10. Jude

"We were just talking about you." I smile into the phone as Luke answers the ring. I lean my back against the wall in the dimly lit living room. There's enough light from the large windows that I don't bother switching on a ceiling light. I haven't sat down either. I turn and lean against the window frame reminding myself it's just a phone call. It's been far too long since I've heard my brother's voice though. The timbre of his tone brings back memories from when we were only children.

"And why would you two be talking about me?" It makes me happy to know they haven't forgotten me. At times I miss my brothers, but it's best we chose different packs. I often remind myself of that.

There's a pause before he answers. "It's something we'd rather discuss in person." I tense, not liking a damn thing about that response. The conversation that needs to happen. I'm not waiting when his tone holds too much concern. I know I'll fixate on it; I'll think the worst and with everything happening, so many parts moving at once, I can't allow that to happen.

"Is Owen there?" I question.

"Yeah, we're both here."

"Put it on speaker. I want to get this out and over with." I pace the front of the room and watch as my mate shifts for the children. Lizzie's watching and I can see she's trying her damndest to shift. It's disheartening, but it will happen. The entire pack has faith.

"One second," he says and then there's a muffling on the phone.

With a resigned sigh, I step away from the window. I hear Luke pull the phone away from his ear and set it on a table or something that makes a clanging noise into the phone.

"Sweetness, go get us lunch." I smirk as Owen gives an order, although barely audible on my end, to presumably his mate. Their mate. "You could at least ask nicely." Her soft voice is followed by the sound of her kissing someone and then a "please" from one of my brothers. I'm not sure which gets the next kiss and then there's a chuckle and a loud smack. I assume a palm to her ass.

The seriousness of the conversation is dimmed by the interaction, and I find myself looking back out the window at my Lena.

"What's going on big bro?" Owen speaks first as I hear the phone shift slightly on their end.

"I take it you two are doing well with your mate."

"You've got to meet her Jude." I don't even try to repress my smile at his lovesick tone.

"Soon. Very soon in fact." I swallow and pinch the bridge of my nose. "Have either of you spoken to our father recently?"

"Fuck no." Luke's hard words are exactly what I expected to hear.

I hesitate to ask, but it must be done, "Have you heard any whispers of war?"

"Yes." Owen is quick to respond. My brow rises up my forehead and I still. I wasn't expecting them to have heard anything about it.

"Our father has apparently made his position in the war known. He's planning to side with the vampires." I shake my head, not liking that I've grouped all of the vampires together. "The ones going against the Authority." Silence on their end makes me weary. "Don't tell me you've sided against the Authority." My breath leaves me at their lack of an immediate answer.

"All right, Jude." I've always liked Luke's no-nonsense attitude. "Here's what we know. We've got a coven that wants protection. We promised them safety against the other vamps. We're on the side of the Authority. We don't know shit about our old pack." After a moment he adds, "That's fucked." I finally breathe and find myself tapping against the window frame. They're in the same position as my pack. Good.

"Thank fuck." I relax my shoulders and roll them to get rid of the tension. "You had me worried there."

"It's not all vamps. Emma's been doing research for the Authority."

I cut him off. "Owen, I know. I know. We're protecting a coven also. The faction is growing and sides have mostly been chosen."

"I can't believe our father is on the other side."

A snort from Luke interrupts Owen. "I can. I just feel sorry for our pack. Our old pack."

"I feel you on that. I'm not all right with his decision. I can't stand by and watch it happen." Tension coils in my muscles as I prepare to ask them for something I never thought I would. "Luke. Owen. We need to meet." And now for the part I've been dreading. "I think we should go to Gray Mountain." The silence on the other end of the phone tells me of their hesitancy.

"The last time we were there?—"

I cut Owen off. "That was years ago."

"It doesn't change the fact."

"You're right. Nothing will ever change the fact that our father was planning to kill us. I know that."

"I don't want to see him, Jude." Luke's voice is hard, but I know why. I know it's the pain from our father abandoning and hating us. I know he's hurt more than anything else.

"What if he sees this as a threat Jude? He could view us coming to him as the seer's vision coming true." Owen's always been logical. I hadn't really considered that.

"What if we don't go? Would you be able to rest well knowing he led them to war? A war against the Authority." My heart twists and sinks in my hollow chest. "A war against us."

"He wouldn't." Even before Owen finishes speaking, the conviction is gone from his voice.

"He would."

Luke speaks to Owen, "You know he would. He'd lead his pack to war against us."

"We need to convince him otherwise." My gaze finds my mate as I pace back to the window. "I want to avoid this war." I watch her chase the little ones around in the grass.

"After all, it's only our father that we have to convince. Only him who betrayed us. We know everyone else, and what the Betas did to protect us." They risked their lives to get us away from him. They protected us against their own Alpha. "We owe them. We can't let our father lead them to death."

"And what happens if he refuses?" Owen has a good point. I sigh heavily, not knowing the answer.

"All we can do is try." After a long moment of silence, they finally agree.

"We'll meet you at Gray Mountain."

"We'll be there at sunrise."

As I stare out the window, watching my pack, I swallow thickly and respond, "I'll tell my Alpha and we'll meet you there."

THE SIGHTOF US MUST BE INTIMIDATING, I almost regret bringing everyone. But hopefully, together, we'll be able to sway our father and prevent his alliance with the vampires. Without our mates, our presence would be seen as a challenge. Devin suggested and I reluctantly agreed, our mates will accompany us and aid us in the endeavor to sway him. Lena walks hesitantly behind me, our son tucked away peacefully with his head against her chest. Emma, my brothers' mate, who's on the shorter side, and Grace walk with her. Our mates are shielded by Devin on my left and my brothers on my right. Behind them are Vince, Veronica, and Lev. Veronica seems a bit off, less vocal and sharp than usual and Vince is tending to her much more than he has before. I nearly objected to them coming, but it's not my call to make.

I recognize the guard on duty, running his laps around the estate. Daniel. He's grown to be quite a large shifter since I've last seen him. He's a few years younger than me, but we occasionally played together, and he took his sparring lessons with my brothers. He's a good wolf. Genuinely caring and eager to help others. A sadness swells in my chest as memories of my childhood flash before my eyes. The estate looks the same as it did back then. Log cabins littered among ancient trees with a lake house in the center for all to commune. Even with the bite of the chill today, the sun shines down through the sparse trees and offers warmth. I was blessed with happiness and a righteous pack. But all that changed years ago.

Daniel stops when he sees us and squares his shoulders before he recognizes me. As our eyes meet, a smile brightens his face and he strides toward us with his arms out. He's roughly my height, wearing worn jeans just as my brothers and I are. A touch of nostalgia brings me back. I embrace him quickly and pat his back with a force that would have a weaker wolf stumbling. A rough laugh bellows from his chest as he takes in my brothers.

"Long time no see, Jude. Luke. Owen." He nods to each of us before seeing the rest of us. His smile dims. "Is everything all right?" The light in his eyes dulls as Devin introduces himself and the rest of the pack, and we tell him we're here to see our father to discuss the matters of the Authority. He nods solemnly until I introduce Lena, stepping aside and allowing her to come to my side. She does so naturally, and I wrap my arm around her waist, not too tight or possessive, just enough so that she knows she's safe.

"It's nice to meet you," she answers and takes a peek over her shoulder toward Grace, who steps up as Devin continues the introductions. Lena doesn't move as I half expect her to, in fact, she leans into me just slightly. "We'll be back tonight," I promise her.

She nods, closing her parted lips and staring straight ahead. There's something there, but before it can take hold, Daniel leads us to my father. The walk to the larger log cabin where the Alpha resides is nearly silent and bathed with anxious tension.

It's obvious Daniel has questions, but he's biting his tongue. Lena as well, who walks beside me, her hand in mine. I can only imagine what she's thinking.

As we near the stairs Daniel finally speaks, "You know, we weren't sure what came of you three." My brows raise in surprise.

Luke laughs. "You thought he got us, Daniel?" He playfully slaps Daniel on his back.

"I'm being serious." Daniel's saddened tone doesn't wane with Luke's playfulness. "We thought something happened when no one had seen any of you for days."

"No one told you what happened?" I question and although Daniel looks back at me, it's Lena's eyes on me that I feel.

"Told us what?" It's then that I realize the Betas mustn't have said anything about helping us escape. The seer's vision was common knowledge as was our father's reaction to the casting.

"Nothing." I shake my head. "We're sorry Daniel. If we'd known we were leaving I'd have spread word. Everything happened quickly." I breathe deeply, remembering the tension and anxiety I felt as a boy. My wolf stirs restlessly, not liking the memory.

At his movement, Lena looks up at me and I know her wolf must've sensed it too. I speak in my head, only calling her name, but she doesn't respond. With Devin's curious glance, I turn back to Daniel.

"Don't apologize. I'm just happy to see you three." He gives us a semblance of a smile. "Are you staying long?" The way he asks the question and the look in his eyes makes me think he's asking more. Asking if we've come back to reclaim the pack. I don't want him to think that. I don't want anyone to think we've come to challenge our father. His eyes dart to our mates and then back to me as he presses his lips into a hard line. I smile knowing he doesn't approve of us bringing the women if we've come to fight. He's a good man.

"We're only here to talk alliances." Devin answers for me.

"Ah. For the war," he says far too easily.

I nod and continue searching his face. He doesn't give any hint of his opinion on the matter.

"And what do you think of this war?" Devin questions. He's a bit overdressed in my opinion. Suit pants and a button down with no tie. His sleeves are rolled up at least. Daniel shifts his weight uncomfortably.

"It's not my place to say. I'm not the Alpha."

"I'm just curious to know your opinion is all." I forgot how my father ran his pack. He takes his dictatorship seriously. I confide in Daniel, "We came to convince him not to go against the Authority." His eyes brighten with hope and his shoulders lift with optimism before quickly dropping.

He swallows and looks to his left and right before answering. No one is around to see us. I imagine the pack is just rising given the early morning. It's far too early for anyone else to be spectating and that's exactly how I wanted this to happen. I didn't want it to be a show.

"I'm not sure he'll agree." He looks over his shoulder again and licks his lips with nervousness. "But it would make many of us happy if you were to convince him."

"How many?" I remember when I was younger we weren't to discuss pack matters. Not a word was to be said in question of the Alpha's decisions. My father was a true dictator. He was kind and righteous, or was until that fateful day, so no one sought to disagree with him. Ever. The fact that Daniel speaks for "many" means times have changed.

I glance behind him at the small cottages that are scattered on the property. The larger log cabin is in the center. It holds the Betas and the Alpha's family. Or it used to. The wood has been recently washed and the cottages are well kept. The large farm and market that we passed on the way was brimming with produce and the livestock was obviously well fed. The pack is thriving, which is good to see. But if there have been whispers from the pack that go against my father's decision, then the pack is not as strong as it should be.

"I'd rather not say, Jude." I nod my head and respect his decision to remain quiet.

"I understand." I pat him on the back in thanks and start to make my way to the large, carved wooden doors, but his hand grabs my arm, stopping me from leaving.

His eyes plead with me and his voice speaks of urgency. "We would be happy if you stayed." His eyes dart to my brothers before he quickly leaves us on the steps to my father's cabin.

"Do we have to go in?" My brothers' mate asks warily from behind me as she tugs on Owen's and Luke's arms. In a casual dress that flows to her knees and a cardigan, their mate would appear carefree, if not for the concern clearly written on her face.

According to my brothers, she knows more than most, but she's been just as quiet and reserved as Lena.

"If you want to stay here, you can." She shakes her head nearly violently at Luke's response.

"No, I don't want us to go in." She looks at the rest of us with fear in her eyes. She's right to be afraid, but my brothers won't let anything happen to her.

"We have to do this, Emma."

"I have a bad feeling, Luke." Her voice chokes and her words come out strangled as her eyes widen. Lena holds my hand tighter.

"It's all right." Owen kisses her forehead. "Nothing's going to happen to us."

Luke gives her waist a small squeeze before leaning down to kiss his mark. "It'll be fine. In and out, just stay beside us."

I half expect my adrenaline to surge, or for any anxiousness at all to wreak havoc on my conscious. But I feel nothing but calm determination. After sharing a look with Devin, I assure all of them, "We will do what we came to do and then leave."

Grace nods in agreement.

"That's my mate." He playfully nips her ear lobe and smiles. "We'll be home soon."

I turn and give my own mate a kiss. "Stay behind me, all right baby?" I kiss our son's little head poking out from fabric she's got wrapped around her and tied to hold him to her chest.

"Of course." She nods and runs soothing circles on the little boy's back. She appears more confident than Emma, but I can sense a hint of worry. I give her a reassuring smile and lead the way. I glance at Grace as I open the doors and she looks like she gives about the same number of fucks as Devin does. Which would be zero. Although there's a small uneasy feeling in my gut, I know we'll be fine. We aren't breaking any pack laws. There's no reason to worry. We'll speak with him, if he'll allow it, and leave.

As we enter the cabin, I'm flooded with memories. The dark wooden floors shine and appear pristine, but I know in the hall on the second floor, by my old room, there's a gouge in one of the planks from where I attempted to carve my name in the floor. I smile sadly as I lead us down the large hall to the meeting room. My heartbeat gets louder as blood rushes in my ears. I'm certain Daniel has made my father aware that we're here. It depresses me that I can no longer hear their thoughts. When we left and broke the bond to our father, we gave up the bond to the entire pack. A pain rips through my chest as I near the back room and find Leon and Marcellus standing by the doors. The Betas. I owe them my life. As do my brothers.

I push the bastard emotions growing in my chest down. As the restlessness creeps down my spine, Lena squeezes my hand.

Both Betas offer a tight smile and nod slightly, no doubt concerned for the meeting. I nod in turn and wait while they open the doors and allow us entry. They don't speak, although when they catch sight of our mates, a sense of ease appears and I'm grateful for it. I need a moment to keep my composure from breaking. I thought I'd long dealt with the sadness from leaving my pack and the pain of betrayal from my father. I harden my heart and walk with determination to the head of the long table in the center of the room. Devin's hand comes down hard on my shoulder and he squeezes slightly as he passes me to sit on my left. He places Grace next to him. Veronica sits next to her with ease. She possesses the power and fierceness that constantly surround her, but she's paler than usual. I can't help but to think something is off as Vince places a kiss on her cheek and sits next to her. With his hand up on the table, she places hers in his. My brothers sit next to my mate at my right, Emma between the two of them. With my pack at my left and my mate and brothers at my right, I stare down the long wooden table.

Marcellus and Leon walk to the far side of the room and stand on either side of my father as he enters. Wrinkles have deepened around his eyes and his hair, cropped to his ears and brushed back, has all but grayed. The room chills as his hard, dark eyes meet mine. My fists clench as he takes the seat opposite me. The feeling of betrayal is no longer bathed in sadness and remorse for what happened years ago. Anger flares deep inside of me as I stare back at him. I'm shocked at the unwanted emotion. My wolf snarls inside my chest and all my pack is aware.

"This stays calm," Devin assures the pack in our heads, and I covertly nod, turning toward Devin in a way that introduces the two as the Alphas. Looking away, I find Lena's gaze that is riddled with questions. Both of her hands are wrapped around our little one as she sways slightly.

"Are you sure you want to lead?" Devin questions me internally and I answer that I'm fine and that I do. "I'm his eldest son, I'm the reason we're all here. I will do what I know is right."

With a deep breath, I let go of the anger. When I look back at Leon, as he introduces my father to Devin and the pack, the memory flashes before my eyes of him carrying my brothers through the field to safety, off our territory and away from our father. Leon's hair has grayed since then and his skin had dulled with wrinkles around his eyes, just like my father. I look to Marcellus and remember his hushed words as he led me to the edge of the forest. I remember his kindness and how he gave me everything I'd need to survive on my own. I cling to the memories and the fact that they're here with us now.

I clear my throat and make a determined effort to keep this short and civil as I'd planned. "Father."

"Jude." His dark eyes travel to each of us. They stop at my brothers. "Owen and Luke."

They nod their heads, but neither of them speak. I can feel the hurt radiating from each of them. Their mate grips their hands in her own and rubs her thumbs to soothe them.

"I'm surprised you brought your mates." My father's words don't get the attention of either Emma or Lena. Emma sits upright between her mates and makes no indication that she's heard, but judging by how hard she squeezes my brother's hand under the table, she certainly has. Lena is busy bouncing her little wolf in the baby carrier and kissing the top of his head. Her eyes raise to my father, and she smiles slightly before returning to care for our son. It warms my heart.

Grace clears her throat to speak, but Devin gives her a hard look and narrows his eyes, warning her to be quiet. She stares back at him with a hint of defiance before settling her back against the chair and placing her clasped hands on the table in surrender. It makes me smirk. She's so feisty for a human. When her eyes leave Devin's, an asymmetric grin appears on his face, but it's gone before he turns his attention back to the rest of us.

I give my father a false smile. "We wanted to ensure you that we come only to speak of alliances." I place both my forearms on the table with my palms down. It's not a sign of submission, but it's a sign that I'm not threatening his authority.

My father scoffs at me. Leon and Marcellus stare straight ahead, not showing any emotion. It's what my father expects from his Betas. And they've been trained well.

"I see. So you would like a section of the territory as well?" My father's tone lightens as a wicked smirk forms on his lips.

My forehead pinches in confusion. "I'm not sure I know what you're referring to."

Anger flashes in his eyes. "Well what have they offered you if not territory?"

"We haven't received any offers."

"You won't be getting one from me." His fingers strum on the table as he glances at Luke and Owen and then back at me. "I'd prefer it if we kept our distance."

"We didn't come for an offer. As I said, we'd like to form an alliance."

"You'll have to forgive me Jude, but I'd rather not be fighting alongside any of you when the war starts. We'll fight separately as much as Victor allows."

I cock a brow and comment, "I'm not sure who Victor is or why he would be dictating your pack." That pisses my father off and I quickly continue, ignoring his anger. "But if you chose to go against the Authority than you're choosing to fight against us, not with us." A maddening rage overwhelms my father as he snarls and bangs his large, clenched fists on the table. The contact makes the table shake from his anger, but my forearms remain still. I've seen his temper before and I know not reacting is the best form of defense.

Devin tenses and Veronica's back straightens. Everyone watches, keeping as still as can be.

"If you're not aligned with Victor than you're my enemy!" His eyes spark with a boiling temper as he screams across the table, spit flying from his mouth. His instant rage takes Devin back. We have the numbers, and this is only a discussion. Something in which my father has clearly lacked practice.

"Who's Victor? I haven't heard of this vampire." I keep my voice calm and even. His temper can be placated. More than that, I want to gather as much information as I can from him and pissing him off isn't necessarily the best way to accomplish that.

"He's the leader of the rebellion against the Authority." He seethes and sneers as he speaks. "He's no vampire. He's a sorcerer who has seen the corruption of our politics, and he's going to give the supernaturals the territory they deserve." An ugly grimace forms on his face.

"Is that what this is about? Trading an army of shifters for more land?" It's difficult to rein in my temper, but I manage to keep the disgust from my voice. Just barely.

"It's not about the land." His large nostrils flare as he speaks. Marcellus's composure cracks as he slowly clenches his fists. My eyes fly to his, but he's focused on the back wall. Attempting to stay out of the conversation. "It's about the fact that the humans are given far too much! They should be working for the shifters and other supernaturals." His fists bang on the table once again. "It makes no sense that they are kept separate and given so much freedom. They're weak, and yet they have more than we do!" His head jerks violently to the left and his chest seems to spasm before he gains control again. He sits back in the chair breathing heavily.

"I don't find this pack to be lacking. It seems as though you have more than enough." The word "greed" lingers on my lips, but I bite my tongue.

"They're humans, weak and undeserving of equality." Shock and rage boil in my gut. I don't miss Grace's anger or how Devin's posture has changed. My father may have been a stern ruler, but I have no memory of him being so arrogant, greedy, and prejudiced. This isn't going as I thought it would. Pausing to gather temperance, I watch Leon clench his jaw to the point of nearly cracking something. He holds back his rage, and it gives me the courage to speak back against my father.

"My Alpha mate is human." Questioning his decision will most likely have us escorted out immediately, but at this point, I'm sure there will be no swaying his decision.

"That's a shame." His eyes land on Grace, who's barely containing herself. "Your Alpha must be weak." Devin only smirks in response to my father's word. Grace parts her lips although her protest is short lived.

He grips Grace's chin in his hand and kisses her to keep the words from flying out of her mouth. He doesn't seem to give a shit about my father's opinion and the fact that he easily turns his back to my father has shown him that Devin doesn't see him as a threat in the least. She's still fuming, but as he pulls back he taps his finger against her lips.

All the while my father watches and the room is filled with tense silence.

"End this now, Jude," Devin orders silently.

I prepare to make a final plea, at least one, before this gets too far out of hand and we're forced to leave.

"If you go against the Authority you will die." My voice breaks at the end and I curse the fucking emotions that erupt from me. How could I possibly feel anything but hate for this man?

"A small group of vampires almost took out the entire Authority." He sits back with an arrogant smile. "If not for the werewolves, the witches and sorcerers would have been slaughtered. What right do they have to lead us?" He laughs a cold, wicked sound. His eyes fade in and out and I question his sanity. It's as though his mind has been poisoned. "Without the shifters to aid them, the vampires won't be able to take on the Authority. I'll lead them and get rid of the undeserving Authority and Victor will reward all those who fight for the better of our species."

"The Authority has kept murder at an all-time low. Both for humans and supernaturals alike." Emma speaks hesitantly with a shaky voice. Her eyes remain on the table, and she grips her mates' hands tightly in her own. I'm surprised she spoke at all; she's so damn emotional. It's clear that she is aware of far more than I previously thought.

My father snorts, looking with disgust at the two human women in the room. My Alpha mate. My brothers' mate. How dare he behave in such a disrespectful way.

"What has become of you?" I question without thinking and his narrowed eyes meet mine.

"If only you hadn't run away, maybe you would know what this pack has been through."

"This pack's survival is why we're here," I barely murmur, emotions stirring as the memories come back again.

He seems to contemplate my statement before nearly whispering, "Sacrifices will be made."

My fists finally clench as my anger gets the better of me. My breathing feels strained and heavy. My voice raises as I growl, "You cannot lead this pack to their death!"

With my anger, he rises, his chair scraping against the floor and nearly falling as he does. "They will go where I lead them. You gave up the right to question me when you left!" He stands at the foot of the table, and I can see the question on his face. I could challenge him for the right to this pack. I could fight him to the death to protect the people I once loved. My eyes narrow and my nostrils flare. I watch Leon and Marcellus both look at me, pleading with me.

A chill runs through my blood as Devin's warning echoes in my head but I can barely hear it.

I can't sit back and do nothing. I won't let my father destroy this pack and so many people I once loved. I'm not a child anymore. I have to do what's right.

As I realize what must be done, I see my mate, my sweet, innocent mate, shake her head. I see her chest rising and falling as she struggles for her breath. I feel her fear, but I can't stop the words from leaving my lips. "I challenge you."

My mate's loud cry resonates in my ears as my father yells, "Seize him!"