Ryker nods, his mismatched eyes scanning the maps with tactical precision. “Team assignments?”
The war room fills as more pack members arrive for the emergency briefing—senior wolves, specialists, fighters. Soon we have enough personnel for two full assault teams.
“What about our allies?” Kitara asks. “The bear clans, the witch covens? They have people missing too.”
“Already reached out,” Ryker confirms. “Ghost River and Greyback packs are sending support teams, the other packs are considering who they can provide. The Northern Bear Clan is contributing a strike force. Three covens from the eastern territories are providing magical support and healing expertise.”
“The fae courts?” someone asks.
A heavy silence falls over the room. Ryker’s expression darkens. “No. There’s too much bad blood from the war years. They might use this as an excuse to settle old scores rather than focus on rescue operations. I’ll not risk our people like that.”
I nod, understanding his decision. The fae courts’ involvement in the Blood Wars left wounds that still haven’t healed.
“So we’re looking at coordinated strikes across multiple species,” Elias summarizes. “Wolves, bears, witches and warlocks. Should we have a unified command structure?”
“Lithia coordinates the eastern facility assault, Elias will take the west.” Ryker decides. “I’ll handle overall strategic command from here, maintaining communication between all teams.”
“I don’t know. The eastern facility is where we’ll face the strongest resistance,” Levi interjects from his position at my left shoulder. “I think it makes sense for Elias to lead.”
“Why?” I ask. “The mission parameters are similar to what Kier and I faced during our escape—underground facility, enhanced guards, silver-lined security measures.”
“Last time you got taken. The risk is too great. You’re too valuable to?—”
“I’m Beta,” I snap, whirling to face him. “I make tactical decisions for this pack, not you.”
“And I’m Gamma,” he fires back, his yellow eyes blazing. “Which means when the Beta makes reckless decisions that endanger the pack’s command structure, I have a duty to intervene.”
The room goes deadly quiet. Every wolf present can feel the dominance struggle crackling between us, can scent the tension that’s been building for weeks finally boiling over.
“Step back,” I tell him, my voice a growl. “Now.”
He turns to Kier. “Aren’t you gonna say something?”
Kier looks at me, and I brace, waiting for him to cut me down as well. “Nah. She seems to have it in hand.”
After years of people either dismissing my authority or feeling the need to defend me when I’m perfectly capable of defending myself, Kier’s endorsement of my abilities catches me off guard. He’s not trying to fight my battles for me or undermine my position—he’s simply acknowledging what should be obvious, I’m Beta of this pack for a reason.
My wolf preens at his quiet confidence in us, and I have tofight back a smile despite the tension crackling through the room.
Levi throws up his arms, opening his mouth to protest when Ryker cuts him off. “Enough.”
We both turn to face our Alpha, Levi’s jaw tight with barely contained frustration, my hands clenched into fists at my sides.
“Beta Lithia will lead the assault on the primary facility,” Ryker states with cold finality. “Levi, you’ll coordinate the overall operation from here.”
“Alpha, I respectfully protest?—”
“Your protest is noted and overruled.” Ryker’s tone is filled with an unmistakable warning. “The decision stands.”
Levi’s face cycles through anger, hurt, and resignation before settling into cold acceptance. “Of course, Alpha.”
But I catch the look he throws my way as he steps back—a mixture of desperation and possession that makes my wolf snarl in response. This isn’t over.
“If you’ll let me, I’d like to be on the eastern facility team,” Kier says, straightening from where he’d been studying the facility schematics. His golden eyes meet mine across the table. “I have the most experience with their operational security, and Lithia will need someone who understands how these bastards think.”
“You’re not pack,” one of the senior wolves mutters, but Ryker silences him with a gesture.
“He’s proven himself,” Ryker says firmly, his tone carrying the weight of alpha authority. “Kier’s experience makes him invaluable for this operation.”
