71 Lucas: Preparation

LUCAS

“You’re positive?”

My still–smoldering cigarette is crushed into oblivion within the crystal ash tray, along with twenty of its kin. Smoke is an intrusive guest within the cramped room, swirling around the heads of both deltas standing before me.

Cheap motel rooms aren’t meant to house three large wolf shifter males, but it is what it is.

“Positive,” Ryder reports, cool as a fucking cucumber despite how much is riding on tonight.

The decision to invade Blackwood wasn’t made lightly. Most of the pack fought against the decision, until two more scouts were found dead at the border.

And, most importantly, a witness.

That one was alive, though.

“Council won’t move until we bring the official

petition,” Ryder continues, flipping through the notes

in front of him. “Even so, Silvermoon forces near the

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71 Lucas Preparation

border are confirmed and ready if we call for aid.”

The chair creaks beneath my weight as I lean back, but surprisingly manages to stay together. “With this act of war, Council will have lost its authority, anyway.”

My deltas say nothing. There isn’t much to say–the fact that an alpha is willing to say as much is far beyond their pay grade. Silvermoon has allied with Westwood, and Aspen as well, though Clayton seems to be busy hunting down his own missing mate. It’s an epidemic, and I’m positive it’s all been orchestrated by the Blackwoods to weaken the packs. @

Swaying the chair from side to side, I glance at the ceiling, thinking in between rhythmic creaks. “Ryder, head to Silvermoon. I’ll contact you if we need the reinforcements. Vester, stay with us. You’ll head off any runners from the south. Our goal is to cut off Blackwood’s head today. I don’t want this war going on for years.”

“Understood.”

Lighting another cigarette, I inhale deeply, letting the harsh smoke fill my lungs before exhaling a plume into the stale air. My deltas are on edge, too, but they wait

for my dismissal.

sighted at her family home, under

into his territory.

never believed one of our own could be that level of stupid. We know better than to consort with those

we’ve set forth in order to live in

humans.

much of a dumbass. He has little connection with the humans in

an Unregistered is nothing to someone who doesn’t

their lands.

that taboo and the witness saved after

attack, we finally have

a reason for war. Reasons that will allow

Council to be rebuilt in the aftermath, even as I

to declare it

for that shit. I can’t risk them hiding

71 Lucas: Preparation

her from me.

my wolves into a city near the heart of his pack lands. They have no presence in the human cities, and no humans here are loyal to the power of the pack controlling their territory. He’s done nothing to

with them.

have allowed so many to settle in these human towns, and yet Blackwood has

Sheer arrogance.

be his downfall tonight.

quite so easy to infiltrate. their lands, but I’m grateful for it. It’s kept her safe while

through me, fueled by the thought of her being so tantalizingly close after all this time. Tonight, she will be

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71 Lucas: Preparation

me… But I’m not stupid. I can’t force it. If I have to, I’ll bring her back to

when it’s safe and woo

to arms. But a part of me bristles

my heart. Renard Blackwood is a sly old bastard, that much is certain. He wouldn’t keep Ava close without good reason. Is there a

others knowing more about

up in my chest, and my wolf snaps at

his

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71 Lucas: Preparation

plans need to change.

delta straightens his shoulders. “Prepare a small team–no more than five. We’re going in quiet, just you and me at the front. The rest will hang back as support. Once we have her safe, the plan will move forward.”

aren’t too scared to run their mouths, but they know I have a short fuse when it comes to my mate. “You want to

a full–scale invasion will only endanger her further. This has to be clean, precise. In and out before Blackwood even knows we’re there. We don’t know what that fucking bloodsucker did when she was brought in, either.”

proceed to wipe them from

this world.”

a glance with Vester, but both nod in reluctant agreement. They know the lengths I’ll go to for her–have seen firsthand the fire

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71 Lucas: Preparation

her name

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