As soon as the shifters turned around to pin with me with their stares, I felt myself being launched back to when I was being held hostage. Clenching and unclenching my hands, I fought the need to race across the room and punish them for the deeds of others. Feeling a questioning brush against my mind from Clay, I took a deep breath and walked calmly across the room and pulled out a chair between Dad and the shifters. Glancing at my brothers and father, I gave them a slight nod letting them know that I would be okay.
“Now that Autumn has managed to join us, we can begin. What will you be needing the Protection Pillar for? Must admit, we don’t get many of your kind through our doors.”
At Mac spoke, I took a chance to look over the group of shifters that graced our doors. A group of 3, trying to appear as non-threatening as possible but all clearly warriors. The two shifters on the ends looked almost identical and both non-descript, with plain brown eyes and hair, so I called them Tweedledee and Tweedledum in my head. Whilst the middle shifter appeared less threatening at initial glance but seeing as the Tweedle’s sat around him he was more at ease with his grey eyes shining with intelligence, I pegged him to be the leader which was confirmed as soon as he spoke.
“I’m here on behalf of the Leo of North America. My name is Wyatt Smith and I’m his Beta and a wolf shifter, these two are also part of the Pack. Upon my advisement, the Leo has agreed that given the situation, we would like to hire your best team.”
The five of us just waited. Its quite common that, to fill a silence, people will provide extra details without being asked. So, we watched and waited, to which the Second – Wyatt – chuckled before continuing.
“I must admit, I’m used to people telling me things not the other way around. Fine, in the interest of cooperation, I’ll provide what details I can but without the express permission of the Leo, there are some things I cannot divulge. Is this acceptable?”
Turning to glance at each other, we all nodded. With a further nod to Hawk, I indicated that he should take extra care to remember what was being said. Turning back to the Second, our Dad indicated for the shifter to continue.
“We believe that we are targeted by Wrath. My son, I’m ashamed to say, attacked our Leo in an attempt to kill him while he slept.”
I waited for more after that little statement, but he didn’t seem forthcoming, so I asked the obvious question.
“You sure he didn’t just want to kill him? You know, so he’d become Lykaon?” Lykaon being the wolf version of the Leo, my tone made it clear that I expected that to be the case. Maybe I was a bit biased but in that moment I honestly didn’t care.
“No. My son would never do such a thing. Especially not in such a manner.”
“Lie.” Hawk interjected. For Wrath, or any of the Demon Lords to have sway over someone, they have to be feeling that emotion in some capacity. Even subconsciously. He may wish his son wouldn’t do such a thing, but truth is usually a far harsher reality.
The shifters either side of the Second shuffled awkwardly on their seats, slighting glaring at Hawk for his cold interruption. In the middle, Wyatt sighed and clasped his hands in front of him.
“It is true that my son has made some waves recently. He wasn’t all that happy with a decision that our Leo made. But I refuse to admit that he would do something like this of his violation.”
I don’t know what it was in this conversation, but something was niggling at me, I tilted my head and looked across at the shifters, whatever it was I couldn’t pin it down. Turning my head slightly, I glanced at Clay and sent across a mental message.
Tell Dad I want to check this out, something isn’t sitting right with me. Why would the Leo allow outsiders to be involved if it was a simple change in leadership? Why would a Wrath possessed shifter attack someone sleeping? Something’s not adding up, it may be me being biased but something’s off.
Nodding at me, Clay turned to face our Dad to relay my message before turning back to me.
He wants to know if you’re sure about this.
Knowing what he was really asking, I answered and rolled me eyes.
I’ll be fine. With you lot hovering over me all day how will I not be?
“All right, you’ve got me curious. Before you hire us for our time though, I want to meet with your son.” My demand was met with confusion from the shifters.
“I’ll admit I’m glad you want to help but why do you want to meet with my son?”
Smiling across at me, my family chuckled. Indicating for us to leave and grab any necessities for the trip out to the Pack’s compound, our Dad stood up and grabbed the forms for the shifters to sign that would officially have us working for them. Before we left, I heard Wyatt answer yes to Mac’s question on whether he had the authority to sign the forms on the behalf of the Leo. Oh, this was going to be fun. I was mentally rubbing my hands together with glee.
Instead of flying up to our apartment, we took the elevator reserved for residents of the Protection Pillar to our floor. Feeling for the first time that everything was returning to normality, I felt able to joke around with my brothers. Entering our apartment, we split off to our own bedrooms to grab the things we’d need. Knowing that our definitions of necessities was different I felt the need to yell at Clay.
“This isn’t a trip for you to tour shifter ladies Clay, don’t fill your bag full of condoms!”
Giggling as I entered my own room, I made sure to grab a couple of throwing knives with matching holsters, a spare set of clothes and a book to read if the opportunity arose. Then feeling hopeful, I turned to stare at my old portable record player that I got from my parents on my 18th birthday. I hadn’t used it since I got back.
Hearing footsteps behind me, I saw that my brothers had gathered at my bedroom door. Seeing what I was staring at, my brothers shared a small smile. Hawk and Clay turned to head away as Flint moved closer.
“Go for it Autumn.” His soft voice reminded me of my earlier promise.
Filling with determination, I strode across the room and picked up the record player to pack it in my bag. My heart beating rapidly in my chest, I zipped up my bag and headed to meet with my brothers by the door to our apartment.
Turning as a group, we strode down the hallway to fly down to the atrium. Spotting Dad once again, we landed next to him and the 3 shifters. Snapping in our wings close to our backs, we glanced at the shifters before turning back to face our Dad.
“Everything’s signed and sorted, you lot be careful hear? I’ll get an earful if you don’t,” arching an eyebrow at us, he indicated that the earful would be coming from our mum, “Now Hawk, here’s the contract, keep it safe. Clay, get in contact as soon as you know more. Flint, keep everyone in one piece. Autumn, don’t be losing your temper at people.”
Sniffing, I replied, “I would never.”
They lasted all of 3 seconds before they all burst out laughing at my response. Rolling my eyes at them, I glanced back towards the shifters who once again had that confused expression on their faces. Likely at how familiar with each other we were, we didn’t showcase our connection but we didn’t hide it either. The only reason we called Dad by his name and followed the same rules was because we didn’t want people to call favouritism. Sighing I simply said the one word that would explain it all.
“Family.”
Turning back to my still laughing father and brothers, I grabbed the nearest one by the ear like mum taught me.
“Come on idiots. We’ve got a job to do.”
Giving the ear a final twist, I let Clay go and walked out of the Pillar’s front doors.
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