Chapter 101

Ashlynn POV

I sat at my desk, reviewing a list of cataloged items from my Uncle's inventory of the dungeon laboratory. He wanted me to review it and give him a summary of what exactly all of it was. He was not medical and didn't understand half of it, except that he knew it was bad. I was in utter disbelief that so much could be in that room. We hadn't opened cabinets or drawers and I was glad for it, now that I had this in front of me. My stomach rolled at the thought of having had to sort through and document the endless count of body parts. Human body parts and werewolf body parts stared back at me from the page. I could hardly fathom how anyone could do this, human or werewolf. I had taken a oath to take care of animals and not to harm them. I treated those animals better than these savages had treated their own kind. Werewolves could be a vicious lot when pushed, but this was in modern times. We hadn't lived so barbarically for decades.

The knock on my door started me from the concentration. I raised my head and scented my Uncle Gabe on the other side of the door. He usually called, he rarely came down to the clinic. "Come on in Alpha," I called out. The door opened quietly and just as quietly, it was shut. My Uncle walked in and took a seat without a word. "You didn't call," I said.

"No. I didn't. I have my reasons." He crossed his ankle over his knee and leaned back. "I'm trying to keep this as quiet as we can. Alpha James is a little on edge. Obviously, this is not something that was expected to be found. I think he wants to allow Michael and Shawna to have their moment with the Full Moon Run and then return home as quickly as possible. He keeps muttering nonsense about the Godsend Pack being cursed and worrying over the Moon Goddesses wrath. I told him she must know, and her wrath would be hers to dole out no matter what we found."

"That's interesting. Why do you suppose he's so put off about this? I wouldn't think he'd have much to concern himself with, it doesn't affect him." I sat back in my seat and stared at my Uncle.

"I have been asking myself that same question. I think I'm going to have a chat with Michael privately," he waved his hand as if to wave away a buzzing fly. "Tell me what you have found out from that list?"

"I am not sure if you want to know, Uncle. As my Uncle, I'd like to keep the horror from your mind, but as Alpha, you need to know. I think you should get Cody in here, if you want me to reveal this once and be done with it. He's your Beta, he should know what you are dealing with here. I don't know how this affects the pack or even you, but I do know that this was some barbaric shit. I've never seen this type of thing before and I have no idea why anyone would do it. What did they have to gain?"

"I suppose I wouldn't know Ashlynn, considering all of that stuff is like Latin to me. That's why I asked you to look it over. Furthermore, no one can know what's in that catalog, and don't discuss it with anyone except for me."

"I understand. Of course, I won't. Now Cody? Do you want to call him?" I asked.

Alpha Gabe nodded, "Alright, give him a call."

I picked up the phone and dialed Cody. I asked him to come down to my office, then hung up. While we waited for Cody, my Uncle made small talk. He was excited for Connor to start training with him. He was waiting for the Full Moon Run to see if his mate was indeed Dawson's sister, Daniella, and then he would be able to concentrate on what he needed to learn. Young love I guess, I was never so enamored with anyone, to not concentrate on work. Even with Dawson, we got our work done. We were mates and madly in love, but I would never blow off my duties. That's what it sounded like Connor was doing, blowing off his duties.

"It's not my business, Uncle Gabe, but do you think that Connor is blowing off his duties? Does he want to be Alpha one day?"

"It's not that. Alpha training is hard, he was gone for a couple of years, and he left here feeling like he had a connection to Daniella. We forced him to go at a time when he was not settled on things in his personal life. I'm just trying to give him some space so he can settle back in to being home. After this weekend, he will be ready to get to work. We have talked about it, and he knows he has to step up. He's my son and the heir. I am leaving him a legacy, and he can't let this go by the wayside."

My uncles were always taking me by surprise. They were both such strong leaders. I knew that my mother had allowed her embarrassment to keep her from telling them what my father had been doing to her, but I was stunned by it. These men were good men, and I wouldn't hesitate to come to them if I needed help. "You're a good man, Uncle Gabe. You are a very understanding father. I wish I had one like you, but I wasn't so lucky. I am lucky to have you in my life though, so thank you for being you."