Ezra's Second Chance

Rumors

That night Ezra woke with a searing pain in his chest. He sat up, gasping for air. The pain dulled to an ache, just like last time. He was angry at being woken like this. He threw back his covers, got up and quickly dressed. Day had just begun to break and the night's chill hadn't started to lift yet. Ezra was unbothered by the cold as he marched across the wet grass to the Palace. He was going to the dungeons to speak the man in charge.

Ezra slammed open the door to the office of the Jailer. it was empty. "Of course it's empty!" he growled to himself. "You dumbass, it's not even day yet!" Ezra stalked back and forth across the office floor. He needed to find Bridgit. He would find her and force her to accept his rejection. If she wouldn't... well maybe he'd lock her up and throw away the key.

As the hours ticked by, Ezra calmed down and eventually took a seat in one of the leather chairs near the desk. Finally, he dozed off, but was soon woken by the door opening and a surprised "what the hell?"

Ezra sat up, a little embarrassed, "hey Clark."

"Ummm, hey, what are you doing here?" Clark, the Jailer, answered. He crossed the room and sat down in his seat behind his desk.

"I need to know where a prisoner who was recently released went and who the parole officer is," Ezra explained.

"Bridgit I'm assuming?"

"Yes..." Word had spread about Ezra's mate situation. It was the source of jokes and jibes at first, but had eventually died down. Apparently not forgotten though. When he'd rejected her she'd just stood trial before the King for her crimes during the war.

"She's released... started her life long parole," Clark said quietly.

Ezra tapped his foot impatiently and raised an eyebrow.

"She's actually living about 20 miles from here. Little tourist town called Bolivina. Her parole officer lives here, but they meet once a week. He's keeping regular reports. Everything looks as it should."

"Can I get her address?"

Clark narrowed his eyes, "why?"

"I'm not going to do anything stupid. I just need to talk to her," Ezra said quickly.

"What about? I can't just hand out addresses, Ezra. Not even to you."

"Because she never accepted my rejection and being woken up at night because she's... you know what I mean. It needs to stop."

Clark sat back and nodded his head, "that would be a good reason. Just don't resort to violence? That will come back on me."

"I have no intention of hurting her," Ezra answered. He really didn't now that he had time to cool down. Maybe she didn't know what she was doing...

"Your word is good enough for me," Clark said as he handed Ezra a piece of paper.

"Thank you, I owe you," Ezra said as he stood.

"Don't mention it, just keep your word," Clark responded with a nod.

Ezra left the office. Fatigue had begun to set in, but he had a full day ahead. First on the schedule was a meeting with the Chief of Security, Ransom Mitchel. Everyone was to give in any reports they had, discuss issues and Ransom would be updating them on his latest mission. These meetings took place once a month. Ezra worked under the Chief of Security, as the King's bodyguard, he was almost the highest rank.

As he entered the meeting room he took quick notice of who was there. The regular crew, plus a few who had been on missions and recently returned. The air changed when Ezra entered. Many of these men still couldn't accept working under an Omega. They didn't feel it was right, however, they'd stopped trying to beat him down because he usually won. They wouldn't say anything in front of the Chief, but it was clear how they felt. Ezra ignored them and took an empty spot at the table.

Ransom stood and cleared his throat, "as many of you know I've been out with a group of our men sniffing into some rumors. Rumors being that the Silverwater pack still has a remnant with the same goals as before. Overthrow the Lycan King..."

Ezra sat up straighter. He had served in the war created by that pack. He'd lost a dear friend to it. They were rogues who'd banded together forming an incredibly strong pack. They felt that werewolves shouldn't be ruled by a Lycan. They also had an obsession with eliminating anything they saw as weak. Omegas, mate bonds, romance of any sort... They had a vast network of spies that reached even the Palace. Ezra's mate had been one of those spies... However, everyone who could be found from that pack had been rounded up and tried. Their Alpha had died at the end of the war.

"There may be some truth to these rumors..." Ransom went on. "We suspect the remnant is small and likely harmless, but we are taking no chances. We cannot risk another war. I will be selecting men from time to time to run missions with me. Ezra Taylor, I need to speak with you after the meeting. Please remain a few minutes after."

Dark looks glared at Ezra, the suspicion in the room was palpable. Was he a suspect? Was he going to get a greater honor than those who felt more worthy? Again, they dared not speak up in front of their boss.

Ezra remained seated when the rest left. Ransom sat across from him and sighed deeply. "I know your mate was a spry for the Silverwater Pack during the war. I know you rejected her, but she did not accept. I want you to keep tabs on her. I want to know her movements and anything even remotely suspicious. Understood?"

Ezra didn't like this assignment, he wanted to be free of her, but he would do his duty diligently. "Yes sir."

"If you need to take time away from the King you will pick a man you trust to work in your stead. Understood?"

Ezra hesitated, but also confirmed this.

"I know you have little or no friends here. But you can trust these men to do their job," Ransom assured him.

"Yes, I do know that. These are the best of the best. They won't shirk their duty just to spite me," Ezra answered.

"You are dismissed."

Ezra shook his boss' hand and left the room. He would need to find a man to take his place when needed quickly... He had an ex-mate to find.