Trace: Follow His Destiny (8 page)

Roarke smiled and held out his hand. “Of course, Miss Aguilar, pleased to meet you. I have an office set up for you. The next few weeks are going to be very busy.”

“Encantado,” Bama shook the man’s hand and then fought the urge to wipe it off on her pant suit. She knew it was rude, but she could not give him the normal greeting for business associates of a kiss on the cheek. It was easy to avoid Braden, as he’d never had the courtesy to come out from behind his desk. This Roarke though, he was slimy; she knew her mother should never have agreed to send her here. Something was really wrong; she needed to play into these men until she could talk to her mother. She smiled her most disarming smile and said, “Of course, Señor Roarke, I am very excited to begin making our friendship strong. However, right now, I’m feeling a little unwell; my rest was disturbed last night. I should go home and return tomorrow.”

“Roarke, why don’t you go and get our new guest settled and then come back to my office directly; there is a lot we have to discuss before tomorrow,” Braden said and sat down.

Her phone began to vibrate and she could hear the buzzing sound it made. He actually dismissed her, she thought as she pulled her cell from her purse. What was going on here? He did not deserve polite behavior, she would take the call. She looked at the phone and saw the call was from her mother. “Mi Madre is calling now, Señor, I will put your question to her.” She pressed the answer button, “ Buenos tardes, Matilde.” Roarke struck the phone from her hand. He picked it up, pulled out the battery and sim card, and broke the phone into pieces.

She turned and saw two large men in the doorway; this was not going to proceed as she thought.

“Señor?” She said quietly, appearing to be afraid.

Roarke stepped forward and took her hand. “We seem to have a little misunderstanding. You see, we need supporters, your mother had declined every request we made to her under the Supreme Council’s name, I’m sorry we had to resort to such deception. But look at the bright side. According to our sources, your mother would do anything to make sure you’re safe.”

Bama felt her eyes widen and worked hard not to let her hair go flat to her skull, a sure sign of anger. “What do you mean?”

Braden laughed and said, “Really? I thought you were more intelligent than that. What a pity, Roarke, it seems that our little bird needs to have a picture drawn out for her. Let me explain this real slowly so you can understand. I am not a part of that weak group of shifters called the Old Council, or the New Council, or anything to do with the supposed Chosen ones. We are the New Supreme Council. We are the future leaders of the shifter world. By this time tomorrow, the weakling Quin will be dead and while their precious Chosen Council is in disarray, I will swoop in and retrieve what is rightfully mine. When my mates are by my side, then the Supreme Council will be ready. With Roarke at my side as Beta, and the others I have found, we will crush the notion of revealing ourselves to the humans, and proceed to use every one of our resources to place shifters in positions of leadership. When everything is in place, we will control the humans and they will never even know it.”

Bama shivered, her mother was going to be very, very angry. They had agreed with the philosophy of the New Council, and many of their members were looking forward to coming out into the open. They hoped that humans and shifters living in peace would bring the world into a new era of enlightenment. The wild look in the man’s eyes made her uneasy. He was close to the edge, she thought, and Roarke knew it. She saw the calculating way the Beta looked at his ‘Master’. There was so much more going on here than what Braden knew.

“You are going to be the key to bringing Central and South America into line. We need more Warriors and eagles would be the perfect addition to our Pack. While we hold you, your mother will do anything we ask. You were a fool to come here. I was too smart for your supposedly intelligent mother. This is what happens when you hire relatives. Now I have you in my power, you will go along with my plans or you will die. Don’t even try shifting.” Braden said and snapped his fingers at the two wolves in the doorway. “It seems our guest is going to need round the clock supervision. Take her to the warehouse and have Lola and Barbara attend to her. Don’t let her out of your sight, and do not under any circumstances allow her to get to a phone.” The men nodded and came to Bama and surrounded her. She pulled her arm away when one of them reached for her. “This will not do at all. I demand you allow me to call my mother immediately and talk to her.”

“I’m sorry, little bird. You see, I’ll be calling her and cementing her support for the Supreme Council’s attack tomorrow on the New Council during the challenge. She should be able to send a few hundred eagles up here fast enough to help us with the fall out. When the rest of the Chosen find out that we have the support of all of South America, they will have no choice but to surrender to me.” Braden crowed.

“My mother will never agree to this.” Bama stated in a calm voice.

“I beg to differ. I know exactly how your mother will react. She will be terrified her precious, little bird will be in danger. Why the eagles would allow a woman to lead them is beyond me. They are so easily manipulated. Look how you came running when I called.” Braden laughed.

Bama held back from telling him exactly what she was going to do when she was free.

He obviously knew nothing about her training or her mother’s training. They were both forces to be reckoned with. She would take great pleasure in gutting this wolf. But for now, she must play the part. She sniffed and held her head up. Regardless of the roles she had to play, she would never bow to them.

“Señor, I implore you one more time to allow me to call my mother.” She said and swallowed when one of the men reached out to take her arm. He held her firmly and then Braden laughed.

“Chain her.”

She gasped and allowed herself to be taken from the room. If she acted scared enough hopefully they wouldn’t search her. Her wardrobe was more than a fashion statement; she had a number of tools concealed within her clothing and jewelry. She only hoped they would take her right where she wanted to be, the warehouse. She was happy she was able to send the coded message to her mother. The same way her mother called her Arjelia, when she wanted something, she called her Matilde when she sent her on a dangerous, covert mission. She would now be alerted and set plans in motion.

Chapter 5

Shane and Trace pulled up to the gate. Trip walked out and smiled, “They’re waiting for you in the temporary council chambers.”

Shane nodded and drove through the gates and smiled at his mate before saying,

“Ready?”

Trace pushed back his hat and said with a drawl, “Lead on, Bro.” Shane laughed and slid out of the truck his father had lent him. His was not going to be ready for a few days. Trace wanted to bring his truck, but his parents convinced him to leave it at their house along with the dogs until things were discussed. The Alphas would insist on him staying here and Shane also, when they found out they were mates.

But until they found their third mate, it seemed a little silly to bring all of his belongings.

So instead, Trace had packed a bag of clothes and his electronics, and then they stopped on the way at Shane’s modest house. Trace had liked the place, but from what Shane explained, he would have to sell. Shane didn’t seem to be upset at all, and said that it was just a house, he wanted a home. Trace understood that comment and related the story of his old house that had gone from a short term loan to a gift to the tribe in under a day, they both laughed knowing how the Matriarchal Pecks worked.

Trace slid from the truck and took a deep breath. He looked at the large Bed and Breakfast and walked behind Shane who led him into the front entrance. There was a lot of commotion. He could hear females laughing and he caught sight of one female who was obviously pregnant, led by another one who looked even farther along. They paused at the bottom of the stairs and laughed when they were out of breath. Trace, ever the gentlemen, raced forward and said, “Do you ladies need a hand?”

“Oh shit, a cowboy. Hot damn, Cami is gonna love this,” the taller woman said. Trace just stepped back and looked confused. She was pretty and obviously a wolf. The height alone would have clued him into that. But what drew his attention was the fact that she was pregnant and still wore leggings and combat boots. A stethoscope hung around her neck and he could not figure out who she was. She looked like a cross between a biker and a doctor, maybe she was a biker playing doctor, he thought and laughed.

Shane stepped forward and said, “Cloe, this is Trace. Trace, this is Cloe; she’s one of the Chosen. The medical advisor, her mates are Darien and Teagan; they should be around here somewhere. And this very pregnant one is Ruby; she is Levi and Reggie’s mate.” Ruby smiled and said, “Thanks, Shane, and only a few more weeks. I am so glad that I am a wolf and not a human, I would never survive 9 months of this.” Cloe laughed and said, “Yeah, well I am right behind you, if I could find a way to hurry it along I would.”

Trace laughed with the women. “Do you need some help into the conference room?” Cloe shook her head and smiled. “No, but thanks. We have to raid the kitchen first.” Ruby laughed and rubbed her stomach. “Yeah, some jalapeño poppers are calling me.” The women laughed together and walked in the opposite direction from the conference room Shane had pointed out to him when they entered the building. Four men appeared at the top of the stairs frowning. Trace looked at them and automatically pointed in the direction that the women were headed, he recognized the worried spouse look they all wore. He smiled when they jogged down the stairs.

Shane once again said, “Trace, this is Darien and Teagan, they’re Enforcers. Darien is Quin's younger brother.” He said and pointed to the tall men who were dressed exactly like their mate. He would have known who they belonged to anyway. “And this is Levi and Reggie, Levi is an Enforcer and Reggie’s one of the financial wizards of the Council.” He held out his hand to the two men who could not have been more different. Reggie was shorter and skinnier; he wore a bright aqua shirt and nice black pants. Levi was shorter than the other men, but had some huge muscles. He wore a tank top and a tight pair of jeans.

“Trace,” he said and Teagan paused.

“Shit, a cowboy. Now the girls are gonna buy us all cowboy hats.” Reggie laughed and put his hand to his hair and said, “Not over these locks.” The men laughed and went to find their mates. Shane shook his head and laughed.

“Maybe you should be prepared for the women.”

“Nah, I’m used to it.” Trace laughed and Shane shook his head.

“I don’t think anyone could be that prepared for this group.” They walked back toward the conference room and Shane paused and put a hand on his arm. “You know I have to say this. Eagles are matriarchal, you know that. But you are gonna have to realize that the Council is led by the Pack. So just remain open minded.”

“Hey, I realize that. And just so you know, I may have a woman leader, but I do have a dominant side too. I’m not a push over for women just because of my upbringing.” Shane laughed. “Me either, we just haven’t had a chance to talk.”

“Yeah, if our mate is an eagle, she’ll have to get used to that.”

“Agreed,” Shane said and they entered the conference room. Thankfully, the Alphas were still the only people in the room. Trace looked around and saw the large table. He counted the chairs and realized it was set for the whole Council. He felt a little more comfortable. This group had seemed very close and he was not sure of the reception he would receive. Now he knew he would be accepted. They had been waiting for him and his mates.

“Alphas,” Shane said and stood straight.

The two huge men turned to look at them. Trace smiled and saw their wolves in their eyes. Yep, all Alpha wolf, he thought. Their wolves had to be huge. He saw the small woman peek her head out from behind them and smile. She stepped forward, raised her head and sniffed, her grin became larger, and she jumped forward.

“Shane, introduce me,” Cami demanded and Shane looked at Trace and rolled his eyes.

“Trace Pete, this is Cami, our Alpha female. Cami, this is Trace Pete, the newest member of the Council and my mate,” Shane announced and Cami’s eyes darted back and forth between the two men. Trace removed his hat, bowed his head in respect and smiled.

“Two eagles on the Council?” She said and clapped her hands. “Now, can I see your eagle?”

Trace laughed and said, “Inside?”

Cami nodded but her mates stepped forward and both put a hand on her shoulder.

“Now, baby, we can’t have an eagle in the conference room. Besides, give the man a chance to be introduced.”

Cami pouted and nodded. “Fine, later though,” she said and pointed to him. “This is my bossy mate Jaden, and Quin, the Chosen Alpha.”

Trace nodded and held out his hand and shook the Alphas’ hands. “Nice to meet you,” he said in his slow drawl.

Quin smiled and said, “Welcome to the Council. I would have you explain everything to us now, but my lovely mate here bellowed to the rest of the Council that we’re having a meeting and it would be best if you only had to tell it once.” Trace nodded and looked at the Alpha. “Thanks, I wouldn’t mind but if I have to tell it more than once it may be boring, even to me.”

Cami narrowed her eyes and Jaden wrapped his hands around her waist when she tried to step forward. “Cowboy?” she asked.

“Uh, yeah.” Trace said hesitantly, “Born and bred, and Indian too, made for interesting games when I was a kid on the reservation.”

Quin and Jaden groaned and covered their eyes. Cami’s eyes lit up and grinned.

“Damn, your voice is so sexy. Put your hat back on.” Shane laughed and Trace did what she wanted. Cami put her hand to her mouth and looked at her mates. Her eyes glowed as she pictured her mates naked with only cowboy hats on. Damn, they had a meeting; she needed to get to her computer.

Two other people stepped into the room and Cami called out, “Jo, get your ass over here.