Blown Away (Rogues Shifter Series Book 4) (20 page)

I squeezed her hand. "When can you go home?”

“Tomorrow, I think.”

“You can stay with me.”

“Are you sure, because Kyle offered, but…”

“You’ll spend all your time bickering and not healing.”

“He’s been really sweet. I think he’d make an effort not to annoy me. But Ethan is there..."

“Kyle's
been so worried about you, just don’t tell him that I told you.” She did her best to smile. “You can stay in my room. Then you won’t have to deal with stairs.” I glanced automatically at the foot of her bed, something I'd avoided doing, and saw just the one lump where her right foot stuck up under the blanket. I looked quickly back at her face, not wanting her to feel uncomfortable, but she’d seen me looking.

“Everyone’s gonna be staring for a while. I could be dead, or badly burned or worse. I have to keep telling myself that I’m lucky. I mean it sucks and I’ve cried and I’ll probably keep crying, but I still have a job th
at I love and good friends. And—and in a fight I can still shoot a crossbow, I guess—if Garrett lets me...”

Her voice caught when she thought about not fighting with the team. “I’m not sure what’ll happen when I shift. The doctor wants me to wait a few days. I guess if I go out hunting
with a couple of you, you can, maybe you can help me.” Her voice was full of emotion. “I’ve already started looking into a prosthesis. Maybe Kyle and I can put our heads together to come up with something that’ll work for a snow leopard.” She picked up the stuffed animal and hugged it tightly.

Tears glistened in her eyes so I kicked off my sandals and crawled up onto the bed to put my arms around her. The tears came quickly then, the sniffles turning into sobs, as she buried her face against my shoul
der. "I'm—I'm sorry. I'm being such an idiot."

I stroked her hair and spoke softly. “We’re all here for you
, Sinc. You’re still just as important to the team as ever. Garrett said so himself.” I sent her a little healing energy, hoping that I wasn’t intruding. Her whole body relaxed as the sobs subsided.

She gasped in surprise when she realiz
ed what I’d done. “Holy shit.” We both laughed at the shocked sound of her voice. “If you could bottle your magic, no one would need pain meds.” I grabbed a few tissues from the bedside table and wiped her cheeks while she blew her nose.

“Thanks witchy woman.” She squeezed my hand gratefully and I smiled, feeling my body relax too. She was going to be ok
ay.

We chatted for awhile longer and then Garrett arrived, amused to find us in the bed together.

"Is this one of your fantasies?" Sinc teased him.

He laughed and hugged her, telling
her how he was happy that she was recovering so quickly."You can start work again as soon as you feel ready. There's no rush."

I thought she was going to cry again, but she managed to keep it together. When Robert
arrived, we filled him in on all the news and then he and I made tentative plans for our meeting with Flynn. Garrett and I said goodbye to them both, dissolving into the lines to reappear on our patio.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Liam was barbec
uing and Aaron was relaxing on a lounge chair with a beer in his hand, laughing about something, probably at Liam’s expense. Looking at Aaron, you’d know right away that he and Garrett were related because he has the same startling blue eyes and warm smile. However, his mop of sandy hair, square jaw and broader build gives him a more rugged look. Plus he tends to dress in more casual attire, tonight’s choice being a pair of cargo shorts and a Mumford and Sons tee shirt. With an infectious laugh and a quick wit, Aaron is easy to like, but should never be underestimated. He’s a top level alpha wolf, with thick chords of power visible to anyone who can tap into the lines to take a look.

He grinned warmly when he saw us. “Hey Cuz, Jackie. Hope you don’t mind t
hat I got here a little early. I want to check out your young alpha prisoner if it’s ok with you. I might want to take him back with me.”

“Really? Why?” I was more than a little bit puzzled. Aaron was the alpha of the Greenway Pack in southern Oregon, but was also on the Western Pack Council, the governing body for all the werewolf packs in California, Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington State. Why would an existing alpha want another prospective alpha around his pack?

“There are a couple of reasons. My territory is getting crowded and I have a shortage of leaders.”

“Starting another franchise?” Garrett was laughing.

“Yeah. The other three packs worked out.”

“What are you two talking about?” I looked from one to the other.

“Aaron is always buying up property and establishing new packs. They’re mostly autonomous but he has the final word if there’s a serious dispute. He gives them the start up money for a pack-based construction company, lends them his experts to teach them the business and even finds them customers. When they start making a profit, he gets a cut, which he disperses to whichever pack members need the help.”

“I don’t take much. It just becomes part of an emergency fund for all my packs to draw on when they need to. I try to stay out of their way, but I do insist that they follow my basic set of rules for governing a pack.”

“Aaron, please don’t take this the wrong way, but if your packs are so large and getting overcrowded, why do you encourage them to create new wolves?” I was hoping that I hadn’t just stuck my nose into something he didn’t want to share.

He grinned. “It’s natural to want kids and to want them to be like you. My mated weres are allowed to adopt two kids per couple, and when the kids turn 18, not 16 like the Los Altos kids, they can choose to be bitten. I’ve never had one kid say no. But I also take in rogue wolves who’ve been bitten outside a pack and have no idea what’s happening to them. Only about half of them survive and adapt. If any of my wolves are responsible for the bite, they
’re brought up in front of the council and punished.”

“You sound pretty tough. I always thought you were so easygoing.”

“I’m easygoing around you and Garrett because I’m usually off duty when I’m here. Weres need strict discipline or the pack falls apart. The shit that went down in Los Altos would never have happened in my pack.”

“Even if it was your own kid who was the sorcerer?” I asked, sitting on the fountain ledge.
He leaned forward in his chair. “If one of my children was a sorcerer, I’d make sure that he was trained by the best witches and sorcerers around, the good kind. He’d learn very early on that blood magic was forbidden. No exceptions. I’d put him to work helping the pack with his magic, give him responsibilities and make him proud of his gifts so he wouldn’t want to experiment. If he was caught dabbling in blood magic he’d be punished severely. If he did it again, I might have to kill him.”

“You couldn’t kill yo
ur own son.” Aaron walked to me, his body moving with the natural grace of the animal he transitioned into every month. There was nothing threatening in his manner, so I didn’t move away as he sat down beside me. He just needed me to understand, so I gave him my full attention.

“I
f he betrayed the trust of the pack, jeopardizing its safety and the safety of the surrounding communities, I’d have no choice. The fact that I’m his father would mean very little, although it would break my heart and in the end, probably mean my resigning as alpha. Still, as
Alpha
, I would have to execute him myself.” I shook my head in disbelief, but his expression was implacable.

“Wolves aren’t shifters. Stress sets us off in bad ways, so it takes enormous control to keep ourselves in check. Fights over women, disputes over money or property are common and often violent. So we live by strict laws. W
e have codes and rules that help us cope with the effects of the infection that makes us two-natured. shifting into wolves at the full moon. I require my pack members to change more often. It relieves pent-up tension to hunt. I transition at least three or four times a month along with my top advisers and our mates.

The Pack and its laws are what keep the wolves in check and the shifter and human community safe. I’ve been a wolf for over 200 years and
I’ve seen what happens when an alpha loses control.”

His gaze scanned Garrett,
Liam and then me. “I might as well tell you now.” Garrett raised an eyebrow in curiosity. “Because the Los Altos pack was bordering on going feral, the WPC issued an order of martial law. We went in and took them into custody very late last night. Any members we feel can be saved will be assigned to other packs. Those that are beyond help will be tried and executed. The Western Pack Council is taking all responsibility. I’ll probably have to deal out the executions myself. It’s not something I enjoy, but it comes with the job.” He grabbed another beer from the cooler and sat back down.

This was the first time I’d ever heard Aaron talk so seriously on any subject. “So
you’ve already taken them all? In one night? Even Karl? Without a fight?”

“Oh
, some fought, but we outnumbered them three to one and we had the advantage of surprise. Only a few were injured. I took care of Karl myself. He's locked up very securely. All the pack’s children have been fostered out with members of my pack. The teen boys were there, as Quentin had said they were. They’re in the hospital, dehydrated, anemic and hungry, but they should be fine.”

Liam spoke up. “Lord Argon and his family will be angry. They’ll want revenge for Brina.”

Garrett shrugged. “We’ll deal with that at the meeting tonight. Kaera is coming.” He looked back at his cousin. “I can’t say that I’m unhappy about your council’s move. It saves me from having to take action against them. I only have Gabriel to deal with now. If you want to take him, he’s yours.”

“Do you want to meet him?” I asked. Aaron nodded and so I flashed upstairs. Farrell w
as there with Gabe and we acknowledged each other in the usual way.

“How are you, Jacqueline?”

“I’m fine. Could you bring Gabriel down? Aaron wants to meet him.” Farrell took his arm and we all flashed back to the patio.

Aaron sat quietly on the fountain ledge and looked at the confused
young man wearing the rumpled sweatpants and tee shirt that Garrett had lent hm. "Did you have more questions? I really don't know anything else." He hadn't noticed Aaron yet.

“Please take off the
cuffs, Farrell." Farrell nodded and unlocked the cuffs with a wave of his hand.

Gabe looked a little shocked, but said, "Thanks," rubbing his wrists and looking at the rest of
us. When his eyes met Aaron’s, they widened in surprise.

Aaron stood slowly and sniffed
the air in a very canine way. "My name is Aaron, Gabriel. I represent the WPC and have some questions of my own."

The younger wolf acknowledged the Alpha’s domin
ance by looking at the ground. As Aaron circled him slowly, a low growl coming from his throat, Gabriel spoke softly. “It’s an honor to meet you, alpha.”

“Did I give you permission to speak?” Gabriel shook his head, eyes still on the ground, smart enough not to answer the question. “
Call me Aaron. Only members of my pack may call me alpha. Have you regained your energy?" Gabe nodded. "Good. Lift you head.” He did. “Don’t shift.” Their eyes locked and Aaron’s turned amber, looking much more wolf than human. Aaron pushed at him with an alpha’s unique power. I watched Gabriel work hard at not changing, fighting the urge with all of his strength until his entire body trembled from the strain. Still, he held onto his human form. Aaron smiled and let go of his hold, his eyes turning sapphire blue once more. Gabe stumbled and almost fell, but regained control and lifted his chin to meet Aaron's gaze.

“Good.” Aaron turned to us grinning. “Can you feel it?”

Liam answered. “Yes, the wolf magic is thick around him.”

He focused again on Gabriel. “I know they’ve asked you these questions before, but I need to ask anyway. Just answer simply. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Have you participated in any spells or rites using blood magic?”

“No.”

“Did you have anything to do with planting or setting off the bomb that injured Sinc, Brina, Kaera or Jackie?”

“No.”

"Did you know the bomb was there?"

"Yes."

“Did you harm or kidnap those teenaged boys or any other children?”

“No.”

“Do you feel that you deserve to be punished for the part that you played?”

He hesitated. “Yes, but I will continue to protect my mother.”

“Sit down
, Gabriel.” He sat on the iron bench that faced the fountain and Aaron sat on the fountain’s ledge. “You have a right to know what’s been going on. Your pack no longer exists. They’ve been taken into custody by the Western Pack Council. One council member was injured as well as several of your pack.

Your brother
, Karl, your father, your mother and Jake are in custody. The children of your pack are being fostered until their parents are investigated and  cleared. The ones we feel have broken greater pack law will be brought before the WPC and judged. You’ll be called as a witness and expected to tell the truth.”

“I
tried to tell them, al—Aaron. I tried to get my mother away. She wouldn’t leave Karl or my father. Is she injured?”

“They weren’t hur
t and have been treated more kindly than those three children were treated.”

“May I ask a question?” Aaron nodded. “How do you…” he pointed at me. “How do you know Jackie and Garrett?”

Aaron grinned. “I’m Garrett’s first cousin; our mothers were sisters. We grew up together. I’m the smarter one.” Garrett laughed and tossed him another beer.

Gabe was stunned. “My d
ad hired the cousin of the top alpha on the west coast, the cousin of a WPC member, to investigate the kidnappings that he wanted kept secret.” He shook his head. Aaron laughed and opened the new bottle, taking a quick sip.

"A pack should never cut itself off from the rest of the supernatural community
. Your father isolated his pack. It made him weak."

“
Will I be punished?” He tried to look confident but his nerves were showing.

“The c
ouncil has given your fate over to me. Can you fight, Gabe?”

“Yes. I beat Jake once."

“We’ll see if you can beat Franklin. He’s
my
Beta and he enjoys training young whelps. A few sessions with him and some training with me might be all the punishment you can handle. Eventually, you’ll be placed in another pack. None of you will be allowed to go rogue.”

Gabriel nodded. “I’ll swear my allegiance to you without hesitation. You’re a legend on the west coast and I’d be proud to become a member of your pack.”

“You know nothing about us. You and I will talk about your future after the trials and executions.”

Gabe looked a litt
le paler. “Yes, of course. Could my mother come, wherever I’m sent?”

“If she’s found innocent or has served her sentence,
I’ll make sure that she’s welcomed into my pack or any pack that you join. A hedge witch is an asset no alpha in their right mind would ignore.”

“And my father?”
Aaron didn’t answer. Gabe’s shoulders slumped, his expression pained. “The council will kill him, won’t they? He changed when Karl...”

“He’ll have a fair trial. You’ll be required to testify
.”

Gabe wrinkled his brow and looked at Aaron curiously. “You could have flattened me when you were pushing at me
to shift.”

“Unnecessary force doesn’t earn y
ou a man’s respect or loyalty. Ninety-five percent of my wolves would have changed. I found out what I needed to know.”

"Y
ou're not threatened by another Alpha in your pack?"

Aaron started to laugh, the sound getting louder and louder. When he'd finally composed himself once more, he took hold
of the young wolf's shoulder. "Gabe, you're a pup with an alpha's potential. Nothing more. If you put in the physical work, you might eventually beta for a top alpha. If you add superior leadership skills, becoming a wolf your pack will lay down their lives for, courage, and a good head for finances then you just might make it to alpha.

I
'd been so enthralled by this whole meeting of the alphas thing that I realized too late that the food had already been dished out by Liam.

“Come and eat, Aaron.” I looked at Gabe who’d backed away slightly. “You must be hungry too. Sit down. You too, Farrell.”

“I can’t eat at the same table as an alpha of Aaron's status, unless he invites me.”

“Whose bullshit rule is that? We’re at Garrett and Jackie’s house so you can sit wherever they say you can sit and eat whatever they're dishing up.
Just be glad Liam cooked.” He whispered, giving me a teasing smirk. I threw a spoon at his head, but he ducked as Gabe managed to catch it.

Gabe looked shocked. “It was my dad’s rule.”

“Figures he had stupid rules about shit that didn’t matter. Sit young wolf, and we’ll talk about
my
rules.”

“Yes sir.” Placing the spoon on the table, h
e sat across from Aaron who casually slid him a beer. Gabe looked startled and then actually smiled. They started to talk about the pack.

I sent to Liam, Farrell and Garrett,
“This is not the Aaron that I know. Did aliens replace him with a pod person?”