“Well?” Badger asked. “We gonna stare at it or open it?”
After Trent took a swig of his coffee, he finally reached out, picked up the envelope, and slid his finger under the sealed flap. He quietly read it, Badger watching the younger shifter’s eyes scan the text, before Trent reached across the table and dropped it in front of Badger.
“There,” he quietly said, sitting back with his coffee mug clutched in both hands.
Badger picked up the note and held it so he and Duncan could both read it.
* * *
Hey, bro. If you’re reading this, I’m assuming something serious has happened. If I’m dead, and Gillian is alive, please talk to her about my will and the detailed instructions I’ve left in it. If she’s also dead, get the copy from my office safe.
If I’m incapacitated, like in a coma or something, but it looks like I’m going to pull through, step in as acting Pack Alpha.
Or…
Well, Goddess forbid there’s a third option.
After what happened to Mom and Dad, you know as well as I do that I can’t predict what must be decided or what actions you must take in my absence.
But I trust you. I have left a supportive framework for you that will quickly be revealed.
You have always put our pack first. I know it both was and wasn’t an easy decision for you to take a knee to me back then, but I also know that you are the smartest, most level-headed guy I know when it comes to the daily operations of the Targhee Pack.
And whatever happens in that nebulous situation, please know that I trust you to make the best decisions possible.
Lean on Duncan and Badger and seek their advice. Hopefully, you also have Dewi, and you should lean on her as well.
And Ken is Dewi’s mate. Let me tell you something—that man knows things and can do things you have no idea about, and he is a powerful asset to you. Ignore the fact that he’s human and be sure to include him in your inner circle to help you. You’ll soon learn why.
If something’s happened to Ken, then there is another envelope in my safe. It’s labelled “Trent - AW” and only open it if Ken’s incapacitated or proven deceased.
Follow your instincts. Take stock of the resources I have left you—some of which you do not yet know about and will only learn of should certain parameters be met—and make your decisions accordingly.
Love you, big bro.
P.
* * *
Badger slowly let out a breath as he glanced at Trent. He wasn’t sure if Trent knew what the AW stood for, but Badger was nearly certain who it referred to.
Aisling Walsh.
Peyton’s secret weapon.
It wouldn’t shock him if in Peyton’s safe was a letter for her as well.
Trent already looked like he’d aged several years over the last few minutes. Badger passed the letter to Duncan and sat back, taking another sip of coffee to buy him a moment.
“Peyton’s only missin’ right now,” Badger slowly said. “If ye want my opinion, we tell only Gillian an’ Dewi and go from there. I’d say don’t even tell Dewi, ’cept she’s a Prime an’ here, an’ the moment she senses somethin’ wrong wi’ Gillian she’ll like as not drag it outta her.”
Trent nodded but didn’t reply.
Duncan blew out a breath and set the letter on the table. “I vote we don’t tell Gillian yet,” he finally said. “Or Dewi.”
Badger chewed on that for a moment as both he and Duncan watched Trent. “Perhaps he’s right, lad,” Badger said. “Pack Alpha business. If Peyton pops up in a day or two—or sooner—we’ve worried ’em fer naught.”
Badger knew Peyton had confided things in Aisling and given her instructions, some that Peyton had revealed to Badger and some that he had not. And Badger didn’t want to put her into play any sooner than necessary.
