This chapter was inspired by the prompt: Include a terrible storm in your story.
I was right. Mom wanted that guy out of his cell and
somewhere more comfortable as he healed. Deke wouldn’t let him anywhere near
Kraig, and I didn’t want him anywhere near Ritch. Thankfully, Christian stepped
up and offered his guest room—and a twenty-four hour guard. It was hard to
think past my desire to kill Trein for his trespass against our streak.
Against all werekin.
Deke was calmer than me. He updated the alphas and the
convocation was going ahead that evening as soon as everyone arrived. We’d lost
the chance to interrogate the prisoners, but we knew where to find more
information. But it would take a concentrated effort to attack another
werekin’s clan.
It had to be done, but I’d relish it.
“Did he think he was going to get away with it?” I asked.
Deke had called for every able-bodied member in the streak, not just the
guards, to convene at his house. We stood on the porch waiting for them.
“Maybe. Not every streak has embraced technology the way we
have. The security cameras are well-hidden, and the computer was tucked into
the desk. They probably thought Jackie was dead when they knocked her
unconscious.”
Ritch was silently standing next to me, his arms crossed
defensively over his chest. Trein had abused him, used his body, treated him
like he was nothing. I ached to make him feel safe, but I wasn’t sure how to do
it. Not yet, at least. When Trein and his cronies were dead, then he’d be safe.
“Trein doesn’t like technology. His streak is
old-fashioned, mostly tradesman jobs and apprenticeships. The girls are married
off and then stay home to raise more kids. Most of them don’t own computers or
have more than basic TV service.” Ritch shivered. “The strong males take what
they want, and the rest of the streak just tries to survive. Most of the time I
was kept locked up, but I saw things when Trein paraded me around to show off
his superiority.”
Deke stiffened. “He did what?”
He’d told them part of what he’d endured, but when Deke had
questioned Ritch before, he’d focused on what he knew about the doctor and the
experiments he’d done, not the life Ritch led among the streak after his own
alpha had basically sold him.
“He’s a sadistic bastard, but he’s not that smart. I don’t
think he’s behind the experiments, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s allied
with the people who are. Someone needed muscle, and they went to him.”
“If the doctor was in your herd’s territory before, I bet
your old alpha was part of it too. This is even more widespread than we feared.”
Deke ran a hand over his bristly ruff. “How will we hide an all-out war from
the humans?”
“I don’t know.” Thankfully, that was going to be Deke’s
problem. My problem was finding Trein and taking the bastard down. I was eager
to start; I cast a glance over the crowd of murmuring males standing in the
yard, locking down on my need to leave immediately. I was the beta, I had
responsibility I wouldn’t abandon, no matter how fierce my desire for revent. “Everyone’s
here.”
Deke stepped up to the edge of the porch. I positioned
myself to his left, next to Kraig, but Ritch stayed near the house. I didn’t
push him to come closer for now.
“We have been attacked, and the loss of two of our streak
will be felt keenly.” Deke put a hand on his chest and the link between us
throbbed. A terrible storm swept through the males in front of us, sorrow and
rage a heavy mix of tension. I watched the crowd as Deke informed them of the
impending arrival of the alphas and the upcoming battle we faced, a dark
niggling in the back of my head, worry that my father wasn’t alone in his
betrayal.
“This is the most dangerous threat our society has faced in
a very long time. These traitors are angling for power, and they’re not above
torturing and killing innocent werekin to get it. Our society needs to change,
but not like this. If we don’t stop them now, the risk of humans finding out
about us is almost certain.” Deke squared his stance and lifted his chin. “Either
outcome is intolerable. The guard will be needed, so a secondary line of
defenses will be erected by the remaining able-bodied members of our streak to
protect the elderly and vulnerable.”
“For how long?” someone asked.
“The alphas will make the decision on how to respond to the
attack on our streak and the experiments we uncovered. Trein will pay for his
trespass. My home is open to those in the outlying areas of the streak’s property.
Kraig will remain here and be my voice in my absence.” He swept the crowd with a
firm look. “His word is mine.”
“Yes, Alpha.” Our streak wasn’t like the others, and Kraig
had been raised among everyone. Despite what that bastard had done to him, he
was one of us. They wouldn’t reject him, even if he wasn’t the mate of the
alpha.
“Please keep your phones close. We will send out alerts as
soon as we have more information. In the meantime, please be aware of your
surroundings and stay safe. Thank you.”
They slowly dispersed. We went inside, and Kraig went into
the kitchen. He started pulling things out of the fridge. “What are you doing?”
Deke asked.
“Making stuff for the alphas. Mom isn’t here to do it this
time.”
“It’s hardly a social occasion,” I scoffed.
“They are traveling here from a distance, and the reason is
stressful. Tempers will already be short and being hungry and thirsty will only
make that worse.” Kraig shot a look over his shoulder. “Any more questions?”
Deke and I shook our heads. Kraig went over to
the counter. “How can I help?”
TBC
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