Glancing around, he took note of who was at the poker table: Hara, Murphy, Lapu, Pane, and Norman. More or less the normal poker crowd.
He despised everyone in this room. Everyone.
Rafe tapped his cards against the felt table. He was down to his last few chips.
It was a necessary evil, attending these poker nights. He came to the table, knowing he was going to lose money, but that he’d gain knowledge. Jessop never came to poker nights. Thatcher had forbidden him from participating after having to bail him out one too many times.
Sometimes Benjamin would sit in for a game, but after his run-in with Elliot and Callum, Rafe doubted he’d show his face at an event where Rafe or one of his friends was.
He’d planned to drop five hundred tonight. A drop in the bucket for him, but he wanted them to think he was horrible at poker. If he continued to lose, they continued to invite him—and continued to underestimate him.
Norman wasn’t drinking as much as normal, his focus clearly on the cards and trying to best Hara.
Unfortunately for their pack beta, Hara was infinitely smarter than Norman, and tonight, Norman had doubled his debt to the young omega.
As Hara pulled the poker chips toward himself, he glanced at Norman, whose chip pile was now non-existent. “Norman, normally I don’t mind lending you the money to play, but I’m going to need it back.”
The pack beta frowned. “You know I don’t have that kind of money right now.”
“I’m aware.” Hara started stacking chips. “But you do have something I want.”
“You’re kidding, right?” Norman’s tone was one of shock and disgust.
Rafe stayed quiet, but he didn’t like this turn.
“I’ll wipe the debt clean if you let me mate Vivian.”
“No fucking way!” Norman thundered upward. “You won’t touch my daughter.”
Calm as fuck, Hara didn’t look up from the chips he was piling. “Then I want my money, or I’m going to Thatcher.”
Norman glared.
Hara glanced up, victory in his gaze. “I’ll give you until tomorrow morning to come up with the money.”
“You’ll never get your hands on my daughter.”
Now Hara glared. “Then get me my money.”
In a childish show of rebellion, Norman flipped the table with a monstrous howl.
Rafe pushed away from the table and continued to watch.
“I’ll get you your damn money.” Norman pointed a finger at Hara before storming from the room.
The rest of them looked around, surprised at what had just transpired. Rafe copied their expressions.
Standing, he tugged on his jacket. “Well, I guess that ends the game.”
Despite having chips remaining, Rafe didn’t bother with them and instead headed to the door. They could keep whatever blood money had been spilled on the floor.
His focus now needed to remain on Norman.
Following at a safe distance, he tracked Norman as he headed west through the town. Making a call, he planned to meet up with Felix outside of The Howler.
When Norman arrived at the bar, he had to call Felix again. Five minutes later, the beta’s son came down the walkway to meet his father.
Hanging in the shadows, Rafe listened as they discussed Vivian’s fate.
“This better be important. I have a sure thing in there, and if I don’t get back soon, someone else will swoop in.”
“I lost more money to Hara.”
Felix groaned. “What the fuck, Dad? I told you not to keep playing him. He’s cunning and cutthroat and…” Felix trailed off as he looked at his father. “What happened?”
“If I don’t pay him, he’s going to go to Thatcher for justice.”
Felix took a breath. “I don’t have that kind of money. I’m sorry.”
“He’s willing to wipe the debt if I give him Vivian.”
“No!” Felix shouted. “You can’t do that. He’s such a fucking snake. You can’t do that to Viv.”
“Does Benjamin have that kind of money?”
Felix shook his head. “Nah.”
“Any of your friends?”
“No.” Felix paced away from his dad. “What do we do?”
“Thatcher’s expressed some interest in her.”
Felix’s head snapped up, his face aghast.
Voice near tears, Norman shook his head. “But I just can’t do that to her.”
Something seemed to click in Felix’s mind as he lit up with an idea. “She was talking to a guy at the BBQ. I remember mom talking about it. Rumor has it he was disappointed she’s not running.”
“Who is he?”
“He’s got an accent. British, I think, no wait.” Felix paced again. “South African? Shit. No, he was an Aussie,” he paused for a moment, “Daniel. That’s it. I think he’s loaded, too. Came here for a bit of fun, I think.”
“Thank you.” Norman grabbed his son and gave him a hug. “Thank you.”
Moving with the shadows, Rafe followed Norman as he headed toward the lodgings where visiting shifters were staying. It took him about ten minutes to find the right Aussie.
After exchanging pleasantries, Norman got right to it.
“I heard you’re interested in my daughter.”
Daniel eyed him and took a sip from the long neck he was holding. Rafe hated to admit that Vivian was right. The Aussie was a hottie.
“Who’s ya daughter, mate?”
“Vivian Conners. You were talking to her at the BBQ.”
Interest flared to life. “The redhead?”
“That’s her.”
Daniel narrowed his eyes. “I haven’t touched her, if that’s why you're here.”
“It’s not.” Norman took a deep breath. “Are you familiar with the idea of a dowry?”
The Australian’s eyebrows rose. “Where I pay you for her?”
“How interested are you?”
He smirked. “Owe some money, do ya?”
“Do you want Vivian or not?”
Daniel continued to size Norman up.
“She’s a virgin,” Norman offered.
Rafe wanted to punch the pathetic excuse for a beta in his paunch. He didn’t deserve a daughter like Vivian.
“You’re willing to sell me your virgin daughter to cover a debt?” Daniel sounded as disgusted as Rafe felt. “To a stranger?”
When Norman didn’t answer, Daniel leaned against the frame of his hotel room’s door. “I came to run in the Curusm, and as much as I’d like to whisk Vivian away from whatever mess of parenting you are, I still plan to run.”
Norman’s shoulders slumped.
“Too bad she ain’t running, though.”
The beta’s head snapped up. “I could arrange that.”
“How much?”
“Ten grand.”
Daniel considered him. “Righto. The money is yours when you show me she’s been signed up.”
“I’ll send you proof within the hour.” The words were barely out before Norman scurried off like the cockroach he was.
With Norman gone, Daniel shook his head before returning to his room.
Rafe headed in the opposite direction of Norman. When he reached the outskirts of town, he called Elliot.
“We have a problem.”
“Do we need to meet up?”
“No.” Rafe wove his way through the trees, heading to his property. “But I need a favor.”
“Anything.”
“Norman lost another five grand to Hara, and Hara finally made his power play. He wants Vivian in exchange for the debt to be wiped.”
“That fucker.”
“It gets worse.”
“Of course it does. Norman didn’t agree, did he?”
“Surprisingly, no. He’s sworn that Hara won’t touch her, and he’s spent the last hour finding a way out of it.”
“And?”
“You remember the Australian she was flirting with?”
“Yeah.”
Rafe moved faster, speeding through the trees and dodging branches. “He’s going to pay the debt if Norman signs Vivian up to run.”
“Shit. Callum’s going to go ballistic.”
“I’ll deal with him. I need you to go and confirm it. Give it a bit of time and then go check if he actually goes through with it.”
Elliot was quiet.
“What?”
“Callum is adamant that he won’t participate in the Curusm. But if Vivian is in it…I don’t know.”
His friend sounded distraught.
“It won’t come to that. I’ve got this under control, and if all else fails, we’ll just have to move up our plans.”
“Without Mercer?”
“Without Mercer,” Rafe confirmed. That whole fuck up still pissed him off. “For now, we focus on this. With a little luck, Vivian and Callum will be headed for the border before dawn.”
“Are you sure? He could be valuable for–”
“It would be best. Get him out of here before shit goes down. One less person to worry about.”
Elliot sighed. “You’re right. Good luck.”
The call went dead.
After pocketing his phone, Rafe sped up, running full tilt for the treehouse, hoping he’d get there before Callum. Briefly, he stopped at his cabin to grab a booklet from his floor safe. He didn’t scent Callum there yet, but he spotted Vivian through the windows.
Melding into the base of the trunk, Rafe waited.
Not long after that, Callum showed up, wine in hand. He glared toward the tree, but his expression softened when Rafe stepped closer.
“I need to talk to you.”
Proving his intelligence, Callum’s gaze was calculating. “What’s up?”
Rafe glanced up to ensure Vivian wasn’t listening in, before whispering, “I know you’ve been dragging your feet as far as imprinting on Vivian goes, but you need to. Tonight.”
Callum’s gaze narrowed. “Why?”
“Tomorrow is the Curusm.”
“So?”
Rafe took a deep breath. “Her father signed her up.”
“What!” Callum roared.
Rafe hushed him, looking up to see if Vivian heard.
“How do you know that? Are you sure?”
“Elliot is confirming it now.”
“He told me women only take part if they want to. She won’t do it.”
Rafe winced. He wasn’t sure how much Callum knew about Norman’s behavior toward his daughter. “If Norman wants her to run, she will.”
“No fucking way. I won’t let it happen.” Anger flared in Callum’s gaze. “How do you even know this?”
“I like to keep up to date on what’s happening in Thatcher’s inner circle. Norman owes Hara a lot of money.”
Callum growled. “That fucking debt.”
Rafe nodded. “You know about that?”
“That dickwad from the garage said something about it.” Callum ran a hand through his hair. “What does that have to do with the Curusm, though?”
“There’s an Australian alpha here who is interested in Vivian, but he refuses to just pay Norman for her.” Rafe really hoped Callum didn’t take a swing at the messenger. “Anyway, this guy is determined to run, but he’s willing to pay Norman to ensure Vivian runs as well.”
“No way is that happening.” Callum looked like he was going to blow a fuse.
“You need to get yourself calmed down and think about Vivian.” Rafe let his alpha power reach out to the beta, trying to help soothe him.
Eyes wild, Callum looked at him. “She’s not going to run.”
“No,” Rafe confirmed. They’d make sure of it. “She won’t. But can I make a suggestion?”
The beta glanced at him in question.
“Imprint on her tonight, and then, if she’s game, flee. Take her back to Maine now.”
He narrowed his eyes. “How will Thatcher react?”
“In this, he’s a wild card. Norman will be pissed, but he doesn’t have the resources or drive to go after you. Thatcher, I’m not sure. But no matter what, if you imprint on her tonight, you’ll seal your mating bond and no one except Thatcher can dissolve it after that. Her father will have no choice but to accept you as her mate.”
“And if Thatcher wants to dissolve it?”
“I’m not going to lie. He might. Imprinting on her without alerting her father is a bit of a slap in the face to Norman, but Norman’s willing to sell his daughter to cover his debt, so Thatcher might be more lenient than we assume.”
Callum seemed to consider it.
“Thatcher also seems to believe in fated mates, so that’s a point in our favor.”
“If he sides with Norman, I’ll fight for her.”
“I’ve tried my best to protect and shield Vivian for years. I’ll back whatever play you want to make, and Elliot will too. But no matter what, everything is a risk.”
Callum straightened. “Why do you put up with this? Why do you—all of you—stay? What’s this guy’s hold on you that you can’t just leave?”
Rafe kicked a pinecone with the toe of his sneaker. “You know that Vivian and I have a special relationship. I’ve always looked out for her.” Rafe met Callum’s gaze. “But she’s just one of hundreds I have to keep an eye on. What happens to them if we leave?”
Looking away, Callum shook his head. When he turned back, his voice was low. “You and Elliot and Duncan, couldn’t you…” Callum paused.
Mutiny. He was thinking mutiny, that they should take the pack. Trying to remove Thatcher was the reason so many had died years ago. Rafe was sure it was why his father and Elliot’s father were dead.
A move against Thatcher put them at risk, all of them: Vivian. Callum. Elliot. Charlotte. Anna. Sydney. Duncan. Jonah. And so many more.
Callum’s thought died on his tongue as he seemed to think it through.
It was one thing to think about overtaking Thatcher, but the reality was so much bigger than rumination.
Rafe took a sobering breath. “There’s too many of them. Thatcher’s circle is large and we’re just four guys—three now that Mercer is incapacitated.”
Callum glanced up at the treehouse and winced. “Maybe it could still be four.”
The implication, that Callum was willing to lay down to help them relieve Thatcher, was huge.
“Depending on how this all plays out, it might be four, but for now,” Rafe passed him the booklet he’d grabbed from the safe, “try to get her out before it’s too late.”
Callum held up the book, trying to see it in the light. He squinted. “A passport?”
“It’s for Vivian.”
“Why do you have a passport for Vivian?”
“It’s a precaution. I have several for the people I care about. In case I could ever get her out of here.”
They were both quiet. The wind moving the tree branches, and a board squeaked from above them.
“Look,” Rafe said, “Elliot and I will try to support you in this, but you really need to consider sealing the mating bond tonight. She can’t be made to run if she’s mated already. It’s the best way to protect her, if you want to keep her.”
“Thanks,” Callum replied. “And thanks for looking after her all this time.”
“Of course.” Rafe smiled. The stress of the night was wanning, but he was still on edge. There wasn’t much more he could do tonight. The morning might be a disaster, and put things into motion before he’d planned, but so be it.
His happiness was a small price to pay for the safety of the pack. A price he was finally willing to pay.