Echoes of Fire (The Mercury Pack #4)(18)

Harrison, a fox shifter with a scraggly beard, scowled. “I ain’t been drinking.”

Shaun shot him an impatient glance. “I can smell the alcohol on your breath. And we both know how much shit you cause when you’re drunk.”

“I ain’t drunk. I had one whiskey. One.”

Sighing, Madisyn exhaled heavily. “Doesn’t matter how many you’ve had, Harrison, and you know it. You’ve been coming here long enough to know how it works. But just in case you’ve forgotten the rules, they’re on that sign right above your head.” The rules were pretty simple, really. No drugs, alcohol, weapons, violence, theft, or breaking of curfew hours.

Most respected and followed the rules. Others, like Harrison, thought they should be an exception. In fact, the very reason he was banished from his pack was his refusal to respect authority. Not all loners were banished for crimes, though. Others were runaways, homeless, in hiding, or quite simply lost after the death of their mate. In cases where residents wanted to live among humans rather than join other packs, flocks, or various shifter groups, the shelter provided them with whatever education, support, and therapy they needed.

Harrison looked at her, mouth twisted into a bitter pout. “You have no mercy in you.”

“And you’re determined to make life hard for yourself, which is your business. But you’re not allowed to make life hard for others.” They’d had this conversation before. Knowing he’d argue just for the sake of arguing, she turned her back on him and walked off.

As she wandered down the hallways, she heard babies crying, showers running, and residents arguing upstairs. The building was pretty big, especially compared to most shelters.

The first floor featured the common room, communal toilets, cafeteria, and some private bedrooms that were reserved for people with children. Unmated females and males slept on separate floors—the females used the dormitory on the second floor, and the males used the dormitory on the third floor.

Not wishing to be separated, mated couples often slept outside in dome-shaped tents scattered around the back of the shelter beyond the children’s play area. All supplies were kept in the basement, while Dawn lived in the attic.

Madisyn helped in various ways, doing different jobs on different days. Today, she was due to help in the kitchen before doing laundry. First, she needed to speak with Dawn and Makenna.

Reaching Dawn’s office, she rapped her knuckles on the door.

“Come in!” Dawn called out.

Striding inside, Madisyn found Makenna sitting on the desk while Dawn sat in the chair behind it, both drinking Starbucks. “Morning.”

“Morning,” greeted Dawn. The plump brunette was a born alpha and could have run a pride easily. Instead, she’d sacrificed that future and dedicated her life to running the nonprofit organization for loners. With the help of grants, sponsors, and private donations, Dawn was able to keep it running well. “What’s this I hear about you going head-to-head with three bears?”

Madisyn frowned. “Let me at least sit down.”

“Here. Caramel Macchiato.” Dawn handed her a Starbucks coffee. “Now tell us what happened last night.”

Sinking into the sofa, Madisyn told them about the Enigma incident.

“Bitches,” snapped Makenna. “You should have slit their throats.”

Madisyn looked from one female to the other. “You both need to be careful. The clan could decide to go after you next, thinking you’ll know Daisy’s location. Though I doubt it, since Charles didn’t mention your names.”

Dawn puffed out a breath. “I couldn’t help them even if I wanted to. We have so many people coming and going, I don’t even remember where you placed her. It was months ago.”

“Alaska.” Madisyn sipped at her coffee. “She’s safe. And happy. And I’m determined that she’ll stay that way. On another note, I’m sure Makenna also told you that Bracken was hit by a car last night. Obviously, the pack wants to make the heifers pay. They have every right to. I know you don’t like sharing shelter business with others, but we’re assholes if we don’t tell the pack what we know.”

“I agree, and I think we need to tell my pack about this too,” Makenna declared. “When I joined the Phoenix Pack, I agreed not to involve them in any of our problems unless absolutely necessary—I’ve stuck to that deal. But they’re all pissed at what happened to Madisyn and Bracken. They want blood too.”

“But I don’t want blood,” said Dawn. “I just want the bears to go away. They might. This isn’t the first time someone’s come looking for one of our residents. It won’t be the last.”

Makenna sighed. “You honestly think the Mercury Pack will just forget that their pack mate was knocked over by a car? They’ll find the answers with or without our help. And when they discover that we held out on them, they’ll be pissed. Like Madisyn said, we’re assholes if we don’t share what we know.”

Dawn rubbed at her temple. “I know you’re right. I just don’t like it.” She blew out a breath. “I’ll call Shaya or Nick later today and—” She cut off as her office phone rang. Lifting it, she greeted, “Hello?” Whatever the caller said made her sigh. “I’ll be right down.” Ending the call, the female stood. “Wait here. I’ll be back in five.”