n

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nRawlynne

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nEverything was going well, all things considered. I was actually liking being mated to David. He was a smart and capable guy that got the job done. I just couldn't get over the fact that I was older than him by seven years. Oh, and that was nearly to the day, since we found out that we were both born at the end of June. Was it bad that I was actually looking forward to turning thirty-one and spending my birthday with David whose birthday was the day before mine. (That's right, he was one day shy of seven years younger than me.)

nWe had a lot of work to accomplish and it needed to be done as soon as possible. I wanted to visit with all the other supernatural beings in the area and see if they knew anything about Edmond. The first stop on our list was Landon Clayton as he lived nearby in Manitou.

nLandon was another young Alpha that had taken over his pack at a young age. Damn all these young people making me feel like I abandoned my responsibility when my parents died. They all had so much power and authority and they were all younger than me.

nI met with Landon as soon as we arrived at his house, a smaller and less extravagant version of a wolf pack Alpha house. At least it wasn't garish. Landon himself was tall, of course, and muscular, no ** he's a shifter. What set him apart were the bright blue eyes that went well with the dusty blonde of his hair.

n

"Come in.

" Landon seemed like a nice guy as soon as I met him. A lot less cocky than Reece that's for sure. But of course, I knew now that Reece really was a good guy.

n

"Thanks Mr. Clayton.

" I nodded to him and followed him into the hall.

n

"Landon is fine.

" He corrected me.

"Hey David.

" He greeted my mate as he walked in behind me.

n

"Hey there Landon.

"

n

"Helping the FBI out now are you.

" The two of them were talking like old friends.

n

"That and travelling with my new mate.

" I noticed the proud look in David's eyes then. At least he didn't have a chip on his shoulder about the age gap.

n

"Really?

" Landon looked between the two of us with a shocked expression.

"Congrats man, that's wonderful news. Promise to invite me to the wedding, I'll at least send an envoy.

"

n

"You're a dick.

" David laughed off the man's words.

n

"I try, you know. Now come on, let's sit down.

nLandon led us to a sitting room and office combo. He sat on the sofa instead of behind his desk so the rest of us followed suit and sat on the comfortable seating as well, David and I together and Jackson in a chair nearby.

n

"Landon, this is Rawlynne Otsana, FBI agent and my mate. And this is Jacson McIan, Rawlynne's partner and honorary brother.

"

n

"He's human.' Landon noted.

n

"Yes, but he knows about us.

" I told him, not needing to explain that he only recently found out.

n

"Cool, welcome to the world of the weird.

" Landon grinned at him.

"So, what was it you needed to talk about?

"

n

"We're looking for information about a warlock named Gannon Cornelius Edmond.

"

n

"That's a mouthful of a name.

" Landon joked.

"But I think it's familiar. Let me check something.

"

nI watched as he walked to a bookcase behind him and proceeded to pick up a thick volume from among the shelves. He took the book back to his seat and flipped through it silently for a few minutes.

n

"Ah, yes, here it is.

" He looked up.

"He's a nasty son of a bitch, isn't he?

"

n

"That he is.

" David nodded.

"He kidnapped my Luna recently.

"

n

"Dude, seriously?

" Oh my Goddess, they were talking like kids right now.

n

"Yes, apparently he's her father.

"

n

"Cool, a half witch Luna. Is she any good at the job?

"

n

"Yeah.

" David nodded and seemed to remember how good his Luna really was.

n

"Nice. Well anyway, I have some records of him trying to meddle with my people a long time ago. We go mostly by pack now, but it's a pride really, and back then it was run by my great grandfather. He seemed to want to find out the true differences between the shifters or something. He was even targeting the wolves and the bears.

"

n

"Sounds like a true psychopath.

" I heard Jackson say as he shuddered with disgust.

"Do you know where he is now?

"

n

"No, the last record I have of him was some place in northern California. There is a mention of a rumor about a pack called the Hidden Paw, but I've never heard of them before.

"

n

"Neither have I.

" I told him with a confused look.

"Do you mind letting me see that book?

"

n

"Sure thing, you can borrow it for now. I'm assuming you will be at the wedding for Reece if you're with David, I will have someone pick it up then.

"

n

"Still not leaving your lands?

" David laughed at the man.

n

"You know how it is, we have less people than you so I am always running things myself. Plus I have a company to run since my dad up and left it all to me.

"

n

"I'm just giving you a hard time.

" They laughed with each other for a few more minutes before we took our leave. We had two more people to meet with today.

nFrom Manitou we went to Lake George to see Trevor Jacoby, the bear Alpha and another man younger than me. If I had thought that Reece or any of the other wolves were tall, that was nothing next to Trevor Jacoby. He was close to seven feet tall, he had to be with how he towered over all of us. When we were led to his office I heard Jackson gulp at Trevor's appearance.

nAside from tall, the man looked like he could compete in the world's strongest man competition. He was buff but not in the gross way, in the hot as hell way. He had dark golden eyes and a medium shade of brown hair that was a little longer than what would fit my taste. He also had a well kept beard that was trimmed and looked stylish. He was definitely a bear.

n

"What can I do for you?

" He growled, but it just seemed to be his natural tone with his deep, deep voice.

n

"Hello Trevor.

" David greeted the man again. Did he know everyone for crying out loud?

n

"Hey there Davey, what's up?

"

n

"Davey?

" I looked at my mate with my eyebrows raised.

n

"Horrible nickname from when I was younger.

" He heaved a sigh.

"Please ignore it.

"

n

"Who is the pretty lady?

" Trevor asked.

n

"My new mate and FBI agent extraordinaire, Rawlynne Otsana and her honorary brother over here is Jackson McIan.

"

n

"Mated? Damn your pack is on fire with new matings.

"

n

"I am definitely lucky.

" David smiled.

n

"Well, sit, sit.

" Trevor pointed to the chairs sitting in front of his desk.

"Tell me why you're here.

"

n

"Ever heard of Gannon Cornelius Edmond?

" Jackson was getting more and more used to this world and was apparently no longer intimidated by Trevor's size as he was the first to speak up.

n

"I don't think so, let me call one of the elders.

" This pack, like the feline, was a lot smaller and more intimate that the wolves, so they tended to hold onto information easier or so it seemed.

nAfter a few minutes of being on the phone Trevor also went and retrieved something from a shelf.

n

"It says here he was in our area about a hundred years ago, maybe longer. He was bad news and we stopped associating with him.

"

n

"Why is it you have all this information and the Red Springs pack doesn't? And the feline Alpha had information too.

"

n

"We're better record keepers probably. You know how wolves are, they all want to raise their ranks so they hold their knowledge like bargaining chips. I love Reece like a brother, but most of the wolf packs are full of manipulative dicks.

"

n

"I won't argue with you there.

" I sighed.

n

"Left your pack did you?

"

n

"Yeah, sixteen years ago.

"

n

"That must have been a hard life, but you seem to have turned out OK.

"

nAfter some more talk we left Trevor's estate, which was still bigger than Landon's but smaller than Reece's by a lot. I also took his book of information to use for my investigation. These Alphas were definitely helpful at least.

nI was reading the book I got from Trevor on the slightly longer drive up to Alma where we were going to meet with Noir Steelwing, the female Alpha of the bird shifters, happy she was a woman, still pissed because she was also younger than me.

n

"You know, this book from the bears says they last heard that Edmond had gone to the Hidden Paw as well. How come none of us have ever heard of them?

"

n

"I don't know, but I think this will merit a meeting with them as well.

" David was curious, I could tell by his eyes.

n

"Yeah, me too.

" Jackson didn't look happy about whatever this meant.

nIt was not a very productive trip to the bird shifters. Noir Steelwing, their leader, was not in, or so we were told. And they said they interact with other packs and clans only when they have to. Her representative had never heard of Edmond either. So I guess this was basically a wasted trip.

nWe went back to Colorado Springs and planned to go for another meeting soon, but we were due to meet with the vampire representative.

nOh that was an experience, meeting such a high powered vampire. But we made it through and then it was time for us to fly to California, on Reece's private plane no less.

nThe Hidden Paw pack was referenced in the books as being in Northern California and near Crescent City. When we arrived in the city we basically just needed to follow our noses. There was a strong wolf smell encompassing the whole place. And all of it seemed to concentrate outside the city and toward the woods. We drove slowly, looking for anything that might seem to be a hidden sign. And we found that in a well worn side road that looked more like an unmarked driveway. There were a lot of wolves in that area. And based on the GPS this was the edge of a little town called Gem Creek.

nWe followed the road that twisted and turned all through the trees. It was hard to find anything in this place really. Though we did come across an actual town part. If you wanted to call it that.

nThere was a little convenience store that functioned as a grocery store. There was a hardware store. And that was all. There was nothing else besides an outgoing mailbox. This place was tiny, but close enough to the city to get what you needed there I guess.

nWe went into the convenience store and tried to get some information. There was a very old woman behind the counter and a slightly less old, but still very old, man sweeping the floors. They both looked up when they saw me. I had opted to skip the scent blocking perfume today so that they would know what I was.

n

"I'm looking for the Alpha.

" I gave no preamble, I just got right to what I wanted.

n

"Yeah, well, our Alpha don't take kindly to strangers.

" The old woman growled at me. Lady was like a hundred and twenty and she growled at me.

n

"Well, I have business with him.

" I said as I flipped open my badge for them to see.

"If you don't want me to bring a whole group of FBI agents, that are not human, into your little town here then you better tell me where to find him.

" I saw the fear tighten their facial expressions for just a moment before the old man answered me.

n

"His house is up the road about three miles, then you turn off when you see the two trees growing out of one stump.

"

n

"OK, so a split trunk, got it.

" I nodded to him after he answered.

"Thank you for the help.

"

n

"Yeah, yeah.

" He grumbled as we turned to leave.

"Damn kids these days.

" Well, at least he thought I was young.

nWe followed the instructions that we were given and finally came to a large C shaped house in the woods. This was definitely an Alpha house.

nWhen we knocked an angry looking butler answered the door.

n

"Yes.

" He snapped at me. I thought it was best to show him the same thing I did the others.

n

"I'm Agent Otsana of the FBI, I need to speak to your Alpha.

" He took a look at the badge and grumbled.

n

"Follow me.

" He whipped the door open and started walking before we were even ready to walk through the door. He led us to a sitting room like the one that Landon had met us in. It was elaborate but simple as well.

"Wait here.

"

nAfter a few minutes a man came in that made my nose wrinkle with disgust. He stunk. He smelled like a swamp, stagnant water and mildew covered leaves, and just nasty that was all I could say about it. The man himself looked decent enough. He was around forty years old and he was very powerful in appearance. His orange hair and hazel eyes were bad. But still, there was something about him that just made you want to run away from him. Not in fear, but to save your stomach.

n

"What can I do for you?

" He spoke in a sweet voice that was obviously fake.

n

"We're investigating a warlock named Gannon Cornelius Edmond. Have you heard of him?

"

n

"No, I can't say that I have.

" He was smiling like a frog, wide enough to show all his teeth.

n

"We have records that say he came here in the past.

"

n

"Perhaps, but he has not been here in my lifetime.

"

n

"Do you think anyone in town will know who he is?

" Jackson cut in and the man instantly soured. His nose wrinkled and he glared at Jackson like he was something foul.

n

"No, human, no one will.

"

n

"Such a welcoming presence you are.

" Jackson whispered under his breath.

n

"Are we done here?

" The Alpha asked me with a clear desire to end this.

n

"Not quite. You haven't even told me your name yet.

" I glared at him, showing him how upset I was with him.

n

"My name is Jesiah.

" He bowed his head.

"Jesiah Schmidt.

"

n

"Well, Jesiah, I am Agent Otsana of the FBI, and I will be looking into your pack.

"

n

"We have nothing to hide. There aren't many of us here after all.

"

nAt those words there was a loud commotion that came from the hallway. A young boy, probably in his early teens, was screaming but it seemed as if he was being dragged away before I could make it out there to check what was going on.

n

"What the hell was that?

" I asked as David, Jackson, and I panted with rage in the hallway.

n

"Just a disciplinary action being carried out, no need to worry.

"

nI could see that David was ready to kill him, but we didn't have enough information yet. I needed to look into this place, and soon.

n

"Let's go.

" I told David and Jackson as I grabbed their sleeves, pulling them along with me.

nOnce we were back in the rented SUV, Jackson turned on me.

n

"Why the hell did we just leave?

" He looked upset.

n

"We will be back. I need to find out more about them before we try to take them down. But something about this place seems off.

"

n

"You can say that again.

" David spoke up.

"Almost everyone here smells horrible.

"

nWe went home then, having met a dead end. It was just before the wedding for David's Alpha and we were no closer to finding the kids at all. I was beginning to hate all of this.

n