Chapter 29
"The only problem is, we don't a clue on how many rogues there are or when they'll show up," I sighed. "What we do know is that they hate my pack and want us gone."
Jane took a seat on her recliner, I sat on the three-seater with Avery and saved a spot for Cal while Louis and Abel took the love seat, Elle sat in a chair next to them and there was another recliner next to Jane for Otis.
"Which is why this is more dangerous, considering those filthy things are now in Fairbairn," Jane grumbled before taking a seat and turning to Otis. "Otis, be a dear and bring the tray of snacks from the kitchen, take that boy with you."
She pointed at Cal but didn't acknowledge him as the two guys went off towards the kitchen.
"So..." She drawled and I could already feel the headache coming on, "you had to go choose the son of Jake Cain didn't you."
"Jane, can we not talk about this?" I questioned.
"Actually, let's, this sounds way too interesting. Did your pack try to kill him?" Elle asked with curiosity and way too much excitement.
"They did," Cal answered as he entered the room with a tray of lemonade, "but Ev protected my ass."
"No foul language in my house," Jane immediately scolded.
"That old lady could make a sailor blush," Aunt Avery whispered in my ear and I couldn't help but snort at that because she's right.
"Jane quit it, we're not here to discuss your feelings for Callum," I said as I grabbed a glass of lemonade and Cal took a seat next to me.
"Assuming I feel anything towards him," She said but I saw the humor sparkling in her eyes.
"Mrs. Fraiser-" Cal started but Otis cut him off with a cough.
"Ms. Blackwood, she isn't married no more."
Jane narrowed her eyes at him, "My husband may be dead Otis, but I still carry his name."
"Why would you? He was a lousy man."
"At least he loved me for me." She shrugged.
And so their banter went back and forth as Abel, Elle and Louis cleaned the snacks off the plate and Aunt Avery seemed amused and overwhelmed.
"Maybe we should sneak out until they settle down?" Cal suggested.
"As much as I want to, I'm afraid Jane might shoot Otis with his own gun if we leave them be." I sighed in frustration.
"We can get ice-cream," He wiggled his eyebrows as he called to my soul with those words.
"Tempting..." I battled with myself internally before my brain won my stomach, "but we can't."
"Fine... but this time you owe me." He nudged me with his elbow.
"Would I have to wear fluffy pink apron?" I smirked at the memory.
"Unfortunately not. If you can't pay for it, you won't get it." He shrugged.
"Not fun at all," I commented before turning back to Jane and Otis who was in a heated argument but also seemed as if they wanted to pull each other close. "Okay you two, stop it! And Abel quit eating all the cake, I want a slice."
The room fell in silence and Abel huffed before quickly grabbing another slice and sitting back.
"Before you say anything else," Callum started, "I just wanted to let you know, Mrs. Fraser, Everette means more to me than you know. I won't ever hurt her, I can promise you that."
"Dude, please don't start your romantic talk again like in the car, you're making us sick," Louis groaned before frowning. "You're also making me feel all kinds of single."
Ignoring Louis, Jane finally looked at Cal and grinned.
"She's smiling at me...should I be worried?" Cal muttered under his breath.
"No," Jane answered him for me. "I was waiting to see if you were going to let Everette protect you. She's headstrong, which is why you were paired with her Callum. I've known you since you were a baby, running around town and causing trouble when you were a teenager. But you have a good heart and a sturdy head on your shoulders."
"I- I... thank you, Mrs. Fraser." He stuttered and I send a thankful smile her way. "Now, enough dilly-dallying, let's discuss the reason you're here making a deal with the devil."
"Not the devil," Otis whispered quietly as Jane smirked.
"Otis told us that the rogues showed up out of nowhere, did you catch anything about them yet? Maybe something than can clue us in on why they're here?" I asked here.
She shook her head, "There are about twenty of them from what I've heard. After I caught their scent in town I told the elders that take care of the ritual and then Otis. While I do despise the hunters, they were the only ones that would be able to protect the humans if something happened."
"Why didn't you tell us before?" Cal asked.
"Because no one from the pack can come into Fairbairn, it's the treaty but I guess now it's being repaired," She sounded relieved. "I couldn't tell Everette and have her show up here knowing the hunters could be a threat to her safety but the elders were hoping she'd show up soon."
"Then maybe they should have reached out sooner," I grumbled because no one bothered to contact us for help.
"You know humans and their pride," Jane said as her eyes flashed to Otis and away. "Anywho, I haven't seen any of them as I've been keeping my head low. If they catch my scent, I have no doubt they would attack me and I won't be able to protect myself."
"I have my men keeping an eye on you." Otis offered as if it was no big deal.
"You did what Otis?" Jane asked but she couldn't wipe the smile off her face.
"I assumed they'd be able to smell you if they got too close so I had a few guys posted around your house when you're alone. And don't fight me on it because they ain't moving."
"Fine," She agreed too quickly for being Jane. "Avery here has also been helping me cover up my scent whenever I leave the house with a spray and I keep a few silver pieced around."
"Don't tell me it's skunk spray?" I hopped.
"Unfortunately not, it's the only thing I could get my hands on to ensure my scent can't be detected."
Skunk spray was strong enough to cover our scent because of the strong pungent odor. I also have a feeling we're going to need to use it if we plan on going back to scout the main square undetected.
"Have you seen any of them?" I asked aunt Avery and she nodded.
"Yes, they've managed to weasel their way into the social circles in town. According to the first family, they were looking to settle down in a quiet town and the others pretty much had the same story since we don't have new people around here much, especially ones willing to move here. If Jane hadn't enlisted my help and told me about them, I would have assumed they were humans. Some of them keep to themselves but most of them have been out and about getting to know everyone. Aside from being a bit strange, like growling and eating a lot, they're normal."
Abel scoffed, "Normal and rogues? Something is definitely up because they don't play nice, especially with rules like social norms."
I agreed, "Rogues aren't known to be civilized. Although there are the few that are, I don't buy it considering what's been happening back home. Is there anything else about them that may seem odd or anything you've overheard about them?"
"Like a world invasion," Cal added.
Avery gave it a thought but shook her head, "Nothing that I've heard... but there is something that caught my attention the last two times I was in town."
"Tell us, what is it?" I rushed her on.
"Not to sound crazy or stupid, but Jane told me you all could talk through your minds... well I've seen some of them staring at each other and would sometimes laugh, smile or frown without exchanging words. But they can't do that right? Because they're rogues." She asked in confusion.
My stomach took a dive to my feet as that news settled over me.
I exchanged a look with Callum, Abel, and Jane.
"I'm guessing they're not supposed to be able to do that." Elle guessed.
"They're not because they're not under a pack rule or an Alpha. The only possible way they could form their own mind link is if they have an Alpha that was sworn in under a full moon with a blood oath and a chant that I've haven't heard in years. I'm not saying it can't be done, because it has been after an Alpha died without an heir. It's just never been done with rogues." I explained.
"This isn't good," Jane said what we've all been thinking. "An Alpha of rogues? Who thought they'd be able to cooperate enough to form a pack."
Callum entwined our fingers and I gulped my lemonade and tried to think of what this means.
"Has Olly ever mentioned being apart of a pack?" Abel asked Cal about the little kid.
"No, he never said anything about mind links or a pack. I trust the kid."
I nodded, "He seemed scared out of his mind, I don't think he was apart of a pack. Maybe they found him recently. I'll call June and ask her if he's mentioned anything."
"How much wolves are required to create a pack?" Cal asked.
"At least fifty from what I've heard during my time," Jane answered.
"Well it way more than that considering we've killed some, there are twenty in Fairbairn and there were nearly a hundred in that building we found Callum and June in." I recounted.
"Maybe that's why they're stealing our food shipments as Alpha Thane said," Abel noted. "There must be too many of them to feed."
Too many for us to handle is more what I'm thinking. But I don't say that because we have to be ready for whatever comes... and how much ever they come with.
"It doesn't matter how many there are, we need to get rid of the ones here and get back to our pack as soon as possible," I announced. "The only question is, are the hunters willing to help us?"
I asked the question deliberately before Jane because I know Otis won't deny my request with the love of his life sitting right here.
And he knew it too as he glared at me, "I told you I'd think about it kid."
"You'll answer my great-grandchild now or I'll be sending her home without helping the humans. If anything happens, it will be on you, Otis." Jane said with a raised brow.
"It's not that simple Jane, not everyone is on board. They're waiting to see if she'll help us before they agree." He stated.
"I said I will." I pointed out.
"They still don't trust you until those rogues are gone." He clarified. "I will help, I can promise you that, but I can't speak for the others until then."
"I'll help too. Always wanted to shoot a wolf." Elle grinned and while her words should have offended me, I get where she was coming from.
"Unless you poke me in the eyes again, then I'll help too." Louis shrugged.
"Three hunters are better than none I suppose," I gave them an appreciative smile but we still needed more. "I guess we better get going if we want to get anything done."
"What? But you just got here." Jane frowned.
I walked over and gave her a kiss on the cheek, "I'll be back before I leave, I promise. Take care of yourself and stay away from the town until they're gone and make sure and don't go anywhere alone."
She hugged me back and the old woman still had her strength, "You're fussier than your grandfather and father. In case you need to leave, tell Taelyn and Thor that I miss them along with Thane, Emery, Anne, Carson and Thomas."
"Will do Jane. See you later." I said as I raised to my full height and turned to Avery.
"Everette, can I speak to you before you leave?" She asked as she motioned to the hallway.
I nodded and followed her to the kitchen.
"Aunt Avery?" I asked when I saw her blinking back some tears.
"Sorry," She quickly dashed it away and smiled, "it's just that I miss your mother so much and now that I've met you, it's like losing her all over again. I- I thought she was dead for the last nineteen years until Jane told me. Your grandparents still don't know because I can't tell them and it breaks my heart every day."
I grabbed her hands in a comforting gesture, "She misses you all too. She even has an old family picture framed up in the house."
"Is Emery happy? Your dad, he's good to her right? And your siblings? I bet they look just like her." She rambled.
I smiled, "My mom's the happiest she could be even though she misses this life. Dad takes care of her and loves her more than you could imagine. You have nothing to worry about. As for Taelyn, you kinda remind me of her in a way. Thor, well his real him is Inigo but we all call him Thor, he's like the spawn of Satan...but a good kid."
Her eyes dulled, "I wish I could meet them, but I'm glad I could've met you."
"I'm glad I met you too Aunt Avery." I beamed before asking the thing that was on my mind. "If you don't mind me asking, my mom told me that you were diagnosed with muscular dystrophy when you were younger."
"I don't mind you asking and yes, I was. It's still apart of me but the damage to my muscles slowed down incredibly after I had a few surgeries done. I never thought I'd be able to walk at this age because the doctors said that I would have been in a wheelchair by age eighteen. We tried to save money, but the expenses would have been too much so I had given up the idea until a few months after your mother was taken," As she said the words, something flashed in her eyes and clarity took over her features. "You know, I didn't think about it at the time, but from what Jane told me, your dad's family is quite blessed with money."
I nodded because I knew this already, dad had money transferred to make sure Avery was taken care of. It was something only him, Jane and I knew.
"After your mom was taken, the hospital told me that my outstanding medical bills were paid and along with treatment to a great hospital across the country. Everything was paid for and my family and I were confused but we assumed the town did it after Emery was taken. But it must have been Emery! All this time and she kept her word, she took care of me." A tear slipped out of her eye but this time it was happy tears. "By the time I'm sixty the disease is supposed to set back in effect, but without the surgeries back then, I wouldn't have been able to become a nurse."
"I told you, my mom misses you. I think she'll be happy to hear that you're doing okay." I pulled her in for a hug. "Maybe when this blows over, we can get you to come to our pack."
She squealed so loudly, a ringing echoed in my ears.
"Do you think it would be possible?" She pulled back with a hopeful grin.
"If old man Otis agrees not to kill me when I return," I answered with a laugh. "Though, you better prepare for a twenty-four-hour trail through the woods."
"That far?" She gasped and I nodded. "Well then, I guess I better start hitting the gym."
Giving her one last hug, we parted ways and Jane gave us a bottle of skunk spray. Yeah, the whole town is going to part like the red sea when we walk by.
"What's the plan now?" Otis asked as he pulled away from Jane's house.
"We'll walk through the town, grab some food and see if we spot any rogues," I said.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Abel asked. "We don't exactly have the pack with us."
"From what I can tell they're trying to blend into the human world right now, so I want to think that they won't attack us in front of hundreds of humans. Plus we have this." I held up the small glass bottle of skunk spray.
"Yeah... no, we're not spraying that on us." Abel grabbed the bottle from my hand and tossed it out the window.
"Abel! What the heck!" I yelled as I tapped him on the head.
"That shit would only draw attention to us and it smells way too bad."
I huffed, "Then what do you suggest we do about our scent?"
He looked at Cal, "Is there a perfume store in Fairbairn?"
"Yeah?"
"Then we'll buy a strong scent and cover ourselves in that." He decided.
"Fine, but if the rogues smell us, we're fucked." I sighed.
"They'd smell the Alpha blood in you no matter what you had on," He shrugged.
Damn Alpha blood. I knew the skunk spray would have only worked so good, but if we walked close to a rogue, they'd smell us anyway.
I guess perfume was a better alternative if we were going to attempt disguising ourselves.
Leaning my head on Callum's shoulder, I breathed him in as we drove towards Fairbairn.
The daunting weight of the rogues sat on my shoulders and I wondered how it got so bad so fast. The idea of an entire pack of rogues under someone's control is worse than what I feared.
To make it worse, I'm not even with my pack and they have no idea I'm sitting in a car with their enemies.
Can't a girl just ask for a lazy day with no rogues, no deaths, no responsibilities, and only her mate? Is that really too hard to ask for Moon Goddess?
I'm starting to think she really had it out for me.
And all too soon, we were parked in front of the perfume store.
"I'll go grab two bottles," Elle said as she put her palm out in front of me and I looked at her hand and then back at her. "I need money dude."
"Right," I shook my hazy head and pulled out my wallet and handed her some cash.
She got out of the car and returned within a few minutes throwing a bag at us.
"You guys might want to step out to escape the eruption of perfume we're about to spray," I said as I smelt the bottle and caught the sickeningly sweet scent.
They all got out of the car and Abel and I went to town by emptying our bottles of perfume on us. I'm pretty sure we were flammable by the time we exited the station wagon.
"You smell like hairspray." I pinched my nose as I inhaled too much of Abel's spray.
"Yeah well, you smell like you rolled around in artificial sweetener." He replied.
"Touche."
The hunters and Callum all waved their hands over their noses as the coughed from inhaling us.
"Damn, I think you guys sprayed too much," Cal said between a cough.
"I don't think it's nearly enough." I sniffed my shirt...which I regretted instantly.
Fixing Callum's hat and hoddie for him so that his face was concealed, I grabbed his hand and led the way.
"I think we should start there." I pointed to the ice-cream shop.
"Ohh good idea," Louis said excitedly as he walked past us and almost tripped over himself trying to get to the store.
Is there someone in this world that likes ice-cream more than I do? I think not.
Almost running and dragging a laughing Callum behind me he kept saying, "Slow down, it's not going anywhere."
"More time, more hungry," I muttered but I don't even think I made any sense.
Entering the store, I felt out of place in the very commercialized store. It was cute but not as inviting as ours back home.
Well...my opinion may be biased.
I peered down at the different flavors and nearly drooled because I hadn't eaten ice-cream in over twenty-four-hours, which was definitely a crime.
"How may I help you?" The guy behind the counter asked.
"What's your best flavor?" I asked suspiciously.
"Salted caramel," He grinned. "I've never seen you around here, are you new to town beautiful?"
A growl escaped Callum but he kept his head down, "Back the fuck off, she's taken."
I smirked as Cal wrapped his arm around my waist.
The guy didn't back off though, he just sent a wink at me.
"Are you flirting with my granddaughter?" Otis's angry voice came from behind me and the guy visibly paled at that.
"Oh, she's you're granddaughter... s-s-sorry Mr. Newton, I-I didn't know," The boy said as he immediately backed up.
"And my sister you prick." Abel added as he folded his hands and made his muscles more pronounced.
"Shit." The boy said as he tried to plaster on a smile. "I apologize Ms. Newton and to you're boyfriend as well."
"Just get our ice-cream." Cal grumbled.
"Right, so what will it be?"
"I'll try the salted caramel. Two scoops," I made my order. "Rick?"
Cal snorted at his new name but ordered a double scoop of chocolate ice-cream.
Once everyone got their orders in, we got our threat and I paid before taking a seat near the window.
"You're not going to like that," Cal said pointing to my cone.
I shrugged, "It's ice-cream, how could I not?"
"Fine, suit yourself, Princess," He chuckled.
Inspecting the ice-cream, I wondered if I made the right choice. Sticking my tongue out, I tasted the salty sweet coldness and nearly threw the ice-cream back at the guy's head behind the counter.
"This is gross and too salty," I complained.
"I told you." Cal winked before grabbing the sinful ice-cream out of my hand and handing over his untouched chocolate one to me.
"You're giving me your ice-cream?" I asked incredulously.
"I knew you wouldn't like the salted caramel so I ordered the chocolate so you wouldn't have to order again."
Honestly, if we weren't before our little group, I'd kiss him.
"And you're going to eat the devil's creation?" I quirked an eyebrow in question and felt bad for any poor soul that had to eat that.
"It's not that bad," he shrugged.
"You're right it's worst," I said before enjoying the chocolate ice-cream to get rid of the salty flavor. "You may also be an angel Rick."
He rolled his eyes before eating his ice-cream. The Moon Goddess may be messing with me but she did pair me with a great mate.
"Look," Louis said pulling attention to the window, "that's one of them."
I stared at where he was pointing to a woman on the other side of the street.
She was dressed casually and walking alone but she stopped and greeted a few humans as she went along.
"Do you know anything about her?" I asked as I kept my eyes on her.
"Not much, I've seen her with the others. I think two others are her siblings." Louis noted.
"Let's tail her," I announced and lead them outside.
As we exited the ice-cream shop, the rogue entered a restaurant at the end of the street.
"Looks like she's in the mood for diner food," Cal said. "We should go in and if she's alone we can get Louis to go flirt with her."
"What if she smells us?" Abel questioned.
"Did you walk with the hypersthene?" I asked Abel and he pulled out a cloth and unwrapped the gray crystal. "Great, if she's alone, we can wrap it around her neck to prevent her from mind linking anyone else and try to take her back with us. Maybe she'll play nice and we could get some information out of her."
"And if she's not alone?" Otis asked wearily.
"Then we'll hope they don't wolf out on us, but make sure your guns are loaded," I said and the hunters all nodded.
We walked over to the diner, I caught her scent immediately.
"I only smell her," I announced.
Everyone visibly relaxed at that.
We got a few curious stares from the humans on the streets but we paid no mind to them as we entered the diner.
She was sitting in a booth at the back of the store but didn't look up from her menu as we entered.
Elle motioned to a large booth closer to the front and we all piled into the seats.
"Okay Louis, you get her talking. Ask her for her name, where she's from, about her family, anything that may pry some information out of her." I whispered extremely quietly to her.
He frowned, "Why me?"
"Because Otis isn't the right candidate to go flirt and you're the only other male human here. If she's not into you, we'll send Elle." I shoved him out of his seat.
But before he could step away, the chime above the door rung as three other people entered.
Three other rogues.
Abel and I stared at each other in panic as their scent wafted into the diner.
I looked away from him and towards the three men that walked in as they passed our table and looked my way.
All three flashed me a sinister smirk as I felt Callum tense up beside me.
'Houston, we have a problem,' Abel mind linked me.
The others caught on to what was happening as the rogues walked over and joined the girl at the back.
I itched to get up but I felt Cal's hand clamped down on my shoulder, "Not now, Princess. If they were going to do something, they would've. We're in front of humans so we and they can't do anything."
I clenched my fist as I heard the laugh from their table as the humans around us sat oblivious to what was happening around them.
Relenting, I gave him a stiff nod and sat back into my seat.
This is going to be fun.
Not.
A/N
Chapter Update: Thursday
Ohh, our little clan seems to have been caught in a sticky situation.ð
Happy New Year to everyone!!! 2020, I hope you're good to me. (it's still 2019 in my country lol about 3 hours and 45 minutes away). â¨ð
2020 resolution - update faster ð
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