Chapter 21: Chapter 21~ I can’t call the council

Falcon’s POV~

Xavier comes back in the door with a worried look on his face. I asked “problem?” He looks up and tells me “Victoria doubts her Alpha will allow a transfer..and she really wants to leave..two problems, though. She is worried about leaving her parents and little brother…because they are more indentured servants, instead of pack members. I yelled “What!? I need three things from you…pack Alpha…pack name..and her family’s names. You text Victoria and tell her to start packing her family up! Indentured servants, my ass!”

He says “Alpha George Waite..pack is Rockie Moon…and her parents are Benjamin and Agnes Andrews…her little brother is BJ…Ben, junior. But she said he won’t let them go. Her parents were sold to his father…and until the money paid for them is worked off, they can’t leave. But they aren’t allowed off pack lands to earn money…and Alpha doesn’t compensate his people for working on pack lands.”

I am fuming “He will let them go! Does he have other indentured people? Never mind! I will ask him! He is in violation of werewolf law! Not that I trust the council for shit, at this point. We will handle it without council permission!” Anna comes over and climbs into my lap…tucking my nose into her neck “Breathe, baby”

After several minutes, I sit up..look for Rockie Moon’s number and dial them…putting them on speaker “Rockie Moon…Beta Jackson speaking” I told him who I am and to get George on the phone. He balked…making excuses. I told him “You have two minutes to get him on the phone…and make sure he knows..I know he is sitting right there with you! I can hear him breathing!”

When he comes on… he acts like he didn’t know it was me! “Alpha Rivera! What a surprise!” I mutter “MmHmmm! George… I am calling to have you sign transfer paperwork for five of your members…The entire Andrews family, as well as a warrior, Xavier Culver..who is the mate of Victoria Andrews-Culver” There’s a long pause on his side… he finally responds “I can sign transfer for the Culver fellow..but the Andrews family remains here”

I breathe in my sweet mate “I did not call you to negotiate. I called to Tell you..you will sign transfer! You are holding that family hostage…for reasons unknown…Tell me, George… who did your father buy Benjamin and Agnes from?” 🐺 Marcus, get 50 warriors together…we are 45 minutes, by car, from Rockie Moon…on paws..less than 20.. I want them headed out now! 🐺 Yes, Alpha… George replies “I don’t have that information in front of me, at the moment.” I huffed “You know… and I want a name. You are in violation of werewolf law by holding people under the guise of indenture… that was outlawed by council fifteen years ago! And I believe that was ten years before you ascended, correct? So, in essence, you have been in violation for five years. Do you know who I am? What my status is with the council? Now, I am asking one more time…will you sign transfer for these five people?” He growls “ And I said I cannot and will not release them…and I will not be bullied into it!”

I link our group to head to the vehicles…we are heading out and my beautiful mate hops up…saying Road Trip.. “George… I wasn’t asking. I will be at your gates in an hour. I want that family, at the pack house…unharmed…and ready to leave. I am Not council enforcer for nothing!” And hung up. We ran to the trucks.

🐺 Marcus, how far out are you? 🐺 Ten minutes, tops.. 🐺 Hang back, out of sight until you see our SUVs pulling up at the border.. 🐺 You got it!

Axel says “T-minus five minutes from border gates, Alpha!” I am watching for any sign of aggression…” Xavier, how many warriors does he have?” He comes back “35 warriors..15 marksman.” Shit! I warn Marcus about possible shooters… I tell Anna…” Gear up baby! We are going in hot!” She climbs over the back seat and starts handing up handguns and hands Xavier a rifle and four knives. She straps a pistol to her hip and slaps daggers into the belt. Sheathes a katana on her back and says “Good times?” I whisper “Great times!” Brady shakes his head “You’re both batshit crazy!”

The gates come into view and ten warriors are blocking it.. Axel says “Ram it?” And I nod….he floors it… all of them scatter and he yells “Dumbasses!” Out the window…because he’s like four!

There’s no slow up in him…he skids to a halt in front of the pack house…spraying gravel everywhere.. I tell Xavier “Find your family, Bud!” I am out of the truck and holding George by the throat “I would have paid the fucking indenture, you stupid fool! I was hoping to do this peacefully.” He screamed “You rammed my gates! That’s not peaceful!”

I released him and stepped back “You had ten armed warriors stationed at those gates…pointing their weapons. That is aggression towards an officer of the council! Stupid! Really ignorant Move! Where are the Andrews? And do NOT fuck with me!”

Xavier runs up “They’re gone! They aren’t at their house!” I spun on George “Are you fucking kidding me right now?” MARCUS!” “Yes Alpha?” I looked at George..”Last chance to cooperate…Where. Are. The. Andrews?” He refused to respond… turning to Marcus “Tear this place apart until they are found…Baby..go with him…I have a feeling they will need you!”

I addressed the crowd that had gathered “Any One of you that are here…Under duress…Being fed that indentured servant bullshit lie…are welcome to come with us when we leave! There is no such thing as indenture…not for 15 years! You are free people!”

George blusters “I will report you to the council! You can’t just come in here and force me to let you have my people!” I laughed….saying “Okay…let’s go to your office and call them right now! You should be worrying about what I will do to you if you’ve hurt that family! But, by all means…let’s go make that call..on the way, I will explain the law to you…as well as probable cause…and response to aggression. I have all afternoon to play your silly game!”

Anna links 🐺 They are in the cells.. the dad..and Victoria needed healing. But they are okay. But, baby…there are six others down here.. and they smell like pack. Not rogue. Marcus is questioning them now! 🐺 Ask about their families and let them know they can come home with us and Brady? Arrange transport… we may have a shit ton of new members!

“Oh Georgie! What crimes did you charge your people with before you locked them up? Will it hold up at trial? Tell you what…you convince me you are wholly justified in stealing labor from your people and locking them away for no real infractions… you do that…and I won’t kill you.. Deal?”

He responds “I am running this pack the way my father ran it! Indentured servants are necessary to keep us functioning as well as we do! Without Omegas, who does the menial work? My ranks? My warriors? It’s not possible! You expect me to throw out 100 years of tradition because it’s not the way you run your pack? That’s horseshit and you know it!”

“It’s the LAW…you fucking moron! Call the Goddess damned council right now…or I do! Your choice! You are exploiting your pack members! It is your JOB to provide for them! To protect them! Not use them for your gain! That’s common decency! That’s what humanity is about! So you need to understand that I will not allow these violations to stand!” He whines “I can’t call the council..My dad bought the Andrews and three other families from Them over the years!”