Chapter 52

Tobias’ POV

“Vette is going through a biting stage mum, she’s bitten Josie three times this morning” Olivia says to Gilda, “she’s probably teething sweetie, I will keep an eye on it” she says heading out the door with the two girls.

Judy and Bronson want to see all the ‘leaders with their mates, seconds and thirds’ as they called it this morning. We are meeting up with Alex, Jess, Nath and Adrian to head to the arena. “Do you think it’s about the drug problem Sammy was telling us about?” Liv asked me. “Not sure, I guess we will find out shortly.”

We walk out of our room and the rest of the group is waiting at the elevator to go down. “Did you find out much more about Lace” I asked Adrian. “There really isn’t much information on it and I wasn’t going to look through the darker websites. All I found out is what Sam, Raoul and Kevin told you previously. There were some testimonials of shifters who had come off of it; but not much on what it did to them.”

“I can understand why people want to start taking drugs or alcohol” Olivia chimes in. We all look at her puzzled; “I read up on some of the human websites on why they turn to drugs and alcohol, a lot of them were abused in some way and want to forget what had happened. I didn’t say I wanted to do it as there is other ways of dealing with that shit. I’m just saying I can relate and understand why they may want to.”

We get to the leader’s room. The board room table has been replaced with a number of chairs and there is a smaller table at the far end of the room.

Samantha is near the table talking to Renee and her parents. Cameron and he’s mate Nicole were talking with Tim and Eden; Olivia and myself go over to say hello. “Hi Liv, Toby; how are the twins going?” Nicole asks us. “They are a handful; when one is sleeping the other decides she wants to play” Liv tells her.

“If we all can take our seats, we will get this meeting underway” Samantha calls out to the room. We all sit in our allotted chairs and look towards Sam. “Thank you all for coming; my parents Bronson and Judy Watson have a situation they would like to discuss with everyone and hopefully we will be able to come up with a solution. Mum, Dad.”

“Sammy has told you about the consistent rouge attacks we are facing in the north. The cause for majority of attacks is by those on the drug, Lace. Myself and a few other leaders in the area were inspired by how you came together as a community; however, we do not have the ability to see eye to eye as you all do” Bronson began.

Judy continues, “we have tried and failed to find who is producing the drug; we have detained a few of the dealers, but none of them are talking. Our daughter Beatrice who has taken this drug on and off for the past ten years hasn’t been seen for two months.” “We do know she is alive; three weeks ago, she called for money. When I refused; a rogue attack happened two hours later. We are not sure if it was a coincidence or if she had something to do with it. There have been reports of similar attacks from other territories. Someone will call a loved one for money; when they are denied, an attack occurs” Bronson finishes.

“What do you propose we do to try and stop whoever is behind the drug?” “It’s not a matter of stopping them; we could probably do that. We don’t even know who we are dealing with” Benjamin injects.

“If I may” Renee interrupts, raising her hand. “I believe those responsible, target shifters who may have gone through some sort of trauma. It maybe, they have lost a loved one or they were abused. I’m not saying that everyone who takes it has been in that situation; but most of us here have been. Rami; the loss of your sister and parents. Olivia and Jess; losing a father and then been taken against your will, to be a pack slave. We might be able to have a covert operation to find who is responsible.”

“What would stop us becoming feral like the rest of those on the drugs?” Harry asks. “We don’t take the drug” Alex exclaims. “How?” Ben questions. “I don’t know much about drug taking. I don’t take them and don’t want to start, but isn’t there different ways of taking drugs? I only know what I have seen on television. Do they sniff it up their nose or inject it?” Tim asks.

“The lace is produced in a tablet form; from what I know” Kevin tells us.

“We come up with a way to pretend to take the drug” Alex remarks. “I’ll ask again; How?” Ben repeats his question. “When Olivia and Jessica were at Emerald moon with us; I didn’t want to hit them. Uncle Shaun came up with a way to make it look like they were being hit. We can come up with a way; to make it look like you are taking the drug but in reality, you aren’t and have your counterpart pretend, it is going feral at the same time” I include.

“We can get information from the inside; see who is behind it” Rami voices. “I don’t want to risk the wellbeing of your counterparts. I have seen firsthand what this drug can do” Judy cries. “Stand up if you are willing to try and fake taking drugs as a means to end a pandemic?” Rami asked. Without hesitation; I stood up, so did everyone else in the room. Tears were flowing freely down Judy’s, Bronson’s, Samantha’s and Kevin’s face.

“I suggest we consult Doc Spencer on a safe way to fake taking a drug” Alex injects. “That’s a good idea” Harry includes. “Can I add something before we jump into this too fast?” Adrian asks putting his hand up.” “What would you like to add” Samantha asks “Kevin, could you have Percy come down here and explain to us what happens if a shifter takes this, Lace. I searched as many sites as I dare and there are testimonials on how they came off of it, but nothing really explains what happens. Before we all put ourselves in the belly of the fire; we should know what we are up against.”

“Another great idea, Adrian” Harry comments. “I will call him and see if he is willing to come and share his experience with us” Kevin tells us, pulling his phone out of his pocket.

“May I suggest; we wait and find out all the information first, before we continue the thought of going undercover, is that what the police shows call it?” Renee suggests. “Percy said he can come down in two days. Is that fine with everyone?” “Sure” I say. “Of course,” Nath adds. “I think so” Samantha includes. “Yes; they said two days is fine. Ok see you then” Kevin says hopping off the phone.

“We will see everyone in two days. Harry; can you ask Doc Spencer if she has time to come? We will work around her schedule” Samantha says, concluding the meeting.

**“I know Liv and Jessi stood up; but I don’t want them going; if we are to go undercover.”** I tell Tyler **“We will have to make sure they don’t.”**