29. Griffin

Chapter 29

Griffin

-Alkaline- Sleep Token-

Witnessing Grace meticulously unravel the tangled web of months-long attacks leaves me breathless. Each revelation she presents is insane, her eyes alight with a fierce intensity. We gather around the maps, our minds reeling with the implications of her discoveries, rendered speechless by the magnitude of what she’s uncovered. The room feels charged, the air thick with tension and anticipation.

Ambrose’s voice cuts through the stunned silence, drawing our attention as he leans over the maps, his tone a gentle inquiry tinged with curiosity. “So let me understand this,” he begins, his gaze shifting between Grace’s diagrams and the sprawling network of tunnels on the map. “The old mines... they’re being used as a superhighway for the rogues. And you believe their base is nestled within?”

“I was looking at the attacks in relation to where the mines are,” Grace says, her movements precise as she traces her finger along the lines of her meticulously crafted wire rings. Each one placed strategically around the cavern on the map, marking the sites of the attacks. Her hands, steady despite the weight of her revelations, pull the evidence from the depths of her hoodie pouch.

“This is what got me thinking,” she explains, her voice carrying a note of quiet determination. With a fluid motion, she positions the rings, aligning them with the cluster of attacks within the confines of the cavern’s circle. “Several incidents occurred just beyond the circle, but always between two mine entrances. It’s what solidified the hidden superhighway theory for me.”

Grace’s shrug is laden with significance as she leans back against the wall, her gaze meeting mine with a mix of weariness and determination. In that moment, I feel a surge of pride for her unwavering dedication to unraveling the mysteries that threaten our pack.

I steal a quick glance at my brothers. Their expressions reflect a mix of concern and determination, before turning my attention back to Nicolai and his father, who stand side by side like an unbreakable wall. “I’ll be damned,” I mutter, crossing my arms tightly over my chest as I study the map spread out before us. The lines and markers denote territories, each representing power and resources.

“The Murphy lands boast three mines. Volkov has two. Cruz and Wolverton each have one,” I announce, plucking the flags from Grace’s outstretched hand and positioning them to emphasize the significance of the mines.

“What’s your plan, Grace?” Nicolai’s inquiry hangs heavily in the air, drawing a curious glance from his father, whose interference is promptly halted by a sharp smack from his wife.

Grace gestures for me to join her, and I sidle up beside her, feeling the weight of her intention in the air. “If possible,” she begins, her gaze shifting between Nicolai and Ethan, “can we close the mine shafts on the smaller pack lands and draw the rogues toward us?” Her eyes lock onto Nicolai’s, and in that moment, I sense the subtle transmission through the bond, conveying her strategy with clarity.

I stand rooted to the spot, watching as Nicolai’s gaze drifts into the distance, his focus absorbed by Grace’s vivid imagery. As she shares her vision, a surge of energy seems to pulse through the room, her idea spreading effortlessly to every wolf present. In that moment, I can’t help but marvel at the brilliance of my mate and the strategic plan she has conceived.

When the vision finally recedes, leaving a lingering sense of anticipation in its wake, I turn to Nicolai, seeking his thoughts. “Do you think we can make it happen?”

Nicolai steps forward, his eyes fixed on the map as Grace passes him different colored flags. “If we close the shafts in the Cruz and Wolverton lands, that cuts it down to five,” he begins, his fingers tracing the lines on the map. “Then, if we close the one on my land near Wolverton and the two on your lands that border the Jamerson lands...” He places flags on the corresponding mines as he speaks, mapping out the proposed plan.

“That leaves only two,” I observe, my gaze lingering on the marked spots on the map. “They’re far enough away to protect the smaller packs. The fight would come to us.” My eyes drift to Grace, a silent question forming in my furrowed brow.

Not here. She communicates through our bond, her voice echoing softly in my mind. I nod in understanding, suppressing any further inquiries for the moment, trusting in Grace’s discretion.

Several hours pass, and we bid farewell to our guests, guiding them out of the pack house. As we make our way to our own abode, Grace takes charge. She leads Lorcan back to the study while we wait for the rest of the family to gather.

Once everyone has assembled, I glance around the room, observing the tension that hangs in the air like a heavy shroud. I wait, my senses attuned to the subtle cues of each family member. The anticipation is palpable as we all turn our attention to Grace, waiting for her to speak.

Grace gestures for Ethan to close the door behind him. With a determined expression, she steps forward, clasping her hands together in front of her. Her gaze sweeps over each of us, searching for our reactions as she delivers her revelation.

“We can’t tell the council about our plans,” she announces, her words hanging in the air like a weighty secret, heavy with implications. I feel a surge of apprehension ripple through the room, each of us processing her statement in our own way.

“Why do you say that?” Conrad interjects, his voice steady as he steps forward, cradling Deacon in his arms.

“Think about it, Con,” Grace murmurs, her fingers delicately prying Deacon from his embrace. Her touch is gentle yet determined, as if she’s unraveling a mystery hidden within his tiny form. “We have a council member that’s gone rogue. Who’s to say one of the others isn’t feeding him information?” Her voice carries an edge, a hint of urgency that tugs at my senses.

“So you think someone is telling him all our moves?” Barrett interjects, his presence a solid anchor beside Ethan, who stands firm, his arm held in a protective grip.

“I’m pretty sure of it,” Grace asserts, her gaze lifting challengingly to meet Conrad’s. Then she shifts her focus to me, stepping closer until she fills the space between us. My heart races as her presence envelops me.

“Explain, please,” I request softly, my lips grazing her forehead in a tender gesture of reassurance.

“I told Jakob about my plan to confront my ex,” Grace confesses, her breath warm against my neck as she nestles closer, our son pressed between us. In that moment, the weight of realization settles heavily upon me. Realistically, there’s no plausible explanation for her ex’s sudden appearance. Not unless someone had betrayed our trust, divulging our intentions to an adversary lurking in the shadows.

I rest my head on top of Grace’s, feeling the soft strands of her hair against my cheek, while the sound of my son’s coos fills the space between us. “We need to feed misinformation to the council and then wait to see what happens,” I murmur, the weight of the decision heavy in my chest.

Raising my gaze, I meet Ethan’s eyes, finding reassurance in his nod. “Finally breaking some rules... I’m proud of you, Griff,” he remarks with a smirk, his words stirring conflicting emotions within me. It’s a constant battle between fulfilling my duties as an alpha and protecting my family as a father.

“Nicolai, we close all the smaller pack’s mine shafts as planned,” I assert, pulling up the map on my phone to illustrate my point. “We also close the one that’s the furthest south, and the one directly across from the Gratus pack.” Watching as Nicolai and Ethan follow suit, pulling up the maps on their phones, I feel a sense of urgency settle over us.

“That makes sense,” Nicolai agrees, his voice echoing through the room. “Ambrose can help support the one on his border, and we can watch the one on our border.” His smile is almost predatory as he sends messages to his construction firm. “We strike in two weeks on Sunday,” he declares, his tone laced with anticipation and determination.

Tenderly, I press a kiss to the crown of Grace’s head, my throat tightening with emotion. “I also want to propose sending our moms and at least three guardians away,” I murmur, the weight of my words hanging heavy in the air.

Grace’s reaction is immediate; she pulls away from me, her eyes widening with alarm as she meets my gaze. “You think it’s going to get that bad?” Her voice trembles slightly as she leans down to brush her lips against our son’s forehead.

“I hope not,” I reply, my heart aching with uncertainty. “But I would rather be safe than sorry.” Drawing Grace back into my embrace, I feel the reassuring presence of Nic and Ethan moving to surround us. Conrad cradles Barrett in his arms, while Lorcan offers comfort with a gentle rub on Barrett’s shoulder.

“And I would also suggest sending Lorcan and Barrett with the babies and our moms,” I continue, my voice wavering as I consider the implications of my proposal. “Lorcan can heal anyone if they need it, and the babies are used to sleeping with Barrett.”

My bottom lip is caught between my teeth as I mull over the logistics, the safety of our loved ones weighing heavily on my mind. It’s the most logical course of action, the best way to ensure everyone’s well-being in the face of uncertainty.

“Logistically, it makes sense,” Conrad asserts, his gaze darting between the two men flanking him.

“I don’t want to go,” Barrett protests, his whine sending shivers down my spine, raising the fine hairs on the back of my arm.

Nicolai’s sharp tone slices through the air, cutting off Barrett’s complaint with a commanding force. “Barrett...”

Grace’s eyes lock with Nicolai’s briefly before she breaks away, crossing the room to Barrett, claiming him from Conrad’s side. “Cutie,” she coos, her voice a soothing melody, as she gently places a sleeping Deacon into Barrett’s waiting arms. “I need you to protect our babies. They love you, they feel safe with you. Who else can I trust my most precious ones with?” Her words are like honey, dripping with warmth and persuasion, weaving a spell that beckons compliance from all who hear it. I feel the pull of her persuasion. With a shake of my head, I resist, breaking free from her enchantment, observing Barrett sway under her influence.

Ethan’s quiet observation punctuates the moment. “Mom used to do that when we got out of hand. It worked on you and Con, but never me,” he murmurs, his words barely audible, meant only for Nicolai and me to hear. The memories his words evoke stir a mix of nostalgia and sadness within me.

Conrad’s voice cuts through the tension, pulling my attention away from Grace’s gentle whispers to Barrett. “So, what do we do now?” he asks, his tone tinged with uncertainty. His question hangs in the air, amplifying the gravity of our situation.

I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of responsibility settle heavily on my shoulders. “We assemble a team, one we trust implicitly, to safeguard our children, bond mates, and mothers during their journey,” I reply, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions churning inside me. “I’m thinking either an RV trip cross-country or an island vacation.” I toss a few options into the conversation, my gestures accompanied by a casual shrug, masking the underlying concern gnawing at me.

Lorcan’s suggestion hangs in the air, and I turn to face him, his eyes meeting mine in silent understanding. “What about a trip to a national park?” he offers, his voice soft yet decisive. “With the RV, the kids can shift freely, and encountering wolves won’t raise any eyebrows.”

The image forms in my mind’s eye: the rugged beauty of the wilderness, the scent of pine and earth lingering in the air, the freedom of the open road stretching out before us. I nod slowly, a sense of relief washing over me at the prospect of providing our children with a safe haven where they can embrace their true nature without fear or judgment. The idea of the open road, the promise of adventure, and the safety it offers starts to ease the tension in my chest, bringing a small, hopeful smile to my face.