#Chapter 179 – Closing in on the Pack

Victor and Alvin sit quietly in the hummer, their eyes focused on the foliage in front of them. Just through it, they can begin to see the start of a field, the place where Victor intends to hold the battle.

Alvin sits next to his father, quietly chewing on a granola bar, patiently waiting for the next steps. Victor glances at him, impressed, passively, by his ability to sit and wait. He smiles, considering that a good soldier needs many skills, but patience is certainly one of them.

“Alvin,” he says quietly. “When this all…starts. I want you on the back line. And I want your promise that you will stay there, no matter what happens. Stay with the Beta to whom I assign you. All right?”

Alvin looks up at him and gives a brisk nod, surprising Victor again. He had expected more pushback from that.

Victor reaches out a hand and puts it on his son’s shoulder. “Or, if you want,” he says quietly. “You can stay here, in the car. And wait. It’s going to be…well, it will not all be fun, what happens on that battlefield today. You won’t be in any danger, on the back line. But there’s no reason you have to see it, if you don’t want to.”

Alvin holds his gaze steadily. “I want to see it, papa. All of it. This is my pack too.”

Victor nods, understanding, but inwardly he feels guilt. Perhaps he should have insisted that Alvin stay home with Bridgette and Burton – he’s just a child.

But then, Victor recalls Alvin’s words from earlier. He’s not just a kid – he’s an Alpha as well. Victor knows that perhaps more than anyone, being shoved into the position of leading a pack when he was far too young for the job.

Victor sighs, a little, wondering if this was all a mistake – perhaps he should have let Evelyn go, that day at the Quiz competition, let the boys have a normal life, where they wouldn’t be on a battlefield at age six –

The radio on his shoulder blares, interrupting his thoughts –

“Sir,” he voice says, frantic. “We’ve been detected – Walsh’s forces are aware that the left flank – at least the left flank is here – it’s only a matter of time –“

There’s a little disturbance, and then another voice comes on the line –

“Sir,” another Beta says, “we have to move. Now.”

then reaches up to the radio on his shoulder to respond. “Copy,” he replies, “All forces,

Alvin then, whose face is gone a little pale. “You ready, kid?” Victor asks, revving the car’s engine. Alvin nods,

forward into the meadow in front of them.

forces have encircled Walsh’s property and, at this moment, are moving inward, tightening around Walsh like

goes as planned, Walsh and

the doors are locked. Ian

Walsh demands of a Beta as he leads

to take you here, ma’am,” the Beta says. “This room has been retrofitted as a saferoom,

Mrs. Walsh exclaims, looking around

her as they, too, stand by

can respond, though, Walsh and Willard

Betty,” Walsh says, walking over to his wife, Willard at his heels. “We are at

gasps, pressing a hand to her

sweeping over her. “You’re back,” I see, he says, a bit of

that, of course, she’s supposed to have just come back from vacation. “I have

eyes flitting impassively over Delia and Ian before nodding to the Betas, who finish their job of

you,” he says, gesturing towards door at the back corner of the room, “and food will be brought to

and Willard move

calls after, him, angry. “Are you serious? We’re just supposed to sit here, your prisoners,

frowns at her, his hand on the door. “You are no a prisoner, Emma. You are my property. I

Alphas leave the room, but Emma barely blinks. It’s nothing she hasn’t

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

Comments ()

0/255