Chapter 26 - Be Careful Not to Kick a Hornet's Nest

— Mishka —

It turns out that when there is smoke, there is a fire. Who knew?

I feel like a complete idiot, for taking this gig in the first place. I knew from the get go, this was not going in the right direction. Not to say anything about the jobs themselves.

I don't generally have an issue with stealing, but that last job was wrong.

In truth, killing, pointlessly, when you can do better … first, it's bad business. Second, it brings unnecessary heat. Third, it's resources extensive. And fourth, you don't go about killing families, children. I'm all for fighting warriors, I'm uncomfortable with killing those who have nothing to do with what's going on. Sun Tzu discouraged senseless killing for a reason. Plus, if there's one thing that can unite opposing force against one common enemy, it's generally children. It shakes something fundamental inside all of us. You can do pretty horrible things, but none are as horrible as when you do then to children.

These last victims, those we attacked, they didn't even know about the artifact hidden nearby, the one we were hired to get. The previous tenants had hid it there. We could've retrieved it without bloodshed.

I was in the process of retrieving, when John said to leave no quarters.

I'm fine with not having witnesses, which was why I was being so careful and sneaky.

But to kill them all, for the sake of doing the job faster? They wouldn't have been witnesses regardless.

I don't know if this decision was purely that of John, or if it was the puppet master above, but I don't like it.

I refused to do it. When the man launched themselves into the carnage, Elijah began puking is heart out in a corner. I saw a few, like Ethan who were clearly not enjoying this order. But other than Elijah who was physically incapable of complying, and me who was just too stubborn, no one else protested, or even tried to hold back.

I don't know what those things are, or why they are worth these kinds of troubles, or methods, but they're getting me really uncomfortable. And one thing is for sure. The kind of measure one goes to protect those things, or to acquire them, does speaks volume.

And even worse. They cut my paycheck.

I was being paid later and later every time, and now they were finding excuses to cut my paycheck.

Now I was getting pissed.

This last gig was a twofer, so if I don't want to lose the full pay, I should just probably finish the job. Besides, I've never broken my word to a client before, and my reputation is probably the most valuable thing I own. But this is the last.

I'm getting out.

And quite frankly, I should probably get the kid out too. He's not cut out for this.

I was lying down on my shitty cot in my shitty room, looking at the dirty ceiling.

This whole thing was dirty.

And it goes beyond this job.

I've gotten a bunch of emails about jobs, and the vast majority is shady as fuck.

Something has shifted and I don't know what, and I hate not knowing what.

So I took my laptop out and began my research by connecting with my regular contacts.

— Ylva —

"Hello," answered Brandon on the phone.

"Is Kaden available?" I asked.

"Not at the moment. He's in a meeting with Henry."

"You up to date with the Monaweard situation?"

"Yes."

"Aren't you on bed rest?"

"Chair rest now, and it changes nothing, my head is still working."

"For now," I teased.

He sighed. He and I don't have the same sense of humour. Well, actually, I'm not sure he even has one of those. He's probably the most boring guy I know. But I suppose he doesn't have to be entertaining to be competent at his job.

"Okay," I said. "Just to be sure we're on the same page. I've been ordered to keep a lookout on the island facility we've found, to anywhere those people may come from."

"I know," he said impatiently.

"Well, we got a hit. Some pack named Nubinero. There are a lot of actions going on here. I think there is something else going on. I also heard mentions that something with the faes is may be happening which allows them to make a move. It's vague and my guys and I have difficulties getting something concrete here. Maybe you could do some research and see what's happening with faes so we can make sense of what they're talking about."

"Sure."

"We still don't know why this facility to begin with, but I think they're selling something from it."

"Like what?"

"I don't know. People, information, research… Your guess is as good as mine."

"Okay, I'll look into that too. See if I can find something for sale that would fit their pattern. Maybe on the black market."

"Yeah, and just a hint here. Be careful. Something in all this gets my senses on edge. I think there's something big coming."

"Like what?"

"I don't know. But there are strong reapers activities. They generally don't get involved unless some massive amount of death is coming," I said. "Maybe there's just gonna be some massive tsunami somewhere, I don't know." I sighed. "I think there's a war coming, but don't quote me on it yet. It's not clear enough at the moment. But I'm definitely getting the precursor of a war vibe. It's probably still too early to know. Something could happen to stop it from occurring, but it's heading in that direction."

"Does it have anything to do with Nubinero?"

"I don't know."

"Will we be involved in anyways?"

"I don't know," I said exasperated. "It stinks. Everything stinks. It makes my head hurt. Just be careful not to kick a hornet's nest while you go digging."

"I can be careful."

"Good. And warn the Alpha. I don't know if it'll change anything, but we need all to be careful. Just in case."

"I will."

"Good. We'll keep digging. If you get anything to orient us, send it to me."

"Will do."

"Good," I said and hung up.

— Eveline —

Darren and I have been relaxing in front of a movie. We had spent the whole day cuddling. After the chaos of yesterday, we had needed it.

It had been after dinner when Darren got a text from my brother. It said to come when he'd had a minute.

I wanted to ask Kaden what it was about, but Darren decided to go right away. It had been a couple of hours since. Well, on foot, it was nearly an hour back and forth so it was reasonable, but it didn't get me any less worried.

I don't know why.

Something got me nervous.

I was pacing back and forth in the living room, and I had no clue why. I was feeling very erratic. Yesterday too. Well, yesterday was understandable with the earthquake and all. The moment things began shaking, well no, maybe more accurately, I began feeling real dread right after it had stopped.

Come to think of it, around the time the crane must have fell. Maybe that's not what I really feel. Don't they say that you can gain insight in the feeling of your mate?

I thought this occurred mostly in marked mates, but we've mated. And situations like these do bring for intense emotions. They also tend to get people closer together. As evident by today.

The day started a bit rough, but everything was sorted out now, and we were probably closer than ever.

Which meant that what I was feeling right now could be coming from him.

It made sense. Other than the first day we've met, I think this is the first time Darren and my brother are alone together. Oh, and maybe yesterday when they went on a rescue mission.

I mean, Darren is still new here. He's just a guest of this pack. And I know a lot of people find Kaden intimidating.

Darren is probably anxious not knowing what this is about and all.

Both yesterday and today have been very tiring days, especially for him.

I decided to sit back in front of the TV and try to watch something, get my mind off things.

Darren will tell me when he returns.

It didn't take him that long after that to return.

It had been raining apparently, because he was drenched. We should've checked the weather forecast first, or I could have helped him get there.

"I'm sorry babe," I told him. "I should have lent you the car. I didn't think about it at all."

"It's fine. Just get me a towel please," he asked, and I rushed to the bathroom. "I needed the walk anyway."

"Why? Are you upset? Is everything okay?" I asked worried. He took the towel from me, and put in on his head to wipe out the dripping rain from his hair. I took a second towel and helped dry his shoulders and chest.

"Everything's fine," he told me. When I looked at his face, he had a massive grin.

"Oh. What was this about then?"

"Your brother offered me to become a full member of Blakemore."

I smiled.

"Well, it's sooner than I thought but that's great."

"And to become his Gamma," he added.

I froze with my hand wrapped in a towel on his chest. He had the other towel askew on his head, and he was looking at me like he'd just met the Easter Bunny.

"Really?" I asked incredulously.

"What?" his smile faltered. "You think he's wrong?"

"What? No," I rushed. "It's just that my brother normally doesn't do things like that to someone he doesn't really know, unless they've proven themselves."

"Well, he said I did just that yesterday," he told me.

I smiled.

"And he's researched me," he said.

I frowned at that.

"Nothing I wouldn't have done in his position."

"Okay," I said.

"I should give him my answer soon."

"Wait, you haven't already?" I asked surprised.

"I wanted to talk to you about it first."

That touched something inside me I didn't think had been touched in this relationship yet. Building a future together. Planning, choosing, setting the foundation for what's to come. Darren just told me, in his own words, that he wanted to include my opinion in his choice of a career.

I kissed him.

I guess this is my go to when I'm strapped for words. Granted, this could affect my career. Any rank members' mate can be given responsibilities. I can refuse, of course, but most do. Being the Alpha's sister, it's probably expected of me even more.

I suppose we will have a lot more to talk about and soon.

For a starter, it means a house for him, or quarter in the pack house at least. Does it mean moving in together? Is it too fast?

I've been here nearly every evening since he's moved into the apartment, and when at my parent's, he was sneaking into my room nearly every night.

Would it be really much of a change at this point?

I had more than a few questions for him, but he seemed to have a different idea in how to spend the rest of the evening.

Our kiss had deepened and he was already pulling my shirt off above my head.

And his clothes were all wet, so there were no reasons for him to keep those on either, and I decided to help him with the task.

Of course I got a little lost along the way, as his shirt was the wettest, but I worked on his pants first.

It got a little awkward when his pants went down to his ankles and his shoes were still on, stopping the disrobing process and he could get his feet up to take the shoes up. He nearly dropped on his ass, and I went down on my knee giggling to help with the shoes.

When I looked up, I guess that my position gave him ideas because I saw his eyes darkened. And our light mood, suddenly revved up in lust filled haze. And I decided not to disappoint.