Page 42 of Blinded
"Could this have to do with something with his boss and not Bridger and Mary?" I was hoping that it wasn't something Bridger did to bring attention to shifters.
"I don't think so. I'm pretty sure Mary is our link, but I'm just not sure how. Like you, I don't think Bridger would lose control. It wasn't like him to put himself or anyone else in danger. He knew what the punishment would be if he did. I'm not sure how Justin found out about us, but however it happened, we need to find out. We can't risk this becoming an issue. We can ignore one person talking about shifters in the forest, but when a group starts talking about it, it becomes a problem." Kurt sighed. "I know you wanted to wait to join pack until we could do an official ceremony, but would you be willing to take me as your alpha now? I'm afraid that once we have Justin in custody, Pete will feel the need to show up and want to hand out his own justice since you belong to his pack. I'd rather you cut all links with him now. That way we can avoid him knowing what is going on or having any rights to be here."
I nodded. "I'm fine with that. We can do it anytime you want."
"Finish your coffee, then we can do it out in the main room. The wolves who are here can take part, then you can link with the rest of the pack at the meeting on Friday if you want. The main thing is we break your link with Pete. The easiest way to do that is for you to just take a new alpha," Kurt told me.
I was excited to join the pack and let go of my old one. In only a week, I could see the difference a good alpha made. I looked forward to being part of such a productive pack and doing my part to make it better. It was strange. I was now blind and unable to do the things I used to, but just the thought of a new pack had me optimistic and feeling as if the future was brighter than it ever had been before. With my mate and a new pack by my side, I could get through anything.
Kurt's phone rang, and he stood. "I'll be back."
"Must be Pack Authority," Bayne said.
"What are the chances we'll get permission to take out a human?" I couldn't imagine that kind of permission was given often.
"With it being Kurt, the chances are better than if it was another alpha. They know Kurt doesn't act without thinking things through. Plus, the violent nature of the attacks will play a part in their decision. This isn't just some rancher shooting wolves to protect his herd. This is much more violent. This was personal. I've only seen wolves kill a human one other time, and it was a case a bit like this. The human found out what we were and walked into a small pack house and just started shooting. Of course, there was no permission given then to kill. One of the pack members acted to protect the others. Twelve wolves died that day, but the number would have been much higher had that one wolf not made the choice to kill him," Bayne explained.
"I remember that. It was a pack in South Dakota," Corta spoke from across the table.
"Yes, and Pack Authority found it all justified. The human was reported missing and never found. It was simple enough." Bayne stood. "More coffee?"
"No thanks." I sat back. "So, with Justin, he's younger. Can you just have him go missing too?"
"That will be up to Pack Authority and Kurt to decide. There are several ways to handle this type of thing," Corta said. "They won't act without a full plan in place and they will take every decision very seriously."
I nodded as I thought about what I wanted to happen. Initially, I wanted to just tear Justin's neck open and leave him to bleed to death, then I decided that torture would be better, and he needed to suffer the way I had. Now, as I thought about it more, I wasn't sure I could or even should be the one to decide what happened to him. Rightfully, Bridger's family were the ones who lost the most, and they should be the ones who have the right to enact justice. I wasn't sure, even as mad as I was, that I wanted Justin's death on my hands. He needed to suffer for what he did, but someone else needed to make it happen.
"Pack Authority has given us permission to proceed." Kurt's voice cut into my thoughts. "Let's break ties with your old pack, then we can go forward and plan what we are going to do."
I stood. "I'm ready."
Bayne laced his fingers with mine, leading me to the main room.
"Can I get everyone who is here to join me in the main room?" Kurt's voice bellowed through the pack house.
Slowly, I heard the sound of people gathering around us in the room.
"I was going to wait until Friday to welcome our newest pack member, but the situation has forced us to do it sooner. I'd like those of you here to join us now. The rest can join us on Friday and complete the linking. Most of you know about Brett and what happened to him on the mountain. He is mate to Bayne, and now wishes to leave his old pack and join us here. I'd like you all to welcome him."
I smiled as several patted me on the shoulder and congratulated me. I had no clue who most were, but they would soon be my pack brothers and sisters and that was all I needed to know.
"Brett, are you ready?" Kurt asked.
I nodded. "Excited and ready." I wondered for a moment if I should have warned my parents, sure they would feel me disappear from the pack link, but they were smart enough to know what I was probably doing. They could feel me through the family link. That would let them know I was safe and alive. I kneeled in front of Kurt.
Kurt started to speak, "Brett Andrew Fullson, do you pledge yourself to the Terrin Pass Pack?" Kurt's voice was loud, echoing through the pack house so all the others in attendance could hear. "Becoming one with us for the better of all lives? Do you vow to follow pack and universal wolf law, always seeking the right path and the betterment of yourself and those around you? Do you give this blood vow, that you commit yourself to the pack, and welcome them as your family?"
Kurt's power seemed to surge around me as I knelt before him. "I do."
Kurt smiled at me as he stepped forward. "Rise."
I took his hand and stood up and arched my neck.
I had been young when I vowed myself to my old pack, but I'd seen many others do this over the years. I was ready for what was about to happen.
Kurt touched my shoulder, then softly whispered, "I'm going to bite."
I was thankful for the warning since I couldn't see it coming. I took a breath just as his teeth sank into my neck, his power flowing through me as our connection was made. I trembled slightly at the unfamiliar power, but I also noticed the difference in how my link with Kurt was compared to the one I'd had with Pete. Kurt's was filled with compassion, love, and understanding. Nowhere did I feel his push to control or need for power.
