Tales Of The Sazi 05 - Moon's Fury by C.t. Adams . Cathy Clamp Page B
Authors: C.t. Adams . Cathy Clamp
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Safety Center of Precinct 3. His good points are brute strength and the brains to back them up. Negatives are a tendency toward inflexibility and not listening to advice." Cara watched the small muscle at the back of Adam's jaw clench, but that was the only outward sign of any concern at the comment.
"He's second in command of the Minnesota pack, which is unfortunately one of the largest in the world. I say unfortunately because the pack hunts in a relatively populous area, and last fall the increasing number of wolves was noticed—by the humans, during a regular pack hunt organized by Mr. Mueller. They are sending wolf biologists to Minneapolis to start a study.”
Cara felt her eyes widen. Her hand flew to her mouth as she let out a small gasp. This time, Adam clenched his fists and jaw simultaneously in the corner of her vision. But he met her gaze and the intense blue eyes were filled with both pain and pride as Lucas continued. "Naturally, what the humans notice, the council notices. We're living in a world of less and less space, people—and unless we want to blare our existence on the front page of every newspaper in the world, the council must take action when things like this occur." He dipped his head toward Adam with a carefully blank expression. "You understand I normally wouldn't mention your role in this, but the circumstances demand it." After a brief nod, Lucas looked at both her and Will in turn. "And just so you know, Adam's been cleared of any formal responsibility for the incident by the council. It's not to be brought up in conversation with pack members.”
Lucas tapped one finger on the wood and looked at each of them. "You realize I can't bring any of this information to the average Sazi. It's one of the reasons I just activated both of you—putting you in the need to know group.”
Cara nodded in full understanding. The die-off of red wolves in the region was why her own pack had become so very secretive. She tried desperately not to look at Adam. ¡Madre de Dios! How would she feel in his place …if it had been her wolves who had been noticed by the outside world during a casual hunt? Would she have the courage to sit here, facing down potential detractors, with the same composure? "Of course. So, what happens now?”
Lucas took a sip of soda and tapped on the table again. His power began to leak out of him again, as though it was a nervous habit. The pins-and-needles sensation started again in her fingers.
"What happens now is that the council has decreed that two dozen pack members, and their families, from Minnesota will be split off and transferred to other packs in less populated regions. Adam Mueller will, quite possibly, be one of the new alpha males." He paused and locked his eyes with hers. "The Texas pack is the destination for half those families."
5
Adam watched as the young Texas alpha took in the implications of what Santiago said for a long moment. He didn't expect the sudden explosion of sound and motion as she pushed back her chair, stood, and let out a bitter laugh. Her scent was filled with too many things to sort, but anger was right up on top.
"Y'all have got to be kidding! You can't double the size of my pack in a day—with complete outsiders!”
Lucas apparently expected the reaction, because he nodded once and swept his hand toward her chair, suggesting she sit back down. "We can and will, Ms. Salinas. The council has considered the situation thoroughly. We fully understand—”
Carlotta didn't return to her seat. Instead, she stepped back and leaned against the counter, making her service revolver shift against her hip. Her arms crossed over her chest and she shook her head in annoyance. "No, I don't think you understand at all. What you're proposing is complete and utter horseshit. It won't work.”
Adam's skin began to sting from the sudden surge of power that swept past him to dance right at the edge of Salinas's aura. She winced, but didn't back down.
"He's second in command of the Minnesota pack, which is unfortunately one of the largest in the world. I say unfortunately because the pack hunts in a relatively populous area, and last fall the increasing number of wolves was noticed—by the humans, during a regular pack hunt organized by Mr. Mueller. They are sending wolf biologists to Minneapolis to start a study.”
Cara felt her eyes widen. Her hand flew to her mouth as she let out a small gasp. This time, Adam clenched his fists and jaw simultaneously in the corner of her vision. But he met her gaze and the intense blue eyes were filled with both pain and pride as Lucas continued. "Naturally, what the humans notice, the council notices. We're living in a world of less and less space, people—and unless we want to blare our existence on the front page of every newspaper in the world, the council must take action when things like this occur." He dipped his head toward Adam with a carefully blank expression. "You understand I normally wouldn't mention your role in this, but the circumstances demand it." After a brief nod, Lucas looked at both her and Will in turn. "And just so you know, Adam's been cleared of any formal responsibility for the incident by the council. It's not to be brought up in conversation with pack members.”
Lucas tapped one finger on the wood and looked at each of them. "You realize I can't bring any of this information to the average Sazi. It's one of the reasons I just activated both of you—putting you in the need to know group.”
Cara nodded in full understanding. The die-off of red wolves in the region was why her own pack had become so very secretive. She tried desperately not to look at Adam. ¡Madre de Dios! How would she feel in his place …if it had been her wolves who had been noticed by the outside world during a casual hunt? Would she have the courage to sit here, facing down potential detractors, with the same composure? "Of course. So, what happens now?”
Lucas took a sip of soda and tapped on the table again. His power began to leak out of him again, as though it was a nervous habit. The pins-and-needles sensation started again in her fingers.
"What happens now is that the council has decreed that two dozen pack members, and their families, from Minnesota will be split off and transferred to other packs in less populated regions. Adam Mueller will, quite possibly, be one of the new alpha males." He paused and locked his eyes with hers. "The Texas pack is the destination for half those families."
5
Adam watched as the young Texas alpha took in the implications of what Santiago said for a long moment. He didn't expect the sudden explosion of sound and motion as she pushed back her chair, stood, and let out a bitter laugh. Her scent was filled with too many things to sort, but anger was right up on top.
"Y'all have got to be kidding! You can't double the size of my pack in a day—with complete outsiders!”
Lucas apparently expected the reaction, because he nodded once and swept his hand toward her chair, suggesting she sit back down. "We can and will, Ms. Salinas. The council has considered the situation thoroughly. We fully understand—”
Carlotta didn't return to her seat. Instead, she stepped back and leaned against the counter, making her service revolver shift against her hip. Her arms crossed over her chest and she shook her head in annoyance. "No, I don't think you understand at all. What you're proposing is complete and utter horseshit. It won't work.”
Adam's skin began to sting from the sudden surge of power that swept past him to dance right at the edge of Salinas's aura. She winced, but didn't back down.
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