Chapter 209

Chapter 59: Theo I wasn’t even going to consider this conversation. It was pure nonsense. But whoever was coming after us, they were getting closer. And smarter. I needed Hawkins to talk.

“If this is so concerning to you, why not come to me or my father? Why skulk around behind our back?” I asked.

“You wouldn’t have listened,” he said. “She’s marked you, Alpha. You won’t listen to reason now.”

“And what reason is that?” I ground out, trying hard to maintain control. “What was her father trying to accomplish by making her my Luna?”

Hawkins shook his head. “They want to take control. She wants to get rid of all the Alphas. To become queen.”

I ran a hand over my face, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Do you know how ridiculous you sound?” I said.

“I said you wouldn’t listen,” Hawkins replied.

“If this was true, why me?” I asked. “Why the Greytooth Pack? We’re far from the most powerful pack. We may have one of the biggest territories but there are several other packs that outnumber us. Not to mention resources. So, why me?”

Hawkins made a face. “That... I’m not sure about,” he admitted. “However, your family is one of the most respected. Your line of Alphas is long and well–established. You have more allies than most of the other packs. That would give her access to a lot of trust.”

0.00%

“Okay, Hawkins,” I said. “Let’s say you weren’t blatantly committing treason against your Alpha. For now, let’s say I believe you.”

Briggs gave me a burning look, but I ignored it. “Who has given you all of this information? Who are you working with?”

Hawkins grimaced. “I can’t tell you, sir.”

“I can make you tell me, Hawkins,” I insisted. And if I couldn’t, that would mean he was under the command and Ayla could break that.

“No, that’s just it,” he said. “I don’t have a name. He is very secretive. I‘ ve never actually seen his face.”

“Then why trust him over me? Over my father? You want me to listen to what you call reason, but you have nothing to go on.”

“I have evidence,” he said. “I have research. Anything you want to know, I can get you.”

I looked to Briggs, nodding for him to step outside with me.

“Don’t move,” I commanded Hawkins and his mate.

Briggs followed me outside where I immediately started to take deep breathes.

‘You don’t actually believe this, do you?‘ he linked me. We still couldn’t risk them overhearing our conversation.

‘Of course I don’t,‘ I snapped back. ‘All of this is ridiculous. It’s a ploy to turn our pack members against Ayla. But if Hawkins thinks we believe him, even a little, it could give us another angle to get to the Waar Pak.”

‘True, but it’s going to be difficult,‘ Briggs said. ‘He’s not going to by that you accept him at his word. You two don’t have the greatest track record.‘

‘No, it won’t,‘ I said. ‘But if he’s being honest about believing he’s protecting us, then he will eventually.‘

‘Do you really think he’s telling the truth about that?‘ Briggs asked. ‘Or do you think this is an opportunity for him?‘

‘Both,’ I said. ‘But Hawkins isn’t power–hungry. He wants respect, and to be the smartest person in the room. I’m not surprised that they got to him. If he believes he has some special, secret information about anything, he’s going to cling to it. But I’m hoping we can use that against them, just like they tried to.‘

Briggs nodded in agreement.

‘In the meantime, I’m calling McCabe back up here,’ I said. ‘I want him to be the acting sheriff for the time being. I don’t want to trust anyone already established in the force.‘

‘Agreed.‘

We went back inside. I was feeling more calm. I felt more worry than anger. I sat back down on the couch, keeping my expression unreadable.

“I want all the information you have,” I stated. “You will be stripped of your position and both of you will be on house arrest until I say otherwise.”

“But, sir...”

“Be glad you’re not dead where you sit,” I snarled. “Whether you agree with it or not, regardless of whatever you believe about her, as of right now, Ayla is my mate and your Luna. Whatever good deed you believed you were doing is moot. So, until I get to the bottom of this, Vouchers you will be under constant guard. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Alpha,” they both said in unison.

We left the house and I called a few warriors to come stand guard. I checked in with Jimmy. They were able to grab a few of the attendees. I told him to take them to the precinct. We still didn’t know how serious their involvement was. I didn’t want them tipping the Waar Pak off about our investigation if we were forced to let anyone go.

I climbed back into my car and put my head in my hands.

“What the f*ck is going on, Briggs?” I said. “How do we fight this?”

“The same way we have been, man,” he said with a sigh.

He was quiet for a moment and I could tell there was something on his mind.

“What is it?”

He made a face. “I’m not sure,” he said with a shrug. “There are just some more things that don’t add up. Maybe Randy can help us out, but I’d like to take a look at Jack’s research myself. Do you think Ayla would be okay with that?”

“You’ll have to ask her,” I replied. “But I don’t see there being any issue. What are you thinking?”

“Well, it’s something you said,” he explained. “Why you? If Jack had some nefarious plan, why target you? He could have put in the path of any Alpha. Hell, Kingston makes a hell of a lot more sense than you. I think that’s something we should focus on.

”

I thought about it for a moment and it did start to make sense.

“Okay,” I said. “You take the lead on that then. I’ll deal with the Waar Pak recruits.”