Hey all :)
Ugh the heat is horrid right now in Illinois. I mean geez, the humidity is stifling! Anyways, I'm happy you enjoyed the little Fatima/Samson moments. And as for the bubble wrap... I'm waiting on my own safety suit! I mean seriously...

One reviewer said she fell going up the stairs. Just how is that possible? LOL

Chapter 49 – Cards On The Table (Ansel Conrad POV) Pt.2

"Did you get them?" I whip around to face my sister Angela as she types furiously on her computer. Gauging her behavioral reactions, the minute her shoulders slouch down I know she wasn't able to get a location for Samson from the short call he had just made.

"He hung up too soon," she answers apologetically. "So not the first time or second?" With her disappointed shake of her, Angela goes back to hanging back when Kalenah and I enter my office – poker face in place.

Everything he's told me is put on the back burner. For now.

The office has everyone that lives in or just around Bend that belongs to our Den, everyone anxious and unsure why I've summoned the families again so soon.

It had taken a few hours but now everyone over the age of seventeen that was in Bend and supernatural, even the Trenton werewolf family, and few Faes had come. Waiting in the motor hanger, Kalenah and I had already put Samantha, Amy and Simon to bed in the motorhome that Antone – Kalenah's father – would be driving to North Carolina.

In minutes I'd be giving them the all clear to leave.

After a couple hours, I had already come to the conclusion that the best thing to do would be to leave Taylor and Devin Rosario behind. Inform Shannon and Javier Senior of the threat while giving the girls money so they could head to their parents – two burner phones with them should they need to get into contact with us while we went underground for a lack of better words.

We were not by any means leaving without a trail, however I could not imagine a scenario where taking them with us was in benefit. They were friends, so of course, we would not explain why we left Bend, only suggesting that for now they seek acceptance into another Den as Devin and Brennan have broken up, and Samson couldn't stand to be near Taylor.

Hell, we had already warned our children to remain silent about Samson and Faith. As far as anyone knew, they had left before the rest of us but would meet us where we were going. Only Nova, Angela, and

Rushing set aside, I could not but think that slowly things were getting put together, even though a sword was hanging over our heads.

Maybe leaving Bend this way was how it was supposed to happen, I continued to think throughout the night while helping my children pack. We had become accustomed to Bend; however it was time to move on. In truth we couldn't stay forever but with a new goal to work towards I felt as though it chanced at the right time.

We didn't know when or if what Faith believed would occur, but after speaking with Nova, I felt it better to prepare for such a time. Sure enough, once I called Antone and Bess – Kalenah's parents – I knew they'd be great assets to us.

I had been setting up properties for the coming move, only two dwellings needing more work than the others. If everyone decided to follow me to North Carolina, it would be tight for a few months, as I had informed Angela, Nova and Kalenah. However there would be nearly forty adults, each able to help build what was already forming in my minds eye.

It had been many years back since I had lived on a farm, growing our own produce, however now it would have to be done on a different scale. It was a lot to manage and pull off on just the scattered brain ramblings of a girl who knew less than she should.

But hearing Nova confess that a month ago, after a session with Faith she actually began buying chemical suits for her family. On the off chance that Faith knew more than she was aware. Well that changed the disbelief instantly, to survival mode.

Who knew if anything would come to fruition as Faith believed? That was one question, the next? What if it transpired, I had the knowledge and did nothing to prepare, leaving my family in peril? It would be hard to adjust to the life we would be creating in North Carolina, however, better to have a few rough months of fine-tuning our lives than multiple deaths.

"What's the meaning of this meeting Ansel?" Nick Ramos asks, his wife Verna, and children standing to his left.

This was where things would be getting tricky.

Angela, Nova, and Kalenah's faith in me as a leader was flattering but I also knew that Nick had been whispering in the ears of some of the families in the Den.

He would be the better leader he proclaimed.

Using the rehearsed speech, my face tight, I inform the members of my Den of the situation at hand. Giving the information I felt would leave them with the most knowledge while still I held plenty back.

"I've decided it's time to leave Bend-" the murmurings grow to a low hum, adults shocked by the decision since many believed that it would be another year or two before we left. "What? Our kids have school-"

"There is danger in Bend, first the school our children attend was set on fire, before that, my plane tampered with, now the bridge here exploding. Now, the Hotel had an explosion, and you've all seen the news, gathering here seeking out our town and collecting information, scrutinizing Bend."

"That will pass," Nick says disagreeing with me, and I can already tell which members of the Den that Nick has been able to sway. "We do not need to live in the shadows, we are just shy of a full year since shifters have been revealed through mainstream media," the Nick supporters nod slowly, looking to me as though there is no need that would make us run.

Tell that to Faith and Samson, I think as Nick makes a stand He does not need everyone in the room to follow him, and truth is I do not believe he has the financial means to undertake everyone.

He is just tired of being under my rule.

He wants a shot at self-governing, as though that will increase his status. A small part of me wonders if he realizes the position he will be in? It's one thing to be responsible for my own family, but it is another to remain impartial and lead others too.

But, then again maybe Nick will succeed.

He treats his family as his submissives', and now, these families that agree with him, will only feed into his vainglorious need. He wants to rule differently, another Alpha Monet in cultivation.

I pity his wife and it does not escape me that Luca is nowhere in sight, yet Giselle stands behind Nick, ready to jump at his command.

"I've led you all for upwards of twenty years. I've kept us safe, lucrative, and off the radar of the Elders," and in the span of less than two weeks, Danny and Cynthia have tried to undermine all my efforts. Though I do not speak such words out loud.

"I'm not asking permission to leave, or even stating that everyone should follow me," I let Nick know that those that follow him will not be hitting me as a surprise, smirking in his direction. And though he knows of my leadership, I do not believe he is aware of what will happen once my mother removes her enchantment on Bend.

At least I know that once we leave, it will be done without leaving a trail.

Nick has been nothing but transparent. Why he thinks losing members will be a shock baffles me. "However once we are gone, there will be no additions later down the road," the warning clear and my words spark a few fires inside members. Their heartbeats increase, and on a few faces a grimace shows.

They glance over at Nick under their lashes, but he stands proud, arms across his chest. He's too cocky and unfortunately, whatever perils those that remain will face, they will not survive it.

It's in Nick's eyes.

He would sell out his own children. How will his followers fair?

The ones that are deciding to follow him look away from me. Over to him, then back down at their hands. Those are couples, they have silent conversations, and oddly I narrow it down to three families that decide to stay.

They are the same. After twenty years I've come to know what types of relationships specific couples have. The three proudest males, that did not question me at every turn, but thought they did not need to submit to my rule.

The three males that feel as though they could do my job better than me and feel like Nick. I'm surprised only because Nick wants to be the ultimate 'Alpha' male, but so do they.

"Now – now Ansel," Nick drawls. Idiot. "There is no need to put such a threatening thought out there." The three men nod imperceptibly and their significant others, they remind me of helpless children.

Those women want to come with us. They know staying behind if I want to leave is a bad decision, but these wives will follow their husbands into the fire.

I keep everyone safe; I do not police their marriages.

Maybe if I had I would have realized what was happening with Danny. Having Samson tell me that Cynthia might be a life energy siphoning Fae? All the pieces were falling together when it came to her.

I had more information but again, this debacle with my brother would be pushed on the back burner. I'd share the information with my family. Still it made sense.

Danny's ill appearance, the craziness he was spouting – add grief to having his life slowly drained from him and it's explainable.

I'm a man with hundreds of thoughts now, counting down each minute getting my ducks in order.

Nick, Danny and Cynthia would not be the downfall to my family.

"We all know that you cannot control your children," Nick begins, "and while there have been attacks, they've been solely against your family. Those that choose to follow you should know that will be their demise." Nick does like to have the last word, but my bravado does not require hot air to be sprouting from my mouth.

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So Nick Ramos is staking claim in Ansel's emergency meeting.