ached from the antenna tower falling on him was of no importance. Physical discomfort was nothing compared to his internal turmoil. He needed to get back home, explain his words to Lucy and repair the damage to their relationship. Would she understand he’d been trying to protect her and the baby? Hopefully, Melody was doing damage control in his absence so when he returned they could finally have their happy reunion.
If we return, his bear muttered. So far, they have not brought formal charges against us, but that does not mean they won’t.
True. His jaw clenched and he consciously forced it to relax.
There’d been no chance to speak with Ryne during the flight as they’d been surrounded by Enforcers and, within the walls of Lycan Link, he sensed a lack of privacy. However, if charges were indeed brought, he needed Ryne to send Lucy back to Chicago or some other safe location so their connection was minimized. He didn’t want Lycan Link deciding Lucy knew more than she should.
A sound from the room next door let him know Daniel was on the move again, circling the small space, looking for a means of escape. The young man had rattled the air vent grate several times but had been unsuccessful in removing it, which was a good thing. If Daniel made a break for it, Lycan Link would hunt him down, or so the counsel assigned to them—a man named Ricardo Machado—had said.
The wolf is young and reckless, his bear said.
He nodded in agreement.
There is a chance we will be set free. Then we can start a life with our mate and cub.
It’s a strong incentive to not do something stupid, he concurred.
If they try to lock us up…
Then we will react.
We are one bear against perhaps a hundred wolves.
He nodded. The facility was extensive, and he’d noticed Lycans everywhere.
Patience then. We will watch how this unfolds and wait for the right opportunity.
A glance at his watch showed it had been hours since they’d left Stump River. After arriving, Counsel Machado had met with them and taken their statements as to what had happened. Then they’d been questioned by someone from Lycan Link, and then…nothing.
He could hear Ryne pacing the hall outside the holding cell. The guards had tried to make him leave but had eventually backed down, Ryne’s description of what he
’d do to them seeming to have worn down their commitment to the rules.
A ringing sound drew his attention. It was followed by Ryne’s voice sounding right outside the door. Cocking his head, Armand unashamedly listened in on the conversation.
“Kane, it’s been two hours since I called you. What took you so long to get back to me?”
“My phone’s been ringing off the hook. There are quite a few Alphas who’ve already heard about this debacle and are up in arms, but I did manage to find out a few things.”
“And?”
“First of all, the ‘old geezer’ as you called him, is Ricardo Machado, one of the best counsels at Lycan Link.”
“But he works for Lycan Link, so he’s biased.”
“No, he operates independently of them. He’s actually won some landmark cases that went against Lycan Link. You’re lucky to have him on your side.”
“Good to know.”
“And based on what you’ve told me, there’s no case against your friend Armand, or Daniel unless—”
“Unless what?”
“Unless they kept copies of the codes for themselves.”
“What would be the point? All the codes were changed as a precautionary measure. Higgins said as much in the news release.”
“True. But it could still be deemed as being in possession of classified information and a sign of intent.”
“Well, I’m positive Armand wouldn’t have kept a copy. And Daniel…” Ryne’s voice trailed off.
Armand frowned. Daniel wouldn’t have kept the information, would he? Jenna had been in Daniel’s room and they’d heard her on his computer. Had she found evidence of those files and forwarded the information? While she claimed not to be involved, how trustworthy was she?
His bear growled softly, not pleased with how the woman had deceived them.
He shushed the animal as Ryne was speaking again.
“Even if Daniel did have copies of the files, those Enforcers were in my territory without permission and that woman broke into my house to do the search. And, I never saw a warrant so the evidence should be inadmissible in court, shouldn’t it?”
“That’s one of the points that has the Alphas up in arms.” Kane said. “The line between an Alpha’s territorial rights and the powers of Lycan Link have always been an area of contention. I’m sure Machado will use that to have the evidence dismissed if the case goes before High Council.”
“High Council? Those trials can take weeks!”
“Lycan Link will probably try to rush it through so Machado has less time to formulate a defence.”
“Can they do that?”
“Unfortunately, yes. Clauses have been added recently that give Lycan Link that power if they feel there is the need.” Kane sighed loudly. “It seems they’re trying to prove a point.”
“And Daniel and Armand are going to take the fall.”
Armand beetled his brow as the conversation drew to a close. He’d heard Ryne speak of his younger brother, Kane, and knew the man was a much respected and powerful Alpha with a sound understanding of Lycan law. And while it was good to know the counsel assigned to their case was skilled, the fact that he and Daniel might be scapegoats was worrisome. Perhaps Daniel’s search for a means of escape wasn’t quite so foolish after all.
He took a deep breath, once again resuming an implacable countenance. A bear did not run from adversity. He would face his accusers before the Lycan High Council, tell the truth and trust in the rule of law.
And if it fails? His bear asked.
He stared straight ahead. No jaw clenching, no fisting of his hands, no outward sign of perturbation. “If it fails, we will follow our own rules and make them listen.”
His bear grumbled happily at the idea of bashing a few Enforcer heads together, especially those that had taken them into custody.
Back in Stump River…
Lucy had finally recovered from the shocking events of the night. Well, not all of them, but at least from the revelations Mel and Jenna had told her. Mel had shown her books on cryptozoology and even a secret website for Lycans and then related her own experience with discovering this strange new world. It had been a humorous recount…except when it had reached the part where that lawyer, Aldrich, had bashed her in the head and almost killed her.
“I’m so glad you’re okay, Lucy.” Mel reached out and squeezed her hand. “I’ve felt guilty about what happened to you every single day since then.”
Lucy shook her head. “It wasn’t your fault. And if I hadn’t been there, there wouldn’t have been that clue for Ryne to follow. He might not have rescued you in time.”
“True.” Mel shuddered.
“Everything happens for a reason,” Jenna said. “Even bad things can lead to good.”
“But what good is going to come from Armand and Daniel being arrested?” Lucy asked.
“I’m not sure.” Jenna made a face. “I really am sorry.”
“You were doing your job,” Mel said. “Just like I was doing my job when I came here to write a report on Ryne. It all seemed innocent enough.”
Jenna nodded. “I thought I was helping prove they weren’t involved. And no one was supposed to know I was here. It was between me and Captain Fielding.”
“Nothing travels faster than a secret,” Lucy said. “Someone overheard something or left a bit of paper lying about…” She paused mid-sentence. It made her think of Roxi who she’d yet to call as promised. There’d probably be a gazillion texts on her phone asking what was going on. “Um, you said I can’t tell anyone about this, right?”
“Correct. If you ever do, there are serious consequences.” Melody tapped one of the books she’d taken from Ryne’s shelves. “It’s all outlined in the Book of the Law. And, it’s probably one of the reasons Armand was so slow to make a move with you. He had to be sure your relationship was going to be permanent before telling you he was a shifter.”
“Being a shifter must be awkward then. Always hiding your real self from the rest of the world.”
“It has its challenges.” Mel agreed.
“And being a human in a relationship with a shifter is even more awkward or so my mother always said,” Jenna added. “She never did tell her parents what my step-father was, and they never understood why she seldom invited them over. It caused a rift. The same for the friends she’d had all her life; she purposely drifted apart from her old life in order to keep the secret safe. Being involved with a shifter isn’t easy but my mother said the rewards were worth the sacrifice.”
Lucy thought of Roxi who always noticed even the smallest of details and treated information as a commodity to be sold. It would be too dangerous for Armand and the others if Roxi were to come and visit. And what about when Caleb got older? What if he said something to Roxi that he shouldn’t? It seemed joining this new world was like heading down a one-way street, no U-turns allowed.
Some of what she was thinking must have shown on her face for Mel suddenly stood up, declaring it was late and they needed to get a few hours of sleep.
“We’ll talk more in the morning, Lucy, and I’ll let you know as soon as Ryne gives me any information about Armand. Try not to worry. It will all work out.”
“I hope so.”
Mel gave her a gentle push toward the stairs. “You head to bed. Jenna, I’ll show you to a guest room.”
“A guest room?” Jenna blinked. “I hadn’t—”
Mel planted her hands on her hips. “Listen girlfriend. You and I have come to an understanding of sorts, but Ryne will skin me alive if I let you off this property before he’s talked to you.”
“But—”
“You might have been working for Lycan Link, however the fact remains you broke in. He’ll want to know how and why and a ton of other details. And don’t think of trying to slip away because Ryne has already texted Bryan and there are extra patrols around the house until Ryne says otherwise.”
“Oh.”
The look on Jenna’s f
ace almost had Lucy laughing and she left them to their discussion.
Her head was swirling with information and questions and worry. She doubted she’d sleep a wink.
Surprisingly she did. In fact, it was halfway through the morning when she awoke to a soft tapping on her door.
“Lucy, you have to get up.” Mel called out as she knocked on the door before opening it.
She blinked blearily and reached for her glasses then automatically glanced at the playpen Caleb had been sleeping in. It was empty!
“Don’t worry. Caleb is downstairs with Grace. I heard him starting to fuss and knew you needed to rest. He’s been fed and changed and is now being thoroughly spoiled.”
“Thanks.” She hitched herself up in bed. “It seems like ages since I’ve slept through the night.”
“Technically, it was only half a night, but I remember those days all too well.” Mel smiled and drew the curtains, letting the light in. It looked like a beautiful day. “Head down to the kitchen once you’re ready. I have some news from Ryne to tell you.”
That was incentive enough to have her flying out of bed. After a record fast shower, she dressed and hurried to the kitchen, anxious to know how things were unfolding.
Unfortunately, the news wasn’t as good as she’d hoped. Armand and Daniel were still being held and would be seen by High Council—which Mel said was like a court of law—the next day.
“It’s not much time for their counsel—that’s like a lawyer—to assemble a defence.” Mel nibbled on her fingernail.
“Maybe this Lycan Link realizes it’s a ridiculous case and wants it cleared away as fast as possible?” Lucy peeked around the corner to check on Caleb who was lying on a blanket watching Grace play with another little boy named Marco. Two women who had been introduced to her as Tessa and Olivia were sitting nearby keeping a watchful eye on the children.
“Perhaps.” Mel gave a tight smile that didn’t inspire much confidence.
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