#Chapter 172 – H-Hour

An hour later, Alvin is buckled into the back seat of the hummer, his hands folded in his lap, his little backpack tucked between his feet. He watches out the window as his father clears up some final instructions with Burton, who with stay with the cottage, and shakes Bridgette’s hand before starting to walk towards the car.

Alvin watches as Rafe gives Bridgette a lingering hug and a small kiss and then, to Alvin’s shock, follows his dad to the car.

Victor climbs into the driver’s seat and Rafe comes around to the passenger’s side, pulling the door open and climbing into the car. Alvin’s mouth drops open as he sees Rafe buckle his belt.

“What,” Alvin says quietly, “are you doing here?”

Both men, surprised, turn to look at him in the back seat.

“What?” Rafe asks, his dark brows drawing together.

“I asked,” Alvin says, crossing his arms. “What you are doing here, uncle Rafe.”

Rafe’s eyes go wide but Victor just laughs.

“Rafe is coming with us,” Victor says, turning his attention back to the already-running car and putting it in drive. At his signal, the convoy pulls out onto the road.

“Why,” Alvin asks, bitterness in his tone.

“You got a problem with me, kid?” Rafe asks sternly, but Alvin can see that he has a smirk on his face, as if it might be funny if Alvin did have a problem with him.

“You’re a sneaky betrayer,” Alvin says, still angry. Rafe bursts out laughing, which just makes Alvin madder.

Victor smiles as the convoy starts to pick up pace. “It’s okay, Alvin,” he says. “I commanded him to follow my every order. I used my Alpha compulsion, so he can’t break it. Right Rafe?”

Rafe rolls his eyes. “Yes, that’s right,” he says, peering out the window. “Not that it was necessary.”

Alvin looks between them, considering. “So, no matter what,” he asks. “Uncle Rafe has to do what you say? And not do anything to hurt you?”

“That’s right,” Victor says as they pull onto the highway. “Nothing to hurt me, or the campaign, or the pack.” He smirks at his brother. “He has to be a good little puppy.”

Rafe gives him a dirty look, but says nothing.

“Good,” Alvin says, narrowing his eyes at the back of Rafe’s head. “Because if he betrays you again, I’ll Alpha command him to jump off a bridge.”

two men up front burst

him. “I take your point – you don’t trust me.

giving him another little glare. “I don’t have to do anything you say. I

and then looks curiously at Victor. “Wait, does

him and shrugs. “He’s the heir

his seat as

Alvin has indeed fallen asleep in the back. Victor feels sleep

he tucks Alvin into the little cot at the back of his office and heads out to the fire pit, where his head Betas are waiting

though, and turns to him. “Well?” he

to the circle, where the Betas make room for

frowns at him a little. “I’m surprised at you. The Rafe I know would have been brashly inserting himself in this circle

looks up at Victor, a little rueful. “Yeah well,” he says. “The Rafe you knew didn’t get very far in this world, did he? So,

“Well, don’t get too docile on me, Rafe. We need

Rafe leans forward to join the

finally pulls up to the cabin. It took forever to get home, mostly because she took back roads, just in case someone

into the trunk of her car. Then, he had also helped her gag him and then tie his hands and

are you,” Delia had asked, pleased and baffled at Cliff’s

her not to ask questions she didn’t want answers to. Then, with a casual wave, he had headed back into

been peaceful, silent even. But about fifteen minutes ago, Delia

over her shoulder. “Looks like Prince Charming

into the driveway, the noises from the trunk go silent. Joyce knows that the trunk will open soon, and that

and hurries to the house. Really, it would have been so

she calls, throwing open the

around her. “Oh thank god,” Emma

reaches out a hand to brush at the bruises

hand gently

over Delia’s shoulder and then nods. “Okay.

Emma and Delia head out the door, Emma grabs a shotgun that Delia hadn’t noticed by the door. It hadn’t been there when she

eyeing the long gun as they walk

it this morning,” Emma says, looking at her with a shrug. “Walmart has same-day

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