Moore arrived a few minutes later.Matthew could tell he was pissy just by looking at him, and he hoped that the enforcers knew how to deal with that.
“My name is Dante,” one of the enforcers said once the door was closed.“I’m the leader of this enforcers’ team.”
Moore stared without saying anything.Thankfully, Rikar was as much in charge of this mess as Moore was.Rikar was the tribe leader and controlled the village, while Moore led the mutants.They were a group within a group, which wasn’t how things usually worked, but it did for them.It helped that both Rikar and Moore were happy to work together.
The same couldn’t be said about Moore and the enforcers.
“My name is Rikar,” Rikar said.“I’m the leader of this tribe and the village.This is Moore.”
He didn’t explain who Moore was, but Matthew didn’t think he needed to.The enforcers would know already since he’d been the one to contact the council to ask for help.
Rikar didn’t say anything about Matthew and Alan, which was a relief, even though it wouldn’t last long.For now, Matthew sat back and waited.He wanted to know what was happening and how the enforcers would help.The mutants might not have a choice in accepting their presence here, but that didn’t mean they trusted them just yet.It would take a while, especially since Matthew’s mate was involved.He couldn’t trust anyone with Alan except the people he considered family.
Not even a bunch of people who’d trained for this.
* * * *
ALAN WAS NERVOUS.HEdidn’t know these people.He didn’t know why they were here or what they’d want to do with him once they found out what he’d heard.He wouldn’t put it past Victor to have allies within the council, too.
He leaned closer to Matthew.He wanted to leave, but he was sure these people would want to talk to him, and Matthew wanted to be here anyway.It was clear that he was curious about these enforcers, and Alan didn’t blame him.From what Matthew had told him, it didn’t sound like the council had done much to help him and the other mutants while they were locked up.Now, their enforcers were here, but everyone was wary of them.They’d have to show that they were truly here to help.
“Why don’t you introduce us to your team?”Rikar suggested.
Dante didn’t seem to think that was weird.He gestured at his team in turn, allowing Alan and everyone else to put a face to the names.
“Jade is our resident Nix,” he said.“Then you have Logan, Blake, Cole, Nova, Jace, and Mason.”
The enforcers all nodded hello, and Alan allowed himself to stare at them for a moment.Had they been chosen for the team because of how good-looking they were?Most of them look like models, and the few who didn’t were still beautiful.It made Alan feel out of place and mousy.
“And these are?”Dante asked as he turned toward Alan and Matthew.
Alan opened his mouth, even though he wasn’t sure how to answer.Thankfully, Matthew took the lead.
“I work with Moore,” he said.
Dante stared at him for a moment.When he realized he wouldn’t get anything else, he nodded.“I see.”
“I don’t know if you actually do,” Moore said.“Matthew and I went through hell.We were tortured and experimented on.We’re not the only ones.The rest of our family went through the same experiences, and the council never helped.”
“As far as I know, the council didn’t know about this.”
“Didn’t they?”
“If they did, I’m sorry they didn’t help.You have to realize that I have nothing to do with what the council was doing back then, though.Hell, I don’t have anything to do with what the council is doing now.They give me orders, and I obey them.”
“Whatareyour orders?”
“To provide you with any help you need.The council is worried about the labs and the hunters.”
“They wouldn’t be so worried if they’d done something to stop both of them sooner.”
Dante nodded.“I can’t say I disagree, but they’re willing to help now.Are you going to accept that help?”
Moore huffed.“I don’t have a choice, do I?”
“Of course you do.We all do.”Dante paused and glanced at his team.“We’re all supernatural beings.Our families are, too.We want to keep them safe, and I don’t like that the labs are still working.We want to help.It’s what we’re here for.”
Alan believed them, but he’d also believed Victor when he’d acted like a friend, so he wasn’t the right person to ask what to do now.He was glad he wouldn’t have to choose whether or not to trust these people.Hell, he was glad he wasn’t in charge of anyone like Moore and Rikar were.That would have been a disaster.
