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Benny’s eyes widened. “Wow,” he said lamely.
Jason laughed. There was a sound in the background —a rumbling sound. “Got to go,” he said, and hung up.
Not good, Benny thought, troubled. But there wasn’t anything he could do about it so he pocketed his phone. “Let’s blow this joint,” he said. Ken rolled his eyes at the phrase and headed out. Benny gave one last glance toward the lodge behind him, and then got on his bike, a guard riding pillion behind him. He grimaced. It was going to be all over but the shouting by the time he got to Wolf’s Head.
Well, that was what he did best, he thought sourly — chronicle the shouting.
He let his wolf steer — he was faster.
Chapter 24
Day 160 of the re-emerged Hat Island pack, Thursday, Nov. 14, Penticton, B.C.
“Angus, what the helldo you think you’re doing?” Duncan McKenzie said wearily. “A knife? You’ve sunk this low? She defeated your son fairly. She defeated your grandson fairly. So you’ll cheat? Is that what you’ve come to?”
“Fuck you, McKenzie,” Angus growled. His voice seemed loud in Jessie’s ear. She didn’t move. The knife was pressed tightly against her skin, and it worried her. It had been this man’s son who had the poisoned knife.
Yes,Miles said.It worries Duncan too. Be very still. Dennis has gone inside to get the antidotes he used for Duncan yesterday.
Easy for him to say, she thought grimly. He wasn’t being held by an enraged man who was going to leave bruises on her arm. He didn’t have a knife to his throat. She felt his sympathy and sighed. She’d try to stand still, she promised him.
“What do you want, Angus?” Duncan asked. “If you wanted to be pack Second, you should have challenged Hansen. Why let him have it? What is it that you really want?”
Jessie wasn’t sure what Duncan’s plan was. She hoped he had one — besides keep Angus talking and hope something turned the tide. But that was an interesting question.
“Do you really think that idiot of a brother of yours was the man who made deals with people like Alpha Chen and the Emperor of China?” Angus Campbell jeered. “Really? No, I did that. I made the deals. And then that fool gets challenged and loses? To a Garrison, no less. So, it’s time I took over the pack. Time I got the respect and prestige that’s due me.”
Emperor of China? There was something about that phrase that nagged at her. She’d heard it before. Not the Chinese Alpha, but the Emperor? Had that been the literal translation of the words she’d heard Alpha Chen say to his partner?
Her mouth was dry, and she wanted to swallow, but that wouldn’t do. Not with that knife pressing so tightly.
Jessie. Talk to me. Are you all right?Ryder sounded preternaturally calm.
I’m still here,she assured him.But Angus grabbed me, and he’s got a knife to my throat. Duncan is trying to talk to him. Angus says he’s the one who made the deals with Chen and the Chinese Alpha — he calls him the Emperor of China by the way. Where are you?
Ten minutes out,Ryder said after a pause.Can you have someone open the gate? Are you communicating with anyone?
