Her face lit up, and she opened the back door, letting in a cool breeze. “I’m going to soak up some of these rays before it’s my turn to sit with Lexi. Maybe her wolf will smell the sunshine on me and want to go for a run.”
Austin looked wistfully at his sleeping son on the countertop, tucked in a carrier that April had given them. “Did Reno go somewhere?” he asked, hearing the sound of a motorcycle through the open door.
When a fist pounded at the front door, Austin’s heart raced into action. “Everyone stay here. Naya, lock the door. Wheeler, take the baby into my office.”
They moved swiftly, and Austin jogged to the front door. While the war had ended, they remained on alert. Not that a rogue would come knocking on the front door, but this wasn’t an ideal time for unexpected visitors to stop by.
Austin peered through the window at a familiar face and opened the door. “Axel.”
The Packmaster tapped his black boot against the doorjamb. “I thought we could talk a minute before I head back home.”
Axel moved inside, and Austin peered onto the porch before closing the door. The motorcycles lined up along the driveway were only half the number that had originally come.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Austin said, offering him a seat.
Axel waved his hand and drew a deep breath through his nose. “We knew the risks coming in, and everyone accepted them. It’ll be a tough adjustment, but we’ve transported the bodies ahead of us for a proper burial on our land. In my eyes, it was worth the loss. They didn’t die for nothing. There was a good chance if we took down the leader we could nip this thing in the bud before they moved on to another state. I’m just glad we got it under control. There isn’t enough room in the Breed jails for all the men caught statewide, but those who weren’t locked up are now on a watch list, and they’re sharing that list with all the Packmasters.”
Austin nodded. “I heard.”
Axel stroked his goatee and made Austin uncomfortable with his pensive stare. “If you’re anything like me, I know what you’re thinking. Let me put your mind at ease and tell you what nobody else probably has: you made the right decision letting Judas live. That was a hell of a call, and not many men would have the self-control to walk away. In any other situation, I would have tied him to the back of my motorcycle by the ankles and taken him for a cross-country ride, but you have to consider the consequences when it comes to the leader of insurgent groups such as these. It wouldn’t take long before rumors would circulate about how he died a great and noble death. They’d embellish the truth with stories about how he fought against fifty men who refused to let him challenge the Packmaster. Bullshit like that always comes about when someone else wants to fill his shoes.” Axel clapped Austin on the shoulder and gave him a short smile. “I hear he’s already selling people out in an attempt to win his freedom. The rogues are going to live in shame for following such a weak man.”
Austin knew he was right, but the decision had plagued his thoughts. “I don’t think the higher authority will ever set him free, but I still put in a request.”
Axel’s brows pinched together. “What kind of request?”
“The Councilmen extended their gratitude for my helping to organize the packs in the territory, and they put in a word for me with a few representatives on the panel. They’re not seeking the death penalty, but if by some chance that’s the decision they come to, then I want to be the one to deliver his sentence.”
“Taking his hand wasn’t enough?”
“If he ever escapes, that’ll be on my conscience.”
Axel shifted his stance and lowered his voice. “If that ever happens, you’ll have the biggest manhunt in history. I’ll tell you what. If down the road you decide that’s what you really want, give me a call. I have a few inside connections. Let’s keep that between you and me.” He moved toward the door and then turned halfway. “Congratulations on the new arrival. And, well… hell. I don’t know what to say about your mate.”
Austin nodded appreciatively. Packmasters like Axel weren’t easy to come by, and it was good to know he had an alliance out of state.
Axel held the doorknob and hesitated. “Maybe that’s why I’m willing to extend more help than I should, given my losses. Shooting a pregnant woman is the kind of thing that’ll never sit right with me. Not ever.”
“I owe you. Anytime you need something, give me a ring,” Austin said.
“I appreciate that, Cole. Take care, and let’s keep in touch.” He moved out the door and then snapped his fingers, turning back around. “Almost forgot. Does this thing belong to you? One of my men scooped it up off the main road and said it was the same one he’d seen over here when your panther was putting on a show.”
Austin peered around the corner at Spartacus, who was curled up in one of the chairs on the porch.
“I thought the damn thing was dead until it looked at me.” Axel shivered and then headed down the steps. “Take care now.”
Austin waved and watched him head back to his bike.