Chaos Kin: A Jordan Abbey Novel

Jordan bit back her response. Alpha Shane may have a vested interest in living in peace with the Elder of the Conclave of Rancho Robles. That didn't mean that these strangers who came from far away would have the same desires. Add to the fact things were personal between Montgomery and Enya, and the odds were that they wouldn't be thinking about insulting the vampires in the area.

She sighed and recited the plans they had come up with the night before. "If things go south, I run back to the Cataluña and wait for you or Thorn. If after twenty-four hours, neither of you show up, I ask Elder Marcus for help getting someplace safe. You and Thorn will join me once you're able to."

Montgomery smiled and nodded. She noticed a tear in the corner of his eye. "Hopefully, it won't come to that."

She didn't bother to say that he didn't sound like he believed it any more than she did.

Jordan closed her eyes but lifted her head as she and Montgomery drove up to the gate of the Black Oak Pack's home territory. As if by mutual consent, neither of them spoke as Sentry Rodriguez waved them through. There was no point hashing out their plans further. In the next ten minutes, they would know if she would have to run and hide with her tail between her legs.

The silence continued as they walked to the front door. Angela opened the door before she had a chance to knock on it, focusing on Jordan instead of Montgomery. The blonde blond werewolf arched her eyebrows in a question.

Jordan shook her head ever so slightly.

Angela's lips pressed together as she narrowed her eyes. Jordan could hear her thoughts. Why am I not surprised? Instead, she gestured them inside. "This way please."

The entire pack was gathered, clumping together in little knots around the room. Pamela met her eyes and then turned her attention back to her conversation with Tran. Alpha Shane, Envoy Blevins, and Talespeakers stood by the cold, dark fireplace. Angela took her place with the rest of the younger people in the room. The tension in the room ramped up as the four highest-ranking werewolves focused on her and Montgomery. Alpha Shane dipped his head in greeting. "Chaos Wolf Abbey, Mr. Cooper."

Enya was far less formal, not giving Montgomery and Jordan a chance to greet them. She assessed Jordan, head lifted so she stared down her nose. "Were you able to retrieve the fangs?"

Jordan drew herself up to stand straight and as tall as she could. "No."

Everyone around her tensed, which she expected.

"This isn't her fault," Montgomery said. "She didn't know—"

"Silence, vampire!" Enya snapped. Her focus was on Jordan as she paced forward. "It's not completely your fault. I blame you as much as I blame him." She nodded towards Alpha Shane. "And him." Her gaze turned towards Montgomery.

Alpha Shane's shoulders hunched. He shifted his weight but said nothing.

She felt her ears flatten, an impressive trick as she was in her human form. Jordan opened her mouth, trying to force her words through her snarl. To her surprise, Billy, Juan, Tran, and Maria surrounded her and Montgomery with Angela taking the point in front of Jordan. Jordan couldn't see her expression, but the young woman stood stiffly, legs apart, and fists braced on her waist.

Confused, Jordan looked at Billy on her right, eyes wide. "What's going on?" she whispered as Montgomery put a hand on her shoulder.

"We're saving your skin," he said. "Now, shush."

Angela looked at Enya. "Jordan shouldn't be treated as a chaos wolf. She is—"

“Angela!” Alpha Shane barked, glaring at her.

His daughter didn't stop speaking. “—An alpha wolf in her own right."