Destiny's Choice (12 page)

Roan’s cell ringing cut off further conversation as he reached into his pocket and pulled it out. The id showed it was Flynn.

“News?”

“The moron triplets will be here within the hour. Elise is tagging along as well.”

“Good. She’ll be a witness to her
Mate
’s execution.”

“What!”

There was no reaction to that news from
Steven
and Mikeal. After hearing about Boone’s crime, they both knew what his punishment would be. They
’d
  expect no less from their Alpha.

“What’s going on, Roan?”

“Is Sasha there with you?”

“Yeah.”

“Put the phone on speaker, I’ll do it on this end as well.”

“I’m here, Roan.” Sasha’s southern accent came across loud and clear.

He told them what Dane had discovered
. Being part of his inner circle, all of them were privy to the secrets of the Alpha. An Alpha couldn’t really function if he couldn’t trust those he felt close to. Which was why he hated to break such news to Mikeal. Boone might be the world’s biggest asshole, but he was still Mikeal’s brother.

“Shit,” Sasha said with heartfelt sadness.

“I’m sorry, Mikeal, but he’s gone too far this time. Roughing up the last three was bad enough. I can’t let him get away with murder.”

Mikeal nodded, his eyes glowing with anger. “There’s no need to apologize, Roan. You’ve been more than accommodating. More than he deserves
. And I know you’ve even tried to look the other way at times because he is my brother. But this…this…” He swallowed thickly. “No brother of mine would do such a thing.”

Everyone was silent as Roan nodded, letting his friend know that he understood. Boone was on his own and would receive no help from Mikeal.

“You’ll need to call you’re family, let them know.”

“I’ll tell them, but their stance will be the same as mine.”

“So be it.”

“Oh, Mikeal. I’m so sorry, sweetie.” Sasha’s voice conveyed her sorrow.

“Thank you, Sasha, but there’s nothing to be sorry about. Boone has brought this on himself and will pay the price.”

“That’s not what I was sorry for,” she snapped, causing the three of them to jerk with startlement. “I’m upset and sorry that you and your family have to be put through this because Boone has been such a colossal assh
at. None of you deserve that pain.”

“Oh, well, thank you.” He blinked.

Roan could see the anger slowly seeping away on Mikeal’s face even though his eyes still held a mild glow. It was to be expected. Such news was bound to cause an emotional upheaval for Mikeal, but Roan couldn’t keep the truth from him. And honestly, he was glad to let him know the news ahead of time. At least this way, he could confer with his family instead of having
it
sprung on him out of the blue.

“You’re welcome. Now, Roan, what other bombs do you have to drop?”

“And just what makes you think I have other news?” he asked as
Steven
laid a comforting hand on Mikeal’s shoulder.

An unladylike snort came across the line. “Because you are the king at throwing out the unexpected. Now spill.”

“She has a point, brother.” Flynn’s low chuckle was loud and clear.

“Fine.” He sighed deeply. “Rivera would like another to carry out her parent’s execution.”

“Say again?”
Steven
’ expression was more confusion than surprise. Everyone else was silent.

“You heard me.”

“But why?” Even Mikeal
looked as if he
was at a loss on this one.

“I’d hazard a guess that she doesn’t want her past messing with her future?” Sasha surmised.

Grimacing, Roan’s hand tightened around his juice bottle. “That’s part of it. The other is, well, being Alpha, I’m supposed to be impartial. To not let my emotions rule my judgment. I can’t in this situation and Rivera knew it. I as well once I had a chance to really think about it.”

“Well, damn,”
Steven
huffed.
“That leaves all of us out as well.”

“Those were my thoughts also,” Roan agreed. “Being as all of you are part of my inner circle, this poses a problem I never thought I’d have to face. 
W
hile I’d like nothing more than to avenge my True
Mate
, I also have to think what such an act would do to the Pack.”

Steven
frowned, rubbing his chin. “Some of the older generation would see it as your due. But others, well, they might not be so inclined.”

“Which is really a good thing in a way, brother.” Flynn’s voice conveyed love and understanding. “Father was right when he told us that even though we could shift into an animal, it didn’t mean we could act like one. We had to hold ourselves to a higher purpose for future generations.”

“He was right,” Roan said with a deep sigh. “My executing her parents would undermine my place in the Pack regardless of my Alpha status. The trust and respect I’ve built up over the last decade would start to crumble and put the Pack as a whole in jeopardy. I can’t let that happen despite my personal feelings on this matter. Our judgment may be swift because of what we are, but Pack Law was never meant to be abused by any individual due to their standing in the Pack.” He looked to Mikeal, getting a respectful nod. “Nor was it meant to be used as a tool for revenge.”

“Okay. So who do you guys know that can carry out their sentence?” Sasha asked.

Roan was at a loss. From the expressions on
Steven
and Mikeal’s faces, they too had no clue.

“I might have a solution,” Flynn said.

“Who?”
Steven
asked.

“Our Uncle Quinn.”

Holding back a groan, Roan knew he should have thought of that. His only excuse was that his mind was going in too many different directions to think clearly.

“Your dad’s Beta, Quinn Lowry. T
hat Uncle Quinn?”

“That’s the one,” Flynn answered. “Do you know him, Mikeal?”

“We’ve met on quite a number of occasions. His
Mate
and my mom are good friends. I went to Uni with his oldest son, Kurt.”

“I remember him from a few Pack gatherings,”
Steven
added. “Skinny, average height
,
and looks with brown hair. But man, powerful.”

“That’s how he won so many challenges when he and my father first took over the Pack. They all knew they couldn’t beat the Alpha. But after seeing Uncle Quinn, well, they thought it’d be easy pickings.” Roan chuckled, remembering the stories his father and Uncle Quinn used to tell him and Flynn.

“Boy, were they wrong.” Flynn laughed
as well. “Dead wrong in some cases.”

“So, you think he’ll help? I mean, I’ve only met the man once and that was at Tala’s christening. He seemed like a really nice guy though.” Sasha said.

“He is and yes, he’ll help. He called not long after I
became Alpha
and said that if I needed anything, to let him know. He owed it to my father.”

“That’s settled then,” Sasha quipped. “You are going to call him before you get here though, right? I’d hate to invite the man over only to spring something like an execution on him out of the blue.”

Roan couldn’t help but smile. “Of course. Plus, he lives a couple hours away. He’ll need to prepare for the drive.”

“Good then.”

Before anyone could say more, the faint sound of a baby crying could be heard.

“Oops. I think someone has a wet tushy.”

“You want me to take her, hon?”

“No. You stay and finish. I still have to get the rest of her things packed. Mom will be here in a few to take her back to Angel’s place.”

“Alright. I’ll be up in a bit.”

The sounds of moving and kissing could be heard over the line
. Then Sasha said, “And congrats, big brother. Rivera sounds like a really nice match for you.”

“She is, little sister. She is.”

“Excellent.
Just
make sure there’s no kinky stuff in the barn stalls. That’s mine and Flynn’s domain.”

“Sasha!”

Mikeal and
Steven
burst out laughing as Roan shook his head, chuckling himself.

“I’ll endeavor to try. But I make no promises on the hay loft.”

“Deal. Ya big perv.” She giggled as the sound of her footsteps faded away.

“Dude, I don’t know whether to feel sorry for you or envious as hell.”
Steven
rolled his eyes while sporting a big grin.

“She’s a handful alright. But I wouldn’t have her any other way.”

Everyone could hear the love and utter devotion in Flynn’s voice. Roan then looked ov
er at his own True
Mate
and knew exactly what his brother was talking about.

“It’s good your mom is taking the babe,” Mikeal said. “I wouldn’t want to have any child of mine around such goings on either.”

“No, we don’t. And all the people would be too much and too loud. Plus, mom’s been a little lonely what with Dillon
enjoying
some of his spring break with friends in New Orleans.”

“Ah.” Mikeal nodded with understanding. “Well, spending time with her granddaughter should put a smile on her face.”

“Tala always does. And speak of the devil, there she is now.” A door opening and closing sounded in the background. “Anything you need me to do before you get here, brother?”

“Have everyone meet in the clearing. And don’t be surprised if Dane and crew show up. I have another bomb to drop.”

Flynn groaned. “Sasha is going to love that. Okay, everyone to the clearing and prepare for another bomb. I’ll see you guys then.”

“Bye, Flynn.”

“Later, dude.”

Roan disconnected, getting questioning looks from
Steven
and Mikeal. He just gave them a mysterious g
rin, not bothering to elaborate. Though with those two, they were sure to figure it out sooner or later.

Taking his phone to the seat in front of Rivera, he dialed his uncle’s number.

In actuality, Quinn Lowry was his great-uncle on his mother’s side. The baby brother of his grandfather, Quinn’s birth was an accident and very unexpected. So unexpected that Quinn and Roan’s mother, Charlaine, had been born just days apart. Unfortunately for Quinn, his mother died during
childbirth, her True
Mate
following soon after
. Roan’s grandparents took him in, raising Quinn and Charlaine together like siblings instead of uncle and niece.

“Lowry Farm. Quinn here.”

That Texas twang always made Roan smile. “Hello, uncle.”

“Roan! How the hell are ya, boy?” The happiness in his voice was clear. And Roan could see in his minds eye the big grin he was no doubt wearing.

“Well, that’s why I’m calling.”
He then went on to explain about his True
Mate
and everything in between.

“Happy for you on finding your True
Mate
but damn boy, you and that brother of yours never make it easy, do you?” He chuckled.

Roan grinned at that. “Not much point if it were easy.”

“Ain’t that the truth.” A soft snort sounded across the line. “Alright, you know you can count on me. But just so you know, I’ll make it quick for both of them regardless of anyone thinking otherwise.”

“Which is why I called, uncle. I’m too close to this. And while the facts of their crime and the proof speaks for itself, I
also
have to think of the repercussions to the Pack if I were to take this matter into my own hands.”

“Spoken like a true Alpha and the man your daddy raised.
Proud of ya, boy.”

Warmth heated Roan’s cheeks
,
and his heart
at the praise. “Thank you, uncle. That means a lot to me, truly.” It did. Being family and his father’s Beta, Quinn had a hand in making Roan the Alpha he was born to be.

“I’m only speaking the truth, boy. You know that. And if your daddy was here, he would say the same.”

“Yes, uncle.” It took him a moment to swallow the lump in his throat at the high praise from a man he admired as much as his father.

“Now, about the
Reynard
,
pup.”

“That, I
’ll
  handle myself.” Roan quickly pulled himself together. “Up until now, I have let his past deeds snowball towards a formal punishment.
Having him and the other two gathered for Ian and Lillah seemed the perfect opportunity and was just an excuse to carry this out. But murdering a human threatens the safety of the Pack. No one is immune to the consequences of such an act. No one.”