Pack Bonds, page 14
part #4 of Amarok Series
Tobias leaned back in his chair, tilting his head back to stare at the roof pensively. “Have you read any fantasy books? The ones where a young hero destined for something great is taken under the wing of a wise teacher?”
“Books don’t grow on trees in the mountains.”
He laughed. “Indeed, they don’t. The point I was trying to make is that such things tend to happen. People with great destinies find those who would help them realize it. When I realized my connection to you, I took it as a sign that I held a similar role in your life. And who am I to deny destiny?”
Dean nodded. “One more question for you. Are you one of mine?”
Tobias smiled broadly. “I believe you saw the answer to that question yourself. This ability, yours and mine. It does not lie.”
“I see.” Dean didn’t know what all of this meant yet, but one thing was undeniable. Those connections she’d seen, they were real. “Then this is the last time I will doubt you.”
“I am honored by your trust, alpha.”
“Do you know where I’m currently staying?”
“No, but I can find you.”
Dean huffed in amusement. “Good to know. Anything else we need to discuss?”
“There are a few considerations in regard to your graduation if you plan on going through with your education here but nothing that can’t be put off till later.”
She grimaced. The worse effects of whatever she’d done had passed but a pounding headache lingered. Just the thought of trying to think through schoolwork seemed unbearable. “Much later.”
“But not too late.”
“...I’ll see you later then.”
-
Viktoriya stacked the last box in the back of the SUV and pulled down the top. “Red, we ready to go?”
“Hold on. LEO!”
Leonardo barreled out the front door, nearly tripping as he negotiated the front steps while pulling a sweatshirt over his head. He swallowed the last bite of sandwich still in his mouth as his sister tossed him the car keys. “You said I’d have time to eat.”
“I thought you meant a quick snack, not a full course meal. A lot of the strays work the night shift, so we want to get here as early as possible.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He looked around. “Dean’s not here?”
“No.” Viktoriya held open the back door and motioned for Rachel to climb in before her. “She stayed behind at the school for a meeting with Tobias.”
“I don’t know,” Leo groused as he reversed out of the drive. “She’s spending a lot of time with halflings. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that but, you know.”
Rachel sighed. “Yeah, we know but it’s fine. She’s not going to go in the same direction as Franklin. No offense, Vikky.”
“Trust me, none taken. Now, tell me about this operation.”
“Operation may be a bit too strong a word,” Rachel said with a sheepish smile. “It’s nothing big. Mama works for Cloak&Dagger Security. Pruella’s company so you know it’s bigger than it seems; physical security, home security, training, certifications, internet security, everything. Anyway, Mama used her position to direct some of the company’s charity money to a city proposal to build a new community center.
“The construction crew were Pruella’s people. Mama talked to our benevolent vampiric overlord and they got creative with the blueprints. A secret wing to house strays, changers exiled from their packs but haven’t gone mental or criminal. Some of these alphas are dictators within their little ponds.”
“What they exile people out for is ridiculous and ninety percent of the time it’s young ones who have no idea what to do on their own. And coming from that, they don’t take too well to other dominants and are fiercely independent, meaning no other packs will take them in.”
“I’m starting to get the picture.” Viktoriya pulled out her phone and brought up the employment list sent to her by Rosa. “I’d hoped to assign people, but it may be better to ask for volunteers.”
“That’s a definite yes. And I’m warning you right now, they’re not going to be friendly since you’re a wolf.”
“That I expect.”
“Rach is exaggerating,” Leonardo said from the front, looking between them and the road quickly. “Only a few get snappish around others but that won’t matter with my sister there. She babysits the runts, so they love her, which means they’re going to love you.”
“Thanks for dropping that heavy expectation on my shoulders, brother. So comfortable.”
“Just telling it like it is.”
“Don’t worry, Red.” Viktoriya reached over to grab her hand. “If this all goes horribly wrong, I definitely won’t blame you.”
“I hate it when you get sarcastic.”
-
The C&D Community Center bustled with activity as they pulled up. Viktoriya eyes took in the crowds as they moved to the front door, from the younger children chasing each other on the playground under the watchful gazes of their parents to teenagers dressed in matching jerseys running the track surrounding the building. The center had quickly become a part of the neighborhood.
“No time to gawk, puppy. All the magic is inside anyway. Leo, will you--”
“Yeah, I’ve got the boxes. You’re such a girl.”
“You’re such an idiot,” she growled, pulling Viktoriya along.
The inside was sparse; half a dozen plastic chairs pushed against the wall in front of a circular wooden desk. Viktoriya was surprised to see Jerome sitting behind it, aimlessly flipping through a magazine. He looked up as they entered. “Hey there, Rach.”
“Jerry. Holding down the fort?”
“Oh, yeah. Fighting tooth and limb.”
“Keep it up.”
“Why’s he here?” Viktoriya asked as she was pulled down a series of twists and turns.
“Everyone’s got to make a living. That and Mama likes to have eyes here, for everyone’s sake. Claw pulls the odd shift when they’re short-handed or planning a big event.”
They went through a door marked Employees Only into a small room with shelves of cleaning supplies covering three walls. Rachel stopped any questions with a finger to her lips before placing her hands on the fourth wall. With a soft scraping sound, it swung open, creating a small opening into a dark passage.
Rachel waved toward it. “After you.”
“That wasn’t creepy at all.”
“You scared?”
Viktoriya huffed and went inside. Despite herself, she jumped when the wall suddenly slammed closed behind her and the light disappeared.
“I heard that, scaredy-wolf.”
“Let’s go.”
She heard her mate unsuccessfully try to smother her snickers as a hand slipped into hers. It didn’t take them long before Rachel threw open a door and they walked into a brightly lit room.
The change from total darkness to the fake laughter of a sit-com threw Viktoriya. Her eyes swept the space, taking in the people scattered about the well-furnished recreation room. Heads looked up from board games, dining tables, and turned away from TVs as the two of them stepped in. Then they were bombarded by greetings.
“Welcome back, Rach!”
“I knew you couldn’t stay away from me baby!”
Viktoriya’s head snapped in the direction of that comment but Rachel grabbed her attention by lightly slapping her shoulder. “He’s joking. Hey guys! Remember that meeting I told you all about?” A wave of confirmations answered her. “Great. I’ll check the rooms for any stragglers.”
Viktoriya bit back a curse as Rachel moved away from her. She didn’t know how to approach the crowd in front of her. They were too mixed, both the unknown species her nose picked up and their varying ages.
Changer ages were hard to guess from appearances. Puberty hit them around the same time as humans, but they shot up and after that, time crawled by. Someone who looked 16 could be 35. At the same time, their quick tempers, primitive reflexes, and insular upbringings made them come off as younger.
That didn’t apply to the few children she saw sticking close to the adults. The others might have histories, but she couldn’t understand anyone exiling a child. Those eyes shouldn’t hold the suspicion she saw directed at her, obvious without her mate at her side lending her credibility.
Viktoriya made a mental note to find out what was going on outside of Freewood. It hadn’t been much of a concern before but there had to be close to forty changers in the room and according to Rosa, this was only a fraction as most of their “guests” moved on before long. That constituted a problem.
Her mate came back, followed by a crowd. They fanned out to find space as Rachel wrapped herself on one of Viktoriya’s arms. “Okay. I know you’ve all got things to get back to, so we’ll keep this brief. This is Viktoriya Volkov, my mate--”
She paused at the cheer that went through the room along with a few playful curses. Viktoriya ducked her head to hide her blush, mumbling to herself about raucous animals as several wolf whistles pierced through the noise.
Rachel took the attention with a big grin. “--thank you. As you can see, I’m a lucky girl but this is also good luck for a few of you. No, not like that, Torque.”
A large guy with an easy smile raised his hands in an innocent gesture while his friends jostled him.
“Vikky has a proposition that is good for everyone. Unfortunately, we can only use so many volunteers.”
Viktoriya cleared her throat as the room turned toward her expectantly. “I’m sure you’re all aware of the rogues in the city. What you don’t know is that there is another problem. Hostile vampires targeting Pruella Blood have entered the city. We believe they are currently, or will attempt, to support the rogues.”
Frantic mutterings went through the crowd and she nodded in understanding. She hadn’t experienced feuding vampires like Rosa, but she didn’t need to to know it was a bad thing. “You can be certain that we’re handling the situation, but our biggest handicap is information. On the rogues and the vampires. Which is where all of you come in.”
A knock sounded on the door behind them. Rachel opened it and Leonardo came in, his form hidden behind the boxes stacked on the dolly he pushed. “I timed that perfectly.”
“Not something you should announce. Or be proud of. Or do, for that matter.”
Viktoriya grabbed the highest box and carried it into the center of the room, telling her wolf to calm down as the wall of changers pressed closer. She held up one of the boxes, smirking at the quiet oohs. “A gift. Rosa told me the lean circumstances you all are in.
“In these boxes are sixty top-of-the-line smartphones with all the accessories that go with them, warranties included. All I’m asking in return is that you mark anytime you smell or spot the invaders and upload a photo to a chat I’ve set up.
“You do not have to investigate, fight, or endanger yourself in any way. Just take the photo and move on. For that, you get a free phone and you’ll be helping to keep your city safe. Sound easy enough?”
Viktoriya was relieved by the hungry eyes ogling her merchandise but her hopes were dashed by a threatening growl. The crowd parted to make way for a wolf changer who stepped to the front. “I recognize you. You’re a member of the Freewood pack. Do you have any idea the crap Franklin put some of us through? Why should we trust anything you say?”
“Hold on a--”
“Red.” Rachel raised an eyebrow at the interruption but went silent. Viktoriya stared down the hostile changer calmly despite his glare. “I was. I’m not now but that doesn’t matter. If you don’t think you can trust me, walk away, but you’ll be missing out on quite the opportunity. Because whoever brings me proof of the vampires aiding the rogues will receive a big reward.”
“How big?” someone she couldn’t see asked.
“It’s still being negotiated but it will definitely be worth the effort.” The promise of money had them all back on her side. Her dissenter was dismissed by the crowd as they erupted in excited whispers. Without an audience, he stalked away, disappearing through the opening that led to the rooms.
Viktoriya tried not to think about it. Hopefully, he would be one of the ones who moved on. If not, he could always be encouraged to later. “Leo will handle anyone who wishes to sign up.”
“Yeah, over here people!”
Viktoriya let out a sigh of relief as the crowd moved around her to reach him. She picked up her box and placed it beside him before stepping back. A bottle of water appeared in front of her.
“Drink up and relax,” Rachel said, waving and back and forth.
“Thanks. It’s the wolf. I may say I’m not a Freewood anymore but--”
“Old habits die hard. Don’t worry about the growler. Some of our ‘guests’ are a little grumpy, but they have good reasons.”
“I’m not blaming him. Franklin did his best to harass all of you, I know that firsthand. Expected to be outright hated but your ice breaker stopped that.”
“What can I say? We Salvatores are a popular bunch around here.”
“Maybe too popular.” Her eyes tracked to the changer called Torque, memorizing his features. A soft hand on her chin forced her to look back toward her mate. “Speaking of popular.” She leaned forward and spoke at a whisper only they could hear. “You didn’t mention this reward earlier.”
“They had me on the spot,” Viktoriya whispered back. “Thought I lost them, and this is important. Shouldn’t be too hard to arrange a reward though. I’ll talk with Addison.”
“Not just any reward. A big one.”
“Ugh. Why did I say that? No, it’s fine. If we get desperate, I’ll ask Dean to rob a bank or something. Antsy as she’s been, she’ll be glad for something to do.”
-
Dean marched down the steps to the basement angrily, muttering curses. The light was on, revealing Izekiel and William sitting together on a couch watching television. Izekiel lowered the volume as she came over. “You seem to be in a bad mood, alpha.”
“I am,” she growled, dropping between them. William made to stand but she caught his arm, looking up at him. “Not at you, doctor. You don’t have to be afraid of me. Relax.”
The doctor retook his seat reluctantly.
“Turn your show back up, Zeke.”
Izekiel followed the direction. Dean relaxed into the cushions, letting the drama unfolding on the screen relax her nerves without paying it much attention.
“Would you like to talk about it?” She looked over at Izekiel who hadn’t turned from the screen. “I don’t know if I can be of any help but speaking on it may make things clear. Or so I’ve heard.”
“Hmph. Suppose it can’t hurt.” Dean sat up, rolling her shoulders. “It’s really simple. There is a threat in the city, and I’m being told not to go after it.”
“…That doesn’t make any sense.”
“No, it doesn’t.” It wasn’t that Dean didn’t understand what her mates repeatedly and painstakingly expressed to her. There were other things to be considered besides simply taking out the rogues. How they were taken out and by who also mattered.
Alpine was an alpha, not a rogue. He’d brought his pack with him. That meant should she accept his challenge and win she’d have a pack at her disposal. Not something trifling like two halflings barely on anyone’s radar but a group of changers that could threaten the Freewood wolves. If the rogues with him weren’t out of their minds, she’d have enough bodies to outnumber them.
Dugen and Rosa knew she was an alpha. She expected they understood that one day they would have to fight her off if they wanted to remain in control. Despite that, having the reality suddenly thrust upon them sooner than anyone might have expected made them understandably, but so frustratingly, nervous.
The worse part was her mates. Dean understood that they both had other loyalties they were considering. Still, being told not to go after Alpine stung. It almost sounded like they thought she was incompetent. They couldn’t possibly think she could lose to a single changer in a fair fight, could they? That was insulting.
“What do you plan to do?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then what would you like to do?”
“I want to end this mess. There are other threats to consider, what with this Thane character moving into the city and who knows what the Council is thinking.”
“I’m ignorant of their current movements but I can assure you that Master Law was not the end of their planning. Since his demise, they will have enacted one of several back-up plans. They are undoubtedly moving against you and the other changers.”
