“Do you mean logistically or financially?” Malachi said. He held Rhett’s gaze. He wouldn’t be more specific, lest he reveal more about Rhett than the wolf wanted known.
“Both,” Rhett said. “If you’ll leave it to me, I’ll have them installed within the week.”
The quiet that spread over the room held a blend of surprise, curiosity, frustration—that one mostly from Aaron—and approval. The latter was stronger toward Rhett than it had ever been. Well, the pack knew now: this wolf would lead them if Malachi died young. This wolf was wholly trusted by their alpha.
Though only about half-trusted by his beta.
“What are you, unexpectedly wealthy?” Aaron said.
“Yep,” Rhett said.
Aaron blinked while Jeremy blurted with a grin, “Awesome.”
“How?” Ezra said.
“That’s my business.”
“Not if it’s illegal or something,” Trevor piped in with the mischief of a young pup.
Rhett rolled his eyes. “Only you, Trevor.”
“So you’re not denying it.”
Malachi gave a low growl, and the ping-pong of voices silenced. “Rhett’s source of income is not illegal, and beyond that it’s his choice to divulge details or not.”
His head had begun to ache. He refrained from pressing his palms to his forehead, where a vise seemed to be clamping harder by the minute. The council must continue until a plan was in place.
“Returning to the topic, April, what else can you tell us?”
Speaking about her abuser caused April’s sweet citrus essence to spike with stress. Malachi wanted to spare her, but he needed the information, as did the rest of the pack.
“I think town is safe,” she said. She paused, seeming to ponder her own words, then nodded. “Yeah, Drew loves chaos, but Harmony Ridge is too…small for him, if that makes sense. Just showing up as a stranger, you get noticed. That wouldn’t serve his purposes.”
“Good,” Malachi said. It wasn’t much, but it was something. He didn’t know what he’d do if every member of the pack walked in danger from their vehicles to their workplaces.
“I do think we should be alert, though. Just in case I’m wrong. Like for example, say he had the opportunity, it would fit how his mind works to kidnap somebody and try to force a trade for me.”
Growls sounded around the room, including from Malachi’s own chest.Thatwould not be happening.
April’s eyes welled up. “I…I know Malachi wouldn’t allow it, but if you’re saying no one else would either…well, thank you.”
“We should take extra steps for the women,” Ember said, “like self-defense classes or something. This situation aside, we should do that anyway. I took them ages ago, but I’m rusty. Not that I could flip a guy over my shoulder using his weight against him atthismoment in time.” She grinned.
“Bear spray,” Kelsey said. “Every one of us girls should carry it and not be afraid to use it.” She nodded hard at her last statement, and other women nodded back, along with several wolves.
“Bearspray?” Willow said. “So pepper spray wouldn’t stop a wolf?”
“Nah,” Trevor said. “Just make him madder.”
“Whoa.” Willow raised her hand. “I vote for bear spray.”
“I’ll add it to my shopping list,” Rhett drawled from the corner, then raised his hands when Ember pinned him with a look. “No, seriously. Consider it done.”
By the end of the council, some of the strain had eased from Malachi’s shoulders. The plan was made. The pack would sleep here tonight, return to their lives tomorrow with caution but not fear. For the next few days, until the cameras had been placed along the perimeter of pack land, patrols would continue. After that, their homes would be guarded, even while they slept. In addition, each household would put together a “go bag” of clothes and essentials, in case they quickly had to convene at Rhett’s again.
“All right,” Malachi said at last. “Have I left any topic uncovered?” Jeremy smirked, drew breath to answer, but stopped when Malachi held up his hand. “Have I left any topicrelated to this discussionuncovered.”
A pause of consideration, then the shaking of heads.
