Placing his hand on Quin’s leg, Kieran murmured, “Q, it’ll be all right.”
“I also just learned the wolf shifters who attacked Fionn and Hunter are planning to attack the Blackwood Pack toseize Fionn. This was planned before his uncle called Fionn, but we have to prepare for it even if he complies with his uncle’s demand,” Jackson said. Angry voices responding to the news filled the room until Jackson held up his hand. “In a minute, Dylon will explain our plan.” Then he looked at each of his cousins before saying, “I promise you we will rescue Hunter...”
“Not without us,” Sawyer said. “He’s our brother.”
“I do need you,” Jackson said, “here…to help the enforcers fight the mercenary shifters when they attack.”
“Fuck you! You honestly think me and my brothers are going to sit back, twiddling our thumbs, knowing Hunter’s in trouble?” asked Sawyer.
“Sawyer, cool it,” Mason said. “Jackson, go ahead…what do you want us to do?”
Staring at his brother, Sawyer couldn’t believe what he was hearing. A rarely-felt emotion washed over him and his laid-back persona disappeared as he exploded in anger. “I can’t…why you…who the fuckareyou anymore, Mase? I know you’re pissed at Hunter, but really, this is taking it too fuckin’ far…turning over our responsibility to save Hunter to Jackson? Really, Mase? Don’t you think you’re carrying your grudge a little too far?”
“That’s enough, Sawyer,” Mac growled at his twin. “You have no right to insult Mase. He’s putting Hunter first. Can you say the same when you haven’t even heard the plan to get him back?”
Sawyer’s eyes widened at Mac’s rebuke—something his twin had never done before. They were inseparable growing up, always sticking up for each other no matter what the other had done, even though Sawyer was usually the mischief-maker. But Mac had never waveredin his support—until now. “Mac?” he said softly. “You, too?”
Hearing the hurt in his twin’s voice, Mac immediately regretted chastising his brother, but there was nothing he could say to explain his position without exposing the secrets of the Blackwood Pack. Looking at his twin, he begged softly, “Please Sawyer, just trust me on this…please?”
Searching his twin’s face, Sawyer could see Mac’s pain reflected there along with his plea. Sighing, he gave in. “Okay, Mac, I’ll listen to Jackson’s plan.”
Giving his brother a grateful smile, Mac turned back to Jackson. “Please go ahead.”
Nodding at Mac, Jackson continued. “Dylon’s plan has been approved by me and Hunter’s mate, Fionn, so please keep that in mind when you hear it. Dylon, if you will…”
Standing up, Dylon began. “It’s a three pronged attack with each one just as important to the success of the mission as the others. In about twenty minutes, Fionn will receive a text from his uncle with an address. He’ll then have less than five minutes to appear there in order to prevent his uncle from harming Hunter.”
“How can that happen?” asked Robin. “What if the location is on the other side of the world? What’ll happen to Hunter if Fionn doesn’t make it in time?”
“He’ll make it in time because he has a portal that can transport him anywhere in the world within seconds,” Dylon replied. “While he’s doing that, a small strike force will arrive outside the place where Hunter’s being held, waiting for the signal to attack.”
“Who’s in the strike force?” asked Sawyer.
“Me, Cody, Zane, Dakota, Slate and Colton,” Dylon said. “The second prong involves the protection of the grounds of the Blackwood Pack. You, Robin, Mac, Mason and Carson will each lead groups of enforcers and will be assigned to an area by Steel, who you’ll report to. Jackson and Ian will be responsible for protecting everyone in the house.”
“What about the pups?” asked Theo.
“I’m assigning you and Norm to them, Theo. I have complete faith in the both of you to keep the pups out of harm’s way,” Dylon said.
“What about me?” asked Quin. “I want to help, too.”
“I was hoping you’d help me,” Jackson said.
“I can do that,” Quin replied, shyly
“What about Logan?” asked Sawyer. “Is he going to be doing anything?”
“He’s in the third prong,” replied Dylon, “along with Kieran, but their mission is confidential so I can’t say more than that.” Then he looked at the remaining two pack members and said, “David, you are assigned to Jackson. If communication is interrupted, I need you to get messages from Jackson and Steel to the others. And you Adam, your job is to wait until you’re needed somewhere to fill in if a problem arises. Any questions?”
“Yeah,” said Sawyer. “How are you planning to protect Fionn from someone who obviously means to do him harm? Sending him in alone might be okay in your book, but I owe it to my brother to protect his mate. If you save Hunter but Fionn is killed, you are, in effect, signing my brother’s death warrant.”
“Fionn won’t be alone,” replied Dylon.
Arching a brow, Sawyer’s disbelief showed on his face. “Huh…so who’s going to be with him?”
“Sorry, that’s con…”
“Confidential…I know,” snorted Sawyer. Then looking at his brothers, he said, “Guys, come on…are you really going to support a plan that sends Hunter’s mate in by himself?”
