Page 53 of In The Shadow of The Wolf

“Bring Colin here; we will protect him. Randall will most likely head this way considering that a number of people who contributed to his arrest live here.” Ivan fell silent for a few moments, obviously listening to the other person, who Jamie assumed was Ivan’s brother Viktor. “I’ll contact the Alpha and get permission for both you and Colin. Be safe, brother; we will be waiting for you.”

Ivan closed the call and tossed his cell on the bedside table. He let out a low growl and ran his hands through his already ruffled hair. He then turned to look at his mate with worry and determination in his stare. It was obvious that the beta and detective were back on the job.

“Jordan Randall escaped during transfer yesterday, and he is on the run.” He stated. “What’s happening is that it looks like he’s going after anyone connected with his arrest and conviction. He has completely lost his mind and has already killed two people.” Ivan paused as Jamie got up from the bed and started pulling his clothes on.

“We have to contact Alpha Lance so he can put Ronan and Molly into protective custody,” Jamie said as he continued to run around the room, gathering his things. Ivan caught him and pulled him into his lap, and held him still.

“Let me finish.” He said, and Jamie calmed himself and remained seated. “One of my pack, Colin Hunter, a young omega, was a victim of Randall, and although he never testified against him, he was the reason I became involved, and Randall became aware of that fact during the trial. My pack does not reside far from where Randall killed his last victim, and my brother fears for Colin’s safety. My pack, and it hurts me to say this, has asked that Colin be cast out so as to not bring danger onto everyone. My brother being the man that he is, was disgusted by their weakness and has forfeited his position as Alpha and has left with Colin in order to protect him.”

“Your brother is the Alpha, and he forfeited that position to save an omega pack member?” Ivan nodded. Jamie was in awe of a man that would walk away from his position as Alpha in order to protect one member. “Your brother is an amazing man.”

“Yes, he is, and he and Colin are on their way here.”

“I’ll call the station and notify them of the situation while you call the Alpha.” Jamie took his house phone and dialed it while Ivan took his cell and walked out into the hallway.

Lance put the entire pack and town on alert; after his last encounter with Jordan Randall, he wasn’t taking any chances with Ronan’s safety. He gave sanctuary to both Viktor and Colin and sent two of his enforcers, to meet them and assist with Colin’s protection. To say that Lance was incensed by Randall’s escape and subsequent crimes was putting it mildly. Ivan was well aware that Lance planned to end Randall as soon as he showed himself. There would be no quarter given. Jordan Randall would not survive his return to Lonepine.

Ivan came back into the bedroom and got dressed while Jamie was finishing his call. “Alpha Lance has ordered us both to the Pack House for a briefing with his men.” He said after Jamie had hung up.

“Terry has Ryan and the other officers handling the town proper, and he will join them once he returns. Terry will head back to town as soon as he gets his mate Henry to the Pack House where he can be protected.”

“I met Henry the last time I was here. He seemed like a nice guy.” Ivan commented as he gathered his weapons.

“He’s a great guy, and Terry doesn’t want anything to happen to him. Henry is Ronan and Molly’s cousin, and he helped them in their escape from Randall. He was present at the gas station when Alpha Lance attacked Randall.” Ivan understood Terry’s fears immediately.

“I believe, and it seems so does the Alpha, that Randall’s primary target will be Ronan.” Ivan offered. “Randall has an obsessive personality, and he never could come to terms with the fact that Ronan got away.”

“You know, I just wanted to have a nice day with my mate, and instead, we have to stand guard against some human nut case.” Jamie was disappointed that their time would be spent on duty.

Ivan took Jamie into his arms and kissed him thoroughly before cupping Jamie’s face in his hands and looking lovingly into those eager green eyes. “He’s one human controlled by rage and anger, and he’s walking into a wolf pack. He won’t last long.” Jamie smiled.

…

Viktor and Colin were met at the airport in Missoula by Frank Sorenson and Kyle Bishop and transported to the Pack House. Ivan was there to meet his brother on his arrival.

“Has he been sighted in the area?” Was Viktor’s first question after having given Ivan a quick hug and brotherly pat on the back. Colin stayed behind Viktor, frightened of everything, including his shadow. He was small in stature with an overly thin build, due to him not eating as he should. He’d never recovered from the abuse he endured at the hands of Jordan Randall; he always hung his head and rarely spoke. He’d been to Pack doctors, but they could only mend the physical. They really had no training in healing the emotionally damaged. Colin had always been a quiet boy, but now he was virtually silent.

“Alvin, take Colin to the basement strong room where Ronan, Molly, and Henry are being protected. He will be safe there.” Alvin stepped forward toward the young man, and Colin began to whine. He was terrified to leave Viktor. Everyone in the room sympathized and seemed to feel the boy’s pain. Viktor put his arm around the boy’s shoulders and pulled him forward to stand beside him.

“It’s okay, Colin, these men are our friends. Go, you will be safe, I promise, and I will come for you when the danger has passed.” Viktor urged him to go with Alvin, and after a few moments of indecision, he reluctantly left.

“He seems to be worse, Viktor,” Ivan commented.

“After Randall escaped and then the Pack turned on him, he started to lose hope, and his fear has consumed him.”

“Once this is over, we will look into getting him counseling. He needs to talk about what happened, or he will never put it behind him. Letting him handle this on his own as he asked has not worked; we need to insist on professional help.” Ivan added, and Viktor nodded in agreement.

Ivan turned then and hooked an arm around Jamie, bringing him up close to his side. “I would have liked to have made this introduction under more positive circumstances, but regardless, Viktor, I would like you to meet my mate Jamie McCormick and Jamie, I would like you to meet my brother Viktor Rand.”

“Pleased to meet you, Jamie.” Viktor held out his hand, and Jamie readily took it.

“Likewise,” Jamie replied. With the necessary introductions and pleasantries completed, they quickly got down to business.

It was determined that the sentries would continue with their usual rounds with the Pack enforcers led by Beta Aaron Beaumont. They would do a complete sweep of the territory from north to south and east to west. They would check in with Alpha Lance every half hour with a report.

Enforcer Dean Miller would remain with his men guarding the perimeter of the Pack House and property, a four hundred acre square, while Alvin protected the mates and Colin in the bunker. It was decided that Ivan and Viktor being unfamiliar with Pack territory, would join Dean and guard the perimeter. Jamie would join Terry back at the station and patrol the town. Everyone in the pack was given a photo of Jordan Randall and was on the lookout for anything strange.

Ryan’s mother, Helen, came to the station to act as receptionist and dispatch since the officers were busy patrolling the town. Jamie was patrolling the streets when his first disturbance call came from the Perron household. “Fucking hell.” He muttered to himself.

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