Chapter 26

Blair looked in the room to see it was empty. The smell of fresh paint assaulted his sensitive nose. He couldn’t believe they had this one finished, too. Going over, he opened the window and then continued his search for Kobie. Since telling the women that their men would be home in a day’s time, it had been chaos.

Before Cale and he could digest their breakfast, the women already had a plan of action. Furniture lists, room assignments, who was doing what. He’d gone out on patrol with Cale and since coming back, he hadn’t been able to catch up to his mate. Pausing at the top of the stairs, he listened again. He could hear her but had checked the whole upstairs. He took two steps down the stairs and then looked to see the drop-down steps weren’t closed all the way. The attic. Why hadn’t he thought of that? Why would he think she’d be in the attic?

Going over, he reached up and pulled it down. Climbing up, he stopped when his head was in the room. Sure enough, Cortney and Kobie stood there in the dust-filled space, with their hands on their hips.

“Oh good, this saves us hunting you down,” Cortney said with a smile.

Moving up so he was in the room, he looked around. It was a large space with a big round window. From what he could tell, it had never been used for anything, or even completed if the empty electrical outlets were any sign.

“What do you think?” Kobie asked, an excited look on her face.

“About?” He didn’t know what he was being asked.

“This.” Kobie motioned around the room, “finishing this to be the Alpha’s room.”

Blair was surprised, he hadn’t thought that far ahead with anything. Of course, the Alpha needed space in the clan house. He paused before speaking when he realized they were talking about this being his room. “It’s big.” He nodded slowly, he looked at the hatch going down. “The stairs could be moved over so they’re permanent stairs.”

Kobie nodded, “that’s what I was wondering—if that was possible.”

Blair put his hands on his hips and looked around. “It’s not finished, so moving them won’t be too hard…”

“So, you like it?” Cortney asked.

“Sure.”

“I hope you weren’t planning to live in that little shed,” Kobie said.

“To be honest, I haven’t thought that far ahead.” He shrugged, “but it makes sense. To use the smaller buildings for guards, guests, or maybe unmated males.”

Kobie nodded, “or unmated females.”

“That too.” He smirked, realizing she was holding true to her word and keeping him on the right path. “We could put up a few more later on if needed.”

“I think that’s a good idea,” Cortney said.

“Before I get sidetracked,” Blair looked from one to the other, hoping to gauge their reactions, “I’ve asked Cale to transfer his allegiance to this clan.”

Cortney nodded slowly, “I think that’s a great idea.” She gave him a small smile. “The men will need to recover, and fresh faces will improve spirits within the clan.”

“I agree.” Kobie gave him a soft look. “He’s a good fit. The girls all get along with him.”

“Yeah, he’s easy-going, I think we need that,” he smiled, “I need that.” He went over and rubbed the dust off the glass and looked out the window. The view was a nice clear one of the front of the property, a perfect spot to see if anyone was coming or going. He’d work on accepting this was meant for the Alpha, or him, later. “How are we with the arrangements for the men?” He turned back around to see Cortney writing in that little notebook she carried around.

“Material list.” She mumbled.

“I think we’re set,” Kobie told him. “Jay said it’s okay to move Niles in with him for now, so he doesn’t have to navigate the stairs,” she shrugged, “and the room is plenty big enough.”

Cortney looked up from her notes, “we have the rooms done. Daisie and Kasia want to bunk in together, so that simplifies.” She tucked the notebook in her back pocket. “We have two empty rooms left over.”

Blair grinned. “I knew this place was huge, but never dreamed how large it was.”

“I don’t know what the original builders planned, but I’m glad they left.” Cortney blew out a breath, “okay, tea, and then back to work.”

“Beth and Annamarie went to pick up some clothes and other supplies,” Kobie told him as she went down the stairs.

“Furniture will be here in an hour,” Cortney added, following Kobie.

Blair looked around the space again and then nodded to himself. Everything seemed to be sorted, except him getting a few moments alone with Kobie. He was almost ready to kidnap her, almost. Maybe he could just pick her up and take off in the truck with her for a few uninterrupted moments. Pulling out his phone, he looked at the time. So much for that, he had to go over to Gage’s for the conference call with Devin.

Jake and Gary went over to watch over the clan while they were at Gage’s. Blair brought Cale, wanting him to start taking a more active role in the clan.

They walked into the kitchen to see Calum, Noah, Ed, and Gage standing there. Coop was hovering in the doorway leading to the rest of the house. Blair shrugged it off, it’s not like he could get up and walk out of earshot. Coop knew when to speak and when not to, so I doubted anyone minded him being there.

Blair motioned to Cale, “Cale has agreed to transfer to the clan and I want him to take a more active role,” he glanced at Ed, out of habit him being his Alpha, “especially with the recovery the other men are going through.”

Ed nodded.

“That’s your call, Blair.” Coop said quietly, “no one can question a decision you make for that clan. You are the Alpha.”

Blair’s heart was lodged in his throat as he looked from Ed to Gage, both nodded, confirming once more that he was truly the new Alpha of the Sorum clan. “Okay.”

“That work for you, Dev?” Calum asked and looked at the phone on the table.

“I have no problem with that,” Devin said clearly.

Blair didn’t know the call was already started.

“I’m in complete agreement as well.” There was no mistaking Shepard Addison’s voice.

Ed grinned, “you always lurk in on calls unannounced, Shep?”

The King of all shifters chuckled, “that’s how I find out the best information, Ed.”

Calum grinned but said nothing. “Let’s get this started. We have furniture to haul upstairs shortly.”

“Calum filled me in earlier, Blair,” Shepard said in an amiable tone, “you’ve got things well in hand, son. I knew you were the right one for the job.”

Blair swallowed the snort he was going to make. “I’m doing my best, sir.”

“I have faith you will succeed.”

“Okay, to expedite this, we have a few things to cover,” Devin interrupted before his father could say anymore.

Blair was glad for the interruption. All the talk about him being Alpha made him more uncomfortable than he wished to share with anyone.

“Did you find out anything from those two?” Calum asked without preamble.

“We did,” Shepard said abruptly. “Some details with locations and such, but there’s something else.”

The line was silent for a moment. The men in the room looked from each other to the phone.

“Robbie confirmed it, I went and spoke with them this morning.”

“Confirm what?” Calum asked.

“Lindon,” Shep paused, and Calum looked at Blair, “was with the party that attacked your mate’s clan, Blair.”

“I knew this, sir. Jay said we resemble each other.” Blair’s throat felt tight as the emotion, the fury threatened to choke him.

“Yes, it seems your brother is looking for one particular clan member.”

“Are they coming for Jay?” Calum leaned on the table and glared at the phone.

“No,” Devin answered. “He seems quite interested in obtaining the black cat.”

Every sound in the room was muted out as the blood rushed through Blair’s veins. He inhaled slowly, trying to stop from reacting.

“Kobie?” Gage asked softly.

“That’s our take,” Devin answered.

“Does he want her because she’s the last of the Alpha family?” Ed crossed his arms and scowled at the phone. “He probably thinks Jayden is dead.”

“He doesn’t want her dead if that’s what you’re asking,” Shepard said in a low tone.

Blair backed away from the table. His adrenalin was right there matching his rage now. His brother wanted his mate. Putting his hands on his head, he gave Gage a quick ‘I’m fine’ look and took one deep breath after the other to keep his cat from bursting free. “He wants to take over the clan.” He said through clenched teeth. “Claiming Kobie would assure him control of all the females of the clan.”

Calum’s quick look confirmed he was thinking the same thing.

“That’s our belief as well,” Shepard stated quietly.

Blair nodded to no one in particular. Taking another deep breath, he blew it out and dropped his hands down. “Do we have a location for him?” His cat went still inside him, waiting for an answer.

“We’re narrowing it down now.”

Blair nodded again. “Let me know when you do.”

“We will, Blair,” Devin said, “but before you go rushing anywhere, you need to get things in place with the clan. Also, we’re sending someone there for weapons training.”

Blair stared at the phone but remained silent.

“Calum and Cale have both been through it.” Devin informed him, “sometimes shifting isn’t a possibility.”

“All those on my new team will have it,” Shepard told him.

Blair nodded. “That’s fine, but I won’t need a weapon when I find my brother.” His tone was full of venom, and he knew it but couldn’t help it.

“Is there anything else?” Gage asked while eyeing Blair.

Blair was grateful he recognized he needed to see Kobie, now, and assure his cat she was okay.

“One thing,” Devin said quickly. “We had a call from Fischer.”

Blair looked down at the floor without seeing it.

“Tomas’ people are still circling the area looking for any returning clan members.” Devin paused for a moment. “He asked if they should stay or go to their cabin.”

“For their safety, we advised they go to the cabin.”

“Which leaves us with no eyes in the area,” Calum concluded.

“Yes, but after what they’ve done for the clan, we felt their lives were priority….”

Blair snapped out of it. He knew both Kobie and Jay would be grateful. “Thank you.”

“We’re going to try to get someone in the area to keep an eye out.” Devin said, “from all accounts of those that were there. We don’t think any more members are going to turn up back at the houses.”

Blair glanced to Calum briefly, “how many were in the graves?”

“Six, including Damar,” Shepard said in a hollow tone.

Blair nodded. That meant there were no more left. He could only hope that the six that were taken were still alive. “I will let them know.” He didn’t know how only knew it was his place. “Is there any way to identify exactly who?”

“We’re working on it,” Shepard stated, “we recovered some clan documentation from Damar’s and are processing it.”

Blair nodded again. “Please keep me up to date.”

“Absolutely.”

“If that’s all, we need to go, the furniture will be delivered soon,” Calum said quickly.

“We’ll be in touch.” The king hung up.

“Give us a direction, Dev,” Calum said in a low tone.

“I’m working on it. Do you need me to find more bodies to send there to help?”

Calum looked at Blair.

Glancing at Ed, then Gage, Blair shook his head. “We’re good for now, thanks.”

“Okay. I’ll talk to you later.” The line went quiet.

Blair closed his eyes and clenched both fists.

“You good?” Gage said quietly.

Opening his eyes, Blair nodded and turned for the door. “I’ll be better when my brother is dead.” He growled out and then jogged toward his truck.