Chloe hadn’t seen the male since he’d given her the letters her mother had written to him years ago. Before Chloe had been born her father had been forced to turn away from her mother—his true mate—in order to maintain his arranged mating. As far as Declan knew, Chloe had yet to forgive him. Desiree Benson hadn’t made things easier, either. Once she’d learned about Gavin and Chloe she’d gone crazy. Gavin had banished her from his pack, which had brought them to this point in time.
Jackson opened the door and greeted Gavin. “Come in.”
The heaviness in the room increased, the pack uneasy. Chloe shifted in the loveseat, staring at the ground. When he thought Rachel might rise and go to her friend Declan applied weight to her shoulder, keeping her where she was. She peered up at him, a spark of anger in her eyes. He accepted the anger, knowing soon Rachel would understand. Chloe couldn’t appear weak in front of the pack. By rushing to support her friend, Rachel would imply Chloe couldn’t handle the situation.
Gavin walked in, a near mirror-image of his daughter—blond hair, green eyes, similar facial features. He stopped just inside the room, his gaze resting on his child. Declan felt sorry for the male. The love he felt for his daughter was apparent. He didn’t move closer, waiting for her welcome. They’d spoken on the phone but Jackson hadn’t told the pack how the conversations had gone.
“Rachel,” Chloe finally said, lifting her head, “I’d like you to meet my father.”
Rachel tensed, her muscles drawing tight beneath his hand. Just as Chloe knew Rachel better than him, Rachel knew far more about Chloe’s feelings toward her father than anyone else. Declan didn’t move, waiting to see if the fury he’d seen earlier in his mate resurfaced. Hopefully she wouldn’t cause a scene.
“Hello, Mr. Worthington.” Rachel, brisk and a tad cold to the man.
“Take a seat.” Jackson motioned to an empty chair. “We’ve got a lot to talk about.”
Gavin wanted to go to Chloe—that much was obvious—but he did as instructed. Sliding into the chair, he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “I appreciate the invitation. You know how much Chloe means to me.” He gave his daughter a small smile before he looked at Jackson. “What have you found?”
“The snitch is telling the truth,” Shane responded before Jackson could, shoving away from the wall. “I visited him tonight to make sure. No one could stand up under the strain I put him through. He’s not lying.”
“So he’s still alive?” Gavin asked. “You still have him?”
“We do,” Jackson answered, narrowing his eyes. “Why?”
Gavin’s gaze rested on Chloe. “I’d take him to the hunt. Bring the male before the packs prior to the full moon. See if he can identify the person responsible for my daughter’s attack.”
“A female is responsible,” Jackson growled and crossed to Chloe. He stood beside the loveseat and she shifted closer to him, sliding her hand around his leg.
“Desiree?” Gavin asked.
“She might be involved. There’s a chance.” Jackson drew his fingers through Chloe’s blonde curls. “Right now all fingers point to Simone.”
“Simone?” Gavin’s laugh was cynical at best. “That female is dumb as a brick. There’s no way she could pull something like this off without help.” His laughter abated, his voice lowering to a growl. “Desiree could though. With a little assistance.”
“Our source didn’t see Simone but he said he could point her out by scent,” Shane said. “The rogue behind the attack apparently got a bonus when he agreed to help. Seems the female was more than happy to seal the deal with her body. After it was over his friend decided to brag about his conquest. Our rogue got a good dose of her scent coming from his acquaintance. He thinks she tried to mask it with perfume.”
“We all know who does that.” Declan entered the conversation, his fury rising.
Most werewolves avoided cologne as it clogged the nose but not Simone. A few times in her youth—when she tried to dip between the sheets with various males—she’d attempted to hide what she’d done using the stuff.
“You can’t place the blame on someone with something as simple as perfume.” Gavin took a deep breath and appeared to be getting his emotions under control. He steeped his fingers together. “If you bring this before the packs Ward Wilson won’t take it kindly. He adores his daughter.”
“I want this shit over and done,” Jackson snarled, pulling back his lips. Rachel backed up, moving closer to Declan. “My mate will not live in constant fear. As one of the Alphas in this area I’m demanding action. The others need to rein in their wolves before someone gets seriously fucking hurt.”
“I’ll back you up, you know that.” Gavin sat back in the chair with a sigh. “But things in my pack have been unsteady since I denounced Desiree. With Ward offering her sanctuary some might think this is being done out of pettiness on my part. I could cause more harm than good.”
“So what do we do?” Chloe asked quietly. “Nothing?”
“No, we have to do something.” Gavin rose from the chair. “I suggest you bring the informant to the hunt but don’t tell the Alphas what’s going on. Arrive early and ask for a gathering. They know about the attack. They’ll have to listen.” His gaze drifted to his daughter. “I’ve spoken with my wolves. Most of them are willing to accept the mating between you and Jackson and unite our packs. Those who aren’t have been given my blessing to leave. I’m offering—right here and now—to step down as Alpha and let Jackson assume the position if that’s what it takes. I want you to be safe.”
Everyone shut up then. What Gavin had just offered was enormous.
In essence, he’d just handed his pack to Jackson.
Everyone with a wolf’s nose could scent Jackson’s reaction. He was shocked and panicked. Jackson didn’t want a large pack, not being keen on the dynamic. Shit happened in bigger numbers. He’d have to control more people than he felt comfortable with. Everyone had joined Jackson because of that. They preferred his pack’s smaller size as well.
Declan felt torn, knowing he also would have to step up to the plate.
Shane had agreed to be the second-in-command but only for so long. Rachel would have to accept a hell of a lot more than she already had. There was no way he could force Jackson to face the challenge alone. If he did the wolves were likely to rebel and the males would start fighting for pecking order. Things were shitty already. With five unmated males in his pack, Jackson had already been dealing with his fair share of testosterone.
“That’s a lot to consider.”
“I know it is,” Gavin replied. “But it’s one way to keep Chloe from harm.”
“I need to talk to speak to my mate before I make a decision,” Jackson eventually said. “I’ll also need to consult the pack.” The Alpha’s gaze went to Declan and Rachel. “Why don’t you and Shane meet me in the office? I’ll meet you there after I speak to Chloe.”
Declan reached down to pull Rachel from her seat.
Damn it. Motherfucker.
Things had gotten better only to become worse.
Everything was turning into shit.
Rachel couldn’t describe what she was experiencing. Somehow, in some strange way, she could feel Declan’s uneasiness. She tried to force aside her own worries, needing to support him.
After all he’d done, how could she do any less?
He stepped in beside her and she wrapped her arm around his waist—the first time she’d touched him in front of his pack. She felt his muscles shudder beneath her palm, his body warm and firm. For a moment her mind skipped through time, taking her back a few hours.