Psyche Shield (13 page)

They instantly obeyed. Sierra dived into the back seat,
jostling her leg painfully and pulling the crutches in after her. Kathryn sat
securely behind the wheel with the engine running before both doors closed.
Sierra looked out the window in horror.

Her packmates in wolf form circled Jason and Kato, hackles
raised and growling as they closed in slowly. In human form, Graham and Stephen
rapidly moved in on Jason. Kato, suddenly in wolf form, crossed between the
combatants before they met. He bolted into the rolling hills, startling
everyone with his abrupt exit. Those in wolf form hesitated and two gave chase.

Jason took advantage of Kato’s distraction, sidestepping the
other Alpha and his son easily. He leapt over the hood and jumped into the
front passenger seat, closing the door against the oncoming Wolves. Graham
darted forward, determination chiseled into his face. He punched the window by
Jason’s head, shattering it before Kathryn could pull the car out of reach.
Ignoring the flying glass, Jason peered thoughtfully into the irate Alpha’s
eyes.

They sped away from the scene, and the Montana Wolves didn’t
try to pursue them. Sierra watched her packmates disappear through the rear
window as they fled, her hopes fading away in the distance. Graham and Stephen
stood side by side, scrutinizing her in return. Everyone else chased after the
Ethiopian Wolf. “What about Kato?”

“He knows these hills. Your packmates do not. I have no
doubt that Kato will escape,” Kathryn assured her.

“He drew them away intentionally so we could get you out,”
Jason’s voice rumbled through the vehicle and he punched the dash, denting it.
He did not like running away from a fight and only did so because of Kato’s
actions. Sierra remembered the way the old Wolf stood in front of her, claiming
protection over her and prayed he’d come to no harm because of it. Jason turned
in his seat to glower at her. “This is strange behavior even for Kato. Why is
he’s so protective of you?”

“I have no idea.”

“He’s up to something,” Jason grumbled and faced forward
again in thought. Kathryn silently guided the car along the road, grateful her
Alpha didn’t think to ask her.

Chapter 8

Your sister and packmates are returning to you.
Her Alpha believes you have collared us all.
Kato’s mental voice threaded
through my mind. Billie looked sharply at me, sensing the mental contact. She’d
quit pacing but waited anxiously for news. Jazz and Gary also awaited my
update, though more patiently than my mate.

“What’s happening?” Billie asked when I didn’t relay the
message immediately.

I held up a finger, asking her to wait, hoping to have
something good to add.
Is everyone okay?

Your packmates are unharmed, but be watchful. They
believe their packmate suffers and see our pack as a great threat to all
Wolves. They will not let this go unchallenged and none are safe until it is
resolved. Ask your mate to call for Richard, and I will join you soon.

He ended the contact, and I relayed Kato’s alarming message.
“They’re on their way back. It didn’t go well.” Billie texted Richard, her
expression pensive as she considered the dilemma.

“This could get ugly.” Billie stated the obvious, and she
gazed over the dark foothills as if it held the answer to their problems. In a
way it did. The kids played, oblivious of the danger that headed our way. They
brought the stakes of a Pack War into a terrifying new light. Billie’s phone,
clutched tightly in her hand, chimed and she glanced at it. “Richard’s coming.
You better go. I don’t want Human packmates in the middle of this. I don’t want
the kids anywhere near it.” With easy agreement, they called their children
over to say goodbye.

“When can we come back?” LeeAnn asked eagerly.

“Not for a while,” Billie told her and met Gary’s eyes. “That
goes for you too.”

LeeAnn and Dean complained loudly, but Gary stalled their
protests. “Aunt Billie’s right. When Wolves argue, it’s best to step out of
their way.”

“That’s why I’m going to become Wolf,” LeeAnn declared,
raising her chin high.

Jazz corralled her haughty daughter towards the door. “You
have six years to make that decision. Right now it’s time to go home.” The
family left quickly, surprising me with their calm response to the situation.

Alone once again, Billie and I cleaned up to stay busy while
we waited. “How do Humans adjust to all of this?” I asked.

“Most of our Human packmates were raised Pack. A few like
Gary married into it. They either adapt or they leave. It’s not usually this
bad.” Her thoughts drifted elsewhere, and I left her to ponder the best course
of action for her pack. I felt like I’d brought unnecessary danger into Dean
and LeeAnn’s lives.

“We won’t let anything happen to them.” Despite her own
distraction, she’d noticed where my thoughts had traveled.

“What are the chances Humans will get drawn into a Pack War?
Packmates or not?”

“I doubt Graham’s foolish enough to risk exposure by
involving other Humans. Our Human packmates won’t likely be targeted, and
certainly not the children. But they could get caught in the crossfire,” she
admitted. “We may decide to send all of our Human packmates away until this is
over.”

“How bad will it get?” I asked, wary of her serious mood.

“Pack Wars don’t happen often. I’ve only heard of a few
ever, and I’ve never seen one. Wolves tend to respect each other’s territory.
But we’ll fight to the bitter end to protect our home and pack. If that’s what
Graham believes he’s doing, he won’t stop. And neither will we defending
ourselves.”

I thought about the way Billie defended me against her
packmates, refusing to surrender and willing to take on any fight necessary.
Jason did the same thing when he hunted us down, believing his actions
necessary to protect his pack and to save Billie whom he loved like a daughter.
Pack bonds and friendships helped resolve the situation, but we didn’t have
that advantage with the Montana Wolves. “How do we stop this?”

“The only way they’ll back down is if they believe we’re not
a threat,” Billie replied.

“They have to believe
I’m
not a threat. Great,” I
replied glumly. It didn’t feel possible.

Billie heard Kathryn’s car, and we met them at the door.
Sierra looked pale and exhausted, and I thought it had more to do with the
meeting than the broken leg. Kathryn settled her in bed, and my new sister
looked at me with sad and fearful eyes. Crossing the room, I joined them.

Jason’s chest muscles rippled with tension. I’d never seen
him so aggravated, even at me. “What happened?” Billie asked her Alpha. He
crossed his arms and leaned against a wall, glaring daggers at an invisible
enemy as he relayed the details Kato left out. Richard arrived in the middle of
his story, glancing at me neutrally. Jason started from the beginning, and I
relayed Kato’s message. Sierra’s spirits lifted when she heard he’d escaped.

“It’s hard to say what they’ll do next. They can’t win a
head-on assault, but Graham won’t give up,” Jason declared. He pointed his
scowl in my direction. “Can you tell what they’re up to?”

The question surprised me. “Maybe if they were standing in
front of me. From this distance I’d have to read them, and I’d have to go
through one of you to do it. But I can tell when a Wolf is within ten miles or
so if I’m paying attention. I’m paying close attention since I got back.” I
neither expected nor wanted approval to read the Montana Wolves.

He considered the options, but his distaste for mental
invasion won. “Keep your nose up. Tell us if they come anywhere near us.”

“I will.”

Billie added. “I think we should send every Human packmate
out of town until this is over.”

Kathryn approved of the idea. “I will warn Leroy as well.
Graham knows my family and will likely assume correctly he is the grandson who
found Sierra. Graham is patient and shrewd. He will not attempt a direct
assault he cannot win, and they are no match for our fighters.”

Richard listened to everyone in silence before asking Sierra
for her input. She thought carefully before answering, her tight face
reflecting her internal conflict. We waited patiently while she made her
decision. “I can’t in good conscience act against my Alpha, but I’ll lose
packmates in a Pack War. Promise me you will do everything you can to stop this
without bloodshed, and I’ll help you.”

Jason’s glower shifted into respect for the Wolf’s choice.
If she’d acted against her Alpha lightly, she’d have lost his trust. If she’d
refused to help, no one could blame her. She found a third option that
benefited both Packs and earned Jason’s respect. He made the promise easily.
“You have my word that I will do everything I can to prevent a Pack War, and we
will not harm any of your packmates except to protect our own.” Billie affirmed
the promise with a nod. The fact that Jason didn’t consider me a packmate did
not escape my notice.

She accepted their word. “He’ll stay in the shadows until he
has the advantage. He’ll strike where you’re most vulnerable and when you’re
not expecting it. He will not attack directly but will find a way to pick you
off one by one, retreating back into the shadows each time. He will continue
doing this until he puts you on the run and you cannot stand your ground. Only
when he’s sure he can win will he come at you directly. This is how he hunts.
We are not a pack with muscle. We survive through stealth and cunning. My Alpha
has lived a long time and is very cunning. He does not need strength to win. If
we hadn’t run from him just now, I would be dead. He did not expect us to flee,
and it was our only chance of escape. Don’t underestimate him.”

Kathryn concurred with Sierra’s assessment. “Even as a Pup
Graham was shrewd. He could outwit Wolves twice his age. Underestimating him
would be a fatal mistake.”

“We’re not exactly spring chickens, my dear,” Richard told
his mate affectionately. “We can win this fight.”

I was already tired of assessing who could kill who, and
we’d just begun the conflict. So I asked the most obvious question in my mind.
“How do we stop this before it starts? How do we convince them I’m not
dangerous?”

Richard looked down his nose at me. “We don’t. You are
dangerous. We have to convince Graham you won’t harm his pack.”

His statement irritated me, and I challenged him. “How are
you going to convince him when you don’t believe it yourself? The Wolves here
aren’t convinced, not most of them. They’re following Jason’s orders and
leaving me alone, but only a handful actually trust me. I don’t even have Pack
Status. How do you plan on convincing them when you don’t believe it?”

“She has a point,” Billie backed me up. “And that brings us
back to her first question. How do we convince Graham that we are not a threat
to his pack? That Sadie hasn’t collared us. He won’t quit until he believes
it.” No one had an answer. Jason studied everyone carefully, his frustration
leveling out and a calculative look in his eyes. I suspected that meant he had
an idea. If so, he didn’t share it.

Kathryn finally broke the silence. “Until we determine a
course of action, we must remove ourselves as targets.”

“Most definitely,” Richard nodded. “We must warn the pack.
Everyone should stay in pairs and in public. He will not strike where Humans
can witness.”

After hearing from everyone, Jason determined the course of
action. “Richard, call a Pack Meeting. Get everyone here within an hour, no
exceptions. Kathryn, make arrangements for our Human packmates to leave town
for the duration.” Richard and Kathryn pulled out their phones and moved into
the kitchen to coordinate.

Jason and Billie talked strategies and made plans while I
sat with Sierra. Kato arrived and joined us on the bed. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
Sierra ran her hand through his wiry fur, finding a few leaves and twigs.

He rested his head on her leg contentedly, and I filled him
in.
You speak the truth. How will others trust you when your own packmates
do not? I did not wish to bring this on you so soon.

I’m glad you brought her here, no matter what comes of
it. But what do I do now?
I’d gone on the defense with Richard, but I felt
helpless.

Now you wait. It is in your packmates’ hands.

Wolves began to trickle in, and soon Billie’s home held
twenty-five Wolves, almost as many Humans, and one Mage. The entire pack came
minus the children and one Human adult chosen to watch them. Our large home
felt unusually small with so many people in it. They lounged on every chair and
couch, some sat on the floor, and voices buzzed with speculation about the
emergency meeting. Kato and I sat with Sierra, and a few crowded around us for
lack of options.

An uncomfortable amount of attention came at me from all
directions. I’d met less than half of the people present, and some still feared
me. Many simply stared. I made a point of noticing every mind so I could tell
Pack from stranger without having to go through Billie.

With everyone accounted for, Jason called for attention.
Billie stood by his side with the Elders nearby. Jason never beat around the
bush, and he began by pointing at our injured guest. “Sierra is from the
Montana Pack. She was injured in a car accident yesterday morning and came to
us for help. Now her Alpha knows about Billie’s mate, and he thinks we’re all
collared. He believes we are a threat to stop at all costs.” Murmuring erupted
in the room. A low rumble erupted from Jason’s throat, and he received
immediate silence. “All Human packmates will leave town immediately and stay
gone until this is over. No exceptions. Kathryn has made arrangements - I want
you all in one spot and out of danger.”

“I would like to be with my children. Can I go with the
Humans and guard them?” A female Wolf asked fervently.

“No. They’re safe without you or any Wolves around. You can
stay in contact with your families, but only from afar.” Her face fell but she
didn’t argue.

“Are they safe right now? What if the Montana Wolves show
up?” A Human voiced his concern.

Jason nodded at me, and I answered with more confidence than
I felt addressing the entire pack. “I’m keeping watch. The only Wolves for
miles are in this room. If that changes, I’ll tell you with plenty of time to
get to your kids.” My announcement relieved some. From others I sensed
apprehension about a Mage watching over their children.

Jason and Billie heard a comment too low for my ears. I felt
my mate’s annoyance and heard her firm reply. “Sadie will not harm your kids.”

Jason’s eyes narrowed at the offending whisperer, his
response shocked me. “Are you questioning me or my ability to protect the pack?
I’d throw you off a cliff before I’d let one of the kids get hurt. You don’t
know Sadie and you don’t trust Mages. Fine. But she is your Beta’s mate and has
proven herself to me.” No one else challenged my loyalty, at least not
verbally.

Kathryn filled them in on the arrangements. “I’ve made
reservations for everyone in Portland. Once you’re gone, you’ll be perfectly
safe, and Portland has many attractions to offer while you’re there. The pack
will cover your expenses. Take a Wolf to escort you home and ensure you leave
town safely. Gary, will you take charge of the expense account and arrangements
after tonight?” He accepted.

“How long will our families have to stay away?” another Wolf
I’d never met asked.

“Until it’s safe for them to return.” Billie, the
ever-confident Beta answered ambiguously.

“I’d rather stay with my wife. We don’t have any kids to
worry about,” another Human asserted.

Billie had anticipated this. “No. If you stay, you’ll
endanger Wolves trying to keep you safe. If need be, we can disappear into the
mountains. Better to retreat and regroup than risk a Pack War near Humans. You
can’t take wolf form.”

“Neither can Sadie.” He wouldn’t let it go, determined to
stay by his wife’s side.

Billie raised her eyebrows at the inane comment. “Sadie has
skills you don’t have. She stays to help us guard the pack and to show the
Montana Alpha he has nothing to fear from us. If a Pack War comes, she can get
out of Dodge in her own way.” We hadn’t discussed the possibility of me
leaving, and I didn’t like the sound of it. She picked up my thought and met my
defiant gaze. I thought for a moment she would wait until later to respond.
“Love, you’re a great alarm system. But if it comes to a fight with Wolves,
you’re out of the game. Wolf versus Wolf. Mage versus Mage. We agreed to keep
any fight on equal footing. If that happens, I want you out of the way.”