Finally, something he could be sure of. “Sam won’t do that and you know it. He told us it’s dealt with, and he’d never go back on his word.” Aaron stopped for a moment, listening to make sure they were alone in the stairwell. He didn’t need anyone else overhearing Harry doubt their alpha. Satisfied, he picked up his pace again. “Sam’s got our back. Whatever happens.”
“Yeah, I know. Sorry. I’m just nervous.” Harry sounded a little less depressed, and that was probably the best outcome Aaron could hope for, considering he felt much the same.
When they got outside, Isaac leant against his SUV, keys in hand. “You two get in the back,” he said without preamble.
Sam spoke as Isaac pulled into traffic. “I’ll cut to the chase. This meeting isn’t about you twoper se. I spoke to Detective Chief Inspector Arlington this morning. There’s a shifter from one of the Nottinghamshire packs been reported missing.”
Aaron’s eyes widened. “Are they the serial killer?” It sounded way too easy, but Aaron was okay with that.
Sam’s eyes narrowed. “I know it seems like the perfect answer, but I don’t want either of you assuming anything until we hear all the facts, and I don’t want you repeating it to anyone.”
Both Aaron and Harry murmured agreement.
“In regard to the two of you,” Sam continued, “I don’t believe the SCTF have shared any details about your involvement as of yet, but depending on how today goes and what the council want to know, that may change.” Aaron swallowed past the sudden lump in his throat. “But Arlington assured me they won’t be charging either of you with anything. And I’ll inform the council of your punishment as far as the pack is concerned. They’ll be satisfied with that.”
Aaron desperately wanted to ask, “Are you sure?” but managed to keep it in. Sam would never lie to them or say something if he didn’t absolutely believe it to be true.
“Just try to relax.” Sam smiled. “I know meeting the alpha council is daunting, but you have nothing to worry about.” He smiled, then turned to face forwards again.
Aaron immediately glanced at Harry, who looked about as relaxed as Aaron felt. Which was not at all.
At least he wasn’t the only one shitting himself. A small comfort, but he’d take it.
When they arrived at the SCTF, Frank met them this time, and after a few awkward greetings—mainly on Aaron’s behalf because of the weird look Frank gave him—they were taken through to a room not dissimilar to where Aaron had listened in on Harry the week before.
This one was larger; the table looked to seat about twelve or so people. Aaron counted the chairs to stop himself from panicking more. Yep, twelve of them.
They took seats along the side in front of the window, facing the door. Frank stood, half in the doorway half out, as though he wanted to go but didn’t want to leave them unattended. Aaron imagined having four shifters in your space was a little unnerving, especially considering one of them was an alpha.
Frank straightened a little, just as Aaron caught the scent ofalpha. More than one. “The others are about to join us,” Frank said, as if everyone in the room hadn’t just got a whiff of them. He came in and took a seat opposite.
A minute later, Michael appeared, and Aaron’s heart sped up as soon as their eyes met. He shouldn’t react that way—in any way, considering their present company—but he couldn’t help himself.
Two members of the alpha council followed Michael. The power rolled off them, and their scents both raised his hackles and made him want to bare his throat—a weird feeling Aaron didn’t like at all. Being in the presence of an alpha,two alphasthat weren’t his without more of his pack around him, was unsettling. His wolf was uneasy too, and as Aaron looked to Sam, not sure what he needed, just that he really didn’t feel right, Isaac’s hand landed gently on the back of his neck. Calm radiated through his body as Isaac gave him a gentle squeeze, then ran his thumb back and forth over the skin there. Aaron had almost forgotten how soothing a beta’s touch could be.
Closing his eyes for a moment, he sank into it, enough of the tension draining away so he no longer felt so on edge. When Isaac let him go, he didn’t move far, and Aaron felt his presence like a solid pillar of support.
Feeling brave enough to face the council members now, Aaron looked up as Sam greeted them. “Alpha Wallace, Alpha Jones, good to see you again.”
Alpha Wallace smiled, but she was still terrifying as far as Aaron was concerned. “You too, Alpha Thomas, although I wish it were under different circumstances.”
A bubble of inappropriate laughter threatened to burst out, and Aaron clamped his mouth shut to keep it in. Surely the circumstances had to be shitty to be meeting the council in the first place? He schooled his features into what he hoped was a respectful expression as Sam said, “This is one of my betas, Isaac Lax, and two members of his unit, Aaron Harper and Harry Nash.”
Alpha Wallace inclined her head in greeting, which all three returned.
Arlington came into the room along with the two other SCTF agents Aaron had met the other day. “Please take a seat. Then we can begin.”
The table was oval, and the two alphas sat at one end while Arlington sat at the other.
Michael sat directly opposite Aaron.
“Alpha Wallace,” Arlington began. “Would you like to speak first?”
“Yes, thank you.” Alpha Wallace set a colour photo on the table.
Everyone leaned closer for a better look.
The guy in the photo was okay-looking, not really Aaron’s type, but he had a certain appeal.Not that that has any bearing on anything, Aaron, come on. She’s not trying to set you up.
