Jason's POV

　　"Jay, I need you to keep your composure! This imbecile is trying to finish what his damn Father started and get a rise out of the pack! They are looking for provocation- If you react, they will have just that." Marcus' voice resounded through my head firmly. 

　　I knew he was right; the logical thing to do would be to ignore the slurs, but this touched fool was getting on my last nerve. Talking about Abigail like she was no more than a common whore. How he dragged her name through mud proved too much for Archer, his temper running rampant through me; his brutal growl vibrated from my chest, shocking even me.

　　"Archer, Marcus is right! Don't give in to these psychopath's taunts." I soothed, linking my wolf. I decided to open the link up to my Father and Marcus in case I couldn't control my wolf; I would have the backup I may need. Although given how my Father had lost his cool two minutes ago and almost faced off against this brutes Father, I was a little sceptical at his ability to remain level-headed under pressure.

　　"We could take them!" Archer furiously snapped his teeth at me, foaming at the mouth with rebellious rage; sighing inwardly, my eyes met my Father's; his eyes had returned to normal; his wolf had retreated, acknowledging my Father's authority! Marcus seemed as stoic as ever. If these two males could get their shit together, given what they had suffered and lost at the hands of these 'people', and I used that word lightly, then I didn't see why Archer couldn't get his temper under control.

　　"Physically, yeah, but who knows what else these fuckers would bring to a fight! The town is already lit up with hellfire- you really wanna see what other tricks they have up their sleeves! Because I don't, and these town folk have endured enough today! So I need you to park your crap and fall in line! Like we all have had too!" I growled, my tone laced with authority, although even I could sense the edge of compassion that hung in the air for Archer. I hoped this would help his sulking episode that I had no doubt would follow as soon as we got back to the pack house.

　　"Is this fucker completely off his rocker?" My Father's group linked, laughing. We quickly deduced that he was insanely unhinged.

　　"His behaviour is probably why Blackwood kept him hidden for so many years!" My Father barked through our link! "He is ashamed of him!"

　　"Wouldnt you be?" Marcus added with a dark chuckle. Their eyes never wavering from the deranged face of Damien Blackwood. My eyes, however, were locked on his Father, observing him tactically. Marcus was right; his left eye twitched whenever his son spat another bold remark—making me smirk as our eyes met.

　　"I'd have drowned him at birth. A simpleton with demonic powers equals a bloody disaster! We all know how much Blackwood's image means to him! Having an unbalanced, uncontrollable son probably isn't what he banked on." My Father snickered nastily.

　　"I think it's an act!" I suggested my eyes on Blackwood; for a man we all knew to show no emotion, he was sure giving away the disgust he evidently felt at his son's outburst. "The pair of them have always been cool, collected and patient! Something is off!"

　　"You don't know them like we do, son. This is Damien's true colours! He is a moronic half-wit." My Father cut me off, dismissing my observation.

　　"Anyway, guys, I hope you enjoy the BBQ; it smells… divine! I guess as it's summer, we can expect more BBQs." Damiens's hushed voice rang between us, causing the chatter in our link to mute quickly.

　　"Was that a threat?" I heard Archer growl; I was still processing his parting words to me. There was only one person who knew about my dream- Abigail! So the fact he was privy to the conversation meant one of two things! She had told him! Or he was in my head! I don't know which one of those scenarios I feared most!

　　"It's not worth the risk." My Father interjected firmly, his eyes slowly switching to show the ferociousness of his wolf as he turned to eye Blackwood, feeling his protective aura spread to me.

　　"I hope your son's arrogant mouth hasn't just written a check that YOU can't cash!" My Father announced, putting his hand on my shoulder and leading us away in the opposite direction Damien had gone. Turning to check Marcus was behind us, I frowned, seeing him planted firmly between the demonic lord who had taken his mate years ago and us.

　　"What happened to my mate?" I heard him say before my Father's golden eyes narrowed on me. Get Tommy and the rest of the pack back to the packhouse! Marcus and I will meet you there soon. Looking between Marcus and Blackwood, I shook my head; like fuck was I leaving now Marcus had made a move on Blackwood!

　　"The pack is stronger together" I linked my Father, who shook his head as if he had the weight of the world on his broad shoulders.

　　"If Damiens's threat is to be taken seriously, my pack, my family, YOUR family will need protection! They will need YOU! Now Go!" Nodding somberly, knowing if Marcus got an answer he didn't like, there would be no words to calm his beast and zero chance of stopping him from attacking! Which meant all hell would break loose! My Father was right. The pack's survival came first!

　　My Father had apparently linked Tommy and the remaining pack members as they surrounded us; Tommy stood at my side, his yellow hues locked on his Father! I knew he wanted to step in and support him! Get justice for his mother and siblings, but my Father was right. The pack needed him! And so did I!

　　Seeing his eyes gradually ebb back to his bluey-grey hues, I knew he was ready to follow orders and had managed to control his wolf. He would have to give me some tips because I could feel Archer tearing at the walls of my mind, desperate to break out and destroy- Everything!

　　It didn't take long for us to get back to pack territory; linking ahead, I had everyone ready for a debriefing, as I had places I needed to be, and soon! Tommy addressed everyone quickly, filling them in on what we had found out, although he missed out the part about the hellfire and the Blackwoods hanging around like a bad smell, most likely for my mother's sake, something I appreciated. I would let my Father explain that cluster fuck of a mess to her!

　　I needed to speak to Abbi! I needed answers! Breaking away from the gathering, I made my way to the car, deciding that right now was not the time to test Archer's theory on how she would feel if we turned up at her apartment naked!

　　"Spoilsport", Archer howled in my head, making me chuckle; he had calmed down considerably now that I had agreed to go and see her! I had just put the keys in the engine when I heard the passenger side door open; Tommy slid into the seat beside me, buckling up.

　　"What are you doing?" I asked, my tone slightly irritated. "Can't I go anywhere without you?"

　　"You can take a shit!" He answered curtly. "But I could ask you the same damn thing! Your Father sent you here with orders to protect the pack! And less than 5 minutes after arriving, you're sneaking off to see her! And don't tell me you're not. I can smell the excitement coming off your damn wolf in waves."

　　"It's not like that.." I tried to explain, but he cut me off with a snarl.

　　"Then what is it like? Because to me, it looks like you are thinking with your cock and not your brain! AGAIN!"

　　"She's involved! I know she is!" I ranted, trying to defend myself but not incriminate her too much! "Yesterday, she asked if the church had ever caught fire; she looked so... distressed! And this morning... boom!"

　　"Fire", Tommy answered with a long sigh, nodding to the gates. "Then we need answers."

　　"Exactly", I explained, hiding the fact I had every intention of finding out what the hell she had said to Damien, what she was and precisely what fucking game she was playing at with that prick!" Staring at Tommy, I sighed; how had my life become so fucking complicated overnight!

　　Are we gonna sit here till you find some damn balls, or are you gonna drive!" Tommy snapped impatiently, making me smirk!

　　"Yes, boss," I teased with a salute before putting the car in drive.