AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ryder rolled his eyes. It did feel that way, he admitted. Although, this church social had werewolves, the faint stench of drying blood on the floor still, and a whole lot of booze. He didn’t think church socials usually had that, but what did he know? He’d never been to one.
It did remind him of a tribe potlatch. And that reminded him that he needed to make a speech of some kind, so that people didn’t feel obligated to stay any longer. He grimaced and went to find the Alpha’s widow. He needed her to host a pack meeting at the pack house on Friday. That should give him enough time to get an overview of the pack.
She actually seemed to perk up a bit when he asked. He didn’t understand that reaction, but Jessie might be able to explain it to him — later. That settled he tapped his bourbon glass on the bar, and people quieted and turned to him expectantly.
“It’s going to take some time for us to get to know each other,” he said quietly, just loud enough to carry. He’d learned a few things managing his MC—if he could get those knuckleheads to listen, a pack of families like this ought to be a piece of cake. His stomach growled. He might need a bit more dessert before he and Jessie escaped.
“But the basics? I’m Tom George Garrison, the son and heir of the Alpha of the Okanogan pack. My brother, Benny Garrison,” he pointed him out. Benny was leaning against the wall next to the desserts, the bastard. “Benny and I were sent up here by the Chairman of the Northwest Council of Alphas to find out why there was such unrest in this region — stretching all the way down into the Okanogan. Unfortunately the solution to that unrest meant challenging the pack Second and the pack Alpha.”
He gestured to Jessie to join him. She put her arm around his waist, and he dropped his arm over her shoulders. “So to the surprise of us all, the pack Second bonds dropped onto my mate, Jessie Nickerson. Some of you may recognize that last name — she’s the granddaughter of the former Vancouver pack Second. We came into town to meet with Alpha McKenzie, and well, here we are.”
He stopped to smile at them. They were quiet, not hostile, just waiting, he judged. “So Friday night, Marta has agreed to act as hostess for a pack meeting at the pack house. By then I’ll have a better grasp on the situation here. But there are a lot of things going on in this region that you all need to know better.” He grinned evilly at Benny, who straightened a bit, looking wary. “We are privileged to have a Storyteller with us. So part of the events Friday night will be stories told by Benny Garrison. I’ve heard him, and I guess he grew up, because they were really good.”
People did laugh a bit at that.
Heartened, he figured it was time to wrap things up. “So I’m not sure where I’ll be during the coming week. If you’ve got questions or items to add to my agenda for the week, contact Duncan McKenzie. He’ll be keeping tabs of my orientation.”
Duncan started too, tipping his chin up, but then he just laughed and topped off Ryder’s bourbon. Ryder grinned, and took a healthy slug of it. He gave Jessie a sip. “Now, Jessie and I are newly mated —I might have mentioned that. So we’re calling it a night. Duncan made the arrangements for us to use this bar, so I’m guessing he can be the one that turns out the lights?”
Duncan nodded. “As long as that credit card you gave me takes the charges, we’re good.”
“Oh, it will,” Benny said dryly, like there was some secret joke. Ryder looked at him sharply, but figured it was a question for another day.
Dennis stood up. Ryder moved to readiness, but just nodded his head. He didn’t think Dennis was a problem, but you never knew.
“Thank you, Alpha,” he said quietly. “And thank you for allowing Mom and the family to stay in the pack house. That is much appreciated. We will be holding the funeral pyre at the lodge Thursday night for my father and for his Second. We would welcome your presence, although we understand how busy you’re going to be.” He grinned. “Probably we know how busy you’re going to be better than you do.”
Ryder laughed and nodded at that. He sobered though, before adding, “It would be an honor to be included Thursday.”
Dennis nodded, and sat back down. Ryder looked over the crowd, and it had turned into quite a crowd, although not 700 people. “I’m going for more dessert,” he announced. “And then, my mate and I have a date across the street.”
“Ryder,” Jessie scolded with mock disapproval. And then she beat him to the dessert table.
Chapter 10
Day 158 of the re-emerged Hat Island pack, Tuesday, Nov. 12, Penticton
