“And?” Iasked.
“And I want to help you,” Deltaanswered.
We all looked at eachother.
“Look, it’s obvious you’re trying to escape,” Delta continued. “It’ll only get easier if you have two First Order alphas helping. Right,Virgil?”
Virgilnodded. “Yes.”
From the corner of my eye, I watched Virgil put his hand slowly behind his back. He kept the key out of sight. I watched Delta’s eyes flicker towards him for a brief moment, then he returned his gaze back to us andsmiled.
“I’ve been part of the pack longer than Virgil. I know all the trails in this territory. I know the best route we can take to get out of here,”Deltasaid.
“Great!” Hector said, clapping his hands together. “Let’sgo,then.”
I saw the strange expression that flashed across Delta’s face after Hector spoke, but it quicklywentaway.
“Wait just a second,” Igrowled.
Delta stopped. “What’swrong?”
“I trust Virgil, but I don’t trust you,” I said, narrowing my eyes. “If you’re really going to help us, you better prove you’re on ourside-fast.”
The alpha hesitated for a moment. “Alright. Niko, come here. I’ll remove yourcollar.”
“No,” I growled loudly. “You come to him. And I’m by his side thewholetime.”
Bowing his head in agreement, Deltasaid, “Okay.”
With submissive body posture, Delta made his way closer to us. I watched like a hawk as Delta reached into his pocket and produced a small key. He undid the lock and Niko’s collar clattered to the ground. Niko gasped and his hands flew to his neck, which was finally free of that wretcheddevice.
“There,” Delta said, holding up his hands. “See? Notricks.”
“Fine, let’s just get going already,” Igrumbled.
We gathered in a tight circle as Delta explained his plan. “There’s a narrow river that starts on our territory and crosses into Indigo Mountain territory. It’s a bit of a tight walk, but with so few of us, we should be able to make it without beingnoticed.”
I looked to Virgil forconfirmation.
“Yes, I know of that river,” he said. “I wasn’t aware it went all the way to IndigoMountain’sside.”
“It does,” Deltapromised.
“Great, so what are we waiting for?” Hectorasked.
Delta frowned. “There’s just one problem. It’s on low ground a bit far from town, so it’s visible from the higher ground - if you’re looking for it,thatis.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “Andisthere anyone lookingforit?”
“No,” Delta said, shaking his head and holding up his hands again. “I mean, not that I’m aware of - but why would they be? It’s just ariver.”
I looked around the group for input. Niko shrugged and Virgil looked neutral about the wholething.
“Aren’t there any other alternatives?” Hectorasked.
“Every route out of here will involve travelling near the edge of town in some way,” Virgil commented. “There’s no 100% safe passage,unfortunately.”
“Especially now that they know something’s up,” Niko said with a grimace. “What if wesplitup?”
