Page 57 of Tempest

Ore nodded, his arms wrapped tightly around one of Cash’s. “I’m glad. It doesn’t do us any good if we just go back and keep letting the Enforcers coerce us to do whatever they want. Someone needs to hold them accountable.”

“Agreed.” Liam settled himself behind his desk and surveyed his crowded office.

Rachel, Saint, Finlay, and Fern had all arrived not too long after Gladstone left. Liam had ordered Finlay to follow him and make sure he actually left the territory. He’d come back not toolong ago and confirmed that the Enforcer had driven straight out of Silver Oak, past the territory line, and kept going.

Saint had already emailed the pack, letting them know Liam was calling a meeting that evening to discuss some changes that would be happening. Cash tried not to get his hopes up about what that meant since Liam hadn’t filled them in yet.

The big lion leaned back in his chair and propped his feet up on his desk. “Quinten’s going to send a plane and some people to help. In exchange, he’d like to be able to talk to you about everything you remember about the place you were held,” Liam said, looking at Ore.

“Yeah, that’s completely fine. Maybe between Caden and I, we can figure out who these people are and where we were.”

Liam nodded. “Excellent, that’s what I told him.” He turned to his nephew, who was perched on a deep windowsill next to his desk. “You probably shouldn’t be here when those reinforcements arrive.”

“Yeah, no shit,” Robbie said, hopping down. He came right over to Ore and wrapped his arms around him in a quick hug. “Good luck. I’ll come back once things settle down, and you can tell me all about everything that happens.” He looked at Cash meaningfully and then back at Ore, waggling his eyebrows. “And I do mean everything.”

Ore huffed a tired laugh at his friend. “I’ll call you later.”

“Definitely,” Robbie said over his shoulder as he strolled out. “Don’t get dead, anyone.”

Cash rolled his eyes and refocused on Liam. Sometimes he had to wonder if being raised around parahumans had crossed some wires in the guy’s brain.

“Our next call has to be to Kincaid,” Liam said, then looked bored when there were some rumbles around the room.

No one flat out disagreed though. As much as they would like to keep things tight and in the family, Kincaid and his peoplewere pretty much the ruling authority in the parahuman world and needed to be read in on the situation as soon as possible.

Cash knew from Liam that Rick was also providing resources to Quinten to help investigate and find who had held Caden captive. He’d want to know they had another survivor from that place.

“Great, glad we’re in agreement,” Liam said dryly. “As for the pack meeting in an hour…” His eyes cut over to Cash. “I’ll be making a few announcements, including that we will be opening our territory to anyone from the Barney Pack who would like to seek refuge here.”

Ore’s grip on Cash’s arm tightened painfully. “Thank you, Alpha Amato,” Ore gushed. “Thank you so much. I don’t know how many others will want to come, but if we can get my sisters, I know my whole family will want to get out of that place and go somewhere safe like Silver Oak.”

Liam nodded in acknowledgment. “I’ll also be informing the pack that we’ll be replacing the member law that excludes all non-feline shifters, and if anyone has a problem with it, they’re welcome to fucking leave.”

Cash’s panther rumbled approvingly, and he grinned at his alpha. Maybe meeting Ore’s parents and hearing what was happening to them had pushed him over the edge, but he could tell that his conversation had left an impression.

“You’re going to get pushback,” Rachel pointed out. “People are going to argue that we’re just going to open our borders and let anyone in, that someone dangerous could come who’d be a threat.”

Liam waved a hand. “We all know that’s bullshit propaganda. We’re not opening our borders; we’re opening up the process to apply to be a part of our pack. Too long, we’ve been sitting on the sidelines, watching as others suffer and get hurt. The parahuman world is changing right now, and we can either sitback and watch it happen or we can be a part of the outcome. We can have a say in new shifter lawsandgrow in strength and numbers.” He glanced at Saint, who grinned back, eyes sparkling with mischief. “Sometimes leaders have to lead, even to places others don’t want to go.”

Amato looked around at the others, lingering on Cash. His heart was stuck in his throat. Saint had fought for him and Ore. There was no way Liam just happened to use the same argument Saint had when he’d talked to Cash on the beach not long after Ore had arrived.

Fuck, he’d never live it down, but he couldn’t be truly upset his friend had stuck up for him and his mate.

“Does anyone disagree with this decision?” Liam asked, voice firm.

No one made a sound.

Liam nodded and dropped his feet to the ground. “Excellent. You all get to keep your jobs.”

Ore pressed his face into Cash’s bicep and laughed. Saint cackled, slapping his leg.

Liam gave them his pirate smile and pulled out his phone. “We’re going to save this pack whether they like it or not, and we’re going to go save Ore’s family too. Agreed?”

“Agreed,” everyone said in unison.

“Alright. Now, get the fuck out so I can call Kincaid.”

Chapter 16

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