Chapter 6

Pack Mentality

You'd think after taking four plane rides in the past three days, it would be less stressful, but I hate flying, always have and always will. I think the only time I looked forward to flying was when I was moving to Botswana. But then again, I got to see Jackson again so that probably helped a little bit. But even then I still didn't like the actual flight. So you can imagine how I felt about a ride from Tokyo to Mississippi.

When we finally touch down, we get right to work, finding a few vehicles for us already waiting in the airport's parking garage. Of course Chloe gives the orders of who goes where with what vehicle.

"So, Jackson, we'll take the Sedan. You guys take the SUV. You shall need the extra room."

Jackson looks a little confused as Chloe throws him the keys.

"Wait, why are we taking two cars?"

"Uh, you, Jamie and I will be going to the prison. A French national was being held there. We are representatives from the French embassy coming to discuss dealing with his remains."

Jamie and I look at each other confused.

"French Embassy? You're DGSE, right?

"French FBI."

"Yeah, why the false credentials?"

Chloe shrugs her shoulders.

"Because from this moment on, we have no agency, no government affiliation."

"So we are on our own?"

Abe shakes his head.

"What about Delavane?"

"Yes, Delavane is funding our operation. But beyond that, we're. How do you say confidentiel? Off the books."

Abe chuckles.

"Should I presume the reason Mitch and Kat needs extra room is because of me? If i wasn't such a nice guy, I might be offended."

Chloe laughs and shakes her head.

"No. You, Mitch, and Katherine will be trapping a wolf."

Mitch shakes his head as if he didn't hear her correctly.

"Wha? Sorry?"

"Yes, I expect studying a wolf will provide answers to what may have caused the pack…"

Mitch straightens up and cuts her off.

"Yeah, no, But i don't know the first thing about trapping a wolf."

Chloe nods,

"Which is why Abe and Katherine will be going with you."

Jackson steps forward.

"Wait, why don't I just go with them?"

Mitch nods and points at Jackson.

"Genius recommendation. I second that."

Chloe shakes her head as she starts to search for words.

"No…"

I step toward Jackson.

"She needs one of us with her at the prison. It was ground zero for the wolf attack."

Jackson sighs as all but he, Abe and I begin to walk to the cars.

"I know, but I don't like the idea of being so far away from you in a different country and with Mitch."

I laugh softly.

"Don't worry I'll be fine. You know sometimes I think you still see me as that scared girl you first met in Africa."

Abe laughs as he puts his hand on Jackson's shoulder.

"Don't worry, Rafiki. I'll keep her safe."

I nod, as Mitch calls out to Abe and I. When he does Abe steps toward the SUV.

"We Will need supplies."

"Yes, there's a hunting supply store down the highway and this should cover the cost of purchase."

Abe holds up some cash Chloe gave him.

"Okay? Let's get going. Kitty Kat come on or I'll leave you."

I shake my head, a little annoyed, and turn to Jackson.

"I'll be fine, I'll see you later."

Jackson nods as he pulls me in for a quick kiss. Once the two of us break apart, I hop into the back of the SUV, as we do Abe comments.

"You know, I like this Chloe, she's alot like you, Kat. You two are what you would call Peppery."

Mitch shakes his head as we drive off.

"Yeah, I was never a big fan of peppery."

Abe laughs and glances over at him.

"Then you are missing out."

The three of us drive a little while before getting to the hunting supply store. When we get there it is a madhouse in the store. As we make our way through the store Abe makes sure to keep me close to him and Mitch.

"I knew that Americans enjoy hunting. I had no idea it was this popular."

I nod.
"This is crazy."

Mitch walks over to a man who looks as though he is stocking the shelves of sold out items.

"Uh, excuse me. What's going on?"

The man turns to us with a handful of supplies.

"The county announced a wolf call, because of what happened at the prison."

I look at him a little confused.

"What's a Wolf Call?"

Mitch sighs.

"That is when a bunch of men go into the woods to hunt wolves. Armed with beer and high- powered rifles. Because, you know, what goes better together than guns and drinking?"

Abe shakes his head and introjects.

"Do you have any traps or snares? We are looking to catch a wolf."

I nod,

"Catch, not kill."

The man sighs.

"We might have some net guns in the back."

We nod as the employee begins to show us to the back of the store, as we are stopped by three rather hillbilly looking types.

"You wanna catch and not kill? What are you gonna do with a rabid wolf? Take it to dinner and a movie?"

Mitch sighs.

"These wolves aren't rabid. See, rabid wolves don't travel in a pack. They're ostracized and forced to move alone."

"Rabid or not rabid, it doesn't really matter much. Either way they'll be dead."

I'm not one to normally raise my voice but these men are monsters.

"You don't have to kill them."

As I try to step forward, Abe grabs my arm holding me back. Whispering softly.

"I know that you're bite is worse than your bark, but you don't need to prove it."

The man shifts his attention to me.

"I'm not sure if you're from around here, friends. I'm betting not. We got farms and we got families to protect, and that's what we're gonna do."

Mitch nods.

"Actually, we are after the same thing you are. We just don't think a slaughter is necessary."

At this point Abe moves Mitch and I away from the men.

"Let's go get that net gun."

Abe speaks to Mitch as we make our way through the crowd.

"I understand who you are now. You're the kind that pokes the beast until the beast bites."

"I had it under control and even if I didn't pint size here had my back."

"I don't think you had it under control no matter who was on your side. I think in another five minutes you would have replaced the wolf as the focus for tomorrow's hunt."

We quickly find the net gun and make our way back out of the store after buying the gun and a few other supplies. As we begin heading out we get a call from Chloe asking us to meet her back at the hotel. Once we get there and get settles in Abe begins to raid the mini fridge.

"Since the French government is paying."

Jackson shakes his head, looking down at a small notebook.

"Look I know it's crazy."

I take one of the small vodkas Abe took from the fridge.

"Of course it's crazy. What are you saying? That this Evan Lee Hartley is somehow connected to the wolves?"

"I don't know. But i'm telling you, the wolves were in a submission posture."

Abe laughs.

"Like you were when Kat, first moved to Africa."

Abe and I laugh as Jackson shakes his head.

"Ha Ha Ha, very funny."

"Baby, you need some sleep. We've travelled too many times zones this week,"

"I keep wondering what my father would think if he saw what I saw today at the prison."

Abe stands.

"I think he would say, Since the french government is paying."

Abe opens the mini fridge again and makes a ringing noise. As he does I fall over onto the bed, laying sideways on the bed.

"Abe, I don't think getting hammered is a good idea right now."

"When is getting hammered not a good idea?"

"What if we get called into the field and you cant stand up straight?"

"Ah, woman you underestimate me."

"I've gotta agree with Kat, I'm all for drinking, and you both know that. But if I can't be with her, I would like whoever can be to be sober."

I sit up and kiss Jackson on the cheek.

"Do you think we will get a good night sleep tonight?"

Abe shakes his head.

"You two better, because I'm in the room tonight."

We laugh as I fall back onto the bed exhausted as Jackson reaches back to rub my leg. Soon the three of us get ready for bed and I quickly fall asleep. However, around one that morning I wake up, thinking to myself, 'I wonder what time it is back home.' When I roll over I see Jackson is also awake. I whisper to him, trying not to wake Abe.

"Can't sleep?"

He looks over at me and smile softly.

"Yeah, can't sleep. Are you okay?"

"I think it's just my internal clock."

He nods and chuckles softly.

"Probably."

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, I just keep thinking about my father and what's going on. I mean if he's right what is going to happen what are we going to do?"

I smile softly as I place my hand on his cheek.

"If he was right, we find a way to fix it, go home and we focus on having our little cubs."

Jackson smiles, his oh so charming smile and nods. Before leaning in and giving me a soft kiss. . I place my hands on his cheek and kiss him back. Even though we should break our kisses, we don't and continue to hold each other close, sharing passionate, loving kisses. Before long we hear Abe let out a sigh.

"I am still here."

We laugh softly as we break apart and Jackson sighs.

"Sorry Abe."

Abe sighs again and rolls over, as Jackson kisses my forehead, and I snuggle up against to his chest. It doesn't take long for me to fall back asleep. I always feel so safe in Jackson's arms.