Page 90 of Brandt's Rule

“I’m sorry,” the male said.

Brandt shook his head, still irritated, but not wanting the man and his mate to starve. “Where’d you get the skiff?”

“Stole it. Been trying to fish, and had some success, but my mate is pregnant again. She needs good meat. My boy needs good meat. I’m not trying to do you wrong, just to feed my people.”

“Five of you?” Brandt asked.

“Five. This idiot,” the man said, just barely waving a hand toward his unconscious brother, “my mate, our boy, and my mate’s sister.”

“Where are you living?”

“A couple of miles down the other side of the river.”

“A house?”

“No. We built a den. We shift and stay in there. It’s cold, but we alright. We just need food.”

Brandt thought of a pregnant woman, already trying to take care of a toddler, depending on a husband who couldn’t get work because he had no proof of identification, or that he even existed other than the fact that he stood there and in the business world, that didn’t count. There might come a time that the woman wouldn’t be able to shift. In some animals as pregnancy neared its end, the female couldn’t shift anymore. He thought he knew exactly where these people originated from. Their parents and possibly even grandparents were once part of Eustace’s Fox skulk. But when his brother drove it into the ground, Kaid and his clan destroyed it when they kidnapped Uncle Bam. Some stayed here and allowed Kaid to help them. Most who had followed their Alpha unquestioningly had left, believing that Kaid and his clan would seek them out. “Get in your skiff. Go get your people and meet me back here. You got thirty minutes. Can you do that?”

“I don’t want to tell an Alpha no, but no. I don’t know what you’re wanting with my family.”

“This is my land, you already know that. I have a couple of homes on it that aren’t being used. I’ll allow you to use one for the winter. In exchange you’ll stop fucking hunting my land. You’ll stop stealing, and you’ll work for a damn living.”

“I tried…”

Brandt held his hand up to silence the male. “I’m not finished! As I was saying, you’ll work every single day that we work. Right beside us for our construction company. If things work out, we’ll see about a longer arrangement. But for now, at least your woman and your kids will be warm and fed and sheltered. Let me make myself clear, though. This idiot gets out of line, he won’t be walking away.”

The male just looked at Brandt with a dumbfounded look on his face.

“Get up. Go get your people and get back here. Thirty minutes. If you’re not interested in my offer, get the fuck off my land. If I see you on it again, you will die.”

The male slowly stood up. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

“I don’t want thanks. I want you to prove to me I’m not making a fool of myself by giving you this opportunity.”

“I will do that. I give you my word.” The male took a few hurried steps toward the river, then turned back to Brandt. “What about him?” he asked.

“Leave him. When you get back he’ll still be here.”

The male looked at his brother, then at Brandt.

“He’s not dead yet, unless he makes another stupid decision, he won’t be dead when you get back. I give you my word.”

“Yes, sir. I’m going, sir.”

“Hey!” Brandt called after him.

“Yes, sir?” the male answered.

“What is your name?”

“Kiernan, sir. That idiot is Shaun.”

“Do not make me regret this, Kiernan.”

“I will not!” he promised and took off rushing through the trees to get to the skiff.

Brandt sent a quick thought toward Barron. Let this male go. Come meet me in the woods.