Page 64 of Bitter Discord

“Just over two thousand,” he said softly. Ranger sputtered as my jaw dropped open. “Other werewolves don’t kill Betas like me, so it’s easier for us to stay alive. That’s why I was so comfortable staying in this pack with Heath as my Alpha. No matter how sour this goes, Callahan and Corissa won’t cut off my head.” He shrugged. “Though I never guessed you were Hasan’s daughter when we met. I didn’t think it was even in the realm of possibility.”

“Does Heath know?” Ranger asked.

I had a feeling the pack kept few secrets from Heath.

“Yeah.” Teagan nodded. “It’s not a big deal, Ranger. Jacky knows werecats older than me by a long shot. I am what I am. Being my age, you just learn things. The only edge I have over other werewolves is it’s easier for me to live this long because I don’t fall prey to the need to fight with my own kind or threaten other werewolves. Not even Tywin, at his most crazed, would have raised a hand against me without it completely shattering his mind. During the coup, no one tried to attack me. I get lip from some werewolves, but they never push beyond that.”

“Hence why you’re so good with Fenris,” I said, nodding. “And the boys.”

“Yup.”

Mentioning the boys, I lost Teagan. He turned away and looked out the window, ending the conversation.

“Ranger, help me order some food.” I would have loved to pick Teagan’s mind more but knew it would be cruel. Ranger, no prosthetic, followed me into the kitchen, his cane doing more of the work.

“Where is it?” I asked, looking at the empty place a leg should have been.

“Because we’re on high alert, I’m not wearing it. Need to be ready to Change and help the pack,” he answered.

Accepting that logic, we figured out dinner, Ranger telling me what each werewolf liked from a Mexican restaurant’s menu. I ordered two of each entrée, six appetizers, and desserts for the teens, thinking they deserved a small treat for being calm all day, knowing Arlo was missing. The restaurant knew us well enough by now, and they got their entire kitchen working on the emergency order.

I was feeling lost about the situation in Dallas, but here in my territory, I had a semblance of control and would take care of the pack as best as I could. I knew Ranger needed to feel useful, so I gave him a job. I knew Teagan was hurting, so I let him have his silence for a moment. After I finished the order, I asked him to make sure there would be enough dishes, a bit of busywork. He jumped into the job without complaint. By the time we were finished, Heath walked in, followed by Shamus and his kids, Stacy and Kody.

“Hey, Jacky!” Stacy called out, passing straight through and heading for Carey’s room. Kody gave me a silent, polite nod before following her.

Shamus was shaking his head at his kids as he and Heath came into the kitchen, which was suddenly getting crowded.

“I ordered dinner for the pack,” I told Heath as I snuck past him out of the kitchen. He wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me in.

“Thank you,” he murmured, kissing my cheek. As Shamus chuckled at us, Rose and Piper came into the house.

“I hope Jenny and Carlos are alert enough for the first shift,” Rose said, but I didn’t know who she was talking to.

“They’ll be fine,” Shamus replied, looking over at them. “You should get some rest. Jacky ordered food for everyone. Eat, then get a nap before your shift. Thanks for taking second shift, by the way.”

“That’s the fifth time you’ve said thank you,” Piper said with a soft, endearing smile. I could see both women over Heath’s shoulder, and Piper saw me watching.

“Yeah, you can quit. We’re old enough to handle a lack of proper sleep. Kody and Stacy are young yet and need more practice. Letting you do daylight hours with them is safer.” Roselyn crossed her arms, daring Shamus to say anything.

“All valid points, but you could have asked for a different shift. I’m the higher-ranking wolf. I would have taken the shit shift.” Shamus shrugged. “Kids or no kids.”

“I taught you too well,” Heath said, shaking his head. “Take all the advantages you can get. Exploit the kids. They’ll be fine.”

Snorting, I freed myself as guilt hit me a second later. We were having a small light moment when the timing couldn’t be worse. I texted Zuri as I went back to the living room, knowing Heath was watching my every move. She replied quickly while I was walking, saying they were preparing for dinner now as well. She was getting through the fools for interrogation, almost done with all of them.

I didn’t stop my feet, heading for my office. I heard footsteps and realized Heath was right behind me.

“Not going to stay out here for dinner?” he asked softly when I reached the door.

“It’ll be at least an hour for them to deliver,” I explained, sighing. “I… I’m feeling useless. I need to do something, and I don’t know what to do.”

“You’re doing what you can right now—”

“But it’s not solving a murder,” I growled softly, refusing to look at him. “It’s not finding Arlo. It’s not helping Zuri with the other werecats—”

“You were on the phone with the BSA all afternoon listening to an autopsy, Jacky!” The scent of his exasperation filled the air next to my frustration. “I knocked on your door, you know. I was going to tell you I was leaving, but you were so immersed in your call with Bethany, you didn’t answer. I looked in, and you didn’t realize I was there. You have been doing something. It’s not running around and killing the bad guys or fighting an impossible battle, but it’s something. Don’t beat yourself up… not in front of me.”

“You’re not my Alpha,” I reminded him, feeling a bit more anger than necessary.

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