Page 17 of Smoke and Lure

Chapter Four

––––––––

“Dov.”

"Chanin, " the big man clasped his forearm in greeting."I hope this moment brings an end to your people's stress."

At the place they stood on the land, there was a heavy vibration beneath their feet from the sewage plant that continued to work to churn and process the waste that came through the tunnels.A network of tunnels his cousin had used to avoid detection and capture.Now, knowing this, Chanin figured it had been how Farkas and his crew had traveled between the territories all along.

Standing at the borderline that divided the two territories, Chanin nodded at the bear of a man, the Alpha of his Sleuth.He respected the bear-shifter greatly.Like him, Dov had to fight to claim his position among his people and work hard to ensure they had food, safety, and protection—no easy feat for either of them.

However, just like Lupine, the Ursine thrived for several years.

"My hope, too."Chanin shoved both his hands through his unruly hair.After a shift, he could easily appear wild and untamed.Thank goodness, along with Bleddyn, the Fang Warriors were behind him.The warrior who carried the pack had joggers in his satchel and gave a pair to him and their Pack's Beta.Chanin doubted that the bear-shifters would find offense at his nakedness.Still, respectfully, it wasn't considerate to traipse through another’s territory in such an unclothed appearance unless it was during a time of conflict."My cousin has been a scourge on not only my people but other territories, too, I'm embarrassed to say."

“I think I can state for the other preternatural council members when I say the rogue wolf’s actions were not a reflection on you or your leadership.”The wide man pounded him on his shoulder blade.

Chanin’s body absorbed the friendly strike.When Dov stepped away, he asked, “I’d like to collect my cousin.”

A bitter taste painted his tongue as he spoke.Chanin hated to claim a connection to the vile man.

“I figured you wouldn’t want to delay his transfer long.Right this way.”

"Permission to bring my warriors along to seize the prisoner?"Even though it had been Dov who called him about Farkas, Chanin would not flout the procedure of the council treaty by marching onto another shifter's land with a small force without requesting authorization.

"Yes.The asshole is a bit pissed and tries to fight at every opportunity, and you'll need the other men."Dov chuckled as he took the measure of Chanin's height and size."Not that I've got a doubt you have the might to take him on your own.”

“I didn’t figure Farkas would be anything but aggressive and conniving.It’s how he has been for months since he lost the Alpha position he coveted.”Chanin held his fellow council member’s gaze.

Dov nodded then tipped his chin toward Turi, the Second of the bear-shifters, who stepped in line with him as they led them across a grassy field toward a cluster of small buildings with a wider one in the center.The Ursine, who was just as tall and almost as wide as his leader, was the only person who stood with Dov at the border, proof they were not in dispute and no conflict troubled the North American region—besides theassthey held.

But Chanin would take care of that issue once they were among his people.

"We use this small place as one of our security outposts.We kept the rogue in the middle one, the chow hall.In the cooler."Dov mischievously grinned toward Chanin just before the bear-shifter Alpha pulled open the reclaimed wood door and entered.

"A bit of cooling off probably did him some good.”I'd have shoved him in the freezer until frostbite took every digit for each wolf-shifter Farkas had intimidated, hurt, or maimed in anger because he was furious that he didn't get away.Chanin kept those thoughts to himself.

When they entered, Chanin noticed about five or six Ursine sitting at tables in groups of two or three while they ate and chatted.As Chanin and his team entered with Dov, the conversation turned to a low murmur, but none of the bear-shifters got up; they just tracked them with their eyes.

Chanin was sure that the bear males’ focuses had more to do with the Fang Warriors than them as outsiders.Those who didn’t live around the half-shifted wolves were both curious and uneasy with the males who had the uncanny ability to display their wolf ears, tails, claws, and canine eye-teeth that winked when they smiled.And all five Fangs purposely wore proud toothy grins—not to intimidate, but for the sheer hell of it.

The bear-shifters were calm at the moment.However, Chanin also didn't believe for an instant that if Farkas caused a ruckus when they brought him out or even if Chanin and his men made an unfriendly move, these bears would be up and out of their seats in a flash.The preternatural council had made them all cordial, but in the end, every one of them held their beasts on leashes, waiting for an opportunity to come out and fight.

It was that respect for each other and the not-too-distant memories of what life had been like right after the walls around the human compound were drawn shut and sealed, leaving them all to a lawless land.

"Alright.Here we are."Dov led them through the kitchen and approached a single male leaning against a gray door to a walk-in cooler."Arturo, thanks for the guard."Dov gave the big man, who had shockingly-deep-brown skin and a bald-head, a firm pat on his shoulders.

---