Armand sat in a detention room, arms crossed, outwardly as calm and steady as a mountain. The fact that his shirt was covered in dried blood and his ribs still ached from the antenna tower falling on him was of no importance. Physical discomfort was nothing compared to his internal turmoil. He needed to get back home, explain his words to Lucy and repair the damage to their relationship. Would she understand he’d been trying to protect her and the baby? Hopefully, Melody was doing damage control in his absence so when he returned they could finally have their happy reunion.
If we return, his bear muttered. So far, they have not brought formal charges against us, but that does not mean they won’t.
True. His jaw clenched and he consciously forced it to relax.
There’d been no chance to speak with Ryne during the flight as they’d been surrounded by Enforcers and, within the walls of Lycan Link, he sensed a lack of privacy. However, if charges were indeed brought, he needed Ryne to send Lucy back to Chicago or some other safe location so their connection was minimized. He didn’t want Lycan Link deciding Lucy knew more than she should.
A sound from the room next door let him know Daniel was on the move again, circling the small space, looking for a means of escape. The young man had rattled the air vent grate several times but had been unsuccessful in removing it, which was a good thing. If Daniel made a break for it, Lycan Link would hunt him down, or so the counsel assigned to them—a man named Ricardo Machado—had said.
The wolf is young and reckless, his bear said.
He nodded in agreement.
There is the possibility that we will be set free. Then we can start a life with our mate and cub.
It’s a strong incentive to not do something stupid, he concurred.
If they try to lock us up…
Then we will react.
We are one bear against perhaps a hundred wolves.
He nodded. The facility was extensive, and he’d noticed Lycans everywhere.
Patience then. We will watch how this unfolds and wait for the right opportunity.
A glance at his watch showed it had been hours since they’d left Stump River. After arriving, Counsel Machado had met with them and taken their statements as to what had happened. Then they’d been questioned by someone from Lycan Link, and then…nothing.
He could hear Ryne pacing the hall outside the holding cell. The guards had tried to make him leave but had eventually backed down, Ryne’s description of what he’d do to them seeming to have worn down their commitment to the rules.
A ringing sound drew his attention. It was followed by Ryne’s voice sounding right outside the door. Cocking his head, Armand unashamedly listened in on the conversation.
“Kane, it’s been two hours since I called you. What took you so long to get back to me?”
“My phone’s been ringing off the hook. There are quite a few Alphas who’ve already heard about this debacle and are up in arms, but I did manage to find out a few things.”
“And?”
“First of all, the ‘old geezer’ as you called him, is Ricardo Machado, one of the best counsels at Lycan Link.”
“But he works for Lycan Link, so he’s biased.”
“No, he operates independently of them. He’s actually won some landmark cases that went against Lycan Link. You’re lucky to have him on your side.”
“Good to know.”
“And based on what you’ve told me, there’s no case against your friend Armand, or Daniel unless—”
“Unless what?”
“Unless they kept copies of the security codes for themselves.”
“What would be the point? All the codes were changed as a precautionary measure. Higgins said as much in the news release.”
“True. But it could still be deemed as being in possession of classified information and a sign of intent.”
“Well, I’m positive Armand wouldn’t have kept a copy. And Daniel…” Ryne’s voice trailed off.
Armand frowned. Daniel wouldn’t have kept the information, would he? Jenna had been in Daniel’s room and they’d heard her on his computer. Had she found evidence of those files and forwarded the information? While she claimed not to be involved, how trustworthy was she?
His bear growled softly, not pleased with how the woman had deceived them.
He shushed the animal as Ryne was speaking again.
“Even if Daniel did have copies of the files, those Enforcers were in my territory without permission and that woman broke into my house to do the search. I never saw a warrant so the evidence should be inadmissible, shouldn’t it?”
“That’s one of the points that has the Alphas up in arms.” Kane said. “The line between an Alpha’s territorial rights and the powers of Lycan Link have always been an area of contention. I’m sure Machado will use that to have the evidence dismissed if the case goes before High Council.”
“High Council? Those trials can take weeks!”
“Lycan Link will probably try to rush it through so Machado has less time to formulate a defence.”
“Can they do that?”
“Unfortunately, yes. Clauses have been added recently that give Lycan Link that power if they feel there is the need.” Kane sighed loudly. “It seems they’re trying to prove a point.”
“And Daniel and Armand are going to take the fall.”
Armand beetled his brow as the conversation drew to a close. He’d heard Ryne speak of his brother, Kane, and knew the man was a much respected and powerful Alpha with a sound understanding of Lycan law. And while it was good to know the counsel assigned to their case was skilled, the fact that he and Daniel might be scapegoats was worrisome. Perhaps Daniel’s search for an escape route wasn’t so foolish after all.
He took a deep breath, once again resuming an implacable countenance. A bear did not run from adversity. He would face his accusers before the Lycan High Council, tell the truth and trust in the rule of law.
And if it fails? His bear asked.
He stared straight ahead. No jaw clenching, no fisting of his hands, no outward sign of perturbation. “If it fails, we will follow our own rules and make them listen.”
His bear grumbled happily at the idea of bashing a few Enforcer heads together, especially those that had taken them into custody.
Lucy had finally recovered from the shocking events of the night. Well, not all of them, but at least from the revelations Mel and Jenna had told her. Mel had shown her books on cryptozoology and even a secret website for Lycans and then related her own experience with discovering this strange new world. It had been a humorous recount…except when it had reached the part where that lawyer, Aldrich, had bashed her in the head and almost killed her.
“I’m so glad you’re okay, Lucy.” Mel reached out and squeezed her hand. “I’ve felt guilty about what happened to you every single day since then.”
Lucy shook her head. “It wasn’t your fault. And if I hadn’t been there, there wouldn’t have been that clue for Ryne to follow. He might not have rescued you in time.”
“True.” Mel shuddered.
“Everything happens for a reason,” Jenna said. “Even bad things can lead to good.”
“But what good is going to come from Armand and Daniel being arrested?” Lucy asked.
“I’m not sure.” Jenna made a face. “I really am sorry this happened.”
“You were doing your job,” Mel said. “Just like I was doing my job when I came here to write a report on Ryne. It all seemed innocent enough.”
Jenna nodded. “I thought I was helping prove they weren’t involved. And no one was supposed to know I was here. It was between me and Captain Fielding.”
“Nothing travels faster than a secret,” Lucy said. “Someone overheard something or left a bit of paper lying about…” She paused mid-sentence. It made her think of Roxi who she’d yet to call as promised. There’d probably be a gazillion texts on her phone asking what was going on. “Um, you said I can’t tell anyone about this, right?”
“Correct. If you ever do, there are serious consequences.” Melody tapped one of the books she’d taken from Ryne’s shelves. “It’s all outlined in the Book of the Law. And, it’s probably one of the reasons Armand was so slow to make a move with you. He had to be sure your relationship was going to be permanent before telling you he was a shifter.”
“Being a shifter must be awkward then. Always hiding your real self from the rest of the world.”
“It has its challenges.” Mel agreed.
“And being a human in a relationship with a shifter is even more awkward or so my mother always said,” Jenna added. “She never did tell her parents what my step-father was, and they never understood why she seldom invited them over. It caused a rift. The same for the friends she’d had all her life; she purposely drifted apart from her old life in order to keep the secret safe. Being involved with a shifter isn’t easy but my mother said the rewards were worth the sacrifice.”
Lucy thought of Roxi who always noticed even the smallest of details and treated information as a commodity to be sold. It would be too dangerous for Armand and the others if Roxi were to come and visit. And what about when Caleb got older? What if he said something to Roxi that he shouldn’t? It seemed joining this new world was like heading down a one-way street, no U-turns allowed.
Some of what she was thinking must have shown on her face for Mel suddenly stood up, declaring it was late and they needed to get a few hours of sleep.
“We’ll talk more in the morning, Lucy, and I’ll let you know as soon as Ryne gives me any information about Armand. Try not to worry. It will all work out.”
“I hope so.”
Mel gave her a gentle push toward the stairs. “You head to bed. Jenna, I’ll show you to a guest room.”
“A guest room?” Jenna blinked. “I hadn’t—”
Mel planted her hands on her hips. “Listen girlfriend. You and I have come to an understanding of sorts, but Ryne will skin me alive if I let you off this property before he’s talked to you.”
“But—”
“You might have been working for Lycan Link, however the fact remains you broke in. He’ll want to know how and why and a ton of other details. And don’t think of trying to slip away because Ryne has already texted Bryan and there are extra patrols around the house until Ryne says otherwise.”
“Oh.”
The look on Jenna’s face almost had Lucy laughing and she left them to their discussion.
Her head was swirling with information and questions and worry. She doubted she’d sleep a wink.
Surprisingly she did. In fact, it was halfway through the morning when she awoke to a soft tapping on her door.
“Lucy, you have to get up.” Mel called out as she knocked on the door before opening it.
She blinked blearily and reached for her glasses then automatically glanced at the playpen Caleb had been sleeping in. It was empty!
“Don’t worry. Caleb is downstairs with Grace. I heard him starting to fuss and knew you needed to rest. He’s been fed and changed and is now being thoroughly spoiled.”
“Thanks.” She hitched herself up in bed. “It seems like ages since I’ve slept through the night.”
“Technically, it was only half a night, but I remember those days all too well.” Mel smiled and drew the curtains, letting the light in. It looked like a beautiful day. “Head down to the kitchen once you’re ready. I have some news from Ryne to tell you.”
That was incentive enough to have her flying out of bed. After a record fast shower, she dressed and hurried to the kitchen, anxious to know how things were unfolding.
Unfortunately, the news wasn’t as good as she’d hoped. Armand and Daniel were still being held and would be seen by High Council—which Mel said was like a court of law—the next day.
“It’s not much time for their counsel—that’s like a lawyer—to assemble a defence.” Mel nibbled on her fingernail.
“Maybe this Lycan Link realizes it’s a ridiculous case and wants it cleared away as fast as possible?” Lucy peeked around the corner to check on Caleb who was lying on a blanket watching Grace play with another little boy named Marco. Two women who had been introduced to her as Tessa and Olivia were sitting nearby keeping a watchful eye on the children.
“Perhaps.” Mel gave a tight smile that didn’t inspire much confidence.
“Well, if Armand is going to trial, I want to be there to support him. Last night, he might have said I wasn’t involved, but I am.”
“I don’t think that’s possible. You’re a human. You and Armand aren’t officially mated.” Jenna pointed out from where she stood at the sink, doing dishes. It seemed Melody had her on kitchen duty.
“You’re a human. Have you been to Lycan Link?” Lucy asked.
“Yes, but—”
“So, it is possible.” She folded her arms and nodded.
“Well…” Mel frowned. “There’s a slight chance. After all, Ryne and I weren’t officially mated—that’s like a marriage ceremony—until after Grace was born but my name was still down as Alpha female.”
“Armand and I have a child together. That should be proof enough, shouldn’t it?”
Jenna turned from the sink. “I could probably get Captain Fielding to send a chopper to get us.”
Mel groaned. “Not another helicopter in my yard!”
It didn’t take long for them to get organized and by that evening they were watching a chopper land in the front yard for a second time in as many days. Jenna climbed in first—allowing her to accompany them had been the only way she’d agree to call Fielding—and then Tessa followed, reaching out to take Caleb from Lucy’s arms as she prepared to board. The young girl had volunteered to go along to watch Caleb, a fact that had Mel smiling and whispering in Lucy’s ear. “She has the hots for Daniel but she’s too shy to act on it.”
As the others settled in their seats, Mel gave a few final instructions to Bryan who would be in charge while she was gone.
“Ryne is going to be pissed when he sees you,” Bryan warned. “He called and specifically told me you were to stay put.”
“Well, when he’s not here I’m in charge and I say circumstances require our presence at the trial and,” she gave Bryan a warning look, “don’t you dare tell him we’re coming.”
“You realize I’m going to be in deep shit when he gets back home?”
“You’re a tough guy, you’ll survive.” She patted his arm and joined the others.