The Black Hills: Trials and Tribulations

Cryptic Lullabyes

Matt POV

After giving Talia enough time to dress for bed, I walk in to find she’s still fully clothed and staring at a small piece of paper in her hand. I approach carefully, and she looks up at me with an expression of intense distress. She hands the piece of paper out to me and I take it, as I read, fury rages through my body, and Jagger begins growling and pacing in my mind.

“Talia,

Good night, sleep tight. 

Don’t let the grief of never bearing children in that mangled womb of yours keep you up at night.

XOXO - J”

I crush the note in my hand and look to her as she points to our bed. I turn and see another note folded and resting upon my pillow. I quickly cross the room and read it as well.

“Matthew,

Go to sleep, and rest your head.

Forget that you are the reason that your mum is dead.

Until We Meet - J”

Without thinking I grab the table lamp and throw it hard across the room where it crashes into the wall, shattering, and taking out the drywall where it made impact. I place my hands on top of my head, looking at my destruction and close my eyes, trying to reel in my rage. When I open my eyes, I look over to Talia who is staring at me with fear in her eyes. 

“Talia, I’m so sorry.” I plead to her. 

My beautiful strong mate, quickly collects herself and comes to me, and I drop to my knees in front of her, wrapping my arms around her waist, pressing my face to her abdomen. Talia runs her fingers through my hair in an attempt to soothe me.

Jenni comes marching into the room with Chad directly behind her, she quickly sees me, sees the wall and lamp, then leans against the doorway with her arms crossed. “So he got you too?” Jenni asks as she holds two pieces of paper up. 

I kiss Talia’s tummy before I stand to my feet and cross the room to read their notes.

“Jenni,

Star light, star bright, 

You won’t save them all, but hey, that’s alright. 

Respectfully Yours - J”

“Chad, 

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,

I wonder if your mate knows what you’ve done so far?

Rest Well - J”

I read over the two slips of paper again. “What the hell does he mean, ‘What you’ve done so far?’”

Jenni glares at Chad who lets out a big sigh. Before he says, “I may have made a mistake.”

“A big mistake!” Jenni spats at Chad who cowers for the first time I’ve ever seen in my life. “You tell them. You tell them because Matt is lead investigator in this, and he needs to know what we are dealing with, you pig.” She snarls. 

“What did you do.” I ask, glaring Chad down. He doesn’t get a chance to answer though because at that very moment the Alpha comes storming into the penthouse, full mode.

“Everyone, conference room now.” He commands, his eyes dark as Ember rises to the surface. “Bring these with you.” He says showing his own note. 

We all file out of the penthouse down to the conference room. Once we get there, I’m surprised to see Alpha Cross looking back at us on a projection screen. 

We take our seats around the table before Alpha Cross speaks, “Greetings again,  Alpha Travis informed me there’s been contact from the elusive J.” 

“Yes and I really need to know that this is not some sort of set up. Tell me you didn’t lure my ranking pack members here to watch us fall into a trap.” Travis snarls at Alpha Cross.

“Please, Alpha, be reasonable. You reached out to me. I had no idea that the trafficker would target you next. I’m sorry if my correspondence with you today dragged you all into this mess.” Tyler sounds sincere as he speaks. “Remember, my ranking official’s mate’s were targeted first.”

“Read your notes, each of you. Starting with Matt.” Travis commands me.

I read my note to Alpha Cross, then I read Talia’s when she says she can’t do it. My previous fury rises to the surface. Jenni reads hers next, then Chad. 

Serena’s note is similar to Talia’s except refers to her as a barren maid and references how long it will take before Tom steps out on her.  Tom has previously questioned his mate bond, which was a real concern for him during Serena’s extended absence. 

Jaden’s note was a little intriguing,

“Jade Wolf,

Hush little baby don’t say a word,

Do you think they’d still want you if your secret was heard?

Sweet Dreams - J”

We all look to Jaden who shrugs as if he’s just as confused as we are. 

Sarah reads hers next, 

“Luna, 

Lullabye and Goodnight,

Will your powers keep you safe from my plunder and plight?

Rest Peacefully - J”

Travis finally reads his note, which may be the most troubling one of all,

“Alpha, 

Swing low, sweet Chariot

J’s gonna ransack your home,

Swing low, sweet chariot

Steal your women and sell them for gold.

Goodnight - J”

Everyone falls into a stunned silence before Tyler breaks it with, “Wow, I mean the terrifying aspect is that this trafficker seems to have gathered a lot of private and sensitive information in a really incredible short amount of time. I can only imagine the technology he’s using.” 

Travis rubs his face hard with his hands, before he looks to us all, “I need you all to start spilling, right here, right now.” Travis demands. 

“I volunteer Chad to go first.” Jenni says spitefully.

“Chad, what in the Goddess’s name did you do!?” Travis bellows at him, and I watch him flinch for the second time in my life. 

“Ok, so we all know that I’ve been a lustful manwhore all my life, right?” Chad looks to us and sees that no one is disagreeing, so he continues, “Well, I may have signed up for an interactive porn site, and Jenni’s really pissed about it.” Chad concludes.

“Damn straight.” Jenni glares at him. 

“Ok, well that could have been worse, in fact I expected it to be worse.” Travis says getting a jaw drop from Jenni before she crosses her arms and glares him down. “Ok moving on. Matt, I know all about yours so we do not need to bring it up here. Jaden, you’re up.” The Alpha commands, as relief washes over me at not bringing my past failure to light.

“I have honestly no idea.” Jaden replies. 

“Seriously!?” Chad exclaims.

“Seriously.” Jaden answers, his tone and body language not indicating dishonesty.

“Well that’s boring.” Chad mutters. 

“Ok, so nothing major, other than the threats to our pack and members. Matt, call Terrence out of retirement.” Travis orders. “This is going to take the big dog.”