Pack Council

Kurt woke with his arms wrapped around another body. He knew, remembered, who lay beside him, even before opening his eyes. How could he have not? With all the changes that had been taking place, meeting Savannah seemed almost meant to be. She was a strong female who he believed could handle the pressure of being with a shifter. It was her job to protect others, just like it was his.

Any partner Kurt ended up with had to be strong and independent. Even being able to settle down for the first time in his life didn't mean that Kurt wouldn't be up against some dangerous people. The Church was proof of that. But Savannah could handle herself and that made him proud. He normally didn't think so much about his future, but with Clint finding Sara and Kurt being truly happy, Kurt wanted to find a partner to be there with him for holidays and when he came home at night.

There was still time to get to know Savannah better. Kurt had high hopes that she was looking for the same thing he was. Someone who would complete his life.

He rolled closer to Savannah's back, burying his face into her sweet-smelling hair, the orange and spicy scent that he had now come to recognize as hers. His morning wood brushed against her ass and he groaned.

The night before had been one of the most passionate experiences he'd ever had. Making love with Savannah was amazing. She'd responded beautifully, calling out for more and pushing him to the edge of his control. He gently pumped his hips, pressing his erection against her before pulling back. Her hand covered his on her stomach.

"Good morning," he said softly against her ear.

"Hmm," she agreed before pushing back against him. "It sure seems like it." Her voice was still sleep-laden, but her body was waking up for him. She moved her hand from his and reached back to grip his thigh.

He slid his hand up to cup her breast. He squeezed softly, drawing a moan from her.

"You feel so good in my arms," he confessed.

She turned over, throwing one leg around his waist. "I like waking up with you," she responded, her eyes warm and happy.

He dipped his head to gently trace his tongue over her bottom lip. She opened for him and their tongues met, stroked and teased. She grasped his cock and squirmed closer. The tip of his shaft brushed over her entrance.

He flexed his hips as Savannah sank down on him. She pushed him onto his back, straddling him, with him buried inside. She rose before rolling her hips and coming back down, at first slow and sensual but gradually picking up speed. She looked like a goddess, head thrown back, body arched while she rode him.

He reached up to thumb her nipples while lifting his hips. She gasped and shuddered for him. Her breaths were already coming out quick and stuttered.

He pinched her nipples and grinned. Her nails dug into his chest as she rode him faster and harder. Fluid and smooth, she brought them both to earth-shattering orgasm before collapsing on top of him.

Once the roar in his ears had subsided and Kurt was able to breathe, he chuckled. Savannah patted his chest before moving off him.

"I'm pretty sure if I woke up like that every day, it would kill me," he told her.

Savannah squinted. "I can't feel my toes."

That had his chuckles turning to all-out belly laughs. He rolled on top of her, making her grunt, before kissing her thoroughly.

"I might never let you out of bed again!" There was no doubt any longer that what he felt for Savannah was true and could bloom into something lasting. He'd been so unsure if it had just been his loneliness causing his instant attraction, or something more.

Savannah grinned at him but pushed him away. "As much as I would love to spend the rest of my life in your bed, I don't think Sheriff Webb would appreciate it. I do have to go to work today."

"Me, too," he admitted. Alone with Savannah in his bedroom, Kurt could let all his troubles go to the back of his mind. But there were important issues that needed to be addressed. He had to find Colt.

It had been hard enough to leave the compound the previous night, knowing that one of their own was in serious danger.

Even Tony had said that they needed more intel before storming the Church. Kurt and Clint were used to action, so sitting back was hard to handle. He'd had Savannah to take his mind off things last night, but now business needed to be taken care of. He hoped the Council gave the green light to make a move this morning. Kurt didn't want to imagine what was being done to Colt.

"Thinking about your friend?" Savannah asked as she rose. She walked around the end of the bed as he sat on the side of the mattress.

He welcomed her to stand between his legs. "Yeah."

"You'll let me know if there is anything I can do?"

"I will." Kurt smiled at her. "I'm not sure how much the Council will allow your department to be involved."

"So, you tell me what you need," she told him.

Demanding little thing. "Deal," he agreed. He wouldn't go against the Council's orders, but Kurt would use whatever he needed to get Colt back. "Good." She gave him a gentle kiss. "I'm going to use your shower."

Kurt watched her pad naked across the room toward the bathroom. He licked his lips. Hmm...shower...

She glanced over her shoulder in the doorway and must have caught the gleam in his eye. She waved her finger at him. "No way!" she exclaimed.

Kurt dropped his eyes to his once-again hard cock. "Oh, yeah."

****

The compound was quiet when Kurt pushed the front door open. The day after Thanksgiving, most of the Council members would have been spending time with family. With the events that had unfolded the previous day, Kurt knew the Council had been called back. Most should have already arrived.

A few guards walked the halls and he knew that, even though he hadn't seen any, several guards were outside strolling around the perimeter. They were on high alert with Colt missing.

He hadn't been scheduled to come in today either-was, in fact, off shift until Monday-but Colt was top priority. Kurt was worried about Colt. He couldn't get past the fact that Colt hadn't called-had just run. And he had been headed in the direction of the compound.

Kurt walked down the long marble hall to the thick door that opened to the office he'd been given. Large windows with dark curtains were directly across from the door. His desk sat right in front of the windows.

He flicked on the light. His laptop sat on top of his desk where he'd left it Wednesday night. On the wall to the right sat three black four-drawer file cabinets. The cabinets were locked, the information inside for his eyes only.

Across from the cabinets on the far wall was a small coffee bar. He walked over and prepared a pot of coffee. Once the rich aroma filled the air, he strolled over to his desk and turned on his computer. He then hit the button to open the window shades.

Dull sunlight filled the room. It had stopped snowing sometime the night before. The sky was still full of clouds and according to the Weather Channel, there would be more snow by nightfall.

He lifted his head at the knock on his open office door. "Hey, man," he greeted Tony.

"Good morning. I didn't expect to see you so early."

Kurt shrugged and studied Tony, who had dark circles under his deep brown eyes. Tony's hair was ruffled and it looked like he hadn't slept. Kurt waved Tony in. "I just started a fresh pot of coffee."

Tony walked through the doorway, while Kurt headed toward the pot brewing on the side table. He poured two mugs. He passed over a cup of black coffee as Tony sat in one of the chairs in front of Kurt's desk. Kurt skirted around his desk before taking his own seat. He took a sip of his hot coffee and sighed. He needed the caffeine. It looked like Tony did too.

"Did you sleep?" Kurt asked his friend.

"No." Tony shook his head.

There were several minutes of silence, but Kurt had patience. It was up to Tony if he wanted to talk.

"I can't sleep. I can't eat. I knew there was a chance of Colt being discovered but..."

Kurt didn't say anything when Tony trailed off.

"Every time I closed my eyes, I pictured them torturing him or worse," Tony finished.

"We'll find him," Kurt promised. He wouldn't stop until Colt was found. He wasn't about to leave one of his own. It was something that had been instilled deep inside him when he was in the military.

"The Council is calling all the undercover shifters out of the Church. If they know about Colt, there's a good chance they'll suspect some of the others. I spoke to Sheriff Webb this morning and he's going to head over to the Church and ask around about Colt," Tony told him. "We can at least do that much until we get our orders from the Council."

"Good," Kurt agreed. "We've got a little evidence connecting Dan Carter with some high-powered people. We can get more. Before you know it, all this will be over and Colt will never have to get involved again. How's everything else going?" Tony took a long drink of his coffee. "I called home. Cain is going to come out today. I also reached Austin. He's already on his way."

Cain, Tony's brother, was one of the most fearsome Enforcers of all the Packs, known for his protectiveness of his Pack and family. He was an imposing man and had the skills to back up his appearance.

Austin, Alpha of a Pack in Colorado, was Colt's Alpha. Kurt had met Austin a few weeks ago when the Church of Humanity had first arrived. Austin's pack was one of the two dozen Packs that had decided not to go public, but he still backed the Packs that chose to stay hidden. Austin had explained that until all shifters were safe, the shifters who wanted to remain hidden should have the opportunity. He'd opened his Pack lands to welcome any shifters who chose to move in. "See." Kurt patted Tony's back. Kurt respected both Cain and Austin and having them come would be very beneficial. "With their help, we'll have Colt back in no time," Kurt assured Tony.

Tony managed a smile. "After this I think I'm going to take Colt on a long vacation."

Kurt laughed. "If anyone deserves a vacation, it's you and Colt."

"I just have to convince him."

"We'll all gang up on him if we have to," Kurt offered. "Hell, I'll help you kidnap him."

"You sure your deputy wouldn't have a problem with that?"

An imagine of Savannah cuffing him to the bed flashed in his mind. "Oh yeah, I don't think that'd be a bad thing."

Tony laughed, which smoothed away the stress lines around his eyes. "I don't even want to know what you just thought about."

Kurt hummed. He hadn't ever played around with bondage, but he could picture several positions that he'd love to put Savannah in. Or have her put him in.

"I take it things are going better for the two of you?"

"Yeah," Kurt admitted. "I owe you, man. I was doubting myself so much that I don't think I would have made a move without your pep talk. Which would have been a tragic mistake. She's so perfect for me. I'm lucky she didn't tell me to fuck off."

"Nah, man," Tony said. "I've seen the way she looks at you. She's just as smitten."

"Smitten?" Kurt teased. That was an old-fashioned word.

"It's what my dad says," Tony revealed. "I like the sound of it."

"I do, too."

"I might take you up on helping me kidnap Colt to whisk him away, though," Tony redirected. "I think Austin won't have a problem with it and Cain is always up for some crazy antics."

"We've got your back," Kurt promised. "But I don't think you're going to have to try too hard to convince Colt to go anywhere with you." Kurt had seen the devotion in Colt's gaze as he followed Tony wherever he went. There was no reason for Tony to worry about Colt's feelings.

"I know that in my heart, but my mind keeps remembering that whatever is happening to him right now is my fault."

Kurt blew out a breath. He didn't know how to convince Tony that none of this was his fault. Colt had volunteered to go undercover with the Church. And Dan Carter was the crazy human hell-bent on killing them all. Instead of arguing with his friend, he stood to walk to his desk. He couldn't just sit around while Savannah was putting herself in danger. One of the guards would be around and it might help if there was someone watching as Savannah and the sheriff went to the Church.

Luckily, the building the Church was currently staying in was surrounded by the woods. The woods around here belonged to the shifters.

"What are you doing?" Tony asked.

Kurt grinned. "Just making sure my girl has some back-up today."

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****

Savannah peered through the windshield at the building the Church for Humanity had purchased. She might not have been there during the first troubles with the Church and her friends, but she was here now. They weren't going to get away with anything illegal on her watch. She would give her all to the shifters who had become part of her life.

Her body still hummed in remembrance of making love with Kurt. They'd made plans to meet up again later that night after her shift. She knew that if she wasn't careful, she could become addicted to him, and so she had to make damn sure that Kurt and the other shifters were protected.

"This is it," Sheriff Webb said, putting the SUV in park.

Savannah wasn't impressed. The old building was practically falling apart. If they had been there for several weeks, they hadn't spent any time on working on the outside. "Huh." She squinted to see if that would make a difference. Isn't this group supposed to be tied to some strong political parties? There should be money for a decent place in her mind.

"Disappointed?" Sheriff Webb asked.

"No." Savannah caught herself. "No, not at all." She was lying.

Sheriff Webb chuckled. "I know. Not what you expect when hearing the stories about Carter and the Church and what they're all about."

"I expected something bigger, nicer... I don't know-a church!"

"Well, this is just one of the chapters. The way we figure, they settled here just to watch the compound. There aren't a lot of members and they're mostly male," he said. "Single, male members, with a lot of muscle."

"To intimidate," she guessed. That would make the most sense to her. Having a threat to the compound was keeping the shifters on the edge. When Colt had been embedded into the church the shifters at least had a chance of coming out ahead of the church members.

"That's my take on it."

"So, what's the plan today?" she asked.

"We go in and inquire about Colt. We did find his car abandoned. We'll demand to see him, to talk to him."

"For what reason?" she questioned. They didn't want to blow his cover.

"We found his car abandoned," Sheriff Webb repeated. "It would be strange if the local sheriff's department didn't look into it."

"Good point," she said.

"The Council also gave me authority to pull Colt out if he is here. Although none of us think they'd keep him on the premises."

"So, we have no idea where Colt might be?"

"No, but if we can get just one person to talk to us, we'll have a better chance of finding him fast."

Savannah reached for the latch of the door. "Let's go then."

Sheriff Webb met her at the front of the vehicle. "Remember that they might have been watching us, so there is a good chance that they know about you and Kurt."

"What?" Savannah exclaimed. She hadn't thought about that.

"They like to watch the compound and the shifters anytime they go into town. When Clint was taken, they kept referring to Sara. I just wanted to give you a heads-up. Don't trust anyone."

"I won't," she assured him. This wasn't her first day on the job. Savannah knew that the hate these guys were spreading could become dangerous, even deadly.

They walked up the old wooden porch steps. Savannah was surprised that they could hold their combined weight as they creaked loudly.

The door whined as it was opened before they'd even knocked. A young man peered out at them with a scowl on his face. "Yes?"

Sheriff Webb held up his badge. "I'm Sheriff Webb and this is Deputy Conley. We need to speak with Colt Knight, please." "Colt?"

The young man's expression remained the same, but Savannah caught a flash of something in his eyes. Worry, maybe?

"Rudy! Who's at the door?" a loud, booming voice asked.

Rudy stepped back as a dark-haired man came up beside him. "The sheriff. He wants to talk to Colt," Rudy told the other man. Savannah noticed the tension that had invaded Rudy when the stranger joined them. Rudy dropped his gaze and shuffled nervously. He wasn't a shifter, but he was showing all kinds of submission.

"Sheriff." The man held out his hand. "I'm Bruce Carter. I'm sorry, but Colt is no longer staying here with us."

The sheriff shook his hand as Savannah connected the name. Bruce Carter. Has to be some relation to Dan Carter. Sheriff Webb didn't even pause or give a hint of recognition. "Where is he?" Sheriff Webb questioned.

"He left here the night before last. Was returning to his family in Colorado," Bruce Carter replied easily. He dropped his palm over Rudy's shoulder.

"Back to Colorado?" Sheriff Webb repeated.

"Yes, sir."

Bruce Carter smiled and Savannah had the urge to knock the cocky, slimy look from his face. She glanced over at Rudy and saw that his complexion had gone pale. Interesting.

"I'd say he left about eight that night. Packed up his stuff and said he was needed at home," Bruce offered. "Rudy here was the last one he spoke with. Weren't you?"

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The hand Bruce had clamped down on Rudy's shoulder tightened and Rudy flinched. "Yes, he came by my room and said he'd heard from his father and there was an emergency. They needed him home."

The words were rehearsed. Savannah picked up on that immediately-it was obvious even if they hadn't already known that the words were a lie. But Colt wouldn't have taken off for Colorado. He would have gone to the compound. And he wouldn't have left his vehicle on the side of the road for no reason.

"I need to see the room where he was staying," Sheriff Webb demanded.

Bruce Carter stiffened. "What exactly is this about? I told you he went home."

"Colt Knight's vehicle was found abandoned on the side of the road. If he's not here, like you said, then we will be forced to open a missing person investigation. I need to see his room." Sheriff Webb spoke sternly. "Unless you have something to hide?"

Bruce huffed. "Of course, we don't." He opened the door. "Come along then. We are trying to spend time with our family. It is a holiday. This interruption is not appreciated."

Savannah held in a snort. They didn't give a damn about family or the holiday. They just didn't want them nosing around. She followed as Bruce led the way, Rudy behind him and Sheriff Webb in front of her. She sent a quick glance back at the sheriff and he nodded. Rudy was going to be key to getting answers. That was, if she could get him away from Bruce.

The halls weren't in much better condition than the outside of the building. She could smell mold and dirt. If Colt had the same enhanced senses as the other shifters, she didn't know how he had stood the stench.

They were shown a small, empty room. A bed, dresser and nightstand were the only things inside. It was obvious that nothing of Colt's had been left behind, but she still had to search. Savannah started opening drawers while the sheriff looked under the bed and in the closet. There was not one item remaining.

Sheriff Webb sent her a worried look. He turned back to the two other men. "I need to take your statements and anyone else who spoke to Colt the night before last. Anyone who had contact with him the last few days." Bruce narrowed his eyes before he sighed. "Fine. Let's just get this over with so we can go back to enjoying our day."

Bruce stomped out but dragged Rudy behind him so Savannah didn't have the chance to say anything. That was okay-Savannah wouldn't give up. A little planning and she'd work out an idea.

They set up in what Bruce called the sanctuary. The sheriff took half the members while Savannah took the others. It didn't take long to see that the church was prepared for them. Everyone had the same story. She heard the words repeated time after time, the answers rehearsed and automatic.

She finished her list and saw Rudy standing at the edge of the crowd. "I would like to ask you a few more questions." She motioned him forward. "Since you were the last to speak with Colt."

He looked over at Bruce Carter, who was frowning at him.

"Now, please," she demanded. If it looked like she was forcing Rudy, maybe Bruce would back off. She wouldn't get any answers with Bruce hovering over them.

Rudy nodded and took a seat in front of her. She asked him the same questions she'd asked the others, not surprised that his answers never changed. The sheriff got a reluctant Bruce to sit with him, giving Savannah the chance she needed. She repeated the questions, but Rudy stubbornly didn't change one answer. That just pissed her off.

"You were friends with Colt," she said softly. She needed to get through to Rudy. He was nervous, edgy, just right to come clean. She could work a suspect with grace and a firm tone and Rudy would eventually give in. She didn't have the time, though. The sheriff could only stall Bruce for so long.

Rudy's head bobbed up and down. "He was my friend."

She reached over and grasped his hand. "Then help me. Colt could be hurt. Don't you want to know he'd okay?"

He looked up at her and she saw in his gaze that he wanted to.

"I do, but "

"Are you finished, Deputy?" Bruce Carter asked, walking up to them.

Rudy yanked his hand away and stood.

Damn it! She just needed more time.

"We'll leave for now. We may need to ask you more questions." Sheriff Webb joined them.

Bruce Carter sneered. "Please call ahead next time."

Savannah remained silent until they were back in front of his vehicle. "I almost got him to talk."

"I know, but Bruce was keeping a close eye on the two of you, so it might have been worse for Rudy. I'm certain they'll be keeping him close."

"I need to get him away from everyone," Savannah said.

"Between us and the shifters, we'll have someone keep a watch out. If he leaves on his own, we'll pull him over and get him to talk."

"There's no telling how long that will take, though," she complained. Colt wasn't going to be able to last long in the hands of the humans if they were as dangerous as she'd been told.

"It's all we can do," Sheriff Webb told her. "I don't think it will be us that finds him anyway. The shifters will tear this town apart. I'm surprised they haven't started already."

So was she. "I hope he's okay."

"Me, too," Sheriff Webb agreed.

Some movement glimpsed from the corner of her eye had her freezing in place.

"Sheriff,” she whispered.

"I see," he responded. "Probably here to watch over us. Don't look in his direction."

Savannah had to force herself to not stare at the wolf peering through the trees at them. She didn't know if it was Kurt, Clint or another shifter, although she was certain it was a shifter and not a natural wolf. The gaze was too direct. She smiled as she climbed in the passenger side of the vehicle. Trust Kurt to make sure we have back-up.