The clouds that rolled in late in the afternoon threatened to open up as the group of shifters moved through the woods toward Jordan’s Run. All the wishing and praying that it would hold off until the meeting was over failed miserably. It came down cold and wet. “Delightful. Everyone, keep your eyes open for trouble. We don’t want to be surprised in this.” Dean yelled to those with him and James. They were almost there, and they hadn’t seen a soul yet. “Noses to the ground. Anything that’s out of place or odd mention it loud and clear. We don’t want surprises.” James added more to the orders and Dean had to admit they were good. James hadn’t added them to compete with him. “I don’t like this. It’s too quiet. Either no one is here or there aren’t many of them. I’m still not sure if they are rogues or wolves from another pack.” “I don’t know. Oli is still waiting for one of our elders to get back to him with an idea of who this mystery person might be

“Kiera! Thank all the heavens. Are you alright? Just stay right there. Dean’s in the car right now. I know he’s been wanting to see you. He’s been going crazy looking for you. Like I mean mating moon crazy. Just don’t move.” He dropped the papers on the front counter and clumsily slid out the main door. He made a mental notice to call about getting an estimate for new floor mats for the entrance. That was a workplace accident waiting to happen. He picked up the papers. Great, they were playing supernatural detectives again. At least he didn’t have to investigate it. He just needed to keep an eye out for anything connected to it. The Sheriff looked at the supposed monster huddled under a standard issue grey blanket. He supposed she was one of those things. Gad, she was a mess, maybe Alpha Jonas could get her to see reason? Kiera showed signs of distress at hearing the alpha’s name. He wasn’t sure he like that. Alpha Jonas wasn’t o

The claustrophobic feeling hadn’t left it’d been joined by anxiety. Kiera was resisting anything he said. But she wasn’t resistant to his presence. That meant his will outweighed hers. It wasn’t a permanent solution, but he hoped he could convince her things were different this time. He’d ensure it was starting now. The relief washed over him as he left the vehicle from the claustrophobic feeling at least. There was definitely a mob at the front entrance of the packhouse. Dean mounted the stairs as several pack members peppered him with questions. He turned to face the mob and raised his hands for silence. “Enough!” He paused only long enough to confirm that he received the silence he demanded. “I am sick and embarrassed to find out that many of you either lied or withheld information to me. That you would rather listen to an elder with an agenda than seek council and guidance in my leadership. I won’t name names, but you know who you are, and I will deal with y

Dean let himself back into Kiera’s bedroom to find her sitting up on the side of the bed. “Get back into that bed right now.” He didn’t plan to use his presence, but it slipped out when he saw her. “Why am I here? I thought you said that me cabin is still available. Why am I not there? Or my cottage? Alpha Jonas, this doesn’t make any sense.” “Sense? You want this to make sense? I decided where my pack live, their position in my pack, and their worth to me. Your protection is my business, as are your health and welfare. I say this is where you’ll stay. Where I can assure, they’ll look after you properly, and there’s a guarantee about your safety.” Kiera sat there and her shoulders heaved with an exhausted sigh. He hoped the sigh hinted at her conceding to his will. “Well, back to bed now. I have no patience left. If you don’t obey, I will ensure that you obey me.” That turned her hopeless sigh into a frown of confusion. “What do you mean? You’l

Trisha watched James mess around with things. “I know that one of these names is meant to mean something. I just can’t remember where I heard the name before. Keith, can you run this name and tell me what comes from the search?” “What name’s that?” She asked as Keith took the identification card in it’s plastic protective bag. “Henry Gingham. I swear I should know that name, but I can’t place where I heard it or when.” James just couldn’t pinpoint why the name was familiar. “Gingham? That’s the name of one of the older families in the Fort Granger Pack. The last one left before Dean or I were born. Really? How old was that guy?” Trisha looked at him, wondering how a Gingham got involved with all of this. Kidnapping? Black market blood sales? This created more questions and solved absolutely none. “Old, and looked like he’d been giving his blood or having it stolen from him for a long time by the state of his body. I don’t get it. If he were