South Mountain Pack Ch. 10

Alberto slowly lowered Maria to the ground, making sure she was able to stand before letting her go. Joe held his arms open and she ran to him just like she had when she was a little girl and her brothers and cousins had scared her. He picked her up and held her tight against his chest, his hand rubbing her back and whispering to her, "I love you so much Sweetheart, I'm so sorry I made you cry, I didn't mean to."

Rose and Annie moved to hug their daughters, knowing instinctively that's what they both needed, a hug from their mothers and a shoulder to cry on.

Several minutes later, they heard movement and Damian said, "I thought you could use this." He placed beers in front of the men and a glass of wine in his Mom's and Aunt Rose's hands. He returned to the kitchen and brought out iced tea and tissues for Sophia and Maria and gently kissed their foreheads. "Don't get used to me being nice to the two of you, I like it better when I'm torturing and scaring you better."

"You're a big softie Damian, you don't want anyone to see how nice you really are," said Sophia as she hiccupped and Maria nodded her head.

"Of course not, I have a reputation as a bad-ass to uphold," he said with a smirk.

Lorenzo said, "A bad-ass? Seriously? When the hell have you ever been a bad-ass?"

"Did he say bad-ass or fat-ass? Cause I would agree if he said fat-ass," said Gianni as everyone started to smile, relieving the tension.

"Shut the fu-...fudge up Gianni," said Damian as he glanced nervously at his mother.

Marcus laughed loudly and said, "Some bad-ass you are, you can't even curse in front of your mother." The boys started laughing so hard that Sophia and Maria joined in along with their parents; even though Anthony and Angelo were laughing they still kept their eyes fixed on their mates.

"Whatever, I can be a bad-ass and a Momma's boy at the same time," said Damian with a smile. He looked around the patio and said, "Now that I have everybody laughing again, why don't we finish our conversation."

Alberto and Anthony moved back to their chairs, both of them crossed their arms over their chests and stared at their intended's fathers. Sophia and Maria kissed their parents and rejoined their mates, holding their hands and leaning against their sides.

"We did a little bit of investigating about the Packs and here is what we know so far," said Frank quietly. "Neither Pack has a school, so you would have to attend the local public school which is two hours away or be homeschooled. The youngsters are supposed to attend New Mexico State University and there is a campus in Carlsbad, but in the last twenty years no youngsters from either Pack have gone there."

"Both Packs live in Pack houses with a communal kitchen, Grant owns almost 1,500 acres and Carlsbad owns 2,000. Both grow their own food, Grant has a herd of cows and Carlsbad has a herd of buffalo, and they trade meat with each other and barter for other goods. Now here is where it gets interesting," said Joe with a frown. "Grant has less then $150,000 in the bank and Carlsbad has less then $95,000. No one in either Pack holds outside jobs and they apparently have no source of income, there are no businesses registered in any of the Pack members names. From what we could find out, whenever they need money, they sell a piece of land."

Frank looked at Joe and said, "I find that last part hard to believe, how do they pay property taxes, utilities or buy vehicles? Remind me to tell Carlo to have President Roberts look into the financials of both Packs, something isn't right. They must have another source of income that isn't documented and it's probably illegal."

"As far as security, we have no clue. Neither Pack has allowed anybody on their lands in over fifteen years. We got the majority of information from the required reports submitted to the Alpha Council, and those may be entirely false. Hopefully, with President Roberts and his advisors there, we will be able to get more information soon," said Frank as he looked at Joe. "Joe and I were planning on flying out this week to get a better feel of the Packs. If things progress further, then all of us will fly out later. Is there anything we forgot?"

Joe nodded his head as he looked at the youngsters, "The distance between the Packs is too far for our family bond to work. To make sure we can handle the separation of families, Alpha Carlo wants us to do a trial separation. Starting at 5 PM on Friday and ending Saturday before the football game, we are to have no contact with each others families. No movies, bowling, shopping, talking through the bond or on the phone. Nothing, you are to have no contact with each other."

"But Daddy, we were supposed to go on a double date this Friday with Maria and Alberto," said Sophia as she looked at Frank with a pleading look.

"Please Daddy, it's my first date," begged Maria. "We were going to meet Alberto for dinner and go bowling. It was going to be a perfect first date and now everything is going to be ruined."

"Oh fuck," said Frank and Joe looking at each other not wanting to disappoint their daughters again.

"If its okay with the girls, we'll move our date to Saturday night," said Anthony as he looked at Alberto, Sophia and Maria who nodded their heads as Frank and Joe let out a sigh of relief. "We can't disobey an order from my father, and if he wants you to do this, then he has a good reason."

"What happens to Dominic and I if you decide to become the Alpha? I don't want to leave Brianna and I know he doesn't want to leave Morgan," questioned Vincent as he stared at his parents.

"If you choose to follow Brianna and Morgan, your father and I would support that decision. Both of you are over eighteen and are capable of making decisions that would be best for you and your mate," said Rose as Frank nodded. "That does not mean you can start to do whatever you want now, you are still my sons and I will always have a say in what you do, especially since you both still live under my roof."

"Yes, Momma," both boys responded with a smile.

"Before the two of you say anything about the girls staying here, remember they are only fifteen. The final decision of where they will live is up to us, we will not be separated from our daughters while they are so young," said Annie as she looked at Anthony and Alberto, as Joe, Frank and Rose nodded their heads.

"That's not fair, Vin and Dom get to do what they want," said Sophia with a frown on her face. "Anthony can't come with us because he is the Alpha-heir and his responsibilities and mine are here."

"Sophia, they are older then you and are capable of taking care of themselves, you aren't. Once you turn eighteen and are an adult, then you can make your own choices, until then your mother and I have the final say," said Frank firmly as Sophia huffed and turned her head away.

"Young lady, you'd better get your attitude under control. We are putting up with it right now because we know you're upset, but I will not tolerate you disrespecting us like that. Do I make myself clear?" said Rose as she stared at Sophia.

"Yes, Momma," said Sophia in a quiet voice. "I didn't mean to be disrespectful to you and Daddy and I'm sorry Aunt Annie." Rose and Frank nodded their heads and when Rose turned towards Annie, Frank winked at his daughter and Sophia answered with a smile.

"President Roberts gave us two weeks to make a decision. I want all of you to think about this and we will have more meetings as information becomes available. As far as Triple C, we will not make a decision about the business until we decide if we are taking the positions or not," said Joe. "We don't want any of our employees worrying about their jobs while we are making this decision. Any more questions?"

"Dad, do you want me to see what I can find out about the Packs?" said Paulo quietly. "Give me the emails for the Alpha's and I'll have some info for you in a couple of hours."

Frank and Joe looked at each other before Joe said, "Yes, but do it tomorrow after practice. We want you to enjoy the rest of today." Paulo nodded his head in agreement, already thinking of what programs to run.

"Let's go finish our game," said Frank as he stood up and finished his beer. "I think we need to forget about this for a little bit and have some fun."

"And by fun, your father means beat the crap out of each other," said Rose laughing.

*****

Upon reaching his home, Carlo immediately sought out Gina who was waiting for him in the kitchen. He held her tightly against his broad chest as he scented her and he felt some of his agitation slowly disappear.

"What's the matter? And don't tell me it's nothing, I could feel your agitation through the mate bond," she said quietly.

"Come into the office with me, my love. I have a lot to tell you," answered Carlo as he held her hand and led her down the hall.

After making sure his mate was comfortable on the black leather sofa, Carlo told her everything that happened at The School House. He paced back and forth in front of her, his agitation evident in the scowl on his face, his arms waving through the air and the amber tint in his eyes.

When he was finished he looked at Gina and saw tears running down her face and immediately went to her and held her. "Carlo, we can't lose any of the females and if anything happened to Sophia, Anthony would never get over it," cried Gina.

"I know, and we'll do everything in our power to prevent it. But we need to prepare and get ready starting now, so I'm going to call a meeting of the men tomorrow evening and we'll have a Pack meeting on Tuesday," said Carlo gently.

"Why are you splitting the meetings up? You should tell everyone at the same time," said Gina as she looked into Carlo's eyes.

"I'm doing it this way because I know the men's reactions will be filled with rage. Their protective instincts will come out and they'll be anxious to keep their families safe," said Carlo as he rolled his shoulders. "When Aldo told me, it took me almost five minutes to calm myself and my wolf down before I started to think clearly. What I want and what the Pack needs is for the men to get enraged and then formulate a plan to prevent this from happening. They won't be able to do that if they are busy soothing their mates."

"Carlo, the women are just as protective of their families as the men and we may have some good ideas too," Gina said firmly as she stroked Carlo's cheek to calm him. "I don't agree with your reasoning to separate the meetings but I can see why you want it that way. Promise me at the Pack meeting you won't hold anything back, we need to know everything that is going on, we are stronger then we look."

"I promise, but you have to understand, we know how strong our mates are but our first thought is to keep you safe. I could not live without you and the thought of you being hurt is something I cannot tolerate," Carlo said looking in her deep brown eyes. "What I need you and the other women to do is to think of ways to help, without putting yourselves in danger."

Gina leaned in and kissed Carlo gently and then tilted her neck so he could scent her. "I know you want to protect me, but I am Madame Alpha of this Pack Carlo and the Pack will look to me for guidance. I will not be put into a gilded cage; those are my Pack members that are in danger and I will not be kept in the dark."

Carlo inhaled deeply, her scent of cherry cordials never failed to soothe him or his wolf. "I promise my love, you know I could never do anything to upset you."

"I will hold you to that promise," replied Gina already thinking of items that needed to be done in preparation of the upcoming battle.

"Now we need to get ready to go to Frank's, I know we'll be early but I need to talk to Frank and Joe before I talk to their families and more importantly our son," said Carlo with a grimace. "I have to tell my best friends their daughters are going to be one of the main targets. Frank, Joe, Anthony and Alberto will go ballistic; then we have to deal with Vincent and Dominic who are intendeds with two of the Millers."

"How do you know Sophia and Maria will be one of the main targets?" questioned Gina. "Aldo didn't mention them specifically or did I miss something?"

"Sophia will be at the top of the list because she is the Alpha-Heir's intended mate and the Second in Command's daughter. Maria will be second on that list because she is the Third in Command's daughter," answered Carlo as he held his head in his hands. "Centuries of warfare history have proven they will be the main targets. Even if Frank takes the new Alpha position in New Mexico, Sophia will still be a target since she is Anthony's intended."

Gina stood up with a firm resolve and said, "Well then, we have to make sure that doesn't happen. I will NOT let anything happen to my son's intended or to my best friend's daughters or the other females in this Pack. I'll call my brother tomorrow; at least we know we have his Pack as allies." As Gina walked towards the door; she stopped and said, "Carlo, it's time for you to call in the centuries old marker. I'll get everything ready for us to leave while you make the call."

Understanding dawned in Carlo's eye and he pulled Gina into his chest and kissed her gently before saying, "I can always count on you to think clearly my love. I had forgotten about the marker, but they are honor bound to respond to it."

Carlo watched as Gina left his study and then moved the sofa and braided area rug. Two hundred year old oak floor boards stared back at him reminding Carlo of the history of The Manor House and he thought of the generations of Rossi's who had occupied the home and the generations to come.

He extended one claw and gently inserted it into a seam and moved it around until he heard the locking mechanism click. He sat back on his heels as a four foot section separated and he lifted it up exposing the safe underneath. His hands automatically turned the dial without thought as he remembered the circumstances that lead his Grandpa to show him the safe and making him memorize the combination when he was fifteen.

Memories flooded over him as he thought of that day, the second worst day of his life. He closed his eyes as the feeling of loss washed over him even though almost twenty seven years had passed since he lost his parents when their plane went down on the way to an emergency Alpha Council meeting. The lessons his father and his Grandpa had taught him rolled through his mind and he hoped they would guide him through the upcoming battle. Thoughts of his Grandparents filled him with a sense of calm as he remembered their guidance and support as they took over the Alpha duties until he finished school and was mature enough to take on the responsibility.

The one constant throughout everything he had been through was Frank and Joe. Minutes after the Alpha connection had been severed when his parents died; Frank and Joe were at his door, out of breath from their frenzied run to his house, knowing he would need them. They sat with him, cried with him, made him eat, talked with him about nothing and everything but most importantly they were just there. They had always been there for him, from the day they were born when he was two months old and Frank was placed on his right side and Joe on his left in his crib.

As he extracted the document he was looking for, his thoughts turned once again to Frank and Joe and a feral growl escaped him as he thought of someone daring to harm his best friend's daughters and his sons intended. The growl got louder as he thought of the threat to the other females and he closed his eyes and calmed his wolf down promising him it wouldn't happen.

He sat down behind his desk and closed his eyes calming himself down before opening the protective oil skin casing revealing a leather document pouch. He carefully removed the fragile document which was written in Old World Italian and studied it carefully. The wording had to be correct and formal since he was invoking a centuries old promise and he didn't want to make any mistakes. He remembered his Grandpa telling him he had invoked the marker during the Were War and they had honored the marker but refused to accept it, telling his Grandpa to keep it for another time. He read the document twice, made notes and then picked up the phone and dialed a number from memory.

"Dante Eduardo Rossi, Alfa di Rossi Pack, dominatore del Lazio, in Italia, questo è Carlo Eduardo Rossi, Alfa di South Mountain Pack, dominatore della Western Maryland, Stati Uniti. Sto invocando il marcatore dato a Giacomo Eduardo Rossi di Giuseppe Eduardo Rossi, che porta la data del primo settembre, nel 1777. Onore a voi, il vostro obbligo di questo marcatore?" Carlo asked as he held his breath.

("Dante Eduardo Rossi, Alpha of Rossi Pack, Ruler of Lazio, Italy, this is Carlo Eduardo Rossi, Alpha of South Mountain Pack, Ruler of Western Maryland, United States. I am invoking the marker given to Giacomo Eduardo Rossi by Giuseppe Eduardo Rossi, dated the First of September, 1777. Will you honor your obligation to this marker?")

Carlo heard Dante clear his throat before saying, "Sì mio cugino, mi pregio il marcatore senza dubbio."

("Yes my cousin, I will honor the marker without question.")

Carlo quickly explained in English the situation to his cousin who listened without interrupting.

When Carlo finished Dante said in English with a thick Italian accent, "We leavea to comea soon to go to da meeting of da men, to helpa strategy your plans, no? I bringa fifteen bigga stronga men to as you say get the lands where your lay."

Carlo started laughing and said, "What the hell is the matter with you? You speak better English then I do."

"Oh cuz, at least let me have a little bit of fun, I like playing the ignorant Italian who don't speaka da good English," said Dante laughing. "I was going to call you this week, my new Gulfstream is ready and since I'm overdue for a visit I figured I would swing by. I notified the European Council last week, but I left the exact dates open. I'll notify them I'm leaving tonight as soon as we get off the phone."

"I'll notify the Alpha Council of your visit and I'm sure President Roberts will have someone pay an official visit while you're here," said Carlo as he leaned back in his leather chair. "Give me a call when you're thirty minutes from Hagerstown Regional Airport and we'll be there to pick you up and naturally you'll stay with us. I'd love to chat, but I have to talk to Frank, Joe and more importantly my son."

"Give them my best and tell them I'll be bringing their cousins with me. I don't think I could keep them away once they find out about the threat to their family and the other females," said Dante with anger in his voice. "We'll stay for a week or two so we can go over plans, and then we'll come back every couple of months so it's not obvious when we arrive when the battle happens."

He got quiet before he continued in a firm voice, "Oh and Cuz, the marker is still good. You don't need to call it in for this, we always protect our own. Those fuckers will learn they messed with the wrong family, stupidi Bastardi."

"Dobbiamo proteggere la confezione e la famiglia sopra ogni cosa," both men recited the Rossi family creed before hanging up.

("We protect the Pack and family above all else.")

Carlo leaned back in his chair and exhaled loudly. Having the Rossi Pack on their side greatly tilted the advantage in their favor. Dante had one of the largest Packs in Europe, numbering almost two thousand and was the Italian Representative to the European Council. He glanced at the clock on the wall and hurriedly put the document back in the safe, replacing the floor boards, braided rug and sofa before rejoining Gina in the kitchen.