Chapter 3

Bzzz bzzz bzzz. His phone vibrated from the black oval table near his bed. Dashiell already knew who was on the other end of that phone; the Alpha had never returned his phone call from yesterday.

"Congratulations, good to know you will finally be able to settle down and make that mother of yours proud." The deep voice chuckled over the phone.

His friend's voice sounded very pleased for him and if not with just a tiny hint of jealousy as well. The Alpha had not found his mate. Dashiell returned the deep chuckle with a softer chuckle of his own. Genuine happiness and affection filled him from deep within, he knew it wasn't his own but it brought him his own sense of joy through the bonds of the pack. Soon everyone in the pack would be whispering of the Beta Bride.

"I have found her. Unfortunately, my first meeting with her was a not what I had imagined it would be. I didn't want to meet my mate bare assed before I even knew her name." On the other end of the phone he could hear a roar of laughter. The Alpha and Dashiell grew up together, Dashiell's parents helping raise the young alpha while his own mother and father had been killed in a car accident. He had gained two extra brothers. His mother and father volunteered to care for the two orphaned boys when they already had two young boys of their own. His father had been the Alpha's friend in business partner. It was the way of the pack, and Dashiell's father being the Beta-line for the pack took on the responsibilities of father with honor. It worked out with the alpha and beta-to-be being the same age and the younger siblings just a couple years apart from each other.

"Dear Brother, it would not be the first time you would not have remembered a female's name after a fun night of being naked together." The laughter continued until Dashiell growled just faintly, not wanting to piss the alpha off with a threatening sound. Brothers and best friends or not he was still the alpha and deserved to be treated as such. Luckily for him, his friend did not take offense to the sound and the laughter dulled to a soft rumbling chuckle.

"Don't worry, Dash, I won't tell her about your past escapades. You may have to worry about the past telling on you." With that he began laughing again.

His friend was in very good spirits today a change from his usual broody temper. Dashiell didn't really know why his adoptive brother's words stung him. He wasn't what one would call the most saintly man and he wasn't some boy that was between a new set of legs every chance he got. No he liked taking his time with his women. He once would have bed anything that would allow him the chance though. He thought it an easy game knowing that he held the title they all wanted and none of them could ever reach the real prize. His heart. All the pack women knew Dashiell was a catch. Billionaire. America's Charm boy. And there was no denying his good looks, but still they knew he was untouchable.

"I wouldn't be laughing if I were you, it will only be a matter of time before you find your mate and then I will get to laugh at you." The laughter on the other end paused. He took his chance to continue before there could be more to laugh at him about. The slight offense at his brothers words getting to him enough. "Yesterday's events did not begin with me finding my mate, Evander. But thank you for the congratulations," Dashiell sighed. "I was attacked, by werewolves in broad daylight, 9 days before a full moon."

A sigh comes from the other side as Evander comes back to focusing on the problem the pack was facing. "I'm aware, I'm glad you made it out without a scratch. Three of them against a Lycan in the daylight before a full moon means trouble in the lower packs and that they have teamed up with a powerful opponent. But that doesn't answer the question of why? Or why you? Its got bad timing too. Can you explain in more detail what exactly happened?" His voice becoming more curious and somber than the previous joking manner he had. He could feel through the pack line his Alpha's stress over the situation.

And fuck he wasn't wrong either it did have bad timing all over it. If there was going to be an attack in their territory having a human mate would only add to the worry of protecting her and the pack. Would he have to choose between the two?

The De Godhere pack had experienced a few battles and disagreements when Evander was able to take full control of the pack, but this would be the first time their pack had taken a direct attack in years and it was very strange for the attack to be on him and not the alpha. There was something more going on than just simple pack rivalry. Evander had made sure the pack was strong. The pack had already fought for their numbers and strength. Dashiell tried to shake the unease that was creeping up his spine. He'd been feeling off since late last night and the feeling was only becoming more and more urgent.

"I was out taking a quick walk along our territory line after my normal morning jog. Routine work. Usually after checking all the territory, stopping long enough to talk to our guard and take in complaints or concerns, I will go back to the Hotel and start those meetings in the building. Natural hotel work first, since it's usually easier to fix, then I begin the pack dealings and the work needed there. Michael and his wife just delivered a beautiful baby boy 3 days ago, they're going to have their hands full now with two boys so close in age." Dashiell's voice held a peculiar sound one of longing but he didn't let the emotion into the pack-line. Instead he focused on the joy he found in his job. His true excitement for the couple's new journey in this life.

"Ah Michael is such a good one on our patrols! Congratulations to him. Julie found her Flame here as well, it seems it must be in the season to find mates. Perhaps I have a chance then." Evander's raspy deep voice interrupts Dashiell's recounting of events. The two share a quick word about how the other pack-house is holding and then Dashiell gets back to telling the events from yesterday.

"Yesterday, after congratulating Michael and telling him to take a break from his patrol duties to go be with his new baby," He had to admire his pack mate's commitment to the pack and the duties that came in that, but some things in life were way more important and bringing a child into the world fell into that category, "I took my path through a closed off and quiet alleyway, like I always do, and was ambushed by those wolves. They were not rouges. They weren't lycan either, I was able to defend myself easily. I did not kill. My priority was to get out of the environment away from humans that could have gotten injured or worse lived to tell the tale of werewolves fighting in the streets of corn country." His voice had risen just a enough that he psychically stopped his talking took note of his elevated heart rate and slowed his breathing down. The abrupt action brought him a sense of calm like a splash of cold water.

Dashiell could feel the wolf give a whine because it's worry was still very powerful. The animal's emotions had snuck their way into Dashiell's forefront. He bet without a doubt his eyes were the color of dark amber. Dashiell fought with his wolf spirit to put it at ease. His animal never gave him this amount of trouble. They normally agreed on the situations at hand. If he were in his wolf skin now the fur would be raised. Unease twisted his stomach. Dashiell took another steading breath and continued forward.

"I picked up on a scent, it smelled familiar, but I couldn't tell you why in a bet and win, ok. The smell came from a smoke that came from behind me, I didn't get the chance to fight the change, everything happened so suddenly. I was unprepared." Dashiell hated to admit it and it showed in his tone. It spread through the pack-lines. He didn't want to voice how he truly felt. But the guilt he felt over the events could not be ignored, he felt as if he had failed in someway. It was his job to protect and support the pack. Even as he admitted the truth to himself, he knew he should cut his self some slack.

Evander picking up on his feelings spoke next on the phone. "We were all unprepared. We believed that because we are a large pack and have earned the grounds we have with our strength that we had enough to keep our enemies at bay," his alpha's tone was full lecture mode, "we were all wrong to believe that. It was naive. I don't want you beating yourself up, brother. It wouldn't help me, yourself, or the pack. Plus, you have a new woman to be spending all your free time with. We will get to the bottom of this trespass. We might even get to actually get our hands dirty and fucking put on a good show for the bastards that thought they could come onto our grounds and take on our best beta."

"I'm your only Beta, Evander." Dashiell griped without any real sting to it, knowing that Evander was doing his job as the alpha to keep his people stable and loved at all costs. He was also giving his brother a pep talk after a rough day. They weren't always just wolves.

"You're my best Beta. The pack would not know what to do without you. I'm the Alpha I'm supposed to always," the way his Alpha said always was almost a growl, "be ready for attack. It is not like our kind to go without a little battle between the packs. I should be more prepared. When I first took over the pack I was always on guard our patrols were tight and our training ruthless. When our pack battled with the Cravyn pack and won. I made their Alpha submit or give his life because he had lost his honor. He vowed to change his ways if I spared his pathetically vile life." Evander's voice had changed into something just on the edge of not quite human.

He had very well spared the older Were-Alpha's life, and the man did change his approach to his pack from that point forward. Evander had made sure of it by sending out a regular scout. The werewolf pack was a thriving success today with Evander's direct.

"That was the past, my brother, relax yourself." Being so close to the full moon, it made emotions and senses higher. The full moon made the beast want to roam free forever like he was promised all those ancient years ago. Every Lycan and Werewolf was stronger during the week following a full moon.

"You're devilish wolf will be able to have it's bloodshed if it comes down to it." Dashiell's tone was light and teasing hoping to ease his friend's temper. Evander was starting to sound a lot like his usual self. And he knew his next words weren't going to help much, "We also fought the Ladouceur Pack and the Thornmort pack. So we have enemies that were made honestly."

"Three enemies made in my time as our leader. They had plenty of fucking time to plot their revenge. Ladouceur's Beta plays in my poker circle twice a month. He remembers when we battled and we sometimes chat about it after we've drank a little too much whiskey. We have had a few laughs and maybe we've thrown a punch or two about a few choice words. Yet I don't feel like they would be plotting against us. But you can never be too sure. I don't want to cross anyone off of the enemy list."

"Thornmort's has been off the grid. Their Alpha submitted to your will," Dashiell didn't finish the rest because he was interrupted by Evander.

"He ran. We had him cornered, taking prisoners as we went. Thornmort is a coward, he was given the gift of lupine kind and became more monster than man. He tucked tail and left his pack to die. We offered his pack freedom. And the ones that didn't run off to be with their master, came with us and have made our pack stronger." The extra pack members had made the pack stronger. A strong pack meant healthier bodies and happier wolves. Happier wolves meant more mating, more mating meant more babies.

"We should start strengthening our boarders immediately, then communicate with the Lycan packs around us, we don't want this getting back to (The Primal Moon Court), Goddess knows we don't need them breathing down our necks again." Dashiell could heard the deep sigh on the other end before his Alpha continued on, "We don't want this really going to war. Our people have gone through enough bad history, they've enjoyed their peace and have earned it. We will deal with our were-packs next," Evander was responsible of two were-packs in his Lycan territory, the Cravyn Pack and the Elan Pack, "maybe we can persuade Elan to be our ally if we need them."

"Edgar Elan is a good man. He respects the moon goddess. His family sometimes comes to our charity balls." Dashiell believed that Evander would have no problems brining the Were-Alpha to their side. It was not a secret De Godhere was a very strong Lycan line and was very powerful in the natural world. By being under his territory the people had found a sense of security, that they didn't need to always be fighting with other supernaturals and that they could live free with the humans. No harm to the supernaturals and no harm to the naturals. Something Dashiell liked to share in the atmosphere Quade Night Hotel. They could walk in peace together. As long as their kind was kept a secret.

"I will be over in the morning, I want to secure everything tight here. When was the last time you heard from, Maverick? The little shit has refused to answer my calls. And he's too far away for my alpha influence to force him to respond." Dashiell chuckled Maverick made it his life's mission to do anything that would irritate his older brother. Mildly of course. Maverick would never do anything to jeopardize the pack or his brother. But he did like to keep the Alpha on his toes. He certainly had made Dashiell's mother run around like hell chasing after the pup. And Dashiell's mother did not run. A powerful beta she-wolf, she rarely shifted. But Maverick was the wolf to make her do it.

"No, I haven't heard from him. Did he take the plane?"

"Yes. I know he was working on some new tech. Something about new silver tipped bullets. He'd also heard of a new found use for wolfsbane." Evander was trying to control his voice and keep the worry from being obvious. In a normal circumstance Evander would be mildly stressed that his little brother had left again. Now with the pack under possible attack and with no way to contact the Third of the pack, the Alpha was on high alert. The stress was seeping through the pack-lines to him. But only to him, the rest of the pack could not feel the strain on the man. Dashiell made sure to contain whatever emotion that could have possibly seeped through the lines further. His friend's emotions were strong today; it wasn't often for his emotions to seep through the lines like this. Dashiell's wolf could sense the threat of danger, too.

The threat of danger to the pack, to the people that took refuge at his hotel, to the people he loved who lived in his home, was just on the edge of being real. There wasn't any proof that the weres that had attacked him yesterday were not rouge wolves. But rogue wolves never attacked during the day and werewolves couldn't even shift until the week of the full moon. None of the events from the last 24 hrs had made a lot of sense. Attacking a pack of lycans as a pack of werewolves was not a smart choice.

Attacking the beta of the pack during daylight in the city was even less smart. It didn't even make sense to be attacking here in the city. Quade Night Hotel was not the pack's home base. The battles of the past had always taken place at Armadaway in the cover of the woods. They were missing pieces of the puzzle. With a release of his breath, he squared his shoulders. They had a least started a precautionary plan to protect both pack houses.

"I will try to contact him too. Maybe with the both of us calling him, he may take it seriously and answer one of us for shits and giggles. See ya tomorrow, brother." Evander's chuckle was his reply before the phone hung up. Dashiell put his phone in the front Jean pocket, then walked across the room to the closet it was on the other side of his magical fireplace. Most of the hotel was rigged with magical components. Theodora was a gift sent from the goddess. The door way was open and when stepped inside the light a automatically switched on, sans magic. He was quick to dress in his best button down, a burnt orange. Today, Dashiell would go to see her again. Just the thought brought him so much excitement.

Be that as it may, he didn't want to start pressuring her. He would have to take his take and ease her into the new lifestyle he hoped she would be happy in. Elizabeth may not be happy living amongst monsters. He could not guarantee that she would wouldn't want to run away from him and the pack. Dashiell shrugged his shoulders and puffed his chest. He would be there to help all her fears. It would take time that he knew, but he had hope he had smelt her desire in the store yesterday. Maybe just fucking maybe he had a chance. He also hoped him returning to the store today wouldn't appear creepy. Hell, if wooing her a few months didn't work he may just have to kidnap her.

Entering the dining hall on the 16th floor, Dashiell set straight for the line of food. There were a few people that called hello and he returned the gesture with one of his own. He felt warmth. The pack bonds were blending so many emotions through him that he knew they felt the same excitement for him that he felt within his self. His emotions were for himself, but he enjoyed the eagerness from his friends. A child with soft blonde hair that he knew to be the name of Melissa, ran up to him with her arms wide. Dashiell bent his knee ready for her pounce. Quickly, she was in the air in his arms and she was giggling uncontrollably.

"Is she beautiful? Did you kiss her?" Her little voice was eager for a response. Dashiell sat her back down on the ground with a giant grin.

"She's very very beautiful. And has blonde hair just like you." The little girls eyes widened.

"Is she a wolf like you?" The question surprised Dashiell. He wasn't sure how to approach the subject but decided honesty would be best for the child. But he was saved by a blonde woman, Olivia, the child's mother came to his rescue.

"Melissa, leave the beta to his business. I'm sure he has to get things ready for his new mate to arrive." She gave him a smile and took the small child's hand. Melissa waved at him at she left, then her attention turned to her mom.

A grumble in his stomach set him back to his task: food. He wove his way through the lines of people crowed around the food selections. Pancakes and eggs at one bar. Sausage, bacon, fried ham, and hash browns at another. Waffles, French toast, and Toast at a third with different types of jam, butter, silverware, and other condiments placed for peoples to grab. Coffee, juices and soda was available at the wall entering the cafeteria it also was where trash cans were.

On the way out of the cafeteria was a belt top that trays, plates and other utensils could be placed. The three stations changed during the day based on meal times. During the holidays he liked to have small events held here with food and music. He did sometimes host movie nights for naturals and supernaturals, since there was only the one theater (on floor ). Instinctively, he head lifted and his nose sniffed. A growl came from his stomach, warm buttered biscuits. And gravy with sausage, his nose led him to the bar with the pancakes. He picked up a bowl and fixed a plate. Biscuits in the bowl crumbled and gravy on top. Oh this breakfast would taste so much better with his new mate here to enjoy it with him. If only it were that easy. But he didn't want to think about that again. There wasn't an easy solution until he at least got the chance to ask her for a dinner date.

With a smile, Dashiell took his bowl of food to a table that held most of his young patrollers. When he sat down a few of them clapped him on the back with a congratulations, but the rest started in with their good humored jokes. No more free guy's nights. Nights stuck in doing whatever she is asking of me. Always make sure you put the toilet seat down. Those kinds of half-witted jokes that didn't mean much of anything because they all know that when they meet their mated flame, they would come to heel just like the good pups he knew they were. He chuckled along with all the quips and banter the boys threw his way. He took pleasure in the mild joking, because in his bones he knew that if -no when- this battle took place these boys would not be the same.

And soon after breakfast he would be the one to ruin all of this. Hopefully, it would not be ruining it permanently, hopefully he would just be making his pack stronger and more aware that even in a larger pack they still faced dangers from their own kind. That they must always be alert. War was always in the background for supernaturals.

When his food was gone, Dashiell spoke quickly with the boys putting his hand on a young man no older than nineteen, "I want to hold a meeting with all of our patrol guards. Please spread word that the meeting will take place at noon. That gives everyone enough time to get it through the phone tree." He said the last with a wink and a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

Dashiell didn't want to alarm them, yet. It was only one attack. Until there was more information to share he didn't feel like he should tell them the rest of the plan.

As he was walking away, Dashiell pulled his phone from his pocket to check the time: 10:27 am. Dashiell then pulled up Maverick's name on the screen. He clicked call. The phone rang, but there was no reply. He tried again. And then a third time. Still no response. Gritting his teeth, he sent him a message:

Answer your damn phone.

After a pause in his thoughts, Dashiell sent another text.

Bring your silver bullets.