***
“Already?” Philip stood too but Jeremy pointed at his own head and gestured for him to resume his seat as he took his seat as well.
‘How are you able to communicate on our mind-link if you’re not on the pack’s land?’ Jeremy was asking his mate with a confused frown on his face.
‘Ask your kid.’ Ryan chuckled. ‘I just got the urge to try so I did. I’m just as surprised as you.’
‘This is freaky.’ Jeremy breathed.
‘Watch it.’ Ryan gave a mock growl. ‘His dad hates any word that sounds like freak…’
‘Aw zip it, we’re all freaks.’ Jeremy drawled. ‘Everyone is here so I’d rather I video-call you to enable us plan together, okay?’
‘Alright.’
“Okay, here goes…” Jeremy murmured as he dialed Ryan’s number.
“Were you just chatting with him on your mind-link?” Philip asked, his shocked look mirroring that of the others around the table.
“Yep.” Jeremy tried to maintain a straight face but failed and allowed the awed grin to burst free.
“How?” Gloria screeched. “I thought you said he was at Agyemang’s pack-house.”
“Blame that grandkid of yours, Mama.” Jeremy drawled.
“What did her grandkid do?” Ryan asked from the projected screen. “Hello everyone.” Everyone responded except for Jeremy who looked as if he was about to burst from excessive emotion. “You alright, mum?” Ryan addressed Gloria.
“Just seeing you makes me happy, darling.” Gloria beamed. “Eaten?”
“Yes.” Ryan laughed. “I’m being treated like a king. I just might not come back…’
“And how do you suggest we handle your crazy mate?” Stan drawled.
“You were handling him just fine before I came along.” Ryan laughed. “Hey…” His tone softened when his adoring gaze locked on Jeremy.
‘I’ll give anything to kiss you right now.’ Jeremy whispered on his and Ryan’s mind-link. ‘I want to suck on those sweet lips so bad.’ He added, making his mate blush.
“Dude, come on.” Stan gave Jeremy an incredulous look as he threw his hands in the air. “Get the fuck out of his head.” The people around the table couldn’t help but laugh.
“Let’s hear you, Ryan.” Philip chuckled as he raised his hand for silence.
“A. G. and I located Paul easily.” Ryan began. “But from the way he was acting, it was obvious he knew something he couldn’t tell us.”
“What do you mean he knew…” The high priestess scoffed. “Is he on their side now?”
“Oh no.” Ryan shook his head. “Although it was him, something seemed off. What made us even more suspicious was his blatant refusal to come with us. He looked terrified. We concluded he was terrified of whatever was going to happen if we came home. We didn’t want to take chances. Especially not when the clan had already sent someone earlier to kill Jer.”
“Good call.” Deloris nodded. “I presume he couldn’t write…”
“You know how they roll.” Ryan chuckled. “So we thought it best to take Paul somewhere other than Stanwood. Agyeman’s.”
“He finally gets to see his real pack.” Paige drawled.
“We need to find out what he knows,” Joel said. “Ryan can you read…”
“He’ll fry his brain if he tries.” Deloris sighed.
“I know.” Ryan nodded. “And that is why A. G. is turning him right this moment. He said that was the only way.”
“He’ll be able to communicate with him after he becomes a werewolf.” Philip nodded. “Perfect.”
“I want to give them sometime before I go back down to hear what A. G. was able to get from Paul,” Ryan informed them.
“That poor boy.” Deloris groaned. “All that pain.”
“A. G. will mask the pain,” Jeremy said.
“Well, lucky Paul.” Stan drawled. “Not everyone is that luck…ouch.” He yelped when Paige hit him upside the head. “This bitch and her witch are going to be the death of me.” He groaned, drawing laughter from everyone except Ryan and the elders who clearly didn’t get it.
“Did I miss something?” Ryan asked. “What did Amber do?” He looked a bit worried.
“Long story, baby.” Jeremy grinned. “I’ll tell you all about how Stanislav got served when you get back. So what’s the plan? A. G. turning Paul will alert people that he’s found his mate and put a target on Paul’s back.”
“Oh, he’s got it covered.” Ryan grinned. “He said he’s going to pull a Philip.” Everyone burst into laughter as Philip groaned.
“The man-whore.” Philip muttered. “It’s not like he had a choice.”
“Oh god, I had no idea how bad it was.” Ryan groaned. “The guy is even sleeping with one of their council members. I mean, come on!” Ryan looked shocked. “She’s old enough to be his mother.”
Stan swiveled around to face Jeremy who was trying very hard to maintain a straight face. “Should I tell him or you will…”
“Shut up, Stanley.” Gloria chided but even she, couldn’t suppress her laughter.
“Jeremy Stanton!” Ryan gasped with mock indignation, making his mate finally give in to the urge to laugh. “You better…” But Ryan stopped talking and turned when the door to the room in which he was opened to reveal a tired-looking Agyemang. “You didn’t have to come, A. G.” Ryan gave the clearly drained alpha a sympathetic look. “I would have come down myself.”
“Don’t worry, Ryan,” Agyemang muttered as he flopped into the couch beside Ryan. “He finally slept so I decided to come and see you.” He turned tired eyes on Ryan’s phone and chuckled. “I see you have everyone here.”
“Hey, Casanova,” Paige called out to the hunk of an alpha who was smiling tiredly at them.
“Hey, sweetie.” Agyemang gave a soft sigh.
“Is he okay?” Ryan asked.
Agyemang turned eyes filled with wonder on Ryan. “He’s the most adorable wolf I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting,” Agyemang spoke in a hushed awed whisper. “He’s my heart.”
“I’m happy for you.” Ryan smiled as Gloria, Deloris and Kate oohed. “But is he okay?” He repeated.
“He’s fine.” Agyemang grinned. “Transformed, marked, and sleeping like an angel.” There were choruses of congratulations from the people in the conference room. But all Agyemang could do was grin. “The ceremony is tomorrow by the way. The council insisted.”
“Hell yeah.” Stan and George bellowed in unison, making Agyemang laugh. “We’re going to have fun tomorrow,” Stan added excitedly. “Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow…” He sang as he strummed an imaginary guitar.
“You’re always a day away…” Paige, Kate, George, Pete and two others sang.
“Need I remind you kids that we’re in the middle of a war?” Joel asked curtly, drawing groans from the singers. “Were you able to get anything from your mate, alpha?” He asked.
“Those warlocks are just…” Agyemang shook his head with a look of disgust on his face. “The plan was for Jeremy to combust, together with Paul and anyone standing around them immediately after Jeremy set eyes on Paul.”
“The fuck…” Philip bellowed.
“Uh-huh. And the shield around your pack-house would have dissolved with that explosion.” Agyemang sounded dismayed. “Oh, and their leader, Mary, thinks that Troy is hers. So she’s coming to take her son.”
“She’s welcome to try,” Gloria said with a sweet smile. No one was fooled.