“Oh yeah. She’s ready as she’s gonna be. It is what it is. You stick close to her, okay?”
“Why I’d love to, Alpha,” he said drawing it out as if he was really going to enjoy it.
“Yeah, don’t get used to it, smart ass.”
“So, are we going to talk about it?” Logan asked with a broad knowing smile.
“Talk about what? I may be Alpha, but I’m no mind reader.” Oh, but he knew exactly what Logan was asking.
“You. Her. Dance floor. Oh and the distinct sounds of screaming that only come with hot sex. Nothin’ like the sound of ‘Fuck me’ reverberating throughout the Four Seasons. Classic, bro.” Logan slapped Tristan on the shoulder, busting at the seams laughing.
“What about it?” Tristan replied with a coy smile.
“You’re done, man. Not that I blame you. Kalli is one sweet wolf. Ah, I love when I’m right,” Logan declared.
“About what?”
“Oh, nothing. Sometimes it’s best to let nature take its course. But you’d know all about that, wouldn’t you, Alpha?” Logan chuckled, falling back into the chair.
Tristan scowled. Damn Logan and his visions. Tristan didn’t want to even know what images had been flashing through his beta’s dreams. It was nothing but trouble. Business was a different story, but his love life was off limits. Deciding not to encourage Logan, he ignored his comment. An Alpha knew when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em; therefore he kept his mouth shut.
On the ride over to the summit, Kalli kept quiet as she listened to Tristan and Logan run through different scenarios. Each and every one of them had dressed in all black with sturdy boots, in case there was debris in the meeting place. Due to the high probability of both shifting and violence, the facility chosen was selected for its privacy, not comfort. They’d agreed on an abandoned building in an isolated area of Camden for the summit. Considered neutral territory, the New Jersey Alpha had granted them permission to use the facilities, given the recent death of the Lyceum wolf.
The limo pulled up to the dilapidated building, and they poured out onto the street. Simeon, a muscular wolf, who rivaled any World Wrestling champion, led the pack, alert for any sign of an ambush. Simeon nodded, signaling an all clear to Tristan and Logan. Surrounding Kalli, they proceeded toward the two story, red bricked building. Once a neighborhood firehouse, the windows had all been boarded over; graffiti was scrawled across the whitewashed plywood.
The deafening silence reminded Kalli of the desolation she’d felt during her childhood. But tonight, there was a good chance that the disconcerting reticence would be sliced with the screams of death before dawn. Kalli swore she smelled the sickly odor of wolves from her old pack, yet the five men who stood at the long wooden table were unfamiliar. As they approached the table, the strangers rose.
“Alpha.” Tristan nodded in respect toward the tall attractive wolf who held court in the center of the table. Exuding power, his strong facial features accentuated his Nordic complexion; cropped blonde hair gave way to piercing pale blue eyes. When he took notice of Kalli, she instinctively bowed her head in deference, and held tight to Logan’s arm.
“Alpha, I’m pleased to meet with you tonight,” he replied coolly.
“Shall we sit?” Tristan suggested, preferring to take them off guard by feigning a relaxed positioning. Yet his body was coiled tight; like an asp he was ready to strike. His wolf paced, eagerly awaiting battle.
“Certainly. This is my beta, Gilles.” Kalli could have sworn they were twins, but kept her thoughts to herself. The last thing she planned on doing was talking at this meeting. The only reason she’d agreed to come was to identify wolves, if presented with the opportunity.
“And you know Logan. This, here, is Dr. Williams. She’s here in the capacity of witness. You should also be aware that she’s mine and under my protection.”
“I see,” Jax commented, looking Kalli over. She swore she could feel him undressing her even though she was buttoned up tighter than the queen’s girdle. Opting for a simple nod, she swallowed, continuing to clutch poor Logan’s arm, hoping she wasn’t cutting off his circulation.
“As much as I’m enjoying the elegant accommodations, let’s get to business. A little over a week ago, two wolves set fire to my club, Eden. The same wolves are suspected in the murder of a young wolf that occurred two nights ago. Sketches of the suspects have been provided to you via Logan. I’d be remiss not to mention that circumstances and specifics that led to a lupine death are confidential at this point as there is an ongoing police investigation. While P-CAP has presumably been notified of the murder, I believe we’d agree that as wolves we prefer to abide to our own rules,” Tristan paused as Jax silently acknowledged his words with a small grin.
“In addition, as you may have been notified by Marcel, another young wolf was killed in New Orleans nearly two weeks ago. New York plates were found on the stolen car. I understand that he’s forwarded the sketches of the dead wolves who drove the car, but to date, no Alpha has claimed responsibility. I am formally requesting your assistance in the apprehension of the suspects in both murders. With all due respect, and this is in no way an accusation, I need confirmation from you that your pack is not involved in either of these matters.”
A deeply serious expression fell across Jax’s face, and he addressed Tristan. “Alpha, please accept my sincere condolences on behalf of me and my entire pack. I take no offence to your need for confirmation, and I am pleased to inform you that I have not condoned nor have I ordered an attack on either the Lyceum Wolves or Marcel’s pack. However, after viewing your sketch and careful distribution of the picture, I have brought you a gift. Call it a peace offering after the misunderstanding we had regarding your sister, if you will.”
Tristan stared intently at Jax. He could feel his wolf readying to shift having smelled blood. The energy in the room thrummed with tension; he was aware he’d have his prize.
“Bring it out!” Jax barked, never taking his eyes off of Tristan.
A bright red wooden door with peeling paint flew open, and a stubby, dirty man wrapped in heavy silver chains was thrust into the open space by a burly, unyielding thug holding a gun.
Kalli eyes flashed to the weapon. She guessed silver bullets came with the shiny gun; ones meant to kill wolves. Breathe deeply. Breathe deeply. She swore by how quickly her heart was racing that she’d need a healthy dose of oxygen by the time she got out of there…if she got out alive. But as soon as the man was shoved into the spotlight, she gasped. Sato. South Carolina Wallace Pack. Relief momentarily swept through her until she realized that number one, the other wolf wasn’t in attendance, and two, punishment would be served.
Easily identifying the man as one of the wolves from the sketches, Tristan turned to Kalli. “Do you know this man, Dr. Williams?” he asked formally.
“Yes, Alpha,” she croaked, shrinking into Logan. It was as if she was a young girl again, cowering. She felt Sato’s eyes bore into her and looked away. “I…ugh..I think his name is Sato. I’m not one hundred percent on the last name. But without a doubt, this man was at the fire, and he’s part of the South Carolina Wallace Pack.”
“You fucking bitch!” he screeched at her. Even chained, he was formidable. Baiting Kalli, he continued to yell. “You’re nothing but a traitorous hybrid whore! Gerald’s still waitin’ for you, missy. Oh yeah, you owe him. He’ll have ya on your back in no time spreading those filthy legs and…”
Before he had a chance to finish, Tristan slammed him into silence against a wall, crushing his larynx with the brunt of his forearm.