Hammers in the Shadows

Part One: Shadows and Ice - Chapter Seven

"That is one of my thoughts, but then the issue becomes where to? We don't have a great deal of funds to purchase a new territory or build new structures. We virtually bankrupted the Pride ten years ago, building our new Pride House." I said with a regretful growl. "At that time, I wasn't aware of the threat that we were facing from the surrounding wolf packs."

From the look that he was giving me I could tell that Zane could understand that problem. Tashi's pride had the same problem if not even worse. From when I'd had a chance to talk to Tashi she'd told me that when they had come over they had what they could carry and nothing else. They had been forced to leave a great deal behind and they were still recovering, "Would half a million help? It would be a loan but not worried about it being paid back right away. I can provide that immediately from my own funds. Talk to Adam and I am sure he would be willing to help as well."

"I nodded, I would be grateful and so would..." I closed my eyes as I felt a tinge in my bonds before a hollowness that I was familiar with made me stagger slightly and I tilted my head back to give voice to a yowl of sorrow.

I could see that Zane knew that sound and he winced, *Adam you need to come to my office. Someone from Mark's pride just died. Don't know anything more than that.* I felt Zane send to Adam though I knew he wasn't certain who in the Pride had died, but I was and it made me fear for the lives of all of those that I held most dear.

Adam nearly broke the door down as he raced in, "Who died?" he asked quietly, putting his hand on my shoulder.

I opened my eyes and growled, "Igor, one of our Protectors on the Southwest patrol..." I said as the hollowness roared through the bonds and I could feel the yowl of his mate at the loss. Reaching over I grabbed my tablet, "I need to get back... as fast as I can."

"Keep me updated on what is going on." Zane said pulling out a business card and scrawled a name and code on the back, "This is our finance officer and the code will let him know I have talked to you. If you decide to move call and he will make the funds available to you." He handed it over to me, "I will keep an eye on your son as well. He probably felt the bonds break and Tessa and Olivia will take care of him. Chances are good Paul's team will find him and puppy pile him."

I moved swiftly, though I was careful not to knock down any wolves that I met in the halls as I made my way back to where I'd left the truck on the way there while on either side Adam and Zane flanked me. "Adam, I am going to need some assistance, I need to save my Pridemates, though it may cost me my own existence."

"I'll have some on the road within two hours and a larger group first thing in the morning." Adam said, nodding at Zane to make it happen.

Adam had me stop for a minute, "Are you wanting to do the Pack Transfer? We could have you on your way in under the hour?"

I paused and then nodded. "Having him bound to the Pride now would only serve to hurt him even more right now."

Zane placed his hand on my shoulder and gave me a good look before glancing over at Adam, "I will get a team together and we will leave with Mark. He shouldn't be driving right now. I will get five enforcers to go with in a second vehicle. Have the follow up enforcers report to me when they get to the Pride." He knew he was going to be asked to go and help.

Adam nodded, "Get them selected and we will deal with getting Shawn transferred."

I watched as Zane back the way he came and I knew that he was headed to his office to deal with getting things moving.

************************************

As Zane made his way to his office while calling for Melody, Simone, and several other enforcers. Melody was going to need to cover his duties while he was away from the Pack. He also sent to have his pack brought down since he was going to need to double check it. Jacob would ensure his weapons were with it and it had everything but better safe than sorry.

Once everyone he had called for was in the room he addressed them, "Melody I am going with Mark back to his Pride. There are indications an attack is immanent. Simone, you are going to be going with me as my second in command. The rest of you are going to be going with as the first wave of enforcers. Get your packs, ensure they are property stocked and your weapons are in order. You have one hour. Simone check out a vehicle as well. Mark has been on the road for ten or more hours. I am going to be with him and driving. Ensure we have everything we need." He dismissed them.

Even though many of the pack used bows, crossbows, and similar weapons he stuck with his Henry lever action rifle. The damn thing carried one hell of a punch even though it didn't carry that many rounds. He quickly checked his pack and ensured everything was in order and he had plenty of ammo as well as his half staffs, and the sword Siegward had made for him.

It was a beautiful Damascus blade and fit him like a glove. It still bothered him to an extent since he didn't feel he had needed a new sword. His old one had worked well and had been comfortable. He hadn't even tried to say no since Adam, or more likely Brook, would have thumped on him and he would have ended up with it anyways.

It was just under an hour before they were outside waiting for Adam and Mark to come out. The second vehicle was ready and all they were waiting on was orders to head out. Zane had tossed his pack in the back seat of Mark's vehicle and was leaning against it. Oscar had ensured they had several coolers of food so they didn't need to worry about stopping to get food. It wouldn't speed the drive up much but any time savings was good.

************************************