Virgil’s muscles tensed. I reached out to touch his thigh gently to reassure him. He placed his hand on top of mine and intertwined ourfingers.
“No,” Michael said with a firm shake of his head. “We made sure to keep an eye out for him, and on the way back we went out of our way to look for him - that’s why we ended up being late. But there was nothing. Not even a cold scenttrail.”
Virgil frowned. “What about insidethetown?”
“I didn’t pick up his scent in town either, but there were a lot of smells, old and new. I also didn’t know him that well so I probably couldn’t have noticed it even if it was there.Sorry.”
“It’s okay, you did your best,” Virgilreassuredhim.
Michael nodded, then the rest of the alphas with him sat down to eat. Once they were finished, Virgil stood up, assuming all eyes on him, and began tospeak.
“I believe it’s time to act,” he announced. “We have many allies, and our group is strong. We should take advantage of the fact that Gunner believes me dead, and that he doesn’t know of our resistance. We need tostrike.”
The alphasnodded.
“What’s the plan?” Shaneasked.
“If everyone is ready and willing, we should attack tomorrow in the dead of night. Since Michael and the others confirmed Gunner’s location, we can go straight to the source. We take him bysurprise.”
“Are you going to kill him?” Darrel asked bluntly. Judging by the look on his face, he wasn’t opposed totheidea.
Virgil sighed. “I don't want to. Taking a life is a decision that should never be made lightly, but Gunner has proven by his actions that he doesn't think the same way. He’s a selfish leader who only cares about his own power, and will use the lives of others to get his way.” Virgil lowered his voice, speaking clearly and solemnly. “I don't want to kill him, but I mighthaveto.”
Darrel shrugged. “Do what you want. I was just wondering. I don't care what happens to the bastard. Not after he murdered my brother in coldblood.”
Everyone seemed to agree. Frankly, I didn’t blame them. There was no easy solution to this, but one way or another, something had tobedone.
“Then we’re all in agreement?” Virgil asked, looking over the whole group gathered around thecampfire.
Everybody called out in encouragement. Not a single person disagreed with Virgil’s plan. I was proud of him. He looked so handsome standing up tall and issuing out orders like that. Maybe he’d do that to me in bedsometime.
“Alright. Everyone gather your supplies and get ready for tomorrow night. Alphas, meet up with me. Omegas, you may stay here and prepare for us to return, but if you want to join the fight you are more thanwelcometo.”
To my surprise, a couple of the omegas spoke up. I recognized them as WillisandDirk.
“I’llcome.”
“Metoo.”
Virgil nodded to them. “Thankyou.”
The other omegas - Mikey, Conrad, and George - stayed behind to look after those who returned wounded or to receive news updates. George was the best at dealing with wounds and injuries, so the other two would be a big helptohim.
Virgil nodded. “It’s settled, then. Everybody who is joining the offense, meet me here tonight in theevening.”
* * *
We returnedto our tent for the night. The atmosphere around the camp was excited, nervous, but mostly hopeful. If everything went well, we would defeat Gunner and Virgil would take over as the top alpha of ScarletRidgepack.
“Hey,” I began as we laid down in ourblankets.
Virgil was in the middle of taking his shirt off, which gave me a delectable view of hisabs. “Hm?”
“The wholetop alphathing. When you’re in charge, do you think you’re gonna keep that?” Iasked.
He paused and he hummed as he thought about it. “I don’t know. From what I gathered from Indigo Mountain pack, they have no such thing there. It’s run more like a democracy, I assume, where everyone’s opinions are heard. I believe other wolf packs have a similar setup. But I’ve also heard of wolf packs whodohave something similar to a topalpha.”
“How many wolf packs haveyouseen?”
