“All right, Ryan, take me through it.”
Ryan regarded Jack and took comfort from Caleb’s hand and their linked fingers. They sat in the sheriff’s office, and the EMTs had seen to his injuries, labeling them superficial. They’d wanted him to go the hospital regardless, but he’d declined. His body had just started feeling normal after the electrocution but now he was sore again. Fucking wolves.
Once Ryan arrived at the station, Jack had found spare clothing for him and Xavier to wear, so neither had to sit with blanket togas. But he longed for his own clothes.
Most of the deputies had stayed at the scene to take witness statements, while the fighters had been brought here. The three wolves, Hati and his goons, were in the jail cell, awaiting their chance to speak. EMTs were seeing to the rest, and he kept an eye on Xavier. He sat on a bench against the wall with Josh glued to his side. He hadn’t spoken but his eyes were dark, the rage still pumping off him.
“Ryan.”
He cleared his throat. “It happened fast. It seemed to anyway. We’d barely stepped into the café when Xavier got all growly. I didn’t know what to expect so I’m bracing and looking around.”
He took a sip of water. Jack never looked away, his bright gaze unnerving. But he also didn’t hurry him, which Ryan appreciated. He described the first part of the encounter and how the rest of the café had gone silent, as if knowing or anticipating what might occur. Everyone loved a good show, even if they knew it might be a risk to them.
“Do you remember what was said?”
“I didn’t understand most of it.”
“That’s all right. Maybe close your eyes and think back.”
Caleb cradled Ryan’s hand in his as Ryan did as he was told. He took a deep breath and forced himself past the rage and confusion. He’d wanted to finish off the wolves, but for once, thought of the ramifications of killing two of Haven’s citizens. He’d been trying to get to Xavier but the damn wolves had stopped him and since he hadn’t wanted to kill them, they’d managed to get a few licks in and kept him separate.
“Hati decided to have a go at me, probably trying to provoke both of us into a fight.”
The ringing of a phone had him opening his eyes. Jack made a face as he picked up his cell and glanced at it. With a snarl, he ended the call and dropped it into his top desk drawer and slammed it shut.
“Please go on.”
“Then, I think, they were talking about pack stuff. I tried to interject, since I could tell, everyone could, that Xavier was readying for an attack. And Hati wanted it. I knew he was goading him. So I grabbed Xavier’s arm and tried to convince him to come with me.”
He scowled and reluctantly told them what Hati had said. The bestiality quip.
Jack narrowed his eyes and clenched his jaw.
Caleb gasped and pressed closer to his side. Ryan’s face heated and the knuckles of his free hand popped as he clenched his fist. “I didn’t respond to that and told Xavier that Josh wouldn’t want him to do this. I think he actually heard me when I said Josh’s name.”
“I’m surprised and glad you were the voice of reason,” Caleb said softly. “Especially after what he said.”
Ryan snorted. “Trust me, I wanted to rumble as bad as Xavier. It took all the strength I had to resist punching Hati in his smug face. Mostly because I heard your voice lecturing me.”
Caleb smiled.
“And then?” Jack prompted.
He took a deep breath and met Jack’s gaze. “He threatened Josh. After that, there was no stopping Xavier. Then it was just a fucking mess.” He sighed. “I hate to say it, but Xavier threw the first punch.”
“All right. That’s it for now. We’re getting the recordings, and I’ll probably have more questions at a later date. I’m not jailing you because those fuckers are down there. But consider yourself on thin ice.”
“Sheriff—” Caleb said.
Jack held up a hand. “My job is to keep the peace. Whatever the reason, destroying an entire café because of an insult is not acceptable. Xavier knows that. Hati and his goons should damn well know that too. On a personal level, I can’t fault him. I have a mate, as well. But I have to do my job and not show favoritism.”
Ryan covered Caleb’s hand and nodded.
“I have a question,” Caleb said.
Jack nodded.
“I wasn’t really listening when you spoke to the wolves attacking Ryan, but you mentioned something about harming a human being more severe than shifters attacking each other. I don’t understand.”
Jack leaned across his desk and linked his fingers. “This isn’t a human society, Caleb. We can look human, we can build structures and have regular human jobs. But we are shifters and that means primal instincts must be taken into account. It’s not uncommon to have alphas of any species go at each other, either over territory or a mate or what have you. Most of the time, I let it be, because we’re shifters. And fighting to kill is a rarity. It’s mostly over stupid macho things. But this happened in a public area where others not part of the conflict could have, in fact, did, get hurt. This isn’t the first time Xavier and Hati have gone at each other. Most of the time they had the sense to take it to Sanctuary or at least outside.”
He cut his gaze to Xavier, who was watching them. A low growl vibrated from Xavier’s chest. Josh scowled and gripped his chin, forcing him to meet his gaze. The sound faded and Xavier knocked their foreheads together.
“Harming a human is different. There’s a power imbalance there. This might be a town founded by shifters for shifters but we depend on our human friends and allies as well. We have many mixed matings that only strengthen our community. But I would react the same way if a human pulled a gun on a shifter. That’s also a power imbalance.”
He glanced at Xavier and Josh again. “There’s some… intense dynamics going on between him and the members of his former pack who’ve settled here.”
“I’ll say,” Caleb murmured.
“That’s for him to tell you. But watch yourselves. We unfortunately have small groups of folks who have more… restrictive views on relationships and lifestyle. And it’s been getting worse.”
“My aunt told us,” Caleb said.
Jack inclined his head. “I don’t want to isolate you at the clinic, and Haven is a wonderful place, and I’m proud to live here. There are many good people here, and many would love to be your friends. But times are getting darker, and we have to stay on our toes.”
The front doors opened and a tall, broad-shouldered man stepped inside, with two kids trailing behind him. He wore dark sun shades and held a white and red stripped cane strapped to his wrist. His sun-kissed skin matched his short, tawny hair. The kids looked nothing like him, but they were definitely brother and sister. They were darker in appearance and maybe early teenage years. They all held hands, and the kids smiled upon seeing Jack.
Jack sprang to his feet, and Ryan was startled at first but the bright smile told him all he needed to know. Was this the mate he’d mentioned?
“Excuse me a moment.” Jack hurried to the newcomers and spoke in a low voice before exchanging a quick kiss with his mate. Then he spoke to the children, who each gave him a hug.
Ryan took a deep breath and narrowed his eyes. “Not a wolf.”
“A cougar,” Josh said. “The kids are wolves though.”
“Is he blind?”
Josh nodded as he stroked Xavier’s hair where he rested his head on Josh’s shoulder. “The knights.”
The EMT finished and stood. “No concussion and nothing broken. But make sure to get him to the hospital if anything seems off.”
“I will. Thanks.”
The EMTs waved goodbye before speaking softly to Jack and leaving.
“Getting into trouble again, Xavier?” Travis asked.
“It’s my middle name,” he said, his words slightly muffled since he kept his face buried in Josh’s shoulder.
Travis smirked before his nostrils flared. He angled his head toward Ryan and Caleb. Ryan considered him again, curious. He’d never met a blind person before, human or shifter.
“Travis, this is Ryan and Caleb. Guys, this is my mate. And our children, Dawn and Raul.”
“Foster,” Dawn piped up.
Jack smiled and stroked her hair. “Still mine, aren’t you?”
She grinned proudly. Raul’s smile was shy.
“It’s good to meet you all,” Caleb said.
“You’re the bull,” Travis said.
“I’m the bull.”
Travis smiled. “We should have you over for dinner while you’re here. Greet you properly. This was a poor welcome to our town.”
“Understatement,” Jack said under his breath. “I’ll see you at home.”
“I’ll have a beer waiting.”
“You’re my favorite person.”
Travis laughed as Jack hugged the children again. “You both are also my favorite people. See you later.”
“Be safe,” Dawn whispered.
“Always.” He kissed their cheeks before hustling his family outside. As he headed for his desk, Xavier lifted his head.
“I’m sorry, Jack.”
Jack stopped, turned. Sighed. “I know. I get it on a personal level. But you can’t turn my town into a warzone.”
Xavier’s gaze darkened. “Hati is doing that.” He snarled his brother’s name.
“I know what it is to have an asshole for a brother. But don’t let this ruin your reputation. Think of the clinic, Xavier. Think of Josh. Think of those who depend on you.”
Xavier seemed to deflate and fall back against the wall. Josh stroked his hair.
Jack turned back to Ryan and Caleb. “You two can go. I’ll contact you if—”
Louise shoved inside the station and held up a thumb drive. “Got your recording right here, Jack. Unfortunately for Xavier, he threw the first punch but I can tell Hati’s friends were flanking him and Ryan. If Xavier hadn’t taken the bait, they would have had to fight anyway to get out of the café. It was a lose-lose situation.”
Jack frowned and took the thumb drive. “You want my job now?”
Louise grinned. “No one does it better than you, Sheriff. I just want my nephews. You know we aren’t going anywhere.”
“I know.” He nodded to them. “Go on.”
Caleb turned to Josh. “You want us to stay?”
Josh offered a tired smile. “No, we’ll be all right. I’ve called the clinic. They can cover for us for a bit. Just stick with the chief and you’ll be fine.”
Xavier caught Ryan’s gaze. “Thank you.”
Ryan nodded. “Any time.”
Louise urged them outside. “Let’s go check on your friend. Her apartment isn’t far from here.”
“Lorie? She’s all right? And the agents?” Ryan asked.
Louise nodded.
Ryan let out a breath of relief, though he also winced despite the painkillers the EMT had offered him. His ribs still smarted.
Louise stopped in front of a modest apartment complex and turned to them. “Tomorrow is Christmas. I want to celebrate.”
Caleb immediately protested, and Ryan had mixed feelings.
“We need to celebrate her,” Louise said, raising her voice to be heard.
Caleb fell silent, his pale face lined with grief.
“It was her favorite holiday. I want to celebrate my sister. And you need to celebrate your mother. So let’s invite Lorie and her boys to the clinic and join their festivities. You know as well as I do that Mandy would not want sadness on her favorite day.”
Caleb’s eyes shimmered, and he ducked his head. Ryan hugged him, his own throat tight.
“What do you think?” Caleb asked in a thick voice.
“Whatever you want to do is what I want to do.”
Caleb sniffed. After a long moment, he looked at his aunt again. “All right. But I can’t promise not to break down and run away.”
Louise smiled and touched his cheek. “No one will hold it against you. Hell, I might do the same.”
It didn’t take long for Caleb to compose himself, and then they walked into the apartment building.
Lorie answered the door and grinned when she saw them. Caleb smiled despite his heartache. Brandon and William were playing a game on the TV, insulting each other and bouncing around.
“It’s about time you stopped by to visit.” Lorie pulled Caleb into a fierce hug. “I thought you’d forgotten about us.”
“Never.”
“I’m sorry about Mandy,” Lorie whispered in his ear. “I know those words are useless but I mean them all the same.”
His heart clenched. “I know. Thank you. And I’m sorry about the barn. Your apartment. How are you and the boys doing?”
Lorie sighed and stepped back. “We had a good cry. I’m mostly mourning my vet equipment. That shit isn’t cheap, but I do have insurance. As to the rest? It’s just stuff.”
Despite her words, Caleb recognized her grief and the sadness in her eyes.
“The sheriff was nice enough to stop by before I was released from the hospital,” Lorie said. “He had a whole pile of clothing and that game is from him.”
She hooked a thumb over her shoulder at her sons.
“I’m so sorry, Lorie. We should have—"
Lorie held up her hand. “Don’t take that on, Cal. Stuff can be replaced.” She held his gaze. “Lives can’t.”
He shuddered out a breath and nodded.
Ryan pulled her into a hug and held her a bit longer than Caleb had. She whispered to him as well before he let her go. She lightly smacked his cheek before ushering them inside. Louise accepted a handshake after refusing the hug.
“So what’s been happening?” Lorie squinted at Ryan. “You were in a fight.”
Ryan sighed.
“Might as well tell them.” Caleb sat on the couch. “They’ll hear about it soon, I’m sure. Towns like this, gossip must spread fast.”
“Indeed it does,” Louise said. “Half the town probably knows about the fight already and the other half will by the end of the day.”
Ryan sat beside Caleb while the others took their own seats. Louise sat closest to the boys and started to give them pointers on their game. They responded eagerly and followed her directions.
Lorie’s eyes flashed when he told her about the fight. “Do you think the sheriff will arrest Xavier?”
“Only if Hati presses charges,” Louise said, turning to them. “But he won’t.”
“Why not?” Caleb asked.
“Because he wants Xavier free and able to play his twisted game. He wants to reinstate Xavier into his ranks, because he suspects most if not all the shifters in the clinic would follow him. He can’t fathom that any of them have real loyalty to Josh as well. I also doubt he fathoms Xavier and Josh’s loyalty to each other. But he holds a sadistic hope.”
“I’ve heard about this cult,” Lorie said, her mouth twisting in disgust. “It’s one of the many reasons I wanted to live a simple life with my boys. But we can’t. Not with people like that making waves and causing grief. I’ll be damned if I sit by and let my boys inherit such a world.”
“We have to do something,” Caleb said. “Louise, is there anything that can be done? Can the Agency intervene?”
Louise stared at the boys for a long moment before nodding to herself and standing. “The Agency has historically stood back when there’s inter-shifter conflicts. We focus on incidents involving the knights or possible exposure of the shifter community to the wider world. We’re the clean-up crew as well as soldiers.” She scanned everyone in the room. Even the boys had paused their game to stare at her. “But this is becoming a danger to both our missions. And we now have a closer bond with shifters than ever before. Not just as allies but as friends.” She glanced at Ryan. “Family. I’m certain the purity cult is a result of the knights amping up their campaign, and the recent strides they’ve made to eradicate shifters. Fear is their foundation, and those hungry for power hope to use it to rally their own troops to take on the world.”
“You mean they want to…” Caleb’s mind whirled.
“They want to expose themselves to the world?” Ryan’s eyes widened.
Louise shook her head. “They want to make war on the world. Just as Arcas is doing. I don’t know if total eradication of humanity is part of that but I’m sure it’s on the list somewhere.”
“They’re certainly obsessed with who mates with who,” Ryan said.
Caleb sought out his hand. Ryan crushed his in a steely grip and he didn’t complain.
“And from what I hear,” Louise continued. “There are some in the higher-ups of Haven who aren’t dismissing them outright. One of them is Jack’s brother. The mayor.”
“Shit,” Lorie said.
Caleb glanced at Louise. “Are we safe here?”
She set a hand on his shoulder. “For now. They’ve found a foothold but many are slow to turn to their cause if they aren’t dismissed outright. Haven has, thankfully, been insulated from much of the outside world. And the Agency has a presence here now, with patrols and surveillance, and many of the deputies have benefited from our training. But I worry about the clients at the clinic. They’ve been traumatized by the knights and might see the cult as a way to seek revenge. That’s why we depend on Xavier, Josh, and their team to heal them, both body and mind. They’re doing what they can but if we don’t build the dam now, the river is going to wash us all away.”
“What can we do?” Ryan asked.
Louise shook her head. “We need a bigger hammer than any of us can bring. Unfortunately, that mysterious bastard is a bitch to get ahold of.”
“Who?” Lorie asked.
“Merlin.”
Lorie gasped while Caleb and Ryan exchanged a glance.
She nodded. “I’m going to reach out to Nordik and Glory and see if they have a line on him. I know Nordik is sick of this shit. Probably more than we are. This just became more important than the mission he and Poe are on. I’ll do that right now, actually.”
She pulled out her phone and pointed to Ryan and Caleb. “Invite them. Christmas.”
Then she stepped into the bathroom and shut the door.
Lorie looked at them and Caleb sighed. “Louise wants us to celebrate Christmas in honor of… my mama. At Haven’s clinic. They have festivities.”
“My boys and I would be honored to,” Lorie said softly.
The boys abandoned their game and scooted over to rest against Caleb and Ryan’s legs. Caleb stroked Brandon’s hair while Ryan pulled William into his lap and hugged him. William snuggled in.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
“Me too,” Ryan said in a low rumble.
“I miss Mandy.”
Ryan closed his eyes. “Me too.”
“It’s not fair.”
Ryan and Caleb glanced at each other.
Caleb sighed. “No, it’s not.”