He was eager to help so that was fine and dandy with him.

Maxwell paused a moment and then cleared his throat. “I have to tell you all we’ve got a problem here. Besides, well, because of Pellini. I was trying to handle it myself but I only realized today just exactly what has been going on. Pellini has been grabbing street people and experimenting on them. The police came to me twice in the last two weeks about finding dead bodies of partially changed humans. No bites. They don’t know what was going on and I’d thought they were wolves who’d changed but it never took hold or died in mid change. Something like that. Pellini has been so busy with drugs and money laundering, I just didn’t think. I…it’s stupid and I suppose I just didn’t want to face it. No one thought to tell us, the biggest Pack in the US, that Templeton wasn’t really in the pocket of the mob so I hesitated. It cost lives. I’m sorry.” Maxwell scrubbed hands over his face and Ben wanted to punch him.

“I told you people to share it with Great Lakes months ago,” Lex said angrily.

“I know. We made mistakes and that led to a very high cost. We wanted to keep it as quiet as we could. We know Great Lakes has spies and Templeton didn’t want to risk it.”

The exhaustion in Jack’s voice showed on his face as well. “This is a clusterfuck of epic proportions.”

“No shit. But my sister was taken at a Palaver. One of my wolves, Ben Stoner, was nearly killed. Another man under my protection, Agent Benoit had to undergo two different surgeries and nearly died. This cannot stand. Cascadia cannot be silent any longer,” Cade’s voice rang clear over the line.

“Great Lakes aligns with Cascadia,” Maxwell said and Ben looked around the room, not knowing what was going on.

“Pacific aligns with Cascadia,” Nick and Gabe said as one from their end.

“National will lead. War is declared. Warren Pellini and any wolves aligned with him will be eradicated. They will be bones and dust,” Templeton said over the phone line.

“War? I’m sorry, I’ve been a wolf for a little over twenty-four hours now. Not enough time to know much. What the hell is going on?” Ben asked.

“We’ve just declared inter-clan war for the first time in a hundred and ten years.

Pellini has broken many laws, his behavior cannot be tolerated. I was willing to cooperate with this undercover thing to try and bring an end to the threat without this drastic step but it ends now. We must take a public stand and the other Packs will align with our side, Pellini’s side or they’ll attempt to abstain,” Lex explained.

“Abstainers will be considered the enemy in this case,” Cade said and Ben, again, heard the Alpha in Cade’s voice. Took a lot of restraint to only wield that kind of power when absolutely necessary. Ben understood Cade and Lex a lot more now that he’d seen them under pressure. He admired them both a lot more too.

“We agree. To stand aside when a law breaker of this magnitude runs free is to be as negligent as Pellini is guilty.” Maxwell poured them all some whiskey. Ben drank his quickly and was grateful for the warmth spreading through him. He’d come very close to losing it several times over the last day, he was barely holding on by that point.

“A council will be called, factions declared. Jack, I need you back here,” Templeton said quietly.

“On it. My plane leaves in about forty-five minutes.” Jack stood. “It will be an honor to stand beside you in the coming days.” He held his hand out to Ben, who shook it. The man had helped save Tegan’s life, they were even.

“I have no idea what will be happening but if it’s about taking out Pellini, I’m in.”

“We’ll get the Call made today. Gabe’s choice for Third has been appointed and Tina has been taken into Pack custody for Jack to question. Our Fifth has stepped into Tina’s spot in the interim. As we’re entering dangerous times, I expect votes to be tallied by phone and mail. Once factions are drawn, we will appoint a Council of War. I’ll be in touch. Please keep us apprised of Tegan’s health and when the funeral will be for Gina.”

Templeton hung up and the room was still for long moments.

Jack said his goodbyes and left.

“I’m going back in to Tegan. The doctor said she should be waking up soon and she should eat.”

“Ben, I wanted to invite you and Tegan to stay here as long as you wish. You’re welcome in Great Lakes territory. Today, I was incredibly impressed with your skills leading up to the assault on the lab and once in the room where Tegan was.” Maxwell clasped his forearm.

“Trying to steal him?” Lex sounded less than amused and Ben realized there was more going on than he’d been picking up.

“Tracy and Layla are here,” Megan came in to announce and Ben reluctantly disengaged himself after thanking Maxwell for his offer.

Ben saw his other sisters-in-law as he entered the room. Relief hit him as he saw no blame on their faces, only relief and happiness to see him.

“Ben, hi honey. How are you feeling? I can’t believe you’re up and around so quickly.” Layla pressed a hand to his forehead and frowned. She turned to Nina. “He needs to eat more. Can we get him some food up here? A steak and some greens, a milkshake too. Don’t argue with me, Ben, or I’ll tell Tegan on you. Sit down now.” She turned back to him once Nina had gone with a chuckle.

“Bossy. All you Warden women are bossy,” Ben muttered but his smile belied his cranky words. He liked that they’d taken him into the family. Liked that they’d rushed to be there for Tegan.