Pack, page 6
part #3 of Five Fangs Series
Maybe what happened at Crystal Caverns isn't how Everett Breckenridge got killed, I thought to myself, although the timeline fits.
Not that I would bring it up now. The twins were Everett's little sisters and didn't need to go into their new life with that sad reminder, and if Jayden - well, Quartz - was chill, I wasn't going to do anything to upset him.
After a round of hugs and handshakes, we waved goodbye to them, and I turned to my mates.
"When is Beatrix going over to Emerson and Angelo's? I want to be there to hear everything and give Reau his gift."
"The twins have been meeting with Gelo at ten every morning to work out the details of their apprenticeship," Cole said, looking at his watch. "They're going to bring Beatrix along today, so we need to get our butts in gear."
"So," Wyatt drew the word out, "let's divide the jobs. On the docket, we have going with Posy, meeting with the representative from Cold Moon, supervising fighter practice, and the ever-loving paperwork."
"I can go by myself if it's a bother and you're busy," I tried to say, but they all shot me down.
"You will always have an escort, whether it's us or the betas," Jayden said. "In this case, one of us needs to witness Beatrix's findings as the king's official representative, anyway, so that's that."
"Well, boys, you know there's only one fair way to assign jobs for today," Ash said, and I giggled as they all put a hand behind their back. "First winner gets to go with Posy. Ready? Set? 1, 2, 3!"
#
On the way over to Emerson and Angelo's, Cole explained what Victorian style was and that their house was a classic example of it. When we pulled up, my jaw dropped at how gorgeous the place was. A big, beautiful porch, fancy woodwork, and a tower on one side with a cone roof all added up to something out of a fairy tale.
"Wow!" I breathed. "I never saw a house like this!"
"Ostentatious, isn't it?" Cole muttered with a snort.
"What's that word mean?"
"Extra extra. Over the top showy."
"Oh. But it's super pretty!" I grinned at him, flashing my dimples, and he chuckled.
"If you say so, honey."
I knew Cole was a simple kind of guy, and 'fancy pants' would never be his style.
After we parked, I unbuckled, reached into the back seat for Thoreau's present, and turned to open my door only to find Cole already opening it.
"You sure move fast." I smiled up at him.
Smirking, he leaned forward and tucked my hair behind my ear.
"Fast, slow," he whispered in my ear, "soft, hard. I can move any way you want me to move."
Fire scorched my face as I shoved his chest to push him back.
"Cole!"
Laughing, he put his hands on my waist, lifted me out of the SUV, and put me on my feet. I grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the front door, eager to see inside this beautiful house.
"The twins and Beatrix beat us here," he noted, pointing to a truck with his free hand, and I nodded to acknowledge him.
The front door opened before we could knock, and Emerson welcomed us inside his home. He gave us a little tour, which made my jaw drop again. I would have to come over sometime when I could look around to my heart's content. There were so many little nooks and corners to explore, not to mention random stained glass windows, spiral staircases, and hidden spaces.
We ended up in the large living room, where Beatrix, her mates, Angelo, Leo, and Thoreau were seated and chatting. After greeting everyone, I sat down next to Thoreau on the love seat.
"I got you a present, Reau!" I handed him the big gift bag.
"For me?" His eyes widened and he took the bag carefully with both hands. "Thank you, luna!"
"You're welcome. Open it up!" I clapped my hands with excitement.
He slowly took out the tissue paper, then squealed and lifted the wolf stuffy out of the bag. He stared at it for a few seconds, then smashed his face into its belly and squeezed it tight.
"It's the same colors as Tanner," he whispered. "How did you know, luna?"
"Oh, I didn't. I picked the one I thought you'd like the best. Do you want me to get you a different one?"
"NO!" he screeched. "It's Baby Tanner. I love him! He's mine forever."
"That's right," I soothed and rubbed circles on the boy's back. "He'll be with you for as long as you want him to be."
While I was talking with Thoreau, I listened with half an ear as Beatrix talked with Leo.
"I have something for you." She handed him a small white jewelry box. "We destroyed everything else that was in the trunk you found in the bayou, as it was all black magic or tainted by black magic, but there was nothing wrong with the ruby pendant. We purified it just to be safe, and now it's clean to do whatever you want with it."
Leo made a face as he opened the box and stared at the gem that had cost him so much.
"We know you might not want it, but no one else has the right to it," she said with a shrug and gentle smile.
He sighed, but didn't say anything and slipped the jewelry box into his pocket.
"All right, Reau," Beatrix chirped as she turned to him, "you ready to do this?"
"No," he said with a pout.
"It won't hurt, I promise. And you can hold your wolf stuffy the whole time."
"No."
Beatrix cut her eyes to Emerson, then me, then back to Thoreau.
"This has to happen," Emerson explained to him. "The king ordered it. We can make you more comfortable, though. What would help, Reau?"
"Will luna hold me?" he asked in a small voice, and my heart leapt into my throat.
"Of course I will," I said without hesitation. "You want to sit on my lap?"
"Little luna bunny, he's bigger than you are," Emerson pointed out with a frown. "How about you sit next to her, Reau? Then you can cuddle her."
"That works, too," Thoreau agreed.
He still ended up half on my lap, like he did when I met him, his head on my thighs, his thumb in his mouth, and his unique eyes fixed on mine.
"Does it matter if he goes to sleep?" I asked Beatrix.
When she shook her head, I began to pet his curls. They were so clean and well cared for now, such a stark contrast to that first day. His bruises were gone, although he was still awfully skinny, but I knew Emerson and Angelo were doing the same as my mates were with me: gradually increasing his food intake so he gained weight slowly but surely.
Beatrix settled herself on the floor next to our love seat, and lifted her hands to hover over the boy, but not touch him. A shimmery haze built in the air, and I thought it best to keep Thoreau distracted while she worked.
"Here's Thoreau," I crooned, making a song of it, "with his pretty eyes and curly hair. He lives with his Bubba, who's a real teddy bear."
"Hey, now, luna," Emerson growled playfully, which made Thoreau giggle around his thumb.
"More!" Thoreau demanded.
"Be polite, Reau," Angelo reminded him.
"More, please, luna," the boy said in a softer voice.
A little flustered, I hurried to make up more verses in the song I was inventing on the spot.
"And there's Gelo who shares his great big house," I sang, "and Leo who can be as quiet as a mouse."
Thoreau's eyelids were starting to droop, so I sang on.
"They live in the forest with the trees, and all around are birds and deer and bees. There's lots of room to run and jump and play, and that is how Thoreau spends every day."
I was out of ideas and looked at the others with pleading eyes, but they only chuckled. Making a face at them, I cobbled together another verse.
"From their yard, they watch the moon rise at night. Reau likes it when it's big and round and white."
"Okay, I'm done," Beatrix whispered as she lowered her hands and the shimmer faded.
Instantly, her mates surrounded her and picked her up off the floor, then carried her over to the couch.
"And Reau's asleep." I let out a deep breath. "Whew. I didn't realize how stressful it is to rhyme on demand. I think I'd better memorize some little songs so I don't have to make up any more."
"You did fine, baby," Cole said with a soft smile. "You kept him calm, which was all we needed."
He turned to Beatrix, who met his eyes and shook her head. Considering how her mates were practically cocooning themselves around her, she was shaken and upset by what she saw.
I don't think any of us are surprised, I muttered to Cole. They transported him in a dog crate and told him that Em would kill him or keep him - and he was okay with that. I think that speaks to the kind of environment he was in just as much as any memory reading.
You're right, baby, but it's a formality. The king can't issue verdicts without evidence.
I nodded. Knowing he needed to talk with Beatrix, I told him I'd stay with Thoreau while he slept and they could take their conversation elsewhere. I knew the boy had been starved and abused; I didn't need to know the details right now or be a part of whatever King Julian decided.
All I needed to do was help this boy heal, and that's what I was going to do.
Even if it meant making up silly songs and holding his head as he slept so he wouldn't wake up alone.
7: Photo Albums
Ash
Paperwork sucked.
It sucked a lot.
In fact, paperwork sucked the suckiest of all the suckness in suckdom.
That made Sid giggle, which brought a smile to my lips, too.
Then the door flew open, and Cole threw himself into the chair in front of my desk.
"Was it as bad as we thought?" I asked, putting my pen down with relief.
"Yeah." He ground the heels of his hands into his eyes with a groan. "Beat him. Starved him. Convinced him he was 'retarded.' By the moon, I hate that word. Tortured him by telling him that's why Em left. Did nothing to grow his brain. Kept him locked in that dog crate ten to twelve hours a day. Isolated him from his pack. Killed his wolf, but you knew that."
"Yeah." I hung my head and tried to calm Sid, who was out for blood now.
"Every kind of abuse but sexual. Thank the Goddess for that at least." Cole blew out a heavy breath. "You know the king is going to strip Alpha Bellamy and Luna Ivana of their status, if not order their execution. If we're asked to do it, Ash, I don't think I can without ripping the pair of them to shreds."
"The luna participated?" I asked, aghast.
Sid howled his rage, and I knew Cole could see him glittering in my eyes. Anything involving an injury or outrage to a pup roused Sid's fury like nothing else.
"She did," he confirmed. "Worse than the alpha with some of it."
"I can't imagine parents of either gender hurting their own pup," I ground out as I struggled to hold Sid back.
"Me, either."
Let me out! Sid growled.
No. You'll run all the way to Gray Shadows and kill them both.
They not deserve to live, he hissed with unusual venom.
The king has not authorized either their capture or their executions yet, I reminded him. You can't touch an alpha on his territory without the king's order unless you want to start a war.
Then I start a war! he howled loud enough for Cole to hear.
"Sorry for getting Sid stirred up," my brother sighed. "Sid, we have to wait until the king reviews the evidence and makes a decision. No pups are being harmed right now—"
"So far as we're aware," I muttered.
"So far as we're aware," Cole agreed, "and you know very well that the king will not allow Reau's abusers to go unpunished."
He better punish them or I will, Sid declared, and settled into a sullen silence.
"Listen," Cole said as he stood, "I need something mindless to do for a while and you need to get Sid settled. How about I take over the paperwork and you go be with Posy for a bit?"
"Where is she?"
"She was going to get a head-start on dinner, then said she was going to chill for a bit."
Happily yielding my seat and handing him my pen, I went looking for our girl and found her curled up on the sofa in the living room. She had Mr. Nibbles cuddled in her lap as she looked through the photo album that her brothers had given her.
"Princess? Can I join you?" I asked in a soft tone to keep from startling her.
"Oh, sure. You want to see a picture of my parents?"
"I'd love to."
She moved so I could sit next to her and hold half of the album on my lap.
"Look at them." She tapped a photo of a man kissing the side of a laughing woman's face. "How could anyone look at these photos and think he kidnapped and killed her?"
"I think Kendall Briggs was a master manipulator," I said. "He even convinced King Magnus."
She turned the page to display a group shot of five or six people.
"This is her family. The Swifts of the Crystal Caverns pack. I don't know any of them. I wish she would have labeled them."
"That's Liam Swift, the current alpha," I pointed to the guy on the left side of the photo. "Obviously this was taken well before he was alpha, but I can still recognize him from what Jay linked us."
"Ash," she said in a slow, careful tone that put me on guard, "Jayden helped Alpha Liam with something three months ago. Is that when and where your beta died?"
I sighed. I should have - we all should have - known she'd put the pieces together correctly. Our girl was smart.
"Yeah. Mase was helping the king with an issue at the royal pack. Cole was in Texas acting as a mediator between two packs, and Wyatt and I were still in school. So Jay took Ev Breckenridge with him and left the other betas in charge of the pack until he, Cole, or Mase got back."
"Did Ev die because of something Quartz did, or in Quartz's place?"
I blinked.
"How did you—"
"Based on Quartz's reaction at dinner when it was brought up," she said with a little shrug. "Why else would he be so upset? Either Quartz caused his death, or he died saving Quartz."
Forget smart, I marveled. Our girl is a genius.
Yep! Sid was much happier with our mate distracting him from his anger. Smartie smart mate!
"He took a hit meant for Quartz," I admitted. Debating whether or not to tell her the whole truth, I decided it would do no harm for her to know. "It was the damndest thing, too. Ev was shifting into his wolf and the attack hit him just at the right second to kill Ev, but miss Spring. Never heard of anything like it."
"Wait. What? The man died, but the wolf survived?"
"Yeah. Jay brought Ev's body back, along with a whole and functional wolf." I paused, then reframed my answer. "Well, for a given value of functional. Spring wasn't doing too great without his other half."
"So what happened to him? Is he still alive?"
"He is. He needed more help than we could give him here, so King Julian took him to the royal pack, where some healers and elders are working with him." I tilted my head as a thought crossed my mind. "I wonder—"
"What? You wonder what?"
"Hmm? Oh. Just something the king said this morning. Do you think he might try to introduce Spring to Reau?"
"Like, a wolf who lost his shifter becomes friends with a shifter who lost his wolf?" She frowned, then nodded. "It might work. For comfort, if nothing else."
"Hmm. I think it will all depend on how stable the king decides Spring is right now. The last thing we want to do is make Reau's situation worse by introducing him to a nutso wolf," I said dryly.
"True enough." She set her photo album on the coffee table. "There are some more pages of people I don't know at the end that I think might be my father's people. I hope the king finds at least one relative still alive in the royal pack. I'd like to know more about him."
"I would, too. He created a great daughter, after all." I grinned down at her, and she blushed. "Mom and Mama made a book for us as well. It's a family photo album, but also tells the story of how Five Fangs came into being. Want to see it?"
"Of course!"
I got up and grabbed the book from the shelf in the corner. It was a lot like hers, professionally bound in hardcover, but in black leather, not green linen. Sitting down next to her again, I took a big breath, then opened the cover to a picture of my parents.
"So it starts with these people. Gabriel and Kristy Mitchell. I told you they died when Dark Woods was attacked by hunters when I was two, right?"
"Yes. I'm so sorry." She laid a hand on my arm.
"I don't really remember them, but it's so damn sad. Look how young they are. They never really got to grow up, you know? Dad was only twenty-one, and Mom was twenty. I don't know much about his family, other than that his mom, my grandma, came from Samoa. Her family moved here when she was in high school and that's where she met my granddad, who was the alpha of Dark Woods, and it turned out that they were mates."
"Wow. Samoa. That's in the Pacific Ocean, right?"
"Mm-hmm." I nodded. "Closer to Australia than the US."
"I wonder how far away it is from Bora Bora."
"I don't know, but we can look it up later if you want. Why?"
"Because Mason said we could go to Bora Bora sometime and if it's close enough to Samoa, why not stop there, too?" She bounced in her seat as her thoughts whirled. "Do you think any of her family still lives there?"
"Again, I don't know, and I wouldn't even know how to find out. A lot of that information was lost when Dark Woods fell."
"That's when you went to live with Jayden, right?"
"Yeah. His dad, Jay, was my mom's brother.”
"That’s right!” she chirped. "Peri told me and Ariel that you and Jayden are cousins!”
"Mm-hmm. Uncle Jay and another one of my dad's allies, Shawn Black of River Rapids, got the call when the hunters attacked, but by the time they got there, nearly all of my pack was dead. Of course, they had slaughtered a lot of the hunters, too, so it was kind of a clean up and salvage mission from that point on."
"Shawn Black was Wyatt's dad."
"Yep. We'll get to that part of the story in a minute." I flipped the page to show the photo of Jay and Denise Carson. "So Uncle Jay and Aunt Denise adopted me and folded the survivors of Dark Woods into their pack, Moonset. Since the two packs share a border, it was easy to do. They buried the dead and life went on."
