Although from the not-so-subtle glances he sent Nick’s way, there might be a little more to it.
“If you run out of people to fight,” Michael said, clapping him on the shoulder, “you can always come and help us.”
The McKillan pack would not be anywhere near as easy to get under their control. But they had to if any of this was going to succeed. If the Shifter Council was a snake, then the McKillan pack was the head. Cut that off and the rest should be easy.
“I know you’ve been preparing for this ever since the Shifter Alliance gained power,” he said to Val, “but if we attack, then the retaliation will be brutal.”
Val raised her eyebrows. “We’re all well aware of how brutal a shifter can be.” Michael grimaced, but before he could apologise, she added, “But thank you for your concern. Our people know to hang back and not get involved in the thick of it. We’ll be there to cause distractions and pick off stragglers, then move in after you’ve paved the way.”
“Good.” Michael didn’t need any more human deaths on his conscience. Or any deaths, for that matter. As much as he hoped for that outcome, casualties were inevitable. “We should get going,” he said, looking around at everyone. “Attack at midnight and try and keep in touch. Good luck everyone. Be safe.”
After his sentiment was echoed around the group, the humans melted back into the trees. The ones going to the McKillan pack house would take up position outside until Michael and the others cleared a path for them. They’d promised him a distraction to draw some of the HRU out into the grounds, but Michael hadn’t asked what that would be. He trusted them to know their stuff.
He waited for everyone to say their goodbyes to Smith and Nick, the only two not coming with them, then stepped forward himself. Putting his hand on Smith’s throat, he rested their foreheads together. “Be safe,” he whispered. “Let us know when it’s done.”
“I will.” Smith let out a shaky breath. “I’m sorry for not coming with you all. I can’t—” He shook his head. “If they don’t join our side, I don’t think I can—”
“It’s all right,” Michael said, voice soft. “I would never ask you to.”
“Thank you.”
They stepped apart and Michael met Nick’s gaze. “Be safe.”
Nick reached out and gripped his shoulder, taking him by surprise. “You too. Simon’s a nasty fucker. Don’t underestimate him.”
“I won’t.” Michael knew exactly how nasty Simon could be.
“And let us know when you get Isaac and Logan’s parents?” he asked, and Michael smiled at his use ofwhenand notif.
“Of course.”
With nothing left to be said, they all headed to their SUVs. Michael and Callum joined the other two, while Nick and Smith went off on their own.
As they exited the car park, a nervous excitement built inside him. For all his time as McKillan pack alpha, this was what he’d worked towards, hoping that one day they’d be strong enough to overthrow those in power and set things right.
And now that day was here, quicker than he’d ever expected, Michael struggled to comprehend it.
If only Isaac was sitting beside him.
Instead of locked in an interrogation room with Goddess knew what being done to him. Michael growled, the low rumble loud in the car, earning himself a raised eyebrow from Callum. He shook his head and turned to look out the window instead.
If Simon hurt Isaac, Michael would kill him.
Maybe you’ll have to kill him anyway.
He liked that thought maybe more than he should.
* * *
“Inject him,”Simon ordered, eyes narrowing when Paul hesitated, needle in hand.
Isaac watched him out of the corner of his eye. He stood behind and to Isaac’s left, but he made no move to inject Isaac with the serum that would force him into a half-shift.
Simon’s eyes flashed, Paul’s reluctance to follow orders clearly irritating him. Isaac wondered what had happened to Paul to make him act the way he was.
Whatever it was it delayed things and Isaac was all for that.
“I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with you, but either inject that serum into his neck or give it to me and I’ll do it.” Simon’s voice was oddly calm, but Isaac sensed the edge to it that Paul clearly hadn’t or didn’t care enough about it to stop him from walking over to Simon and handing the syringe to him.
