After they poured a few glasses of whiskey, Lakota said because Church and Ivy would have their hands full making plans, he’d felt compelled to come down and protect his half sister, with whom he shared an unbreakable bond.
He also mentioned that if they went to war, his parents had offered to come down from Cognito and fight by their side. Now that they had a plan in place, and especially after hearing there were outsiders willing to join in, Austin’s confidence bloomed that they might have a chance at driving out the rogues after all.
At this point, they needed all the help they could get.
Chapter 11
“Hell’s bells.” Izzy’s green eyes rounded. “You want to throw me into the woods as bait?”
Her fiery sass made Austin smile, as did the way she jutted her hip while awaiting an answer. She planted her fist on that hip, flaming-red hair spilling over her shoulders.
“That’s why I vacated the house,” he replied. “This is confidential, and I’m ordering you not to discuss this with anyone else until I give you the okay. I chose you because you’re one badass Shifter, but no one would guess it to look at you.”
Her ego stroked, she relaxed her arm and looked about the study. Both Church and Prince remained seated, drinking their beers and not interfering.
Izzy studied the men, amusement dancing in her eyes. “I could be playing laser tag, but instead I’m invited to capture a bloodthirsty rogue. Sounds way more fun, and I’m up for the challenge.”
Austin chuckled. “We’ll be close by and won’t let anything happen to you. This is important, Izzy. We need to lure one of them out of the woods and question him. After the interrogation, we’re letting him go. That’s why it’s crucial that you keep your wolf in check. They’re watching our land—that much I know. So let’s turn the tables on them. You down for a little covert mission?”
“Actually, I’m all in. Every time the pack has had a confrontation, I’ve been pregnant and missed out on all the fun.”
A burst of laughter erupted from Prince before he shielded his eyes with one hand and silenced himself. It was an amusing habit.
Izzy reached in her pocket for her ringing phone. “This is the party to whom you are speaking. … Hey, baby.”
She flashed a look at Austin, and he knew it was Jericho. He could have guessed anyhow because of the Pink Floyd ringtone.
Izzy shifted her stance and looked away. “No, I don’t mind. When have I ever cared if you came home late because of work? It sounds like good money. Hey, I have an idea. Since the gig doesn’t start until eight, why don’t I swing by? … Sounds like fun.”
Then she giggled and turned her back completely, whispering intimately before hanging up.
“Jericho just ended their session in the studio, but he got a last-minute call about playing at Howlers.”
Austin leaned against the wall. “I set that up with Jake, the owner. Heat doesn’t play in their bar as much as they used to, so he was willing to pay extra.”
“They certainly bring in the crowd,” she agreed. “Plus, Jericho loves a live audience. I’d like him to get back into that now that the kids are older. He’s such a doting dad, always afraid he’ll miss a moment. But I don’t think he should have to sacrifice what he loves doing.”
Jericho’s band sold their music on a private Breed website sponsored by Howlers. Jake got a cut of the money, but nothing raked in fast, hard cash like a live show. Jericho’s band still played, just not as much as they used to. They had families now, and a viable alternative for making good money.
“Why don’t you change clothes, and we’ll get this over with,” Austin suggested.
“Something wrong with my attire?” she asked, widening her stance.
Austin looked at her feet and shook his head. “I don’t know what it is with women and bunny slippers.”
“If they’re good enough for the Packmaster’s mate, they’re good enough for me.” She twirled around and grabbed the doorknob. “Maybe if I run fast enough, they’ll think I’m a herd of rabbits.”
“Colony,” Prince said from behind.
Izzy furrowed her brow. “Huh?”
“A colony of rabbits.”
“I thought a colony was for ants,” she said.
“You’re both wrong,” Church interjected. “It’s a warren.”
Austin stuffed his hands in his pockets, jingling a few coins. “No, it’s a nest. I met a guy up in Kansas who was a Shifter rabbit. That’s the term he used.”
Izzy swung the door open. “This is the silliest conversation I’ve ever heard. And for your information, it’s a herd.”
She flounced out of the room, and they chuckled softly.
“I rarely argue with the women in my pack,” Austin mused, strolling toward the window.
Prince tilted his glass toward Austin. “To that I can agree.” After he polished off his drink, he set the glass on a square accent table beside his chair. “If the Northerners challenge us to verbal warfare, I’ll send in Kat.”
“And I would send in Ivy,” Church added.
Austin’s heated breath created a thin veil of fog on the glass. “That would be a short-lived war. Especially if Lexi was on the front line.”