Chapter 943 Chapter 943
Marie looked around. Luna was sitting with Nolyn and Paxton. Out of everyone here, she was happy her friend found more of the same clan. Luna had spells where she’d been so ill, Marie wasn’t sure she’d make it. Traveling so much had made it worse. Now, instead of worrying about her friend not having a long life, she was happy that she had people of her own.
Mikiah and Louann sat with Gia and Amari. They were talking quietly, and it made Marie wonder what common ground they had found.
Shandi was at the table with some of the younger teens, and she was smiling. Marie felt a bit of guilt that she had been so preoccupied with her own things that she hadn’t checked in on them as much as she should have.
Bane and Cypher came in with Cassius walking slowly between them. Once she was seated with Calum and Shaelan, they left. They were likely next on patrol. Meeting or not, patrols continued. They had since the day the men from her group had arrived. All of them owed them for earning the Alliance’s trust and giving them a home.
“Is that everyone?” Devin stood near the front. He was asking Blaise.
“Keaton is staying at the cage. We’ll fill him in later. There are a few on patrol, but everyone else is here.”
Devin nodded a few times and turned to watch Deacon and Grifter come in the other door. They moved to the nearest table and sat down. “Sorry to drag you away from what you were doing.” Devin looked at Rayne for a moment. She gave him an encouraging smile. He turned back to the rest of the room. “Most of you will have heard by now that Aiden Tomas put a hit out on Rayne.” No one said anything. “Because it’s through one-form channels, it’s going to take us some time to put a stop to it.”
Marie reached over and took Webb’s hand, which was resting on the table. It was scary that someone would do something like that. She didn’t know how anyone would have a problem with Rayne; she was such a nice woman.
“Fallan’s team is working on tracking down the server and location to shut down the site, just as soon as we figure out how to cancel the contract on Rayne.” He glanced at his mate again before continuing. “My brother-in-law, Boone, is going to deal with any red tape within the law enforcement so we can shut this down for good.”
Pasha stood up. “Raymond will land in twenty. I have to go pick him up.”
Devin nodded. “Konner will be there in half an hour, bring him back too.” He waited until she left before looking around at everyone. “Cassius and Grifter have explained how the rogue groups communicated—” he grinned. “Without technology, much to Nate’s annoyance.” He held up one finger. “This is where I need help from everyone. Contact family or friends back home and get them to check local newspapers. The actual printed on paper newspapers. In the classified sections look for ‘dear gypsy’, or ‘for gypsy’…”
“It might just say gypsy.” Grifter said in a low voice.
Devin nodded. “We need all of these classifieds relayed to us.”
“What do the ads do?” Fionna asked.
Devin looked back at Grifter and nodded.
“They’ll warn other rogues when the area is filled with hunters, like the ones Aiden Tomas sent out, or where there are safe places to stay, meals to be had.” He shrugged. “That sort of thing.”
Marie turned to look at Cassius. He didn’t seem bothered by this information being shared.
“The more we find and bring under the Alliance protection, the stronger we’ll be, and then everyone is safer,” Devin said. “Right now, we have a few teams out looking, but,” he grinned at Cassius, “Clanless people can’t be found when they don’t want to be.”
There were several chuckles in the room. Marie looked to see Louann and Mikiah smiling.
“My father wants me to set up a few more people to send out. We’re going to send one of Cassius’ people with an Alliance team member.”
“You might have better luck that way,” Orion said.
Devin nodded. “It was Cassius’ idea. We know there are others out there like Pike, which is just one more reason to get everyone somewhere safe.”
“Are you going to set them up like you did us?” Bly asked.
“Yes.” Devin nodded. “If that’s what they want. Some may choose to join clans, but until that time, they’ll continue to be under the guidance of those who have been leading them.” He looked around the room, giving anyone a chance to speak if they wanted to. “They will choose the area they will settle in.”
“Eventually, some could join our teams,” Rayne said with a smile.
“Yes.” He smiled at his mate and then sobered when he looked back at the tables. “All of this will be figured out with Walker Marin, our liaison for lost clans and clanless groups.”
Calum stood up. “Clanless groups are the result of poor communication. Thirty years ago, there wasn’t text messaging to reach help quickly. What happened with the Tomas family network won’t happen again. Cruel Alpha’s causing groups to leave, won’t happen anymore. Two-faced ambassadors are going to be dealt with soon, and then every country will have the proper support they need.”
Marie looked to see Rayne nodding to what was said.
She squeezed Webb’s hand, so he’d look at her. When he did, she leaned closer. “I want to help find other rogues.”
He searched her face for a moment and then nodded.
She turned back to see Devin and Calum talking. Webb would know how to go about signing up for that. Her chest tightened, and she looked down at the table. That weird feeling was back. She should speak to Fionna and get her to check if something was wrong with her. Whatever it was, it had been happening more lately. Maybe the human part of her DNA carried some kind of flaw, and it was just presenting itself now. Whatever it was, she needed to know.
“Are you okay?” Webb whispered near her ear.
She nodded and lifted her chin. “I was just thinking.”
Fallan came through the double doors and nodded to Devin.
He looked around. “If you have any questions, Rayne will help you.” He gave his mate a quick smile and then went toward Fallan.
“I hope nothing is wrong.”
Webb looked at the door. “It's probably an op. Devin likes to watch them, so he can see the people rescued or taken into custody.”
“An op?”
“When they find places, they’re keeping shifters at. Our teams go in and rescue them.” He studied her for a moment. “Do you want to go see?”
She nodded. Cassius had told them about many and the idea of seeing it for herself was exciting.