Page 57 of Breathe Again

I had to push all my personal thoughts aside as I arrived at the Alpha house. I stopped into the kitchen long enough to say hello to Cora, but excused myself before her interrogation began. I wasn’t in the mood to discuss how things were going with Elizabeth just then.

In Thomas’s office I found Zach, Kyle, and Liam, along with a man I didn’t know. There were two large monitors with Patrick and Archie, a mole shifter Kyle used for intelligence gathering. Both men were back in San Marco, but connected with a highly secure video conferencing for the meeting.

“Cole, come on in. We’re just getting started. Luke get off okay?” Thomas asked.

“Yeah, I didn’t follow him, but I’m certain he headed right back to whatever hole he crawled out of.”

“Okay. I assume you already know everyone here, so let’s get started,” he said.

“Not everyone,” I said, eyeing the man I’d observed earlier arriving with the Westin wolves. I assumed he was part of Kyle’s elite forces team. While I knew of them, it was Patrick who coordinated and worked with them for Pack security. I stuck out my hand to the guy. “Cole Anderson.”

“Silas Granger,” he said gruffly.

“Sorry, man, thought you two had met by now. Silas is head of Bravo company. Cole is—"

“Beta of Westin, resides on the Westin Pack Council. Was selected as the next Grand Council member, but turned down the position. Recently mated to Elizabeth Collier, making him Collier Pack’s second. I’m familiar with your file. It’s nice to meet you,” he added almost as a second thought.

I couldn’t say I cared for the man. He was arrogant and off-putting, but I was quite familiar with his file as well and knew he was exactly what we needed to ensure the safety of all in attendance for Thomas’s big day.

I extended my hand to him and he awkwardly shook.

“Okay, now that we’re all familiar with each other, let’s talk security,” Kyle said, taking control of the meeting. He passed out maps of the layout of Collier land, marking the jailhouse and the ceremonial area. “Archie and Patrick, you should have received copies of these in email by now.” They both nodded, confirming they had. “Great. Now, after discussion with Zach and Thomas, we’ve decided to defer security over to Silas.”

“At the moment my team is scouring the area, looking for any weak spots that need to be addressed. The sheriff is working with his deputies to secure the prison. The stage is being moved twenty-three yards to the west for better viewing alignment. I’ll have one of my snipers here in the church bell tower with a clear view to the podium to ensure Thomas’s safety at all times. Because of the threat and the vague information given, I propose we lock down Cole during the festivities. The Larkens may not have previously known about him but given the nature of the conversation in front of Luke Larken, they now know Collier has a second. As a Pack precaution I highly recommend securing your second, Alpha,” Silas said, addressing Thomas directly.

“Wait, you can’t be serious,” I protested. “He said they were trying to break out their friends and cause a riot and disruption, not an assassination.”

“We can’t be too cautious though, man,” Kyle said. “We have to assume the worst and take full precautions. This isn’t just about Thomas, Cole. There are going to be representatives from eight Packs, plus the Grand Council is sending a few of their guys in. Archie’s working on acquiring a full list of high profiles to watch for.”

“Now, as second, and Elizabeth’s new mate, you will be required to make an appearance. I propose the family is the focus for the first five minutes of the event. If the intelligence given is even somewhat accurate, they are going to hit the prison before the event. You make your appearance by Elizabeth’s side. Wave, smile, look happy, then the two of you will leave discreetly, taking the Westin second and third with you to an undisclosed location,” Silas explained.

“I’m not in the habit of running or hiding from my enemies,” I told them through gritted teeth.

“We know that, Cole,” Zach said calmly. “We know what we’re asking is a lot and probably unnecessary. This isn’t about you and your capabilities, though. This is about ensuring the safety of the lineage of both Packs. That is your job, your sole job, tomorrow. No matter what, you protect your mate and those two pups.”

I respected Zach too much to argue. “Yes sir,” I conceded. I didn’t like it, but I understood the magnitude of the job he’d handed me. As Beta, I felt it was my job to protect my Alphas, both of them, so it went against my nature to hide, even knowing in reality I was protecting two Packs, not just the people leading them.

“Okay, let’s get back to the details then,” Silas said.

We spent the next three hours going through every possible scenario we could come up with. Then it was on to the next stage of introducing the plans and responsibilities to each of those entrusted to help.

It was very late by the time we all felt confident enough to call it a night, knowing an early morning was ahead of us. Silas’s men, as well as the first shift deputies and a group on patrol, were already busy securing the area. It would take a lot for the Larkens to set up under the cover of darkness with the extreme thoroughness Silas insisted on. I had to admit, I didn’t fully care for the guy or the constant chip on his shoulder, but he knew his job and was damn thorough, leaving nothing to chance.

Archie had been able to get his hands on photos of the most likely culprits, and they were already being circulated. If any of them set foot on Collier soil, we’d know it.

I still wasn’t thrilled with the instructions I’d been handed, nor was I looking forward to explaining them to Elizabeth, but I at least understood where they were coming from.

My wolf was agitated over a possible threat to our mate, so once outside the Alpha house I quickly stripped and shifted, allowing him time to run. I had only intended on running home, but when I got there Elizabeth was waiting on the front porch, her magnificent gray fur sparkling under the light of a full moon.

She yipped and took off towards the edge of town. My wolf didn’t hesitate as he happily gained control and took off after her, wagging his tail so hard I wasn’t sure how we were managing to run a straight line.

As the last buildings disappeared from sight, she veered off to the right and into an open field that led to a densely wooded area. It was clear to me she knew exactly where she was headed as I followed her lead, jumping over fallen branches and leaping across small creeks. I loved running with her; it brought a new sort of thrill and calmed the fears I’d only begun to face just that morning.

Suddenly Elizabeth checked up and I saw the fur on the back of her neck rise. My wolf and I went on full alert, sniffing the air and listening closely for any signs of danger. We both sunk low to the ground as a stick cracked nearby. I saw her move towards a boulder, realizing how her gray coat helped camouflage her. I stayed to the dark shadows for the very same reason.

My ears pricked as we heard low voices.

“They’re everywhere. Someone had to have warned them,” a male voice said.

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