Ken was out like a rock. Perfect. If he didn’t wake up until this was over, that would be for thebetter.
I crawled out of bed, got dressed, and headed for the door. With one glance back to where my mate was asleep, I steeled myselfandleft.
I needed to do this - to protect my new pack, and more importantly, to protect myfamily.
The cool night air made me shiver. I brought my jacket - Ken’s jacket - closer to my face as I quickly strode down the path. Soon the town faded away, replaced by thick trees as I entered the forest. I tried not to remember the night that Gunner sent me here to complete this mission. The scent of rotting leaves and rich soil made me uneasy, as it reminded me of that night, as I lay there bloody and bruised and completely vulnerable. I shut my eyes and exhaleddeeply.
Focus,Wesley.
I ran over the plan one more time in my mind. I would go to the border, call for Gunner, and set up a time for us to put our plan into motion - not a real plan, of course. Unknown to him, it would be a plan to end his tyranny once and for all. Once Gunner and I set up a time and place to meet, I would tell the alphas about it, and they would help me defeat Gunner. They couldn’t say no after I’d already planned a meeting with the topalpha.
I imagined Ken’s disappointed expression when I’d tell him the truth about what I did tonight. I knew he would be upset. But this was something thatneededto happen. None of us were safe with Gunner still in control of Scarlet Ridge pack. Some of them were content to live their lives sharing borders with him, but not me. I would be the one to do somethingaboutit.
With a shudder, I passed the scene where Gunner’s alpha cronies left me nearly for dead all those weeks ago. It was strange. All the blood had disappeared, faded with time. Life went on in this forest as if nothing bad had everhappenedhere.
My lip curled, thinking about what Gunner had in store for me. If it were up to him, the same thing that happened in this forest would have happened in Scarlet Ridge pack; he’d continue to use and abuse omegas, then leave us for dead, then forget about us as if nothing happened. We were just tools to him. That was why I had to do this. I wouldn’t let any more omegas - or alphas, or any kind of shifter - sufferhisrule.
I finally reached the place in the forest where the scents began to mingle. When I first arrived at Indigo Mountain pack, the scent seemed so strange and unfamiliar; almost too sweet, too floral. But now it felt like home. On the other hand, Scarlet Ridge’s scent made an uncomfortable chill run down my spine. It was bitter, dark, and sharp, one that left my nose tinglingunpleasantly.
Swallowing my anxiety, I shifted into my wolf form. I raised my muzzle and let out a low, deep howl that reverberated through the forest. It was laced with meaning that only a Scarlet Ridge wolf would understand, like a secret message tooutsiders.
After it was complete, I sat and waited for a response. Then a howl returned to me - another Scarlet Ridgemessage.
They would bearrivingsoon.
I forced myself to breathe. I hadn’t seen Gunner or any other Scarlet Ridge wolf since the incident. I just hoped I could hold my nerve when face-to-face with themagain.
Soon, I heard leaves rustle ahead. Dark shapes stalked through the trees. My ears flicked back, but I forced them to stand straight. I didn’t want them to know I was nervous. I had to be confident; I had to believemylie.
An alpha I didn’t recognize by name strode up to me. Judging by the way my stomach flipped when I caught his scent, I realized he must have been one of the alphas involved in my beating. I forced myself to stand myground.
Behind him, I saw a couple more shapes. Judging by their scents, one was another alpha, but the second wasGunner.
I had him right where I wanted him. But I needed to ditch the alpha bodyguardssomehow.
The alpha in front of me shifted to human form and asked in a growl, “Does anyone knowyou’rehere?”
I did the same. “No,” I said. It was the truth this time. Ken should have been fast asleep at this point, and hopefully I would return before hewokeup.
“Good.”
“I need to speak with Gunner,” I said bluntly. I didn’t have time to waste talking to hislackeys.
The alpha narrowed his eyes, but since he knew of my importance to this mission, he didn’t let loose the scalding remark I’m sure he was thinking. Instead he turned around and summoned Gunner, accompanying the top alpha as heapproachedme.
“Wesley,” Gunner said, looking down at me. I met his eye and didn’tlookaway.
“Hello,sir.”
“I’m assuming there’s a reason you called me out here.” A slow smile stretched across his lips. “Have you accomplished yourmissionyet?”
“It is almost complete, sir,” I said. “I had my first heat and mated with the top alpha. He trusts mecompletely.”
The lie came out easily, much to mysurprise.
“I just wanted to tell you the place and time I’m going to take him out, but…” I looked at him meaningfully. “If you would like to be the one to kill him, I would be fine with thataswell.”
Gunner suspiciously raised an eyebrow. “Why? You don’t think you candoit?”
