Broken Pieces

Chapter Twenty-Two

By Roofles

The elevator came to a stop near the top floor. A soft chime sounded as the doors opened. The silence that followed was suffocating.

Others were there, waiting for them. To the left side of the red carpeted walkway within these golden halls were lions from The Pride. The Kincaid family. Their numbers had been thinned out to the point of “extinction” within the area after their previous Mane had bitten off more than they could chew.

Those in this hall might be all that remained within the family forces. After what Reese’s pack had done to them. His father would’ve been proud…

If Reese’s sources had been correct, it had been a female leader at the time leading The Pride. Unheard of in any lion Pride. He didn’t know or need to know the specifics but that alone could’ve been why they tried to overcompensate for the grounds they gained against the wolves.

And why they ended up falling to his hand.  

To the right where Reese and his wolves stood were hyenas. Where a lion’s pride was run by a male, hyenas were always predominately female. Wolves could be either or. Depends on the Alpha, not the species. The group had started out small, this cackle of hyenas, but had grown during the wolves and lions feud, taking advantage of their fighting to expand their territory and power until they became a force to be reckoned with.

Run by a pair of sisters, Marrow and Sasha, they’d run into hard times after Sasha had gotten herself arrested. Something Reese may or may not have had a hand in depending on who you asked. Sasha’s absence held them up more than one would’ve expected. Marrow and Sasha had been close, abnormally close, growing up. Without one? Their leadership had dissolved, and their ranks falling apart leaving the hyenas scattered in small cackles around the city.

Disorganized, weak, easy to be picked off…

An uncomfortable familiar sight. Reminiscent of The Pack several years ago. Diamond had been planning a coup in the pack against his brother Bale, back when he’d been pack Alpha. With her lover, Vicky, she had even attempted to take Reese’s life. Reese hadn’t been the one in the end to end up with a bullet splitting their head in two. Diamond had never seen it coming.

Vicky had fallen apart after Diamond’s death and even sold The Pack out to The Pride during their territorial feud almost two years ago to this date. Most likely working with the female leader of The Pride at the time to scheme things against the others back. A plan that had ended up going in flames, leaving countless dead, and had left only Reese to take charge of those left behind.

He wondered if Marrow would end up like Vicky. Doing something idiotic to get revenge or save her sister from prison. It would be an amusing show to watch from the sidelines. He just hoped this meeting hadn’t been called for that. He didn’t want to get pulled into that fiasco. Reese already had something planned as insurance, just in case, as he touched the folder tucked underneath his coat to make sure he hadn’t forgotten it in the car.

This entire mess was like treading across thin ice. Cracks forming with every step they took. One wrong move would break the ice and they’d all drown within the cold water underneath them. Eaten alive by those who swam within those dark depths.

The two groups standing across from one another was a perfect example of this. An invisible barrier separate one from the other. Like animals in a zoo. Only a thin, transparent sheet of glass separating them from ripping each other’s throats out. Snarling and growling at each other without daring to step on the red carpet that separated the two from each other. One wrong move, one insult that went too far… that’d be all it took for the two to start another gang war.

Their snarls and snap of their teeth stopped when the elevator doors opened. The look on their faces told Reese all he needed to know what had been transpiring prior to his arrival. 

The silence was deafening as every eye turned to see who had joined them. The wolf snorted, staring forward. Reese not even bothering to look at them as he took the first step out, his flunkies following behind him like shadows waiting to bark or bite at any who drew too close. 

Reese, walking between the two groups, made his way towards the room at the far end of the hall awaiting his arrival. Parting the two groups as he went. Every eye on him. The glass doors on the other side of the long open hallway were opened by a pair of skunks dressed in striped vests, white undershirts, and striped pants. Each wearing a nice pair of shoes as they stepped aside, holding the doors open for him with low bows. Showing him due respect.

Reese walked as if he belonged, as if trying to convince himself that he did.  

The wolf’s left arm was withdrawn from the sleeve of his suit, tucked against his side, and no one dared to ask why he kept it there. They all lowered their heads before him as they slinked away from his presence, glancing wanting looks at the Alpha before averting their eyes just as quickly. Wanting to brag about this moment in the future? Or glimpse Reese while they still could? To see if they could take a cheap shot at him with his back turned…?

It was hard to say.

It was a rare sight to see an Alpha outside his territory. One might’ve even been foolish enough to think to try something. It was why he had brought so many guards with him. The wolves would gladly take any bullet aimed at their Alpha. They were the perfect tools to bring along for this task.

Even if they weren’t needed here, within the neutral zone.  

“Two guards only,” a large orca stopped Reese and his entourage flanking the wolf at the open doors. Stepping out only as he drew closer, waiting for his arrival.

One of the wolf guards snarled at the orca, baring his fangs, and trying to look tough in front of his Alpha. He instantly relented as Reese lifted his right hand.

“That won’t be necessary,” Reese said as he walked forward, past the orca with only given them the briefest of side glances.

“Sir, you can’t bring more than two…” The orca paused as Reese walked forward. All four of the wolves stayed back, no one following their Alpha as he headed inside alone. “Oh,” the man said, and the wolf guard sneered at him before taking a position to the side.

All four waited with perked ears for their Alpha to return, or for Reese to howl for them. There were others down stairs, others still flanking the building and even more hidden nearby just in case something were to happen. Reese wasn’t taking any chances, but he didn’t need them to know that. To appear strong, confident and in control with so few guards in enemy territory spoke volumes to his strength.

Reese knew that he had a target on his back. It didn’t mean anyone would risk taking him out, not here anyways. It just wasn’t a smart play to pull. An Alpha wasn’t just the head of a pack, they were the one keeping the others in control. The one holding the proverbial leash. Unless challenged by another wolf for the position, Alpha’s were rarely taken out. After all, without an Alpha, a pack could run loose and wild. Like a feral animal. Attacking and terrorizing the entire city if left unchecked. Anyone foolish enough to risk shooting at an Alpha risked the entire pack turning on them, their loved ones, and everyone else around them.

As the wolves burned everything to the ground, leaving nothing but gnawed bones behind in their wake.

It was still a gamble, every day. Going outside like this. It was why Reese had distanced himself from Alan. Wanting to allow his mate the luxury of going out of their territory without the fear of someone trying to blow his brains out to earn some pitiful street cred or by a hired gun from one of Reese’s many enemies.

Enemies he was currently trying to whittle down. It was another reason why he’d agreed to show up for this meeting. Whatever it took to secure a safe future for them. Even swallowing his pride to come to such a place.

The room was large and open. The far walls were covered with windows. Silky white drapes hung from the golden frames, outlining each window, and turning it into an archway as if one could walk right out this room and straight into the sky. They called this place the golden gate for a reason. As if stepping into heaven itself.

Reese had originally heard it was called such a place because anyone foolish enough to come here would end up dead and meeting those golden gates sooner than later. A place where those at the top of the world could feel like they reached heaven, while those at the bottom would after being stepped and trampled on. Crushed under the weight of those on top and brought to an early death…

The carpet was thick and plush, easy on Reese’s feet at least. The lights were dimmer than usual but plentiful, allowing the room to be illuminated without hurting any of the predator’s eyes. The tables were spacious, and several chairs removed, allowing Reese easy access to walk through without accidentally bumping into someone or something. Everything about this place had taken note of their superior senses, size, and strengths. As well as the many tradeoffs that came along with it.

The lights back at Inc. Co. always had hurt Reese’s eyes. The bright fluorescent lights humming in their frames gave him a headache and Reese looked like a junkie, popping some kind of over-the-counter painkiller to stop the headache that came along with his old office job. He would bump into desks and the other cubicles just trying to walk to the damn printing room. The halls too small, the ceilings too short… Working in that tiny cubicle with fake grass and walls painted to look like the forest...

It had been offensive on so many levels. Cramped and uncomforted, making him feel claustrophobic as if it really were a cage the wolf had been trapped in.

Not like this place. This place was how a predator should live and, if only for a brief moment as Reese took a deep breath, he understood why Bale had coveted such material possessions. Wanting the space, the freedom, and the luxury such wealth could bring along with it. Even the oxygen within the room had been pumped in, like a casino, smelling fresher and cleaner than the outside city did.

Not of gasoline and oil, metal and dirt but clean. Fresh. Crisp air blowing as if it were the wind out in the forest. Blowing through his fur, filling his lungs and revitalizing some dormant part of his very being. Smelling almost of the forest… It made the wolf want to growl and lay out on the floor, soaking it all in.

Reese’s ear flicked. The only visible sign he even appreciated such a thing. Taking note of it to add to his home in the future.  

The chairs were large and spacious, each with a tail hole designed for different species and breeds. Several of the attendants came rushing over to offer Reese refreshments, mint chips, wine, picking out whatever he liked even before he took a seat or reached the table waiting for him.

One might’ve thought it was harassment before one even took a seat, but the second Reese did, they were returning with his requested items. His chair alone had been handpicked for a wolf of his size and build, the other two at the table smiled knowingly at the luxury this place brought them. Practically worshipping the very ground, they stepped on.

Specialized glasses were brought in as the attendants poured fresh mineral water into each. Another came up from the side, visible to the wolf even before approaching him, with red wine the color of fresh blood. His coat was offered to be taken, which Reese refused with a flash of fangs. A stout came up, shorter than the skunks, and began filing down his nails which he growled at. Without missing a beat, she bowed and moved away as someone else came over to brush his tail and do his hair from the long car ride.

Forced into stuffy suits, in cramped vehicles, dealing with the rains… ones fur would become a tangled mess. Just another luxury they offered to those willing to accept as if this was a day spa instead of a restaurant.

Reese just frowned as they pampered and crawled over him like oxpeckers cleaning off the bugs from Reese’s fur. It was amusing. The way they scampered around him, trying to win him over with such attention. Like remoras in the sea. Following after a shark, cleaning them in hopes of winning over their protection and a free, safe meal. It was a laugh that he held back. Symbiotic relationship, Reese knew that was what this was called. This, these, smaller, weaker predators were still targeted around the world and thus would jump on the chance to help and serve larger, stronger predators seeking protection underneath the umbrella they cast.

Every single server here might as well be offering Reese a resume for him to take and look over. To see if any of them were qualified to be in pack lands, within his protected ever-growing territory. Even if they weren’t part of the pack, just being within his territory could protect them from outside forces. They knew of him, everyone did, and there were many trying to win over his favor now that they were given the chance. Reese was sure if he zipped down his pants, one of them would willingly crawl between his legs to service him there as well…

Disgusting.

The only word Reese could growl out, a sound that was so animal all the servers jumped and skittered away, fleeing before the predator who didn’t want to be picked at and preened over. A wolf’s pride might get Reese killed one day, but it was something he held onto with clawed fingers and sharp fangs.

The accursed trait seemed to run in his family. Pride.

“He has them well trained,” Reese commented and the hyena on the right side of the table cracked a grin at that. Her laugh filled the room as Marrow wiped a fake tear from her eye as the servers continued to pamper her. She didn’t tell them to stop, so they didn’t.

None of them seemed to be aware that she’d cast them aside the second she lost interest in them.

“They need to make a living,” the hyena grinned, showing all her grimy sharp teeth as she kept one hand off to the side. A civet was currently working on her nails, even going so far as to repaint several of them in off shades of green and pink.

“I suppose so. Marrow,” Reese nodded to her. “You are looking as vicious and lively as ever.” He smirked and she laughed once more. A sound that filled the room. Even if the servers winced at the sound, no one dared to tell her to stop.

“As always. Just because Sasha can’t join us doesn’t mean I can’t live a little,” she picked up a wine glasses and swirled it around. Making it difficult for the marten to filled it up without spilling a drop. Something the hyena found to be extremely amusing, making him suffer and squirm for her as she watched. “Reese, it’s so nice of you to join us. It’s been far too long. You could leave your humor outside, however.” Marrow noted as her eyes drifted past him towards the door where his guards stood. Her grin slipped and she scowled at the insult the wolf had for walking in here without his guards.

Marrow might be crazy, Reese knew, but she was smart when it came to survival. It would be suicidal to try anything here with so many eyes on them. Reese, for the most part, ignored her as he looked towards the lion on his left. The reason why he was here in such a ridiculously expensive place to begin with.

It was a place where you didn’t have the price on the menu, the bill wasn’t given but sent to those who handled your money. It reeked of entitlement, wealth and every expense that could be charged? Would be. They’d charge you for the very air they pumped in the room. It was a place that Reese knew Alan would hate to be taken to, and thus Reese hated it as well. The way the wait staff served you hand and foot, catering to every one of your needs no matter what you said or did to them…

Pathetic creatures skittering around his feet, eating the crumps the wolf dropped onto the floor while giving thanks for them.

“Reese, don’t think that just because…” The hyena suddenly stood up, slamming both hands onto the table, and snarling at the wolf. “We go back that I’ll put up with your lack of respect! I am not the ‘yeen you once knew. I’m out of the chop shop business and moved on to… bigger things.”

Reese could hear his guards growling from outside the room and knew it was best to nip this in the butt before her pride got the hyena killed. Reese wasn’t hear to bloody his hands, but he would if he had to.

“Marrow,” Reese politely gave her the briefest of glances and a single nod. He reached into his suit and the two hyenas standing behind Marrow tensed as the wolf withdrew a closed package and passed it across the table to her.

The two hyenas took a step forward, reaching into their coats before they were stopped.

“Relax,” she scoffed, rolling her eyes as she took the package and, with a sharp colorful nail, cut it open. Every one of her nails was a different color. “You boys are always so excitable.” She laughed, glancing down at what was inside the package before pausing.

Within the envelope there was detailed information about her sister, within the prison, and Reese had enough contact with those on the inside to keep her well taken care of. Or taken care of, depending on how Marrow wanted to pull things here.

Reese was someone that had multiple solutions to the same problem. It was their choice to choose which he would need to do to get them to… behave. To be friendly? To use violence? Or to take care of the issue? The choice was left up to her.

Reese’s wolves in prison could keep Sasha taken care of or make her life a living hell if Marrow didn’t play along. The picture attached to the front was a pleasant one, but the warning was clear. Just like the old Mane of The Pride had been taken care of Reese would do the same to her if need be.

“Don’t bite off more than you can chew,” Reese said without words.  

Marrow and her cackle needed to stay out of wolf issues if she wanted to see her sister alive, again.  The hyena took a seat slowly, waving the two guards off before snapping at them when they didn’t retreat fast enough. Lashing out at those she could without risking pissing Reese off.

Reese didn’t look at her, focusing on the lion instead. One leader down, Reese needed to focus on the bigger fish, metaphorically speaking, here.

Mr. Kincaid had been watching silently the entire time. It was their first encounter with each other, and it was clear the lion was sizing the wolf up. Trying to figure him out before daring to speak.

He was large, this lion. Maybe equal to Reese in size, if not in height. Reese had never met the new Mane before and gave him a quick once over, his icy blue eyes scanning the Kincaid over. He had a full golden-brown mane that looked as if someone had taken an ink pen and outlined every strand of fur within it. The feline wore an expensive Italian suit and his large eyes glanced up at Reese as he neatly set his napkin down in his lap, awaiting dinner. Tucking another in his shirt to protect his tie. Practically salivating at the smell wafting in from the nearby open door where their food was being prepped and made at.

“Mr. Kincaid.” Reese growled low and the lion’s tail flicked at his tone.

“I believe this is the first time we’re meeting face to face.” Sloan said as he traced a finger over one of the silverware set before him. They were large. Designed for a predator of Sloan’s size. His nail poked out, catching the white tablecloth. “Though, if I understand correctly. You know my lions well before me…”

“I’ve made acquaintances with a few during my days in The Pack.” Reese said without a trace of remorse for what he’d done to the lions he’d crossed paths with in the past. Those he hunted and burned down on the docks several years ago, for starts. “I have only taken the position of Alpha recently. If your quarrels are about how The Pack has been run in the past, you’ll have to ask the previous Alpha…” He added on and Sloan flashed his fangs at that. “If you can find where I left them.”

It was a simple statement. Reese hadn’t been responsible for what had happened to the lions back then. He’d just done his job while someone else ordered the hit. If everyone tried to get revenge on those who drew blood, there’d be no one left alive in the end. Wolves weren’t responsible for what their Alpha had done. Like soldiers in a military during a war, most crimes could be overlooked so long as the head was punished.

Reese had only recently become that head of The Pack and he would not apologize for what the past Alphas had committed. Their crimes and sins were their own and Reese would not carry their burden and refused to let anyone force him to do so.

While a sort of exchange took place amongst different gangs, there was little in the way of revenge against the individual. A lone gang member acting out by themselves could be given up, but not the whole.  

“I see…” Sloan tapped a finger on the table as he looked to the side as if waiting for his meal to arrive. “I see… then you wouldn’t, no… maybe?” The lion’s shoulders tensed, and his nails sprung out, gripping the table cloth.

Reese couldn’t be sure what had gotten him so agitated this time and pretended not to notice.

“Sir,” a voice said, and Reese’s ear flicked at the sound of it. It hadn’t been spoken to him, but instead to the lion. One of his guards stepped forward and Reese felt his toes clench as his tail went rigid at the sight of them.

Behind Sloan wasn’t a lion, but a human. A human dressed in a nice, matching suit as Sloan was and wore a mask in the shape of a lion’s face. They stepped forward just enough to whisper something in the lion’s ear. Explaining away the concern Sloan had from the looks of it. Almost instantly the feline relaxed and his nails sheathed themselves as he let out the breath he’d been holding in.

“I see.” Sloan nodded towards the human who stepped back into place.

Logan shot Reese a look before returning to his position behind the feline. Reese wanted to jump to his feet and demand to know why he was here but didn’t say any a word about it, yet. Reese had a few choice words for the human and was looking forward to wringing the answer from his neck in the future. Logan knew it from how much he was beginning to sweat. Reese could smell his fear in the air. As he should be.

Afraid to piss the Alpha off.

“Please do not intimidate those who I brought along with me,” Sloan sighed as if he knew about the lion down below Reese had nearly choked to death. “Or those I’ve brought with me. We are allowed to bring who we choose as our guards. I assure you; my choices are with good reason…”

Reese didn’t doubt that. If he’d known Logan would be here, he’d have forced the human to play proxy as his guard and liaison between the different groups. It was easier for Logan than it would’ve been for someone like Reese, even without his current position as Alpha.

“I haven’t the faintest of clues to what you are insinuating,” Reese answered, playing dumb about it.

“Why a human?” Marrow cut in, getting the other two to look up at her. She hated being ignored and felt like a third wheel just then. “I doubt he’d be much in a fight,” she cracked a grin. Marrow didn’t seem to know who Logan was and Reese wasn’t about to enlighten her about it. “He your fucktoy?”

Sloan nearly spat the wine he’d been lapping at out and shot daggers at her as he growled low under his breath.

“Everyone already knows it.” Reese snorted in amusement, playing along with Marrow’s game. “Or can smell it…” He added in and the lion’s tail flicked. It was clear Sloan was out of his element here, between the two other bosses. He was new blood in their ranks and, like sharks, Reese and Marrow had picked up on it instantly.

Smelling how vulnerable he was being here in front of them. New blood to this side of the world. It was amusing to one and Reese knew he could use Sloan’s inexperience against him. Especially if Logan was within his ranks… if he was still loyal. Something Reese would have to test from the human in the near future.

Logan had a bad habit of doing things behind Reese’s back…

“Smell it? I’m surprised I can’t see it!” Marrow cackled. Her laugh filling the large room. The other two winced at the sound but pretended not to notice. She killed the last man who told her to stop laughing. “Did you just pull your pants down and squirt all over him? Fuckin’ felines, I swear.”

“Wolves aren’t the only one who mark their territory,” Reese played along, offering a rare smile at the torment the two were giving the now flustered lion. He could look as threatening as he liked but new blood was still new blood and until Sloan blooded his paws as Reese and Marrow had, there wasn’t much he could do from being ripped apart, verbally, by them.

It was their way of, politely, welcoming him into the fold. For however long he lasted. Such a timid lion wouldn’t last long swimming with sharks.

“Enough,” Sloan cleared his throat as he set a large hand down on the table. It made a thud sound as if he’d been holding a gavel, calling for order in the room. “I did not request this meeting for… that.”

“Oi, don’t spoil things.” Marrow growled in warning.

“Let her have her fun,” Reese said before giving Sloan a look. “Trust me…” It had been a warning and Sloan adjusted his tie as he tried not to appear as unnerved as he was by it.

“Uh, yes. Very amusing. Hah hah, very… amusing.” The lion just frowned as the hyena enjoyed winning this one, the two backing down before her. To swallow ones pride could be the easiest means of preventing bloodshed.

This had been a risky ploy by the lion to call all three factions here to the neutral zone. Reese wanted to assess the new Mane of The Pride. He wasn’t impressed. Sloan had his natural biology to his favor, sure. Being a large, powerful male lion… and that was about it. His guard was down, and he was trying to have a civilized conversation with Marrow, meaning he didn’t know who or where she’d come from.

Sloan hadn’t even researched the two of them before sitting down at this table. A rookie mistake that could cost him his life if he wasn’t careful. Even if Marrow wasn’t stupid enough to do something within Zhang’s territory, she’d hold a grudge until long after Sloan was far away from the fish market before striking.

It was something she’d do, and Logan at least seemed aware of this, keeping a close eye on her.

Marrow had come straight off the streets and hated big wigs like Sloan. Those born with a silver spoon in their mouth. She’d always looked down on the high class that had taken so much from the lower classes and her people. Using and abusing them before casting them aside. Forcing them to be scavengers. She made it her duty to target those with wealth and was one of the major reasons why the hyenas weren’t as much of a threat to Reese, as they could’ve been.

Reese hadn’t grown up poor, but the complicated nature of the pack was well known to the other gang leaders. Something Marrow had heard about it all seemed to have earned Reese her respect, or at least not her outright disdain as she held for Sloan.

The lion reeked of wealth and probably used a golden litter box to shit in.

This was personal. A vendetta she held against them. Being in this place, alone, was setting Marrow off and she was gnashing her teeth impatiently as she waited for Sloan to say his piece so she could say hers, then Reese could say his, before ditching the other two. That was how this was done.

Each person could say their piece, get the others to listen before passing the baton along for them to speak what they had in mind. Sometimes it was just to directly threaten or verbally insult the other, other times it was a business transaction. You never knew what it was until the spotlight turned onto them and they spoke their minds freely in this, somewhat, safe place.

Sloan was most likely footing the bill for her as Reese was waiting for Sloan to say the same thing to him, paying for his meal as a peace offering. It would be insulting to let anyone pay his meal and Reese would flatly refuse if he was foolish enough to think to try and do so. You don’t pay for a wolf; they pay for themselves.

But, if the rumors were to be believed, Sloan had other things in mind than running the streets or docks as the previous Mane had been.

It was another reason why Reese had agreed to all this foolishness. Needing to know what had possessed him to risk all their lives to be called out like this. Exposing them to the elements and dragging the Alpha out of his territory. Reese was sure those hunting down predators had already sniffed out this gathering and were laying traps for them outside as they dined blissfully unaware up here. Marrow seemed to be under the same mind as Reese, gnashing her teeth impatiently.

The hyena wanted out. She wanted to flee from this, sniffing the danger Sloan had naively put them all in by requesting this meeting. Calling them to a “watering hole” like this to talk in the open would get all the herbivores watching them. And those backing them.

“Yes, well. I have a rather large… announcement I’m about to make to the public.” Sloan cleared his throat, standing up to address the other two. Marrow cocked an eyebrow, resting back in her seat and putting a foot against the table, as Reese just glared at the lion who dared to stand above him. “And I would like your endorsement on the matter.”

“Endorsement?” Marrow nearly choked as she said the word, holding back a harsh laugh.

“Sit. Down.” Reese warned and the frazzled lion nervously took a seat once more. “Don’t do that again,” he warned, and it was both a threat and a polite reminder to know his place. Neither of the three should stand before the other two joined them. No one standing over the other.

Mauler, Reese’s father, would’ve asked for blood in payment for such an insult… a finger or fang at the very least for such insult.

“Ahem, right. Yes, well, I was going to say…” Sloan stammered out, trying to appear strong and confident as before and fumbling with the words as the other two just looked at him.

“Can you believe this guy? Gets spoon fed everything in life and acts like, somehow, we owe him our time.” Marrow sat back down and pushed away from the table, threatening to get up and leave. She wasn’t stupid enough to stand up before the other two did. “Reese?” She asked and he had half a mind to join her.

“W-wait, where are you- the food isn’t even ready, yet!” Sloan gulped, clearing his throat, and trying to regain control over the conversation and failing miserably at the attempt to do so.

“He’s going to get killed by the end of the week.” Marrow picked at her teeth, resting her elbows disrespectfully on the table as she just stared off to the side. “How he managed to last this long… at least he’s not a threat. Maybe we should… well when Sasha is out…”

“Let’s address Marrow’s topic first,” Reese spoke up. His low growl filled the air around them as the two looked at the wolf. “We will come back to you, Mr. Kincaid… so you can collect yourself.” The lion just gave a single nod, blushing under his fur as he tried to calm down from his fumbling mistake.

The oppressive air Reese put off and the wild nature Marrow exuded had left Sloan rather speechless at how to deal with the two unknown elements. Reese demanded respect while Marrow might flip the table just for the hell of it. Sloan, ever a businessman, didn’t know how to deal with her and Reese had thankfully thrown him a life preserver to save face.

Something he wouldn’t do again.

A simple mistake that, anywhere else, would’ve been quickly overlooked. At a place like this, if Reese hadn’t spoken up, it could’ve ended in blood. The table cloths here were white for a reason. A show, a sign to say that it was a peaceful, safe area. That nothing, no one had bled, staining the cloth red…

They, are those in the know, knew that was all a ruse. A lie. Fights broke out here daily and Reese could practically see the wait staff nearby placing bets on who would strike first. Appearance was everything in these places and you respected the rules… or you were just an animal needing to be taken out.

“Good! Finally, something interest.” Marrow said and it was hard to say if it was about what she had to say or if it was about the food that quickly came out.

Logan stepped back into place and gave Sloan a small nod, reassuring the lion about what he was doing. Reese hadn’t even noticed the human step away. Logan most likely going to the kitchen to hurry along dinner. Hungry predators made poor house guests and the human wisely chose to save face for the lion by offering food and drink to the other two.

To fatten them up until they became tame. It was a very human thing to do.

Reese hadn’t touched the wine and would barely nibble on the food provided, not trusting anything he didn’t have control preparing. After all, that was how his father had died. From “spoiled” meat…

Thick slabs of red meats, oozing with juice were placed on silver platter and trays before them. From pork to chicken to beef. There was duck that was soon grabbed up by Marrow and several different fish that Sloan was eying hungrily. Especially the swordfish that was soon set up on a tray table next to the lion. The fish was so large it was nearly falling off both sides.  

“It would be insulting, not to eat.” Logan spoke to Sloan, stepping forward. The lion gave him a confused look, but the human had already taken a step back. He hadn’t been talking to Sloan, but to Reese. Commenting on how Reese hadn’t eaten anything.

Reese’s ear flicked in annoyance at that. He had nearly forgotten the rule about it. Zhang had personally prepared their dishes. If they didn’t eat, it would be like saying they didn’t trust the small-clawed Asian otter. Reese had walked into Zhang’s home and would’ve insulted him by not eating. Not to say any of them did trust the otter, but to insult him in his own “restaurant” and hotel was something he couldn’t over look.

Reese couldn’t afford making Zhang or the aquatic gangs his enemy and reluctantly stabbed a knife into a succulent piece of veal. He plated it and stared down at the meat. Before he even took a bite, a server came up and drizzled some sort of sweet red sauce that looked like blood with chunks of some kind of fruit in it over the meat.

The wolf wrinkled his nose at the smell but forced himself to eat each and every bite.

Marrow had no issue with it, taking the duck by a leg and biting through bone. Sloan was the only one of the group who seemed to be enjoying himself. Taking a bite, wiping off his mouth with a napkin before taking a small sip of wine to wash it down with.

“Absolutely delicious, I wish I could share.” Sloan spoke up, glancing back at Logan. “You must get the recipe for us to try sometime.”

“As you wish, sir.” Logan gave a small bow towards the lion as the hyena across from him laughed.

“You might as well just put a bullseye on the poor human’s face, treating him like that around here.” Marrow said. Reese noted how, in a way, it had been a kindness for her to point out, even if she were mocking the lion. She was, in her own crude way, reminding Sloan who he now was and all those close to him would be in danger because of it.

It was why Reese tried to keep at an arm’s length from his own mate. To protect him from these people…

“I was just remarking the food is exquisite.” Sloan glared at her, and she shrugged, sitting back crudely in her seat as she chewed with an open mouth. The lion gagged at that the sight, much to Marrow’s delight.

“It would be best to keep those you love sheltered and safe or have as little contact as you can with them.” Reese noted as he set down the knife and picked up the glass of wine. Watching as the blood red wine swirled within. “Getting close like that, is dangerous. No matter how much you might want to be with them. Around them. To care and love them… to show such things, for others to see? Is putting them at risk.”

Reese’s thoughts drifted elsewhere as he thought of only one person. Knowing how much he hurt him with his absence and hoping that Alan understood why Reese behaved the way he had ever since he had become Alpha.

Most the wolves in the pack assumed Reese just had a fetish for humans. Playing with and using the human to fulfill his sexual desires and little else. A plaything, a toy for the wolf to bite and chew on as he so desired. Something that could be tossed aside and replaced just as easily as he’d gotten it… unaware of how deep that affection went and what it would do to Reese if something ever happened to him.

Or what Reese would do to everyone else if something ever did. Misery loves company and Reese would make sure to share it with the rest of the city if something happened…

“Right…” Sloan’s dark lips formed a tight line as he stared down at his meal. “I will take such advice to heart…”

“Oh, don’t get all sappy on us here.” Marrow said with a mouthful of food, pieces of it and spittle flying in the air as she laughed. “We all have someone worth killing for.” And she grinned. “I’ll say my piece so we can get the hell out of here.” She suddenly said, sitting up and addressing the other two far more professionally than she’d been the entire visit. “Reese has already done as I requested. He has his wolves watching my sister until I find a means of getting her out.”

The other two noted how she didn’t ask for their help in whatever scheme she had devised to break Sasha out of jail. Most likely not wanting to be in debt to either of them any more than she already was to the wolves.

“Don’t get in my way…” Marrow glared at the other two before resting back. “Done. Reese, go.” Marrow sat back, chewing on a bone, and cracking it with her jaws to drink the marrow out from the inside.

“I wanted to bring up the missing predators in the state. Several of my wolves have gone missing and I’m looking for the party responsible for it.” Reese said, folding his hands on the table and looking at the other two. One at a time, waiting for them to have their say. “Their targeting other predators and isn’t an isolated event. I want to find them and bury them for what they’ve done to me and my people…”

“Hell, that’s way better than my problem!” Marrow spoke up loudly. “If you find the bastards stealing my hyenas, you let me know. I’ll handle the rest!”

Reese gave her a nod before looking at the lion. Sloan tapped a finger on the table, thinking it over.

“I’ll keep an eye out.” Was all he said, and Reese snorted, finding this entire thing to be pointless. “What I wished to bring to the table is a more personal note,” Sloan began but Reese gave a low growl. “Not to say that your missing wolves aren’t important! No, what I propose might… help us all.” Sloan placed his large meaty hands together as the other two looked at him, waiting for him to continue. Curiosity building up now. “I plan to run for mayor next year…”

“Mayor?” Reese said the word aloud, not following.

“You? A predator? In office? Are you shitting me?” Marrow laughed louder than she had all night. “That is hilarious! You think anyone would vote for you. You think…” Then her words faded as the gears in her head began to turn. “No, wait. You want US to help YOU become mayor of the city. Threaten officials? Rig the election? Money? Extortion…?” The more she spoke, the more she got interested in the idea. Of all the harm she could do.

The excitement building up behind her wild eyes at all the torment she could bring to those in charge in order to “help” Sloan become mayor and what it meant to have a predator mayor not only in charge, but in her pocket. Owing her for helping.

She could even, possibly, legally get Sasha out of jail.

“A predator hasn’t been mayor or governor of a state or city in… years.” Reese had to think that over, not recalling a single one that came to mind. His grandfather had started this pack because of that. Because of how politicians treated predators and how they kept any from running for office.

There might be a couple of token predators in their ranks but those were just empty positions to show the media and tell the people about. Nothing of note, nothing that held any power or sway, able to change things in their favor…. Tokens. That’s all they were. What Sloan was proposing wasn’t just ridiculous, it would be impossible.

Without their help…

“I have already been saving the money for my run next year. I have had posters made and even contacted several officials I know. I am… new, into this side of the world. Because of that, most within the political field aren’t aware of me, yet, or my place in it all. Now is the time for me to strike before it’s revealed. I have a perfect record,” Sloan smiled as he went on. “I used to be a lawyer, see. I have brought justice to the unjust and have even helped with several different organizations around the state. Non-profit and the like. This is not something I woke up thinking about, one day. This has been planned since the very beginning…”

The lion closed his eyes, in deep thought.

“I planned to run even before I was forced to take this mantle,” Sloan opened his eyes, and they were as hard as steel. “I want to change the way things are done. For all of us. Not just us but all predators. The mistreatment we have gotten over the years, the abuse… I want to fix this broken system, but I know, I won’t be able to win… legally.” He sighed, shaking his head. “One wrong, so I can do what’s right for us. All of us.”

“Far more altruistic than I figured for a lion,” Marrow snorted. “I need insurance that you won’t stab me in the back after we help you win.”

“Of course,” Sloan gave her a single nod.

“What do you want from us?” Reese asked, narrowing his eyes. He wanted the lion to get to the point instead of pussy footing around it. How would this help or, rather, endanger the wolves.

Reese figured Sloan would ask for something more… personal, from the wolves. After everything they had done to each other. After all those they lost because of their fighting. Sloan seemed to be looking at the bigger picture of things, but it was hard to trust him. To trust anyone in the underworld. 

“Your vote. Not to interfere… and your confidence in what I’m about to tell you,” Sloan looked over at Logan and the human stepped forward. Like Reese, Logan pulled out a hidden folder and laid it on the table. The envelope was large, and the lion made quick work of the tie on the front with a nail before pulling out the documents inside.

“Oh, someone has been busy!” Marrow cracked a smile, leaning forward to sniff at the documents as if she could uncover their secrets by smell alone.

“This will benefit us all, I assure you. From the missing predators, our missing friends and loved ones... It all stems back to one person. Or, from my sources, I believe so. Taking down the woman in charge will free us all from these shackles.” The lion said, fingers gripping the papers tightly before finally relinquishing them.

Sloan tossed a stack of papers forward. On the cover was the picture of the mayor, Annabelle, with the police chief and another man, a jaguar, standing at some sort of fundraiser. She was a human, smiling for the camera even if she wasn’t supposed to know the picture was being taken. Smiling as she shook hands with the new police chief, a very large saint Bernard, with a predator lurking behind her.

There was a white hare in a checkered bowtie suit that, even standing off to the side, stood out amongst the rest of the crowd. Standing close enough to be part of the deal being made while far enough away to claim ignorance about what was going on.

“Barnes is one of the Noble Hares that helped elect the current mayor into office. Using his extremely vast family of hares, they legally rigged the election in her favor. He knew a herbivore would’ve caused… issues, running and governing over so many predators here in Washington. So, they put a patsy in charge. A human by the name of Annabelle Horn. The current mayor.” Sloan tapped a clawed finger on it.

“Wasn’t she the one to put the Equality Initiative into plan?” Reese recalled the bill that passed after she was put in office. It was a bill that helped predators, like them, even get regular jobs. She was supposed to be pro-predator and yet Sloan wanted her gone…?

“Exactly.” Sloan placed his fingers together, looking at the two. “My sources…” He glanced back at the human to his side before back at the two. “My sources have told me the idea behind this… It’s rather, complicated.” He frowned and Sloan could already see Marrow’s eyes glazing over, losing interest. “Basically, the short version? If predators were equal, they would be forced back into the spotlight. As times goes on such things naturally happen anyways. Predators were behaving and the law was changing in their favor, slowly but surely. However, by forcibly… forcing this law forward, ahead of the natural proceeding of things… she can put the spotlight back on the predators and once more boil up the hate in this country against them. While pretending to be on their side. It was why my sister, the previous Mane of The Pride, tried to kidnap her…”

Reese’s ear flicked, looking at the documents. The Equality Initiative bill had been a major feat in the country. Equal rights for all… or at least, on paper that was how it read. It was a means of making everyone equal but that wasn’t what people wanted. Not how things were.

Herbivores didn’t want to be placed on the same stage as a predator. For, in the grand scheme of things, they weren’t equal. No matter what anyone wanted to say or claim to be true. A rabbit couldn’t compare to a wolf and a wolf couldn’t compare to a rabbit. Culturally, physically, biologically… hell, even their diet was different. One ate the other. That was the cruel harsh fact of life. By forcing them to be on that stage, forcing them to shake hands with each other, pretending to be buddy-buddy… all their hidden resentment and hate would be boiled to the surface and, eventually, explode.

“She didn’t do this alone.” Reese noted, glancing back at the picture. He was sure he’d seen that jaguar in the photo before but couldn’t place a finger on it. “Even with the Noble Hares support. This is… bigger than that.”

“The police force is also involved, yes.” Sloan agreed but seemed to miss the point Reese was trying to explain. “They’ve never liked predators. By placing a human in charge, the dogs of the police force have happily banded behind her…”

“The new police chief? Of course, he’s her bitch! He’s been in office for years now.” Marrow looked at the picture, licking her fingers clean one by one as she picked up the picture with greasy fingers. Squinting her eyes, trying to see something else in it before tossing it back on the table. “What of it?”

“Yes. I have reason to suspect why she had him take the position,” Sloan took a deep breath, holding it in and then letting it out. “I have reason to believe she had the previous police chief killed.”

The two gave him a look.

“And?” Marrow asked, waiting for Sloan to go on.

“And… that’s bad.” Sloan said, unsure if they understood the issue here. “She had someone killed. In office.” The lion was at a loss for words, waiting for the two to act surprised about such a bombshell being dropped on them.

“Fuck, I have people killed all the time.” Marrow sat back, losing interest now. “I had one killed just the other day. Some stick figure deer boy. Thought he could mess with us just because we were the minority these days,” she spat to the side. “He wasn’t even tasty.”

It was hard to say if that was a joke or she literally meant that.  

“Why?” Reese asked, before clarifying. “Why would she have the previous police chief killed…? How’d you even figure this all out? Your source seems to know a lot more than he… that they are telling.”

Sloan looked at him, then glanced over at Logan before letting out another breath as he placed his hands back together. His finger tips pressed against one another as he looked down at his large hands, claws hidden away in each finger. Lethal weapons he could unsheathe at a moments notice.

And how helpless he felt about all this.  

“Last year, The Market was burned to the ground. I had my associates look into the matter after taking my position as head of The Pride… There was an incident… years ago,” Sloan glanced up at Reese, all but forgetting the hyena in the room. “My brother Jerome was meeting with the police chief, as well as the previous Alpha in charge.” He rested his hands on the table, fingers tapping on its surface nervously. “They, he, Jerome… Was working out a deal between our two gangs. And the police…”

“Leaving the hyenas out. Figures.” Marrow just kicked back in her seat.

“Jerome didn’t want for the fight, the war between our two groups to continue. He sniffed something out. Something that would eventually get him killed.” Sloan jaw clenched. Reese lifted an eyebrow but waited for him to explain. “Someone else had been pulling the strings from the shadows, manipulating, and controlling us. Pitting predators against each other… Jerome was trying to get the previous Alpha and the police chief to see this. He had evidence and recordings and pictures… at least that’s what his journals said, when we found them. All shred of evidence had been destroyed…”

“Then he got himself offed.” Marrow chuckled. Sloan’s nails sprung out and he nearly jumped to his feet. Logan was there, standing by his side and placed a hand on his shoulder preventing him from making the mistake again. Even if he’d been provoked, such a thing was unbecoming of a leader.

“Sir,” Logan said before bending down and whispering in his ear once more.

“Ah, right.” Sloan took another breath before looking at Marrow. “We’re done here.” He stated and just settled back in the chair. The human didn’t move from his side and an uncomfortable silence fell over the room. “That was all I wanted to say.” The lion went quiet.

“What? That’s it? You just waiting for me to get up and go?” Marrow said. Neither of the two answered her and in a fit, she jumped to her feet. “Fine!” She snarled, not even caring she didn’t wait for the other two. Something Reese would have to reprimand her about in the future.

Marrow stormed out of the room. Making as much noise as possible, yelling and shouting at her cackle to follow after her. Sloan would be regretting that insult in the future. It was why Reese didn’t say or do anything. Leaving him out of the insult the lion had given the hyena.

“I can actually feel my headache lessening the further she goes,” Sloan sighed rubbing a hand over the side of his head. “How you deal with her, I’ll never understand.” He glanced over at the wolf who’d been watching him.

Reese grunted in return, looking at Logan instead. The wolf had half a mind to leave but stayed seat. With a simple wave of his hand, two of the wolves outside quickly came in to join him.

“Keep note,” Reese ordered, and the wolf stood at attention. “Go on, Mr. Kincaid. I know you aren’t foolish enough to blame us for what happened during the negotiations. Bale, the previous Alpha, had been in charge of that. What happened to Jerome… your brother, is on his head. Wherever I left it.” Reese cracked a grin at the thought.

Knowing things no one else did about Bale.

“Yes, I am aware.” Sloan grumbled before shaking his disdain for the wolves away. He needed their help just as they needed his. Their old feud was with the previous Mane and Alpha, not the current ones and Sloan was desperately hoping Reese truly believed and saw it like that. “Jerome was in contact with the previous Alpha. Working with him, making deals, and negotiating territorial disputes… peacefully. One evening, after one such visit,” Sloan trailed off.

“Alleged visit.” Reese pointed out, knowing the lion didn’t have any proof of such encounters. Bale would’ve been too smart to let such evidence slip through his fingers.

“Right… after the alleged visit, Jerome went missing…” Sloan grimaced. “Just like the predators are now… Just up and vanished, into thin air. He would turn up dead, several days later. Laid out at on our doorstep like a… rug.” The lion’s fangs flashed as his nails sprung out. His fur was standing up and the look on his face would’ve made a lesser man back down. Reese didn’t even flinch as the lion growled. “Those bastards killed him! Murdered him and turned him into a fucking rug!”

“Do you have proof?” Reese rested back in his seat, keeping his right hand on the table while his left arm was hidden underneath his jacket. “Such a claim is dangerous with… them.” Reese ear flicked as Logan flinched at his words.

There were many things Reese needed to talk to Logan about. The human knowing more than he was letting on.

“Even if I had proof, even if I recorded the entire thing! You think they would’ve done a damn thing about it?” Sloan roared out as he slammed his hands on the table, visibly shaking as his nails tore the tablecloth to shreds.

The two wolves behind Reese stiffened, waiting for the lion to do something stupid. Sloan head just fell as he looked down at his emptied, bloody plate.

“I need… help. With this.” Sloan admitted in a low voice that Reese nearly missed. He glanced up at Reese and those large feline slitted eyes glowed underneath the dim lights. “I thought it was the wolves, like everyone else did. They framed The Pack for what happened to Jerome and caused are war to happen. Until I looked into it… I was just as naive. Jerome trusted his contact on your side. Enough to… risk it all to broker such peace talks between our families. He was an idiot but a good person. He didn’t deserve that… He didn’t deserve what they did to him. I want revenge for what they did to him. To you. To all of us.”

“What did they do to me…?” Reese’s ear flicked, unsure how this all looped around to him. He’d stayed out of pack affairs until recently. He didn’t think they’d be stupid enough to poke a sleeping wolf that was just trying to pretend to be an average guy in the city, working a cubicle job and… dating a human.

A human. Vulnerable, weak, helpless, and alone…

“No…” Reese growl began to fill in chest, vibrating his gummy lips before filling the room around them as his nails dug into the table. The very thought of it made his left arm hurt…  

“You know Reese,” Alan said resting against his side just last month. “We all have secrets we wish to keep hidden from others. People think it’s because we aren’t comfortable with sharing them. No. It’s not that. It’s because we know that if these things are shown or told, exposed to the world… it would make us vulnerable. If the wrong person were to find out our secrets, the damage could be… irreparable. The harm done? Couldn’t be undone. That’s why people keep secrets. Because, once they’re out in the open there is no way to keep them hidden again.”

Alan touched Reese’s left hand and the wolf tensed.

“I know about your arm, Reese.” Alan voice had been so soft and caring, understanding as Reese’s ears folded back. “If others found out your weakness? I’m afraid what they’d do to you…”

“No.” Reese told him in return and Alan looked at him. “My arm isn’t my weakness.”

“It isn’t…? What is then?” Alan asked with such innocence in his eyes that the wolf couldn’t help but smile in return as he bent forward and kissed him softly on the forehead.

“My weakness?” Reese’s tail wagged. “Well, I’ll let you figure that out yourself. One day.” Reese brushed a finger over his human’s cheek, petting him with a clawed digit. “One day… I hope that never comes. For you to know. What my weakness is…”  

“Mr. Elysium,” Sloan said but Reese snarled caught even the lion off guard.

“Elysium isn’t my last name. It’s the packs name. Not mine!” Reese could feel his muscles flex, his fur standing on end. He bared his fangs.

“Ah, m-my apologies… I don’t know your last name.” Sloan admitted, glancing at Logan for support. The human just shrugged, confused about why the wolf was so worked up.  

“I don’t have one.” Reese spat the word out, in a low growl that filled the room. Most wolves took the name of their pack as their own. Reese never had. Not legally. Even if he wrote down Elysium when he had to, he never felt it inside.

The only name he’d ever had wanted to take was Alan’s…

“I see, well. I want to show you something in good faith. Between us. What Jerome would’ve wanted us to be, not what we became…”

Sloan motioned towards the lioness standing on his other side. She’d been mute the entire dinner but stepped forward when addressed. She offered him a newspaper from under one arm. Sloan took it with his thanks before placing it down on the table before them. It was tomorrows paper. The lion had acquired the paper for the following day, most likely through illegal means and his unnamed source.  

On the cover was a black and white photo taken. Of several wolves standing around a single human in the middle of them. Reese felt his blood go cold as he recognized each and every one of their faces. The faces of his younger brothers, Salt, and Pepper. Of other the other, if still younger, brother Barrett. And, finally, the human standing before them.

A photo taken on Wolf Street. In his territory. Someone had taken a photo of his property and Reese could feel his icy blood beginning to warm and boil as his fangs gritted and he visibly shook with rage as he saw the human on the front cover of tomorrows paper.

Alan.

The front cover simply read “human dances with wolves.”

To anyone else in the city, it must’ve meant a silly fun story to talk about and look over. To someone in their line of work, part of the underground, it showed the one vulnerability the wolf had wanted to safeguard above everything else.

For, in the back, behind the other wolves and that human, was Reese. Standing there, off to the side, waiting for his mate to get into the vehicle. Reese remembered that outing. It was one of the rare times he had gotten off to spend time with Alan. Taking along his siblings, instead of his personal guard in order to try and have a sort of mock family outing.

To be normal. To try and have a life that wasn’t, as Sloan had put it, shackled by society and those vying for Reese’s head on a silver platter. One brief moment of happiness had been all it’d taken to expose his weak spot to the entire state, the world, and all his enemies.

“The paparazzi around here can be unbearable, at times.” Sloan chuckled, missing how the other two wolves took a step away from their Alpha who’d grown deathly silent.

Reese’s face was a void of emotion as he stared down at the pictures. His eyes kept darting up to the date before drifting back down to stare at it, trying to decipher and figure it out. If he ever caught the person who’d taken this picture… well, Reese had his connections. He’d personally torture the information out of the editor-in-chief at the papers to find out who sent this in. Even it was an anonymous source, he’d sniff them out and bury them six feet under for this insult.

“Reese,” Logan spoke, and Sloan jumped at that, about to hush the human. Not wanting Logan risking a fight breaking out. “Where is Alan right now…?”

“Who?” Sloan was confused as he looked back at the wolf, then at the human. Waiting for someone to explain what was happening.

“Alpha-mate should be with Barrett, sir.” One of the wolves whispered down to Reese, glancing over at Logan.

“I’ll get a hold of them.” The other said, stepping aside as they withdrew their phone. They paused, waiting for it to connect before lowering the phone down. “Sir, I can’t get a hold of them. Or anyone…”

“What?” The other wolf guard pulled their phone out, fumbling with the device before tapping out a number and calling.

“All the phones seem to be unable to connect,” Logan spoke up, glancing down at his own phone. He was sure he had connection when he’d entered the building. He glanced up at the others before pulling out his side arm. “Sir, you need to get behind me.”

“Zhang would have means of disabling devices but…” Reese said, glancing around the room and at the windows. They were near the top of the building, making it difficult for anyone to have a shot at them from nearby buildings. He didn’t like how open this room was or how exposed he felt being here. 

Just then the lights above turned off and they were left in the dark room. The ugly gray clouds outside casting the world in darkness below them. All the predators blinked before their eyes began to adjust. Logan flicked something on and the sound of it reminded Reese’s sharp ears of night vision being turned on.

“Mr. Kincaid,” Reese stood up from the table slowly. Nails scrapping against the surface. “Who owns The Seattle Times…?”

“Um…” Sloan stumbled a bit.

“It’s a subsect of… Smith incorporated.” Logan said getting a look from the lion. “My family owns the paper…” Reese snorted as he turned away as the other wolves came dashing in to make sure their Alpha was okay, followed by several lions who moved over to check on Sloan. “I… Didn’t think. I mean, I just… fuck, this was a mistake.”

“Yes. Yes it was,” Reese snarled. “You should’ve told me sooner.”

The room became divided. Wolves on one side, lions on the other. The two groups facing each other, blaming each other but waiting for their bosses word before doing anything. There was a palpable tension between the two groups.

The crack of thunder could be heard outside and the heavy patter of rain falling soon accompanied it. Filling the silence in the room.

“Logan?” Sloan asked as he reached for the human who refused to look at him.

“My Aunt… no. She… wouldn’t? Would she… Just make sure the lions and wolves don’t fight,” Logan told Sloan, facing towards him. Loud enough for Reese to hear. It was hard to tell if Logan was talking to Sloan, or himself. As if weighing and debating something internally. His beliefs? Someone else’s orders? Reese had seen that look before. It was the same one he had in the military when he was told to do something he had disagreed with but knew to follow the chain of command… “It’d be best if we split up. We’re sitting ducks gathered here like this…” Logan took a step to the side, but a low growl stopped him.

“Logan,” Reese warned. Warned him that if he left with the lions, he wouldn’t be able to rejoin the wolves. Logan glanced back at him, and their eyes met. They both knew what this meant for them.

“Look here,” Sloan spoke up on Logan’s behalf, but the wolf ignored him as he sniffed the air. His body froze, if only for a split second.

“Iron… I smell blood…” Reese said, and the lion pulled back. “Hyena. Blood. Drifting through the air. Gunpowder. I didn’t hear anything, but my nose doesn’t mistake such a thing. I’m very familiar with both.”

“Marrow,” Logan shuddered to think what had happened in her brief absence. “They must be here for the heads… her and you two. We’re all grouped together,” Logan cursed. “We need to run. Now. If Zhang catches us…”

“Not so fast.” Reese almost laughed. “If it was Zhang, we’d already be dead.” Reese tapped a finger on a fang, thinking it over. “Someone thought they could invade his territory to get to us? They really don’t understand the shitstorm they’re about to kick up… Heh. A pity we won’t be around to see him retaliate,” Reese motioned for the others to follow. “Bridgette, Clarence… forward.”

Two wolves parted from the others, practically jumping forward, and lowering their heads before him.

“We’re leaving.” Reese grunted. “Exit plan Delta. Jojo,” he looked at another wolf. “Keep trying to contact the others outside. Once you get a hold of them, have them secure our exit.” Reese glanced over at the others. “I don’t like to be followed,” he warned. “I hope you have your own escape plan. Or you’ll end up like Jerome…”

Sloan growled at that, lips pulling back to show his fangs.

“If you plan to run for mayor. You better get used to this.” Reese huffed. “Don’t expect us to bow down if you do win… if you even survive tonight.” With that, the wolf turned to leave. Two wolves proceeded in front of him, checking for traps as the lot lowered themselves to almost all fours and began making a break for it.

“That went better than expected,” Logan offered up and Sloan just groaned, covering his face.

“How are they disrupting our signal?” Sloan dragged a hand down his face. “If we can’t contact the others on the outside… well, I don’t want them to accidentally start another war with that bastard. He’s not someone I want to get on the bad side of.”

“There are plenty of ways to disrupt a cell phone signal, sir.” Logan chuckled as he motioned for the others to follow, directing them towards the side kitchen. “They could’ve lined the walls with any kind of sort of metals, for starts. There are other devices they could’ve turned on as well to jam it.” Logan just pulled the police issued Glock from its holster. “I’ll tell you all about it over breakfast, after we get the hell out of here.”

Reese had done them a kindness by choosing a route to take, leaving Logan with the alternative. Giving the lions no choice to argue over it as they made their escape down The Golden Gate Hotel and hopefully, to freedom…