We’ve been blessed that no violence has ever reached us. The occasional troublemaker, sure, but they were easily taken care of.
One way or another.
Being down here in Florida, we’re kind of forgotten about, and that’s the way I prefer it.
But it appears we’ll be dragged into something, like it or not.
For now, I lock Mal’s cellphones and the info in my desk. I’ll deal with them later. My priority is talking to other pack Alphas and figuring out what they’ve heard, or if they’ve dealt with anything like this. I imagine Sterling is going after non-shifters first to weed out competition before trying to force packs into line behind him with this stupid election run of his.
The dude’s in for a rude awakening if he thinks he’ll easily take over other packs. He’s built himself a cozy little fiefdom there in Atlanta, where he thinks he’s a big fish, but I have news for him.
He’s a guppy.
Narcissism like that isn’t limited to shifters by any means. Humans have perfected it over the eons. Sterling rules through fear and bribery, and if that doesn’t work he eliminates people. Which reinforces the fear, and then he uses bribery to continue bending them to his will, making them less likely to rebel. Many of his packmates no doubt have financial ties requiring their allegiance to him for them to maintain a comfortable living.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
Sterling thinks he’s about to start something big and put shifters of his choosing in power, when all he’s done is weakened himself because every Alpha in his pack is on a leash he holds.
He doesn’t value independent thinking because that would be a threat to his leadership.
Tale as old as time.
There are large packs around the world where humans don’t even know shifters walk among them. Powerful packs, too. But they blend in and don’t start shit and live happy, safe, anonymous lives.
Someone like Sterling could seriously turn the tide of public opinion against shifters and other races and cause us a world of problems.
Literally.
But he’s too short-sighted to understand that. Especially when it contradicts his worldview that he should be in charge and make all the rules and rid it of those who refuse to conform or kiss his ring.
I’ve just finished my third call, to a friend who’s the pack Alpha of the Empire Pack in New York, when Father calls back.
“What did you find out?” I ask.
He sounds…enraged.
To a level I’ve never heard before. “Marchman’s legit. Dahlia and Morning want blood and don’t care who they have to partner with to get it. They’ll network with other covens and bands and coordinate with them once you and Marchman make arrangements. Your dad and I will pack up and pull out of here by tomorrow night.”
“Uh, what? What do you mean?”
“Heading to Florida. Son, if you think I’ll stand by and let people slaughter innocents and get away with it—regardless of their race—then you weren’t paying attention to a damned thing I ever taught you.”
I’m…conflicted. “Father, I?—”
“Don’t worry, Jax. You’re still pack Alpha. I will do nothing to challenge that or give anyone the impression I don’t have faith in you. But with that many outsiders staying on our land, you’ll need every Alpha you can get to help guard them. Plus, I know you. Once an attack plan’s finalized, you’ll want to lead it in person. Meaning we need someone to stay behind to protect the pack and the refugees. Also, we’re not heading straight to Florida. We’ll join Dahlia’s people in Iowa and caravan with them as backup and transport.”
I slump in my chair. “I cannot argue with your spooky-good logic.”
“Been doing this for a long time, son. Besides, I have no desire to be pack Alpha again. Did it once, and I feel I left it in good hands.” He chuckles. “Except you haven’t given us grandpups yet. And I won’t stop Dad from bugging you and Shawn about that, either.”
I silently groan. “Listen, about that. We have a…problem.”
“What happened? Is something wrong with Shawn?”
“No, not that.” Taking a deep breath, I fill him in about the pup, and he goes quiet for a long moment.
When he finally speaks, it’s low and slow, which I know from past experience is not a sign that he’s happy.
