Amanda and her parents exchanged some quick sentences and then Amanda smiled at John. “Yes, my father has told them how you are bringing your soulmate, who happens to be a witch. They’re not thrilled about that but they do understand. Mates are family and can be trusted. So, you both are allowed to visit.”
“And, I’m guessing they’ll trust John since his sister is the Alpha of the pack you and Gene have just joined, right?” asked Tracy. “Lucky me, having such an esteemed boyfriend … err, soulmate!” She grinned at John.
There was some more discussion in German. Although Amanda’s parents both understood English, and knew what Tracy had said, they wanted to share their thoughts with their daughter and then let her translate. Finally, Amanda turned to Gene, Tracy and John and said, “They heard about Missy defeating Brody Billiscombe to take over the New England Pack a couple days before hearing from me about our joining that pack. They actually didn’t know until my telling them just now that Missy did that in our behalf. They’re very impressed. There haven’t been very many female Alphas and there have never been any werecats doing this before. The whole werewolf world has taken this news as quite an extraordinary thing.”
John nodded and said, “Ah, well … there are those in this world who are extraordinary and destined for greatness. Then, there are those of us fortunate enough to be mated to such amazing supernatural beings.” He pulled Tracy in close and hugged her tightly.
Gene then pulled Amanda over for a big hug and said, “That is so true, John!” The rest of the trip went extremely well with Tracy and Amanda both glowing at being given such praise and affection by their respective mates.
Chapter Five
Mar 17, 2020
Klauss Jäger, the Alpha of the Regensburg pack, was present at the family celebration in Amanda’s honor but was not there to give his blessing. He had agreed to come since Hans Gerhard, his Beta and best friend, had asked that he be there. Hans was mourning the loss of his son and daughter-in-law, as was the rest of the pack, and Klauss had come to pay his respects where so many pack members would be gathering.
While he had been very upset about the disgrace which Amanda had caused to his pack years ago, he understood the need for him now to show his acceptance. It was a time for the pack to focus on healing. Thus, he was determined to make peace without any recriminations. He was there. However, he would not be giving any blessings to the visitors.
Amanda listened to her parents’ explanation of how the pack had agreed to assemble and would allow her to visit but that it would be more in honor of Jonah and Justine Gerhard. She then translated all this to the others. As she had indicated on the train, while many would greet them warmly, there would be many more who would merely tolerate their presence. She cautioned them not to take offense at this.
There were almost fifty members in the pack and most had come to this gathering which was held in the large hall where the pack typically had its meetings. They formed several different groups as they waited for Amanda’s family to bring the visitors around to be introduced. With Amanda’s family guiding them, Gene and Amanda along with John and Tracy slowly worked their way from group to group.
The first group were close friends of Amanda’s family and they were very gracious in their welcome. There was much oohing and aahing about how much Amanda had changed from the little girl who had left them all those years ago. Amanda remembered them quite well and thanked them for the friendship and support they’d continued to give her family during the years she’d been away.
Next was Klauss, the Alpha. He nodded at Amanda and then looked at Gene. He said in English, “I have mixed feelings about this visit, as I’m sure you understand. While I cannot forget the wrong which was done, both to my pack and to your father’s pack, I have agreed to not be judgmental. I will say that knowing you two are now accepted in the New England pack does help somewhat.”
He looked at John and said, “I understand your sister is now leading this New England pack. She is a Shifter but you are not?”
John answered, “Yes, that is correct. Both that she is their leader and that I am not a Shifter. My destiny lies in a different direction.” He reached over to grab Tracy’s hand and said, “This is where I am bound, body and soul. My life will be devoted to her.”
Tracy was deeply touched by John’s declaration. Wow. Just when she thought she couldn’t love him any more than she already did, he overwhelmed her and made her heart explode. She rushed to say, “My soulmate likes to exaggerate. I do love him for saying that, of course. But it is his sister Missy who is gifted by the Fates for greatness.”
Klauss looked at Tracy and smiled. “My information is that you are a very powerful witch. Those Fates you speak of have gifted you with supernatural abilities as well, then.” Looking at everyone, he said, “All right. I do find it interesting that our Amanda has somehow ended up a member in such a distinguished pack, the largest and strongest in the U.S. I also find it interesting that this visit is somehow connected with that of Candace Axtell’s visit.” He looked over to Hans who had been quietly standing there during all of this. “I’m told she is here in Munich today, making speeches about justice for Johan and Justine.”
Gene said, “Amanda and I now work for an anti-terrorist task force. We agreed to introduce Candace at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin since, in our former jobs, we were in America’s foreign service and got to know many staff members now at that embassy. While we cannot discuss any details, it’s hoped those speeches Candace is giving will lead to identifying the terrorists responsible for that bombing.”
“So, your visit is part of an investigation by that task force of yours?” asked Hans. Everyone knew Candace Axtell was the niece of General Blake, who was in charge of the U.S. forces in the Mid-East. For there to be some linkage between her visit and an American task force investigation was something he could see being very credible.
Amanda said, “Yes, but that’s all we can probably tell you.” She looked at Tracy and then back at Klauss and Hans. “Although … maybe we can trust you with just a little more information. My pack leader Missy? She and Tracy were the ones who rescued Candace last September over in Afghanistan. This task force Gene and I are working for has many resources, has been very successful against WIJO terrorists and, yeah. We will be doing everything possible to obtain justice for all those who were killed or injured at that nightclub.”
This news greatly impressed both Klauss and Hans. Nothing had been more frustrating than their being completely helpless concerning the loss of their pack members and family. To realize that one of their own might possibly be taking some action was quite an eye opener and put a whole new light on things. Klauss looked at Gene and Amanda with some respect now. Then he looked at Tracy and asked, with a huge grin on his face, “Just how powerful a witchareyou, young lady?”
John said, “Oh, she’s more powerful than a locomotive! And, my sister’s faster than a speeding bullet. They’re Supergirls!” This got some laughs from everyone.
“I did warn you how he likes to exaggerate,” said Tracy. “Even so, our task force has indeed been very successful and, as Amanda stated, we will be doing everything possible to defeat those WIJO terrorists.”
They discussed the nightclub bombing but no one had any useful information. Johan and Justine had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time and been unfortunate victims. Klauss and Hans gave assurances that if anything further was learned, it would be passed along to Amanda.
The rest of the visit went very well after that, with Amanda getting to see and be seen by everyone. There of course was plenty of food and by the time they needed to leave in order to catch the last train back to Berlin, it was agreed the day had been a very fulfilling and satisfying success.
When they boarded the train and met up with Candace and her team, their sentiment was similar. Candace and her entourage had visited all the injured victims at the various hospitals and homes for those who’d been released. The newspapers and film crews had obtained more than enough to assure coverage of the event would be in the news for several days.
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Talib Mansoor had learned from his embassy source that Candace and Oliver would be back there the next day for the official tour but had gone down to Munich that day to visit the nightclub where the bombing had occurred. He had a man located in Munich and had directed him to observe the area from a distance and report what, if anything, he might see going on.
Late in the afternoon, that report came in. The Axtell girl’s visit had been a big event and had received tons of media coverage. It would no doubt be the lead story that evening and have several follow-up stories for days after that. Several international outlets would surely be picking up the story and the internet coverage would be going viral.
Not only had the girl given speeches in front of the nightclub but she then had visited all the surviving victims. Plus, there was now a movement called “Justice for Jonah and Justine” which she and her group had somehow started, using the names of two of the deceased victims.
