Jack’s eyes narrowed and Templeton’s body tightened. “Warren is a friend of Jack’s, Gabe. Careful where you tread.”

“Yes, sir, I know. And that’s why I was silent for so long about it. But the numbers continued to mount and just recently, an issue came up that led me into a position where I can no longer remain quiet.”

Templeton made a rolling motion with his hand to urge Gabe to get on with it.

“You’re aware that Nick has ascended at Pacific, I know. But Pellini is the reason for it.”

Gabe entailed the whole story to them, complete with the financial records they’d gotten on Ben and Sarah.

“I would have advised any wolf in this situation to come to you, Jack. That is, before you became so close with Pellini. And now I fear that I can’t do that and that’s what led me to finally say something. We can’t have wolves feeling they can’t turn to National for help. It is my sincere belief that any association with Warren Pellini and the Pellini Group is dangerous for us all. If the humans find out about the existence of a werewolf mafia, we are all at risk.”

Templeton’s face was an emotionless mask. “Is that all you had to say?”

Gabe was taken aback. “Yes, sir. I’d hoped we could work something out to help get Pellini off the back of Ben Lawrence and his kids so they could make their lives elsewhere and also to reassure the other Packs that National wasn’t compromised.”

“You intended to sever your Pack membership with National tonight?”

Tracy’s stomach sank.

Gabe took a deep breath. “Yes. My mates are in Portland so my life is there too. I travel too much as Mediator to be able to be the husband I need to be. I can still help out on local mediations.”

Templeton stood and held his hand out and Tracy and Nick followed Gabe, totally stunned.

“Thank you for your service, Gabe. You’ve done this Pack proud. Please look through your staff and recommend a replacement. And I advise you to speak no more about this Pellini situation. It could be detrimental to you and yours.”

Tracy saw Gabe’s outrage at the threat but even she felt the command in Templeton’s voice.

“Sir, I will have to do what it takes to remove the threat of Warren Pellini from my Pack. He has broken laws that could incriminate my wolves. I can’t have that. And I would never allow any harm to come to my mates without heavy retribution.” He looked Templeton in the eye and both men stayed that way for several long moments.

“Leave that to me. Now go.”

No one followed them out.

* * * * *

“Damn it!” Gabe’s fist drove a heavy dent into the door of the apartment. “I don’t understand this. He seemed so nice. He can’t be in on it with Pellini, could he?” Tracy led Gabe into the living room and pushed him into a chair while she went into the kitchen to grab a beer.

Coming back out again, she handed one to Gabe and then Nick and sat down, curling herself around Gabe. Sensing his anger and his hurt, she ran gentle fingertips up and down his neck.

“I don’t understand it either. I’ve known that man for twenty years and he’s never threatened me. I’ve never seen him do anything I’d ever describe as unethical. Not ever.”

He sighed. “I may have to talk to an old friend who’s gone to work at the Department of Justice about this.”

Milton came padding into the room and put his chin on Gabe’s knee. Tracy grinned and shook her head.

“You take the cake, dog of mine. You need to walk, dude?”

Milton barked and she stood up. “I’m going to take him out for a bit of a walk and to make a pit stop.”

She went to grab her coat and Milton’s leash.

“Take Derek with you,” Nick called out and Derek stepped into the hallway with her.

“Sheesh, it’s cold out there. Don’t make poor Derek schlep out into the night to go walkies with me and Milty, that’s not fair.”

Derek snorted a laugh. “Not a big deal, Tracy. I’m a werewolf, I hear they’re pretty hearty.”

She rolled her eyes at him and shrugged. “I’m a werewolf too, you know. You think some mugger or something is going to try and shake me down once I let my wolf take over and shift a claw with three-inch nails?”

“They’re your mates, they want to protect you. It’s in their genes,” Derek said quietly and she sighed.

“Okay, come on then.” Tracy knew he was right and she wanted Gabe and Nick to relax instead of coming out with her, they both had enough to deal with.

The night was quiet outside but Tracy could hear the sound of the T trains going over the river back and forth between Cambridge and Boston proper. Milton was in doggie heaven, sniffing every tree, every curb, every hydrant and car tire. He barked a few times, more because he could than anything else. She was going to have to take him to the park if they stayed in Boston any longer than the next day or so.

Run him with his ball.

She was still ruminating on exercising Milton such that she didn’t hear the screech of tires and the sound of running feet until she was already in the air and being carried.

She started her change, letting her wolf feed on the adrenaline of the moment. Milton was snarling and barking and she heard Derek’s howl as she was shoved in a car.

“Do not change, Tracy, or we will be forced to kill the dog and the bodyguard. We’ve got a gun loaded with silver shot pointed at your head anyway. Be smart and listen.”