Chapter 35 - Trixie's secret
The dimly lit tavern of the werewolf rogues was a haven for Jack and his trusted companions, Kurt, Armond, and Bart. The air was thick with the scent of stale beer and the quiet murmurs of the rogue pack, but tonight, a intense tension hung in the atmosphere.
Jack sat in his usual spot, his brow furrowed as he lost himself in deep contemplation. His men, sensing his uncharacteristic seriousness, approached him cautiously, offering a cold mug of ale.
"Jack, what troubles you so?" Kurt asked, his voice laced with concern. "You've been staring into that wine glass for nearly an hour now. Is everything alright?"
Jack looked up, his gaze shifting from the crimson liquid to his loyal companions. "I've been thinking," he began, his voice low and measured. "About Giselle and the plan to abduct her." He paused, taking a slow sip from his glass.
Armond and Bart exchanged a curious glance, their eyes filled with anticipation. "Well, don't keep us in suspense, Jack," Armond said, leaning forward in his chair. "What about Giselle?"
Jack's eyes narrowed as he fixed his gaze on the two men. "We need to be ready. The time is drawing near, and we cannot afford any mistakes." He turned his attention to Kurt, his expression serious. "Kurt, I need you to ensure that our men are prepared. We need to be swift and precise in our execution."
Kurt nodded, his brow furrowed with understanding. "Of course, Jack. You can count on us. We'll be ready when the time comes."
Bart, unable to contain his curiosity, leaned forward and asked, "But, Jack, why do you seem so... fond of that girl, Trixie? She's the daughter of Lucille, isn't she? The same Lucille who was your past mate?"
Jack's expression darkened, and he set down his glass with a heavy thud. "Trixie is not just Lucille's daughter," he said, his voice laced with a hint of emotion. "She's mine as well."
The shock was palpable as Kurt, Armond, and Bart stared at Jack, their mouths agape. Armond was the first to find his voice, his eyes widening with realization. "You mean to say that Trixie is your daughter, Jack? But what about Lucille's husband, Marlon? Doesn't he know?"
Jack shook his head, his gaze unwavering. "No, Marlon has no idea. It's a secret that Lucille and I have kept all these years." He took a deep breath, his eyes reflecting a mixture of regret and guilt. "Lucille and I had a brief affair before she met Marlon. By the time she realized she was pregnant, it was too late. Marlon had already proposed, and she couldn't bring herself to tell him the truth."
Bart leaned back in his chair, his brow furrowed in thought. "So, all this time, Trixie has been unaware of her true parentage? And you've been keeping this secret, even as we prepare to abduct her?" His voice held a hint of judgment, tinged with confusion.
Jack nodded solemnly, his fingers drumming against the wooden table. "I know it's a lot to take in, but Trixie is an innocent in all of this. She doesn't deserve to be dragged into the darkness of our world." He paused, his gaze hardening. "That's why I need you all to be especially careful. Trixie is not to be harmed, no matter what."
Kurt, Armond, and Bart exchanged uneasy glances, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on them.
"But Jack," Kurt began, his voice filled with concern, "what if Marlon finds out? Surely, he'll come after us, after you. This could jeopardize everything we've worked for."
Jack's expression remained resolute. "I'm well aware of the risks, Kurt. But Trixie is my daughter, and I'll be damned if I let her suffer the consequences of my past actions." He leaned forward, his eyes burning with determination. "We'll be careful, and we'll make sure that Marlon never finds out. Trixie's safety is my priority, and I need you all to understand that."
Armond cleared his throat, his voice hesitant. "Jack, I... I understand your desire to protect Trixie, but what about Giselle? Isn't she the one we're supposed to be focused on?"
Jack nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Giselle is still our main target, Armond. But I need you all to be mindful of Trixie's wellbeing during the abduction. She's an innocent bystander in all of this, and I won't have her harmed."
The three men exchanged a silent look, their faces etched with a mixture of understanding and uncertainty. They knew that Jack's personal connection to Trixie complicated the already delicate situation, but they also knew better than to question his leadership.
"Alright, Jack," Kurt said, his voice resolute. "We'll do as you say. We'll be extra careful with Trixie, and we'll make sure that Marlon never finds out the truth."
Jack nodded, a small glimmer of relief passing over his features. "Thank you, my friends. I know I'm asking a lot of you, but I need to know that I can count on you."
The three men nodded in unison, their loyalty to their leader unwavering.
"Of course, Jack," Armond said, his voice filled with conviction. "We're with you, no matter what."
Jack stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the worn wooden floor of the tavern. The three men – Kurt, Armond, and Bart – quickly turned their attention to their leader, sensing the urgency in his movements.
"Listen up, all of you," Jack said, his voice commanding and his gaze sweeping across the group of rogues assembled before him. "I need to make something abundantly clear, and I want every one of you to understand it."
The men fell silent, their eyes fixed on Jack, waiting with bated breath for his words.
"Trixie is off-limits," Jack declared, his tone leaving no room for argument. "No one, and I mean no one, is to lay a hand on her, even if we end up facing off against the Silver Stone Moon Pack. Anyone who lay fingers to them will quickly eliminated."