Page 14 of Tatanka Spirit

After showing Tade and the lieutenant to their quarters, Carson returned to the Witches’ Council Meeting Room. Finding his mate alone, he walked up behind Remy and pulled him tight to his chest, wrapping his arms around him. Bending his head, he rubbed his nose along Remy’s neck, inhaling the scent that always called to him. “Are you ready to go home?” he murmured.

Smiling, Remy turned around and looped his arms over Carson’s head. “We have to make a stop in France first to collect the rest of our rag-tag group.”

“Actually we don’t. Fionn has arranged for Sawyer and Glenn to go directly to his hoard so they can meet Alex there. According to Hunter, Fionn’s gift to Alex went over very well and Alex’s dragon insists that his mates see Alex’s new hoard.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Remy chuckled.

“Ahh…maybe because you worked for a dragon?”

Shrugging, Remy said, “You may be right…but I don’t mind. It just means we can see my brothers sooner.”

“You miss them, don’t you?” asked Carson.

“I do…this is the first time we’ve been separated since our parents died,” Remy said, suddenly slipping into deep thought.

“You’re still grieving for your parents, aren’t you?” Carson intuited. Sighing, Remy nodded. “I wish they were here to see what I’ve done so far as the Ruler…especially since they sacrificed so much to protect me.”

“They would be extraordinarily proud of you…just as I am,” Carson said softly, his eyes filled with love. “While they aren’t here, your brothers are…and when they’re old enough, they’ll learn about what you did here today to save their world. And you’ll see the pride they’ll have in you, too.”

“I haven’t saved their world…yet. There’s much I need to do before that can be said.”

“True enough, but rescuing the low-level magic users from a life of slavery and returning them to their families is a good start. The rest will follow.”

“I hope so. There are times when the enormity of the job overwhelms me,” Remy said, giving his mate a quick kiss before continuing. “But then I look at you and see the faith you have in me and my doubts fade.”

“Good,” Carson murmured, just as someone knocked on the door. Raising an eyebrow, he smirked. “I can’t wait to get you home and in bed…preferably behind a locked door.”

Laughing, Remy turned around, tugging his shirt down over his hardening cock. “Come in.”

Cody opened the door and stuck his head in. “Oh, you’re dressed.” Sauntering in, he grinned at his brother. “I’m gonna have to give you lessons on how to make use of every free moment, cuz I can see you haven’t gotten the hang of it yet. But don’t worry, it took me and Dylon a while before we learned how to increase our hanky panky time once pups entered the picture.”

“Hanky panky?” asked Remy, laughing.

“That’s what Kieran calls it,” Cody said, shrugging. “Dylon and I use it now as a code word around Jake and Jessica when either of us need some time in the bedroom.”

“Good idea,” Remy said. “We should also do that around the boys…at least until Galen figures out what it means. Then it’ll be time for you to have the ‘talk’ with him.”

Shaking his head, Carson said, “No way… remember? I’m counting on Colton to give it. After all, he’s the nurse with medical training.”

“I’ve already told Dylon he’s responsible for it,” Cody said, smirking. “He said he’d handle Jake, but is adamant that Lizzy give it to Jessica. Of course, by that time, I doubt it’ll be necessary; once Galen or Daniel knows, you can bet it’ll be passed on to the rest of the puppy pack, pronto. At least that’s how it was for us. All of my information came from Jackson.”

Carson’s face brightened as he looked at his mate. “See babe, it’s all taken care of.”

“I’m not sure that’s such a good plan but, hopefully, we won’t have to deal with it for some time,” Remy replied, before shifting his attention back to Cody. “Other than checking up on your brother, do you have any questions?”

“Nope. Dylon wanted to know if there was anything else you needed done, or if you’re ready to leave,” Cody said.

“We’re ready to go,” Remy replied. “I’ve done all I can do for now until I receive Duncan’s list. In the meantime, Tade can start interviewing the rescued magic users. I’ve placed numerous spells on the grounds and Council building so that should keep everyone safe…at least for now.”

With a ‘Woo hoo!’ Cody headed for the door. “No offense, Remy, but that news is gonna make everyone happy.”

“Hey bro? We’ll be here, waiting for everyone,” Carson said. When his brother left, he spun Remy around until they were facing each other. “Now, where were we?”

~/~/~/~/~

After studying the map and reviewing his options, Reeve finally had a plan to capture Josiah that would require two teams. He’d head up one, and the other would be led by Heath. Using him on the mission would leave his mate exposed, but Heath was the best person for the job and that was the top priority. He took some solace in the fact that his Number Two had handpicked the enforcers for duty at the safe house while they were gone, and that he, himself, had approved each of them.

Turning his attention back to the plan, there was only one piece of information missing. Not willing to wait any longer, he picked up his phone, but before he could make the call, there was a knock on his door. “Come in,” he called out.

Entering, Eddie walked over to the conference table. “I found it.”

“You know who owns the land Josiah is squatting on!”

“Uhh, yes…sort of…the land is owned by a company…”

“Okay...who’s the president?”

“Don’t know, sir. Other than the registration of the purchase deed, I can find nothing online about the company or who its officers are.”

“Do you have a copy of the deed?”

“Here,” Eddie replied, handing it to Reeve.

Frowning, Reeve looked at it and immediately rejected the information as phony. Every company, no matter where in the world it was incorporated, was required to register its address and officers; if his men couldn’t find a record of the company, it was suspect. Tapping his fingers on the table, he had a feeling the land belonged to Josiah. That would explain a lot—especially why Josiah picked that location to set up his camp. With no record linking Josiah to the company on the deed, no one, not even the High Council, would ever bother looking for him there. Andif it weren’t for Alice’s phone records they’d seized, they might never… Before Reeve could finish his thought, his phone rang.

It was Heath calling. “Hey, hold on.” Glancing at Eddie, Reeve said, “I want you to keep looking for the company. Maybe there’s a record of it in the Council’s legal files.” After Eddie had left the room, he raised the phone to his ear. “What’s up?”

~/~/~/~/~

Excusing himself, Lucius left Sofia and Vasile in the great room and made his way back to his bedroom. Throwing himself onto his bed, he stared at the ceiling, thinking about the tour, specifically about Sofia who reminded him of his mother. And that made him homesick. It’d be so easy to pop back home to see his mother, but there were two impediments. Breaking his promise to Brady was the main one and the other was that he wasn’t sure where the nursing home his mother lived in was. No, he’d have to wait until Brady could go with him.

Turning over, he buried his face into the pillow, imagining that it smelled like roses…oh, how he missed his mate. He swore the next time Brady had to leave, he would insist on going with him. But first, of course, Vasile would have to help him learn how to keep his vampire under control.

Turning restlessly onto his side, Lucius gazed out the open windows, observing the birds flying by, reminding him of the woods near his family’s farm. It had been one of his favorite romping places growing up and he had fond memories of many afternoon meanderings through the tall trees when he was younger.

Lucius smiled to himself, imagining how much he would enjoy doing that with Brady now. Except there wasn’t a forest close to Brady’s home. It’s our home now…mine and Brady’s. That thought eased some of his homesickness and had him focusing on how to make new memories with his mate—ones that would erase the bad ones Valerian had left him with.

Smiling, Lucius wondered if a forest could be added to their property and made a mental note to ask his mate about it. Maybe Mystia could do it with a spell. After all, she was responsible for creating the place he was eager to return to.

Closing his eyes, Lucius’s thoughts returned to his house tour with Sofia and Vasile. Most of it was a blur, along with the people she’d introduced him to…except for David, Sofia’s son. David’s mate, Zane had caused his out-of-control reaction in Jackson’s office that Brady had snapped him out of. It was all very confusing because, while he wanted to avoid Zane, David drew him in like a moth to a flame. He could sense a gentleness in David that soothed his soul and kept his bad memories in check. Longing for more of it, Lucius’s eyes shot open and a smile broke out on his face. This was the perfect opportunity, he thought, to seek out David and spend some more time with him.

~/~/~/~/~

Oracle felt a shiver go through her body as the door to Cain Foster’s cell groaned open. Ignoring Frank’s seemingly endless objections, she refused to allow the prisoner to be restrained. In the back of her mind, it was a test to see if Cain could be trusted even though the Fates had vouched for him. Entering, she paused, her muscles tightening at the thought of being locked in with him. Without the camera switched on, she’d be in real danger if Cain attacked her, but it was a risk she felt she had to take.

The slam of the door woke Cain, but he remained curled up in his blanket, savoring the heat it provided, sure the guards would snatch it away. He’d been anticipating that for several days, but much to his surprise, each morning he found his new amenities still there in his cell. Clinging to his blanket as if it were a lifeline, he pulled it over his head, hoping he was wrong about it being taken from him, but expecting the worst…the way life always treated him.

“Mr. Foster,” Oracle said softly. “We need to talk.”

Remaining silent, Cain didn’t want to hear what she had to say because he’d already heard it hundreds of times in his life. Sorry…but your parents don’t want you…sorry, you’re too old for adoption…sorry, the deal’s off…sorry…sorry…sorry. The list was endless and he just didn’t want to hear another ‘sorry’ in a life filled with them. Quietly sighing, he closed his eyes, waiting for the woman to kill the hope that his life might take a different turn in this time.

The disappointment he’d feel when he heard her words would be well deserved for daring to think his luck had finally changed. He should’ve known better than to believe her offer, but he’d let his guard down when he found the blanket, clothes, and the other goodies that made his life easier. And when he noticed the 24/7 camera had been switched off, he was convinced the deal he’d been offered was real. Now he was once again going to be sucker punched. Fuck them all!

“Mr. Foster, I know you are awake. Please…this is important. It involves the deal you accepted. The Alpha of the Blackwood Pack wishes to meet you…”

Frowning, Cain wondered if the Alpha was going to get his cookies off by personally delivering the news that the deal was off. If so, why was the woman here? Concluding it was just another game—and one he wasn’t going to play—he said nothing.

Perplexed by Cain’s reaction to her presence, Oracle hesitated, unsure as to what she should do next. Then a faint scent wafted her way and, after inhaling it deeply, she traced the source to Cain. The blanket wrapped around him had previously concealed it, but as his despair grew greater, so did the scent. Finally, she understood the reason for his behavior.

Walking over to Cain, she placed her hand on his back, rubbing it gently. “Jackson…he is the Alpha…wants to meet you. And before you let your mind go to a place where there is no hope, I promise you there is. Jackson is my son-in-law and a more honorable person than you could ever hope to meet. If he had decided not to agree to the deal, he would have said so. Jackson does not trifle with people’s emotions.

Snorting, Cain muttered, “Everyone does…that’s how they keep their power.”

“Maybe in the human world, but not in the shifter one. Jackson has more power than he will ever need so he has no desire to waste time trying to get more. The reason he wants to meet you is that, as Alpha, he is responsible for the well-being of every member in his pack. Jackson has read your criminal record and knows what crimes you have been charged with and…”

“So why does he want to meet me? He already knows everything there is to know about me,” Cain mumbled.

“Simple…he does not believe it tells your whole story.”

“He’s a fucking fool,” Cain growled.

“Maybe, but I agree with his assessment. Your record is merely a history of one part of your life but it certainly does not give any information regarding what drove you to commit those crimes.”

Throwing off his blanket, Cain abruptly sat up, finding Oracle’s eyes with his. “Fuck! How the hell are you shifters still alive? You wouldn’t stand a chance in the real world with that kinda shit. Let me save you the trouble of figuring me out. I’m bad…evil inside and out…go ahead, read every fucking file they have on me starting when I was young. My parents knew that and dropped me in a park before they disappeared forever…and every fucking foster home I was in claimed the same thing before they kicked me out.”

Rising, Cain pushed past Oracle, heading to the far side of the cell. Frustrated, he raised his hands and slammed them against the concrete wall in front of him. Leaving them there, he dropped his head to his chest, fighting back tears that threatened to fall. He already knew the outcome of the meeting with the Alpha, so why subject himself to the man’s contempt? He’d had enough of that throughout his life and sure as hell didn’t need any more now.