“Bullshit! He killed my mate. He needs to die!”

That bit of information shocked Lavos. He could tell his brother also hadn’t known when Lorn sharply sucked air into his lungs. Decker killed Crocker’s mate? When? How? He didn’t ask though, not wanting to upset Crocker again.

“Decker does need to die—and Lord Aveoth is hunting him,” Velder quietly stated. “This is a different problem though. One started by Decker but now it’s our mess, yet again.”

Crocker closed his eyes, and when he opened them, they were much lighter and some of the hair had receded from his face. “I’m listening. Go on.”

“My guess is that Horton blames us and Decker for Borrow’s death. He’s spreading that lie to nests, packs, and rogues to fan the old fears that we’ll one day wipe them all out to be at the top of the food chain. According to Michael, he’s told them we’ve spent all these years breeding an army. That they were kidnapped by us to gain numbers and locations of other nests and packs in the lower forty-eight, since we stick to Alaska.”

“That doesn’t even make sense,” Garson spat. “I mean, we hate the Vampires who attacked our Lycan ancestors, but we leave Vamps alone unless they’re going after Lycan women to repeat the past. We sure as hell wouldn’t go after any packs, since we protect them.”

Lavos shot his friend a warning look to keep his mouth sealed. Garson had a tendency to blurt things out when he was upset. Now wasn’t the time.

Garson gave him a nod and leaned back against the wall, glowering.

“Lycans fear us,” Trayis reminded them. “My half-brother tells me that other packs question his sanity when they hear that he’s in contact with me. They believe I’ll one day challenge him and slaughter his pack because I must see them as weak. Of course I don’t, and it’s not true. Still, that’s the first thing they think.”

“I think Horton is trying to convince nests and packs to join forces and come after us before we slaughter them,” Velder said. “We need to kill this miserable son of a bitch before it’s more than just a band of rogues listening to his bullshit.”

“We’ll send teams after him.” Crocker sat up straighter in his chair.

Wen made his way forward, drawing attention. He cleared his throat. “May I speak?”

Lorn nodded. Trayis turned his head to peer at his enforcer. “What is it, Wen?”

“I think that would be a mistake. This Horton is claiming we’ve already sent out a team to kidnap members of his nest. It would only add credibility to his story and possibly spread panic in the city he’s in. And there’s no way for a team of us to enter any territory without it drawing notice. I’m sent on missions often for my clan, and I visit different cities. I’ve always let the masters and alphas know if I need to be in their territories for a few days. They’re wary, but one VampLycan isn’t seen as a dire threat. I think you should just send me. I won’t raise any alarms, and if they call around, they’ll hear I do this often.”

“We’ve been adding to our territory. Wen’s the one who tracks down landowners to see if they’ll sell to us. He’s right. One VampLycan doesn’t freak them out much but a team of us would,” Trayis agreed.

“Michael doesn’t know the exact number of the rogues Horton is leading.” Velder seemed to study Wen. “You look fierce, and I know Trayis must have a lot of faith in you, but it would be a suicide mission to go in alone. The nests and packs could also attack you.”

Wen smirked. “Tell him, Trayis.”

Everyone stared at the clan leader. He grinned back at Wen. “If anyone could do it, it’s him. Not only is Wen one of my best fighters, but he’s a genius when it comes to figuring out how to make friends with other races. What’s your plan?”

Wen’s expression became all business. “Horton is gathering rogues, trying to build alliances to take us on—so what’s more tempting than a rogue VampLycan who can help him win his war? He’ll want the exact numbers of each clan, their locations, and to learn our weaknesses.”

Lavos had to give the enforcer credit for having balls. “You want him to capture and torture you? Because that’s what he’ll probably do.”

“I’ll convince him I’m on his side. We’ll have VampLycans wanting both of us dead as our common bond.”

“He’ll never buy it. He sounds crazy but not outright stupid.”

Wen held Lavos’s gaze and smiled again. “He’s lost his beloved master, slaughtered his own nest after they rejected him, and broken the rules set by his own council. Do you know what they’d do to him if they learned he let loose a soldier that slaughtered a human town?”

“They’d order his death,” Lavos answered.

“Exactly. He’s desperate enough to want to believe I could help him. He might hold me prisoner at first, but I’ll get him to let his guard down. It will be the last thing he ever does. Dead men don’t tell more lies or cause problems.”

After a bit more discussion, it was decided that Wen would be given a chance to take Horton out alone. Thoughts of Jadee distracted Lavos for the rest of the meeting. She currently might be in danger from a few disgruntled clan members loyal to Decker, but it would be another story if Vampires and Lycans started an outright war with them. He’d have to stash her inside his den to keep her safe.

Chapter Eighteen

Jadee rushed to the door when someone pounded on it. She stared out the window and then opened the door. Lavos smiled at her, entering the house.

“Sorry. I don’t carry keys. I forgot about that when I told you to lock up after I left.”

“Is everything okay?”

He pulled her into his arms and kicked the door closed behind him. “The clan leaders and enforcers had to hold an emergency meeting.”

She clung to him. “Was this about me?”

“No. They got a lead on the Vampire who created Mitch.”

Anger and pain hit. She’d lost her dad because he’d been turned into a soldier by that freak. “Are they going after this son of a bitch? Are you?” She made an instant decision. “I want to go with you if you are.”

He gripped her arms and forced her to put a little space between them, staring into her eyes. “No. Neither of us are going after that bastard. Someone else is though. I won’t have you in danger.”