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Joe smiled smugly as the Large SUV left the compound. Getting rid of Ambrose and Abraham had been easier than he'd hoped.
He had sent them to visit Napoleon in Baton Rouge. Becky had been homesick and this was a perfect excuse for them to leave. To everyone's surprise Alisha had agreed to tag along.
Megan and Jackson would fly into Baton Rouge on the 26th of December and they would get back to Texas on New Year's Eve. Their travel plans had been delayed and it worked perfectly for Joe and his conspirators.
Walking back into the main house, he stretched and popped his neck and whistled happily. It had been a long time since he'd had a little dangerous excitement in his life and he was looking forward to a good fight.
Of course he was aware that Fabio would never fight fair and he would be ready for him. This was his land and there would be no more trespassing.
Joe walked into his father's study and sat in front of Silas as he finished some paperwork on his desk.
"You can call the whole thing off Son. I'm sure Louisa would be happy about that."
"You know Dad, I need to do this. Not only will our pack be saved, but many others who live in fear of a rogue like Fabio."
"So you will begin your tour after lunch then?" Silas asked with a raised brow.
"That's right. That will give everyone time to set up. Stephen has assured me that he has a surprise that the imposter will really enjoy." Joe said sarcastically.
"I bet he will." Chuckled Silas.
"Well you better prepare yourself and be ready for a few surprises yourself. If this is Fabio you know that he is ruthless. I don't want you to be hurt son; your Mother will kill me."
Joe smiled at his Father and rose to leave the study. "I will be cautious Dad. I have too much to live for believe me."
*******************
Stephen was relieved when Alisha accepted Becky's invitation to go to Baton Rouge. This made it a lot easier for him to take care of things this afternoon. Sullivan was waiting for him, and
Maddie had agreed to watch the twins with Louisa.
They would all meet in the pecan grove after lunch while Joe and Andrew/Fabio toured the property.
It felt awkward not confiding in Raphael, but they needed him to stay with Drusilla as if nothing was going on.
Ralph had been a wealth of information when it came to the pack lands. He had been a big part of its restoration and the Pecan Grove was his baby.
Unfortunately the pack had cleared out much of the over growth and they would have to hide a little further away than they would have liked.
He would be the only one close enough to get off a shot. He knew his ammunition would debilitate Fabio, at least he hoped so.
But who knows; Joe may not need their help. He was an Alpha and Fabio was not. Joe really had the advantage here. Besides; Fabio did not know that Joe could shift. That would be the best weapon of all.
Stephan looked out of his window and noticed the sky had become dark. Damn it looked like rain. Of all the days for the weather to take a turn for the worse this was not on his radar. Rain had not been a part of his calculations. What would the Virgin Heat act like when it was wet?
He pulled out his rifle and unloaded it. He placed a potion packed shell in first then added a silver bullet.
He would take no chances today. This charade had to end, and one way or the other it would end today.
***********
"Carlotta I want you to go with me and Joe when we tour the property today."
"Why do you need me? I thought you wanted to get him alone." Carlotta's irritation showed and Fabio jerked her against his hard chest and held her tightly to his body.
"Listen my little accomplice; I need to keep my eye on you. What if you try to warn the others about me while we are out? I can't let that happen Cara Mia, now can I?"
"I thought you trusted me Fabio. I have given you no reason to be suspicious of me."
"As long as you love your daughter, I will always be suspicious of you Carlotta my love." He threw her against the wall and she hit it with a thud. Her right shoulder took the brunt of the impact and she slowly slid to the floor.
"There is no need for violence Fabio. I will accompany you on your outing." She said submissively.
"That's more like it. Now get dressed we will meet Joe after lunch."
Fabio walked out of the bedroom and slammed the door. He had taken a chance leaving her alone with Drusilla last night and he would not make that mistake again.
Perhaps Carlotta's presence would give Joe a greater sense of security. There was no reason he should suspect anything as it is. As soon as he had him a safe distance from the main buildings, he would make his move.
He walked out onto the front porch and felt the freshness of the rain that was falling. This was not what he had expected. He had not scented rain on the air and that was unusual. Looking up at the sky Fabio questioned Luna.
"What are you up to Luna? You don't have any power over me and I won't let a little rain ruin my plans."
Just then a little ray of sunshine broke through the clouds and settled on his face and just a quickly disappeared behind the dark clouds.
"You don't scare me Bitch of the Moon." He growled and breathed in the pungent scent of wet earth and the humid air.
"I will make this weather work for me. I can't let my chance slip away."
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The dining hall was crowded and the conversations were loud and full of holiday cheer. The food was hearty and filling and no one left the room unsatisfied.
Joe was surprised to see Carlotta by Andrew's side and he wondered what this new addition would do to their plans.
"Hello there Joe." Andrew/Fabio greeted Joe with a handshake and smile.
"Hope you don't mind Carlotta tagging along. She wants to see this place just as much as I do." He looked at Joe for any sign of disappointment and found none.
"Of course Andrew you both are welcome to view our compound. Usually we don't allow Non-Weres on the premises, but of course you two are family. I hope you enjoy our time together."
Joe led the way and the rain began to dissipate as they walked away from the dining hall.
"It's a good thing you two are dressed for the bad weather. Boots are just the thing you'll need to navigate the grounds. Weather never stops a Were, I'm sorry I forgot to warn you about what to wear."
"Raphael advised us well it seems. He and I are becoming fast friends. I'm glad he and Dru are together. He is a good mate for our daughter."
Andrew/Fabio smiled at Joe and continued on. Joe was beyond angry. This man was very good at his game. If he hadn't seen the real Andrew Guyon with his own eyes he would never have guessed this man was an imposter.
They had a lot of ground to cover and he took them east first so that they would end up in the pecan grove last.
The couple showed quite a bit of interest in the school and hotel that was being built and commented on the design.
"This will be great for the children. The inner courtyard will offer them a safe play scape where they can feel free to shift and not be exposed."
"That's a good idea. I know you are very careful to hide your true identity."
"Yes we are. So far the families of those who have been changed either don't know about their loved ones, or like you they've accepted us willingly."
"It must be difficult to live in the shadows like that. I don't tell everyone I am a witch, but it is not something that I have to hide." Carlotta said with understanding.
Andrew/Fabio said nothing. He was too busy looking for the best spot to attack his prey. He couldn't wait to strip away the talisman from his body and show Joe Chambers who he really was. He couldn't wait to see the fear in his eyes.
As far as he was concerned Joe was an Alpha in name only. He had yet to prove himself to the Were World. Although after today he would never get the chance.
He laughed inwardly and mused at the thought of an Alpha that couldn't shift. Joe wasn't an Alpha, hell he wasn't even a wolf anymore.
This was going to be so easy. What is it the humans say? Ah yes,
"It would be like taking candy from a baby."
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"Oh Louisa they are so sweet." Maddie cooed at the twin babies.
"You are so lucky to have a boy and girl. Now all you have to do is relax and not worry about what comes next."
"Well I can't complain; that is until they start crying. Then I wonder what all the fuss about having children is all about." The two women laughed and quickly shushed themselves so that they wouldn't wake the twins.
"I can't wait to see Jackson and Megan. We became so close when we were running from Remy and getting ready for the Blood Moon. Who would have guessed how our lives were going to change?"
"I know what you mean. Even though Josiah and Jalisa are from my womb; Abe and Ambrose are mine as well. Those two make me proud and they haven't even reached their full potential yet."
"Twins must run in your family Louisa. You seem to procreate in twos."
"I don't know for sure Maddie. I haven't taken the time to speak with my parents about our family in France. They have not been in contact with them and don't seem to want to."
"Well I guess that's understandable after all they put you through. But through it all you have prevailed Louisa. They should be proud of you now. I bet they are too ashamed to get in touch with you."
"I don't know Maddie, but you have given me a lot to think about."
Louisa nursed the twins and Maddie watched with love and a little envy. Feeling her emotions Louisa smiled and gave her young pack member some encouragement.
"You know Maddie you and Sullivan will get your chance. Sometimes it takes a while for your first heat to come. But after that your body will adjust and you should have a heat cycle annually. The only reason for one to skip is if you are already pregnant."
"I'm not sure if I am ready for motherhood Louisa. Sully is and his mother really is, but I'm not certain I could make a good mother. You know how I was, I loved being single. If Sullivan and I were not mates, I'd still be out there serial dating."
"That is the great thing about being mates. You complement each other. If you are not ready Sullivan will not pressure you to have a child. I just hope that you will do what you feel is best for the both of you and not what other people might want."
"Like my mother-in-law?" Maddie said with a smile.
