Pack Council

Savannah ran her sweaty palms across the knees of her jeans as Kurt pulled up in front of the compound. She'd been inside before, but this time it was different. Kurt had told her that he'd be claiming her in a relationship with him so the other shifters would know. He wanted her protected if he was unable to do it himself.

While she was pleased that Kurt wanted to tell everyone they were together, she was nervous. What if the Council Kurt worked for or his friends didn't approve? What if they didn't like her?

"Everything is going to be fine." Kurt reached over and grasped her hand. "I would never let anyone hurt you."

"I know," she responded. "I just don't want to let you down."

"Never," he said. Kurt raised her hand to his mouth and kissed the top. "I'm proud to introduce you as someone special."

The doubt didn't leave her, but Savannah settled a little. She peered up at the massive building that housed the most powerful shifters in the country. Now that Savannah was with Kurt, she was learning so much about the shifters and her town. There was a rich past, with how the shifters had decided to settle there and how they protected the humans. An early understanding between the shifters and townsfolk had seen centuries of safety for humans and shifters alike. Savannah understood the bond the wolves had with the town because of the length of time they'd been there.

"Are you ready?" Kurt asked. "The sheriff will be here soon."

Savannah shook her thoughts away. "Sorry."

He smiled at her before he climbed out of the vehicle. Savannah hurried to follow behind him and met Kurt at the front of his truck. He held out his hand and she took it happily. Kurt led her up the steps and the door opened before they reached it.

Clint stepped out as he grinned at them. "Good morning."

Kurt was scowling at him.

"Heya, Clint," Savannah greeted.

Clint nodded at her before he winked at Kurt. "Running late?"

Savannah refused to blush. She'd learned how much Kurt and Clint loved to give each other a hard time. And it was her fault they were late. She'd teased Kurt as they'd eaten breakfast so when she went to shower he'd joined her. That had turned her normal fifteen-minute shower into a long, forty-minute, pleasure-filled event. They'd been late after that.

"Shut up, Clint, or I'll tell Sara about that time you went down to Mexico, where you met that "

"Okay!" Clint held up his hands. "That's wrong, man. You're supposed to keep my secrets." Savannah laughed. Clint could act like the biggest teenager, but he was also a good guy. "Move out of the way." Kurt pushed past his friend, dragging her behind.

Clint followed and closed the door after they'd crossed the threshold. The quiet of the interior was a bit intimidating. Tony walked down the stairs with another man, who she guessed was Colt. Colt was younger than Tony, but the way he clung to the older shifter spoke volumes about their relationship. Seeing that Colt was indeed back safe and sound made Savannah feel so much better. Even though Kurt had told her he was back, Savannah liked seeing it with her own eyes. She could tell Rudy that his information had indeed helped and that Colt was safe.

"You must be Savannah," Colt stated as he and Tony reached them. "Tony told me what you did for Rudy and I wanted to thank you."

"No thanks necessary," she assured him. "I'm just glad you were found."

Colt nodded. "Me, too. When Rudy warned me about Bruce, I didn't want to take the chance of contacting Tony. I was worried they'd somehow bugged my phone or something."

Tony growled as he tightened his hold on Colt's waist.

"Which was stupid," Colt said with the roll of his eyes. "I know. And I'll never do it again."

Colt's words sounded rehearsed, but Tony relaxed next to him. There had probably been a long discussion about what Colt had done and why Tony was not happy with him. Savannah knew that if she'd been in Tony's shoes, she'd have gone insane had Kurt gone missing.

"I had coffee, tea and some pastries taken to one of the large conference rooms. Our friends from Arizona should be there already and the sheriff is pulling up now," Tony said.

"I'll wait for the sheriff," Clint offered.

"Trying to earn brownie points?" Kurt teased.

Clint flipped him off and Savannah was utterly amused by the two men. They had such a great relationship. She was a little jealous that she'd lost the contact she'd once had with the people in town. Savannah was reconnecting with Sara and that was a start. Plus, Kurt made her feel welcome with his group.

Tony and Colt walked in front of her and Kurt as they traveled down a long hall. The portraits on the walls were all of distinguished-looking older gentlemen.

"The Council members," Kurt whispered in her ear. He slowed down until they came to a stop in front of the last one. "That's Alpha Babcock. He's the one who brought me and Clint in. He's a good man. If you ever need anything and can't get hold of me or Clint, you should go to him."

"Is that a possibility?" she questioned. "Not being able to get to you or Kurt?" Savannah didn't like the sound of that.

Kurt shrugged. "You never know. I just want you to be aware of the options just in case."

That left Savannah a little unsettled, but she nodded then allowed Kurt to lead her away. There was a low murmur of voices as they entered the conference room. There must have been something in the water that shifters drank, because the men in the room were more than just a little attractive. She peered over at Kurt, who was grinning at her.

She found herself blushing. There was no way that he knew what she was thinking. Besides, Kurt was still the hottest man in the room.

Kurt bumped her side before throwing his arm around her shoulder. "It's okay," he murmured. "I know you still like me best."

"I do," she told him.

"But they're attractive," Kurt whispered. "You're mine though."

"And you're mine," she quipped back.

"Hello." The big blond closest smiled at her.

"Hi." Savannah gave him a little finger wave.

"This is Savannah. She's a deputy and has been helping with the investigation into the church," Kurt said. "Savannah, this is Cody, Zak and Jamie. The shifters who rescued Colt."

"It's nice to meet you all," Savannah greeted.

"It is very nice to meet you," Jamie replied. He stepped closer and held out his hand.

Savannah shook it as Kurt tightened the arm around her neck.

Jamie grinned wider, which had Kurt growling. Savannah glanced between the two men. "What?"

"She is with me," Kurt declared.

Pride rushed through her at Kurt's words.

"Yeah, we caught that by the possessive hold you have on her," Zak responded. "It's okay, man, we don't poach."

Kurt couldn't be jealous. He was the one who'd wanted to introduce her to these guys and had joked when they'd first entered the room.

Kurt huffed. "I know. I just wanted it to be said."

"Well, I don't blame you," Cody said. "Beautiful and smart." He shook her hand. "I've heard how you and the sheriff gathered the intel that is going to put Dan Carter away." "We're going to try," she replied.

Tony and Colt had already sat. "Why don't we take a seat? Clint should be bringing in the sheriff."

Kurt ushered her over to the long conference table and she found herself sitting between him and Tony, the out-of-town shifters across from them.

Clint rushed in with the sheriff at his heels followed by the older gentleman that she'd seen the portrait of. Alpha Babcock.

"Good, everyone is here." Babcock took a seat at the head of the table as Clint and the sheriff settled down on the other end. "I see there is some food and coffee. I believe we are going to need it."

Kurt passed her a steaming mug of coffee and she wrapped her hands around the hot cup. The fragrance of the strong brew wafted up from the mug and she took a small sip. Oh, heavenly.

"This is good coffee," Jamie declared. "And I should know. I drink enough of it."

"It's from the local coffee shop. We get special delivery." Babcock nodded toward Clint.

Of course it's Sara's brew. The Council would support the hometown shop and Clint's partner.

"I'll make sure you have some to take back to Arizona with you," Clint offered.

"Appreciate it," Jamie said before he took a long drink.

Guess the hot temperature doesn't bother him. Another thing that must be nice about being a shifter. Savannah could appreciate the unique abilities each shifter had, but the hate directed at them took away from the enjoyment of what she was learning. Humans hunting animals in protected lands and ending up killing shifters by accident had been a main cause of why the shifters had come out. Now shifters were being hunted down on purpose. Savannah might have been human, but she was ashamed of how some other humans were reacting.

To her, it was a gift to know about the shifters. She also wondered what else was out there. Kurt set a plate with a muffin and pastry down in front of her. Savannah had gotten lost in her thoughts and hadn't noticed everyone else getting their snacks.

"Where should we start?" Alpha Babcock asked.

Sheriff Webb nodded. "The FBI will be here later this morning. They will take over the case since it involves several divisions of the Church in different states."

"Will they actually believe us?" Clint asked. "The FBI hasn't had the best track record of protecting shifters."

"Rumors," Alpha Babcock corrected. "We don't know that the FBI is on the side of the Church and humans like them."

"We've had the same problem," Cody stated. "Anytime we work with the federal agencies, they don't take any threat against the shifters seriously."

Alpha Babcock nodded. "However, I called in a favor. The agent coming is a shifter himself. I think that will ensure that the investigation is followed through on."

Kurt blew out a breath. "Wonderful." He looked over at Savannah and smiled. "That's great news."

She agreed. If the agent was a shifter, he had to understand the threat that Carter posed.

"But that does bring up the subject that Kurt has brought to my attention. I've spoken with the Feline Prince and several of my other contacts within the shifter communities. It's been agreed upon to start talking about having an agency of our own. One made up of shifters."

"Is that even possible?" Sheriff Webb asked.

"Yes." Tony nodded. "The need for our own government agency was brought up when we first discussed going public. At the time, it was decided to hold off to give the human authorities the opportunity to prove they accept us." Colt snorted. "That hasn't exactly worked out as planned."

"No shit," Clint agreed.

"It's not like we knew the humans would band together to take us out." Tony glared at Colt.

"It doesn't matter any longer," Alpha Babcock declared. "It will be rectified."

"I'm interested in what the plan is," Cody said.

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"Good," Alpha Babcock stated. "I want to talk to each of you about a position with the new agency. We'll need strong shifters who have experience in law enforcement." Alpha Babcock glanced at Kurt. "Or military."

Kurt nodded and despair went through Savannah. A new agency for shifters would take a lot of time and would be a big responsibility. She also doubted that the agency would be based in her town. Which meant this opportunity would take Kurt away from her.

Not that Savannah could blame Kurt for wanting to take part in the agency he would have a hand in building. Kurt was smart, strong and intelligent. The shifter agency would need him and it wouldn't be fair for her to hold him back. As the shifters continued to discuss plans and what needed to be done, Savannah sat back and listened.

She was losing everything that she thought she'd finally gotten. Kurt had claimed her in a relationship, but that was with him staying there with the Council. When he moved, Kurt would be too busy to worry about her, a human.

The first hour passed and Savannah began to feel more and more out of place. She didn't belong at the table. Not only could she not add to anything that the shifters needed, because she didn't know, but the more the plans came together, the closer Kurt would be to leaving her.

"How about we take a break?" Alpha Babcock suggested.

Savannah glanced up. Yeah, I can use some air.

"I'll call Prince Zachary and see where he is. He shouldn't be too far away," Tony said as he stood.

"I need to get back to the office and wait for the FBI," Sheriff Webb stated.

Savannah rose as well. She needed to go with the sheriff. At least working with the FBI gave her a way to help the others. Plus, she couldn't sit next to Kurt as he strategized and organized a life without her.

"Hey." Kurt caught her hand. "Where are you going?"

Savannah smiled down at him. The least she could do was make things easy for him. "I need to go with the sheriff. The FBI will want to talk to me, since I was the one who collected the evidence." "Oh." Kurt frowned. "But you're okay?"

"Fine," she lied. Savannah leaned down and kissed him gently on the lips. She straightened then peered around the room. The Arizona shifters were huddled together talking, Clint was walking the sheriff out and Tony, Colt and Alpha Babcock were already gone. "I'll see you later."

"How about you come by my house tonight?" Kurt asked. "I'll pick up dinner."

Oh God, she was trying to put distance between them and Kurt was going to make things hard for her. She nodded but didn't manage to say anything. Savannah quickly walked out of the room and down the hall she'd come through. She caught up with the sheriff at the front door.

"You're leaving?" Clint asked with surprise.

"There is a lot of work to do at the station," she told him. "I need to make sure all the reports are complete to hand over to the FBI." Clint nodded. "Sure."

Sheriff Webb patted Clint's back. "Just make sure you email the statements from Nevada, including the ones from your new friends." "I will," Clint promised.

Savannah had heard enough. She slipped past the sheriff and Clint and exited the building. The freshness of winter and bite of cold felt good. Standing on the steps of the compound while peering across the large property, Savannah didn't think she'd be back.

The way Alpha Babcock was talking, the shifters were going to be moving quickly on setting up the new agency. Kurt would need to move soon. There had to be a way for Savannah to avoid getting involved any further with Kurt. If asked, she'd have to admit that she had fallen in love with him. She loved him. And it was going to hurt to say goodbye.

"Ready?" Sheriff Webb stepped beside her and pulled at his collar.

"Yeah," Savannah said. She wanted to get out of there.

The entire drive through town, Savannah kept her thoughts to herself and didn't speak. The sheriff wasn't inclined to talk either, so she was able to plot how to evade Kurt for a few days.

"We're here," Sheriff Webb announced. He pulled into the parking spot in front of the back door. "Now do you want to tell me about what's bothering you or go inside and wallow a little longer?"

Savannah smiled. She just had to. Even though she was heartbroken that her future wouldn't be what she'd been dreaming about, she still had good people by her side. In her hometown. Where she would have a life, one way or another. "I'm good."

She didn't wait for him to say anything else. Savannah pushed the door open and stepped out into the cold. This time she didn't enjoy the rush of winter. She was chilled from the inside now. It would be lonely without Kurt, but Savannah would recover. He had important work ahead of him. In order to protect the shifters like Clint and Ryan and all the others, Kurt needed to follow through with his idea. The back door opened and Ryan smiled out at her.

"I saw the two of you pull up on the cameras," Deputy Jacob Monroe said. "Thought I'd open the door and get you into the warmth."

"We appreciate it," Sheriff Webb said as he walked past her.

Savannah followed the two men inside and walked right to her desk in the middle of the room. The only one who had their own office was the sheriff.

"Any word from the Feds?" Sheriff Webb asked Jacob.

"Not yet, sir," Jacob answered.

"They should be here soon though." Savannah pulled out her chair and sat. She reached for her laptop and turned it on. There were hours of paperwork ahead and she needed to do her part and help the man she loved take down a true

monster.

****

Kurt stared out of the window of his office, clutching his cell phone. Savannah hadn't returned any of his messages and he had a really bad feeling about why. She'd closed herself off to him during the meeting. Out of nowhere, she'd gone from excitement and wonder to blocking her emotions. He didn't even know if she was aware she'd done it.

"I take it you haven't reached your lady friend?"

He turned to where Alpha Babcock stood at the entrance of his office. "Hello, Alpha."

Alpha Babcock dipped his head.

"No, she hasn't answered the phone," he admitted.

"Well, she does have a very important job," Alpha Babcock stated. He walked over to the chair and sat. "An entire town she protects."

"I know," Kurt responded. But it had been a long-ass day of planning, negotiating and organizing the future for the shifters. He'd hoped to order dinner and pick it up before meeting Savannah at his house. That had been hours ago. Now Kurt was avoiding going home because he didn't want to be alone. He followed suit and sat next to Alpha Babcock.

The Council members weren't known for being the type to just come and hang out, so there had to be something the Alpha needed.

"Is there something I can help you with?" Kurt asked.

Alpha Babcock smiled. "I believe it's my turn to help you."

Frowning, Kurt leaned forward. "I'm sorry? Help with what?"

"Do you plan to take one of the positions with the new agency?" Alpha Babcock asked.

Kurt jerked back. "No." Oh shit, is that what the Council wants? Kurt had just started making a life for himself there. He had his friends, a great position with the Council and Savannah. If they were offering him a new job he'd have to turn it down. "I mean, I appreciate the offer-"

Alpha Babcock waved his hand. "We don't want you to accept another position. We're quite pleased with what both you and Clint have brought to the compound. We'll still need you. While I'm glad we're moving in the right direction for all shifters, our first priority is our wolf packs."

"Then why'd you ask?" Kurt questioned. He had a headache and this conversation was not helping.

"Because it wasn't said in the meeting this morning," Alpha Babcock said as he leaned forward. "So, some of the others around the table might think you're looking forward to a new adventure."

That was when it dawned on Kurt what Alpha Babcock was telling him. "Damn." He thought Savannah knew he was sticking around. He'd been making plans for a future for the two of them. Hadn't he been clear that she was the one for him? Alpha Babcock reached over and patted his arm. "When it comes to matters of the heart, I've found, one's imagination can go wild. You just need to talk to your lady and make sure she knows where you stand." Kurt nodded as he rose. "Yes, I'll do that."

"Good." Alpha Babcock stood then headed away. He paused at the door and looked back at Kurt. "I've watched you since you first arrived. I like seeing you happy and settled. Don't be afraid to go after what you want."

"Yes, sir." Kurt watched until Alpha Babcock was out of view. He didn't know why he hadn't figured out what might be wrong with Savannah on his own. Maybe it was because he was already so sure of his relationship with her that he hadn't thought to be clearer about his intentions. But he could fix that now.

With determination, he stalked his way across his office and out through the door. He made it through the long corridors of the compound without seeing anyone until he reached the front door.

He froze, sure that his eyes were playing tricks on him.

Savannah stood by the front entrance shaking snow from her coat as one of the guards looked on. Kurt cleared his throat. The guard jumped while Savannah just peered up at him.

The guard blushed before dipping his head to Kurt. "I was just letting her in."

He was admiring her, but Kurt couldn't be too upset. She was beautiful, especially with the ice flakes still on her eyelashes and in her hair.

"Thank you," Kurt replied to the guard. "I'll take it from here." Fuck, he was so happy to see Savannah. It took all his control not to rush over and wrap his arms around her. He never wanted to let her out of his sight again. Not if she doubted how he felt.

"It's starting to ice over," Savannah told him. "The roads are going to be a mess in a few hours."

Kurt wasn't sure how to respond. What was she doing here? Why hadn't she answered his calls or texts?

Savannah straightened her shoulders before taking a step toward him. "Can we go into your office? To talk?"

"Talk," Kurt repeated. He didn't want to talk. Okay, he didn't know what he wanted, but it didn't matter. Kurt was just so happy to see her.

"Yes, please."

She was holding herself too stiffly. He didn't like seeing her like that. But it had to mean something that she'd come to him. Kurt would assure her that he wouldn't be leaving and that everything was going to work out. Before she left his office, Savannah was going to know how he really felt.

"I'll make some coffee and we'll get you warmed up as we talk," he said. Kurt held out his hand and offered it to her.

Savannah stared at his palm for several moments before she reached out and intertwined her fingers with his. That was a start-at least he was touching her. Kurt gently tugged her toward down the hall.

The quietness of the compound was almost eerie, but he was happy that they would have some privacy. Clint had already left for the night and the Alphas would be in their own residences. That left just the few guards currently on duty. He still closed his door after they'd entered.

"Why don't you sit and I'll get the coffee?" he said.

"Sure."

He ignored the nervousness coming off her as she rubbed her hands down her pants while crossing the room. Savannah didn't need to be nervous. Not around him, ever. Using the Keurig, he quickly made her a cup of medium-blend coffee. It wouldn't be as good as what she'd have gotten from Sara's shop, but it should begin to warm her. He hoped to be able to provide any more needed heat.

She was sitting with her knees pressed together and head down as he reached her to hand her the mug.

Their fingers brushed and he smiled at her.

Savannah took a deep breath before she grinned.