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BY FIVE, SILAS HAD dropped three additional bodies and Faye hadn’t left the hospital to return home. Jayden hadn’t been able to access her records, leaving them in the dark regarding the types of tests she’d undergone. Had they discovered an anomaly? Was she going through withdrawal symptoms being apart from Jarcee?

Silas didn’t know how to help without more information. With each passing hour, Jarcee had grown more and more concerned. Concern morphed into distress. Distress boiled into anger that erupted. His beast demanded they search for their mate. Jarcee had jumped into his vehicle and was leaving when Silas received word from Security.

Silas pulled Jarcee’s wolf and put him asleep. Security and pack members removed the sleeping giant from his truck, placed him in bed and secured the house. If the military watched the house, Silas wanted to be sure they understood Jarcee wasn’t alone, pack was always nearby to help.

At six that evening, Storm and Razor drove across the Ohio state line and took a private flight to a small airport in Maryland. Alpha Jayden provided transportation to drive them within five miles of the training facility.  Silas was somewhat apprehensive.

Neither Storm nor Razor had done anything like this before. It was a big job with 24 targets in a single room with single beds, trunks, a few desks, and chairs. When fighting for your life everything in the room becomes a weapon, and full-bloods were not as easy to kill as humans. Rather than use their sharp claws, Silas gave them swords to take the heads of the enemy. Earlier today, Angus worked with Storm and Razor in the gym for two hours on wielding a sword accurately. The two were fast learners and worked well together passing every test Angus put them through.

At this point, Silas had to believe the two could handle the assignment without dragging the Wolf Nation into the equation. Silas, along with Hawke, and Angus sat in the conference room monitoring the mission.

Jasmine and Asia walked in and took seats. “Did you order the death of foreigners traveling on pack land without permission?” Jasmine asked in a conversational tone.

“Yes, and rogues and rebels.” They hadn’t discussed it first, but he stood by his actions.

“This is because of what happened this morning? The rogues identifying pack members?” When she learned what they’d done she’d been furious.

“And for crossing pack land without seeking permission. Every mercenary who accepted the job to come here should’ve thought twice. Should’ve feared my wrath and retribution and said no, instead of taking the job and money. They didn’t and that’s something I need to address to stop it from happening again.”

“Your anger is against full-bloods who’re serving the military?”

“Yes. But they are traitors as well. It is against our laws to allow humans to use us against each other.”

“As long as they didn’t hurt pack you would’ve allowed it?”

“By training with the military to fight against me, it is the same as challenging my leadership as Alpha, so I cannot allow it. But their destruction wouldn’t be as brutal and public.” He shrugged. “Maybe it would be the same. I don’t know.”

“We’ve gotten reports of at least 25 incidences so far.”

Silas nodded. “There are three times that amount across the Nation. We were slack, it won’t happen again.”

“The reports have been full of confusion and borderline excitement, one moment the person is there, the next they’re gone,” she said. “It’s certainly less messy that way. Plus, there is the extra benefit of the pack being excited by this.” She looked at him. “They’re excited and love that you’re ridding the land of intruders. I didn’t realize the rogues bothered them so much until the gleeful reporting started. You’re officially a Bad Ass Alpha who won’t take shit from no one.” She smiled. “Not my words, something I read in a report.”

Pleased by her banter and support, he kissed the back of her hand and brought her current on Faye and Jarcee’s situation.

“I hope things work out for them, she’s good for him,” Jasmine said.

“Sir we’re at the edge of the grounds and gone human deep,” Storm said. To remain undetected by the full-bloods, the two hid their wolves, a unique ability most full-bloods lacked.

Silas linked with Razor and Storm and signaled to Angus and Hawke to link in as well.

Jasmine touched Silas’ arm as she linked with him to listen.

Storm ran and jumped over the fence onto the roof of a two-storied building. Razor joined him. They crawled across two roof-tops until they reached the main training facility.

“Everyone’s still inside training,” Storm said to Silas. “Do we wait in their barracks or take them now?”

Silas thought it over and asked Hawke. “What kind of security’s in the barracks?”

“The same as in the halls and tunnels. Nothing in the bathrooms, although I’d check to be sure.”

“Go wait in the barracks,” Silas told them and watched as they roof jumped beneath the stars to the barracks.

“One heartbeat inside, I smell drugs, he’s out of it,” Storm said.

“Go inside, shut down the lights. Razor show me the heartbeat, Storm get that system online.”

“On it.”

Seconds later the lights dimmed, Storm connected the equipment that would allow Hawke to control the building, the security, and cameras.

“Got it, I’m unlocking the bathroom window,” Hawke said a few moments later.

A full-blood lie on his stomach in a long twin bed in the middle of the room. When the lights dimmed, he didn’t move and his breathing didn’t change. The heartbeat hadn’t moved. Razor stood near the main door to provide cover for Storm and stared at the lone full-blood.

Silas captured the full-blood’s beast and moments later, terminated him.

“You’re good to go,” Hawke told them.

Storm and Razor took boots from lockers and left the barrack through the bathroom window. They lay on top of the roof to wait.

Silas squeezed Jasmine’s hand. So far things were going according to plan. Hawke set up a separate loop for the security camera and relocked the bathroom window as he reset the security system.

Jasmine smiled at him, easing his beast. The stakes were high. Normally the odds wouldn’t be in their favor but he believed these two could pull it off. They waited for over 30 minutes before the mercenaries appeared. Would they sense Razor or Storm? Most couldn’t.

“Did you hear what happened? Each time they took someone in to identify wolves, they dropped dead.” The mercenaries were talking as they returned to the barracks.

“I’ve not heard.”

“Except the one time, when no one was in the room, it was a stupid test but proved the two are connected.”

“Is that why we worked harder today?”

“I think so. They believe La Patron is behind the deaths but cannot prove it. They think he’s a big, bad wolf.” The men laughed as they entered the barracks, stripped and stepped into the shower.

“We’re missing two,” Angus said.

“Wait for them,” Silas said listening to the chatter.

“They’re traitors to our people, they should die,” one of the mercenaries said.

“You’ll be fighting against them soon.”

“That’s honorable, it’s what I do. But to violate the laws and show the humans who we are...” He spat.

“Two more just entered,” Angus said. “We have a full accounting.”

“Let them get settled in for the night,” Silas said listening and hoping to learn more.

“As long as the money is wired to my account I have no cares about them. It is a job, nothing more or less. Put away your morals and focus on winning the next battle. La Patron is no fool and despite what the human thinks, they will not win against him.”

“If you think that, why are you here?”

“The money’s good.”

They agreed and continued talking.

“I wonder if any have been sent by Taurus to earn money for the pack while improving their skills,” Silas said to Jasmine.

She shrugged.

“They’re all in the main area,” Hawke said.

“Go in,” Silas told Razor and Storm.

Silas and the team watched through Hawke’s monitor with amazement. Two balls of energy, working opposite sides of the room, blades blazing, and blood sprayed in multiple directions as the two swept through the room, taking out everyone so fast they had no time to defend themselves. In less than two minutes, all 24 full-bloods had been beheaded. Storm checked the bodies on one side of the room and then disconnected their equipment, while Razor checked to be sure there were no heartbeats.

Heads littered the floor which was becoming a red, river of blood. Bodies were slumped over beds, against walls, by the door. Storm and Razor walked to the edge of the room, took off the shoes they’d removed from someone’s locker and tossed them on top of the bodies before leaving through the bathroom window.

Silas looked at Hawke and then Angus in awe. “Guess they didn’t need your help after all,” Angus said.

“We’re on our way back to the pickup point,” Storm said calmly as if he hadn't just taken out an entire platoon.

“Transportation is standing by to drive you to the pickup point in Virginia,” Hawke said. “Good job, guys.”

“Thanks,” Razor said.

“Yeah, thanks,” Storm said.

“Alpha Lyle has your flight ready. Good job, see you when you arrive home,” Silas said.

“Thank you, Sir,” Storm said, followed by Razor.

###

BEFORE SUNRISE SILAS received an urgent message from General Miller. “Admiral Blue sent word that the entire company of mercenaries was killed, beheaded last night. Security tapes revealed U. S. Marines entered the barracks and disabled the cameras. Somehow, they knew these men were dual-natureds and carried blades. Perhaps the Goddess avenged her people against these lawbreakers.”

Silas didn’t say anything at first. “Perhaps. All were destroyed?”

“Yes, Sir. The remaining wolves housed across the base ran off last night. Admiral Bents and General Straits are livid. They accused Admiral Blue and General Williams of foul play until the General reminded them how they’d excluded him and the Admiral from their plans.”

“I see,” Silas said. “Thank you for the update.”

“Admiral Blue and General Williams would like to talk with you and asked if I could set it up.”

“When do they want to talk?”

“As soon as possible, whenever you have time?”

“I suppose they’re available now?” Silas said dryly, considering Miller was contacting him. Last night Angus and Hawke discussed the data Angus had taken from Victor Humphrey. Admiral Bents name came up often. It would be interesting to hear what these men had to say. Admiral Bents had better hope Silas liked their message.

“Yes, Sir they are but they wanted me to stress they’d wait until you had time.”

“Okay, when we’re done patch them through.” He left his bed, pulled on a pair of sweats and tee shirt, slid his feet into a pair of slippers Jasmine bought him.  “How many wolves dropped dead yesterday?” Silas had lost count. He left his suite and headed to his office to use the secure line.

“I believe it was 17 or 18. I’ll check to be sure. Made a lot of people uneasy, I’m surprised they kept trying. Had to be a record in Maryland.”

A record number of bodies they’ll use for research, he thought. “They didn’t value the lives of those wolves,” Silas said.

“No, they didn’t.” Miller paused. “I’ve heard things have changed on pack lands. It’s not a good time to be a foreigner or rogue traveling through the country.”

“No, it’s not,” Silas agreed. “There’s a way to enter someone’s home and property. If you can’t do that, you’ll be removed.”

“Yes, Sir. I agree completely. It’s disrespectful. Is there anything you need from me before I patch you through?”

Faye hadn’t been released yet. Jayden had finally received her testing records and results. Matt would review them when he came in this morning. Still, it bothered Silas that they kept her overnight. He didn’t want to keep Jarcee asleep longer than necessary but short of putting him in a cell and locking him away, he had no choice.

Silas would use Jayden’s people to monitor Faye’s situation, he didn’t want the General distracted from Bents and Strait. The plan in motion for them required precise timing with all the parts in place.

“Have you found any information on Taurus?”

“Not yet, Sir. I may have better luck asking some of my Canadian colleagues if that’s okay.”

Silas thought about it and agreed as he took a seat at his desk. “I’m ready, send the call.”

A moment later the phone beeped, Silas answered. “Good morning, Gentlemen. It’s early to receive a call from you, I’m assuming there’s something important you want to discuss.”

“Good morning, La Patron. Sorry about the hour, but it’s been crazy around here with bodies dropping from heart attacks in government offices all around. Then the massacre last night or this morning. It’s been a nightmare keeping the press out,” Admiral Blue said.

Silas wondered if they expected him to feel bad for them. He didn’t. Two of the mercenaries were American rogues, the rest foreigners. A couple of them were wanted by foreign governments. For their bodies to be found on a military installation training facility might raise eyebrows, but meant nothing to him. He waited for them to get to the point.

“Did you have anything to do with it?” General Williams asked.

He would be as honest with them as they had been with him. “No.”

“I didn’t think so, but Bents demanded we at least put the question to you.” Williams sounded relieved.

“There’s going to be an investigation,” Admiral Blue said. “You may be called in.”

“Really? Are they demanding I pay $100 thousand a day until I agree to come in?” Silas wondered if they expected him to appear.

“No,” Admiral Blue said. “That was nonsense talking.”

“Can I be honest with you?” General Williams asked.

“I prefer honesty,” Silas said hoping they’d get to the point.

“It’s getting harder to keep the peace with this Administration. They want a witch hunt, there’s talk of a numbering system, a purging of government, making it illegal for pack to work in certain places. There’s been talk of the public’s right to know and revealing the Nation.” General Williams sounded disgusted and afraid. “No matter what they say, transparency is not the bottom line. It’s money. Somehow by exposing the Nation, the end result will be to change your status from citizens to aliens with no rights.”

Silas shouldn’t be surprised or saddened by these events, but he was. Jasmine would take him to task for being hopeful that both races could co-exist peacefully, but in the corner of his heart, he nurtured that dream.

Of course, they had no idea what he had at his disposal or they’d never threaten to take anything from them. Before he would allow anyone to steal the pack’s birthright, he’d remove key people and put his own in place.

But they weren’t there yet.

“General Williams, on behalf of the Nation I want to thank you for your friendship. Let me be just as honest with you. If taking our citizenship, land, and finances is the final decision this Administration comes to, then so be it. We will all deal with the consequences of such action at that time, there is no reason to fear something that hasn’t happened.”

“But—”

“Continue to speak your convictions, don’t change. But don’t stand in their way either. Let them do what they think is best. We’re ready.”

“I don’t know if I like the sound of that,” Admiral Blue said suspiciously.

“I didn’t like the sound of them coming to steal our land and take away jobs from my people but I’ll deal with it.”

“Is there a way to compromise?” Admiral Blue asked surprising Silas.

“Compromise? What do you mean?”

“This is all because of numbers. The President wants to know how large is the pack. If you give us the numbers we can slow things down,” General Williams said.

Silas snorted. “Slow things down? And then what?”

“Work with me here. We’re on a collision course if things don’t change,” Admiral Blue said.

“Admiral Blue, I believe you believe that. I have one request, let things happen and always tell the truth. Can you do that?”

“I give up,” Admiral Blue said. “You’re not taking this seriously.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Silas said in a hard voice. “I assure you, I’m very serious about this. You’re under the erroneous impression that I don’t know how to handle this type of situation. Need I remind you I have been in this country before it was formed as a nation?”

“No. You’re right of course. I just hate seeing us at odds like this. It’s wrong and not the way things should be. There’s room for everyone, we benefit each other. We’re all Americans, love the same country.”

“I agree. Who knows what the future holds. For now, continue on your path and answer truthfully when approached. That’s all I ask.”

“Of course, of course. Don’t know what you’ve got planned, though.” He paused and waited. “Thank you for your time, La Patron.”

“You’re welcome, Admiral, General.” Silas disconnected, left his office and returned to bed. He pulled Jasmine close.

“Everything okay?” she murmured, snuggling beneath him.

“Yes, they discovered the bodies and Hawke’s tape of the Marines entering the barracks.”

“Will it hold up?”

He shrugged. “Probably not, but they’ll spend a lot of time trying to figure it out, and starting over.”

“Next time they’ll have better security,” she said.

“Security wasn’t the issue this time,” Silas said thinking over the operation. Had Storm taken it easy when he fought Hawke? Or was it the combination with Razor that made them so deadly? He would never forget what he saw in the barracks and thanked the Goddess those two were on his side.

“True. They were quite impressive,” she said. “Renee’s not happy Storm’s working these kinds of assignments.”

“I know, she’s been looking at me, giving me the eye.”

“Storm’s happy. I can tell he’s beginning to find his way, his place. In time, Renee will be okay.”

“Just like Trista.” Silas shared what happened when they came to his office.

“They’re new at this,” Jasmine said. “Thirty days is good.”

“There’s more.” He told her about the call and the information he received.

“They’ve lost their damned minds,” Jasmine said.

“Yes. But we’ll help them find them.” He told her of the information they came across last night and the plan to turn the tables on Bents.