#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.

act,” Ian says, looking back towards

nods, understanding. “Okay. Back

through the canopy of the trees,

is still warm. Evelyn blinks slowly as she stares into the flames, fighting the urge to let herself drift to

snoozing lightly in her own camping chair, her feet tucked up beneath her. Evelyn frowns, pondering this strange girl, worrying for her. She’s a sweet kid but she seems so…naïve. Just totally unprepared

sides tonight. Evelyn is determined to help Bridgette, but…maybe, in support of Victor, she’d start

chair. She glances at her phone for the time – barely three hours have passed. Surely they can’t be

had been looking for men – Betas, probably – dressed in black. So imagine her surprise when the two

hisses, and she hears the camp stir to life around her. “What the

she runs towards them, falling to her knees in front of them, checking them over with both

Ian says, his eyes wide

We just wanted

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

determined that they’re safe and unharmed. “That is a war zone out there –“ she says, flinging an arm towards the forest. “I don’t

boys stare at her, scared, suddenly, to see their mother’s face red with rage,

fill both of

mama!” Alvin says, bringing his mittened

help!” Ian says, nodding

he had gone to bed, but he was still dressed and alert. Apparently, he, too, was determined to stay up to hear the results of the

and Bridgette sits up in her chair, suddenly awake, confused as everyone else is about

mind

her a dark look. “I want to hear it from the boys themselves, before

routed, Evelyn shuts her

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

to look up to their

ahead, then.” Henry says, sitting up straight in

forward first. “We went into the

Henry narrows his eyes.

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

boys were not expressly forbidden to go

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

to scold them further. “And you let him do it! Uncle Rafe cheated then, putting something in papa’s tea, and we just wanted to make sure he was

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