Rook (Black Mountain Pack Book 2) Page 4
Tiny voices answered me.
“I do!”
“We do.”
“Oh please.”
I laughed and turned toward Tamara, who had settled into the wingback chair facing the couch and mound of cubs in blankets. “Alright, you guys, but you have to be quiet and still.” She waited until the fidgeting had stopped before she began. “Shall I tell you how we became who we are?” Little heads nodded in answer.
I snuck out the door as Tamara’s melodic voice began the tale. She has such a way with stories I knew the cubs would be asleep before she even got halfway through. I quietly closed the door behind me and headed up the stairs. I wanted to check on the other women. A small part of me wanted to observe Rook, too. A tiny sliver allowed the attraction I felt to blossom. Secretly, of course, because I knew he’d never want someone as screwed up as me. I stopped a few steps from the door and listened. Even though I had been a part of the harem for six months I hadn’t heard the individual women’s stories and I wanted to know more about them, too. I had focused on protecting them I didn’t stop to learn about any of them. I leaned against the wall and slid down into a sitting position and wrapped my arms around my knees. I sat that way for the next couple hours listening to tale after tale while tears fell down my face. I silently cried for every woman and the hell Tomas had put them through. My mind raced with ideas on how to help them.
I was lost in thought when I heard Rook begin to move. I knew it was him by the slight differences in sounds as he moved. The steps were a bit heavier and with purpose, his scent became stronger, and the anger he felt preceded him through the door. I stood as quietly as possible and moved around the corner to the back stairs that led to the kitchens. I didn’t want to be caught listening in and I knew he would need coffee and food to sustain him for the day. I could provide that, my protective nature kicking in. Or maybe it was the fear of anger if it wasn’t ready. I didn’t know at this point, I just knew I didn’t want to disappoint him.
I found Niko, Paulo, and DJ sitting at the table. Tamara was at the stove stirring something in a pot and flipping pancakes in a pan. Miguel and Rook were the only two absent. A pot of coffee sat on a trivet on the table while another perked at the coffeemaker. I guess everyone had the same idea I did.
“Have a seat, Jasmine, you look as tired as the rest of us feel.” Niko motioned to the seat next to him.
“I’m okay, I need to get coffee and food ready, Rook is on his way down.” I kept my eyes to the floor and poured a mug of coffee for Rook as he walked in. I handed it to him as he passed and sat across the table from where I stood. I stole a glance at him. He nodded at me as he sat and encircled it with both hands. I could read the exhaustion and pain in his face and wished I could do something to wipe it away. Instead I piled a plate high with food and sat it in front of him.
Rook glanced around the table. “We have a long road ahead of us, what is up first today? Where’s Miguel?”
“He is doing a perimeter sweep. We have been taking turns every half hour through the night. Shifters have been arriving at the gates since about one am but none have attempted to climb the walls. They are just waiting there. You will probably have to address them before we head back down to the meeting hall,” Jonas informed him. “We are going to need a doctor to check out the children and someone needs to run to town for supplies. I think you need to call Casey and fill her in before we do anything else,” Jonas offered.
“Mack won’t be happy,” Rook stated as he took another sip of coffee.
“Nobody is going anywhere ‘til you eat,” Tamara stated as she placed plates mounded with food on the table for everyone else. “Jasmine, sit and eat. You need food, too.”
“No, I’m fine.” I moved to stand at the back of the room.
Rook looked at me then. “No, sit and eat. You have helped so much I know you are as exhausted as the rest of us.” He motioned to the seat across from him.
I sat and Tamara put a plate in front of me and a cup of coffee. I picked at my food. I had never been allowed to eat with others and I felt very self-conscious doing so. I wanted to melt into the background, out of sight, away from everyone’s eyes.
“I have to contact Casey before we do anything else as well. I’ll call her after breakfast and we can regroup then. All of you will work in shifts today so that you can catch some sleep. I need everyone as alert as possible. The threats aren’t gone, they are just waiting for the right time to attack.” Rook addressed the others at the table and dug into his food.
I was fidgety, needing to do something. I stood and refilled everyone’s mug and took the empty carafe back to the counter where Tamara was already starting on some other type of food. I whispered, “Can I talk to you?” She looked at me, a little shocked.
She glanced at the table and nodded yes, motioning me to follow her. She led the way into a huge pantry, closed the door and turned the utility faucet on. “This won’t drown out everything but will make it harder for them to hear us clearly, what’s up?”
“You’re the only other female that is in the loop. Do you believe what Rook says? That he and Casey and their friends want to help us? I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up, especially the cubs, only to find out we have been lied to.” I tried not to let the worry enter my voice.
Tamara thought a moment. “I don’t know Rook well, but I do know Jonas and his men. They wouldn’t help or take orders from Rook if they didn’t trust and believe him. Rook used to be a part of this Pride. I don’t remember him, but he and Jonas were close. If Jonas believes him, then so do I. We all need hope right now, Jasmine. I choose to believe in that hope. Rook has treated me with nothing but kindness so far and he gave me a job, something to focus on that allows me to help the Pride with something I know and love. Food.” She paused. “I am not good talking to crowds of people. I get nervous and stammer and shake, but in a kitchen I can talk through my food. Knowing what I create helps nourish the Pride, that gives me a sense of accomplishment that I contribute to the Pride as a whole. Trust Rook, I do.”
I smiled at her. “Thank you.” I wanted to hug her but refrained. She turned the water off, grabbed a can from the shelf without looking and exited the pantry. I followed grabbing something random from the shelving as well.
“Jasmine, I’ll have cinnamon rolls ready to take to the cubs soon if you want to help me,” Tamara informed me as she went back to working at the stove.
“Great, I’ll grab another cup of coffee.” I took the fresh pot to the table, refilled my mug and doctored it the way I like and studied Rook from the corner of my eye as he continued to eat deep in thought. In the deep recesses of my mind my cat perked up and purred for the first time in many years. I mentally chided her, reminding her that this man would need a strong woman by his side, not some broken, used up crazy shifter. She growled back and I mentally slammed her door, locking her back up in her cage.
THINKING ABOUT TALKING TO MACK and Casey turned the food I just ate to cement in my stomach. I couldn’t put it off though because I needed more help than I had sitting at this table with me. The willingness they had given to do whatever was needed to get this Pride fixed made me smile. I glanced at Tamara working hard at the stoves and realized how much she had come out of her shell in the last twelve hours. She just needed to have a task she enjoyed and that helped the Pride as a whole. Jonas had even noticed the change, and I could see his interest growing in her. That relationship is one I would be encouraging. Individually they were assets to the Pride, but together they would be an unstoppable force this Pride would need.
“I am going to update Mack and Casey. Then I want to address those at the gates. Determine if they are part of the Pride, or if they are wanting to apply to the Pride. Then we need to get to the meeting house and start on putting together the teams for repairs, clean up, and whatever else we need. The sooner we get this Pride working together the faster we can eliminate all reminders of Tomas and his evil rule.” I made eye contact with eve
ryone at the table noticing Jasmine no longer sat across from me. I searched the kitchen finding her at the counter, her back to me as she helped Tamara. I couldn’t have her helping with Pride members that might be unstable. I opened my mouth to speak to her, but her eyes met mine and I saw the pain and anguish. She hid it quickly and looked at the floor. That was a habit I would have to break her of. “Jasmine, what would you like to help with?” I realized ordering her may not be the best approach, I waited for her response. It took a moment and was quiet when it came.
“I’ll stay here and help Nanny with the cubs. Tamara has cinnamon rolls baking for them so I’ll get them up and fed. Will it be okay if I take them out back into the gardens to play? I think some fresh air and sunshine will do them good.” She hunched her shoulders.
She was scared, of me, probably of everyone. I needed to be gentle with her. I wanted to know what had happened and show her that she didn’t have to act that way anymore. “That sounds like a wonderful plan.” I looked at the men at the table. “Would one of you like to volunteer to guard them while outside? I want the cubs guarded at all times until Mack, Casey, and their team arrive.”
Niko spoke up. “I’ll stay with them.”
Jonas nodded. “Good, and remember, if anything seems out of the ordinary contact me through the Pride. I’ll keep the connection open just between the elite so you won’t have to worry about anyone listening in.”
“Ok. Finish your breakfast and then meet me on the front steps. I’ll join you as soon as I am done updating Casey.”
I walked by the room where Jasmine had corralled the cubs and felt the excitement emanating from the door. I smiled at the noise coming from that door, those cubs were a big reason to keep motivated. To swallow my doubt and do all I could to this Pride. I turned and walked into the den across from the cub’s room. I closed the door and sunk into the closest chair. I took a deep breath and dialed Mack’s number. I quickly calculated the time difference and cringed, it was only four am in Missouri.
“This better be good,” Mack growled.
“It is, Mack. I need to speak to you and Casey together.”
“Oh, hey Rook. Hang on, let me wake her. If you can hold for a minute I have to get Da too, he wanted to be on your next update.” I heard Mack stifle a yawn and then the phone went silent. Thirty minutes later I joined Paulo, Jonas, Miguel, and DJ on the front steps. Breathing deeply, the air was full of floral scents and heavy with humidity already, and it was only nine in the morning.
“So what did the Alpha and her team have to say?” Jonas asked.
“Well as I predicted she is on her way here. Jerome has chartered a plane so they don’t have to worry about delays or security checks. Mack and Jerome will be accompanying her. A few others from the pack are coming to help as well. Jerome is reaching out to a few contacts he has in Rio to help get the therapists we need and the leader of the coven that works with the Black Mountain Pack is coming to help determine whether the witches left want to help or harm. Everyone should arrive tomorrow morning.” I felt a bit of weight lift from my shoulders knowing reinforcements were on their way. “So today we deal with those at the gate and get teams divided at the meeting hall. We need to get a census of who is still here and how many we should expect to arrive over time.”
I headed down to the gate the guys following behind me. I stopped and surveyed the shifters on the other side. I guessed there to be about three dozen of varying ages and sexes. “Have you come together as a group?” I couldn’t tell if there was a leader or not.
“No, but we all came for the same reason,” a tall burly man in front stated.
“And what reason is that?” Jonas asked next to me.
“To find out if the rumor of Tomas’ death is true, and if so, to find out if the Alpha is accepting Pride members back.”
I looked at Jonas a bit puzzled. He turned toward me to explain. “Tomas sent Pride members to “monitor” outposts as he called them. It was his way of keeping the population here low enough to control. If a shifter showed signs of rebellion, or of possibly growing up to be able to overpower Tomas, he did one of two things. He either sent you to an outpost for a duration of time only he determined with the potential of allowing you to return. Or he sent you to an outpost and eliminated you as a threat, telling your family that some terrible accident befell you.” Jonas looked through the gates. “These must be the Pride members who were sent away years ago. At least the ones with enough nerve to attempt to return hoping the rumors were true.” Jonas looked to the man who had spoken. “Am I right?”
“You got it. So is it true? Is Tomas dead?” he replied.
“Yes he is,” I stated. “I don’t have time to go over it all again right now, I need to get to the meeting hall. Miguel can get you up to speed and if you want to join the Pride here then join us at the meeting hall to pitch in and help get the village repaired, cleaned, and ready for the arrival of your new Alpha tomorrow morning.” I opened the gate wide enough for myself and Jonas to walk through, the others following behind us as Miguel closed the gates behind us and gathered the shifters waiting for more of the story. At this point I didn’t care what they thought of a female Alpha, they both accepted it and moved forward, or they didn’t and left. I would be sending out the tracking party early tomorrow morning to eliminate any threat hiding in wait for Casey’s arrival. I am tired and my patience was gone, at this point there would be no second chances given to anyone.
Miguel caught up to us with the group from the gate behind him. He had them separated into work groups before he joined me. “There were a few who were skeptical about a female Alpha, but their fear of being on their own was stronger than the fear of what a female Alpha would bring to the Pride. I had them all working in areas where their strength lies. With this many shifters working on a variety of projects we needed to bring in more security. Jonas, Paulo, DJ and I can’t be everywhere at once.”
“You’re right, I want you guys to be on Casey’s guard detail every moment she is here. I don’t know how long they plan to stay. Do you have anyone in mind that you would trust?” I asked.
“Yeah, I was training a group before you arrived that would be perfect for the job. There are about twenty of them, which should be enough to cover all the projects going on. I also want you to think about setting up a camp just outside the perimeter for anyone else who shows up claiming to be from a Pride outpost, or who simply want the chance to join or just see the first female Alpha. Once word gets out we are going to be flooded with nosy shifters wanting to catch a glimpse,” Miguel rattled off.
“Okay, I’ll place you in charge of the guard and encampment. Take what supplies you need and let me know if there is anything we don’t have that you require. You can find me here, this will be the base of operations for the village until we have it up to my satisfaction.”
“You got it boss.” Miguel took off.
“Hey Rook, I’ve got you set up back by the kitchens.” Jonas approached him. “Tamara should be joining us soon. She wanted to get lunch set up so Jasmine and Nanny could have a picnic with the kids today.”
“Great, I want her to get started on the kitchens immediately. I have the electricians checking the wires, and repairing or replacing what they need to so that it’s up to code. Have her take an inventory of the pantry and get that to me. I’ll call in an order to be delivered when Mack and Casey get in tomorrow.” A pitcher of water and glass were placed at my elbow, I quickly downed a glass and refilled it. “This reminds me, make sure plenty of water is delivered to each crew. I don’t want anyone dehydrating. We also need a couple more females to help with the cubs, put some feelers out, and have anyone interested come see me today.” I furrowed my brow in concentration as my list seemed to grow by the second.
Jonas cleared his throat. “Rook, I have one of the witches our Pride works with here as well.”
My head shot up. I hadn’t wanted to work with any of them until ours had a chance to vet them.
I looked at her. “And just how are you going to do that?”
She squared her shoulders and looked me straight in the eye. “I can’t do it permanently, but I do have a spell that will allow you access to the Pride magic for a short amount of time. Probably long enough to get you through until the new Alpha and her witch get here. A more permanent solution can be created then when you pledge your fealty to her within the Pride.”
“Will you do it here in front of anyone who walks through?” I challenged her.
“Anywhere you like. I have the herbs I need in my bag, and Jonas has agreed to supply the drop of blood I’ll need.”
“No blood magic, nope.” I jumped to my feet.
“Hold on, Rook,” Jonas soothed. “This isn’t blood magic, and she needs my drop of blood simply for the Pride magic stored within. I’ve done this before, Rook, it’s safe.”
I stared at Jonas for a few minutes. My head pounded in rhythm with the shifter hammering in the kitchen behind me.
“I have a tonic that will help with that headache as well,” the witch added.
“What’s her name?” I asked Jonas. I knew I could ask her but I wanted to see if this slight would upset her.If there was any flash of anger across her face she would be removed and never allowed to come back. Witches can be helpful when they are loyal, but they are extremely dangerous when they worked against you.
“Her name is Lilly,” Jonas stated.
I watched Lilly as he replied. She stayed as serene as the moment she approached me. No anger, the only reaction I saw was compassion. “Do I pass the test?” she joked. “I really don’t mean you any harm. I know that the female Alpha is on her way, and I know there are forces outside this compound that want her eliminated. I am here to help prevent that in any way.” She laid out the items she would use in front of me on the table. “Will you allow me to help you?”