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  “Muchas Gracias, Mamacita, little mother.”

  It did not take her long to get showered and changed. She wore her black capri pants and shirt that would help her blend into the shadows in the warehouse district. Also, they were easy to get out of if she had to shift.

  Bama went to the hidden door and opened it. She sighed and thanked the Gods that her mother had been so insightful about this place.

  She logged onto her secure computer and called her mother on Skype. “Hello? Just checking in,” she said in a cheery voice when he mother answered the line with a brisk tone.

  “Bama? Where are you?”

  “Just calling quickly from my computer, Madre, I left my cell at the office and did not want you to worry. I will be traveling tomorrow to see your friends in Northern Colorado and wanted to know if you needed me to send them a message?” She said.

  “We are sending four cases of rum. Tell Quin that you need to phone me in twenty four hours if he wants me to send six,” her mother said and Bama nodded.

  “Of course, Madre, I will make sure they know. Talk to you soon,” Bama said and then disconnected. Skype was not secure, so they had to speak in code.

  Four cases of rum meant code for four which meant that she had sent eagles already to aide her in escaping. She looked at the time and knew they would not reach here before nightfall, although her mother had a way to get word and send them to Milliken. It would have been okay if they’d flown in as humans. Unfortunately, it took weeks to get the required visa’s so they were flying into Mexico and then over the border on the wing.

  They would have to fly north for quite awhile before risking a shift and possibly being picked up as illegals. They obviously wouldn’t have luggage. She was on her own today breaking out the women. This afternoon, Julio or Lucia with their professional pilot’s licenses would fly into Austin, pick up the warriors, and bring them the rest of the way by jet. With luck, they’d land by this evening.

  Her mother had also told her that if she didn’t receive a call in twenty four hours that she should make her way to the Milliken compound demanding their help. Her mother would have pulled up all the files she’d accessed by checking her login ID. She would see that she had searched the address in the warehouse district. Her mother was not foolish.

  By the time she stepped out of the room, Mildred was back to tend her. While she took an hour to be healed further, they made their plans.

  Chapter 10

  The New Council stepped out into the courtyard of the compound and looked at the line of cars that had already begun to follow them up to the challenge.

  “Nice turn out,” Dalton said and then winced. “Sorry, that sounded like we’re going to a party.”

  Quin laughed and said, “True, but you are right; there are a lot of people coming.” Each of the Chosen and their mates had an SUV to drive up to the challenge. Jo and Tey would be driving Oliver, and the rest would have various members of their family. Quin smiled and turned when his parents stepped out with Cami and came to the front car.

  They had at least gotten to spend a little time with the grandkids before they left. It had been a long flight and they had only come in this morning because of security.

  His mother had been upset about not being able to come when the explosion happened.

  But they had decided to respect Quin’s decision and remained in France. Since she’d arrived, his mother had been checking all of them over to see if they were better.

  They climbed into the SUV that would lead the rest up to the challenge. They were very quiet on the trip. Quin focusing on what he was going to do and the rest allowing him the peace and quiet.

  They were a few miles from the place the challenge would take place when Quin finally said, “Are we all ready for this?”

  Cami answered back, “Uh no, but I don’t think we have a choice.” His father chuckled and said, “No one is ever fully prepared for this kind of challenge.” They drove the rest of the way and Quin parked in the front of the large arena. He could see Ryan and Ariel waiting in a tent area. There was a large sign pointing them to the New Council tent. Also one to the challenger’s tent. They quietly got out of the SUV and made their way to where Ryan was waiting. The arena was in a rough oval. The seats or benches were made from natural red rock that was in the Rockies. It also had white quartz rocks that had been chipped out for the stairs. Whoever built this had spent a lot of time working on each level. It was larger at the top than the bottom so it looked like a big bowl.

  Any other time, Quin would have showed Cami around, letting her see the special places surrounding the arena. It was usually only used for special gatherings of the Pack.

  The trees surrounded it to act as a natural sound proofing. They had never had any problems with humans hearing them. It was a truly beautiful, spiritual setting. He was a little sad that they had to use it for this. It would have been a great place to have the New Council coming together ceremony. Depending on what happened today. It may still be.

  He smiled a little and nodded.

  ***

  The Council members had been worried about Braden finding out about Trace, so rather than have him stay at the B&B, they let him go home with Shane. And the good news Shane had been spreading would be the discovery of a long lost brother who was going to be the Eagle liaison to the New Council.

  After the challenge was over, they would reveal Trace’s true status as a Chosen One. So after the meeting they went back to the Arno’s to pick up Lois and Clark. They had dinner there and Trace got to spend time getting to know his aunt. Then they all trooped over to Shane’s house and started unloading the truck. They’d have to move into the compound eventually, for now though, this would work.

  They played with the dogs a little and then made it an early night. Around eleven, the phone rang. Shane would have to go back to the compound, one of the other Enforcers, a guy named Charlie was needed elsewhere, and he had to cover his shift. Trace was still asleep when he left; he didn’t wake him because the guy had been driving since three in the morning the previous day.

  He came back to the house around six in the morning, Trace was just getting up. “I hope you don’t mind. I had to cover the gate last night so I borrowed your truck, I didn’t want to wake you.”

  “Not a problem, yours is out of commission because of me so you can use it as long as you need to.” said Trace.

  “Well, we’re needed at the compound in about an hour. Devon wants to go over the plans for the challenge. I need to grab a shower and then grab a large coffee.” The morning proceeded as planned and during the brief with Devon, they found that they’d both be going to the challenge to keep their eagle eyes out for cheating.

  After the meeting, they all loaded up in to vehicles and headed for the challenge. Trace asked Shane to drive because he needed time to think. After they’d been driving for about fifteen minutes, Trace spoke up, “Shane, I’m having a real problem with the entire challenge. Aren’t shifters as a people past having to fight to the death to grant leadership? How can we come out to humans if we still settle our differences this way?” Shane thought about what Trace had said, “Before I answer let me ask you a few questions. In the past five years have you spent more times with humans or shifters?”

  “Well, it depends on the context. In my personal life I am often alone, but not lonely as I have had the fellowship of the Salish people and the reservation. In business, I’ve begun working with shifters but the bulk of clientele up to now have been humans.”

  “Well I’ve been living here in Milliken my whole life. And I’ve been around shifters and humans every day. Look at how fast you’ve caught on to the customs of the Diné. Sure you are one, but you lived your entire life thinking you were Salish.”

  “Yeah, but I couldn’t insult your mom or upset her by denying the customs she’d grown up with her entire life. And I’m very interested in learning the culture of my birth.”

  “The point is, I’ve become a
ccustomed to fitting in here with whatever comes, and I’ve been part of the pack for a long time. We can be ourselves and we’re allowed the richness of learning new traditions. The challenge is another tradition with rules and laws. Maybe, the New Council will abolish it or change it. As it is, it’s been so long since there’s been one, Romy and Larkin spent a week digging up the information on how it’s done.”

  “So you’re saying I was willing to bend for your mom, which was a little bend, and by the same token, I have to adapt here as well.”

  “In a nutshell, yes.”

  “All right but I’m going to use every ounce of influence I have with both councils to have such archaic customs settled in different ways in future.”

  “I get that; just understand too there’s a reason why it’s called ‘survival of the fittest’. An Alpha needs to be strong. Don’t even get me started on human leaders; most of them wouldn’t last in a wolf pack.” And Trace laughed as Shane had planned for him to. He wanted Trace to lighten up; the afternoon was going to be tough enough. Then they had arrived at the challenge sight and had to get ready to do their jobs. They stepped out of the truck and began to take off their clothes.

  ***

  After all had arrived, Ryan stepped out onto the arena floor and stood just outside the makeshift ring that had been put in place for the challenge.

  “Quin, Cami, and Jaden you are the representatives of the New Council and are accepting the challenge made by Michael Blackwood. Please join me in welcoming the witnesses and directing them to your side,” Ryan said and winked at Cami.

  They had to follow protocol; the Rogues would probably be watching every move they made so they could call them out. Michael appeared on the other side of Ariel and Quin stood straighter. They had to be watching and he refused to look at his challenger.

  One by one, the New Council came and passed on his side, choosing to sit on his half of the rock arena. It was sad really, to see the people that lined up behind the Chosen waiting to follow them to their side.

  Michael had only a handful of people, and Quin knew all of them. They were his family, his best friend from the pack and two other unknown wolves. Devon would be taking special note of them. None of them coming was a surprise. He was more surprised when his mates went and shook Michael’s hand politely without bloodshed. It was amazing, since he could see Cami’s wolf trying to push out. He turned towards the trees at the back of the arena and smiled to himself when he saw a Bald Eagle land amongst its branches. Devon’s men were taking their places.

  It took almost an hour to get everyone seated. Quin and Jaden went to the tent to relax for the moments before the challenge. Cami had taken his parents to their seat and then remained with them.

  Jaden turned to his mate and said, “Okay, we are ready for this. Just like, we talked about. You are going to turn and protect your left side and attack. Quick and simple.

  You can do this.”

  Quin nodded realizing what Jaden had said was meant for ears other than his own. He needed no reminding of the plan and he took a deep breath. “I hate that it’s gotten this far. Be on the lookout for the Rogues, I feel like they are here somewhere. The Enforcers are in the surrounding area looking. They have their orders. You concentrate on watching Michael. They have something up their sleeve.” Jaden nodded and then leaned forward pulling him into his arms for a hug and kissed him. Then he said quietly into Quin’s ear, “I’m taking my spot at the side of the arena.

  I’ll be waiting for you. If they cheat, we’ll go to plan B.” With a last caress, he turned and left.

  Quin nodded and turned around, he needed a few minutes to clear his head. He needed to focus. Quin thought of everything they had been through in the last year. All of the attacks and random drama that seemed to pop up at inopportune times. It all boiled down to this. This moment. If they won the challenge and stopped whatever plan the Rogues had, the Council would only have one more Chosen One to find. The way things had been working, that person could show up and announce themselves tomorrow.

  He rolled his head on his neck and sought his wolf. There he was, sitting and waiting patiently for him to stop thinking so hard. His wolf howled and sunk down on the ground showing his belly. His wolf was telling him that Quin was in charge, he would do whatever it took to protect the man and the beast.

  Quin closed his eyes and envisioned petting his wolf, telling him that he was strong and ready. They would work together to win this challenge and make their Pack proud.

  He was not sure how much time passed while he talked to his wolf and they planned.

  Quin could hear in the background cheers and muffled announcements that Ryan was making. The time had come for him to face his future. He felt centered and strong.

  Quin stepped out of the tent. And the crowd roared, howled and he listened as a few other creatures made themselves heard. He stood at the top of the arena and waited while Michael came into the stands. There was little noise when he stepped up to his place.

  Ryan cleared his throat and said loudly, “This is the challenge for the New Council Pack.

  Quin is the current Alpha. He is challenged by Michael. Whoever wins will be the Alpha of the New Council Pack. He will be able to claim what is due to that Alpha. Protocol needs to be followed. This has been declared a formal challenge, and thus all traditional rules will apply. Should a wolf be found to not be following all rules and traditions, they will forfeit.”

  Quin and Michael nodded their agreement. Quin looked at the man and saw the fear in his eyes. He didn’t want to be here. For a moment, Quin allowed himself to feel sorry for him, but only a moment. He’d gotten himself in this mess; he had to accept the consequences. Quin could not feel sorry for him.

  “I’ve been appointed the officiating shifter. My ruling will be final,” Ryan said and both of the wolves nodded. Once they agreed to the rules, Quin and Michael were allowed to walk to the center of the arena and face each other.

  Quin stuck out his hand in the formality. He nodded when Michael grabbed it and shook quickly. When Quin turned around, he nodded first to his parents then his mates, smiling at the fierce look on Cami’s face. Devon was sitting in back of Cami and he could see the Beta, looking around the arena checking for threats.

  “Ready?” Ryan said and Quin turned and nodded. “Let the challenge begin,” he called and Quin shifted and turned to the side like Jaden and he had practiced. Striking the smaller wolf fast.

  His wolf felt a satisfaction at the yelp he heard when he tore into the wolf’s left shoulder while aiming for his throat, this little fucker is fast, he thought. Quin turned quickly making sure to still protect his right side and went back at the wolf.

  He could hear his wolf snarl when the smaller wolf darted quickly to the side and nipped at him. Catching his own left shoulder a little bit. They circled one another and then Quin attacked again. This time grabbing the smaller wolf by the hind leg. He felt the snap in his mouth as he broke the wolf’s back leg. If he wanted it to heal enough to stand on he would have to shift quickly a few times. In a challenge, it was almost impossible for a wolf that was not an Alpha.

  Michael turned and pawed at him, trying to get Quin to release his leg. Quin felt the claws sink into his shoulder but refused to let go. Twisting his head and body, he pulled the wolf around in a circle quickly, throwing him for a short distance.

  Quin felt a little dizzy. Michael was able to limp to the side of the arena. Quin shook his head trying to clear it. Something was wrong, he felt the wound, but it should not have affected him like this. He had gotten worse in other fights. When he shifted, it would be a scratch, not even a real cut. Michael held up his wounded leg and hobbled back and forth in front of his supporters. He was working on his focus, never taking his eyes off of his opponent. One of the men that sat on the rocks, held his fist up as if to yell and cheer for Michael. But Quin saw the fine dust fly from his hand and land on Michael’s back. He had thrown something on him to help. It had to b
e some kind of magick to either strengthen Michael or weaken him, it made him question his current dizziness.

  He wanted to shift and tell Ryan what he saw and ask Ryan to check. But he was disoriented and confused. He couldn’t do anything about it right now. Quin saw Michael turn to him and curl up his lips around his teeth and growl. He was going to attack.

  Quin shook his head and for the first time in his life, he allowed his wolf to fully take over. Quin was an Alpha; he had incredible control over his wolf when he shifted. But because of whatever Michael had done to him, poisoning most likely. Quin had no choice. He would not lose this challenge, this was not an option. When all was said and done, everyone would know that Michael cheated but he needed to win first.

  His wolf stepped forward in his head and also in the ring. His head held proudly up in the air and he let out a howl that would have been a war cry if he would have been human. He knew there would be no more sparring now; his wolf would go for the throat and a quick kill. Michael stepped back and seemed to rethink what he was going to do.

  His wolf was having nothing of it. The time for being polite was over; they were going to end this.

  Quin nodded and his wolf jumped and attacked. He landed on the other wolf’s front leg and pushed him to the ground. They could smell the herbs that the witch had used in the dust but his wolf ignored it. That would be taken care of when they won. His wolf would fight to the death for his mates.

  He pinned Michael on the ground with his paws and growled. The small wolf tried to turn his head and nip at him. If he would have gone slack and not fought back things may have turned out differently, but his wolf was in charge and would not accept the defiance.

  He leaned over, gripped his throat, and whipped his head a little. He could feel the tear of flesh in his teeth and held on. The smell of the herbs began to overwhelm his senses.

  It was time to end this. Only he couldn’t seem to concentrate, his wolf struggled. Then all of a sudden, he shifted and lost consciousness, falling to the ground.