“Thanks,” replied Jackson, “but right now, I think the best thing you can do is find Willow Thatcher and, while you’re doing that, also see if you can find out how Josiah found out about Mom being alive. The two things are connected, but I can’t figure out just how.”
“Will do,” Zane said, heading toward the door.
Waiting until his brother was gone, Cody looked at Jackson, “The only other person who knew about Mom was our cousins’ uncle…the one who became the Rolling Hills Alpha after Hunter bailed out…at least as far as I can figure.”
“Yeah, I thought of that too,” Jackson replied. “I’ll check with Mason and see if he knows if anyone else knew about Mom.”
“Also talk to Hunter,” Dylon suggested. “As the Alpha-apparent he probably knows more about it than Mason.”
“Good point,” agreed Jackson. “Let’s just hope it was just their uncle who spilled the beans. The last thing I need is someone else targeting us. In the meantime, while Zane is locating Willow, I need you to develop a plan to rescue her and bring her safely back here.”
“Already on it,” Dylon said, “along with a plan to protect Hopeandthis pack from Josiah. You should also know, I sent a message to my friend, asking him if he’s heard ofany packs hiring enforcers, because according to the High Council records, Josiah doesn’t have enough men for an all-out assault on us.”
Nodding, Jackson replied, “Good. Steel is beefing up our numbers, but they won’t be here for a couple of days.”
“This shit with Josiah needs to end,” Cody said. “Have you spoken with mom about testifying to what she saw?”
“No,” Jackson sighed, “and I’m not going to. Both Ian and Mac think it would have a disastrous effect on her recovery. And, after speaking with Kieran, I agree.”
“I thought Kieran removed all her guilt,” said Cody.
“He did,” Jackson said, “but her memories are still there. Right now, she’s trying to learn to live with them by keeping them locked away until she’s strong enough to be able to deal with them. But that wouldn’t happen if she had to relive them in any testimony she gave.”
“ThatI understand perfectly,” replied Cody.
“How are you doing?” asked Jackson.
“With my visions?” asked Cody. After seeing his brother nod, he continued, “Much better, thanks to my mate. He helps me keep them blocked in my mind, so I don’t constantly relive them…especially those visions I had about Kieran.”
“Glad to hear that,” Jackson said. Just then, the baby monitor crackled with Daniel’s voice. “Oops, I think that’s my cue. I’m needed somewhere else.”
“Your turn?” Cody chuckled.
“By necessity,” Jackson said, rising. “Remember how my morning sickness was really noontime sickness? Well Dakota’s morning sickness is true morning sickness…or I should say ‘early’ morning sickness. Steel has volunteered to take over from him on breakfast duty till it passes which leaves me on full time Daniel patrol.”
“Ahh, got it,” said Cody. “Have any of our cousins said anything about Dakota being sick?”
“No, at least not that I’ve heard,” Jackson said. “Of course, Mac and Hunter already know about Dakota’s pregnancy, but both are sworn to secrecy.”
“C’mon babe,” Dylon said as he stood, holding his hand out to his mate. “Our babies are waiting for us, too.”
“Da, Da!” Daniel’s demand came through loud and clear.
Laughing, Cody grabbed Dylon’s hand, letting his mate pull him up. “Go,” he said to Jackson, “we’re right behind you.”
~/~/~/~/~
After the fourth reading of the paper his handler had shoved in his pocket, Glenn’s anger only grew. Shaking his head, he rose, his vacation forgotten, he turned out the lamp and, slipping over to the window, he moved the curtain a hair over to one side. Peering out, he waited for one car to drive by. Finally, he saw it, making its way slowly past his hotel, then parking in a spot near the side entrance.
Allowing the curtain to fall back in place, Glenn grunted, satisfied that the message was legit. Pulling his duffle bag from under the bed, he quickly packed up and, gave his room a final once-over, making sure nothing was left behind. In the bathroom, he tore the message into tiny pieces and flushed them down the toilet before returning to sit on his bed.
Sliding his boots off on the floor, he picked one of them up, turning it over before pushing a hidden button, watching as a lethal blade slid out of the toe. Afterchecking the other one, he reset both and pulled them back on. They were the only weapons he ever carried, much to his handler’s dismay, but Glenn needed nothing else, as evidenced by the effect they’d had on his adversaries in the past. Standing, he grabbed his bag, tossed his key onto the dresser and opened the door a crack, checking to make sure the coast was clear.
The lateness of the hour worked in Glenn’s favor as he hurried down the back staircase, leaving through the side door without anyone seeing him. Using his animal’s senses to stay out of sight, he worked his way noiselessly along the side of the building, shielded by the darkness of night, avoiding the random patches of light splashed across the pavement. Finally, when he was safely inside the waiting car, he looked at his handler but said nothing until the car was moving.
“How?” Glenn demanded.
“Don’t know the details,” the Hare murmured, concentrating on the road. “All I know is what you read in my message. I figured you’d want to head there, so I made travel arrangements for you before I met you at the bar.”
