29. Ellis

29

Ellis

E m's new boyfriend is an intimidating man. Slightly older than Harrison, he's got the look of someone who's seen too much life. I can't say he's who I would choose for my sister, but it's early, so maybe it won't work out. For now, their relationship works in our favor.

"So what's this about?" Declan folds himself into the only comfortable chair in our small apartment. He tugs Em close and positions her on the armrest, with his hand on her hip. She smiles down at him, and I have to admit, the way he looks back at her makes me feel a little better about the guy. It's the way I see my pack mates look at Meggie, like we'd do anything for her.

"First of all, thank you for coming so quickly." Harrison takes the spot across from Declan on the couch, while the rest of us stay standing, except for Meggie, who places herself next to Harrison with a foot of distance between them. It's clear she doesn't want to break his rules, but needs to be close to her pack alpha while we have this conversation.

"No problem," Declan replies. "I know you have a game today, and Emily said it was urgent."

Again, that look directed at my sister. I can't decide if I want to punch the guy for looking at her like that or tell him to bite her already.

"We have information about someone selling illegal suppressants that we think you might be interested in," Harrison says.

Declan cocks his head in a way that reminds me of a hunting dog sniffing a trail. "Why not call the French authorities?"

"He's from the states, and we have reason to be sensitive with who we—"

"Look," I cut in, "it's clear you care about my sister, and this affects her. So we'd rather have you deal with it."

His thick eyebrows draw closer together and a wrinkle forms along his brow. "How does this affect Emily?" His eyes suddenly widen. "Are you an omega?"

She laughs awkwardly and shakes her head, a slight grimace around her lips. Em always wished she was an omega. She's wanted a big pack since she was little, but most betas don't form packs and most packs don't accept betas unless their omega wants them. What happened with Dante's mom is a prime example of how rare it can be for betas to be welcomed into packs. Most of them end up marrying other betas.

"Okay, so what's this about, then?" Declan asks.

Harrison clears his throat. "Where do you stand on omegas competing in the olympics?"

There's a long pause while Declan sizes up our pack alpha and Harrison does the same to the DEA agent.

Declan answers carefully, "My personal opinion is that it's a rule based on prejudice and there's no reason for it to continue. My professional opinion is it's against the law, and I'd have to turn in any omega I found competing."

Em shakes her head frantically at Harrison. It's clear she doesn't want us to tell Declan about her best friend, but she doesn't know everything that's at stake right now. Meggie's situation with the law might be an easier problem to deal with than McQuinn's situation with Glenn.

Harrison leans forward with his elbows on his knees. "What if I told you I could help you take down an entire operation, but you'd need to look the other way on one omega?"

Declan scratches the short stubble on his chin as he looks at each of us. His gaze lingers a beat longer on Meggie and out of instinct I step between them. It's clear he's a smart man. He's probably already figured out what we're not telling him, but he doesn't have any proof yet, and I won't let him get any.

The silence stretches like a rubber band, and I'm waiting for the stinging snap to the face. Em puts her hand on Declan's arm and draws his attention, a silent plea in her eyes. He nods once. "If I don't know anything for certain, I don't have to act on it."

"Good." Harrison locks eyes with Declan. Neither man looks away. I'm not sure I've ever met an alpha so equally matched with Harrison for dominance.

"After our game," Harrison says, "a man named Knox will be making a hand off of illegal suppressants."

"He's not a bad guy," Em interjects, surprising us all. Even Meggie looks confused. Em just shakes her head and drops her gaze to her lap.

"He works for a man named Glenn Planksy who is the real target." McQuinn squeezes his rabbit's foot so tight his knuckles turn white. Until now, we've all been fine letting Harrison take the lead, but it's clear McQuinn is holding on by a thread.

"Glenn Planksy?" Declan's calm drops for a moment. His fist clenches.

"You know him?" Nils asks.

"We've been trying to nail him for years."

Harrison keeps his eyes on Declan. "Knox works for him. But it's important that you let the deal go down before making a move. Can you do that?"

Declan gives a single nod. "I need to see the deal go down before I can move in, anyway."

"And the buyer?" I ask. "You'll give them time to get away?"

Declan assesses me, then looks to Emily. She's wringing her hands in her lap and won't meet his gaze. He sighs. "I can give them a head start. But it would be wise for them to keep their identity hidden and move quickly."

Harrison nods, then stands and extends a hand to Declan, who takes it, keeping his other hand possessively around Em's waist. I'm not sure what I think about this guy yet, but if he can help us take down Glenn without Meggie getting in trouble, well, that would go a long way towards winning me over.

Once the door is closed behind Declan and Em, and it's just our pack again, we all breathe a collective sigh of relief.

"That was intense." McQuinn relaxes his hold on his rabbit's foot. "This is all—Thank you."

"Thank us by buying me new boxers," Oz snorts. "That man is so intimidating. I think even my balls were sweating."

"Probably makes it easier to slide the bagels on," Nils offers with a pointed glance at Oz's crotch.

"I thought we'd agreed on dick donuts?" Meggie asks, the hint of a smile peeking through her concerned expression.

"Alright," Dante takes on his coach voice, "No penis pastries. We have a game to get to. Let's go hand the Greeks their asses."

"Wait," Nils says. "We need to lessen the chances she'll go into heat before we get the suppressants. So until then, no one touches her." He looks like it physically hurts him to say it. "For real this time. No cheating."

Hands in my pockets, I avoid his gaze and try not to think about the other morning. I could never regret waking my girl up with my tongue between her legs, but I would feel horrible if it made things worse for her.

"He's right," Harrison says.

"She won't immediately go into heat, right?" I ask. "I mean, if we get the suppressants by tonight, it shouldn't really be a problem."

Nils shakes his head. "There's no way of knowing. We're better off being safe."

Meggie wraps her arms around herself, blinks, and gives a slow nod.

"I'm sorry, gorgeous, but we all know how our touch affects you." Nils tries for a playful smile, but it looks strained.

A purr rumbles through my chest. It's the only comfort I can give her.

Five other purrs match mine, each slightly different in note and tone, just like each of the men offering them.

Meggie wipes her eyes, but the tears are falling more quickly now. "Just one more hug?"

My pack mates and I look to Harrison for guidance. He doesn't say anything, but he steps forward and wraps Meggie in a tight embrace. She melts into him like warm butter. The rest of us crowd around them. One big group hug, holding each other tight, our purrs becoming one.

As we pull away, I give Meggie a brief kiss on the cheek. "We'll make it up to you. As soon as it's safe, we'll make it up to you."