Lone Wolf Pack 03 - Expecting His Alpha's Child (15 page)

In response, Shannon poked him again. Despite being a few weeks old, he managed to wiggle quite energetically, and Finn found himself laughing too as he tried to avoid Shannon's grabby hands.

At one point, he noticed a twinkle in Shannon's eye—that spark of something not quite baby-like—and he had the strangest thought. Had Shannon understood whatever his parents had discussed before and had been distracting Saul on purpose? Was he doing the same with Finn? That couldn't be right... Up to this point, Shannon seemed an entirely normal child. Then again, Jessie had seemed like a regular human, hadn't he?

He shelved that somewhat startling thought for later analysis and allowed himself the comfort of playing with Shannon for a bit longer. After that, he handed the baby back to Gavin, because his conversation with Saul was waiting.

As it turned out, he didn't even have to initiate it. The moment Finn's arms were free of wiggling baby, Saul handed him a file. Finn took it, arching a brow at his brother. "What's this?"

"Before he left, Father came to me and showed me this. He said it's a property he purchased a few years ago. He recently made the arrangements to transfer it to my name. I think... In his heart, he knew he wouldn't be coming back, and so did I. I should have never let him go."

Finn skimmed over the contents of the file. It was a deed for an area close to the Great Lakes—one unclaimed by any pack, or any other shifter group. Of course, that was not surprising. Following a twist of nature's rules, plots of lands around bodies of water were generally considered 'common space', neutral zones where all species could interact.

Still, Finn couldn't help a small twinge of unease. "Is this safe?"

Saul nodded. "I had it checked out. The area is private, if not... secluded. It used to belong to a human family and a developer had been planning to build a resort or something before Father bought it. Of course, there are shifters passing through, but I'd think that if we don't bother them, they won't bother us. We have the right to settle down there as long as we don't create an actual pack—which would involve far more people than I would ever even allow there."

"It's best for us to leave," Gavin added. "My proximity to my mother and my brothers jeopardizes them. They need a normal life."

"So it's a done deal," Finn concluded. "You're going."

Saul pinned him with a steady gaze. "The question isn't if Gavin and I are going. It's what you and Parker will do."

"You know already," Finn replied without missing a beat.

"You were already considering leaving," Gavin guessed in a whisper.

"Of course," Finn told his brother-in-law. "After everything that happened, how can we ever be safe here? I have to think about Parker's security, and that of our child. And all things considered, given the pack's attitude, I think it's what Father would have wanted."

As he spoke, he heard footsteps approaching behind him, and he stopped before he could delve into the rest of what he needed to discuss. Still, it was obvious that William must have heard at least part of the conversation, because the first thing he said when he stepped into the room was, "Dean's not dead. Stop talking like he is."

He looked far better than the last time Finn had seen him, an hour before. Finn had expected a painful conversation with his father's true mate, but he hadn't really foreseen it starting like this. A spark of budding hope appeared in his heart, before it fizzled out. If his father wasn't dead yet, he would be soon, because there was nothing they could do to get him out of the clutches of the Gathering. They simply didn't have the manpower, and if they did make the attempt, they would be risking their children and mates. It might have been cruel, but Finn couldn't do that, couldn't put his pregnant lover in more risk than he already had.

He didn't have the heart to tell William that, but the human doctor didn't seem to be waiting for a response. "So... I take it you're making plans to leave. Where to?"

In reply, Finn handed William the file. The doctor took it and skimmed through the pages. His eyebrows shot up and he let out a low surprised chuckle.

"What?" Saul asked curiously.

"Nothing," William replied, still with that small mysterious smile. "When did Dean buy this?"

He must have missed that part of Saul's explanation, which was just as well, since Finn had a feeling the human knew more about the property itself than Finn and Saul did. "A few years ago. The date should be on the deed."

"Ah, yes. You're right, of course. I'm just a bit surprised. I didn't expect your father to have remembered this place after several decades."

But he obviously remembered, so why wouldn't Finn's father? Never mind. That was a stupid question, and something Finn was better off not asking.

"So you're familiar with this place?" he inquired instead. "Would it be safe?"

William hesitated, and then nodded. "I haven't been around there in years, but I kept an eye on the area. I'm originally from a small town nearby, and the property itself belonged to my uncle. I actually lived there for a bit when I was pregnant and not quite sure what was going on, but I left when I figured out it wasn't a good idea to stay anywhere close to familiar people who might be tempted to track me down."

Finn suppressed a wince at the images William's words conjured. The human seemed at peace with at least part of what had happened back then, but Finn could only imagine how hard it must have been for him to handle his pregnancy alone.

"Will you be okay...going there?"

"It was a long time ago," William replied neutrally. It wasn't a real answer, but it would have to be enough. "It's a good idea. Most everyone who knew me is dead or very old, and it's far safer for Jessie than here. But... What will you do about your pack?"

At that, Finn smiled bitterly. "What I must."

****

The pack meeting was held that evening, in the nearby forest, under the cold rays of the moon. Howls echoed in the air mournfully in remembrance of their lost Alpha, and Finn joined in, as did Saul.

It would be the last time he ran with the pack. This had been his home, but everything he'd thought true and solid had proven to be a lie. Pack members were supposed to stand for one of their own, not stab someone in the back when they deemed it convenient. His father had sacrificed his bond with his true mate for this pack, and at the end of the day it hadn't mattered.

They all met up in a clearing, as it had been accorded beforehand. Even the elders were there—other than Lisbet's grandfather, Terrence, of course, who'd been banished with her. Lisbet was actually one of Finn's main concerns. He couldn't take her along, and he wasn't comfortable with leaving her in the hands of a pack he didn't trust. The same thing went for the silencers who'd first attacked Andreas and Jessie.

It had taken everything in his power to swallow down his pride and fury and contact Elena Maximoff. She'd agreed to come to the pack meeting, although Finn guessed it must have been because it amused her to have him owe her for something.

Nonetheless, they were all here now, and as the howls faded, Finn shifted into his human form. By his side, Saul did the same.

"I'm sure you're all aware of recent developments in the pack," Finn said. "Suffice to say, the situation cannot continue this way. I've come to announce I'm stepping down as the Alpha of the pack."

"But Alpha..." one of the elders spluttered. "There's no one to take over."

Finn knew that. Born Alphas like him and Saul were rare, and without the Simmons brothers—and their father—the pack would be left bereft. Finn couldn't bring himself to feel remorse over that. At this point, he didn't even care that his departure involved him belonging to a pack where his brother was Alpha. At a different time, he'd have considered that unacceptable. Funny, how quickly priorities could change.

"I'm sure you can handle it." He shrugged. "You seemed to be very opinionated on the job my family was doing."

"You can't punish us all for what a few members did," a female werewolf cried.

"Indeed. This is why Miss Maximoff is here." He saw Elena frown at being pinpointed. "Since the Gathering deemed it necessary to execute"—and moon be blessed, even saying that word was like poison—"my father for something that was not his fault, since it deemed my decisions and my brother's inadequate, I believe the aftermath is also their responsibility. As such, Miss Maximoff, if any of the members of my former packs are unhappy with staying here, you will have to reassign them to other packs."

It would be a huge effort, and he knew that. People would have to be uprooted from their homes, their workplaces. A few months ago, Finn would have done anything to prevent it. But in his heart, he'd stopped being part of this pack already. It had started the moment he'd first begun to make compromises and had hurt his brother because of it. Now, they'd reached full circle, and it was time to start over.

"The Gathering will also be the one to take charge of Lisbet, as she is a rogue wolf, and cannot be trusted with her former pack."

"Similarly," Saul piped up, "I'd like to request a meeting with the silencer guilds. It seems that certain guilds are very eager to punish their own when they let people live, but not so much when they run amok and randomly shoot at innocents."

Elena scowled. "That's fair. I can see where you're coming from, and I can make the arrangements you speak of. But...what will you do?"

"We will build a new life, elsewhere. Our goal is to leave behind the previous human lives of our mates, so that their human acquaintances and families are not a risk to the Secrecy Accords."

Elena's expression cleared at that, and she actually smiled. "Well, it seems you're seeing reason. Excellent. I can handle the rest if you deal with the humans."

Out of sight, out of mind, huh? Finn wished he could have asked to see his father one last time, but he knew what the answer would be, so he didn't. Besides, he suspected he might not have to. He remembered his earlier conversation with William Orwell, and he knew this wasn't over.

"Then it's settled," he told Elena. "We'll arrange the transport of the prisoners tomorrow."

"And I will be awaiting your communication with regards with the guilds," Saul added. "We can't leave the silencers here."

Finn desperately hoped that excuse would work, because he couldn't abandon Erdi to his fate. The guilds were not unreasonable, and Finn owed Erdi. Perhaps he could still get the silencer out before his own kind did... whatever they did to traitors.

He didn't want to press, because otherwise, Elena might guess his thoughts. Instead, he just directed his attention to the gathered members of his pack. "You were my friends for decades. I cannot say that I have no regrets that it's come to this. But most of you no longer respect me as an Alpha, and I cannot afford to stay with a pack where my family isn't safe. I wish you all the best. Well...most of you."

He pinned Argent with an angry glare, since he hadn't forgotten the beta's betrayal. Argent was the least of his problems, though, and someone Finn had every intention of leaving behind. As such, Finn turned away from Argent and shifted into his wolf form. He'd said what he'd come here to say, and there was no point in prolonging this meeting further.

His brother followed his example and together, they headed back toward the mansion. Behind them, Finn heard voices trying to call them back—the elders, Argent, some others. Finn let it all go, severing the final thread that bound him to his pack. As he ran with his brother, he felt the wave of Saul's power settle over him, and he accepted it. He had a new pack now—a lone wolf pack—and that suited him just fine. Because the first thing he saw when he reached the mansion would be his mate, and the sight of Parker's welcoming smile always made everything, everything worthwhile.

****

"So you're going? Why? Where?"

Parker mentally sighed, guilt setting heavily in his stomach. He was thankful Alicia didn't have a web cam or 3G smart phone, because if she'd been able to see his face, she would have realized something was wrong.

The last thing he'd wanted was to abandon the people he cared about, but it would be far safer for Alicia and the boys to have only limited contact with anything belonging to the werewolf world. "We're moving to Wisconsin," he replied, although that didn't really provide a satisfactory answer to what Alicia really wanted to know.

"Wisconsin? Parker, I thought you'd come back after Mr. Simmons recovered."

"I know," Parker replied quietly. "I just... I have to follow my heart."

It wasn't the response he'd have liked to give, but it was better than nothing, and in a way, true. He was following his heart, following Finn in the hope of building a new life together.

Perhaps Alicia realized this, because her tone grew softer, fond. "You really love him. Good for you, Parker. I'm glad. You deserve it. Is he going to be okay, though? He's just recovered from his coma."

"Yeah. The doctor told us the property where we'll be moving will be good for his recovery. Plus it would be more quiet, a safe place for Gavin to raise Shannon."

Alicia sighed. "I was looking forward to seeing him more, seeing my grandson. I guess that's not going to happen now."

"I don't think that's the case," Parker replied. Even as he spoke, Gavin entered the room, having already known about the conversation.

"Hi," he said. "Parker told you about our plans?"

"Yes. I'm just... Kyle and Jackie were very excited."

Gavin winced. "Yes, I know, and this isn't forever. I want to be with you guys too. It'll just have to wait a bit, until Finn is better and Shannon is a little older. In the meantime, I'm going to send you some money to cover—"

"I don't need money from you," Alicia replied tightly. "Those debts are mine to cover."

"Don't be stubborn, Mom. I want to help. Please let me. If not for yourself, for Jackie and Kyle. I can't be there for them right now, not like I would want, so I want to at least make sure you can be without having your income threatened."