3
Virgil
Heart racingfrom the exertion of sex and the sudden sound of knuckles rapping on the door, I sat up so quickly I became dizzy. Groaning and holding my hand to my temple, I stood, planted my feet on the ground so as not to fall over, and hurriedly dressedmyself.
Behind me, Hector growled with frustration as he tried to make himself decent. “Who the fuck is that?” he asked, sounding angry but also a bit scared. I had to admit to myself that in all of our months living in this cabin, nobody had ever shown upbefore.
But I figured if they at least had the courtesy to knock, they couldn’t be allthatbad.
When I opened the door, I was greeted by four unfamiliar faces. Alphas. It took me a moment to realize they weren’t entirely unfamiliar - recognition stirred in my memory. Where had I seen thembefore?
Then it hit me withagasp.
“Youall- “
“Hello, Virgil,” one alpha saidcurtly.
“Who's at the door?” Hector asked, the note of fear still lingering in hisvoice.
“It’s okay,” I told him, opening the door wider so hecouldsee.
In front of us stood four alphas from Scarlet Ridge pack, but they weren’t just anybody. They had all been part of the fight against Gunner in the clearing the night that David and Niko escaped from his grasp. Some of them bore visible scars on their faces, arms and legs. Most had stubble and tousled hair, like they hadn’t had time for grooming lately. I became a bit self conscious and ran my hand back through my hair - it wasn’t like I had a lot of time or need for thateither.
“How did you find us?” was Hector’s first snippy question. He seemed less relieved than I did to see them again, which was understandable. He’d never had a great relationships with alphas, especially ones working forGunner.
“Nice to see you again. I’m Shane,” the first alpha said sarcastically toHector.
Hector said nothing, just huffing in annoyance. I wondered briefly if I should send these men away, seeing how guarded Hector quickly became. But I recalled their ferocity fighting against Gunner, and the fact that they weren’t attacking us now. At least for the moment, these alphas were not ourenemies.
“Shane,” I said, mulling the name over and vaguely remembering it during my stay in the alpha dorm building. “I’m sorry. You’re all going to need to re-introduce yourselves to me. It’s been alongtime.”
They nodded. One by one they introduced themselves. Shane had brown scruffy hair and a sarcastic way of speaking; Woodrow was tall and darker skinned with a solemn expression; Colin was blond and of average height and build; and finally, Darrel had short dark hair and tired eyes. There was something about him that looked familiar in a different way than the others. With a somber realization, Iknewwhy.
“Darrel, you’re Delta’s brother, aren’t you?” Iasked.
Darrel nodded, the corner of his lips drawn into a frown. “Iam.”
“I’m sorry,” I said. Even though Delta had betrayed our group to usurp my position and gain brownie points with Gunner, he ended up being on our side in the end. He lost his life for daring to go against the top alpha’s tyranny. I wouldn’tforgetthat.
“Thank you,”Darrelsaid.
Hector was still standing behind me with his arms crossed. His tone was short. “So why are you all hereagain?”
Shane glanced between Hector and I, then asked me, “Isn’t that thedeserter?”
I felt Hector flinch, then he snapped, “Virgil, send these guys away! I don't give a shit about whythey’rehere.”
“We should hear them out,” I told him gently. Whatever it was, judging by their presence and the sober atmosphere, it seemed important. Hector grunted and didn'treply.
“I guess that answers my question,” Shanemuttered.
“He’s not a deserter any more than you and I are,” Woodrowchidedhim.
I liked Woodrow already. He had a deep, calming voice and collectedcomposure.
“Guess you’re right,” Shane said, sighing. “Anyway, I guess we should explain whywe’rehere.”
“To make things short, we want your help, Virgil,” Darrel said, looking me hard intheeyes.
