All characters who engage in sex are to be considered over the age of eighteen years.
~~~
"Alpha Cullen," Valic said as he walked into the office. When the alpha nodded to a chair at the front of the thick desk he had a seat and waited until Cullen looked up from the computer screen.
"I trust our friends are comfortable," Cullen asked as he held a pen in his hand and thumped it on the desktop. It was clear the Alpha had something weighing on his mind.
"Quite," Val said with a nod. "He spoke to both lawyers and is now settled in his cell. I informed the other council enforcers no one is to approach him without my permission. And no one will get that permission unless Marcus, Anthony, and you all order me. I have a gut feeling that Alpha Jerry wasn't working alone and since I don't have the higher pay grade I'm staying away."
"He wasn't working alone," Cullen said, dropping the pen on the desktop. "I heard from Fixer Anderson that there will be a surprise witness arriving in the morning." He blew out a chest full breath. "This is turning into a headache."
"Forgive me Alpha, this was already a headache," Valic said as he leaned forward to stand. "I will have another patrol added to all watches tonight. If there is nothing else, I think I need a drink."
"That is all for tonight, but stay close. I have a gut feeling that whoever helped Jerry back then doesn't want him talking." Cullen ran his hand through his hair.
"Good night, sir," Valic said as he opened the door. As his hand reached for the handle, his back stiffened. His nose twitched as a strange scent overtook his senses. Cinnamon and apples wafted through his nose. His wolf, who had been uninterested in anything for the last three years suddenly took notice.
Mate. Mate. MATE! Our mate is here. Find mate.
"We will find her. Settle down." He assured his old friend as he closed the office door and headed to the main staircase to look over the lobby. His eyes searched the people below, finally resting on a fiery redhead. He knew the woman or knew of her. Her file had come across his desk last year.
Hope Howard.
Valic felt his cock harden as he took in her beauty. Her red hair was pulled into a messy bun on the top of her head and she didn't appear to be wearing makeup. Her long legs were hidden in her loose-fitting jeans and she wire a white button-down cloth shirt with the sleeves rolled to her elbow. Valic was stunned.
"Hello little mate," he smiled, watching her walk with Kyle towards the kitchen area. "Soon," he sighed and continued down the stairs. As much as he wanted to rush after her and pin her to the walk, he had council business to attend to.
~~~
"It looks like there is something big happening." Hope nonchalantly said to Kyle as he walked her into the kitchen area.
"The Alpha Council is holding a trial tomorrow for Alpha Jerry Richards." He said with a nod.
"The Davis Pack alpha?" Hope questioned. Her deceased mate had dealings with Alpha Jerry a month before he had been killed. Alex had never told her about what he actually did as a fixer, but he had mentioned Jerry on a phone call the last time he had been home. Hope was now curious about Jerry.
"Yes," Kyle nodded. "There has been evidence given about him. From what I heard it's pretty damning. The trial starts at 8:00 AM. Most of the Alpha Council are here. We haven't had anything this large in a while." He motioned to the center island and a stool.
"Alpha Cullen left word that he may not be able to speak to you until after dinner. He sends his apology, though." Kyle pulled a tray of cold meats and cheese as well as a six-pack from the refrigerator. Kyle Stolze had served in the Marines back in Falluja. While he and Hope were not acquainted there, he felt a bond with her. "I figured we could have a snack and catch up until he is free. And maybe later I will let you kick my ass over a game of pool?"
Hope took the beer, opened two, and handed Kyle one before clanking her bottle into his. "You had me with the food. I am starving." She laughed and settled in.
They talked, laughed, and drank until Cullen sent word he was still detained. Hope agreed to meet Kyle at Breaktime Pub & Billiard in Albany, Georgia. He had offered her a ride but she wanted a shower and a change of clothes. A little after 10:00 PM she parked her Harley Davidson 2010 Street Glide in the parking lot.