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SILAS RECEIVED CAIN’S transmission and contacted Jacques. “There’s one full-blood alive. She’ll send him out for supplies, get me 10 choppers in the air searching for a lone wolf on the hunt. Do it now!”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Knights.” Silas summoned the group on the ground in Canada.

“Sir.”

Silas exhaled and forced a sense of calm to rest on him. He explained the battle Cain and David won, along with the consequences. “Half of you will be in the choppers, Jacques is securing them now and will contact you with assignments. Those on the ground continue searching your quadrants until you’re told to move to a different area. As soon as the lone wolf is spotted I want him secured and the location noted.”

“Yes, Sir,” each man responded.

For now, that was the most he could do. The Goddess hadn’t answered his request for an audience. Neither had Grandfather. Adam and Bella were in the air on the way to Canada, disregarding his request to wait. There was no way to keep Jasmine and Asia from going, which meant Jackie and Renee would follow. Silas rubbed his brow and accepted he wouldn’t win this battle, not with David at risk.

Once Jasmine realized she could fight the witch, she stopped listening to him. The pilots were en route. As soon as they arrived his mate would leave, with or without him. That had been made crystal clear.

“Angus.”

“Walking into your office now.”

Silas looked up at his litter-mate with a sense of relief. As his beta, Angus would handle things until he returned.

“We’ll be leaving as soon as the plane arrives,” Silas said. He brought Angus current, explained Jasmine’s and Asia’s role in helping Cain and David. “This Nadira, see what you can find out about her. She wants to be released in exchange for releasing David and Cain.”

Angus whistled. “I know that’s what Jasmine wants.” He looked at Silas with compassion.

“Yeah. That’s why I need to know something about her before we get there and negotiate. The last thing I want to do is set someone free to make life worse for the Pack or set off an international incident.” The South American debacle, when he freed his Knights, was never far from his mind.

“Understood.” Angus looked at him. “Are you taking a chameleon bracelet? I know Asia keeps one, but you don’t.”

Silas thought about it for a few seconds. “No. The women are running point on this, we’re just back-up. Asia’s should be enough.”

“Renee and Storm are going?” Angus asked.

Silas nodded. “And Jackie and Quinn.”

“Adam?”

“In the air,” Silas said.

“Tyrone and Tyrese?”

“Packing, along with Rose and Danielle. They’ve sent their pups to Victoria to watch, otherwise, I’m sure she and Jacques would be on the flight as well.” He sighed and shook his head. “This ... I don’t like being so exposed. My entire den in one location I don’t control.

Plus, the Canadian government has made it clear we cannot hunt or damage the Inuit’s land in any way. They’re meeting the plane with native guides to make sure we play by their rules. How’s that going work with my trigger-happy mate?” Silas ran his hand through his hair. “I don’t like any of this.”

Angus slapped him on the shoulder. “Trust your mate, she’s one of the smartest women I know.”

“I do trust her,” Silas snapped. “This is a battle she’ll win, but at what cost?” He met Angus’ gaze. “I cannot lose her or any of my pups.” He swallowed hard. “But especially Jasmine... she’s my heart, my soul. My beast will lose it if she comes to harm in any way.”

“As will she if something happens to you. I’ve seen her reactions up close when she thought you were under attack. You’ve got her back, she has yours. Together, the two of you can tap into energies and gifts only limited by your imagination. Don’t be afraid to allow her to fly, just stand ready to catch her if necessary but don’t clip her wings. She needs this. David needs this. Your den needs to work together to protect their own as a unit with both you and Jasmine leading, not just you.”

Silas thought about what Angus said for a few seconds and nodded. “Pray the Goddess gives me the strength to allow my stubborn mate to do as she thinks best. It won’t be easy to watch her walk into potential danger.” It would be almost impossible, but he would try.

“The two of you are one, where she goes, you’re there and can see through her eyes, lend her your strength and feed her confidence. Don’t see it as a separation, see it as another part of you working in tandem to get the job done. She’s never alone, you’re always with her. Your beast can handle that distinction, don’t add unnecessary layers of worry.”

Angus was right. Jasmine would pull from him and he’d see whatever she saw.

“Thanks, I needed to be reminded of that. She’s my blind spot, both my strength and weakness.” Silas stood, clapped his brother on the shoulder. “She calls, the plane has arrived. If I’m late they may leave me.” He smiled and walked out the office.

When he reached his suite, four of his pups and their mates surrounded Jasmine who gave instructions like a Drill Sergeant. She stopped talking when he closed the door. They looked at him.

“Sorry I’m late,” he said moving toward her and taking her hand. “Go on, what do you want us to do?”

He sensed her surprise and that from his pups.

“I was explaining Nadira’s weaponized female energy and is a threat for unmated males, which is why Cain and Abel are affected.” Jasmine frowned. “David was affected but not like the others.” She inhaled and looked up at Silas. “Asia’s contacted Amynta who’s checking her resources for information on Nadira and Isodora, a name the witch mentioned.”

Silas nodded. “What do you want us to do while you and the women handle the witch?” he asked gaining odd looks from the twins and Storm.

“Support, mostly. I understand the Canadian government’s not too happy to learn David’s in one of the sacred caves. It’s a dicey situation, we’ll need to make friends quickly with the Inuit tribe, they may respond better to you guys than us. Meanwhile, I’ll try and lock in on Nadira’s energy, try to draw her out.”

Silas swallowed hard and nodded. “Okay. Whatever you need Sweet Bitch, we’ve got your back.” He pulled her close and kissed her.

She melted into him. “Thank you, Wolfie. Asia and Hawke are here, we can leave now. Hawke’s sister told him Sarita was on her way to Canada as well. Gonna be good seeing her again.” He released her as the knock sounded.

“Grab our bags, hon,” Jasmine said pointing to two large duffel bags.

“How long do you plan to stay?” he asked lifting the heavy bags.

“Until we get David. I’m not returning without him.” She held his gaze until he nodded. This was not a battle he’d win.

They boarded the plane, strapped in and left for the 14-hour flight to the Torngat Mountains in Canada.