Finding Haven

Chapter 13

Andreas

No shifting or powers. I warned through the pack bond. I followed Valor into my office. We have humans on the pack house premises.

Jasper and Simone were waiting for us. Jasper held a large folder in his hands. I was rounding my desk when Barrett entered the room.

"Another sighting?" I asked, moving around my desk. When Valor found me at the bookshop and alerted me, I had trouble holding my beast in. He wanted to personally eliminate the threat to his pack and his mate.

"They were on top of the wards this time," Barrett informed me. "The patrol scared them off and reported it directly to me. This is becoming a pattern. Are we being targeted by someone?"

I knew we couldn't keep it from him for long. I had a choice, but I didn't want secrets in my pack. He had a right to know who the threat was. I shared a look with Valor, and he positioned himself between Barrett and the door.

"Yes, the Memphis coven is targeting us." The change from concern to fury was in an instant.

"Are you sure?" His voice was a calm inferno.

"Yes, there was a positive sighting of Tony Cohen." He blurred as he charged the door. Valor was on him in an instant. Anger fueled his power, but he still wasn't a match for the ancient gargoyle.

"Barrett!" I threw my power into my voice, gaining his attention instantly. "We will make them pay, but we have to be smart about this. Can I trust you to do that or do you need a babysitter?"

He took a few deep breaths, nostrils flaring. He relaxed in Valor's hold. "I don't need a babysitter."

I shared a look with Valor, and he released the beta. Barrett shook him off. The vampire practically vibrated with rage. I gave him a once over before focusing on the others in the room. Jasper moved the large folder onto my desk. Simone watched Barrett. I couldn't read her expression, but I could guess that popcorn would have completed her experience. I just hoped she didn't poke Barrett right now.

I opened the folder, looking over the various papers. "What is this?"

"I've found evidence that the Wilson residence was used to funnel children out of the foster care system," Jasper revealed. I looked up at him in shock. "The numbers don't lie. Before Kendra and the others came into their care, they fostered over 20 children whose whereabouts are now unknown."

I flipped through page after page of records. Each one had a photograph in the corner. So many children. It was unacceptable. There was nothing more sacred to our community than children.

"Where are they going?" Valor asked, stepping forward. Jasper shrugged.

"I don't know, yet, but I will," he promised. "Someone or something is behind this. There is no reason this shouldn't have been discovered before now without someone on the inside or serious bribery."

"This is a priority," I told him. He nodded.

"I will find them all." I knew he would.

"Any other updates?" I asked. He stepped forward and pulled a couple of pages from the back of the folder.

"I've finalized the adoption. Those kids are legally hers, now." I breathed out a sigh of relief. That was at least one thing taken care of.

"What about Harriet? Have you come up with anything?" I asked, looking at him and then Simone. She strolled forward.

"We've talked, but the potion was the best we could do," she said, her voice a deep rasp. "I think we should reach out to others outside the pack."