Judah (The Strong Pack Book 3) Page 7

  Chapter 5

  Moving On

  Ari was impressed which wasn’t necessarily an easy thing to achieve. He’d been around a while meaning he’d seen and done a lot. Many accused him of having high standards, maybe expecting a little too much, but he’d seen those that fulfilled his expectations even giving him a little bit more. If that was possible, why couldn’t others do it too?

  Tyne had never disappointed him. He never would either because he was the best at what he did. Sympathy for his old friend, whose stubborn fated mate held out even longer than Sherona had, filled him. If he could help he would but what could he contribute? But Tyne wasn’t who was impressing him now because he expected that level of perfection from him. It was Mal, who hopefully would be another daughter to him if Jude got his head out of his ass.

  She was an impressive fighter, regardless of sex. Her talents with the website had gotten incredible results. So good in fact they would struggle to meet demand unless they brought in outside help. Mal was smart, funny, thoughtful, and quiet, saying only what was needed. The female also had one foot out of the door, seeing nothing that made her want to stay. He was glad to have Jude back, but he knew his son would be miserable if she left filled, and with regret for the rest of his life.

  “Hey, Ari.” Tyne was flagging him down. “Look at this neat little number.” He showed him what looked like a grenade. Tyne threw the item as far as he could and handed Ari goggles and ear plugs. “Ready?” Ari nodded.

  Even with sunglasses the flashing lights messed with his vision and the earplugs barely dulled the noise enough to protect his hearing. “Won’t that be a problem for our people too?”

  “We are getting special goggles and safety ear muffs. They’ll come with the night vision scopes for the rifles. They are due in first thing in the morning.”

  “I take it you guys decided to order online instead of going out of town?”

  “Yes, Mal found a site that overnights orders. They had everything we needed, even a few things we didn’t know we needed.”

  “She’s good with the internet.”

  “You have no idea. I believe she’s a genius with that stuff. Had I realized how good she was, I would have tried harder to hire her.”

  Ari just nodded. What could he say? He didn’t want Tyne to hire her, but he had no say in the matter. Jude was the only one that could convince her to stay and all he seemed to do was anger her. The two danced around each other like a pair of wrestlers with no desire to actually get on with the match. If he could think of a way, he’d put them together where they were stuck with each other for a while. Maybe then they would work things out.

  “Hey, I lost you for a minute there. I wouldn’t poach her away from you. I meant before she ever came here.”

  “I don’t think she intends to stay.”

  “My guess is whether she intends to or not, she will stay. Want to bet some money on that?”

  “I lose too often, so I no longer take bets.”

  “The problem you have, is you worry too much about those you care about, seeing all the potential harm they can come to.”

  Ari couldn’t disagree. It was probably a result of his position as pack alpha. He was forever trying to head off any dangers that he could see would affect his pack. An alpha who didn’t pre-empt difficulties was always trying to dig out from under them. That wasn’t the type of leader he wanted to be. It wasn’t the type of father he’d choose to be either but Jude had been a handful that he really hadn’t known how to handle. Now there was hope that he’d settle down, find his place, and find his mate. That was what he wanted for him above all other things.

  “Jude will be alright.” Tyne assured him. The wolf was uncanny in how he always seemed to know what others were thinking. His friend had told him many times he couldn’t read minds but Ari still wondered. It would be a gift and a curse. To know what those plotting against you were thinking would be an advantage like no other; but to constantly have the thoughts of those around you hitting your mind, that was horrible beyond imagining.

  “I hope so.”

  Tyne let it drop which made Ari glad. It was time to think about other things. He’d hoped for help from the wardens but if he got any at all it wouldn’t be nearly what he’d hoped for. It seemed life was never simple. Taking out Chief had helped, but it seemed that Chief was ill. One of his trusted leaders had been poisoning him. Because of his mysterious illness that none of his healers had been able to cure, the leaders under him had been running the show. Some had developed a following of their own and the wardens would have to take them down one at a time.

  The teams involved almost nonstop with Chief’s capture needed some time off. One of those people was his mate’s cousin Will. He would admit he had hoped she would be sent with her two new mates and her team. Damon had said none of them were available until further notice. If anyone was sent they would be someone that was a temporary volunteer or a trainee. Ari shuddered at the thought of being responsible for a trainee.

  Almost as if the powers that be recognized his concerns, his phone rang. The song that played indicated a hungry wolf was calling, Damon. “Hello?”

  “Good news. I’m sending you a ten person super team to help out until the danger is past.” Damon said then paused as if waiting for praise.

  “Ten people? Kirk will chew them up and spit them out.” Ari complained.

  “Alex is heading the team.”

  “Alex the old vampire? One of the top three on the continent?”

  ‘Yes, it’s his team. Frankie is his second.” Damon concurred.

  “Frankie, Sherona’s cousin?”

  “Yes, you’ll meet the rest of the team soon. They are enroute. They only helped off and on during the hunt for Chief so they should be ready to hit the ground running.”

  “Thank you, Damon. They don’t have any secret missions that they will put first, do they?”

  “Only to capture Kirk alive if possible and to decimate his forces. Those captured early, we would like you to attempt to turn to our side. There’s some concern that there are other things at work here.”

  “That’s been my feeling all along. I just can’t see what it might be.”

  “You’ll be drowning in white wolves, maybe someone will have a vision.”

  “We can only hope.” That was the truth since visions didn’t seem to come when they were wanted.

  “When do they arrive?”

  “In the morning according to Damon. He emailed me an itinerary with a list of names and travel information. Looks like half are female.”

  “White wolves?”

  “Some of them are supposed to be. Frankie is the only name I’m familiar with and they are a big family.”

  “Let me see.” Tyne suggested as he leaned over looking at Ari’s phone. Laughter rang out as he read the names.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “He sent Harm. She and Mal have an ongoing contest.”

  “A contest for what?”

  “Anything and everything because they are both extremely competitive.”

  “Do you know any of the others?”

  “Jackson is a vampire. He’s a buddy of Alex’s. Tudor is the rare male witch, he’s probably along to watch out for Cherry, a young female witch who is the granddaughter of the witch council president. Looks like Harry is coming too even though she was active in the Chief hunt with the main team. I heard she got some time off when they didn’t need a witch’s services. She’s wanting to join the magic police so she’s after experience. Ariel told me she’s become quite powerful by working with Zorth.”

  “So at least some of them are as Damon assured me they’d be, powerful.”

  “I guarantee you if Damon says they are good, they are at least that if not better. Emy is a name I’m not familiar with nor Devon. Tank is a bear, don’t know how they got him to come. Bears are territorial and few leave the general area where they were born unless they are driven out. This is going to be interes
ting. We have a varied group, this should give us some skills we can make use of, but I still wish Will and her mates could have come.”

  “That was my thought too, but maybe these will be good replacements.”

  “Play the hand you were dealt like it was the one you wanted. Your ability to adapt is one of the things that makes you such a good alpha.”

  “Thank you, Tyne. There’s no point in crying over last minute adjustments. Making the best of what you have wins wars.”

  “Let’s hope it sees us through this one.”

  Tyne continued along beside him as Ari finished his inspection of the perimeter. Having good people made things easier but sometimes a pack alpha had to do things for himself. It made his presence known in a way that reassured his pack that he was there for them. Right on the front lines, he would fight the good fight, not expecting of anyone what he wasn’t willing to do himself. The added help would bolster the confidence that they would come through this thing whole.

  It also didn’t hurt that it kept his guards alert. They never knew when he might turn up so they’d best not slack off or blow off their duties. His people were loyal and disciplined in general but he had to be sure. Once he reached the end of his patrol Tyne followed him to the dining room for supper. It wouldn’t be a surprise if most of his family and Mal weren’t there waiting for him. Sherona was the first one he saw bringing a big smile to his face. Jericho with his little family was next which would have made him smile bigger but that was impossible.

  There was Judah, with Mal sitting as far from him as possible. It wasn’t that far since the table was small enough for intimate conversation as they dined. That would change tomorrow with ten more honored guests coming that would dine at his table too. It was easy to forget that Sherona’s brother was still here since he’d been isolated almost since he’d arrived. Sherona and T.J. both visited him and he thought Mal did too but he hadn’t seen Brantley twice since he’d arrived.

  Ari wondered if that would change once the other white wolves arrived. He couldn’t help feeling Brantley stayed secluded because he didn’t like wolves and refused to accept his own white wolf blood, the security issue was just an excuse. It wasn’t like he cared, as long as it didn’t cause pain for Sherona or T.J. Looking around the table made him feel content. He would be blissfully happy if only they didn’t have an army of rogues waiting to invade.

  “Did those scopes and other things ever make it in?” Tyne asked.

  “They did early this morning. We already passed them out, putting yours in your room.”

  “Good.” Tyne said with satisfaction.

  Talk continued mostly about security measures and the training that would begin soon. Ari just sat back listening not feeling like talking much yet. It was later, after the meal was done and he walked his mate to their rooms that he felt more talkative. “Damon is sending us ten seasoned warriors.”

  “Only ten?”

  “Yes, he says they are exceptional.”

  “Anyone I know?”

  “Harm, Cherry, Harry, Frankie, and Emy?”

  Sherona cackled. “Harm’s a bitch.”

  “You don’t like her?” Ari worried that they would send the first member of her family that she didn’t like.

  “No, I love her. She’s just a badass like Mal but she’s harder. Assassin material, if you know what I mean.”

  “I know what an assassin is but I can’t imagine anyone in your family being that emotionally hard.”

  “You won’t have to try to imagine it. If we fight, you’ll see it.”

  “What of the others?”

  “Frankie’s tough as steel on the outside but has a soft heart for underdogs. Especially kids and those who have been abused. She was in the human FBI after a tour in Afghanistan when the wardens recruited her. The girl can fight and she’s good with most weapons.”

  “I’m relieved to hear it. It was my concern that we’d get raw recruits. We’re too outnumbered to deal with that.”

  “All of them are capable, but I’ll admit I don’t know Emy very well. She’s the youngest and I’ve only met her a few times. From what I saw she was quiet and kept to herself. What about the other five? Not white wolves, I’m guessing?”

  “Jackson, Alex, Tudor, Devon, and Tank.”

  “Tank!” Sherona squealed. She seemed entirely too happy this bear was coming, which didn’t set right with his wolf.

  “There something I should know?”

  “Aw, you’re jealous. That’s sweet but unnecessary. Tank lives near Ariel around the lake. It makes sense now that we know he’s a bear. When we were kids the forest rangers had a program for educating youngsters about hunting and fishing safely and not causing undue problems for the wild life. Things like having your campfire in a pit or a circle of rocks, clearing away dry leaves or grass for a few feet around the fire. Not leaving anything behind like trash that could injure animals that might be harmed by not knowing what it was. We went every year and Tank took a special interest in our family. He organized a float trip every summer and went with us. Even at the time, I recognized that wasn’t usual. I figured he was friends with Ariel. Now I’m not really sure.”

  Ari felt a little better now that he knew there was nothing intimate between them. No wolf really wanted to take on a bear unless he had to, but if it came to his mate he damn sure would. Sherona had met the other males, but didn’t really know any of them well. It was her opinion he should hide all the she-wolves because Alex was a man whore. Wolves were sexual but vampires were insatiable until they met their fated ones. There was no point in trying to explain that to Sherona since she wasn’t born supernatural, she might never understand.

  He turned to his mate wanting a little loving but he had waited too long. His female was tired and he wasn’t so selfish that he would wake her when she clearly needed the rest. In the morning, that would be another matter. It was funny how things sometimes worked against you. Just before dawn is a special time. The sky and the whole world too seems to have the greatest absence of light at that time. Sleeping? It’s often the time for the deepest most restful sleep causing many to be at their most vulnerable. On the other hand, the darkness is nothing to a supernatural who has unbelievable vision in even the slightest of light. The world is also the quietest at that time making even the slightest noise stand out to an alert guard. All his guards were on six hour shifts so they would be rested.

  That is why there was a warning. The enemy lost the advantage of surprise long before they hit the heavily spelled perimeter. They were bouncing back off shield of protection around the perimeter. It was only through the force of many bodies pushing against it that finally allowed those in front to be pushed through. They were torn to shreds by the magic that grew more diluted with each body it had to destroy. The magic was never intended to harm, only to protect, but they had forced their way through it by using overwhelming numbers. Their losses were massive. Where the hell had all these new recruits come from?

  Ari had dressed in seconds of the alarm his guards had sounded, meeting Tyne outside to survey the damage. “What the hell are they doing?” Tyne asked.

  “Being sacrificed to the cause. The magic throws them back away from the perimeter but if they are forced against it, it chews them up.”

  “He’s lost a third of his army.”

  “Looks like he has plenty of cannon fodder. He’s trying to wear us out. Kirk seems to think time is his friend.”

  “No more help than the council sent, he may be right.”

  “The council sent no one. Damon got volunteers. They aren’t on council business. If it was up to the council, we’d be conquered.”

  “They can’t have a majority vote.”

  “That would be true if some council members weren’t delayed in a suspicious manner. The whole matter will have to be brought up again from the start.”

  “When this is over, I’ll be investigating some council members. It will be clear who tried to hang you out to dry.
”

  “Closed voting and sealed records. Damon can’t discuss it, but at least he should know who he’s up against. Looks like it’s time for us to get in the fight.”

  Tyne and Ari moved down to meet the oncoming tide. Others joined them, fighting with efficiency and speed. It was brutal and bloody, but the rogues were sent in like sacrifices since they were inferior fighters and in poor physical shape. In battle mode with a touch of blood fever, the fight could have lasted an hour or all night as far as Ari was concerned. It was later when he went to his room looking at his clock that he estimated it had lasted roughly three hours. They’d lost two of their less capable warriors but he took the loss to heart.

  Ari was also tired of sitting there waiting to be hit whenever Kirk felt like it. Once he was cleaned up and joined his mate, who had also fought, in bed, he knew he’d be lucky to get a couple hours of sleep. That was alright because once these super warriors came, the fight would be carried to Kirk. He had no intention of letting the coward hide behind his rogues. The time had come to dish out some pain instead of just receiving it.

  Settling in next to his mate, he fell asleep, he woke with the feeling he’d dreamed but no memory of it. Perhaps it was better not to remember the dreams after such a bloody, senseless battle. He left his mate to sleep a little more since she seemed fragile to him lately. Dressing, he headed downstairs so he could finish breakfast and a walk of the perimeter before his guests arrived. It was earlier than the usual time his table and guest were served, yet the seats weren’t empty. It seemed he wasn’t the only one anticipating the arrival of their guests.

  “Good morning.” He addressed them all. There was a chorus of good mornings from all assembled. It seemed Sherona was the only one missing.