After considering the matter for a few minutes, and checking out the numbers, which were anonymous numbered swiss bank accounts I opened the box and pulled out two items a Makarov Pistol in .380 ACP, which was loaded, and a ring of keys. I placed the pistol back in the box and then stood and walked over to the locked closet and opened it. On one door was a small case that contained a plethora of medals, most of which I'd guessed he'd earned during the War, while inside there was a collection of uniforms. Three from the NKVD and a further three from it's descendant the KGB.
When I finished investigating my finds in the office I checked the other keys, and found that they unlocked a number of lock boxes around the office that displayed yet more secrets from the previous owner's life. He had more wealth squirrelled away than I cared to imagine. Though how he'd managed to obtain it all was a bit beyond me since the Soviets had never showered their agents in money and luxuries.
It was coming on six in the evening when my cell rang and I could see that it was Zane. "I hope that you got it all sorted out Zane? I hope that you didn't have to make him find out that he could wait, though I do have my doubts." I growled as I watched a small flock of ravens come flying up the valley from the direction of the front gates.
~~~
Zane had gotten directions to the pack Mark was most worried about. He took Simone and two others with for the meeting. He hadn't bothered calling to announce he was coming. The shock value was what he was aiming for. Considering what he had on the pack and alpha he wasn't expecting much from them. Personally, he was planning on beating the crap out of him with the pack treaties. If needed, he could call on the treaties and at least five packs and Tashi's Pride. That heavily outweighed the number of wolves Ice Lake and its allies had.
When they finally pulled up to the gate to the Pack he glowered at the wolf, "Second of Wild Valley Zane Donovan, Enforcer Simone and two of my wolves. We are here to see the Alpha about a Pack issue." His voice was cold and calculated. He was doing his best to come across as the cold persona he presented to those outside their pack.
When the wolf seemed to hesitate to allow him access Zane snarled, "Tell your Alpha if I'm not allowed access I will call on the treaties of my pack and deal harshly with this pack. I will take over and make it mine. If he doesn't want to lose his pack he will see me." He definitely wasn't sounding pleased or happy.
The wolf growled, even as he relayed the request and comments, "Stay here and a vehicle will come. No weapons." He told them after a while. There was no way they were going to permit foreign wolves into the territory in their vehicle, nor with their weapons.
Zane glared at the wolf, "Don't need weapons. They are for the pussy wolves. I don't need them to deal with wolves who are weak." He glanced at Simone and the other two, "Since they are so scared we will do as they ask, all weapons will be left here. I would hate to make them feel pathetic for having to remove weapons so they feel powerful. Small wolf syndrome I guess." He was doing his best to be as insulting as possible.
The wolf snarled back at them, but he wasn't permitted to attack, as long as they complied with the orders. The sooner they were out of his sight, the better. He didn't care what they thought they could do.
The vehicle arrived after about a half hour, an old van with worn seats and seemed like at some point a skunk had made a home in it. It seemed they were trying to be as insulting as possible.
Zane stepped out of the SUV they were in and sneered at the van, "Goddess, what a pathetic pack if this is the best they have. Simone and Jack come with and Paul stay with the SUV." He walked to the van, sneered again and climbed in. When nobody searched, him he sneered again, "Sad and pathetic pack."
Simone could tell Zane was doing his best to be insulting and went with it. Based on what she knew the pack could use some new blood. The idea of Zane taking over didn't amuse her though. It would require to much work to beat the pack into submission.
The vehicle moved off as soon as they closed the door themselves, as the two wolves from the pack sat in the front without saying a word. The vehicle seemed to have no suspension left, and they took the hardest ruts, seeming to try to rattle Zane, Jack, and Simone, literally.
Upon arriving, there was one wolf that was waiting for them, and from the way they cringed, they were the lowest and on punishment duty. Visible bruises could be seen. He turned and let them follow, as they were led to the Alpha's outer office to wait.
Zane was doing his best to remain cold and scary. What he would prefer would be to give the wolves a good hug and tell them it was going to be okay. Instead he stared at the woman, "Take me to him now." *Damn it! Simone I want to take over and protect this pack. Bruises on junior wolves? Fucking shitheads.*
She glared at the woman as well, *I know what you are saying Zane and I wouldn't blame you. Take over and then tell Adam? Hell just shoot the alpha and go from there?* She wasn't happy either. Nobody abused junior wolves in their pack like this. If they did screw up they were punished but not physically. They simply weren't able to fight back. It was hard but she managed not to growl.
The secretary finally said her first words in a high pitched, screechy voice, after ignoring them till that point, "The Alpha will see you now," after it seemed like a half hour of waiting. Pushing a button, the door to the inner office opened.
Zane shoved the door open and stalked in, "I am here to discuss the issue with Blackwater Pride. You will listen, consider the impact on your pack and then agree with the terms he is asking for. He is going to move the Pride, and let you take over the territory. If you don't agree I will remove you and take over. Do you have a problem with this?"
Simone was standing next to him and snarled at the reception they received. The man behind the desk didn't impress her. Adam was so far above him as an Alpha it wasn't funny. Her body language indicated what she thought of him.
The Alpha shrugged, and growled, "You will show me proper respect! You come here unannounced, demand I drop everything to deal with you. Then you demand terms that I don't agree with. Why should those cats—" he made cats to be like a term for vermin, "—even be allowed to live? Then you go to challenge me! I am an Alpha for over a hundred and eighty years, and you are not even half a century. You have no right to the rank of second, and I know your alpha is the same; neither have the lifetime to have the position."
Zane stared at him after he finished speaking, "You are an idiot and so are your Enforcers. Nobody searched me or my other wolves." A hand slipped into his jacket and he pulled out a pistol. Zane aimed it and the Alpha's head, well part of it, vanished, "Stupid shithead." He walked around the desk, tossed the body out of the chair as he glanced at the cat heads on the wall.
After sitting down, he called Adam, "Shot a shit head alpha. I am taking over for the time being. Once we get someone trained or capable I will turn the pack over. I am going to contact Mark about this. Give him the headache. Know this technically makes me an alpha but not interested in this pack. What else might you want me to do?"
Adam growled, "If they follow the old ways, you will have to lose a fight to not become their Alpha." There was a pause, and Brook answered, "We sent you up there to help the pride, not to kill an alpha! I will need to have a good bout to teach you to not go attacking every alpha you disagree with!"
He growled, "The Theta wolves were abused. Fucker deserved to be shot. The only other Alpha I challenged was Tyler. I am taking over until Mark comes up with someone who can control the pack." He howled to get the attention of the pack. He was going to have to deal with this issue.
"You still have to be punished." Brook said, before laughing, "You may have good reasons, but we still need to show that we are still superior to you."
Her comment almost demanded a growl but he submitted, "You are my Alpha's Brook. I have no urge to challenge you or Adam. The pack is my life and my team is my family. I need to contact Mark as well. I will talk to you later." He said but before he could hang up Brook growled, just because she could, "Fine. But you still will have a fight"
When Mark finally answered, Zane sighed, "Took over the pack but don't want the job. Do you have or know of anyone who can take the job from me?" He was forced to rub his face as he was talking. This wasn't something he wanted.
"Zane... what the hell?" The big cat asked in shock, before shaking his head while hugging the cub in his arms, "Give me a moment," He stopped to think before he finally spoke up. "Zane what is your opinion of my young cousin Alexander? Please be honest."
"He is a good wolf though he would need support. Maybe some from his pack. I really don't want to take over but I have. I will but Brook has already threatened me. Not into the urge of cleaning the sanitary system."
"I agree, his Alpha was training him, but he's only 31 right now and you know how other wolves feel about Alphas that young. However, I have no desire to take over that Pack," He shivered, "I don't mind wolves but being surrounded by that many would drive me to drink, no offense Zane." He turned to his Guardian and told him to find Alexander and get him and at least four others from his Pack onto a truck and get them to Ice Lake as fast as possible. "I'll have Alex on a truck very shortly, be careful, most of the wolves there don't speak English."
"Don't care Mark. They will understand I am in charge and then who you chose. I am Second and now Alpha of this pack." He rubbed his face, "Sorry Mark, seriously pissed off. Not trying to be a shit head. I shot the Alpha and I am taking over the pack for the time being. He took a sip of the coffee in the cup and ended up spitting it out in the trashcan, "What the hell is this shit? God, it is worse than diner coffee."
Mark Laughed on the phone after hearing the comment about the crappy coffee, "Regardless even if they aren't attacking anymore we are moving the Pride, it just is better up here in the mountains. Just hold things together till Alex gets there, then you guys have to figure out how he can take your place." With that said the busy cat hung up, letting Zane figure out how he was going to get himself out of this mess.
When Mark hung up Zane growled. He understood being busy and was going to go with it. When the senior pack members came in he stood and gave a strong growl, "Good, there are going to be some changes. You are now a sub-pack of the Wild Valley Pack. I am going to assign a wolf to be in charge. You will obey or I will challenge you. My choice of weapons will be half staff's. Now get the food ready and ensure all have enough." The snarl was impressive since Zane wasn't a pleased wolf.
"Since it was close to lunch time he howled to get the attention of the secretary, "Ensure lunch is well prepared and I will talk to the pack then." He also told her to call the senior pack to the office. As far as the body he left it where he had tossed it. They would get the joy of seeing it before he took over.
The senior members moved in and knelt down, throats exposed, "Alpha, we are here as you demanded."
Four hours later the truck pulled up as Alex and his enforcers climbed out looking around, he made a quick survey of the area before walking to the Packhouse, the old Longhouse was worn and needed some work, he could tell the basic structure looked sound. During the ride, he'd informed his Alphas of the situation and had been slightly surprised when they both growled at him about leaving before he was even fully trained.
A few minutes later he marched into the office, and feeling Zane's new power he knelt with his head looking up, exposing his own throat. "Alpha."
Zane growled at Alexander, "Don't give me that crap. It might take some time but I am going to turn the pack over to you. Don't have the urge to be the alpha. Unless something changes I am going to have you take over as a sub-alpha for Adam. I guess the term would be a Second for him and you would run the pack. That is up to Mark or Adam. For now, you will be my Second and we will challenge that later. I hate to say it but I will let you win so you can take over the pack when you challenge me." Zane rubbed his face since he really didn't want this responsibility.
Alex stood up and walked over, sensing Zane's stress, "I understand, hell you think I am ready for this? I haven't even been confirmed as a Second yet. I just wanted to be the best wolf I could be and do my family proud. Before Mark and my Great Uncle turned I was the only Were in our family, not that they were aware of it." He rubbed Zane's shoulders with his large, strong hands. "I just hope we don't have to beat each other into the dust over this."
Alex's comment made Zane snort, "Tell me about it. Adam made me second and I was just over 24 years old. Don't let the common thoughts influence you. Hell, I am a second and not all that old. Take a chance even as Adam gave me." He relaxed into the massage.
He looked over as a pretty young woman came to the door bowed her head slightly and in broken English she said, "Alpha, Second? Food."
When the young woman walked into the office he couldn't help but smile at Alex, *See someone you like?* He could feel the draw between the two. It was very possible they might end up as mates. Alexander wasn't that much older than Zane was.
Alex nodded slightly, "I may have to learn the language here, but she is..." He stopped and sniffed before quietly approaching her, "Mine!" He growled softly engulfing her in a hug.
"Congratulations to both of you." He stood and gave both a good hug even as he was wondering when he would find his mate, "Time for lunch. Come with me and I will introduce you as my seconds. When it comes time to do the challenge I will be nice... Well relatively nice that is. It is going to be a fight but you will win. I don't care if you end up looking to Mark or Adam but we will take care of you and the pack."
"Mark is my cousin... well Second Cousin and his Guardian is my Great Uncle. I don't want to take Blackwater from him, but I think the best might be to split this Pack... there are too many wolves, I can feel that already." He said while hugging his growling mate who was glaring at Zane, she wanted nothing to do with him, even though he was her Alpha. She knew how Alphas were, or rather how her Alpha had been, he treated all single female wolves as if they were his personal property. "Find your own female Alpha... this male is mine." She ground out in her broken English.
Zane started laughing, "Not into males... Good for you and Simone will say much the same. Now time for some food." He stood and gave both a hug before leaving the room. He was going to find somewhere to crash since he was starting to get a headache.
Alex nodded, before gently pulling free from her hug, "Come on Summer Song, let's get something to eat, and let the Alpha rest."
~~~
After I finished my short phone conversation with Zane I put my phone away and used the fingers of my free hand to massage my temples because of what he'd gone and done as I looked down into the yard as Alex and four of the wolves that had come with him headed down the access road to the front gate at a steady trot. I knew that Alex wasn't ready for this new challenge, but under the circumstances it was the best that I could offer.
I considered my current options before I grabbed the items that I'd found in the desk and kept the notebook and pictures, slipping them into a briefcase that was beside the desk before I stood and offered Tanya my hand. "Come on kitten we need to go see the Elders. They might be able to help me make some sense of all this information that I have here on Vladimir."
She nodded her head, and a short time later we were at the front doors as Shanna and Olaf came up the road from the front gates, though they did look a bit tired. "Sorry the road is in such bad shape, that is one thing we have to fix." I told them as I stepped forwards to help them with their belongings.
Olaf nodded, "I can see that, he should be ashamed of that track." He growled before stopping to pant for breath. "This is just like something that I'd expect of the former owner of this place to build Mark, he was overly fond of grand symbols and massive awe inspiring architecture."
I nodded in reply, "Come on in, there are a few things that I feel that we have to discuss, they relate to Vladimir and his activities in the early part of the twentieth century."
Anna looked at her mate and nodded before we headed inside and headed up to the second floor of the residential wing where I guided them to a large empty suite. Both Olaf and Anna sank into the couch and I winced at the groan the piece of furniture gave as the two relaxed.
I myself sat down in an easy chair that faced them and welcomed Tanya into my lap before I opened the briefcase and handed Shanna the small pile of pictures. "Take a look at those and tell me if anything jumps out at you about them." I told her before sitting back, causing the chair to issue forth a loud squeak in protest at my weight.
Shanna looked at the photos and then shivered slightly. "This picture here... of him with other Weres... Those are the Bagrovyy molotki." I heard her voice shaking slightly before Olaf took the picture from her nerveless fingers.
"Mark, the Crimson Hammers of the Soviet Union was, or rather is, an organization of Weres that were fanatically loyal to the Soviet Union and the Communist Party. As you saw from that photo they almost all served in the NKVD during the early days of the Soviet Union." Olaf said, and I could sense that he was a very angry cat.
"Olaf when did Vladimir join the Pride may I ask?"
Olaf looked down at his lap before Shanna spoke up, her voice showing her anger and disgust, "I'm sorry to say Mark, that Vladimir is one of the oldest members of the Pride, he came across on the boat from Hong Kong in 1919, though for the time period leading up to the Second World War he spent a great deal of his time travelling. It was only after the war that he seemed to settle down and become an old stick in the mud."
I nodded softly and hugged Tanya tightly, "I think it may have all been a façade ma'am, from the documents I was able to retrieve from his secret hiding place, thanks to my new daughter here," I gave Tanya a gentle cuddle, "I am guessing that he did a great deal of intelligence gathering in the region where we lived before the fall of the Iron Curtain. He had intimate knowledge of the inner
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