by K. N. Banet
“Really? I’m not all that special.” I offered him a tight smile. “Really, the less activity, the better for me.”
“Ah, I’m sorry, then.” I didn’t believe his apology. “When Heath said he was flying up with you, I expected…something else.”
“I was only asked to make an introduction. Jacky would like to ask you some questions, and none of it should endanger your pack,” Heath explained carefully. “If they might, she’ll drop it.” He gave me a pointed look.
“Of course,” I agreed. “I’m not here to cause any trouble for the Seattle pack.”
“Please tell me what the most famous werewolf and werecat could possibly need from me. Have a seat.” Geoffrey pointed to his couches, smiling, but it didn’t reach his eyes. I had a feeling he’d either figured out why I might want to talk to him or thought I was there to cause trouble. My siblings were right. Showing up outside my territory made others wary.
We all sat down, and Geoffrey made a show of making sure we all had something to drink. I asked for water and made a show of sniffing it before sipping it. That made the Alpha pause, and Heath coughed.
“He’s not going to poison you,” Heath whispered to me, though everyone in the room could hear it.
“After the introduction I had to your pack, I would rather be safe than sorry. Easier to ask for forgiveness for offending someone than dying.” I shrugged. I was too edgy, far from home, and whether I wanted to admit it or not, scared. “Geoffrey, another werecat passed through here recently. Did you speak to him?”
“How…” The Alpha frowned deeply. “How did you know?”
“Because werecats, contrary to popular belief, talk to each other,” I explained. “I’m here to continue the investigation he was on and find out what the fuck is going on in this neck of the woods.”
“Heath,” Geoffrey snarled. My attitude had apparently struck a nerve with the Alpha. “Leash your feline.”
“Fuck me.” Heath shook his head. “Jacky, maybe you should explain to him what is going on. He might be willing to tell you more.”
“First, I want to know why he didn’t talk to the previous werecat,” I snapped.
“Because we’re having problems with our two local werecats. Why do I want even more of you around?” Geoffrey growled as he spoke. “I’m only giving you a moment of my time because Heath is vouching for you.”
“Problems?” I snorted. “Alpha Lewis, your two local werecats are dead. Now the question is if you killed them, and after you firmly shut down speaking to the previous werecat sent here to find answers, the outcome doesn’t look good for you.”
Every word that came out of my mouth made the wolf more and more pale. I played hard ball. Maybe it was my anger, not knowing where Jabari was. Maybe I was too edgy and frustrated from being away from home. Whatever it was, it had me on the offensive. I was pissed off now.
“Dead?” he asked softly. “Titan and Gaia are dead? We’re talking…we’re talking about the two old cats that lived in the park, right?”
“Yes,” I snapped. “Jabari was sent to—”
“That male was Jabari?” The wolf sagged back into his couch. “Heath…”
“Jacky.” My wolf looked over to me, pleading with his eyes. “Tell him who you are and everything else. He obviously isn’t part of this.”
I knew that. I could smell the honest shock off the wolf.
“Jabari, son of Hasan, was sent here by Hasan to find out what or who killed Titan and Gaia,” I explained, taking a deep breath to relax and loosen my muscles. “He said he met a stone wall with you when inquiries were made, then headed off toward their territories to discover more. He hasn’t called in or reported in a week…” I sighed. “I’m Jacky, as everyone calls me, but to werecats, I’m Jacqueline, daughter of Hasan, and Jabari is my older brother. I’m here to assist him as needed or finish what he started if necessary. Heath agreed to help me talk to you because Jabari wasn’t able to.”
“Fuck. My friend, why doesn’t everyone know you have a direct line to fucking Hasan himself? And the General walked through my fucking city without me even knowing! He called us and just said he was a werecat interested in finding out more about our relationship with the two cats who lived in the state!”
“Yeah, Jabari wouldn’t have told you too much over the phone because lies are too easy. Because of…Heath and me, things have been tense between our kinds,” I tried to say without getting snappy.
“I can agree to that. Some packs have found werecats are growing hostile if they enter their territories to talk.”
“I can admit, werecats are upset with the sudden attention they’re getting, and a werewolf should never enter a werecat’s territory without permission,” I added for him. “I understand you wolves want allies and a better relationship, and what I did in Dallas was…”
“Impressive,” Heath filled in for me. “Who wouldn’t want a werecat defending their family now?”
“Yes, and who would care if those werecats die for it? We’re a small species, and we’re defensive because of it,” I reminded him, trying for diplomatic instead of cranky. “So, when two werecats show up dead—”
“You looked at the closest wolf pack because of our history,” Geoffrey said, cutting me off. “I understand.” He rubbed his face, looking over to his windows, staring over the water. “Gaia and Titan weren’t friends, but they weren’t enemies either. They allowed werewolves to camp in the park if it wasn’t during a full moon. When I said we were having problems with them? Four of our wolves went out on a week-long trip, trying to get out of the city for a little while. They never came back.”
“How long ago?” Heath asked sharply.
“A month ago. We contacted a park ranger who often carries messages back and forth between me and the cats, but the ranger couldn’t find or get ahold of them. We…thought they might have killed our werewolves for some slight.” He sighed heavily. “When did Gaia and Titan show up dead?”
“Nearly two weeks ago,” I answered. Fuck. Now it wasn’t just two dead werecats, but four possible dead wolves as well. Unless the pack was playing me, but I didn’t think so. Geoffrey looked like death warmed over, and I couldn’t smell a lie in his words. “Did you or any of your pack have any idea of their deaths? Or maybe help kill them?”
“Not that I know of, and I’m the Alpha. I’ll begin an investigation immediately. Gaia and Titan were…fine. We never had problems with them until this.” He nodded over my head, and I heard footsteps. I’d known Ryan was standing behind me the entire time, choosing to ignore him. The pack was trying to be safe, and I was an immediate threat to that. “Call my inner circle in for an immediate meeting. Let word out to the pack that they will all report to me within twenty-four hours or be hunted down. Their choice.”
“Yes, sir.” A door closed across the room.
“Thank you,” I offered him sincerely. I could see, smell, and hear how genuine he was.
“If any of our wolves killed your werecats, they’ll be dealt with. Swiftly,” he growled. “Have no fear on that front. The last thing anyone wants is another war. I’ll say it now. I was scared when your…father stood in front of the Tribunal and threatened to make everyone public. Afterward, there was some talk about killing him and his children for doing it. A war is the same problem—revealing those who don’t want to be revealed.”
“You’re already out, though,” I pointed out. “Would it really upset you?”
“If, say, vampires were revealed, imagine the public outcry. Or the fae who in some of their cultures are gods. Werewolves, we can blend, act human because most of us once were human, and if we’re not perfect, we’re wolves. We’re the progenitor to man’s best friend,” Heath explained. “But the repercussions of the fear humans have for others would rub off on us. We’re still trying to settle in our new place in the world, and we had to go public because it was too hard to hide anymore. Our numbers were too strong, and being revealed without a plan would have gotten us k
illed.”
“So, if a bad apple is revealed in another species, everyone freaks out and kills everyone,” I inferred. “Hence, why Emma was just an upstart wolf to the public and not a half-witch mad for power.”
“Exactly,” Heath said, nodding. “Honestly, Hasan was right about werecats. You protect humans by our own laws. You would come out strong and on their side, at least in the beginning.”
“Until they have no one else to shovel their fear on,” Geoffrey mumbled. “That was the fatal flaw with his bluff.”
“It wasn’t a bluff,” I whispered, looking down. “He would have done it for me. Just like he would kill everyone who might have a hand in the death of any of his children. He would start another war if he had to. If he lost a second child, he would do it.” That was an undeniable truth no one should ever take lightly about Hasan. Not me, not my siblings, not any supernatural who may ever cross his path or the path of anyone in the family.
“Does he still hold a grudge over his daughter?” Geoffrey asked carefully.
“He hid from the world for a hundred years because of her death. Whatever the reasons, he decided to withdraw and grieve instead of burning the world down to its foundations. I don’t know much about what happened to her, but I promise, he won’t tolerate it a second time.”
“Then why does he let his children run off into dangerous situations? Why are you here? Or Jabari? If either of you…”
Heath started to chuckle, but it was somewhat sad. “Because children don’t listen to their parents.”
Geoffrey growled. “No, they don’t.”
“Moving on…” I leaned back, finally showing a sign I felt comfortable. “We have to figure out what’s going on here. I’m going to check into my hotel and consider what to do tomorrow. Can I have the contact for the park ranger you get in touch with?”
“Of course,” Geoffrey answered quickly. “You both must be tired. The full moon, then a flight. I can’t imagine it’s been a good day. Heath, can I ask you a favor?”
“Certainly.” We all stood up together, and Heath kept his eyes on Geoffrey, not paying me a lick of attention. I wandered back to the windows to look at the view as they talked.
“Because you know…Jacky here, I was hoping you could look into what might have happened to my wolves. If the werecats killed them, and some of my pack killed the werecats, I’m going to call eye-for-an-eye to the Tribunal and hope it stands. I’ll keep my wolves in holding, I’m not going to hide them away or let them run, but if this was revenge for an unjustified killing, I’m going to fight for them.”
“I don’t expect otherwise,” Heath said quietly. “I’ll find out what happened to your wolves. I was planning on flying home Sunday, but I can stay if it’s needed. Landon is keeping Carey under lock and key while I’m away.”
“You mean while her bodyguard is away,” Geoffrey countered. “Your old pack has some gossips. Everyone knows that werecat is your shield to protect your daughter.”
“I’m a smart old wolf, Geoffrey, and I just gave away all the power and protection I had to be a simple family man. Of course I found outside help. Carey adores her, too. It would kill my little girl if I told her she couldn’t see her Knight in Shining Armor anymore.”
“Aren’t those normally boys who are looking to take daughters away from their fathers?” Geoffrey chuckled.
“I know I’m lucky. Hers is a standoffish cat and female. I think I’ll be able to keep Carey through her teenage years. Maybe even her twenties. She’s not even twelve, so there shouldn’t be a boy problem for at least a few more years.”
“One would hope.”
I smirked, knowing my reflection might be seen by the wolves behind me. The rest was interesting to hear. I couldn’t blame Geoffrey for looking out for his pack if it came to it. He would help me, and other things would be decided, depending on the outcome of Jabari’s investigation...and my own.
No, I smirked because I loved hearing how Heath talked about Carey and me. I also appreciated his honesty about our relationship, the one between him and me. We weren’t so much friends as allies. Allies who saw each other once a week, oftentimes for no reason other than he wanted a drink and a moment away from his life, and I didn’t mind the company.
“Which hotel are you staying at? I’ll get my wolves to give you a ride.” Geoffrey smiled toward me as I could see in the glass.
“That would be nice, but…” Heath gave me an unsure look.
“It’s fine,” I said loud enough for the entire room to know exactly how I felt. “I don’t expect any trouble. Heath?”
“No, there shouldn’t be any trouble,” he agreed, though I watched him look at Geoffrey for more confirmation.
“I swear to you on my pack and honor, none of my wolves will harm you during your stay in my city.”
“In your city? Or your state?” I asked softly. Hasan would kill me if I agreed to such small terms that were easy to break. If he promised the state, harming me would be too much effort. He would never come for me in Texas, as an example. He would either run into Heath’s old pack or onto my territory, where I would win. “And I want no harm from wolves, yours or otherwise.”
“In the state of Washington,” he corrected. “I swear to you on my pack and honor that no wolves will harm you during your stay in the state of Washington.”
“If a rogue attacks us, we’ll kill him,” Heath said quickly. “And I won’t check if it’s a rogue beforehand, Geoffrey. If it turns out to be one of your pack, there will be repercussions. I’ll take it to the Council and let them handle it.”
“I know what I’m swearing to,” Geoffrey snapped. “Stop being so paranoid.”
I raised an eyebrow at Heath. He was fighting on my side. Maybe he didn’t want another wolf pack to cause problems for him or make a bad impression. Maybe he didn’t feel comfortable. He knew Geoffrey much better than I did, for obvious reasons. I was just using every lesson Hasan ever taught me. Heath was going by experience.
“I don’t mean any offense, Geoffrey,” Heath said quietly. “I’m just trying to make sure this goes smoothly. We don’t need any more dead bodies.”
“Of course,” Geoffrey said with a sigh. “Hearing those two are dead…It’s not what I was expecting.”
“Of course, it wasn’t. Now, Heath, I want to get settled in. You can stay here and hang out with an old friend, but I’m going to head out.” I was tired of the activity. I was tired of being far from home, listening to two wolves posture, and tired of politics.
“I’m going with you,” he said, stepping away from Geoffrey. “We’ll meet your driver downstairs.”
“He’ll be waiting for you.”
“It was a pleasure to meet you, Alpha Lewis.” I extended a hand as I passed in front of the wolf. He shook and offered the same courtesy. Heath gestured for me to walk out first, and we got into the elevator together. Heath leaned over to me, chuckling.
“You’re not too shabby a politician, you know.”
“Bite me,” I growled softly.
12
Chapter Twelve
It was the quiet wolf, who I now knew was named Mickey, who gave me the contact information for the park ranger. He was waiting downstairs at the desk with the two guards, which I could now smell as wolves as I drew close to them.
“I’ll be your driver as well. If you would like, we can get you a rental or a vehicle loaned from the pack for the duration of your stay in Seattle,” Mickey said as we walked out of the building together. “Alpha has already let me know what’s going on. I hope you two can find the answers we’re all looking for.”
“We’re hoping so, too,” Heath replied, sitting in the front seat beside Mickey this time, leaving me to the back seat. He even handed me my laptop bag, and I pulled it close to my chest. Mickey didn’t miss that, looking into the rearview mirror and meeting my eyes.
“Smart,” he mouthed, looking away so we would miss it. I didn’t really see it so much as hear the air that pass
ed through his lips, making the mouthed word into the softest whisper I had ever heard. Heath missed it completely. My hearing, as many people forgot, was more sensitive than a werewolf’s. While we all had advanced senses, werewolves had the better ability to smell, but my hearing was much better than theirs.
I didn’t comment on it, though. I planned on letting Heath know what had just played out when we reached the hotel. Heath gave our driver the name of where we were staying, and he got us there quickly, helping us unload and waiting for us to check in before leaving. I was grateful he didn’t try to walk up with us to our rooms. I didn’t want to have to turn down hospitality and look like an ass.
“He knows our room numbers,” I pointed out as Heath and I stepped onto another elevator. “And thank you for coming with me and helping. I needed you in there with Alpha Lewis.”
“It’s no problem. It seems fortunate I came because now Geoffrey gets a mostly impartial wolf to help out instead of leaving it to werecats he doesn’t know. Jacky…if Titan and Gaia killed those wolves, I won’t hide it for you or your family.”
“I know.” I wouldn’t have asked him to. If our cats killed the wolves first, there were even more questions to ask. Like why, especially since there seemed to have been communication and peace between them long before Heath and I rattled the scene. “What do you think is going on here?”
“Who knows? Maybe those four wolves threatened your two cats, and they were dealt with. Maybe they went missing outside of the werecat territories, and the wolves reacted poorly by killing them. There are a thousand possibilities.” He sighed, leaning against the wall.
“Yeah, there are,” I agreed softly. Jabari had walked into a bigger mess than our family had realized and was missing now. “I hope they didn’t go after Jabari.”
“Geoffrey wouldn’t…” Heath groaned. “If he has wolves acting without his permission, maybe some followed Jabari out there, probably thinking they were fixing a problem before it became bigger. Tomorrow, we’ll go talk to that park ranger and see what he or she knows. What’s the person’s name?”