Chapter 55

Jessica’s POV

“I meant what I said; I forbid you to go” I huff at Nathanial. “What’s the difference, you and Alex will be going? Why can’t I help?” he argues back at me. “The difference is, I won’t be going undercover to source out a potential threat.”

“And you; do you want to do this too?” Cathy shouts toward Adrian “Ahh; y-yes” he stutters at her. “Why? Do you not want Zach to not have you around? I have been there; it’s not something I want for my son” she screams.

“Settle down! the three of you” mum shouts at us. “Alex, Toby what are they arguing about?” Toby takes a deep breath and looks directly at Aunty Leanne and Mum. I glare at him but he is refusing to make eye contact with me. “We discovered today; this drug, Lace; targets a person’s wolf, cat or bear. The stronger the person’s mind such as an Alpha; their counterpart will not be able to take over their body as easily therefore, the dealers will most likely not sell it to us. On the other hand; they have no qualms about selling it to Betta’s and Gamma’s as Percy was a second. Nathanial and Adrian would like to help, if they can.”

“I see; and helping out. What does it involve?” Mum asks

“We haven’t really negotiated all of the details yet, but the discussions so far are for maybe some of the Bettas, Gammas, Seconds and Thirds; to go undercover by faking, taking the drugs.” Alex tells her. “Malo will have to brush up on his acting skills” Nathanial adds. “And Isaac” Adrian joins in. Cathy, Debbie and I; growl at the two men.

Rebecca is sitting in the corner listening to the conversation. “Can I explain something?” she asked “Sure” Alex and Toby say together. “I have visited the Fungua pride on and off for years, my father was a member of the pride, when he met my mother; he joined the Miamba pride. We all came here after constant rogue attacks and became the Orange Pride. The same thing happened to Leader Samantha; her parents are the leaders of Fungua but when she met Raoul; the son of Leader Asim of Miamba; she moved here with us after we all fled the territory.”

“The drug issues were believed to be caused by rogues to gain access to the territory. As time went on and the drug problem became worse; some think, myself included; the rogues are a pawn in someone else’s game. I have seen what it has done to the two territories and it’s not pretty. I don’t know how dangerous it will be; but I don’t want others to suffer if we know, we can do something about it.”

“What did you witness” Mum asked Rebecca. “I was young; 8, when the last attack happened. Mum and myself went to our safe house. Dad was head of security; there were three rogues who went to attack Leader Asim. Dad stepped in the way; killing one but was attacked by the other two and was killed. Mum was never the same again. We call Nonny regularly and she tells us more and more members of her pride are addicted.”

“And you want to volunteer for this task?” Aunty Leanne asks Nathanial and Adrian “If we can; yes” Adrian replies. Nathanial looks at Debbie, “we don’t know how long we will be away and Raoul has made it clear before we do anything, he would like a safehouse built for all those involved and their mates. It’s just as bad for us to be away from one another. I will still see you and be with you; I wouldn’t dare do anything to hurt you or these two” still holding the two children; who have fallen asleep in his arms.

I fake a sniff “and I thought you didn’t have a romantic bone in your body, sasquatch” I say; still angry at his decision for wanting to go undercover.

“Before we make any more decisions; Cathy, Debbie would you like to join us tomorrow at the leader’s meeting. You may get a better understanding on what Nathanial and Adrian will do; if they go” Alex says to them. I’ve been at the meetings and I still don’t want either of them to do it. “I still forbid it” I tell them. “Jessi; there is still a lot of organising to do. We won’t be putting them in harm’s way if we think they will get hurt. There is a lot of leaders; we can only wait and see what we can work out; go from there” Toby tells me. I relinquish my thoughts slightly; frowning at all of them.

“Do they have an idea at who is responsible?” Aunty Leanne asks us. “Not to my knowledge” Rebecca chimes. “Doctor Spencer has a theory, although she can’t be certain” Adrian tells her. “She explained the medication they use in the hospital are designed for our wolves, cats and bears; more so to allow them to heal us. Lace; is designed to do the same thing; it may be a pharmacist; someone who specialises in producing medication for shifters” Olivia elaborates.

Mum looks at Cathy; Nathanial and myself, then looks at Aunty Leanne. She nods at mum; “I have an idea. Can I come with you all tomorrow, as well” Mum asks us; what’s she thinking? “Do you care to elaborate, Mum?” Nathanial asks her. “Before you three were born; I got my PhD in chemistry. Once you were born; your father and myself decided family life was more important. I was happy and never really pursued a career from it. I was thinking; maybe I should get back into the work force.”

We knew mum had gone to university; her and dad met and mated after she had finished but, fuck me! Do all my family have a death wish? “Jessi, you need to keep an open mind about this. This drug is doing harm to other families” Celeste tells me “I wouldn’t take it in the first place” “I wouldn’t either. With what we have been through; we could have become a victim.”

I take a deep breath, Alex places Laurie in my arms. He knows; Laurie can calm me down. I look into his little eyes as he grips his hand around my finger. I give him a kiss and look at mum; “I am not happy that all of you want to go undercover; however, we will talk it over with the leaders and see if there is a safe way for us to do this bull shit.”

“I’ve told Nonna all about you.” Rebecca chimes. “Nonna?” I ask, “It’s the Italian version of Nana; my great grandparents were from there. She was hoping to come for a visit to meet you all; we can visit her instead” Rebecca smiles. “I would love to meet your grandmother” Olivia chimes.

I sit back in the sofa; still frowning at everyone “Yes you are more than welcome to join us Aunty Cyndy.” Alex says “It’s mum now, Alex. How many times do I have to tell you?” she spits “Sorry; mum. Old habits die hard sometimes.”