I had wondered. Many times. But a Prime Alpha obeys orders without question.
“You had your pick of the best missions. The best equipment. Knox had free agency to lead Scorch Squad as he chose. Shade, a mere Beta, was given the rights of an Alpha. Viper would have been put down years ago, but I allowed him to live. And Blaze…” he pauses, as if savoring the insults, “let’s just say your usefulness had run its course. My experiment kept you alive and together.”
Shade is stone-faced, but his nostrils flare slightly.
Viper hasn’t blinked. He’s gone still in that terrifying way he gets before he slips into Blood Lust and someone ends up in pieces.
And Blaze? He’s pacing harder. Faster. Flicking his lighter open and shut like it’s the only thing keeping his fists from flying.
I exhale through my nose, fighting the tight band of rage coiling around my chest. I shove it down. There are still questions unanswered.
Stone moves to the window as if he’s winding up for a lecture, not standing in front of a squad of super-soldiers one snapped nerve away from tearing him apart.
There’s a silence, long and heavy, as we wait.
For the answer.
For the game plan.
For the ‘why the fuck did you do this’we’re all too proud to beg for.
And he gives it. Right on cue.
“You’re wondering why I did all of this,” Stone says, gesturing at us and then out the window at the soldiers marching in practiced sync. “Why I created a rebellion here in Blackgate Fortress. Why I created a Pack. But mostly… why I sent Omega Sparks to you to train.”
‘Yes, you dickbag. That. All of that.’Shade snaps in my mind, his frustration leaking through the bond.
"For years, I watched as civilian unrest grew and the Human invasion loomed closer. It was clear our species stood at the brink of extinction. So I began planning. Not just for survival, but for sanctuary. We needed a stronghold no enemy could breach. And to defend it, we would need more than walls or weapons."
His eyes flick back toward us. The corner of his mouth twitches as he watches us, waiting for some kind of recognition of his brilliance.
“The Capital thinks they’re safe behind their walls. But they’re already surrounded by enemy forces. Resources will dwindle and infighting will tear them apart. Fathim is lost and Blackreach will be the only safe place for Demi-humans.”
I blink.
Blackreach Province as a sanctuary.
It makes sense. The Black Mountain range that borders the Blackreach Province is nearly impassible. There is one place wide enough to deploy troops through. And it’s guarded by the very fortress we are in.
I’m a little disappointed with how… smart it all is. For an Alpha who has behaved like a villain, he’s actually executing a very tactical plan that will save a lot of people.
I prefer to think of the world in black and white. Good and bad. But maybe General Stone is both a manipulative assholeandour species’ savior.
Clever bastard.
"What's that got to do with us and Halley?" Shade presses, his tone dark, and his eyes flashing.
“The pass into Blackreach must never be breached, but even the most dedicated army will weaken in it’s defenses over years of assault.”
He’s right. I saw it happen during my years in command at Dunefold Fortress. The enemy never stopped coming. Never relented. Always finding new ways to test our limits. And it fell.
Stone nods at me. He knows I understand.
“We need a weapon that will turn away any hostile force without the cost of Demi-human life.”
He turns from me, eyes catching on Halley like a hawk sighting prey.
She squirms under his intense stare and makes a strangled choking sound. Her fists gripped tightly at her knees.
