Page 43 of Chasing Savannah
Chapter 15
A thick layer of tension blanketed Derrick’s senses as soon as he got out of the truck on prowl land. He looked at Carlos and his lips tightened in a grim look. Carlos rounded the truck and stood next to him. They eyed the cars scattered at the meeting place.
“With the Tribond initiated, I can feel the prowl’s bond more.” He told Carlos.
The Alpha grunted. “Makes sense. The tighter we’re bound together, the more you’ll feel what I do. Let’s get this over with.”
Carlos whistled, a series of warbles that let the prowl know he’d arrived. The whistles of his enforcers answering that call sounded out in the night as Carlos walked over to the Alpha mound. He held his hand up for silence. After a moment, the cats settled and everyone turned their attention to him.
“Three women were attacked on prowl land in the past week.”
The crowd grumbled and Derrick watched them, looking for any telltale signs of guilt. Carlos continued his speech, encouraging the prowl to be aware of everything happening around them.
“One of the women was attacked at a pack safe house while she was cleaning the place, which no one should know about. That means, someone is selling out the prowl’s secrets.” Carlos’ power settled over the crowd.
As the Beta, Derrick took his job seriously. Though Simon as third in command was head enforcer, Derrick was in charge of their security. He watched the crowd, wondering if anyone would step forward and admit guilt. Carlos turned and looked at him and Simon. He nodded, conveying to the Felix that he was already looking for signs.
“We think perhaps a prowl to the south of us, the Miami one, is behind the attacks.” Carlos continued. “Until we know for sure, I want us all to stay in pairs.”
“And not just the women?” Brielle spoke.
The crowd held its breath and Carlos smiled. “Everyone, enforcer.”
Brielle nodded and stepped back into her place among the other enforcers.
The prowl moved around, their nervousness broadcasting, the extra power flowing through the link making them restless and jumpy. He knew until the bond between them and Savannah was completed they would be a little unsettled. Two women stepped forward, along with one guy who had stealthily tried to undermine him and his place as Beta. They wanted to get to Carlos, and he’d yet to figure out why.
He growled, he should’ve dealt with them before they left New Jersey. They were one of the last members to join their prowl before they’d left. He’d wanted to kick them out, but Carlos had argued to give them a chance. The Felix had wanted stronger males to make up for their lack, so he’d let it go. Seeing the calculation on their faces as they stepped forward, Derrick cursed his decision anew. He would be harsher in the future about accepting new members.
“Do you have information to offer?” He stepped in front of them, blocking their path to Carlos. He didn’t bother disguising his contempt for the male.
Ryan stepped forward. “I propose an alliance with the southern panthers to bring peace. It’s not a good idea for a newly blended prowl to invite trouble.”
The Felix stepped down from the mound and snarled. “What do you know of the Miami prowl?”
“We were approached by a liaison from their alpha.” Ryan stammered.
Derrick stepped closer. “And why exactly did they feel comfortable enough to talk to you when they’ve attacked everyone else they approached?”
Ryan lowered his head. “I don’t know, but maybe if we can have a truce between us, the attack on the women would stop.”
Carlos moved Derrick aside and stepped right into Ryan’s face. “Or maybe it will give the other Alpha an in to take over our budding prowl. The strength of the women here is rightly coveted.”
Whistles and hisses went up around the circle at their Felix’s praise.
“Felix, he spared us when my brother stepped up. Surely we can find a way.” One of Ryan’s sister’s, Callie, spoke.
Yasmeen stepped forward. “You don’t know anything about that prowl. Their Alpha threw away his mate, what makes you think he’ll respect the women in this prowl?”
“How do you know the Miami prowl isn’t simply bluffing?” Derrick asked.
The three siblings looked between each other, then back down to the ground.
Callie spoke again. “Maybe if the Felix mates into the southern prowl it will be more amicable.”
Yasmeen snarled, and stepped closer to Callie. “So you’re too weak of a cat to smell the scent of my brother’s mate on him?”
The other stronger females lined up behind Yasmeen.
