Page 159 of Claimed

“The more you know…” I put in with humor.

“The more you know,” she mimics and her eyes twinkle before she meanders away to a cluster of older women all paying obvious attention.

“Good to see you’re feeling better,” I add, and she tosses a smile over her shoulder.

Mitch and I exchange loaded glances before he speaks up, affectionately slapping my back.

“Well, I’m heading home,” Mitch tells me. “I’ve just had a conversation with Brody and on behalf of the SCC told him I see no issue with him taking charge until such time as we can arrest Meadows. If an arrest doesn’t happen in a reasonable timeframe, we could make recommendations.”

“What would those recommendations be, you think?”

“From myself? Like your missus suggested - that the pack hold their own election.”

“Good. Glad to hear it.” I extend my hand and he shakes it, but doesn’t release it.

Instead, he leans in closer. “I’ll call when I’ve got the results of the soil samples, the water samples.”

“Sounds good,” I reply.

“Brody’s already got his eye on a patch of property an hour and forty-five minutes from your territory. Eighty plus acres severed from a former working farm and converted to a little resort with country cabins about twenty years back. Two hundred and fifty adjacent clearcut acres have been donated to become conservation, had a mix of soft and hardwood trees planted seven years ago and won’t ever be developed or clearcut again. Remaining acreage has a big house, barn, and the twenty-five cabins on site as well as some storage buildings. There’s also a big building suitable for a community building, warehouse,or factory. He’s talking about speaking to Mason’s father on partnership plans for a possible winery and distillery. Some of the buildings need a little work, some of them are in great shape. I’ve recommended he put in a request for financing with us. He doesn’t want financial help, but there are grants available for situations like this.”

Brody probably doesn’t want the SCC pulling any strings. I don’t blame him.

“Good to know. Thanks for the help.”

“Off the record… I hope you find the fucker and end him, Greyson. If that happens, send your incident report straight to me and I’ll do what I can to simply file it and close the case,” Mitch says, giving my hand another squeeze before letting go.

Incident reports. Fuck sakes. I know my council co-alphas will agree with me that we want as little to do with the SCC as possible. But closing the book on this Meadows situation is something I do want. As soon as fucking possible. Because I’m ready to help my mate move beyond this, show her what life is supposed to be like.

***

It’s dark and the Silver Hills pack is being seated for an evening meal. The few remaining sick are being cared for in their own homes by rotating volunteers. There’s been a third successful shift by the sick which resulted in most of them saying they feel a hundred per cent. Five more folks agreed to take the shifting drug as well as the one lone female who wasn’t sick but who also couldn’t shift. Another who couldn’t shift didn’t want the drug but tried to shift again and was successful. And my mate is beaming with joy. She has been for hours. She seems lighter on her feet. Her smiles are bigger. She’s laughed several times and it’s got me feeling a little lighter, too, though my mood won’tcompletely lighten until Meadows is dealt with and we’re back home. Back home where I plan to spend days in bed with her. In bed, then the woods. Then the shower, then bed again.

My mate and a few of the other women prepared a big pasta, garlic twisty bread my mate threw together, and salad feast for everyone and the mood in the mess hall is jovial.

Or it was, but now that Jared and Gus are walking in the men from the barracks to join the group for the meal, the mood shifts and it’s clear there’s a gender divide in this pack, definitely down to Meadows cultivating a culture of women being treated as second-class citizens.

I speak up. “Everyone, we want you all under the same roof to give you an update while we share a meal. Dr. Mitchell Blakely of the Supernatural Council Collective has left this pack in the capable hands of Brody Savage who will be your interim alpha. Most of you haven’t met him yet, but here he is.” I gesture to Brody who is beside me.

“Men, our apologies for separating you from everyone, but we had to assess the situation here and make sure everyone was safe as well as ensure nobody was acting on orders from Wyatt Meadows to cause any harm. Now that we’ve tended to the ill and have everyone, in just twenty-four hours save a few that didn’t survive, on the mend, we want you to all have an update. Brody Savage, everyone.”

I gesture to Brody and step back.

He’s still fighting the rutting urge, but he wanted to do this in order to start things off on the right foot with these folks who deserve to know what’s happening, to have the peace of mind that would undoubtedly come with knowing things are moving in the right direction for their pack.

“Evenin’ everyone. I’m Brody. I’m from Arcana Falls. My brother is an Arcana Falls council alpha, not one of the ones here today. I’m in good standing with my pack, but I’ve been traveling for a while looking for my place, loving where I grew up, respecting everything about the pack and the village but knowing down to my bones that I’m meant to lead my own pack.”

He moistens his mouth and continues, eying Addy. “I’ve identified Adelaide Evans as my fated mate and as her pack is currently in need of a leader, I wanted to throw my hat in the ring.”

He assesses the crowd, particularly the men who are now seated at a table.

“It’s my understanding that another male from this pack, Malachi Carswell, may be interested in the role as well. Malachi is in Arcana Falls, he’s being treated well after a short stint in a cell on that land. Our council is sending him here in the morning.”

There’s positive buzz at this news.

“He and I will have a conversation and then we’ll brief everyone at either brunch or dinner tomorrow about our talk. As far as the SCC is concerned, Wyatt Meadows is unlawfully at large. A warrant has been issued for his arrest and he’s been deemed unfit to lead this pack. You all can decide if I’m the man you want leading you, if Malachi is your preference, or if there’s another pack member that wants to put their name in the hat for the election, that’s absolutely up to you. I will say that anyone found to be aiding Wyatt Meadows in any way will be subject to prosecution, either from this pack or from the SCC. For the moment, I’m here to tell you that not much is off the table in terms of the direction I’m looking in. I’m open to conversations about the future direction of this pack. You’re all welcome toapproach me with questions here tonight. Once Wyatt Meadows is apprehended, the SCC will again get involved to help arrange an election for you to choose your new alpha. My first priority beyond seeing to the care and happiness of my mate…” He stops and sets eyes on Adelaide, who is seated at a table with several women including mine – “is the safety and health of everyone here. Now… my Aunt, Catrina Savage, healer of the Arcana Falls pack, Danica Young, healer of the Young Coven as well as cousin to Greyson Blackwood, and Dr. Mitchell Blakely of the SCC have all contributed medication to aid us in getting everyone in tip top shape so that’s the goal over the next few days. The water tanker up front should last us a couple days if we’re careful with consumption. Another will be here in four days. We’re expecting soil and water sample reports in another day or two and once those come in, we can talk about whether or not this land is viable for you all to continue to live on.”

“What if it’s not?” A teenaged girl I don’t know but who I do know was rescued from that brothel last night asks.

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