Abandoned Treasure

Rori Nygaard’s POV

Arrowhead Pack House

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

I’d been gone long enough that Nancy was hungry again. I had the nanny bring her to me in the living room. I listened to Cheryl and Mark tell me about ‘da kitties in da pool’ while I fed her. It didn’t last long; my milk was starting to dry up with my new pregnancy. The nannies took Nancy away as she needed a change, and Chase took the older ones to the playroom.

I was alone, staring out at the lake. The boats and jetskis were out in numbers in the warm weather. Most were fishing or water skiing, plus a dozen pontoon boats full of kids were partying on the small island in the middle. It wasn’t as bad as last year. After the reveal, boatloads of curious and sometimes hostile people were off our shoreline. They couldn’t land, but we couldn’t stop them from cruising by or anchoring. The Steel Brotherhood’s presence kept things under control until things settled down late last year.

“Alpha? Can I speak to you?” It was Tammy, one of Mykayla’s guardians. She looked nervous, which wasn’t normal.

“Sure, Tammy. How is Mykayla doing?”

“She’s happy, confused, and crying all at once,” Tammy replied. “It’s a lot to take in. It’s a good thing she learned she had family out there. It gave her a chance to prepare for this.”

“I don’t think anyone could adequately prepare to find out Nathan Storm was still alive. It knocked me for a loop. Riding helped, but I’m still struggling with having the man who killed my Mom here at my Pack.”

“He’s still under protection, right?”

I nodded. “I can’t go back on my word, as much as I’d like to tear him apart and set the pieces on fire.”

“He’s not a bad man,” Tammy said.

That was the WRONG thing to say. I got up and paced in front of the window. “Nathan burned my mom ALIVE,” I growled out. “She died in agony. In what fucking universe is he anything BUT a bad man?”

She didn’t say anything until I’d calmed down again. “I remember the day he was born. His parents were good people, and they raised him well. He was a bright kid, did well in class, and everyone loved him.”

“What changed him?”

She looked past me out the window. “Nathan was fifteen when it happened. His father was on patrol, and the melting ice triggered a rockslide. He died instantly, and it took two days to retrieve his body. Nathan was looking for him when his mother killed herself.”

Damn. It wasn’t uncommon for females to commit suicide when their mate died. Cut loose from their other half? If you weren’t pregnant or have young children, it was hard to survive the pain. “He was alone.”

“Yes. The Alpha put him in with the warriors, and he threw himself into his training. He saw his future as taking his father’s place. The training helped him recover, and he grew strong. It wasn’t until after the Arrowhead raid that he found out how twisted a man our Alpha was.”

“The slaves?”

“They were only for full warriors and above in the Pack ranks. No one else had access or knowledge to them. He left with the Alpha for Arrowhead and wasn’t the same when he returned.”

“I don’t want to hear about his troubles. Whatever he suffered, he deserved.”

Tammy stopped to think over her words. “You know how women like me got treated by the single males. Nathan wasn’t like the others. He did his job but didn’t willingly participate in the orgies. The Alpha commanded him to spend time with us as a ‘bonding exercise’ where Nathan had to watch others violate his mate repeatedly. He didn’t take his pain out on us; he would be gentle and kind."

Kind? "He’d ask who was having a rough time and reserve an hour or two with her to help her recover. He would sneak us food and supplies. He wanted to help his mate, but they weren’t talking. Carol hated everyone in the Pack, including him. If she had the power, she would have killed herself. Nathan had us passing messages from him, asking her to survive until they could be together.” I tried to reconcile this with the monster I’d built up in my head. “We were happy when they escaped together. They were free while we suffered for years before Council finally stepped in.”

“And now?”

“Mykayla has a father and a big family. It’s all she ever wanted, and I couldn’t bear to have that taken from her.” She pulled a sheaf of papers out of her back pocket. “Nathan sat at the pool this morning and confessed to everything he had done in his life, good and bad. Alpha Chase linked the conversation to your secretary so she could have a transcript. I came here to beg for Nathan’s life, but now I realize that isn’t my place. I’ll beg you instead, Alpha. Read what he said and understand what he has been through before you decide his fate.”

I looked at the typed papers. It was a dozen pages long, single-spaced. “It’s not up to me to decide Nathan’s fate. I can’t do anything while he’s under my protection. I will abide by the terms and protect him as long as he abides by our rules. After that? He’s a rogue wolf; the Council has jurisdiction, not me.”

“Fair enough,” Tammy replied. “I’m heading down to the beach. Mykayla wants to get some sun and enjoy the days before she’s stuck staying indoors.”

“That sounds good. I’ll head that way in a bit.”

“Nathan and the girls will be there. Please don’t make this awkward for them, Alpha. Nathan was as much of a victim of Alpha Todd's reign as me or Mykayla.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“Don’t be a Todd, Alpha. Get to know him before you act.” She turned and left before I could react to her insult.

I sat back in my lounge chair and started to read. It was a difficult story, and I had to stop and wipe my eyes a few times to get through it.

Then I read through it again.

Could it be true? I’d have to make some phone calls to find out. My first call was to Blue River and Alpha Coral. She answered on the second ring. “Rori? Is it true?”

“Is what true?”

“That you’re pregnant again?”

I rolled my eyes. “I’ll call you right back.” I focused my mind on Chase. “I only found out this morning, and everyone in your family knows about it already?”

He wasn’t even apologetic. “You ran off after yelling it out, so everyone in the Pack knew within moments. Do you think I’d keep it from my Mom? Or my sister? I’m not getting in trouble because you couldn’t calm down and make the calls with me.”

“Oh, Luna….”

“Yeah, and you did yell it out in front of Possum, and she had a long ride to talk to Three Tequila and the other Ladies. I bet your phone is blowing up already.”

“Shit.” Fourteen voice mails and nineteen missed calls during my ride. “Eighty-seven messages?”

“Have fun with that. Are you coming to lunch at the pavilion?”

“In a bit. Don’t wait for me.”

I hit redial. “Who did you hear it from, Mom or Chase?”

She laughed. “Chase, but only because Mom started calling her boys with the oldest. Everyone is happy for you. Chase said your wolf prevented your shift?”

“Yes, so it’s not far along. I’m due in late March, so I should lose the baby weight before summer.”

We talked about the Club rides and other Pack events for a bit. Then she had to poke the bear. “Too bad you’ll never get through the summer without getting pregnant again! Another deer hunting season spent on the sidelines? You’re like a part-time werewolf!”

“You bitch! Like you wouldn’t be THRILLED to be sidelined with a little brother or sister for Hope!”

“Yeah…”

“That’s it. I’ll rub so much baby blessing on you at the post-Sturgis party that you’ll be knocked up with triplets by Thanksgiving!”

“Oh, throw me in the briar patch!”

We laughed again, then I got down to business. “You know who showed up this morning?”

“Yeah. Mom knows, and she was asking if she should be there.”

“I can make it one more day, but I’ll talk to her soon. I need to speak to that Council guy involved in the situation.” We didn’t say Vic’s name on the phone because no one was supposed to know he and Spider Monkey were hiding up there. We’d had enough trouble with the National Security Agency and Canadian intelligence monitoring our phone calls and internet.

“He’s already headed your way. He left as soon as he heard.”

Nice. “I better call Mom then.”

“Yeah, you’re already in trouble by calling me first. Congratulations, sis.”

“Thanks.” I hung up and called Chair Colletta at Council HQ. They were still using the Banff Pack facilities. Alphas Carl and Angelina Packwood were good people but needed Mom’s help growing into the Alpha role. With children running five different Packs, she was reluctant to settle in a single place anyway. “Hi, Mom.”

“Did you kill him yet?”

“Nathan, or your son?” She laughed at that. “I haven’t even weaned Nancy yet, and I can’t shift again!”

“I know. It must suck being so blessed.”

“It better not be twins again. That’s not why I called, though.”

“I know. We should arrive before dinner.”

“What?”

“Chase told us the Pack was throwing a barbecue to celebrate your announcement. You know how much we love a party!”

“Mom! That’s a long trip for barbecue.”

“Hush, I haven’t seen my grandbabies in weeks. My son also filled us in on the other situation. You’re going to need our help. Frank and I will use our room and need another for Cassandra and her nanny. Then we’ll need rooms somewhere for Chief Enforcer Trestman and four of his people, plus my two bodyguards.”

Seven Enforcers? What kind of trouble was she expecting? “Isn’t that a little much for a party?”

“Word of your guest spread like wildfire, Rori. I’ve already received a complaint from Alpha Martin demanding justice for his aunt’s death. Our prosecutor is building the file, and a warrant will be issued later today.” Holy shit! “You offered him your protection so he could help the girl. It was the right thing to do, but it doesn’t change the past.”

“What if I forgive him?”

“That won’t matter until the sentencing. The trial is a formality since we have a public confession. We have the transcript and the names of the witnesses. As soon as he finishes the donation, your obligation ends. The Enforcers will arrest him on three counts of murder, two with special circumstances.”