Bass smiled. “She was quite restrained actually. Went willingly from the store until she was alone with him before knocking the asshole out and calling me. Evan had the pleasure of disposing of the scum after questioning. As you can imagine, he wasn’t very happy his mate had been targeted.”
“Anyone who’s willing to endanger the life of a child deserves death,” Jackson growled.
“So, Castor’s turning any old human who can get a bit of dirt on us?” Nico asked.
“As far as he was aware, Castor would only turn them after they’d proved their worth, hence the escalation from recon to kidnapping,” Bass explained.
It was a dangerous situation, one John hoped wouldn’t get out of hand. Being a wolf was a privilege, but it was also a power, and not everyone deserved to possess such things.
“We’ve got to presume he’s at least got a few recently turned men within his pack then,” Mia commented. “They tend to be more aggressive and stronger, but also sloppy with little control. It could be an advantage or disadvantage, all depending on the situation.”
John had to agree. Either way, it proved further how reckless Castor was. He was willing to do anything to win, underhanded or not. If they were going to survive, they had to be prepared for anything.
“What’s the likelihood my shooting was one of Castor’s hopefuls?” Logan asked. Mia gritted her teeth beside him, slipping an arm around his neck.
“I asked about that. He had no idea about a shooting, but they’ve also been working alone. It doesn’t appear to be an organized mission, simply Castor taking chances to get one over on us where he can,” Bass responded, looking as angry as Mia. “But we can’t rule it out like we previously had, because the shooter being human means we can’t automatically rule him out now.”
“Castor has effectively made no one safe,” Nico muttered. “Nice of him.”
“Locking down the packs isn’t a long-term option,” Jackson noted, running a hand through his messy red hair. “I’ve got pack members who live in town as it is, and bringing them all in isn’t going to work for more than a week, two tops.”
“I agree,” Bass replied. “Tensions are already at their peak. Cutting all freedom over a prolonged period is going to be more dangerous than the threat Castor poses.”
“So, what do we do then?” Katalina asked. “Because if any human could be an attacker, it’s going to make life really difficult.”
“For now, I think all we can do is leave pack land for necessities and never alone. Jackson?” Bass slipped his hand into Katalina’s and brought their linked hands to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “And coffee dates aren’t a necessity.”
“To you maybe.” Katalina poked out her tongue.
“I have to agree with you, Bass. No one travels alone, round the clock guards on those living outside pack lands, and nondominants need guards if they leave pack lands. It’s the only way we can be sure we’re all safe.”
“Who’s deciding what’s a necessity and what isn’t?” Nico asked. “Because I can bet you Olivia will think teaching class is essential.” He seemed pained by the idea. John wondered if Eva would be as argumentative about such things; he hoped so. Sometimes a bit of heated discussion could be fun.
“I’m not a dictator, Nic. I think that choice is up to the individual,” Bass answered.
“It is her job, Nico,” Katalina defended. “I’d say that is important.”
“Of course you’d agree with her. Next you’ll be wanting a job,” Nico muttered.
“If I don’t stick up for the female population of this pack, we’d all be confined to our quarters while all you men walk about beating your chests like cavemen.”
Jackson sniggered, Bass looked miffed, and Nico openly laughed. Katalina was right, and yet her words only served to worry John because he had a female to worry about now.
“Okay, point taken, Kat,” Nico conceded. “Still don’t like it though.”
“There’s nothing about this situation to like,” Katalina responded, her eyes filling with sadness.
John had to agree. It needed to end, one way or another. “How long do we think we’ll carry on like this? While every week that passes gives our youngsters more training time, it also leaves us more strained.”
Bass glanced at Jackson before rubbing a hand over his face in a very uncharacteristic display of stress. “I think that’s a question that needs more than one person’s input. Either way has risks.”
“Discuss it with senior members before deciding on that matter?” Jackson suggested.
“Agreed.” Bass nodded. “Well, I think that’s it for now. Anyone have anything else to add?”
Jackson shook his head, and when no one else added anything, John jumped to his feet, exiting the pavilion. “I’ve got border patrol. See you all later.”
“John?”
“Hmm?” John looked back at Katalina as she and Bass headed toward him.
“How’s Eva?”
“Better than expected.” He smiled. “She’s got the heart of a wolf.”
Katalina’s responding smile told John that Bass had been whispering his news in her ear, but John expected nothing less; not even an alpha was expected to keep secrets from his mate. As long as she kept the information to herself, he didn’t care. It was best Eva stayed in the dark for a while longer. He’d sweeten her up first, make her crave him, and then he’d reveal the true extent of the connection between them.
Chapter 3
Eva
Knocking on what she hoped was the correct door, Eva waited for Olivia to answer. Unlike her father, Eva had avoided spending time at Dark Shadow. It wasn’t that she had anything against the people who lived there; she just didn’t understand them, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to understand them. There was already so much inside her head that hurt and confused her. Like mourning the loss
