And his companion had the answer.
“What can you tell me, Kerk?”
The middle-aged man, with medium-length, black hair and long, graying sideburns leant forward in his seat causing the leather to groan. “You were right. Something's going on with the Red Sword Pack. There's rumours Pack Leader Njord is conspiring against you. And it isn't just Red Sword. Dead Tree and Running Horse are buzzing with talk of 'someone overthrowing the Deer Creek Leader.'”
“Shit.”
“'Shit' exactly. There has been meetings between the Packs; word is that Red Sword is conspiring against you, trying to bring neutral Packs and those we've got patchy truces with to betray you. You'll be glad to hear, many have turned them down.”
“I'm more surprised than glad to hear it.”
Kerk raised a thick, pointed brow. “You seem to be taking this pretty well...”
Driver's lips pricked up in a fleeting smile. “It's nothing personal on their part. If there was an opportunity to gain more land and power, I wouldn't blame them if they took it, or were at least tempted by it. The only reason I haven't allowed them to enter our land without permission first -and obviously within reason- is because it usually causes chaos and problems. I was much kinder in the past. It wasn't a fault on my part, just a mistake. I underestimated their greed. I won't make that mistake again.”
“You did the right thing keeping protection here tight. It's not like you're the only one either. They're all touchy about territory.”
Nik nodded in agreement. “I owe it to people like Fraya and Saga who lost their loved ones because of wanker-ruled Packs like them, who want to take everything they don't have, no matter what the cost.”
“A lot of people here would agree with you. Tyra hates the Red Sword and Dead Tree Packs more than anyone. Maybe even more than Fraya. They killed her brother, and her father.”
Nik looked up in astonishment. “She never told me that.”
“When she said she had allies to help defend our land, well, she meant her family. That's why I recommended her to this Pack. When she lost them she had nowhere else to go, and gave up a lot to protect us.”
“How could I have sent her brother and father out to their deaths without knowing who they were?” Nik said, mortified.
Kerk shrugged. “Don't beat yourself up. No one forced them. And apparently she told them not to say who they were. I'm not sure why. Her brother was called Tomas and her dad, Jakob.”
Nik's eyes brightened in recognition. “I remember.” He said nothing more about it. After a moment of passing through difficult memories he added, “I trust your judgement. I never thought to ask your reasons for her joining.” He sounded apologetic, rubbing his hand across his shaven head.
Kerk smiled poignantly. “It was purely selfish on my part, I assure you.”
Nik gazed up at him, his hand still cupping the back of his neck.
Kerk's eyes burned bright from across the desk. They spoke volumes of his love for Tyra.
Nik closed his eyes, showing he understood. “No one will begrudge you for it,” he replied in a soft voice. “Did you find out who the sneaking bastard is?”
“I did, but before I tell you, you need to know something. I found a portfolio buried in the woods. I'd startled him before he'd had time to burn it. I couldn't bring it, in case he suspected we were onto him, but I took photos.” He handed them over and Nik studied them, reading the text.
He looked up. “Njord is part of the halfbreed exterminators?”
“The Cur Hunters.”
Nik smiled coldly. “I think my name's better. It's more fitting.”
Kerk smirked. “He's certainly interested in them if he isn't with them. He's been digging up information about them, using spies from all over to retrieve intel. He's also been very interested in you. And your... love interest.”
Nik's head snapped up, his gaze fixed on Kerk. “What are you talking about?”
It was clear from the glint in Kerk's eyes, he was not convinced. “There's been rumours about you and Jasmine.”
“I don't care about rumours,” Nik dismissed, jutting his chin up.
“But Njord does. And now he's curious about her,” Kerk said.
Turning his head to the side, Nik clenched his jaw.