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“What if he sees this as a threat Jude? He could view us coming to him as the seer’s vision coming true.” Owen’s always been logical. I hadn’t really considered that.
“What if we don’t go? Would you be able to rest well knowing he led them to war? A war against the Authority.” My heart twists and sinks in my hollow chest. “A war against us.”
“He wouldn’t.” Even before Owen finishes speaking, the conviction is gone from his voice.
“He would.”
Luke speaks to Owen, “You know he would. He’d lead his pack to war against us.”
“We need to convince him otherwise.” My gaze finds my mate as I pace back to the window. “I want to avoid this war.” I watch her chase the little ones around in the grass.
“After all, it’s only our father that we have to convince. Only him who betrayed us. We know everyone else, and what the Betas did to protect us.” They risked their lives to get us away from him. They protected us against their own Alpha. “We owe them. We can’t let our father lead them to death.”
“And what happens if he refuses?” Owen has a good point. I sigh heavily, not knowing the answer.
“All we can do is try.” After a long moment of silence, they finally agree.
“We’ll meet you at Gray Mountain.”
“We’ll be there at sunrise.”
As I stare out the window, watching my pack, I swallow thickly and respond, “I’ll tell my Alpha and we’ll meet you there.”
THE SIGHT OF US MUST BE INTIMIDATING, I almost regret bringing everyone. But hopefully, together, we’ll be able to sway our father and prevent his alliance with the vampires. Without our mates, our presence would be seen as a challenge. Devin suggested and I reluctantly agreed, our mates will accompany us and aid us in the endeavor to sway him. Lena walks hesitantly behind me, our son tucked away peacefully with his head against her chest. Emma, my brothers’ mate, who’s on the shorter side, and Grace walk with her. Our mates are shielded by Devin on my left and my brothers on my right. Behind them are Vince, Veronica, and Lev. Veronica seems a bit off, less vocal and sharp than usual and Vince is tending to her much more than he has before. I nearly objected to them coming, but it’s not my call to make.
I recognize the guard on duty, running his laps around the estate. Daniel. He’s grown to be quite a large shifter since I’ve last seen him. He’s a few years younger than me, but we occasionally played together, and he took his sparring lessons with my brothers. He’s a good wolf. Genuinely caring and eager to help others. A sadness swells in my chest as memories of my childhood flash before my eyes. The estate looks the same as it did back then. Log cabins littered among ancient trees with a lake house in the center for all to commune. Even with the bite of the chill today, the sun shines down through the sparse trees and offers warmth. I was blessed with happiness and a righteous pack. But all that changed years ago.
Daniel stops when he sees us and squares his shoulders before he recognizes me. As our eyes meet, a smile brightens his face and he strides toward us with his arms out. He’s roughly my height, wearing worn jeans just as my brothers and I are. A touch of nostalgia brings me back. I embrace him quickly and pat his back with a force that would have a weaker wolf stumbling. A rough laugh bellows from his chest as he takes in my brothers.
“Long time no see, Jude. Luke. Owen.” He nods to each of us before seeing the rest of us. His smile dims. “Is everything all right?” The light in his eyes dulls as Devin introduces himself and the rest of the pack, and we tell him we’re here to see our father to discuss the matters of the Authority. He nods solemnly until I introduce Lena, stepping aside and allowing her to come to my side. She does so naturally, and I wrap my arm around her waist, not too tight or possessive, just enough so that she knows she’s safe.
“It’s nice to meet you,” she answers and takes a peek over her shoulder toward Grace, who steps up as Devin continues the introductions. Lena doesn’t move as I half expect her to, in fact, she leans into me just slightly. “We’ll be back tonight,” I promise her.
She nods, closing her parted lips and staring straight ahead. There’s something there, but before it can take hold, Daniel leads us to my father. The walk to the larger log cabin where the Alpha resides is nearly silent and bathed with anxious tension.
It’s obvious Daniel has questions, but he’s biting his tongue. Lena as well, who walks beside me, her hand in mine. I can only imagine what she’s thinking.
As we near the stairs Daniel finally speaks, “You know, we weren’t sure what came of you three.” My brows raise in surprise.
Luke laughs. “You thought he got us, Daniel?” He playfully slaps Daniel on his back.
“I’m being serious.” Daniel’s saddened tone doesn’t wane with Luke’s playfulness. “We thought something happened when no one had seen any of you for days.”
“No one told you what happened?” I question and although Daniel looks back at me, it’s Lena’s eyes on me that I feel.
“Told us what?” It’s then that I realize the Betas mustn’t have said anything about helping us escape. The seer’s vision was common knowledge as was our father’s reaction to the casting.
“Nothing.” I shake my head. “We’re sorry Daniel. If we’d known we were leaving I’d have spread word. Everything happened quickly.” I breathe deeply, remembering the tension and anxiety I felt as a boy. My wolf stirs restlessly, not liking the memory.
At his movement, Lena looks up at me and I know her wolf must’ve sensed it too. I speak in my head, only calling her name, but she doesn’t respond. With Devin’s curious glance, I turn back to Daniel.
“Don’t apologize. I’m just happy to see you three.” He gives us a semblance of a smile. “Are you staying long?” The way he asks the question and the look in his eyes makes me think he’s asking more. Asking if we’ve come back to reclaim the pack. I don’t want him to think that. I don’t want anyone to think we’ve come to challenge our father. His eyes dart to our mates and then back to me as he presses his lips into a hard line. I smile knowing he doesn’t approve of us bringing the women if we’ve come to fight. He’s a good man.
“We’re only here to talk alliances.” Devin answers for me.
“Ah. For the war,” he says far too easily.
I nod and continue searching his face. He doesn’t give any hint of his opinion on the matter.
