Mates & Allies

With Aaron gone, keeping Kole locked up seemed too much like solitary confinement for Tavo’s liking. After discussing it with his mates, and with Deke’s agreement, Kole was offered a tent next to Cayd and Tavin’s cabin, not far from where Stetson was staying. The cougar had pitched in to help. He had been the claw’s resident handyman, which made taking up the position with the pack easy. He helped patch up broken windows or fix plumbing issues, and Tavo couldn’t deny that the cougar seemed to want to make amends for what he’d been about to do.

Deke, Colt, Tavo, Jett, and Kole sat around one of the tables in the main meeting hall. Stetson stood guard outside to allow the five of them to have their discussions in private. A map of the area lay on the table in front of them. Several scratch pieces of paper were nearby with pens and markers so Kole could draw a rough map of the claw’s property.

“Randy texted me to let me know that several of Zeb’s muscle will be away from the claw for two days. That’s when I need to make my move,” Jett said. “I don’t like doing it when they’re away, but one battle at a time. Let me take over the claw and then I can deal with them if they don’t submit.”

Tavo knew the truth, and the wisdom, in Jett’s plan even if he didn’t like the idea of his mate going alone into battle. Jett needed backup, like they had been backup for Deke. The wolf had taken on Ethan alone; he’d won his challenge alone. They had been there for support and to take care of Deke should something go wrong. They needed to do the same for Jett.

“Based on what Randy told you, Zeb and his second will be the only ones there you need to worry about. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. There will be push back when you take over because Zeb’s drug trade made the claw wealthy. I also know several of the members didn’t want to be involved in it. When you take over, they’ll welcome the change,” Kole said. “I can go with you. I’m sure your mates aren’t happy that you have to go alone.”

Tavo nodded.

Deke tried to muffle his snort-chuckle because “not happy” was putting things mildly.

Jett turned to look at Tavo. “I know you want to back me up on this, but I feel like this is something I have to do on my own.”

“I know,” Tavo said, leaning into Jett’s shoulder and resting his hand on the cougar’s thigh. “That doesn’t make it any easier.”

“What’s our timeline again?” Deke asked. “I want to make sure everything is in place. Plus, I think Shifters United needs to know about whatever Zeb’s muscle is doing. If it’s related to the drug trade, it’d be good to put a stop to it. I know other groups of shifters have been dealing with the drug problem too.”

“Too many packs, claws, whatever are keeping such a tight grip on their members that they have little options and even less hope,” Colt said. “I know Shifters United will change that. There’s even talk of opening a university not far from the headquarters, but all of this change will take a very long time.”

Nods went around the table.

“You got to remember the Redsand Herd is an exception out here,” Jett said. “Tavo saw how I was living at my claw, and only when we went back. I never told him, and I don’t want anyone else to live like that either.”

“I agree,” Deke said. “These wolves didn’t deserve the way Ethan treated them. Will they ever be a big or powerful pack? Probably not. But it’s a good pack. Ethan just poisoned it.”

“I need to let the herd know so they can watch for fallout,” Tavo added. “Jett’s right. I didn’t know because I didn’t know to look. I think there’s a lot of that going on, too. It’s easier to believe every shifter is cared for than the truth.”

“They’re leaving five days from now.” Jett squeezed his hand. “I plan to wait about six to eight hours in order to make sure that they’re good and gone before I attack.” He turned to Kole. “Give me the layout.”

Kole grabbed a piece of paper and sketched out the claw’s territory, starting with the two main highways, though there were numerous cross-country ways of entering, and the main landmarks along them. Zeb’s property, with a house and several outbuildings, backed up to some federal lands that would be difficult to patrol. Though they would make a good way to enter the property, since Zeb usually didn’t bother with anyone guarding that border. Coming in through town would be different, with many more pairs of eyes on the intruder and more opportunities to be detained.

“That settles it then,” Jett said after looking at the sketch. “I have to come through the federal lands. I’ll park a few miles away, shift, and come in cougar form. I can carry clothes and weapons in a pack, making sure no one sees a cougar carrying a bag.” He grinned. “That’d give some hiker something to talk about.”

“I know you don’t want backup, but I could wait for you there or somewhere in those federal lands. Zeb can’t keep everyone out.” Tavo offered. The idea of his mate going into this battle alone tore at his guts. He’d seen the cabin where Jett had lived. He still kicked himself for not realizing what his mate was going through, and wondered why his parents had never told him.

“No, but since those are public lands he can have someone patrolling them. I don’t think that will be the case since his guys will be gone. I also don’t want to take the chance. I know you want to support me and be my backup. I want nothing more than for you do to that. I can’t have you with me. I have to do this alone,” Jett insisted. “I’m sorry.”

“Jett’s right,” Deke said. “I don’t like it either. I gained strength from knowing you were behind me when I was fighting Ethan.” He looked at each of them with a stern, but loving gaze. “Challenging an alpha is something that has to be done alone. Bringing other people into the battle only makes the challenger seem weak, as if he couldn’t take over the pack, and I would presume, the claw on his own.”

“That’s right,” Jett confirmed. “Given that my step-mother is involved in this, it’s my battle to fight.”

The shifters agreed, leaving Tavo to feel torn about letting his mate go to fight alone. He understood the reasoning. Among predator shifters, the alpha had to be challenged alone. Even among herds, though the changing of herd leaders were rare, there still had to be one-on-one combat to topple the leader. But that he couldn’t be there for support, to render aid if necessary, burned.

He tamped down his feelings. He needed to support Jett right now, and that meant understanding that he needed to do what he needed to do. If that meant fighting Zeb alone, then that’s what it would take. He reached for Jett’s leg underneath the table, splaying his hands across the cougar shifter’s muscled thigh. If he couldn’t be with Jett, then his mate would go to battle knowing just how much he was loved and cared for. That much Tavo knew he could do.

In silent accord the shifters rose to their feet. Before they could get to the door, Kole said, “wait.”

The shifters stopped, turning back towards him. “What is it?” Jett asked.

“There’s a safehouse not far from Zeb’s territory. I have the passcode. I could take Tavo, maybe one other, but I’d have to smuggle you in because it’s watched. But it wouldn’t be unheard of for me to return there, tell them I need to chill for a few days before facing Zeb and for the claw to leave us alone. It’d be a place for your mates to wait for you and close enough for you to come if you needed to fall back.”

Tavo considered the idea.

“But if I fall back to the safe house then they’re going to know you’ve turned. You’re putting yourself into a lot of danger on my behalf. Of course, as your potential new claw leader I appreciate it, but I also want to ask, what’s in it for you?”

Kole smiled. “You’ll need a second, and right now I’m the only cougar you can trust.”

Tavo exhaled a sharp breath, realizing there was the hook. His mate needed to have the cougar who had tried to kill them as his second. At the moment there seemed to be no other candidates.

“Being second is a hard job. I’m sure the wolves know more about that than I do considering how fucking dysfunctional my father’s claw was. I’m not even sure he had a second or no one he trusted enough to put in that position. But Zeb’s claw is large enough that I’m going to need some lieutenants.” Jett paused for a moment. “I won’t make any promises, but if we get out of this, and I’m still alive—”

Tavo flinched at the admission.

Jett looked at him and smiled. “When we get through this and I lead the claw, then I’ll consider your offer. That’s as good as it’s going to get.”

Kole nodded. “Fair enough.”

Jett stopped Deke as they exited the meeting hall, then motioned for Steston to join them. “I think we have some unfinished business and the house will be much more comfortable than the camper.”

A flash of desire hit Tavo when he realized Jett was referring to finishing the mating bonds.

“If I can’t take my mates with me to this battle, then I damn sure will wear your marks.” Jett looked at Stetson. “If the alpha has no objections I’d like to put you, Tavin, and Cayd in charge while we’re away. I suspect Deke will be back within a day, two at the most.” He turned to Deke. “That okay with you?”

“I was going to ask the same thing. I think it’s time.” He reached for Colt, pulling the wolf shifter against him.

Stetson looked at his brother, pride filling his gaze. “You found yourself a hell of a bunch of mates, brother.” He clasped his brother’s shoulder. “I’ll hold down the fort. You finish what you need to do.”