#Chapter 128 – Snake

Suddenly, two of Victor’s Betas explode from the treeline on either side of the black figures who approach Victor. Victor’s Betas shoot at the black figures, but they dodge, leaping forward and pulling knives from their hips. The men in ski masks tackle Victor’s Betas to the ground, pressing the knives to their skin to infect them with the wolfsbane.

“That’s two of Dad’s Betas down,” Ian whispers.

“Eight more to go,” Alvin confirms.

Victor’s Betas scream with pain, but four more come charging out of the woods behind them. Slowly, Victor turns in his place, leveling his gun at the two figures in black who stand and put their hands up, realizing that they are surrounded.

Victor nods and two of his Betas move forward, quickly taking the two captured men by the wrists and knocking them to their knees. Then, swiftly, they press knives to the captive’s throats, digging just deep enough to get the wolfsbane in their bloodstream.

The two mean shriek bloody murder and fall to the snow, agony in their limbs.

Ian’s face brightens with a smile and Alvin laughs. “That’s it!” he says.

“One of those men is Uncle Rafe!” Alvin cries, clapping his mittened hands, which don’t make much noise. “Papa has won!”

They frown, though, to see that their father isn’t partaking in their celebration. Instead, he walks casually over to the fallen men, pulling off their ski masks and consulting with his Betas about their next moves. They nod to each other and move further into the forest with military precision, watching their surroundings, working their way towards new defensive positions.

“Wait…” Ian says, peering at the men on the ground.

“Neither of those…” Alvin says, studying them. “…is uncle Rafe.”

The boys look at each other, rage and horror on their faces.

Ian spells it out. “If neither of the five fallen Betas is uncle Rafe, and none of the six we saw back there are him either…” His voice fades off as he shakes his head.

“Then,” Alvins says, angry and confused. “Where is Uncle Rafe?”

“He is cheating,” Ian growls, rage lighting his eyes. “What a snake.”

“Come on,” Alvin says, starting to climb down the tree. “We have to go tell papa!”

“No,” Ian says, grabbing him by the coat sleeve before he gets too far. “We have to go tell grandpapa.”

“Why?” Alvin asks, looking up at him.

we have to catch him in the act,” Ian says, looking back towards the camp. “Grandpapa is in charge – he says who the

Back to camp,”

flash, the two boys begin to move through the canopy of the trees,

blinks slowly as she stares into the flames, fighting the urge to let herself drift to sleep. But

her. Evelyn frowns, pondering this strange girl, worrying for her. She’s a sweet

tonight. Evelyn is determined to help Bridgette, but…maybe,

sits straight up in her chair. She glances at her phone

then leaps to her feet when she sees two figures hurrying into the light of the fire. She had been looking for men – Betas, probably – dressed in black. So imagine her surprise when the two emerging figures turned out to be not Victor’s soldiers, but her own

stir to life around her.

checking them over with both her hands and her eyes to ensure they are all

says, his

We just wanted

stare at their mother, shocked. Hardly ever – perhaps never? – had she spoken to them in

–“ she says, flinging an arm towards the forest. “I don’t care how clever you think you

her, scared, suddenly, to see their mother’s face red with rage, her anger directed at

fill both of their

says, bringing his

to help!” Ian says, nodding fervently, his

to see Henry rolling out onto the porch of his cabin. Evelyn had thought he had gone to bed, but

stand with him and Bridgette sits up in her chair,

says, moving quickly to stand next to the boys, her mind working rapidly to come up with some kind of excuse

that,” Henry says, shooting her a dark look. “I want to hear it from the

shuts

can tell that you’ve done something that your mother isn’t happy about. Now, you’ve always been honest, so even if you’ve done something bad, you’ll tell

look up

then.” Henry says, sitting up straight

first. “We went into the forest, sir,” he says

Henry narrows his eyes.

trail!” Alvin adds, his eyes wide with his desire to be believed. “We promise we didn’t! You can ask any of

to go into the woods.

hangs his head. “Yes sir,” he confirms. “We knew.” He looks up then, suddenly angry. “But

“And you let him do it! Uncle Rafe cheated then, putting something in papa’s tea, and we

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