Chapter 5

Five

"The supernatural world is many things. It's dangerous, magical, interesting, and surprising. The one thing it is not is boring. No, seriously, there is never a dull moment with this crowd. Possessive mates? Check. Mom turned warlock queen? Yup. Little boys who turn into adorable wolves that bite? Absolutely. Naked men? Check, check, and double check. Okay, so there should be a lot more checks because, dang, that's a lot of skin." ~Jen

Fane took a seat on one of the couches in his office. Jacquelyn sat beside him and ran a hand down his back. He was tired. He was just in his early twenties, but the alpha felt three times his age.

Those who hadn't gone with Adam sat quietly on various seats, while others leaned against the wall. "We're waiting for some people to join us," Fane told them. "I sent Tyler back to his territory in Missouri. He needs to be ready in case the hybrids make it that far. Their bite is infectious and takes hold quickly. I've gotten some reports from Boian that he and Lorna have encountered hybrids in South Dakota where they're looking for more dormants." He looked over at Wadim. The historian also appeared exhausted. So did his mate, Zara. "You guys are keeping the dormants safe in a secure location. How are things going?"

Wadim sighed. Zara took his hand and pulled it into her lap. "They're confused," Wadim said. "Most are very cooperative. Andora or Cindy help to calm the ones who aren't. Sally's mom is good with people."

Jacquelyn nodded. "She's always been sweet and caring. She's a natural caregiver."

"I will greet them soon," Fane looked around at them. "I've just got?—"

"Everything on your shoulders." Lilly appeared in the room, brought in by the high fae, Disir. Along with them were Myanin and her mate, the warlock Gerick. "I'd like to tell you it's going to get easier, but I honestly don't know if that's true."

"I know this has been said before"—Myanin dropped herself in a chair—"but the pep talks in this crowd need some serious work."

"Where's Tenia?" Bethany asked.

Fane glanced at Costin to see how he'd respond to the question. Considering Tenia's mate was Skender, Fane still wondered if his third in command would lose his control regarding their wayward pack member. Costin shook his head subtly. It was so slight, Fane doubted anyone else noticed it.

"She and Skender have joined my warriors in guarding the warlock mountain. And I've been sending out hunting parties," Lilly explained. Fane hated that Jacquelyn's mom was having to do this all on her own, but her mate couldn't have asked for a better queen to continue his legacy.

The door to the office opened and several people came in. There was Andora, the Sprite Queen, Cyn and her mate, Thalion, who was the king of the elves, and Gwen, another high fae. Fane waited until everyone was situated before he spoke.

"I'll be honest." He ran a hand down his face. "I feel like I need a whiteboard with the missions and the names of those involved to keep up with where everyone is."

Chuckles and nods of agreement rippled through the group.

"I know we're covering North America," Kale spoke up, "because that's where the Vampire King's headquarters is located, but do we need to consider those supernaturals in other countries? I've been checking in with my alpha. Thus far, they've only come across the occasional vampire. But I wonder just how quickly this new hybrid strand will travel."

Fane nodded. "I've been in contact with the other packs, too. Other alphas, such as Ciro and Gustavo, have been as well. We have fae warriors at each pack, and Thalion has sent some of his elfin warriors as well. If things escalate over there, then I will go myself with a group and deal with it."

"You can't do it all, Wolf-Man," his mate said through their bond.

"I know, and I've been delegating. But some things require my presence. Not because I'm proud, but because of the power the Great Luna has given me." Her love and concern flowed through the bond. He never wanted Jacquelyn to worry about him, but that was just as impossible as it would be for him not to worry about her. She made even the hardest days better.

"Are we all here?" Costin had Sally tucked in close to his side, and she looked about ready to fall asleep. Making a baby was hard work, as his mate had repeatedly told him when she'd been pregnant with Slate.

"Yes." Fane leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, steepling his fingers just below his chin. "Dillon and I have been discussing the involvement of the human government."

A wicked gleam sparkled in Myanin's eyes. "We taking them out?"

"We've warned you in the past, Lilly, not to leave her handler at home," Bethany said dryly.

"She's a loose cannon." Lilly shrugged. "It's better to keep her busy."

Gerick nodded. "She gets stabby when she has nothing to do."

"How in the world did you guard the djinn veil if you can't sit still?" Heather asked.

Fane had learned to let some off-topic conversations take a moment because they often broke up the stress and tension that happened in these meetings.

Myanin shrugged. "I used to be boring."

"And sane," Lilly added.

Myanin winked. "Funny, Warlock Queen."

"I don't know that she was ever actually sane." Heather snickered.

"Watch it, blind chick." Myanin pointed at the healer, as if Heather could see her. "Your disability will not save you from my insaneness."

"That's not a word," Zara muttered.

"What if I give you cotton candy?" Heather offered.

"You will be absolved of all offenses immediately," Myanin said without a pause.

"Let's at least try to pretend to focus." Jacquelyn snapped her fingers at the wayward group.

"What's the plan, Alpha?" Costin raised his eyebrows. His body looked as if it was wound so tight the slightest touch would make him snap. Sally leaned into his side and rested her head on his shoulder.

"My mate, Costin, Myanin, Gerick, Wadim, Kale, Drake, and Disir will accompany me to the Colorado mansion. Cyn, Thalion, Gwen, and Lilly, I would like you to go to Coldspring, Texas. The alpha there has contacted me. There's been an increased amount of vampire activity. Jen's family lives there, as does my former host family, when I was a foreign exchange student. I don't know if they're being targeted. Jeff has them under watch to keep them safe."

"Are they killing the vampires on sight?" Cyn's tone was flat, as usual.

Fane dipped his head. "Yes."

"Thank you," his mate said gently, a mere caress in his mind. When Fane had told Jacquelyn and Sally the news, they'd both handled it well. But they'd agreed not to tell Jennifer. She was too unpredictable, and they didn't have time to go chasing after her if she did something rash.

"It's a privilege to take care of you and those that you love. No thanks needed."

Then he looked to his left. "Andora, how are things going with Thad and his power?"

The Sprite Queen sighed. "My power, even along with the power of our healers and seers, has not helped in the least. He's gone to see the Knowing One."

Disir sucked in a sharp breath. "Anuva," he whispered.

Gwen's eyes widened, though she said nothing.

"Damn, he is desperate." Myanin flipped a knife from tip to hilt repeatedly.

"Or extremely brave," Wadim offered.

"Okay, not cool." Heather held up a hand. "You guys can't just mutter these cryptic little remarks about something that sounds as cool as ‘The Knowing One' and not explain. And don't be stingy with your knowledge. Go."

"Bossy little blind healer, isn't she?" Myanin grinned, and Fane didn't miss the mischief in it. "I like it."

"The Knowing One," Disir quickly went on, no doubt to keep Myanin and Heather from continuing their banter, "is the djinn who is the Keeper of Lost History."

"If it's lost, how can he keep it?"

Jacquelyn nodded. "Good question, Zara."

Disir cleared his throat. "It is sort of an oxymoron. But what I mean is that it's lost to everyone else, even our history keepers like Thad. And his knowledge is sacred. There's a reason that knowledge has been lost. Nothing is by chance."

Bethany's brow raised in challenge. "It sounds like you're saying the supernatural world has absolutely no rules that are set in stone because they shift with any little disturbance, correct?"

Jacquelyn pointed at the healer. "Exactly. Rules have been changing since I met Fane."

"Like reading a book and suddenly the author throws some ‘new' rule out there because they've written themselves into a corner," Heather added.

Fane, and everyone else in the room, looked at the blind healer. The room was suddenly silent.

Heather threw her hands up in the air. Her hearing was probably just as good as that of the wolves, and she noticed the stillness immediately. "I listen to audiobooks, you dumb-butts." Then she held up a hand and quickly added. "No offense, Alpha."

"None taken," Fane assured her.

"As riveting as Heather's reading habits are, could we please get on to the part where we join Dillon and his pack and start killing things? I'll settle for anything at this point. Annoying dogs, obnoxious neighbors, bunnies." Myanin now had two knives out, tossing them end over end so skillfully they looked like an extension of her hands.

Sally shook her head. "Not bunnies. I draw the line at bunnies."

"Good to know you have boundaries," Jacquelyn smiled at her friend. "But I think we need to reevaluate them."

Fane looked at the high fae. "Disir, what will this ‘Knowing One' be able to do for Thad?"

"He's powerful, and if it is the will of the Great Luna, then there's a possibility he could heal Thad's mind. But there's a risk that he could also do more damage."

"Anuva is very controlled," Myanin said. "He won't make things worse. But he's never gotten involved in, well, anything. He just stays in his little world, keeping track of all the forgotten things, lost things, whatever you want to call them."

"How long will it take?"

Myanin shrugged at Fane. "Old supernaturals don't see time the same way as younger ones. A year to us could feel like a couple of days to him and vice versa."

Fane rubbed his hands together as he stood. Jacquelyn moved with him. "Very well. We will just have to see what happens, but we can't wait. We need to join those who are already hunting hybrids and vampires."

"What about any supernaturals helping them?"

Fane's jaw clenched as he considered Kale's question. Fane didn't enjoy killing. He didn't think it was the answer to everything, but he also knew that evil couldn't be allowed to roam free. "Use your discretion. If you think they need to be questioned, then capture them. If you think they're a lost cause, kill them." He looked at Gwen and Disir. "We're ready when you are. And thank you for your service to our pack."

"We owe you more than this." Disir walked over to the group that he would be transporting. "We should have listened to Perizada."

"Cry over regrets later," Myanin said as Gerick pulled her over to place a hand on Disir. "We got vamps to kill, the world to save, and cotton candy to eat. Not necessarily in that order."

"Gerick, make her behave." Sally huffed as she hugged Costin.

"Okay. You try it once you're no longer with child and see if you can dodge her blades," the warlock grumbled.

Myanin grinned at her mate. "You like me wild."

"I admit nothing."

"Everyone knows their tasks." Fane wrapped an arm around Jacquelyn's waist. "Let's get it done."

D illon paced back and forth in the pack living room, waiting for Fane's team to show up. His own wolves were already hunting, and he'd been with them until he felt Dalton's rage through the alpha bond. The only way Dillon would have felt something like that was if his beta was on the verge of losing control. Dillon immediately headed back to the mansion. Dalton had been through hell, but since finding his true mate and dealing with their issues, it seemed to Dillon that his beta had been unstable.

When Dalton had asked to stay back with Jewel during the raid on Cain's compound, Dillon hadn't questioned the decision. Tanya had spoken with Jewel, who said she felt like she was experiencing PTSD from being taken by Volcan and everything she'd endured. The sentiment was completely understandable.

Tanya walked into the room and held out a glass of whiskey. "Thanks, babe."

"I knew they'd been leaving the mansion." His mate leaned her hip against a chair. "Even as their alpha, I didn't think it was my place to ask what they were doing. For all I knew, Jewel was going to therapy."

"It's not your fault," Dillon said. "Is Jewel coming down?"

Tanya nodded. "It took some coercing, but she finally agreed."

Dalton's mate walked into the room. Speak of the devil. Dillon noticed she looked thinner and had dark circles under her eyes. But where the hell was his beta? He couldn't imagine Dalton leaving when his mate was in such a state.

"Oh, Jewel." Tanya hurried over and wrapped an arm around Jewel's shoulder, perhaps worried she might collapse at any moment, which didn't seem out of the realm of possibility with the way she looked. "No offense, sweet girl, but what the hell?"

The healer showed no emotion, not even the hint of a smile. Her once-sparkling eyes were dull and lifeless. Dillon waited for her to spout some random bit of obscure trivia, as she often did, but the girl remained quiet.

"Jewel." Dillon used his alpha tone. He could see now was no time to mess around trying to be gentle. "Where is Dalton?"

Her eyes immediately looked up at him. His dominance demanded it. In her weakened state, she couldn't have resisted if she wanted to.

"He left me." Jewel's lips trembling slightly, the first sign of emotion she'd shown since she'd entered the room.

"What do you mean ‘he left you'? Left to do what? Did he go hunting? Did he go to retrieve something for you?"

Jewel shrugged at Tanya. "To get away from me. Dalton is angry with me. He packed a bag and left."

Dillon had his phone in his hand without even thinking about it. He dialed his beta's number. "What exactly did he say?" Dillon asked her while the phone was ringing.

Her eyes grew unfocused, perhaps recalling the conversation between her and Dalton. "He said, ‘I'm going to contact Dillon and see how I can help with the mess Cain has caused. I don't know when I'll be back.'"

The alpha shook his head. "He never contacted me. And he's not answering his phone now." Dillon tapped the screen to end the call and glared at it like that would somehow make his beta magically do what he wanted.

"That doesn't make sense, Jewel. Dalton wouldn't leave because he was angry with you, and he would certainly tell you where he was going and when he would return." Dillon's face scrunched in confusion. Why was his beta acting completely out of character for a mate, especially one with such a fragile female? Dillon slipped the phone into his pocket and folded his arms across his chest, standing over the forlorn healer. He realized he was probably intimidating her a bit, but he didn't care. She and Dalton were members of his pack, and he cared about them. Like every member of their pack, they were vital and loved. Something wasn't adding up, and Dillon was going to find out what was going on.

Jewel's shoulders hunched forward and shook. She was crying. No, not crying. She was sobbing. She lifted her hands and covered her face, rocking back and forth. Tanya pulled the female closer and stroked her hair.

"It hurts," Jewel said, her voice broken. "Why does it hurt? I feel like I'm being ripped apart from the inside."

"That's the bond," Dillon explained. "You've felt it being stretched and tattered like this before. Something is putting a significant strain on it. And for Dalton to leave you here like this'—" He motioned to her. "That's not something a true mate would choose lightly, if at all. What are you not telling us, Jewel Black?"

The female healer cried harder and shook her head.

"Tell me." Dillon pushed more alpha power into his voice. The result wasn't what he expected. Jewel didn't respond this time. She only went on sobbing, which was rapidly turning into a full-blown wail. Dillon's mouth dropped open. He couldn't force her to obey. What the actual hell was going on? The alpha looked at Tanya, who was looking back at him with wide eyes, clearly as shocked as he was. This was not like Jewel. This wasn't the sweet, intelligent, kind female they knew her to be.

"Jewel," Tanya said softly, "why don't we go back up to your room and you can take a hot bath? I'll bring you some food. Let's see if we can get you calmed down a bit. Okay?"

Jewel continued to cry as Tanya helped her up and walked her out of the living room. Twenty minutes later, his mate was back, running a hand through her hair and pacing back and forth.

"We need another healer," she finally said. "They can get in her head and drag out whatever it is she's not willing to tell us. And why is Dalton not answering his phone? That's not like him."

His mate was riled up with anger and frustration. Dillon knew she didn't like it when one of her females was hurting. She also didn't like it when one of them wasn't honest, and Jewel was certainly not being honest with them.

"Whatever is going on, Dalton is nearly feral over it." Dillon searched inside himself for the alpha bond that he shared with each of his wolves. He could feel rage, betrayal, and anguish coming down the cord that held them together.

"They're not in any danger, at least none that we see. She doesn't look harmed," Tanya pointed out. "What in the world would make him feral at this point?"

Dillon tapped his chin as the wheels in his mind spun. Why would a male become feral over his bonded female? "Another male." Dillon hissed, though he couldn't see how another male could factor into the equation. True mates didn't cheat, at least not willingly.

"You think she's been raped or attacked?" Tanya knew that a true mate would never cheat. "When? Dalton is always with her, and I mean always. I don't even know if she can go into the bathroom without him on her heels."

"Maybe there was more that happened with Alston that she hadn't told him, and he's just now finding out. Maybe she feels guilty for not telling him. And with Volcan dead, Dalton has no one to take his anger out on."

"But he wouldn't up and leave her," Tanya pointed out. "And then tell her he didn't know when he'd be back? No mated female would accept that answer. They'd demand their mate be specific about when they'd be home."

"Demanding females," Dillon teased.

"Damn straight." Tanya smiled, but it dropped quickly. They needed to figure out what was going on with their beta and his mate.

Suddenly, a group of supernatural beings appeared. Fane stepped away from Disir and held his hand out to Dillon. They clasped forearms, and Dillon pulled him in for a hug. Fane might be the alpha of all alphas, but he was also Dillon's son-in-law, and he cared for Fane deeply.

"You look troubled," Fane told him when he stepped back.

Jacque came up beside her mate, and Dillon immediately pulled her into a hug. "How's my grandson?"

"Trouble." Jacque grinned, then narrowed her eyes. "As my mate pointed out, you look like someone broke your favorite toy."

"Something is up with Dalton and Jewel."

"Where are they?" Jacque looked around the room.

"Jewel is upstairs, and Dalton is gone."

"Gone?" Jacque's eyes widened. "Gone where? Fane hasn't given him an assignment."

"Neither have I," Dillon said. "Tanya and I knew Jewel was dealing with some stuff, and Dalton wanted to be here with her."

"So why isn't he?" Fane's sharp, blue eyes glowed slightly.

"That's the question of the hour." Tanya walked up to them. "Dillon called Dalton, but he's not answering his phone."

Jacque looked at Fane and tapped her head. "Can you get in contact with him with your super alpha mojo?"

"I've tried that with my bond to him," Dillon told them. "I can't get in, but I can feel his emotions. It's not good."

"I can try it." Fane looked at Dillon. The Colorado Alpha nodded his agreement. Fane had a power that none of them had.

Dillon considered the fact that Fane entering Dalton's mind without his permission was very invasive. But then his beta had left a broken and crying mate with no explanation to him or Tanya. That was unacceptable.

The room was quiet as a few minutes passed while Fane attempted to use the bond he had with every wolf under his care. Dillon felt as if he wouldn't be able to breathe until they got some news on his beta. Dalton was more than just his second-in-command. He was a friend, a brother in arms. If he hurt, then Dillon hurt.

Finally, Fane opened his eyes. "I got in for a split second. All I saw was darkness. Complete, and utter darkness."

"How can that be?" Jacque asked. "He's mated, Blood Rites completed, and she's a healer. How in the hell could there be any darkness in Dalton Black?"

There was a gasp, and Dillon turned to see Heather. Her beautiful, unseeing eyes were glassy with tears. "I can feel Jewel," she whispered. "It's wrong. It's not Jewel."

"What do you mean?" Jacque narrowed her eyes. "Is someone impersonating her?"

Heather shook her head. "No. I mean, it is Jewel, but what I feel going on inside her is twisted. Things that might have at one time been hope have now turned into obsession."

"Obsession over what?"

"She's blocking me, Dillon. Damn, she's strong." Heather shook her head and leaned back into her mate as if just those few minutes in Jewel's mind had exhausted her.

"Whatever it is, it's evil." Heather's words filled the room like an oppressive weight.

Fane's hand gripped the back of his neck, and the strain on his face made Dillon want to take some of the responsibility off the young alpha.

"I don't know how much thinner we can be spread." He looked Dillon right in the eyes. Knowing Fane could tamp down his power, Dillon didn't feel the need to lower his eyes.

"Where did you say Peri, Lucian, and Nissa were?"

"She didn't give details, Costin, but I believe they're still seeking their missing memories."

"That can be put on hold," Jacque said sharply as she pulled her phone from her pocket and started tapping away on it. "Peri will agree when she hears one of her healers is in trouble."

"I think we should keep on with our plan," Dillon told Fane. "Peri has dealt with Dalton before. She's more than capable." That was an understatement.

Fane nodded. "Then we go."

"I'll stay here to keep an eye on Jewel," Tanya told her mate.

Dillon gave her a quick kiss and then held her tight for a few seconds. Leaving her never got easier.

Then they all pressed in close in order to touch Disir.

"Where are we headed?" Wadim asked.

"Twelve hours north of Area 51," Fane answered. "I've had reports from several fae warriors of hybrids in the area. They'd been able to deal with the couple that had shown up, but now they have a neighborhood that is being overrun. After that, we head to Area 51."

Finn, the wolf new to Fane's pack, growled.

"Thanks for the heads up," Lizzy said dryly.

"Cain needs to be dealt with," Fane explained. "Peri said killing him won't hurt you or Alice. We cut off the leader's head, then not only is his research stopped, but his minions have no one to follow."

"I can't believe you didn't let Jen come along. She's going to be pissed when someone else comes home with Cain's head."

Fane shook his head. "I was speaking figuratively, Zara."

"That's boring," Myanin quipped. "I'll be sure to bag it up. No sense in changing tradition now."

Just before the fae flashed, Lizzy laughed. "I thought I met crazy people when I was homeless. You all make them look sane."