“I appreciate that,” Tristan murmured while gesturing to one of his enforcers to help corral some waywardyoungsters who thought it was fun to avoid capture by their parents. Then turning his attention back to his brother, he said, “Listen, I don’t mean to be rude but…”
“I get it…you have a million things to do,” Kahn replied. “So I’ll make this short…what can we do to help?”
Distracted, Tristan said, “Reeve is already…”
“I know that but I’m asking what my mother and I can do?”
Surprised, Tristan asked, “You want to help?”
“Yes, and my mother does too. Surely there’s something we can do at this end.”
Smiling, Tristan replied, “There is…can you make sure each of the meeting rooms is clear of all furniture?”
“Sure…we can pile it in the hallways for now…I’ll get Reeve’s men to help us.”
“Thanks…oh shit, I have to go but please thank your mother for me.”
“Will do.”
No sooner than Tristan hung up, his phone rang again. Answering the call, he said, “Alpha here.”
“It’s Jackson…Remy and Carson will be there in about fifteen minutes to move your members.”
“We’ll be ready,” Tristan said, scooping up another youngster making a run for it.
“Call me if there’s anything else I can do.”
“Thanks,” Tristan replied, before snagging yet another child by the back of his pants. “Oh no you don’t,” he said, handing him to his parents before turning to help his enforcers shepherd his pack members into the mainbuilding. Watching the last few enter, Tristan looked around the empty area that had been teeming with people just a few moments before. It was hard to believe how quickly the pack had responded to his instructions and he made a mental note to hire Julia’s son to help him bring the Silver Point Pack into the digital age.
“That’s all, boss, everyone’s here,” Eddie said, walking up to Tristan. “We checked every house and they’re all empty.”
“Good. I want the men to surround this building just in case Rudy shows up early.” Tristan waited until he saw his order being carried out before heading inside. It would be the first time he’d be speaking to his whole pack as their Alpha and, unfortunately, he would be delivering bad news. Not exactly what he’d hoped to do, but Rudy had taken that choice out of his hands.
Entering, Tristan nodded at Reeve before making his way to the stage located at one end of the long room. It was a welcome boost to his self-confidence as various members called out their support as he passed them. Stopping at the foot of the stage’s stairs, he glanced up, smiling at his mate waiting for him.
“C’mon, Alpha, your pack’s a-waitin’,” Heath murmured, holding out his hand.
Grasping it, Tristan bounded onto the stage and then turned to face the sea of faces staring at him. He froze for a moment when he realized they were counting on him to guide them through this latest crisis, but then he felt Heath’s hand on his back. Inhaling deeply, Tristan began speaking.
Watching the pack members’ faces as Tristan spoke, Heath saw their willingness to follow him no matterwhat came their way. And just like that, Heath realized Tristan, his mate, was born to be the Alpha of the Silver Point Pack. His mate had an innate quality that immediately made the pack trust him and that was something many Alphas spent their entire lives trying to achieve without success.
Glancing around, Heath felt life coming back to the pack. Men stood straighter, women’s eyes were no longer filled with fear, and pups looked eager. And even the threat of what Rudy might do wasn’t enough to wipe out the pride that members of the pack had begun to feel since Tristan became their Alpha. All in all, it was an amazing reformation to witness. Spotting a hand in the air, Heath tuned back into his mate.
“Yes…you with your hand up,” Tristan called, pointing to a man in the audience. “Sorry I don’t know your name, yet.”
“Marty, Alpha. We appreciate you making sure our mates and pups are safe,” the man began, but was interrupted by cheers and, when it was quiet again, he continued. “But for too long we…me and others…remained silent when Rudy forced us to give him our money. But after you took over, we decided never again would we stand by and not fight for what’s ours. So, me and some others won’t be going with everyone else…instead, we’ll be standing by your side and fighting along with you.”
“Thank you, Marty,” Tristan replied. “Will you give the Alpha Mate the names of the others who will be staying to fight?” After Marty nodded, he turned to Heath and murmured, “Once a member gives you his name, check it off on the list I gave you.”
“What if it isn’t on the list?”
“Enter the name below so I can check out who they are.”
“Right.” Jumping off the stage, Heath made his way through the crowd to Marty. Holding out his hand, he said, “Nice to meet you Marty…I’m Heath…the Alpha Mate.”
Grasping Heath’s hand, Marty shook it. “You, too.”
“Why doesn’t everyone who’ll be staying follow me over to the corner of the room…that way it will be easier for us to hear each other.”
