Island Stripe Pride - Chapter 30: Chapter 30

“As you all know, McLeesh Iron is a place where Shifters and other supes can go to expel their energy in this cramped fuck hole of a city. And if you mention this event, you can save 5% on an annual membership, but I digress,” he continued.
His old Scottish accent had grown thicker with each syllable uttered. Made understanding him damn near impossible. Even his own Pack squinted while the other representatives from local Clans, Covens, and Prides cringed in their seats.
“Yeah, yeah. We know, McLeesh. How many times have we asked you to close it to the public, McLeesh?” a crowd heckler yelled.
Undaunted, the pompous old Wolf went on with his agenda. Trench tensed. He did not care for the man’s scare tactics and his dismissal of those present. But it wasn’t for him to say. He had a job, and he would do it.
“My Pack immigrated, like so many of you, from abroad. We travelled here, to these shores many, many years ago, seeking security, safety, and prosperity,” McLeesh added, earning some more pained groans from those in attendance. “And in that time, no other Wolf Pack has been as loyal to the Shifter Council as we. We’ve offered our support, given good advice, provided muscle, and yet, the Council has failed to keep us safe from this, the biggest threat we’ve faced from the normals.”
He paused then, eyeing the crowd for dramatic effect. It set Trench’s teeth on edge, but he simply sat and listened. Waiting for a signal.
“Technology is not going away, my friends, it is time for a change. Therefore, I call for a vote of no confidence in this Council’s current administration---”
“Aren’t you just full of piss and vinegar since we didn’t vote you in as interim head?” the same heckler asked.
“True, I lost the vote,” McLeesh sneered. “But what have you got in my place, then, eh? Where is this house cat, this Neta, of the local Tiger Pride that you voted to lead our Council?” he snarled, waving his arms as if in invitation.
The room stilled as heads swiveled to and fro. Everyone was looking for the Neta, Dean Romero. Trench growled deep in his throat, the low-pitched infrasound causing those around him to still suddenly. It was a neat trick. His wild cousins used it to paralyze their prey, and Shifters used it in much the same way.
As an Enforcer for the Pride in question, his warning was clear. After waiting a moment, he gauged the reactions of those nearest. The smart ones backed away or shut their traps. The dumb ones went right on barking smart aleck comments, unaware that they were being hunted. That was the problem with city Shifters. Too much time spent in their human shapes, they forgot how to recognize danger.
Trench knew what they were thinking, could feel their derisive dismissal of his Pride. But he did not give a fuck. He was not there to speak, merely to listen and take note. He would only act when his Neta directed. It was what he was good at.
He heard the whispers around him and ignored them. Some knew his reputation, others only his name. Hardly anyone knew his face. Typically, because it was the last thing they’d have seen before, he would’ve ended them.
Trench was officially an Enforcer. But he’d earned his stripes, not the ones he was born with, by being a killer. At one time, he was one of the highest sought after assassins and best kept secret of the Shifter world for over a decade. His black ops missions were so confidential only those with the highest clearance were aware of his involvement.
“I see this kitten has not shown his face. He doesn’t care about our troubles. When has a cat ever helped a Wolf?” sneered the insolent McLeesh.
Trench was getting pretty tired of this guy’s tirade. Perhaps he should ask the Neta if he wanted him handled?
Grrr.
“And to answer someone’s other question, earlier,” McLeesh said, turning on his heel. “As you all know, we have closed our doors to the public. McLeesh Iron is currently members only. You must prove to be one of us to get your membership. These clowns, parading as journalists and reporters, looking for a quick shock and awe story to earn them a Pulitzer, will stop at nothing. The fact is, we are not safe,” he said, letting that sink in.
Trench had to admit the old Wolf was wily. Some Shifters in the audience were nodding their heads, agreeing with the pompous ass.
“Now, I’ve called Draco Fortis, and I’ve asked their top programmers what they can do for us. The answer is forthcoming, but it shall take time. I believe we have been successful in keeping ourselves hidden, but we need real leadership to remain that way,” McLeesh ended, arms wide.
A chaotic chorus of snarls and roars of both approval and disagreement rose from the crowd. Trench did not react, even though he was more than a mite aggravated.
An irate Scottish Wolf was a barely intelligible and volatile creature. McLeesh was egging on the crowd, and those of the Shifter Council of New York City did not need another scene. Not now.
But would that stop tempers from flaring? Apparently not. While the Wolves bickered, the Tiger Enforcer waited. His Neta had kept himself hidden on purpose. Any minute now, these assholes were going to be singing a new tune.
“It is true, technology moves fast these days,” one of the Vampire representatives spoke. His name was Blake Nero, and he stood, addressing the gathering at large.
“We Vampires have been monitoring the internet for any activity, and McLeesh is right. I am loath to announce this so publicly, but we have heard something while scanning. Something of a problem concerning the Wolves-”
“See! You see. Here is the heart of our problem. We have no interspecies communication, and now Vampires are holding onto information that could out the Wolves! This is not just our fight. It is for the safety of all of us that we must act,” McLeesh growled.
“Are you saying we did not tell you soon enough, dog,” Blake growled.
Trench waited, then he moved quickly to the stage where the Wolf and Vampire were now snarling and shouting at one another. As soon as he reached the bottom of the stairs leading to the podium, someone stood up. The stranger tossed the dark cloak he was wearing to mask himself from the crowd off his massive shoulders, and Trench’s nostrils flared, his eyes zeroing in on the man. He paused, recognition dawning, and averted his gaze out of respect and submission.
Dean Romero was the most powerful Tiger Shifter in all of New York. He was also a mate, a father, and one all around badass motherfucker. He’d been voted in as the interim head of the Shifter Council while the Lions, who made up the 135th precinct, a supernatural police headquarters operating within New York City, took care of some business.
Yes, he’d been willing to do the job, but like most things, politics were politics, and it would be easier weeding out his enemies if he laid low at first. It certainly didn’t take very long. First Wolves, then Vamps. Hell, the Tiger King had a lot of work ahead of him.
That was where Trench came in. As an Enforcer, he was more than a bodyguard. He was the designated protector of the entire Pride. An investigator. A fucking warrior. He would give his life for his Neta, as he would for any member of the . Pride was family, and Trench valued that above all else.
“You all know me,” Dean Romero said without any bullshit posturing.
He took the microphone and moved between the stunned Wolf and Vampire. It was an insult, Trench knew, but he wondered if these city supes were aware. For the Tiger to so easily dismiss both representatives, it meant he didn’t see them as a threat. He did not fear them. And when you were a predator, that was pretty fucking telling.
“I have been here since you began talking, McLeesh, waiting for this shit show to finish before I addressed the Council’s representatives and the rest of you in attendance,” Dean said, his face unsmiling.
“First, I am only the interim head of the Shifter Council of New York, and I am only that because I was asked. For all of you who think I am out to keep this job permanently, please hear me when I tell you this is not my idea of a good time,” he paused, allowing those who laughed or applauded to quiet down.
“My mate and I are quite content running our Pride, and I am not looking to make this position permanent. A proper vote for the new Chief Head Officer of the Shifter Council of New York City will take place at the usual time next year,” Dean Romero said in a clear voice that belied his true Alpha nature.
He was trying for friendly, but the Tiger Shifter simply radiated power. Six and a half feet of iron muscle and eyes that glowed with his beast gazed at the gathered audience. The ’s Neta was all leader, a true Alpha male, and Trench Tora was proud to be his Enforcer.
He owed everything to the Pride and would do whatever was requested of him without fail. He owed Dean that much. Trench turned and growled at some of the folks around him who’d started whispering, and they quieted immediately.
Smart fellas.
He would broker no disrespect aimed at his Neta. His inner Tiger would not allow it. Predatory Shifters such as they were hard-wired to demand submission and obedience from their lessors. And when it came to Tigers, just about everyone was lesser.
Grrr.
“I am stepping in for Captain Luani until things at the 135th precinct get sorted. That means, if you have a problem, you come to me. With the city’s rampant budget cutting among law enforcement, the captain has to go where he is most needed. I think we can all agree, that is where he can best serve the supernatural community of New York. I swore an oath to this Council and to all of you I shall work to the best of my ability to keep things running smoothly until the official vote,” Dean said, addressing all concerns and questions evenly and to the best of his ability.
As far as Trench was concerned, that was good enough for him. His Neta’s word was law, and he had no doubts the man would do his best for all of them. Dean Romero was a fucking god among Tigers, and Trench was proud to be an Enforcer for the guy.
“Now, we have a Wolf problem, let’s fix it. Blake, McLeesh, I will send my best to investigate the circumstances you presented. We will have an answer as soon as possible.”
Then Dean’s gaze landed on Trench, and he knew what was being asked. Without hesitation, Trench nodded. He would get the details from the Vampire and start immediately. After all, that’s what an Enforcer does.