After dinner, Trisha stopped by the packhouse with the intention of meeting Dawn.
Caleb was waiting for Trisha in the car. Trisha was new in the area, and they were newly mated, so Caleb didn't want to leave Trisha on her own, but he also didn't want to intrude on her girl time. Trisha had a bubbling personality, and she had a lot of friends in the Spring Leaf pack. Caleb couldn't deny her this opportunity to make friends, even if it meant sitting in the car and playing games on the phone to pass the time until Trisha returned.
Zina, Dawn, and Trisha were gathered around a small mountain of food on the kitchen island and chattering away.
Talia, Damon, James, Cornelia, George, Maya, and Caden were in the study.
Damon gave them quick updates on the situation before playing the audio recording he took while talking on the phone with Cassie.
'Beep-beep... beep-beep'
"I knew you would call," Cassie said smugly the moment she picked up the call.
"Get to the point, Cassie," Damon sounded impatient. "What do you know, and what do you want in return?"
"I know plenty."
"Don't talk in a roundabout way if you expect me to take this bait. Give me more than words. How do I know your info is valid? And how do I know you won't backstab me?"
"That's up to you," Cassie responded. "But I won't talk until you give me what I want."
"And that is…?"
"A ticket out."
"Out from where?" Damon was audibly confused.
"From here. People are saying you bailed out Marcy from the Red Moon pack."
"They are saying, what?" Damon growled.
"There is no proof, but the fact that she disappeared without a trace means someone big helped her. You were right there, so it's natural for people to connect the dots. I want the same. Different identity, money, and one ticked to a place my father won't find me."
"Do you expect me to believe you are abandoning your free meal ticket? Everyone knows that Alpha Richard treats you like you can't go wrong."
Cassie released a whine. "That was before. Now the Elders are bitching how we need to pay tribute, that I embarrassed the pack, and I have no value with my hair gone."
"Your hair will grow, Cassie."
"That's not the point. My duties are already given to Beta's daughter, and my father's mistress showed him a positive pregnancy test. They are mistreating me here, and it's not going to get better… I want out. Will you help me?"
"You are asking for a lot. What do I get in return?"
"Information. I got into my father's study while he was entertaining his new lay, and I learned a lot. I will tell you when you get me out of here."
"That's not how it works, Cassie. I need something if you want me to risk provoking Alpha Richard."
Cassie snorted. "He doesn't need provoking. He is already set on attacking you. Here is my show of sincerity. Several Alphas are set on attacking the Dark Howlers pack and dividing your territory."
"Tell me something new."
"This time, it's real. This is bigger than just a few Alphas coming together. This time, someone smart is behind them, telling them what to do. They are using rogues to test how they can get closer and… I'm not saying another word until you get me out."
"You are talking like getting you out is an easy task. Can you even get out of the Steelbite territory without your father knowing? Or are you expecting me to march into your packhouse to pick you up?"
"Let me take care of that. There is an event in one week that my father will attend. I will send you coordinates where to pick me up…"
Damon pushed the button to stop the recording, and he looked around the room.
"I want to hear your thoughts on this before I share it with other Alphas," Damon said.
"Did you agree to extract her?" Caden asked.
"No. I told her I would get back to her within three days."
"I don't trust her," Maya said. She had too many bad memories related to Cassie to believe that Cassie could do any good.
"Can we afford to ignore this?" George asked. "If what she said is true, and they plan a coordinated attack on the Dark Howlers pack, it will change the landscape as we know it. People will die, and someone will get more powerful. If they take down the Dark Howlers pack, the Spring Leaf and the Blue Moon will also fall. And which one will be next? And who is pulling the strings?"
James raised his hand, indicating to George to calm down. His Alpha aura was leaking and making others uncomfortable.
"Everything you said is valid, but if Cassie misdirects us, it will cause more damage than good.," James said. "Imagine that her info is about an attack on the Blue River pack next week. Everyone will send help, staying thin on only minimum security. And what will happen if the said attack is on the Lightclaw pack? They will be massacred."
"I can call my sisters from the Coven to help," Cornelia said.
James gave Cornelia's hand a squeeze. He loved that she offered help, but… "Let's hold off on that. First, we need to hear what Cassie has to say. Next, we need to verify if her intel is true. I suggest we start with confirming if Beta's daughter is handling Cassie's previous duties and if Alpha Richard is going to be a father."
"I have ways to get that info," Damon said.
Cassie's duties shouldn't be a secret, and Alpha Richard was not a person who would stay quiet about the future heir.
"I can confirm if someone is lying," Talia said.
James shook his head. "That will be useful if Cassie is not used by someone. It's no secret that Cassie is not the brightest she-wolf in their pack. There is a chance that Alpha Richard left that info on purpose for her to see."
Talia's enthusiasm dwindled when she realized that James had a point. Verifying if Cassie was lying would work only if Cassie knew she was lying. What a mess.
After a short discussion, Damon agreed that he will confirm Cassie's current situation and give her refuge. If Cassie dares to lie, she will wish that she stayed in the Steelbite pack.
With Amelia's teleportation magic, escaping won't be an issue. Before bringing Cassie to the Dark Howlers pack, they will ensure she has no tracking or recording devices or magic on her.
Damon will arrange a safehouse for Cassie so that no one knows she is here, and once Cassie gives them the info, they will tackle the part of verifying its validity.
Damon was relieved that they had a plan. And Talia was right; discussing this with others made him feel like he shared the burden.
"You seem to think Cassie knows something," Damon said to James. He noticed that James was set on rescuing Cassie.
James confirmed. "My father would normally boast about things. In the last few weeks, he has been different. He has phone calls behind closed doors that even Beta Raymond needs to wait out in the hallway."
While thinking about changes in Alpha Edward's behavior, George thought of something. "Alpha Edward is asking us to train in new patterns. He never meddled with our training, and we all know that Alpha Edward is not into military tactics, but lately, that changed."
"Can you share those patterns?" Damon asked.
"Sure. I can write down now what I remember and will send you more when I make copies in my office."
George moved to sit at Talia's desk and started writing down things.
"Well, it seems that Alpha Edward is part of the coalition that Cassie mentioned," Talia said, and she turned to James. "How are preparations for your birthday going?"
James didn't understand why Talia would ask about that. "Fine. I guess. To be honest, I'm not involved." He was not looking forward to the party that will be a circus with him as the main attraction. And also, Cornelia won't be present.
"You should be," Talia said. "If your father plans something against Alpha Damon or the Dark Howlers pack, your birthday would be a great opportunity to strike."
