“Our girl can’t tell us, but Brumous showed me his face.” I tapped my temple, smirking despite the frustration bubbling under myskin. “Big, rough with a voice like gravel and a personality to match. He’s got this gnarly white scar across his throat, like he survived a hanging.”
“Show me,” Angelo demanded, so I zipped Brumous’ memory through the mental airwaves, and his hands instantly curled into fists. “Cazzo! I knew it! Chains. Also known as Claudio Kane.”
He went on to explain that the dude’s wicked scar wasn’t from a hanging. When his older brother, Ruckus, was alpha of Wandering Paw, Chains tried to kill him and take the pack. Ruckus dragged him from the back of his motorcycle by a silver chain around his neck, then left him with that scar as a reminder of the price of betrayal.
“Damn. Family drama, huh?” I whistled low, leaning back in my chair.
“Ruckus, real name Rocco, found his mate two years ago and settled in her pack,” Emerson went on. “Wandering Paw’s alpha nowadays goes by Havoc.”
“I always wondered where Chains ended up,” Angelo ground out. “If he’s working with the Harrow bitch, it’s not just for fun. He’s got an agenda.”
“And we’ll make sure it’s his last one,” Cas rumbled as Ko nodded.
As my brothers shared what we knew about Seri’s past so far, I texted myself a reminder to ask our spy in the Harrow household what he knew about Claudio during the next check-in.
“So what’s the plan?” I asked after a moment. “Send Claudio mercury-infused fruit in a silver basket and hope he chokes on it?”
“You could try that.” Emerson rolled his eyes. “But if you want results, you’ll need Alpha Jace Beaudreau of Gray Shadows. Evermere’s in his territory.”
“That’s a lot of ground for one pack to cover,” Cas murmured after Emerson explained that Gray Shadows stretched from the Hudson River to Lake Erie.
“It is, but Alpha Jace has a system. Lone wolves patrol the western borders in exchange for free range. Most of the pack’s settled in the Catskills. Easier to manage.”
“Lone wolves, huh? Sounds like a bunch of misfits with nothing better to do. Reminds me of some dhamps I know.” I glanced at Koa, who didn’t rise to the bait, but the corner of his mouth twitched.
“Ko, get Seri?” Cas asked before I could keep going with my schtick. “I know she’s still asleep, but we don’t want to waste their time.”
Without a word, Koa pushed off the pillar and disappeared into the house. I watched him go, my smirk fading as I turned back to Emerson and Angelo.
“She had a rough nightmare in the middle of the night,” I told them quietly to explain why she wasn’t awake yet. “Second one since she’s been here.”
I hated that she had them, but at least she trusted us enough to come to us afterwards. I’d tried to convince her after the first one to just move in, but she was hesitant. Koa said it was shyness and nerves, and Cas thought there might be a little fear there, too.
’S okay,I told myself.I can wait. For as long as she needs. But when she’s ready, there’ll be no mercy. Good thing pussies are built to take a pounding—
“I wish that was something I could heal,” Angelo brought me out of my thoughts, “but hearts and minds aren’t as easily repaired as bodies.”
“True enough.” Cas steepled his fingers across his chest to appear relaxed. “While we wait, can you tell us more about Alpha Jace?”
“He’s a good guy. Strong, fair. He’s had to carry a lot on his shoulders.” Emerson’s calm cracked just enough to show the storm underneath. “My parents, Alpha Bellamy and Luna Ivana Jones, were executed six years ago. King Julian’s orders.”
Angelo reached over, resting a hand on Emerson’s arm. The gesture was small, but loaded with meaning. These two were more than just mates; they were a unit, a well-oiled machine that worked seamlessly together. It was something that used to make me envious, but not anymore. Not since we found Seri.
“They were corrupt,” Angelo added, his voice tight. “Abused their pack, murdered innocent wolves. One of their victims was Emerson’s brother, Thoreau.”
“Wait, your own parents did that?” I blinked, my humor evaporating as Emerson nodded, his jaw tighten.
“They kicked me out for being gay. Thoreau was just a kid. I couldn’t take him with me. Leaving him behind? It’s something I’ll always regret.” Emerson’s eyes flickered with pain before he locked it down. “Anyway, Jace Beaudreau was only sixteen when Julian appointed him alpha. He’s done a damn good job of it, too.”
“Sixteen? Kid’s got guts,” I admitted, impressed. “And now he’s going to have to deal with Claudio Kane. Poor bastard.”
“Claudio’s not his problem. He’sours,” Cas corrected.
“Fair point. So, we’re calling in the cavalry, huh?” I grinned at Emerson, who gave me a nod. “Well, if Jace is half as badass as you two make him sound, this might actually be fun.”
“Why would he help us?” Cas asked.
“Alpha Jace doesn’t ignore threats,” Emerson said. “And he really,reallyhates guys who hurt women and kids.”
