Page 20 of Blood Pearl
“Okay. I just wondered how the information came about. Is there any other information we need to know?” Merry asks.
“They are holding an Alpha. We don’t know who he is or from which pack he originates,” I reply.
“Oh my, we all need to reach out to other regions and see if an alpha has gone missing. I’ve heard nothing from our region and I’m sure if one of ours had gone missing we would know,” Porter states, and I can see he is as myself distressed at the thought of two Alphas being held as hostages by rogues.
“Do we know where they are being held?” Lykos asks.
When Gerry moves to the wall we watch as he pins a map to the corkboard. Standing, we all step over to the map and listen as Gerry points out the area of the camp, and his thoughts that they have an underground room of some sort.
“Why do you think that?” Porter inquires as he leans forward to look at the map closely.
“Because they seem to arrive out of nowhere. They were there one minute then gone, yet we didn’t see any pass us by. Then they appeared just as easily, and again without passing us. The only answer to that would be something underground. Trouble with that is, we would have no idea how many rogues this self-appointed Alpha has,” Gerry informs us all.
“We need more information,” Roman states, and we all nod in agreement.
“Everyone reach out far and wide. Find out if an Alpha is missing, then report back anything that will help bring it to the table quickly,” I turn back to the table and retake my seat, watching as everyone else does the same. “I have asked Warrior Gerry if he would consider joining the council as a council member. You all know he retired, and then returned after I twisted his arm somewhat. He would be an excellent addition, and he has a wide knowledge base that would be immeasurable for us.”
Agreement flows around the table, apart from Eve, of course, but I’ve lost all patience with her. She either gets along with everyone or she steps down as far as I’m concerned.
“I have not made my mind up as yet. I’m thinking about what I would like to do with my retirement. If I give my allegiance to the council as a member rather than a warrior, I would give nothing but the best I can give of myself. That may upset some of the council.”
We all turn to look where he is looking, and I struggle to hold the grin from appearing on my face, when he is giving Eve such a deadpan look that Merry places a handkerchief over her mouth, but the twinkle in her eyes gives her away. She is truly struggling not to laugh out loud.
“Take your time, but know we would love to have you join us on the council. You have been an upstanding warrior for us, and I’m positive you would be a splendid council member,” Porter states, and we all can see how sincere he is being.
“I will consider and let you know my decision, but whatever I decide, I would like to say that I appreciate you asking it of me.”
“Okay, let’s close out for today. Get in touch with your contacts and see if you can find out who this alpha is. We also need to know how many of the alphas in our region would stand by Blood Pearl and Spirit Walker Packs if their territory borders were breached. I will speak to all the alphas and report back on that at our next meeting,” I take to my feet, which signals this meeting is done, and I watch as Eve storms out of the conference room not speaking to anyone as she does.
“I’m going to speak to her about her attitude and find out what is going on with her. I will let you know what I find out,” Ulmer murmurs from my side. I give him a nod and watch him walk out of the room, followed by everyone else apart from Gerry, who will give me his reaction to the meeting, as he always does. He will then leave to head out to the Blood Pearl Pack.
Chapter 12
AURORA
Two days and Alpha Arric has been missing. We’ve been monitoring when the rogues come into camp and when they leave. The hostage alpha I have not been able to get near, but something about him tells me I know him, or I should know him. There is a familiarity that I can’t put my finger on.
“Do you know that Alpha?” Rue asks from her seat on the ground next to me.
“I don’t know. He gives me the feeling I should know who he is, but I can’t just bring it to mind,” responding while I continue to watch the hostage Alpha.
“Maybe we could get you next to him so you can speak to him. We can try anyway,” Rue again murmurs.
“Any sign of Alpha Arric?” I ask.
“None,” Rue leans over to Borose who is next to her and whispers in her ear, before leaning back to me and mumbling. “No, nobody has seen anything that we know of.”
Nodding my head in acknowledgement, I turn to my other side and speak to Paige. “Did you get anything else to use as picks? We have to find out if any of the other packs know how to pick locks to save us time when we make a break for it.”
“I’ll find out. You need to keep a low profile, as they are watching you closely. I’m not sure if they have noticed we have tossed the water out and buried the food, but as yet not one of them has attempted to feed us if they have,” Paige says while her eyes are scanning the camp.
Loud talking and a high-pitched giggle have us all looking toward the camp entrance. Jackson the Beta is walking into camp with a she-wolf hanging off him. Interesting, I think to myself!
“Beta,” one of the rogue’s states, and his eyes are roving over the woman, who I have to say would be pretty if it wasn’t for the stink of rogue she is wearing. Eau De Rogue Parfum is definitely not my aroma.
“Keep your eyes off my mate if you want to keep your eyes, that is,” Jackson snarls, snapping his teeth at the rogue who had spoken.
“Aw, he’s just jealous he doesn’t have a mate. Maybe Alpha Arric will gift him one of the hostages.”