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

33:01

LO

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.

has been sighted at her family home, under guard at all

into his territory.

level of stupid. We know better than

order

humans.

dumbass. He has

Unregistered is nothing to someone who

their lands.

taboo and the witness saved

attack, we finally have evidence.

a reason for war. Reasons that will allow

be rebuilt in the

convention to declare it

time for that shit. I can’t risk them

71 Lucas: Preparation

her from me.

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

with them.

run into have been dominated with ease. No alpha worth their rank would have allowed so many to settle in these human towns, and yet Blackwood has done so, leaving threats within his border without

Sheer arrogance.

his

but I’m grateful for it. It’s kept her safe while I

being so tantalizingly close after all this time. Tonight, she will be free from her pack.

11:01

71 Lucas: Preparation

I can’t force it. If I have to, I’ll bring her back to

it’s safe and

are in position, and allies await the call to arms. But a part of me bristles at the thought of storming Blackwood lands like some mindless barbarian. There has to be a better way–a surgical

wouldn’t keep Ava close without good reason. Is there a secret behind

about her than me, her mate…

chest, and my wolf snaps at the air in

wants his mate safe.

13.01

<

71 Lucas: Preparation

need

cigarette with more force than necessary. My newest 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

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

will, 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.

she’s safe, we can proceed to wipe them from

this world.”

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

13 01

49

71 Lucas: Preparation

name is

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255