Chapter 109

Selene

As we pull into the parking lot of the coffee shop, I spot Derrick against his car, looking almost exactly how I remembered him-though maybe a little bit more polished in his fancy, black suit. He's tall and thin, with mahogany skin, black hair, and hazel eyes. His hair is combed back neatly, and his dark sunglasses cover half of his face.

Phoenix parks the jeep, and we all step out. Derrick's gaze lands on me first, a small smile playing on his lips. "Selene, it has been a while. I saw you at the Alpha Ceremony, but of course, I was too shy to approach." He nods at Phoenix. "Alpha. It's nice to meet you."

Phoenix nods curtly in response.

"Thanks for meeting me on such notice. I can't believe I still had your number after all this time."

Derrick glances between the three of us, his expression turning serious. "So, what's up? You sounded...urgent."

I exchange a look with Phoenix before nodding. "We need your help, Derrick. And it's not exactly...something simple."

He arches a brow, seeming curious. "I figured. What's the case?"

Phoenix steps forward, his voice low and serious. "We need to find out about an old case, a death. No records have been made public, if there even is any at all. But a human was murdered about two and half years ago. The death isn't that big of a deal, but what it's tied to is huge."

Derrick's eyes widen. "What are we talking about here?"

I glance at Phoenix, and then back at Derrick. "We can't exactly tell you everything now. The information that we have is more dangerous than you could imagine."

Derrick's expression hardens, the weight of what we're asking sinking in. He lets out a slow breath. "Who is it tied to?"

"The Alpha King. The Council, possibly even the Devils."

Derrick whistles, rubbing the back of his neck. "That's some serious shit. That's more than dangerous...this is a suicide mission."

"We know," I say softly. "That's why I called you. We need someone that we can trust, and you're one of the most trustworthy people I know.

He glances around the parking lot before dropping his voice to a whisper. "I'll see what I can do. No promises, though. If it's as deep as you're hinting, getting this info won't be easy."

"We'll take whatever you can find," Luke chimes in. "Seriously, anything."

Derrick hesitates for a moment longer, and then nods. "Alright. I'll look into it. But be careful. If the Council really is involved in some kind of corruption...well, I'm sure you know what could happen."

Yeah, we're already well aware. They already have people fucking stalking us.

I hand Derrick a folded piece of paper. "This is everything we know," I tell him. "I'm warning you now that it isn't much to go on, but considering it was probably handled by human police, it might be an unsolved mystery or something."

"I'll call you if I find anything," he promises. "But we'll have to meet in person again."

I nod in agreement.

As Derrick heads back to his car, Phoenix grabs my hand and tugs me to our car. "Let's go, little wolf. I don't like the idea that the Council could be watching us."

"Yeah, I don't like it either. I'm going to feel like shit if I'm the reason Derrick ends up getting killed," I mutter, the thought causing my stomach to sink.

But then I think about everyone that the Council is hurting. They're bringing in harmful drugs, sex trafficking innocent women, men, and children. Blackmailing people. Likely murdering anyone that questions their actions.

They need to be brought down, and the only way we can do that is if we have help. Alpha Nathan and Derrick are just the start, we need to find more people willing to join us and gather evidence against the Council.

Even if we have to put ourselves more at risk.

As Phoenix drives back to the packhouse, I can't stop thinking about who else we could ask. Anxiety spikes through me when I make up my decision. I know Phoenix won't agree with it, especially if I tell him I want come along, but it needs to be done.

"What is it, little wolf?" Phoenix asks without looking my way.

"Is it possible to set up a meeting with the Devils?" I ask, my voice quieter than I intended.

He tenses, his entire body stiffening in the seat like a statue. "I'm sorry...what?" he asks, his voice tight.

I try again, sounding more confident. "Is there someone high up in the Devils that we could meet with? Somebody that you can be sure of what speak a word of what we discuss?"

Luke chuckles. "That's an insane question, Selene. Jordan is the highest-ranking spy we've got, and even he's not that high on the totem pole. I don't believe anyone other than him can be trusted anyway."

"Can you at least talk to Jordan about it? See if he trusts anyone to meet with us?" I plead, glancing back at him.

"Why?" Phoenix grits out.

"I want to find out if the Council is working with them, or if they're just being blackmailed. I think it's important that we find that out. Maybe they'd be willing to help us take them down. Honestly, we need all the allies we can get, even if they're criminals."

"Criminals in the most dangerous wolf pack there is," Luke reminds me.

I blow out a huge breath. "I'm aware. I just think it's worth a try."

After a long moment of silence, and an array of emotions filtering through the mate-bond, Phoenix turns to me. "Fine, you're right. We should find out if they're being blackmailed, but I'm telling you know...if we do this, you're not being involved. That is far too fucking dangerous. So, it will just be me, Loki, and Luke," he says, his tone brooking no argument.

I open my mouth to protest, but I know he's not going to change his mind.

Not on this.

I huff. "Fine, this is the only thing I'm willing to compromise on. I'm sure Makayla will need some company anyway."