Page 16

16

JACOB

I sat on the curb, waiting for Brax to pick me up. My gaze drifted to the text from Chad again. Tension radiated through my shoulders.

Chad

Need to talk in person. See you at the trial.

He’d sent the message before I spent the entire night making love to Kelly. The memory of us frolicking in the woods brought a smile to my lips.

At least the text hadn’t been urgent. I could’ve been in big trouble since I hadn’t bothered to check it until this morning, even if the damn thing set off an avalanche of ‘what ifs’ in my head. I just hoped Kelly knew I wasn’t trying to push her away by being distant. That was the last thing I wanted with things going so well.

The rattle of a beat-up pickup truck pulled me back to the present, and I shoved the phone in my hoodie’s pocket.

A barrel-chested farmer wearing a cowboy hat and a wide grin rolled to a stop. Brax leaned over the bench to shove open the passenger door. “Hop on in, buddy. Long time no see.”

“Thanks. Good to see you, man.” As I stepped closer, the scent of body odor—among other things—hit my nose, and my eyes watered. I hopped in, biting back a grimace. “Appreciate the ride.”

“Any time. Lower your window if you’d like. The air conditioning’s been strugglin’ the past few weeks.” He cranked up the country music, then we set off at a slow and steady speed.

We’d be there early, so there was no rush. But Brax never seemed to be in a hurry. He lived life at his own pace, and I admired that about him. Still, I rolled the window down for fresh air.

While I’d love to hide away from the world with Kelly, I needed to attend this Pack meeting. Jared Grant was finally being called to stand trial for his treasonous acts against our Alpha. About damn time too. Knowing our Alpha could have died ripped me to shreds.

The Pack knew I didn’t have a ride right now, so showing up in Kelly’s car would’ve been a mistake. Not that it was an option with her out seeing Emma. Besides, Shane’s blasé approach to telling the Pack about my voicemail only strengthened my resolve to hitch a ride with Brax to the Southeastern Pack’s opulent mansion. Spending time with my brother would’ve ended in a big argument.

My jaw clenched, and I balled my hands into fists in the hoodie’s pocket.

Another point for Brax was he didn’t live far away, and he wasn’t one for small talk. While I’d showered, I probably smelled like Kelly after the passionate night we’d shared. After riding with Brax, what remained of my scent likely didn’t matter. His truck had an odor of its own. One I was grateful to escape with my nose intact.

We headed inside the Pack’s headquarters and through the labyrinthine halls toward the auditorium. My thoughts drifted back to Kelly. Her spending time with Emma after yesterday surprised me, but it made me happy. They needed to work things out. Still, I hated not being there to look after her. She was likely fine on her own. Probably.

A surge of protectiveness raced through me. If something happened to her, I didn’t know what I’d do. Kelly meant the world to me, which was why I couldn’t keep her locked away. If I did, I’d be no different from the men who had imprisoned us.

With a nod to Brax, I took a seat toward the back of the room while he headed off to sit with his mate. My hood was up, an attempt to blend in with the shadows, even if the other wolves could see or smell me. If they caught my scent, they didn’t react. Maybe they didn’t care.

None of that mattered, though. We were all here to see that traitorous son-of-a-bitch Jared get what was coming to him. If given half a chance, he would’ve killed our Alpha and taken his place.

Shane slid onto a chair beside a few wolves in their early twenties, including some college-aged ladies. Alayna leaned toward him, whispering something in his ear before giggling. He stretched his arm behind her, all sly as hell. Anyone could see what was happening.

I rolled my eyes. It didn’t surprise me those two had something going on. She’d been my occasional lay during the full moon, but she never stirred up anything more than lust in me or my wolf. Sex with her had just fulfilled a need. Nothing more.

I wondered if the feeling was mutual. Alayna never hid her ambitious nature, and I knew she wanted a top spot within the Pack. Might be why she’d kept trying to insert herself into my life… and now my brother’s.

When Mom eventually retired from the Pack Council, one of us would take her place. She could choose her successor since this Pack didn’t rely on archaic traditions like birthrights. The Council understood having someone with common sense to lead them was better, not just whoever was born first.

Leaning back in my seat, I returned my attention to the stage.

To the right, a door that led to the mansion’s dungeons opened. The Pack’s enforcer dragged Jared into view. Jared was gaunt, and his legs refused to hold him upright. Sturdy chains hung from his wrists, connected to a metal belt at his waist. Garrick was a beast of a man with massive shoulders and golden eyes. He radiated enough menace to send hushed whispers through the crowd. Garrick was barely human, but terrifying as hell.

Jared collapsed to his knees before the crowd. His head remained bowed, but it wasn’t guilt I saw, just pure exhaustion.

Chad stood beside them, posture stiff with near-military rigidity. When his gaze flicked to Jared, he curled his lips back in a silent snarl before refocusing on the crowd. He scanned the auditorium, then his eyes paused on me. His shoulders sagged briefly, and a twinkle flashed in his eyes. Once he continued his assessment, he was back to being a confident asshole. The strength he showed was admirable. Better than what I’d be capable of doing in his position. He was one of the toughest guys I knew.

Aaron Fitzroy strode onto the stage in a business suit, as if we were at a board meeting instead of about to convict someone of treason.

My breath hitched. I hoped he wouldn’t notice me or call attention to my presence, but I didn’t need to worry.

The Alpha’s gaze locked on Jared, and he cracked his knuckles, looking ready to unleash his visible rage on the most obvious target. Jared winced at the sound and tried to lean away, but Aaron Fitzroy grabbed him by the back of his shirt. He whispered something in his ear that made Jared’s face go ghostly white.

If I could’ve been a fly on the wall up there… But no, I didn’t aspire to be involved in Pack politics.

Part of me questioned why he hadn’t gone to trial before now, but the Pack likely had its hands full while I was locked up. I had no right to judge them. Besides, Jared’s supporters didn’t make things easy. Either way, he’d never been a nice guy, but he’d been powerful. That sheer strength got him promoted so fast to second-in-command, even above Chad.

Aaron Fitzroy released him, letting Jared crash back to the stage. Then he looked out at the crowd, glancing at the front row where the Pack Council and other key figures sat. My mother and father were among them. Next to my father, the Pack’s mediator, Lukas Raines watched the display. Calm, professional, and impossible to read as usual.

“Thank you all for coming this afternoon. The Southeastern Pack is still on high alert. Keep track of your peers while we make sure those who abducted our fellow Pack members are no longer an issue.” His gaze narrowed on Shane, who now slumped in his chair like a petulant child. “Be vigilant. We will advise everyone when we know more about this issue.” His lips twisted like he’d bitten into a sour lime as he stared at Jared once more. “Let’s begin. The Pack Council has come to an agreement on Jared Grant’s punishment. As the former second-in-command of this Pack, he is hereby convicted of treason against his Alpha after he tried to have me poisoned through the services of a witch.”

Chad’s lips thinned. He didn’t seem pleased at the witch being mentioned. Interesting. But he reverted to a neutral, almost bored stare as he stood watch over the proceedings.

“Does anyone have anything to say in Jared’s favor?” the Alpha asked.

Anyone still siding with Jared should’ve had some shred of self-preservation and kept silent, but a small group a few rows ahead of me shouted curses. “Bring Jared back to lead! The man’s innocent! Look at this cruel treatment!” The commotion drew everyone’s attention in the auditorium, even Aaron Fitzroy.

The sharp sting of our Alpha’s power washed over the crowd, and silence dropped like a boulder. He crossed the stage and stopped before the group. “Say that again. I think my enforcer should hear it.” He lifted an eyebrow in challenge.

Garrick let out a low rumbling snarl, but he didn’t move away from Jared. Just narrowed his eyes at the disgruntled wolves. A few of them shook their heads while a woman clamped a hand over her mate’s mouth as he mumbled uselessly.

“Well then,” the Alpha said, turning back to the crowd, “We will put Jared to death by duel as customs dictate. The battle will be honorable. The challenger is?—”

“I’ll do it,” Chad said, interrupting his father for the first time. At least, the first time I’d ever seen it happen. More muted murmurs rose from the crowd.

Aaron Fitzroy’s eyes widened briefly, then he turned to face his son. “You will challenge him?” He hesitated, as if trying to give Chad an out. Tension rippled between them like an invisible tug-of-war game. Had their relationship hit a rocky patch? I’d never seen them this way before.

But Chad didn’t respond. He kept his head held high, unafraid of facing a powerful werewolf in a duel. I didn’t doubt he could win. Chad was strong. But why risk himself like this? I hated his decision.

“It’s agreed upon then. Chad Fitzroy challenges the traitorous Jared Grant in a fight to the death. Whoever wins will retain the position of second-in-command.” He turned his gaze to the audience. “The fight will happen in the clearing behind the mansion. We will send the date and time to the whole Pack shortly.” His attention snapped to Shane. “Please be sure to read your messages. Your attendance is required.”

Inwardly, I groaned. Great. Another Pack gathering that would keep me from Kelly. Until she officially joined, I needed to keep my distance. Getting involved with anyone else right now was more than I could handle.

The Alpha’s gaze landed on me. His stare said wait . As much as I respected Aaron Fitzroy, I didn’t think so. I needed to get home. If I stuck around to chat, others might decide to pile on. They might make me socialize, or worse, talk me into standing before the Pack Council for their damn debrief.

The thought of explaining what I’d been through made my heart race. No. I couldn’t. Not yet. My jaw tightened, and I crossed my arms over my chest.

They’d wanted me here. Fine. I’d made an appearance. And while I was trying to re-integrate into Pack life, I wasn’t ready to face the Council. Not until I contacted Kelly and made sure she got home safe.

What would they do if they knew about her? If she died because I mentioned her to the Council… I wouldn’t survive that. But keeping her from them wasn’t right either.

Maybe if Emma was with her—if both ladies were safe at my place—I’d feel strong enough to face the Council. They could watch out for one another. Especially since no one even knew if the men who’d gone after Kelly were still out there.

The thought of her being taken again was too much. Too raw.

Those bastards had seen us as their project’s prize specimens. Their future. They believed she’d produce their next line of super soldiers. Their explanations went above my head. While I excelled at science, what they said might as well have been Greek.

I lowered my gaze in respect, then glanced at Shane. He was still dividing his attention between Alayna and the spectacle on stage, but when I lingered on him, he frowned at me.

No, I couldn’t be around him.

Shane stood as if he was about to come talk, but I bolted to my feet and headed straight for the exit. It didn’t matter if I had to jog home. I wanted to avoid that bastard after what he’d done. I didn’t care if we were blood.

“Meeting adjourned.” Aaron Fitzroy’s voice boomed from the auditorium at my back.

I kept my pace brisk, hurrying through the halls toward the mansion’s front door, doing everything I could to stay ahead of them. I didn’t dare glance over my shoulder. Just lengthened my stride and ran into the woods.

No. No fucking way. I couldn’t deal right now.

Running away wasn’t getting me home to Kelly, which I yearned for, but first, I needed to take care of one thing.

And that thing was staying the hell away from my brother and my Alpha.