Any other time, her cat might have relaxed; might have found comfort in the woodsy scents of pine needles, wild mint, and flowering shrubs. But the prospect of being face-to-face with Dale Bray had her wound far too tight. Bree, on the other hand, wasn’t quite as tense. As she’d told Alex, she wanted all this crap to stop. Speaking with the hyenas, drawing them out into the open, felt like a step toward making that happen.
She and Vinnie sat at a long table while Alex, Tate, Luke, and Greg stood guard behind them. Others from their pride were close enough to observe but not close enough to be seen or scented.
“I’ve got to say, Bree, you look remarkably calm,” said Shaya, sitting at the head of the long wooden table. “Most people are uneasy at mediation meetings—even if only because their inner animal isn’t pleased to be near someone who they consider a foe.”
Bree shrugged. “It is true that my cat would like to tear several strips out of his scalp, gag him with them, and then perform a vile and brutal version of testicle removal surgery while he’s alive and unable to scream.”
Shaya smiled at the sole female in her security team. “This is why I love pallas cats.”
Casey chuckled. The mink shifter stood with her mate, Eli, who was the pack’s Head Enforcer. Shaya’s mate, Nick, was also present, in addition to Madisyn’s mate, Bracken. Each member of the security team was highly dominant and had a reputation that screamed “fuck with me and die.”
“I’d never heard of Paxton Cage until the hyena mentioned him to Shaya,” said Nick. “I called a contact of mine who gave me some info on Cage. The things I heard … I’d say the term ‘sadistic killer’ is an understatement.”
Bracken looked at Casey. “So your mink’s kind of like his spirit animal then, huh?”
Eli’s lips thinned as he glared at the enforcer. “Her mink is not a sadistic killer.”
“Dude, wake up, she has piles of carcasses near your lodge. Carcasses of animals she killed for sport and sometimes uses as soccer balls. You gonna tell me that’s normal?”
“You’re just mad because she nipped you again.”
Bracken’s jaw tightened. “It was more than a nip, okay. That animal is crazy.”
“If you really want to talk about ‘crazy,’ maybe we could bring your precious little daughters into the conversation.”
“They’re not crazy. They’re just highly strung.”
Shaya turned to Bree. “You’ve met his girls, right?”
“Yes,” replied Bree. “Madisyn brought them into Pot of Gold a few months back to see Valentina—they adore her. One minute, they were laughing and singing. The next thing, Regan slammed her little sister’s face onto a jewelry display cabinet. Yasmin then let out a war cry and leapt on her sister, who started screaming at Madisyn to get ‘the Thing’ off her.”
Bracken winced and looked away.
Nick’s lips twitched. “Just highly strung, huh, Brack?”
“They never really mean to hurt each other,” said the male enforcer.
“My kids never get into fights,” Eli proudly claimed.
“They argue like it’s their job, though,” grumbled Casey.
Eli shrugged. “Arguing I can deal with.”
His mate hiked up a brow. “Is that why you banned them from using their tablets yesterday?”
Exasperation flashed on Eli’s face. “They were squabbling over who had a bigger stain on their clothes, like it even mattered.”
Bree looked at Shaya. “How’re your kids doing?”
“Great, thanks,” replied the Alpha female. “Cassidy’s doing well in her mate’s pack, but she visits a lot—which is good, because Willow misses her.”
“I hope you told Willow to stop hanging around with that punk,” Nick muttered.
Shaya sighed at him. “Kye is not a punk.”
Bree had met the young male in question. The son of the Phoenix Pack Alphas was a born alpha who carried himself with an ingrained confidence you didn’t often see in teens.
“Anyway, back to my kids,” began Shaya, turning back to Bree. “Kellen’s fine, though he’s going through an ‘I hate girls’ phase at the moment.”
Bree’s cat’s ears pricked up at the sound of a distant car engine. “Looks like the hyenas are finally gracing us with their presence.”
And just like that, everyone’s manner turned utterly serious.
Standing behind his mate, Nick spoke to Vinnie, “I understand you’d love to launch yourself over the table and grab Dale Bray—”
“I wouldn’t disrespect your mate that way,” Vinnie assured him.
Nick’s gaze cut to Alex, who’d planted himself directly behind Bree. She didn’t have to peek at Alex’s face to know that he’d look as cool and casual as ever. But it was clear that the Mercury Alpha wasn’t buying it.
It wasn’t long before Dale Bray and six other hyenas came prowling out of the trees. With anger roiling in her stomach, Bree never once took her eyes off Dale as he crossed to the bench. Her snarling cat remained close to her skin, on high alert.
Dale took a moment to greet Vinnie, Shaya, and Nick before turning his gaze on Bree. “Miss Dwyer. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
She kept her face blank. “Is it?”
His lips twitched. “Perhaps the pleasure is all mine.” He seated himself on the bench opposite. Two of his hyenas sat on either side of him while the others fanned out behind them. None exhibited signs of hostility; they were all expressionless.
Shaya placed her clasped hands on the table. “Well, let’s get started. My name is Shaya Critchley-Axton. I’ll be acting as a mediator in this matter. My intent is to guide the discussion and help each party communicate their issues effectively. You are free to leave at any point.” She turned to Dale. “Could you please introduce yourself and your companions?”
“My name is Dale Bray, Alpha of the Silva Clan,” he said. He then introduced his Beta, Head Enforcer, and the four enforcers standing behind him.
Shaya turned to Vinnie. “Could you please introduce yourself and your companions?”
Lazily drumming his fingers on the table, he said, “Vinnie Devereaux, Alpha of the Olympus Pride. On my left is one of my omegas, Bree Dwyer. Behind me are my Beta, my Head Enforcer, and one of my enforcers. Bree’s partner stands behind her.”
Dale’s eyes snapped to Alex and briefly widened ever so slightly. Her involvement with someone should be enough to communicate to him that Paxton was not in her life. Of course, Dale could think it a bluff, but it was highly doubtful that he’d say so—offending a wolverine wouldn’t end well for him.
“Thank you,” said Shaya. “Dale, can you please outline the issue that prompted you to request this meeting?”
“It is two-fold, really,” replied Dale, his eyes on Vinnie. “Firstly, let me be very clear that I have no wish whatsoever to harm Miss Dwyer or cause her any upset. I simply wish for her help in finding a certain someone—nothing more, nothing less.”
“Bree’s already explained she can’t help you,” said Vinnie. “Not sure why you can’t just accept that. This shit’s getting old.”