Having Two Mates {2024}

ELEVEN.

ALEX

Before Alex can leave for the school trip, he and Ryan sort out the packhouse. With help of other members, they've accomplished the basic chores. The sheen on the hardwood floor has returned after some hard sweeping and mopping. Dusty chandeliers now cast rainbows when catching the afternoon light from the bay windows. They've transformed a larger room across the landing to Alex's office into a common room that could also serve as a meeting room for when Alex gathers members for his own personal council. Whenever that comes to fruition.

He's surprised Ryan has stuck by his side. He watches the younger refurnish the room. Alex told Ryan he could spend his Spring Break elsewhere but in that moment, Alex had forgotten the packhouse is Ryan's home.

"There's not much to tell." Ryan says when Alex asks about his past. "I was passed around through various 'aunts' and 'uncles' but none of them were ready for me. So, I ended up here and the rest is history as they say."

There's chatter around the house. Footsteps patter above them.

"How'd you end up Caretaker?"

"Ah that," Ryan begins. "Well—"

"Love what you're doing with the place, Alpha."

They've just positioned a long conference table in the middle of the room where Officer Wilks takes a seat at the head, manila folders displayed in front of him. There's a grin smeared across his face. Officer Vega trails in behind, staying by the door like a guard dog with a deep set frown as always. Then, Jax stumbles into the room. The blond doesn't make eye contact with Alex but settles into the shadows on the left wordlessly.

Wilks taps each file, "Kidnappings. Attempted murders. Actual murders."

Alex turns to the man like he's been shot, ignoring the bewildered look Ryan sends his way.

"Yes, murder." He sends a folder gliding across the table. Photographs slip free. Gruesome. Mangled bodies, unrecognizable. There's definitely members of the pack from the ache in his chest but their names don't come to mind. Beside him, Ryan gags and takes a step back. "

"Where?" Alex asks, pushing the photos away. His stomach churns but he holds his composure. Officer Vega's beady eyes stay on him.

"Your part of the woods, north border near campus." Will's speaks casually. "When we discovered them, we treated it as a regular come across dead bodies. Then, we sent the bodies to autopsy and they came across bite marks. Bones snapped clean. No regular person could do this, right Mr. Inglis?"

All eyes on Jax. His pale eyes are pitch black, glaring at the older man.

Wilks smirks. "Your rogue problem is getting out of hand."

"You bastard." Jax snarls.

Wilk raises his hands. "I'm just saying. They're up to something and they have help. Professional help."

"Get to your point." The blond grits. "What do you want?"

Wilks basks in Alex's silence. "Higher ups want to summon you before it gets further out of control."

The Council.

"What for?" Alex dares to ask. It's only been a week since his meeting with the Councilwoman. His body chills at the mention that the entire Council want to speak with him.

"Try you for negligence or something of the sort." Wilk shrugs. "I can buy you more time—two weeks at most."

"What's the catch?"

Another folder is passed over to him.

"You agree to take responsibility for everything in here and tried accordingly to anything they want to put you on trial for. There's a lot so be mindful of that."