It was my first official day on the job and Ian and I had just got back from a call about some teenagers hanging in a vacant building. The teens were human, and from the next town over, using the building as a place to drink and party. We’d rounded them up and called the PD in their town and dropped them at the town line into the custody of the sheriff and his deputy. They thanked and assured us that the teens would be taken care of and they wouldn’t be back in the building again. The teens seemed scared for the punishment they would be receiving from their parents who were waiting at the PD for them. Wed finished up the paperwork and were drinking some coffee, when we heard Bernice’s loud voice coming from the front of the building. “You better not break that chair. Beck will have your head.” There was a growl then a female voice that I didn’t recognized say. “Taka, please stop.” I looked at Ian as we both stood and walked down the hall to the front of the building. By then +Beck Hadrian, +Cole Ross, +Slade Michaels and to my surprise Dr. +Julian Takumi stood with the couple +Takahiro Yanahi DPI and +Kimiko Nakatomi DPI. Takahiro was in chains and a younger female was standing next to Kimiko. The guards held onto Takahiro as he tried to get out of their grip. Beck’s growl had the male stilling as he looked at the females. “Let them go. They have nothing to do with this.” Beck got in the males face and growled again before saying. “Move them into the conference room so we can find out what the fuck is going on.” +Ian Holder* and I grabbed Takahiro as Cole and Slade each guided a female as Beck lead the way and Julian brought up the rear. I noticed that Julian was holding a large envelope and wondered if it had anything to do with what was going on. Once the females were seated and Ian and I had seated Takahiro, Beck and Julian took seats then Beck looked at the females and said.* “Why the hell are you in my town and why did he try to kill the doctor? And before you start talking I want you to know that it better be good because if it’s not your dead. I’m getting tired of shifters and their cohorts coming into my town thinking they can do whatever the fuck the want to do with no consequences.” Beck looked at the older female and said. “Talk!”

It was my first official day on the job and Ian and I had just got back from a call about some teenagers hanging in a vacant building. The teens were human, and from the next town over, using the building as a place to drink and party. We’d rounded them up and called the PD in their town and dropped them at the town line into the custody of the sheriff and his deputy. They thanked and assured us that the teens would be taken care of and they wouldn’t be back in the building again. The teens seemed scared for the punishment they would be receiving from their parents who were waiting at the PD for them. Wed finished up the paperwork and were drinking some coffee, when we heard Bernice’s loud voice coming from the front of the building. “You better not break that chair. Beck will have your head.” There was a growl then a female voice that I didn’t recognized say. “Taka, please stop.” I looked at Ian as we both stood and walked down the hall to the front of the building. By then +Beck Hadrian, +Cole Ross, +Slade Michaels and to my surprise Dr. +Julian Takumi stood with the couple +Takahiro Yanahi DPI and +Kimiko Nakatomi DPI. Takahiro was in chains and a younger female was standing next to Kimiko. The guards held onto Takahiro as he tried to get out of their grip. Beck’s growl had the male stilling as he looked at the females. “Let them go. They have nothing to do with this.” Beck got in the males face and growled again before saying. “Move them into the conference room so we can find out what the fuck is going on.” +Ian Holder* and I grabbed Takahiro as Cole and Slade each guided a female as Beck lead the way and Julian brought up the rear. I noticed that Julian was holding a large envelope and wondered if it had anything to do with what was going on. Once the females were seated and Ian and I had seated Takahiro, Beck and Julian took seats then Beck looked at the females and said.* “Why the hell are you in my town and why did he try to kill the doctor? And before you start talking I want you to know that it better be good because if it’s not your dead. I’m getting tired of shifters and their cohorts coming into my town thinking they can do whatever the fuck the want to do with no consequences.” Beck looked at the older female and said. “Talk!”
I watched as Beck dumped the contents of the envelope out in front of him. From where I sat I could see how worn the pieces of paper were. Beck seemed to shake his head then pushed the pile back over to me. I glanced down and noticed that the addresses on the inner envelopes were in Japanese and some were in fact my grandfathers hand writing. I made myself focus on the conversation as Beck continued to speak. “So, let me get this straight...this Senichi accused Julian of being responsible for your mothers death?” Kimiko nodded and I tried to figure out why a male I’d never met before would want me dead. “Yes, sir.” I looked at their faces wanting to understand what the hell I was missing and stared into the stone face of Takahiro. He knew what I was missing but he wasn’t going to tell me so I didn’t ask. Beck wanted answers, ones that he could wrap his head around. Hell, so did I. I continued to listen as Kaiyo and Kimiko tried to explain what they knew when Beck slammed his fist on the table making Kaiyo jump. Beck’s finger shot out in my direction as his voice took on his alpha persona. “This man, this doctor, has been in my town, in my pack for over a year. He pledged his allegiance to McGregor and stood by his word. So, for the three of you to come here, with the sole intent of killing him is inexcusable.” Kimiko leaned forward over the table, her eyes filled with regret and loss and said.
ReplyDelete“I believed it because these things happen, all the time back home in my land. Bad men, powerful men, have far reaching abilities and they use others to do their dirty work! Trust is expensive and deadly. It’s not a price I was willing to pay.” She turned to Takahiro, telling him that they had been wrong to believe what they were told, but he said nothing, just continued to look at her. I shook my head and was about to say to hell with it all and let Beck deal with everything when he told Vincent to take Takahiro to a holding cell. He finished giving his orders then looked at me. “Julian, I’m going to give these two time to explain themselves. When I return I want a cliff note version and whether or not you wish to press charges.” He told Ian to watch my back while I listened to whatever the two sisters had to tell me. And he made sure they knew that if they tried anything it would be there lives. Both females nodded and watched as Vincent lead Takahiro into the hall where two more enforcers waited to make sure Takahiro didn’t get any bright ideas. Ian closed the door after Beck and Slade left and I turned to Kimiko and Kaiyo. I opened my mouth to ask what the hell all of this was about when Kaiyo spoke. “Please, just read the information that’s there, then we will answer anytime you ask us.” With a short nod I went through the envelopes with my grandfathers hand writing, until I found the date I wanted then began to read.
Shin'ainaru kyūyū,
Watashitachi wa anzen ni Amerika ni tōchaku shimashita. Watashi to Osamu. Watashi ga anata ni renraku shita koto o darenimo shirasenaide kudasai. Anata wa watashi no magomusume, kunshi o sewa suru tame ni arufa o settoku suru koto ga dekimashita ka? Fūtō no yō ni, jūsho ni henshin shite kudasai. Anzende jinsoku ni taiō shite kudasai.
匠
(Dear old friend,
We have arrived safely to the United States. Osamu and myself. Please let no one know I have contacted you. Were you able to convince the alpha to let you care for my granddaughter, Kimiko? Please respond to the address, just as it is on the envelope. Be safe and please respond quickly.
Takumi)
Granddaughter? My head snapped up and my eyes went to Kimiko. She nodded, a tear sliding down her cheek. My eyes drifted back to the pile of papers and I read each letter as I remembered seeing my grandfather sitting at the desk in our small apartment writing. I had asked him who he was writing and he would always say a dear old friend. The last envelope I picked up had a birth certificate in it. I sat back in the chair, my eyes closed trying to take it all in. [It was so clear, the battle that took my family. I was training with grandfather, we had just finished my medical training, something I enjoyed very much but learning to fight was another matter. Grandfather always said that to be at ones best we had to know both sides of the spectrum. We had to have the knowledge of life and death. It happened so fast, father was walking with my older brother Gen'ichi, he would be alpha one day and father was training him. I’d turned back to grandfather just in time to block a swing of his arm. “Chūiwoharau. Pay attention.” I bowed my apology and we got back to work when the next thing I knew we were under attack. At first I thought it was just a mass training but soon blood was spilling and heads were being removed from bodies. I fought beside grandfather as I watched in horror as my mother was killed as she tried to reach my sister. My brother was next to fall and finally my father. Grandfather grabbed my arm as I tried to get to my sister. A huge wolf made its way closer to us as a male held my sister, a blade at her throat. I screamed no just before two large males blocked my view from her. Grandfather pulled me away making me shift and follow him.] I came back with a shudder and thought about Kimiko. I had a sister and she was sitting right in front of me. Opening my eyes, I met Kimiko’s gaze. Why? Why would this Senichi want me dead? Still looking at her, I waited for an answer. Kaiyo placed her hand on Kimiko’s arm, they looked at each other and Kimiko nodded. I sat up and tilted my head to the side. What the hell was she waiting for? I wanted to know what she knew, but it wasn’t Kimiko that spoke, it was Kaiyo. “We think Senichi is afraid of you. You are a threat to him as alpha.”
ReplyDelete"I lost everything in that village, mourned the loss of my family and I've made a good life for myself here. I have no desire to go back there, no desire to take my place as alpha, even if it is my rightful place." * Julian was rightfully pissed off. Kimiko swallowed before she spoke. * "Senichi is a ruthless alpha, a monster. Anyone he feels is a threat to him or won't bend to his will, he will have murdered. I knew the first time I saw you, that something was different. I had this feeling come over me, an awareness. It's why we haven't made a move." "So why did your mate suddenly make a move today?" * Kimiko sighed, but I was the one to speak up. * I over heard a conversation between Takahiro and Senichi on the phone. Takahiro agreed to take our lives after he took yours. Kim confronted him. * Julian searched Kim's face. * "Do you fear your mate would hurt you?" * Kimiko was quiet for a moment, thinking, she shrugged and I gasped. I knew she wanted to believe Taka wouldn't hurt us. * Kimiko, I heard him... * She folded her hands together on top of the table. * "I know you did and when I confronted Taka, he didn't deny that he said it. I believe he was saying what Senichi wanted to hear, to pacify him. I don't think he would ever hurt me. The reason he brought you to the United States was to get you away from Senichi's grasps." * I saw a tear slide down Kim's cheek. * "It's how Senichi has controlled me for so many years. By threatening to kill you or mom. Taka doesn't know about the information we came across in these letters. If he did, he would have never acted. I was just hurt that he couldn't tell me that Senichi was black mailing him too. I shouldn't have sent him away. But then again, it's only because I lofted that picture at him that we learned about these letters and the secrets they held."
ReplyDelete* Julian held a hand out to Kimiko. * "May I?" * I wasn't sure what he wanted, but Kim willingly gave him her hand. He turned her hand over to see her wrist and it donned on me what he was searching for, I watched his eyes water as he looked at her birthmark. It was in the shape of a lotus flower.* "It's really you. I saw them put a knife to your neck. I thought you were dead like the rest. Grandfather drug me away from the battle. If I had known." * He shook his head and Kim quieted him. * "This isn't your fault. To be honest with you, I had no idea until my mother's dying words reached my ears. Then I began to have dreams of the fight. I couldn't wait to leave Japan, I didn't know who I could trust anymore. And I won't go back. Kaiyo is staying too." * Julian nodded. * "Will you be staying here? What about Taka, your mate?" * I listened to the two of them and I hoped together they would figure things out. * "If you will have us, and the alpha will allow us, then yes we will stay here. I hope to get to know my brother. But I can't speak for Taka. Though I believe the feelings between us are real. Truth is, we are not mated." * Just then the alpha came in and sat down across from us. I held my breath, I couldn't read the male and I had no idea how this was gonna go. I just hoped he would show Kimiko, Taka and myself some mercy. *
* I could feel the tension in the room but it wasn't the only emotion I could feel. * I hope that you have gotten some of the answers you were looking for. I know that you haven't had enough time to completely come to terms with whatever your relationship was or is. * Julian nodded. * I appreciate your backing me, Beck. * I shook his hand. * What about Taka?" Kimiko asked me quietly. It spoke volumes for who she was that she was more concerned about Takahiro than for herself and her sister. * Taka is currently sitting quietly in a holding cell. * Kimiko and Kaiyo held hands as they waited. * Until he decides to accept that his sole purpose in being here isn't to kill Julian, he'll stay there. He's decided to remain mute. * Kaiyo spoke up. * Will you kill him? * I shrugged, lying. * I might. I haven't made up my mind. I'm pretty pissed about all of this. You two may want to attempt to sway him in to understanding that his mission has changed. That you've all been lied to and misled. If he comes around and puts down his sword, we'll release him on a work program. * Julian grinned and Kimiko leaned forward. * What does that mean? * I smiled softly. * It means Takahiro will be helping to expand and fortify the town. He'll be under strict supervision. A type of house arrest with community service. * She frowned and I took that as her not liking what I suggested. * I suppose we could always hang him at high noon, what do you think, Julian? * I drawled, winking at him. * It's not the first time we built a gallows. In fact, I don't understand why we don't just leave it up. It's been getting quite a bit of use lately. Well, all except for Brady. You just beheaded him. * There were gasps and I looked back at the women. * We're pretty agreeable most days, but here lately, my patience has been sorely tested. I'll give you thirty minutes downstairs with Takahiro. If you can convince him that his best course of action is to drop this vendetta, he'll be looking at house arrest and community service. If you can't convince him...well. Death is the other alternative. * With that announcement, I slid my chair back and left the room. My cell phone buzzed and I looked to see a Colorado number calling. I knew it was Lily and I hurried outside to answer it. *
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