BirthStone Page 18

  “Right now it’s the only anomaly I have. I take this strike personally and will not be swayed by hurt feelings. This is my den and those are my pups. I will do whatever necessary to protect them.”

  “Mom by herself is a handful, add aunty and nana…” Tyrone shook his head. “Let’s just say I’m glad I live in another wing.”

  Chapter 21

  Two days later, the children’s fever’s spiked up to one hundred and ten degrees, well over the norm of one hundred and two for pups. The mewling sounds of their discomfort tore at Jasmine’s heart. Her eyes itched with unshed tears as she silently agreed with Silas that there was more at work here than a cold.

  Yesterday, the doctor hooked them up to IV’s to insure they received medication, nutrients and remained hydrated. She and Silas had moved into the nursery. He was constantly in and out during the day, changing diapers, wiping sweat covered brows, and holding a babe when the pain was too much. They spoke little to each other and that was fine with her. His sadness, tinged with anger, was palpable. Guilt ate at her that he had been right and she had unwittingly put her children in danger. She couldn’t fathom how it was accomplished but the devastating results spoke for themselves.

  After the first day, Silas taught her how to tap into her energy and feed it to the babes, which provided them some relief. She even suggested he feed them drops of his blood since it had helped David. Nothing worked. Watching her babies suffer cut her deeply. Every agonized cry peeled a strip off of her heart. Her limbs ached with fatigue, yet she refused to take a break. Rose sent food and exchanged her worn clothes with clean ones through the doorway.

  The day after the christening when she didn’t appear for lunch, her mom found her in the nursery. When she stepped out to explain, her mother accepted her story about the cold and cause for isolation. She and Mark acted as though they were on vacation at a five star hotel, frequenting the pools and sunbathing on the private deck outside their suite. Mark was generous with his time and affection with her mother. Jasmine couldn’t remember seeing her mom so happy.

  Renee wasn’t so easily dissuaded. Initially she'd offered to assist Jasmine with the children, and it had been difficult to look her sister in the eyes and say no. But she had. Couple that with her spending all her time with her babies, it came as no real surprise when Tyrone entered the nursery that morning with the news.

  “Mom, Aunty wanted me to tell you she’s leaving today.” He raked his fingers through his scalp while looking at the babies and the equipment. “She said more…but she’s hurt and no doubt will talk to you again. One day. Probably not this week, but give her some time.”

  Jasmine slumped in the chair. Her bones ached. Her heart was torn. She had made a mess of things. Now she would have to find a way to placate her sister. That was a muddle she wasn't ready to tackle. Once the kids were better, she’d work on that relationship.

  Most of all, she missed Silas. He was her rock, her solace, and he had left her to find her own way and she didn’t like it. It didn’t matter that he gave her what she asked for. She didn’t like the results and knew she would have to make the first move to change things.

  She offered Tyrone a smile, knowing he was uncomfortable being the bearer of such news. “I know she’s pissed, not that I blame her. I didn’t have a chance to explain the wolf culture thing to her, so she has no way of understanding what’s happening.” She released a breath. “This sucks.”

  Tyrone nodded but remained silent.

  <<<<>>>>

  Silas strode into his office and closed the door. He slumped into his chair and placed his head in his hands. With the exception of David, his pups had not made any improvements. David had responded well to the meds after the first day. But Jackie, Adam, and Renee had slipped deeper into whatever gripped them. Once he dismissed the nurses, speculation ran rampant through the compound regarding the pups, but he didn’t care.

  There was a knock at his door. He turned in his chair and studied the door as if he could tell who was on the other side simply by looking. It was a wasted effort, he knew it was Rose.

  “Enter.”

  Rose stepped in, her eyes downcast. “These came in for you today. I postponed your weekly Alpha meeting until next week.”

  “Thank you.” He nodded as she laid the envelopes on his desk and then left him in peace. Tyrone had told him of Renee’s departure this morning and he wondered how Jasmine handled her sister’s abandonment. Not that Jasmine had spent any time with her family since the christening, but still… there was a protocol in place for what they were going through.

  He opened the letter on top and read the contents.

  La Patron,

  It has come to my attention that Cameron Knight is your choice for the Alpha position in West Virginia. Previous reports had been of a different challenger. Cameron is a full-blood whom I respect and believe will fulfill the position of Alpha admirably. I humbly withdraw my challenge.

  At your service,

  Serrano Knight

  Silas read the short missive twice. Bigotry still flowed through his ranks. Cameron’s full-blood status did not make him Silas’ first choice, and the back-handed compliment from Serrano rankled Silas. The wolf should never have challenged Silas’ pick regardless. He placed a call.

  “La Patron, Sir,” Jayden answered.

  “Serrano ceded the Alpha position to Cameron, he thought he would be fighting a breed but since it’s a full-blood wanting the spot…well, there’s no challenge, smug bastard. I should make him fight Tyrone just to teach him a lesson.”

  Jayden chuckled. “True. There was never a doubt in my mind who would have won that battle. Rone would’ve wiped the floor with him. The only other person I would’ve considered was Rese, but he’s not interested in sitting behind a desk or using tact. He’s enforcer material.”

  Silas wasn’t surprised with Jayden’s assessment of the twins, they were both deadly. Tyrone merely appeared more amicable than Tyrese, who refused to make an effort. “I agree. I leave it to you to handle the dismantling of the event.”

  Jayden remained quiet for a bit longer. “Perhaps we can use this as a drawing card.”

  Interested, Silas sat up. “What do you have in mind?”

  “Word has gone out about the challenge already. We muffle Serrano so he doesn’t let on about the cancellation and use the event to set a trap.”

  “No more deaths. And that’s how those assholes play. They kill innocents. Think of a way to set a trap and I’ll listen, but I want to know every angle including possible death counts.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Silas debated whether or not to tell Cameron. He thought about the earlier discussion he'd had with Cameron and the twins. Although neither twin let on, Silas knew Cameron’s suspicions regarding Victoria and Renee struck a nerve. The last thing he needed was problems with his core group. Perhaps a visit to the Alpha house would do Cameron, Lilly, and Thorne, Lilly's teenaged brother, some good.

  “Cameron,” Silas called through their link. Moments later Cameron and Lilly entered his office. Once they sat in front of his desk, he handed Cameron the note from Serrano. To his credit, Cameron frowned before passing it to his mate.

  “That’s no reason to give up a challenge. He would have a better shot at the alpha position by fighting me than with Rone.”

  Lilly’s brow rose at his comment.

  Cameron laughed and tapped the tip of her nose. “I’ve fought Rone before, he is skilled and a better fighter than most alphas. I’m not ashamed to admit he’s better at fighting than I am. Even when we practice I have no qualms asking him pointers. I will get better, but right now he is better. Deal with it.” He laughed at her frown. Seconds later she laughed as well.

  “You are such a goof,” she said, taking his hand.

  Silas watched in amazement at the evidence of the transition in their relationship. The easy-going bickering and laid-back camaraderie pleased him greatly. This is what he wanted for his godson, and
for his pups one day as well.

  “You should go to the Alpha house, look things over, become acclimated. It’s been vacant for over a year. Let Rose know if you need anything. She will help until you hire your own staff.”

  Lilly and Cameron stared at him as though he spoke Latin. “Now?” Cameron asked.

  Silas shrugged. “Why not? Just don’t advertise you’re moving in or that you have the position yet. Jayden is working on a scheme to use the Challenge event as a trap. But other than that, go and see your new home.”

  Cameron stood, pulling his mate with him. “Thank you, Sir. We’ll do that.” The two left his office grinning. At least he had made someone happy. Silas thought of his mate and wondered what she was doing, if she had eaten or taken a break. He glanced at the time, it had been a couple of hours since he'd relieved her.

  “Tell Jacques and Dr. Passen I want to meet with them in an hour. Tell Matt to get me some answers. I’m headed to the nursery, have you already sent lunch for Jasmine?” he asked Rose as he left his office.

  “Yes, Sir. And I’ll get those messages out.”

  “Also, I need Serrano’s contact info, send it through the link.”

  “Yes, Sir,” Rose said.

  He strode around the corner, and ran into Victoria, who looked really nice in her two-piece bathing suit. “Were you lost?” he asked politely. There was no reason for her to be in this part of the building.

  “I’m looking for Jasmine and Renee, I wanted us to have lunch, just the girls again. Have you seen them?”

  Silas took her by the hand and completed a scan while he answered her questions. “Renee returned home to St. Louis this morning and Jasmine is in the nursery in the other wing with the babies, they are sick.”

  “Oh no, what’s wrong with them?” Her brow creased as she met his gaze.

  “Really bad cold. They are in isolation.”

  “For a cold?” She looked up at him with a confused expression.

  “A bad cold,” Silas emphasized.

  “Oh…okay. Tell Jasmine to find me later, we can eat dinner together,” she said as Silas escorted her to the elevator and walked inside with her.

  “Where is Mark? Why are you alone and way over here?”

  “I left him at the pool. I had to go to the bathroom or my room for something.” She shook her head as if to clear it. “We’re at the pool. This place is so big I must’ve gotten lost.”

  “Yes, that’s it.” The door opened and they stepped out. In silence he walked her to the door leading to the pool. Silas scented Mark before he saw the man lying on the lounger near the pool.

  “Thanks, Silas,” Victoria said, waving as she headed toward her lover. The man sat up, grabbed her close, and the sight of the two of them cuddling on the lounger was the last one he saw before walking off. The woman had been genuinely confused with her whereabouts and even the babies’ sickness. Jasmine was right to be concerned about her mother’s mental health.

  Chapter 22

  The next day, Jacques sat at the long table with stacks of paper covering the surface. When the pups became ill, he'd doubled down to find answers. He knew better than most that Silas walked a thin line and it wouldn’t take much for him to explode as he had before during the debacle with Arianna. He tapped the document in front of him. “You slimy bastard, you’re here, I feel you.”

  After reading through a few more of Asia’s reports, he had an idea of the location of the lab. He wrote that down and set it aside for Silas. He needed to talk to the young bitch to clear up a few gray areas.

  “Sir?” He searched for Silas through their link as his thoughts drifted to Victoria. The scent of Mark on her skin made him physically ill, which helped him keep his distance. It amazed him that such a smart, beautiful woman didn’t see past Mark’s smarmy personality.

  “Jacques?”

  “I have a possible location for the warehouse. Also, I need to talk to Asia again to clear up some other information.”

  “Thanks. Go to the lab, I’ll meet you there.” Silas’ excitement sizzled through their connection. Jacques stood with his tablet in hand, and left the conference room he had commandeered as his work area. After locking the door, he left for the basement. Her scent slammed into him before he saw her.

  “Victoria? What are you doing over here?” he asked, taking her arm and leading her to the elevator. Silas was on edge as it was, no need to push things with him discovering her near his office.

  “I wanted to talk to Jasmine, where is she?” She gazed up at him and his heart lurched in his chest.

  “You are so beautiful.”

  She stilled. A smile slowly appeared on her face. “You think so?” she asked hesitantly.

  “I know so. You have no idea how you affect me. I adore you.”

  He smiled as her cheeks colored and she placed her palm against her face. The ring on her left hand flashed, reminding him that for the moment she belonged to someone else. “Thanks, I’m sure this is improper…yes, you shouldn’t say those kinds of things to me.”

  He took her hand and kissed the back of it. “Yes, I should. But you need to go to your floor. Jasmine is unavailable until she comes to you. He guided her into the elevator and pressed the button for her floor. The rapid beats of her heart filled his ear. She wasn’t unaffected by him and that knowledge filled him with hope. When the elevator door opened on her floor, he walked her to the hall leading to her suite.

  “Thanks, I appreciate your help,” she murmured before moving down the hall. He waited until she entered her rooms before leaving. When he reached the labs, Silas sat in the conference room with the twins.

  Silas watched Jacques enter. Victoria’s scent tickled his nostrils. Based on the smile his friend wore, something good had happened. “What do you have?” Silas asked regarding the location of the warehouse.

  Jacques took a seat, and connected his tablet to the screen in the room. Silas turned and waited.

  “Asia has consistently talked about an area similar to these locations. Leonidas’ reports support two of the four. So for now we focus on these two. If you notice her descriptions, which are written in the sidebar, it could be either of these buildings. But this building has the starburst that she mentioned twice.”

  “Starburst?” Tyrone asked.

  “My take on it is fireworks. Twice a year the town of Youngstown has fireworks displays. July Fourth and November 20th, some type of founder’s day event. The town is within fifteen miles of this warehouse and more importantly, you can see fireworks in the sky from here.” Various pictures of an abandoned warehouse and the small rural town filled the screen.

  “How long has the building been abandoned? The grass and trees have almost taken it over,” Tyrone said.

  “Which means there is another way inside,” Silas said, gazing at the pictures intently. “No doubt security is tight, but no reason to expend energy on the outside if everything is done below.” He looked at Jacques. “Any underground activity?”

  “The warehouse is on the north side of Highway 80 in Pennsylvania, you see the Susquehanna River here?”

  “Yeah,” Tyrese said.

  “The warehouse is here in the valley.”

  Silas studied the area. “How do we get inside?”

  “There are no utility bills,” Jacques said into the quiet. “However, I pulled this satellite image of a propane delivery five miles from the warehouse. Considering there were no other deliveries within miles of this place and the large quantity of propane delivered, I’d say this might be a good starting point.” An image of a propane fuel bill appeared on the screen. “I hit a dead end trying to locate the people who ordered the propane…which plays to my hunch that this is the right place. And that it’s occupied or at least it was…” He zoomed in on the date on the invoice. “Two weeks ago.”

  A surge of satisfaction swept through Silas. “So we start at the drop point and work our way in. There has to be some form of ductwork to exchange oxygen and to release
vapors and fumes from below. That would give us some sort of idea what we’re looking at.” Silas’ gaze swept those in the room. “Keep this quiet for now. I need to contact Alpha Samuel in Pennsylvania, let him know what’s going on. His people will assist on this. Let’s use them to do a lot of the groundwork before we head out there.”

  “Sounds good,” Tyrese said.

  “Rone, I want you to work point with Samuel and Jacques. See if there are any places the Merriweather group overlaps with the Pennsylvania group.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Rese, I want you and Leon to pick up Corrina Griggs. Some information came in on her current location. I had her file sent to you. Read everything before you meet her, use anything in the file to gather more information. We think she’s behind the breeders organizing.”

  Tyrese nodded.

  “When can I speak with Asia?” Jacques asked Silas.

  “I want to sit in on the discussion, so give me fifteen minutes to take care of some things.”

  Jacques nodded and sat with Tyrone going over the information.

  “You smell like nana,” Tyrone said to him after a few minutes.

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, good for you,” Tyrone said before leaving the room.

  Silas smiled as he finished his discussion with Jayden and Samuel regarding the joint take-down of the warehouse. “Ready?” he asked Jacques, who sat staring at the door the twins had walked out of.

  Jacques glanced at him and stood. “Yes.”

  When Silas entered Asia’s room, she fell to the floor on her knees. “Rise, Asia,” he said, waiting for her to stand and return to her bed. After she was situated he spoke. “My assistant, Jacques, was here with me before.”

  “Yes, he is the one who wiped the blood from my nose.”