When I finished, I tipped the dishes in the sink and promised myself that I'd wash them when I got home. Eskal's car was gone and so was Vadriq's bike. I walked out to my old truck, paperwork tucked securely under one arm, and thanked everything that was holy that the day wasn't as rainy as yesterday had been.
I arrived at the dig site to an unholy mess. Eskal was dragging Xavion away by his arm, snarling at the man. I couldn't hear precisely what was being said, but the tone suggested that neither of them were happy. All four Fontaine alphas were present, the other three in hot debates with my wingmates. I pushed the clutch down, shoved my truck into park, and took a deep breath before I exited the vehicle to go see what had happened this time.
"-no reason whatsoever to do it, none. There are legal consequences for-"
"-the fuck is wrong with you? Haven't you noticed-"
I shook my head, catching snippets of conversation as I walked. The humans present stared at the billionaires that were ready to rip each other apart. I couldn't possibly intercede in one conversation without getting stuck in another. So, I did the only thing I could think of. I walked over to Eskal's car, opened it up, and smashed the horn with all my might.
The damn thing screamed across the lot. The wolves flinched and it did my sensitive ears no favors, either. Yet, they were far more likely to end up howling at this than we were. Mongrels.
"Mr. Vervain, I'm afraid I need to speak with you privately, sir," I said, once I'd released the horn.
Eskal had rolled up a sleeve. So had Xavion. I had little doubt the two were about to deck each other before I'd so rudely interrupted them. My wingmate dropped the wolf and stalked across the clearing to me, murder in his eyes. "This had better be worth it."
"It is, if you desire to keep up appearances," I whispered, turning my back to the rest of the assembly. One never knew who could read lips. "What is wrong with you? This is the sort of thing we settle during full moons, not out in public."
"They started it."
I stared at him. "I don't care who started it. I don't care if they came up to you and kicked you in the ass. You're going to raise all sorts of problems doing things like this. Worse, you know it. What is wrong with you? With all of you?"
"Hudson threatened to have the eggs destroyed if we made an attempt to push for our land rights," Vadriq hissed over my shoulder.
That was incredibly dark for a man who had children of his own. I looked over at the dark-haired, olive-skinned werewolf and scowled. I held up a finger, then walked over to the wolves.
"Did you really threaten to destroy our belongings found on this property?" I asked, looking up at the head alpha.
Hudson glared at me, sweat visible on his brow. His shoulders heaved as he tried to maintain his cool. He was failing. "I think I snapped something like that. You know better."
"I know nothing of the sort. Are we allies? Or not?" I frowned.
Gabe moved in front of Hudson. The two were a matched set, for all they were only cousins. I'd had plenty of dealings with Gabe over the years and found the man to be something of a treat. In all honesty, were I interested in werewolf men-... no, that was a thought better left undiscovered. He scowled at me. "We aren't going to insert ourselves into your claims. I apologize for the brash words said by my cousin. You have every right to the opals. We would never have them harvested."
He said the last with a sharp look back at Hudson, who seemed to have cooled down a great deal more. I gave him an abrupt nod and spun on a heel, walking back to my flight.
"Well?" Eskal growled.
I shook my head. "Words of anger, Eskal. Let them be. They're under a lot of pressure, too. Warring between us will do nothing but give everything away. And what is the most important thing that we must do in situations like this?"
"Protect the pact," Eskal said.
The rage died in him then, followed quickly by Iyadre and Vadriq. I, absentmindedly, smoothed my hair back once more and looked around at the humans staring at us. "I apologize, ladies and gentlemen, but the show is over. If you would please resume your work."
I held a hint of authority in my voice. It was the sort of thing that most humans responded to. Everyone simply wants to know where they fit in society. There is nothing wrong with that. I appreciated it when few decided to fight me; look at how simply I'd resolved the matter between the flight and the pack.
Yet of them all, one stood out. The blonde witch from before, Olivia, watched me from across the dig site. She moved with uncertain footing, like she was full of adrenaline with nowhere to spend it. I watched her for another moment, then turned back to what I was doing. I showed Eskal the paperwork I'd brought along with me, then went to make copies for the rest of the people who needed them.
It was there that she cornered me. The door swung open to the trailer as Olivia followed me inside, her eyes locked on me. I hit the copy button and allowed the machine to do its work while I looked back at her. "Is there some reason you're stalking me after screaming at us to leave you alone?"
"I need your help," she whispered.
Had I
