Aria
Tears continued to pour down my cheeks, my neck and into my shirt as I gazed at the mangled bodies. The one closest to me was no longer than the length of my arm, barely a few months old, and the hatchling has been disembowelled. It's intestines spilling from the cut from its collar bone to its pelvis, blood pooled around it. The hatchling's once radiant blue scales are dull and missing. The next hatchling was bigger, six to eight months. If it stood, its shoulder would reach my elbow. This orange hatchling, unlike its smaller brethren, was tortured. It's wings cut to ribbons, bones shattered and scales, horns, claws and teeth are missing.
The last one was in better shape. A young purple hatchling, close to a year old. It had scales missing but no major damage had been done to it beside the gunshot wound to its chest and a beaten head. Blood stained the floor, walls of the shed and surgical equipment scattered around the floor. I hear a distance thud, companied by another and another until the force of Adalon's wings shook the shed. The ground shook as he landed and screams erupted from outside. I could hear Andrew talking frantically but I don't know what he said, I could only focus on the hatchlings in front of me.
I heard Adalon roar in frustration and frantic steps immediately afterwards. The ground shook as Adalon took several steps before the roof of the shed was ripped off and the walls fell outwards. A cloud of dirt rose with the motion as Adalon cried in alarm. I looked over my shoulder at him as he whined deep in his stomach. One giant, golden eye moved to me as tears filled in his eyes. "If I knew...," I said and he whined again. I stood on shaky legs as Conner shifted. I looked around and noticed Butch hunched over by the house, his upper lip raised in a snarl as he growled lowly.
"Ari, you know these...," Jen trailed off, unsure what to call Conner and Butch. "Dragons," I answered as I turned back to Conner. "And yes, Jen...I do." I watch as Conner stroked the smallest hatchlings head. Tears continued to roll down his face as he mumbled "I'm sorry" over and over. "How?" Den asked softly. I turned my head to look at him and opened my mouth to answer but nothing came out. Not because of the oath I took but because another wave of sobs threatened to erupt again. I clenched my eyes shut as I let my head hang forward and took a few deep breaths. I opened my eyes and and raised my head to the sky.
"Maru, look after them. Make sure they find their way home," I prayed. The wind picked up and kissed my face gently. I jumped when Andrew hugged me from behind and squeezed me tightly. I relaxed into his chest and watch Conner travel to the second hatchling. "How can they...?" I whispered. "I don't know, sis. I just don't know," Drew replied softly. I turned in his arms and cuddled in while keeping an eye on Conner. I watched him cry over the second hatchling and muttering the death ritual under his breath.
Once he finished, he placed a kiss on the hatchlings head and stood and turned to the last one. He kneeled besides the purple hatchlings head just as I see a muscle twitch. I lifted my head and cleared my eyes of tears to look closer, and sure enough, I see the hatchlings right paw shift. "Conner," I exclaimed and Andrew let me go. "Wait a sec." "Ari, I need to finish," Conner dejectedly whispered. "I saw it move," I said as I kneeled beside him. "You can't have, he's—" "Conner, I know I saw him move," I insisted and leaned closer to the hatchlings head.
"Hatchling, if you can hear me, move your paw," I said in his ear and turned to look at his foot. The hatchling lifted his leg a little before it shook and fell. "Call Steven," Conner yelled and Butch raised on his hind legs, and roared loudly. "Thank you," he whispered and I clasped him on the shoulder before I stood. "Bring me Arian," I ordered angrily and Andrew ran to do as I said. I noticed Sven looking at me strangely as I walked over to Butch. "Hey, buddy, I need Jude," I said after I placed my right hand under his eye and my left on the arch of his eyebrow.
Butch blinked at me one and I stood back as he shifted. "Is this Arian that tortured them?" He immediately asked. "I don't know if is he the one but he will differently know who did," I replied as I followed Jude over to Conner. "I want their heads, Aria," Conner growled and I nodded. "After I deal with them first," I said. Conner narrowed his eyes before he nodded. "Don't drain them too much," he warned and I sadistically smirked. "No promises," Conner was about to reply when Steven flew over head and landed close to us. He immediately shifted when he landed and rushed to Conner.
"What the fuck is going here?" I heard Elder Marshall yell and I groaned in irritation. "Who are these — oh, dear Goddess have mercy." He stopped short as he finally noticed the scene behind me and quickly turned pale. The other elders walked around the building then and like wise froze. "What sort monstrous beast is that?" Elder Mitch asked and three adult dragons growled at him. "Dragons, Elder, and they're safe," I said as Andrew walked up to me. "How do you know they're safe? They should be a myth! We should attack while they're—"
"Finish that sentence, I dare you," I growled at Marshall. "These Dragon's, as a race, are under my protection and anyone that harms them will receive the same punish as he or she would harm a Werewolf." I yelled this loud enough for everyone on the territory to hear, including the Warrior teams. "Sire, I need to get him back. This gunshot wound needs surgery and I may need Jonathan's help," Steven frantically said. "Don't ask, just go," I told him. He nodded and immediately shifted. "Jude, help me break these infernal chains off him," Conner waved him over and quickly broke the chains connecting to the shackles around his legs and collar.
Steven's dragon manoeuvred himself so he could carefully cup his paws around the hatchling's body without crushing his wings before flying off with one big whoosh. Andrew chose that moment to walk around with a struggling Elder. Drake, who has stayed by my side since Conner landed, rushed over to my twin and grabbed one of Arian's bound arms, and helped him force him to knees in front of us and in clear view of the hatchlings. I growled when his knees connected with mine and he quickly looked away. "You disgusting, lowlife, jagoff of a mutt," I cursed and he glowered at me. "How dare you? How dare you buy and torture your own kind? Torture other races!"
Conner and Jude both growled as they stood behind the two deceased hatchling. Arian's gaze followed the sound and considerably paled as Conner raised both sets of wings in a threatening manner. I stalked over to him and gripped his hair in my fist. I pulled back on it harshly and leaned down to whisper in his as I forced him to look at the disfigured bodies. "Goddess knows I will torture you the same way you treated everyone soul you ever harmed; and don't worry, you won't be the only one, but what I want right now is who tortured, killed and used these hatchlings as science experiments," I growled lowly.
"Fuck you," he growled. "Who tortured and murdered these hatchlings?" I ordered and his body shook with the command. He still resisted though, but the longer he fought, the weaker he'll get. "I will not ask again, who tortured and murdered these hatchlings?" I ordered again after a few minutes. He gasped and clenched his eyes shut as body convoluted with his mind. I growled and pushed his head forward. The rough movement caused him to fall to the ground in a heap. I scoffed as the old man continued to shake. I looked up and waved the royals over. "Drew," I called him to a stop when he went to follow. "Keep and eye on him."
He nodded and stayed were he was. "I'll stay with him," Kylar offered and I nodded my consent. I waved the others to follow. "Oi, you two," I whistled for Jude and Conner. "Come on." I waved them over. I lead the group a little away from the shaking elder and stopped with my back to the others. "Give it to me," I said. "Are you nuts?" Skylar exclaimed. "Two orders isn't enough to kill him, Skylar. Stop acting like it will," Theo muttered. "But she does carry a valid point. One is dangerous enough mentally, two could permanently damage his body," Stavos added. "I'm not planning on letting the bastard live," I said and Conner growled in agreement.
"I better be the one to take his life," he said. "I don't know if he was the one who did—" "He knew about it. That's enough," he interrupted me. "We can't kill everyone who was involved in this—" "Who says I can't?" Conner cut off Stavos this time. "Okay, Conner, calm down," I soothed as I placed a hand on his shoulder. He relaxed a little but he was still aggravated. "Ari," Andrew called just before I heard the elder scream. "I remove my orders over Elder Arian for the time being," I said loud enough for him to hear and I saw his body go lax against the ground with a gasp of relief. "He's going to be tough one to crack," Theo mumbled and the two dragons growled.
"You boys have to be patient. We'll get answers, you'll just have to wait," I said and Jude snorted. "How will we get him to talk?" Skylar asked rhetorically. "Kylar is a Master Sadist, yes?" I asked Stavos. "In the BDSM lifestyle?" "Yes," Stavos answered confused. "Who does the interrogations at your outer pack house?" "Kylar," he replied and I nodded. "It wouldn't be the first time we tortured a target to get the information we wanted," Drake put it. "What?" Stavos asked shocked. "Rouges, Stavos," I assured him and he relaxed slightly.
"You want to torture him, all of them?" Skylar asked. "It's awfully tempting but no, not all. I don't know their story and I don't want to harm those that were only trying to help," I replied. "I get that. When we found Tommy and Shay, among the buyers was a Gamma looking for his three sons. He was trying to buy them back," Stavos added. "That's actually a perfect example," I muttered. "Did he find them?" Theo asked curious. "All three. He was lucky. A Vampire bought his second son and nearly drained the boy by the side of a lake," he replied.
"You have that paper work? We'll need it to cross reference," I asked. "It's ready. I had my Lead Gamma gather the files. I just need a Sorcerer to open a portal for me long enough to get it," Stavos said. "And the Slaves?" Aditi asked. "Most are still with me," he said. "Most of them have no where to go. Humans and Vampires who lost families when they were kidnaped, wolves who lost both families and packs. One thinks he is in your pack, Aria. A boy named Jacob." "Jacob Williamson?" I asked and he nodded. "He's a Moonshine," I said. "Yes, he told me," Stavos stated. "Is he okay?" "Fine, he's been very helpful," he replied and I smiled.
"He was always a peace keeper. What rank is he?" I asked. "Omega, but he's a strong one. He could push to Gamma if he wanted too," "Can we get back to the matter at hand, please?" Jude asked irritated. "Sorry, my friend. I'll ask Seren for the portal when we get back. As for this mess behind us, we can't really touch any of them until we know for sure who is in the wrong," I said. "And it seems that either the old Alpha or this Elder will tell us who exactly," Theo stated the obvious. "Is Cecil still out cold?" I asked. "Yes," Aditi said. "Drake did hit him pretty good." "I do try," Drake replied with a smirked. "But still, getting either one of them to talk is going to be difficult," Stavos steered the conversation back on track.
"Torturing them may take days for them to crack, depending on their determination," Theo added and I nodded. "There's a simpler way," Conner muttered and abruptly turned on his heel. "Wait, what?" I muttered as I watched him stalk over to Arian. "Oh, shit," I cursed as I realised his intent when he shifted into his half form. "Wait, Conner," I yelled just as he hooked his back claws around the Elders waist and shot up into the sky. "Ah, fuck." Arian, the unsuspecting simpleton, was screaming his bloody head off, and as Conner flew higher, his screams became inaudible.
"You fucking kidding me?" Stavos cursed as we rushed over to where Arian had originally been resting. "You no plan?" Sven asked fearfully. "No, definitely not," I answered and he frowned. "He's very upset about those two dying. He wants answers and he doesn't like to wait," I explained and he nodded. "You do realise we need him alive?" I added to Jude. "You said it yourself, he's not gonna be alive much longer anyways. Why deprive him of an early grave?" Jude replied rhetorically as he picked at his nails. I throw up my hands and fisted them in my hair as I groaned in frustrated.
"We could use him, Jude. He's a source of information, information we might need," I emphasised. "But not if he has a fucking heart attack," Andrew exclaimed. Jude sighed in disappointment before he eyes glazed over. "There, happy?" He asked. "As long he doesn't go splat, yes," I replied. "How did you meet this guy?" Jen asked. "It's a long story," Andrew muttered. "Well, do tell. I like his style," she replied as she looked up. I snorted as Drew did the same. "We should probably move," Theo suggested. "Not yet," I mumbled. "Why not?" Skylar asked. "He's up there pretty high," Aditi explained.
"What is he doing exactly?" Stavos asked. "You haven't guessed?" I asked as I look at him from the corner of my eye. He only gazed at me confused. Before I could reply, the rope binding Arian's hands landed with a thud in front of me. "Now, we should move," I said instead and Stavos shivered. "Remind me not to piss him off," he muttered. "You wouldn't want to piss off a dragon, period," I replied just as Arian screams slowly become audible again. He got louder as the seconds went passed. "He's insane," Kylar whispered. "Heh, which one?" Aditi asked. "Both," Kylar said. I only shook my head and turned my head towards the sky again.
Arian and Conner are clearer now and I can see that Conner is in his human form. He's in a rather relaxed position; he's laid his body out as if we was lying on the ground, he's body on his left side, his head rested on his left hand and I assume his right is casually rested over his hip. "I wonder if this is what the little monkeys felt as their leader experienced this?" Andrew asked rhetorically. "What?" Sebastian asked confused and I jumped a little. I kind forgot he was here. "You know, in the animated move Rio?" He said and I rolled my eyes. "You're spending too much time with Jesse," I muttered and I swear I can hear him smirking.
Arian's screams were pretty loud now and you can see him flapping his arms around. For what reason, haven't a clue, it's not like he's going to start flying. His pleas reached my ears then and he's begging quite hard. I missed what Conner said but I knew what he asked, I didn't need to hear it to know. A little over a hundred feet of atmosphere left and I can clearly hear Arian say; "Alright, I'll tell you, I'll tell you. Just save me!" I looked to Andrew with an unimpressed look as he smirked again. I look up just in time to see Conner unfurl his wing and hover where he was.
Arian started to scream hysterically and repeated "I'll tell you, save me" over and over. I sighed in controlled frustration as Conner shifted back into his half from and dove straight down. He got level with Arian first before he unfurled his wings again as he caught the old man in his back claws...several inches off the ground. "You better tell us or it's another flying lesson for you," Conner promised as the Elder shook in his grasped. He did one downward draft of his wings to rise himself and Arian shook his head frantically. "I'll tell, I'll tell! Just please, put me down," he sobbed.
"Very well," Conner muttered and dropped the old man. Arian landed with a thud and a groan. Conner dropped next to him and placed a right leg on the cowering mans back. "Speak," he ordered. "S-Saul Santiago, Osric Matthews and Ivor Salvatore were the ones in charge of the beasts but they let anyone torture them as long as they watched. I don't know who," he yelled when Conner dug his claws into his back. "I swear, I know a few but I don't know all of them." "Get him a pencil and paper," I ordered Denny and he nodded. He looked to Arlo and he gratefully nodded before entering the house.
"Did you have to do that?" Theo asked after he shook off his shock and awe at Conner's form. I don't blame him, I was the same when I first saw him. Unlike my werewolf form, Conners half form considers his lower body showing his dragons scaly hind legs with a thin tail producing from his backside and continued the length of his spinal cord. His upper body is more human but whereas his front showed mostly skin, the scales followed up his back to his head and covered his shoulders. There were a few clutches of scales under his pectorals, showing off his breasts, and his neck, face and a thin line of them following down from his shoulders to his hands where split into five individual lines to his claws.
"Wow," Skylar muttered. "I second that," Jen replied as she tried to cool her flushed face by waving her hand. I rolled my eyes at their schoolgirl antics. Due to this form, Conner's skin isn't his usual tan. Instead, it has a golden hue to it. "Do those hurt when you shift?" Stavos asked as he pointed to the two ivory horns producing from his head. "Every time, but you get use to it," Conner replied curtly. "And yes, I did. It got the answers I needed." "You didn't have to scare the man half to death," I replied. "I got the answers I needed," he repeated. "Okay," I said. "Don't argue with him." I added when Theo went to say something.
Arlo returned with a notepad and a pen and gave them to to Arian. He took them with shaking hands and started to write. "Stay with him," I ordered Andrew. He nodded and I turned to drag Conner off to the side. "Are you insane? Do you just happen to lose a million brain cells in that one second before you took off?" I asked and he narrowed his eyes at me. "You don't know what I'm feeling, Aria. Whether these mutts are directly involved with the Red Warrior or not, they're involved with this slavery bull and these are my hatchlings I need to look after. It's my job to protect them with or without their parents and you know that," Conner yelled. The other Alpha's slowly walked over cautiously with a fire in their eyes.
I held my hand up and waved them over. "What's going on, Conner?" Aditi asked softly. I looked at my friend and he nodded before he ducked his head tiredly. "As King, Conner is charged with the responsibility with protecting the young of his race, whether they have parents or not. Both he and Adalon, his dragon, see them as their own flesh and blood and if one of them dies, they feel responsible; like they didn't do enough to protect them. That's why he left with such fury yesterday and that's why he took Arian for a flight.
"What makes matters worse is the proper ritual for a fallen dragon is to recite a death phrase and burn the body so the ashes can make their way to Maru's hall. The cremation is done in a special room in the Dragons Den some miles south of here and that's recently been taken over by Zane and Kara with the help of somebody inside," I explained. "Jesus," Theo cursed. "They can't go home," Conner whispered. "And his instincts to properly honour the hatchlings is hurting him," I added. "Isn't there anything else you can do for them?" Theo asked.
"I don't know," he whispered as he turned to look at us with tears in his eyes. "I don't know. No where in our history was the Dragons Den taken or a dragon dying and not being able to performed the proper ritual. I don't know what to do." I frowned worried at my friend. He looked so lost and so helpless right now. "Isn't there more dens? Surely, your entire race can fit into one mountain?" Theo asked and Conner glanced at him cautiously. "How do you know that?" Jude growled. "Hey," I yelled. "Cool it." I pointed at him with a warning look to be sure and his lips pressed into a grim line.
"I don't, but do you really expect us to believe your race has purposely hid themselves away for over a thousand years and not grow in number without us noticing?" Theo asked rhetorically. Conner looked at me and I him. "You know?" Stavos asked and I nodded. "I know where Theo is heading with this, but it is up to you," I said and Conner sighed. "Yes, there is more than one Den," he whispered. "Their locations I will not reveal however." "Seriously, isn't there enough conflict?" Skylar asked. "You don't know what happened to them, to why they went into hiding and with good reason.
"The dragons have it in their history, we don't and I can guarantee that none of the other races besides the Angels will have it in theirs. Our ancestors were ashamed, completely and utter embarrassed but they didn't man up and omit their faults, they chose to bury it," I said as I stalked towards her. She gulped and lowered her eyes but that didn't save her from the amount of anger and frustration I am purposely omitting. I only relaxed when I heard the victims of the Slave Trade whimper in fear.
"What did happen?" Theo asked slowly. I opened my mouth to answer and paused. I looked back to Conner and he shook his head once discreetly. "Some secrets should remain buried, but know this, I was so disgusted with what happened; I could have brought down the Dragon's Den myself right then and there," I replied. "We have the right to know," Stavos replied. "And Conner has the only right to tell you, I will not. He only tells people he trust and who he knows will not make the same mistake," I replied. "If you want to know, earn his trust; then we'll talk."
"If I think I can start with that," Stavos said and I frowned. "What do you mean?" I asked. "I didn't get to finish before you stormed out, Conner, among the slaves I freed were dragons. Since I don't know where to go or who to call, and the eldest wouldn't reveal anything, I had no choice but to let them stay," he answered and my eyes widened. "You what?" Conner nearly shouted. "And you didn't mention this before now?" I asked. "It's his kind, it's his right," he replied and I growled.
"Aria is my Honour Bound. What I should know, so should she," Conner replied. "What is an Honour Bound?" Aditi asked suddenly before an argument could go any further. Conner glanced at me and nodded. "An Honour Bound is a saviour. When someone saves a dragon, by their own kind or outsiders, they'll feel bound to that person and their bloodline for the rest of eternity or until they die," I described. "Think of it like the strongest loyalty bond you know," Jude said and I jumped at his close proximity. "We feel the need to protect, to serve and obey whatever our Bound says and thus they have full control over that dragon."
"And Aria is your Bound, did you say Conner?" Skylar asked. "I can control the Northern American Dragons," I interrupting. "And I never once abused that power, but once again we are off topic. Conner, can you take the hatchlings to the nearest Den and finish the ritual there?" Conner sighed and looked at the hatchlings miserably. "I don't know whether it'll work," he whispered. "Better than not trying," I softly replied. "Every well, and when I return I will be retrieving my kind," Conner warned as he looked at Stavos. The large Alpha shifted on his feet and adjusted his body in preparation to either fight or flight.
"They were always free to leave," he replied. Conner snorted and waved Jude over for a private word. I sighed yet again as I watched them walk to a safe distance and turned my head back towards the group. A humourless smile tugged at my lips and a likewise laugh left my mouth. I turned to face them fully and pressed my hands together in front of my face before interlocking my fingers, beside my forefingers, and pointed them between Stavos and Skylar. "I am quite curious," I said as I separated my hands. "Do you, I don't know, actually listen when I said to not piss off a dragon?"
I wanted to yell, scream. Hell, I felt like I could create another firestorm the way I am feeling but I didn't want to risk scaring the slave victims. "And also, never ever contradict me like that again. I know you are frustrated, and believe me so am I, but once you find out the reason why the dragons are so secretive; you'll never question them again," I added and I held up my hand when he opened his mouth. I slipped in between Skylar and Stavos and walked back towards my brother.
"How are we going here?" I asked. "Trouble?" Jen asked. "You have no idea," I replied. "You mad?" Sven asked. "Unbelievably," I replied and he looked at me confused. "Yes." "Just about done," Kylar said. "Alpha, I heard what my Alpha said and I want to apologise—" "Appreciated, Kylar, really but I need to hear it from him," I interrupted him. Kylar nodded and looked over his shoulder to his Alpha. "Why does everything get better, then sinks lower than the previous level?" I asked Andrew. "I don't know, it like we're skirting another each other while take one step forward then two steps backwards," he agreed.
I sighed as I watch Arian shakily handed Denny the notebook. He looked over the list and handed it to me. I glanced over them quickly before I ripped the page out and handed it back to Denny. "Round them up, seperate them from the others. Andrew, call Serenity; have her collect the witch and then ask her to check these wolves memories. Not only do I want to kill the wrong person for treason, I might to make sure the punishment fits the crime and that no one is being railroaded," I ordered. Denny nodded and took Arlo with him to do my bidding as Andrew stepped aside with his mobile to his ear.
"Who is Serenity?" Jen asked. "Queen of the Sorcerers," Elder Suzanne said. "Oh," "Young Alpha," she greeted with the tip of her head. "Elder," I replied in kind. "May I speak with you for moment, please?" I nodded and handed Kylar the notepad. "Get him to write down everything he knows about the Slave Trade; names, descriptions, locations, everything. Make sure he doesn't leave a single detail left out," I said and he nodded. I suggested for the Elder to lead the way and she led me out of hearing range of the others. "Will those dragons hear us?" She asked. "They can, but they won't. Honour Bound privilege," I replied knowing she heard Jude and Conner explain it to the others.
"First thing I want to know is...how did we not sense you were the High Alpha?" She asked. "I not entirely sure, Elder. My best guess my mother used her powers to conceal me and my brothers in order to protect us," "To do that, youngling, she would have to do that at birth. A new Royal Alpha can give off powerful omissions that can bring the toughest, biggest and meanest of Alpha's to their knees in a nanosecond," she said and I paused at the new information. "Will I have to ask her about it then," I replied after a moment. "Isn't she passed on or can you speak with the dead now?"
"I can speak to the dead but not to my mother, she is still alive along with my father. They had faked their deaths to protect us," "Don't know speak of nonsense, child," "Respectfully, Elder, but I am not. You know every well I was dead for over an hour when I was seventeen and was revived. During that hour, I spoke directly to the Goddess herself and through her, a link opened to the dead," I explained and she looked at me in shock. "Breathe, Elder." "You what? Actually, never mind. What do you plan to do with Hart? I know you have Yeager hunting for him. Kieran's right hand just called me about him searching Hart's office," she explained.
"I plan to hold him until Kieran and I find a suitable replacement. As good as Kieran is, he's getting a little old. No offence," I said. "None taken, youngling, because I agree with you. Kieran was getting ready to file his notice his retirement before you called him," "Really?" I asked shocked. "Yes, he wants to go home. Spend time with his mate, pups and grand pups," "Can't say I blame him with how Hart forces him to basically runs...ran the Warrior's anyway," "He has told me that he will remain at your side until this is over. Even if you do find a suitable replacement, it'll take another year or two for them to a learn the ropes," she said.
I smiled and nodded. "I know, I already have someone in mind but that is whether he is still alive," I replied. "Terrance?" She asked and I nodded. "Then I hope you find him, youngling," "So do I, Elder. Was there anything else?" I asked. "How are planning to handle this situation? As a whole," she asked and I laughed nervously. "Uh, good question," I replied. "You do not know?" She asked. I sighed and proceeded to tell her about from time White Warrior's was hired by Blood Moon to last night. She released a deep sigh with humming sound. "He should have been removed sooner," she muttered. "Why wasn't he?" I asked. "Marshall, he refuses to believe that Hart has gone mad. They've been friends since Hart started as an Alpha of his own team. He's been covering for him since his mate died," she replied.
'I wonder what else he's buried,' Aiyana muttered. 'Andrew, call Yeager, he should be at the Warrior Centre. Tell him to dig for any evidence that Marshall has covered for Hart, as much as he could get, the better,' I ordered Andrew and he looked over. He nodded before stepping away from the group again. "But what about Elder Rick? Surely he would agree?" I asked. "Rick is considerably younger than us when he arrived, Marshall took him under his wing and plagued his mind with his own twisted version of reality," she replied. "Lovely," "I agree, the pair of them have been trying to have me removed but I am older than both of them combined. I have knowledge that could be vital and the council knows this,"
I growled at this but it isn't surprising. Since Marshall believes that a woman shouldn't be out of the house, much less out of bed, having a woman in a high position such as an Alpha or an Elder irritates him. "But even so, under half the council wants me gone too," Elder Suzanne added and I frowned at her. The Warrior Council was created shortly after the first war. When a Elder wishes to retire, the council and the Commander look for suitable replacements to fill the roll. Usually, this would be done by the royals. "Can you keep me posted, Elder?" I asked. She nodded and a concerned expression. "I fear there are traitors and corrupted members, but I will do what I can," she replied and I nodded gratefully.
'Well, that's fucking fantastic,' Sapphire growled. 'And on top of the troubles we already have,' Aiyana added. 'One disaster at a time, ladies,' I said as I walked behind the Elder. "More good news?" Andrew asked when I walked up to him. "Fantastic news," I replied. "What?" "Later," I replied. "That bad?" "Worse," "Terrific," he sighed and I hummed in agreement. "We need to finish up here, Kale shouldn't be too far," I said. "Yeah, but half this pack has done dealings with the slaves. I know you'll want to take said slaves with us but what about the bastards?" Andrew asked.
"Who has the most experience with the Slave Trade?" I retorted. "Arian, Cecil, Nick is dead. Maybe Nyles can give us some details but I doubt he'll know everything. Anyone else is on this list," he said as he held up a folded piece of paper. "Why didn't you lead with that?" I asked and an amused smile. "Where's the fun in that?" he replied. "Give that list to Kieran, have him round up everyone and to bring them, and Cecil, to our cellars," I ordered. "The others I understand, but why not let Kieran take Cecil?" He asked. "I'm not sure exactly, but I have a feeling," I replied. "Enough said," Drew muttered.
"How is Arian?" I asked. "Still scared out of his mind. If we want any more information, all we have to do is get Conner to show his face and voila," he replied. "Ha," I laughed and shook by head. "Shall we?" "After you, Alpha," Andrew bowed dramatically and waved towards the others. "Air head," I muttered as I walked ahead and I heard him chuckle behind me. I walked over to Conner and Jude first to tell them we're going to be leaving soon. "Yeah, we should get the hatchlings to the next den," Conner agreed. "Which is where?" I asked. "Mount Harvard," "Yeah, at least it's not a long flight there. How long do you think you'll be?"
"A couple of hours at least. We should be home before you start preparing dinner," Jude replied after a nod from Conner. "Take your time, boys. There's no need to rush through the ritual," I said with a frown. "Are you sure? We did leave rather abruptly," Conner asked. "Yes, but I'll tell you after you're done with the hatchlings," I replied. "You sure?" "I'm sure," "Thank you," Conner replied and I nodded. I squeezed his shoulder before walking back to Andrew and together, we walked to the front lawn. The victims were still huddled close together and shied away from anyone getting close to them. Sven took guard again with Jen.
Denny was overseeing the last of the traitors in his pack being properly transported to my domain. Serenity stood beside him with the young witch hovering behind her, still unconscious. "Everything going alright?" I yelled over the protest and complaints of the accused. "All good, Aria; nothing major has happened," she replied. I pushed my way through to her and growled when the same high ranking member accused Arlo of cheating, snarled at me. He flinched and yelped when Denny kicked him through the portal. "Never liked that bastard," he muttered as Seren closed the portal.
"How are things back home?" I asked. "Travelling smoothly, before you called me—" 'the second time' "—Justin and the rest of the Delta's were about three quarters of the way done. Your new members were quite eager to get to the people Justin put in charge of the members having missing family," she replied. "How many?" I asked, dreading the answer. "Most of them unfortunately," she said and I cursed. "You okay to handle things here?" I asked Denny.
He nodded but he looked hesitant. "Do you want me to leave some Warriors here?" "Please," "Alright, I'll leave two teams; use them as you please." "If I find anything more, I'll call you," "Whether you find anything or not, keep me in the loop. I want to be sure nothing happens to you," I said and Denny laughed. "Yes, Mother." We stared at each other before he pulled me into a hug. "Thank you," he whispered. "I would've come to you sooner but he was watching me, had the high ranks follow me...threatened me." "Shh, don't explain. I know, I guessed the reason why you didn't. If anything, I should've come out here myself," I replied.
"No, A. I—" "No," I interrupted as I pulled back, "don't blame yourself. You did the best you could and you brought me real good evidence. Hart is to blame, I'm just kicking myself for not checking on you sooner." "How did his mate die again?" "Suicide. Don't ask me why, I'm not sure. The only people who know is Hart and Alec, and Alec only has a vague idea," "Where is Alec? He's not here, is he?" He asked as he looked around. "No, I'm going to give him a call when we get back." I looked back as well and nodded when everyone was ready to leave. Then a disturbing thought crossed my mind, I haven't heard from Alec since New York; the one week vacation we took when we graduated.
Before I could think too deep into it, the ground shook as Aladon and Butch took off with a hatchling each. They circled above us before steering westward and disappeared from sight. "They're...really something," Denny whispered. "They are, aren't they?" I said. He hummed in response as I turned to Serenity. "Could you leave a sorcerer here?" I asked. "I'll leave Samson here. He's old enough and powerful enough to look after your pack from magic attacks and contact me if needed. And if you want to see Ari, just tell him and he'll create a portal so you don't have to run to her," she replied.
"Thank you," "I'll talk to you soon." I said and gave him another hug. "Definitely, and good luck," he whispered. "Thanks, I'll need it." I replied. I looked around to find Andrew with Drake and Chase and headed over to them. "Ready to go?" I asked and he nodded. Drake was standing stiffly beside him, eyes darting left and right constantly. "Drake, whats the matter?" I asked. "Stavos cornered me before," he whispered. "He what?" Drew exclaimed. "He didn't hurt me so don't give me that look, he just warned me to stay away from his mate," he said and I shook my head.
"Let's go before I loose my nerve," I said. Aditi and Skylar are herding the slaves through the second portal Anton created, and Stavos and Theo are carrying the evidence in large cardboard boxes. "You two go ahead, I want to speak Ari for a minute," Chase said. Andrew gave him a look before leaving with Drake. "What's up, baby?" I asked as I properly faced him. "You left me," he whispered and I frowned. "What do you mean?" "You left me back there, when we first arrived here, you left me behind in the crowd while you took charge of everything," he said. My jaw dropped as he looked to the ground, hands in his pockets and shifting apprehensively.
"I...I felt like you didn't need me and that...that hurt me a bit," "Chase," I whispered as I stepped closer to him. "And it hurt worse when you moved from one situation to another without me. Hell, I couldn't even comfort you after Denny dragged you to those poor hatchlings." I sighed in exhaustion. "I didn't mean too, baby. When I get into those zones, I tend to keep going until the job is done. I'm used to doing worse things than this, by myself. Leading my team by myself, I guess it's going to take a while to get use to the fact I don't have to do everything by myself anymore," I explained as I moved my body so his head was in the crook of my neck.
I ran my hands down his arms, removed his hands from his jeans and held onto them tightly. "It hurt," he said. "I'm sorry, baby. Next time, just take hold of my hand and squeeze," I replied as I stocked the corner of his jaw with my nose. He nuzzled my neck in return and tightened his fingers around my hands. "I love you, my mate." "I love you too, mate," he whispered back and pulled away enough to give me a brief kiss. I smiled and let go of one of his hands and pulled him towards Anton's portal.
"Everyone through?" Chase asked. "Everyone but us," Andrew replied. I checked around me anyway and nodded once I was satisfied. "Let's go then," I said. "I'll call you soon," Denny said behind and I turned back once I was through the circle. "I'll be expecting it," I said and waved as Anton closed the portal. "Time to check on Justin and the Deltas." "Whose car is that?" Chase asked suddenly and I turned to see a rustic red, 2017 Toyota Camry parked near to my Ashton Martin.
"No idea," I mumbled. "Ari," Kieran yelled from inside. "Kale's here, and he's not happy." I gave Chase's hand a quick squeeze before darting into the house. I could hear yelling from the infirmary and immediately headed in that direction. Several wolves, new and old, huddled around the door. They would flinch when the yells got louder and their eyes fillies with sympathy when a whimper broke through the screams. However, I knew that whimper; Jonathan. I lengthened my strides and was about to release a growl when Justin's voice yelled over the top of Kale's.
The crowd cringe at the power behind it and lowered their heads slightly. I whistled lowly and people parted for me. What I saw didn't help my mood. Kale was standing between Terry's bed, Dylan in between them, and Justin with Jonathan cowering behind his back. "Kale," I yelled. "That's enough." "Stay out of this, Aria," he growled, he never took his eyes of my brother. "I'm already in it as you already challenged my brother," I replied and he finally looked at me shocked. "Brother?"
"Yes, my older brother. Justin, this is Kale, a very smart, component Warrior Alpha but ridiculously protective of his family. Kale, this Justin, my Delta. He's proven himself worthy of the position, and Jonathan is his mate," I introduced calmly. "Do not piss me off any further today, Kale. I know you want answers, so do we all. I already have Yeager hunting Hart, that'll have to be patient enough until he is brought in. Is that understood?" "Yes, Alpha," he grumbled. "Someone, quickly explain what's going on here? Where is the rest of your team, Kale?" I asked.
"I went on ahead, the others will catch up tomorrow with what we have on this mystery drug," Kale replied. "He came storming in here, yelling for me," Terry croaked from his bed. "Mate, no talking," Dylan scolded. "Yes, love," he smirked and Dylan rolled his eyes. "Jon was checking Terry over after he helped Steven with the hatchling, he left to go get him. Kale came running in, started firing questions. No one was answering fast enough, started yelling even with Jon trying to calm him down. Delta Justin came in after the crowd formed," Dylan said.
"I saw Jon being yelled at and got in between them. I tried talking to him but he just started yelling for you. I tried telling him you weren't here but will be back soon, but he still made a racket about it," Justin added. "You need to control that temper, Warrior," Chase said behind me. "I don't like it when one of my family members are in hospital bed, especially without reason," "Do any of us?" I asked and he grumbled, eyeing my mate suspiciously. "Kale, my mate, Chase Evans." "Alpha," Kale greeted politely. "Warrior," my mate respectfully replied.
"You know better than to yell at Jon," I said disappointed. "I know, but I lost it was I saw Terry and heard that he went full wolf. I'm sorry, Jon," Kale said sincerely. Jon peaked around Justin and nodded timidly. "You just got here, right?" I asked and he nodded. "Stay here for a while, be with Terry. When your ready, come to me; we'll talk then," I said and he nodded. "Thank you, Ari," he whispered. I ushered Justin and Jon out of the room as Kale sat next to Terry's bed. "Everyone, I've brought some slave victims back from Emerald Star. They should still be out in the front lawn. However, before you all rush out," I said quickly when the they went to rush ahead.
"Don't crowd them. They've been through a lot; they're scared, sore and tired, and very timid. If you recognise anyone, call their name and let them come to you. There's also a male called Sven, he's the oldest of the victims and very protective of the group. If you rush forward, he'll most likely attack you. He's been a slave since he was a child and knows a few words, he'll understand you well enough if you use small words. If you need to approach him, approach very carefully, make sure you to don't appear as a threat to him or the others. Pass this along to those you met and by the Gods, be careful with them." I finished. The group nodded and rushed to the front.
I sighed exhausted and leaned against Chase for support. "How did things go here?" Drake asked. "Fine, we were just about finished when Kale thundered in here," Justin replied. "I heard that," Kale grumbled from inside. Justin looked at the door before rolling his eyes. "You okay, JonJon?" I asked and he nodded shakily. "Juste, take him up stairs and calm him down. We'll check on things," I said. "Thank you." He replied gratefully. He pulled Jon further under his arm and led him to his room. I shook my head and tugged on the boys jackets. I walked towards the ballroom with duo behind me.
"Why are we heading to the ballroom?" Drake asked when we passed the throne room. "Because it is the only room...that I know of, can hold three hundred plus people comfortably and still have room to move from one area to another," I replied. "And because I'm following Justin's scent." Drake snorted and Chase chuckled. "Didn't realise your nose was that tuned," he grumbled and I paused long enough to slap him upside the head and take off running. "Hey!"
I laughed as he chased after me, Chase following at a lesser pace. I pushed opened the doors when we reached the ballroom, stepping to the side just in time for Drake to skid to a halt then into the room. "Bitch," he grumbled. "I'm aware of that, brother," I replied as I walked passed him. I headed straight Jesse and Ashton, who were sitting down at a table, who were talking to appears to be the last of my new members. I look around around and noticed another table but no one was sitting by it and there were stacks of papers on it. "How are we going?" I asked.
The last of my members were a family of five. The little girl cuddled into mums chest, the middle child hid behind his dads legs and the oldest stood confidently beside him. "We're going good considering the topic," Ashton replied and I hummed. "Who is missing, Clinton?" Jesse asked the dad. "My oldest son, he's a warrior and no one was telling us anything," he replied. "What's his name?" I asked. "Hendrix, he's been missing for two years," the mum replied. I frown at the name, it was familiar but I knew two Hendrix and both I haven't seen in a while. "Sure name?" "Michaels," Clinton said. "What rank?" Drake asked. "Delta,"
"Damn," Jesse cursed. "I know Drix, he's apart of Terence's team," I said. "Can you find him?" Clinton asked. "Yes, remember that timber wolf, Terry?" I asked and they nodded. "That's the Beta and Terence's kid brother, I'm letting him rest for now before I start asking questions. He was full wolf for the past two years, I don't want him getting too worked up," I warned and he nodded. "We can at least see him, to ask if he's still alive?" The oldest of the three kids asked. "Very well, pup, just don't overwhelm him, okay?" I said and the boy nodded with a smile. "I'll find Drix, that I promise."
The adults nodded gratefully. "Anyone else missing?" Jesse asked softly. "My niece and nephew, Zackery and Thirza. My brother and his mate didn't survive the attack, and the young Alpha doesn't really know what to do," "Doesn't his father help him?" Chase asked. "The Alpha died in the attack also, the boy is only nineteen and no one has sent help. The Beta is doing everything he can but his eldest was also taken and his mate was wounded," Clinton replied. "Drake, go find Kieran, see if he can spare anyone to help. What pack did you come from?" I asked.
"Blackclaw," "Chase, go with him," I said at Drake uneasy expression. He relaxed slightly and released a sigh as Chase gently gripped his forearm and led him out of the room. "Is he alright?" Clinton's mate asked. "No, but he will be," I replied. "Any more missing family?" Jesse asked. "No," Clinton said sadly and his mate squeezed his hand in comfort. "I'm sorry for your loss," I said. "Thank you, Alpha," Clinton's mate replied. "If you need anything, don't be afraid to ask," I offered. "Will do, Alpha," Clinton replied before they excused themselves.
Once the door closed, I fully faced my team. "Three hundred and sixty-seven turned up that night, adding on to the two hundred and eleven you already had," Ashton said before I could ask and he picked up the stack of paper from the other table. He gave it to me and I looked down the list. Everything was there that I asked for and more. Several pack names came up multiple of times, I'll need to call those packs first to let them know where there members are. "And those with missing family?" I asked.
"Unfortunately, nearly everyone has someone missing. We didn't count but I did see close thirty to fifty people walked out of here without coming to me," Jesse said and he pointed to himself. "Those enslaved however, including the five you saved, brings too eighty-nine. Most of these people were bought by their own families, friends of families or they hired The Concealed Tribes," Livy said. "The Concealed Tribes?" I exclaimed. The Concealed Tribes is a well known organisation but no one knows who or what they are exactly, how they work or how someone gets in contact with them at first, they come to you. They are a complete mystery.
No one has seen them in person, the only contact is hand written messages. There are rumours that they are lycanthrope's but they've been extinct for over a thousand years. 'Don't be too sure,' Aiyana said. 'If the Lycan's were extinct, would I be here?' 'You're kidding?' Sapphire asked. 'I am a Lycan, Sapphire. Werewolves and Lycanthrope's are practically the same, just a different form. They share the same alpha so to be closer to each other, but hunters destroyed us as they did to werewolves five hundred years ago.' 'So, it's possible then?' I asked. 'Maybe, maybe not. There's too few lycan's left for me to be sure,' 'Will they come if they are called?' Sapphire asked. 'I'm sure they're on the way,' she replied.
"Which tribe?" I asked. "We don't know, and neither do the families who hired them," Abby said. "Did they have to pay for this service?" "Not with money. The payments have been different each time; varying from food, clothing and utensils to weapons and information," Jesse replied. "Did you tell the families I may want to speak to them?" I asked. "Yes," Livy said. "Okay, for now, let's get this to my office. Livy, I want to take that list out front. There another eighteen souls from Emerald Star," "That brings it to a hundred and seven," she mumbled.
"One of them is Jen," I warned. "What?" They all exclaimed. "Hart led her and her team into trap with hunters and the Slave Trade," I explained. "Liv, there's a male, about our age, he's in charge of the group and very protective of them. He's been a slave since he was a child and knows little English, he'll understand you well enough but use small words. If you want to see Jen, go now because I want everyone in my office in half an hour." They all nodded. I gestured to the lists and they gave them to me. They rushed out of here and I headed up to my office. I placed the three lists on my desk separately.
I sighed and thought what to do next. Stay and look through the lists or do a proper scenting? 'Scenting. We said we do it on the return trip and we walked through a portal instead. The patrols wouldn't know where to look or travel,' Aiyana suggested and I nodded. I left the office, closing the door behind me. I went to look for Chase and Drake but instead heard Chase yelling. I took off and found him outside. Drake was on the ground with Stavos straddling his waist, raising his fist to punch him. Shay was crying into Lars arms, looking frighten beyond belief.
Before I could do anything, Savannah growled from somewhere and suddenly tackled Stavos before he could swing his fist. She used the momentum to throw him across the yard and to swing her body around to stand in front of Drake, canines bare and her spare posed to strike. I finally noticed Chase being restrained by London and Dallas. 'Theo, get out front right now,' I linked when I didn't spot him. 'Coming,' he replied. "Don't you even think about it," I growled and pointed at Stavos when he began to stand, a determined sneer on his face. "Those of you who weren't involved, inside right now."
My medical staff herded the slave victims and my members inside, some holding onto the victims tightly. I felt relief while I stepped aside and watched some of the victims hug their families as they enter the house. Sven and Jen stayed put though, along with my team. Theo walked out as the last member walked in and froze at the sight of his Beta and Delta, Drake sitting on the ground as he rubbed his jaw and Savannah defence stance on front of him, spear pointing at Stavos. He closed the door behind him with a slam and a growl rumbled through his chest.
"What the fuck is going on here?" He said. "Alpha," "Shut it," Theo cut off Dallas. "Release him." Both men gulped as they released my mate, who punched Dallas in the stomach and proceeded to punch London in the jaw. Both men dropped to the ground groaning as he helped Drake up. I rolled my eyes and descended the stairs. "I'm going to ask this once, what happened?" I said as the door opened to reveal Skylar, Sebastian and Aditi. The door closed behind them softly as they stood still. I turned on my heels to eye everyone present and I notice a few members watching from the windows. When no one said anything, I yelled it. "What happened?"
Everyone jumped at the volume of my voice. "Baby," Chase whispered. I waved him over. He got up close to whisper in my ear, his hands at my waist and I placed my hands on his arms. "Shay accidentally bumped into Drake. He tripped and Drake caught him before he hit the ground. Shay released a yelp and that alerted Stavos. He overreacted when he saw Shay in Drake's arms. I saw what he was about to do but Dallas and London grabbed me before I could stop him. He pulled Shay away and pushed him into Lars, scaring the hell out him and then he shoved Drake onto the ground and landed a few hits before you walked out," he explained.
I squeezed his elbows as I breathed deeply to try and curve my raising temper. "Focus on me, baby," he whispered and I felt his lips against my forehead. I released one more tense breath before I forced my body to relax. 'Theo,' I called. 'I'll deal with my crew,' he seethed before he moved and knocked Dallas and London's heads together. Theo then pushed the pair of them into the house. "I think we should head back inside as well," Aditi said and dragged Skylar back inside. Sebastian followed his alpha as Kylar walked out. He paused in the door away and stepped forward to allow the door to swing shut again.
"What's going on?" He asked. "Stavos attacked Drake," Ashton replied. "You what?" Kylar yelled. "He attacked Shay," Stavos defended. "I caught him from falling," Drake yelled back. "The fuck you did," Stavos said. "Enough," I yelled. "Ask Shay what happened." "But he—" "Ask Shay what happened," I replied slowly and firmly. He frowned and looked like he was going to argue again but he looked to Shay instead. "I-I tripped," he whispered. A stunned silence filled the air but at the very least, Stavos had the decency to looked ashamed.
"I—" "Do me a favour, Stavos," I immediately interrupted him. "Don't apologise to us until you actually mean it." I gave him a dull stare. "Aria, I—" "Just take your mate, your Beta and Delta inside," I interrupted again and turned away from him. "Lars, inside," Kylar ordered. "But," "Now!" He yelled and I heard Lars scurry inside with Shay. "You idiot," I heard him say before him and Stavos shoving each other to get inside. "You okay, Drake?" I asked when door closed behind them. "Fine, he just caught me by surprise," he mumbled. "The rest of you inside; Drake, Chase and I are going to do a proper scent marking," I said.
"Ari," Abby said and I held up my hand. "Abby, please...just don't. Right now, I need space and I need to get out of this house, even for a few minutes," I said. "Okay," she whispered. "We'll be back shortly," I said. "I'll travel behind you, Alphas," Savannah said and I nodded. I turned and started walking, the boys following right behind me. "Ari," Drake called after we walked a far distance. "You okay?" "No," I replied curtly and I abruptly stopped. "This is too much, too fast." The boys walked further until they were in front of me. Chase placed his hand on my left shoulder and stroked his thumb across my skin. Drake stood beside with his hands in his pockets.
"Talk to us," Chase encouraged. "This is too much, too fast. The Red Warriors, this war, missing Warriors, the Slave Trade, Jayden's curse, just everything. I can't deal with it," I explained. "It's all too much at once... I feel like I'm drowning. Those who trust me are looking to me for answers, answer I may not have, and those who don't, try to skirt the issue and handle it themselves. I just want to scream right now, and just keep screaming until I can't anymore, then maybe curl into ball and cry my eyes out." After the rant, my body felt weak and my knees shook.
Chase took my hand and led me over to a log. He sat down and pulled me into his lap. As I settled, Drake kneeled in front of me. "Then don't carry it by yourself," he said. "But—" "But nothing," Drake interrupted. "Remember what I said this morning?" Chase said and I nodded. "You don't have to carry everything by yourself now, you have me and Drake to carry the burden with you. Let us carry some of it for you." "If you don't let us," Drake added on quickly. "You're definitely going to drown in that pressure you're feeling right now." "How can I when that's all I've been doing for the past four years?" I asked.
"You let us handle some things," Chase replied. "How?" I asked again. "You allow us to, if you don't, then we force you to let us. If that still doesn't work, we can alway tie you to the chair until we finish," Drake said with a shrug and I laugh. "You don't have to be this big, strong Alpha all the time, we're not invincible and we're definitely vulnerable. We feel just like the rest and we aren't made to express nothing when something gets to us," Chase added. "When did you become wise?" I asked as I turned to look at him. "All experience," he replied and I fell silent.
"For years, even before I knew you were my mate, I had to force myself not show any emotion. If I did, I'd get a beating. Then you came and broke that, further breaking it by leaving. Some nights, my emotions and thoughts overwhelmed me enough to break down. I don't want you to become like that, I hated having to stay in control; which is probably why I submitted so easily to you." "I wouldn't say easy," I said. "Trust me, I could've fought you for weeks before I conceded," he replied. I smiled softly and cupped his jaw. "And you never have been alone. I was there for you as were Andrew and the others, we helped you in ways you didn't realise," Drake said.
I sighed and laid my head on Chase's shoulder. "I've always done it alone," I whispered. "With small projects," Chase said. "If calling killing a band of fifty murderous rogues small, then yes. And it was only one project at a time, never multiple. With this, we've got what? About a dozen things going on at one time and your trying to give each and everyone due consideration," "Which is fine," Chase added. "But you're trying to do it all at once, then you've got raising tensions going on outside of your head. A lesser man or woman would've broken by now. What's that horse reference Jesse sometimes uses?" Drake asked.
"Is it the one where you hold the reins too tightly, the horse will buck?" I asked and Drake nodded. "That's the one. You're holding yourself too tightly, if you don't let loosen those reins, you'll do far more damage to the situation," he said. My frown deepened as I thought. "We can do this, Aria. The Gods chose to revive you for a reason, and I'm pretty sure this is it but even you can't handle everything by yourself," Chase whispered. I looked between the two of them and sighed, staring at the ground above Chase's knee. "I can't promise not to check on you two very five minutes," I said. "I was expecting three seconds, five minutes is fantastic," Drake said and I punched his shoulder.
"I am not that bad," I defended myself. "Darling, you are that bad," Chase said and I snorted. "Am not," I grumbled. "You are, but let's not argue about this," Drake said. "You can check on us as many times as you like until you get use to the idea of someone handling the weight for you," Chase said and I sighed again. "Very well," "Great, now lets get this scenting done." Drake said as he started to strip. I shook my head and turned to face Chase. He looked at me curiously and before he could ask anything, I kissed him hard. He made a noise of surprise before getting lost in it. I added fuel to smouldering fire by placing my hand on his crotch.
He moaned as I pressed down firmly before trailing my hand up his torso and under his shirt. He tilted his head back and hissed when I brushed a bruised hickey. "Hmm, I think I should add some more, don't you think?" I whispered and he shivered. Chase nodded and squeezed my waist. "My pet has been a good boy for Alpha today," I added and he whimpered. "What does my pet want me to do to his body?" Chase keened and his face in my shoulder. I caught a heavy blush on his cheeks before he hid.
"Whatever you want, Alpha," he replied and I shivered. "Hmm... Usually, I would be pleased with that but I'm letting you chose, pet. Think about it and let me know by tonight," I said. "Yes, Alpha," "Shift," I ordered as I stood. He quickly stripped and shifted. I looked at Kaage and smirk back at his own wolffish smirk before stripping myself. When Sapphire was on all fours, she set off at full pace to the northern boarder. The three of us rubbed against the closest trees and boys urinated on them to claim our territory, and we continued this anticlockwise. We rubbed our scent on very tree close to the boarder and urinated on every few tree or bush. We passed by four rolling patrols, with eight wolves in each, until reached back to where we started. I was very please with that.
I felt calmer when we reach the house again. Sapphire shook her body and growled lowly when Levi licked her temple and Kaage nuzzled her neck. She gently clasped her jaws around Kaage's snout before doing the same to Levi. Kaage stepped away and shifted, untying the clothes from his ankle and dressing. Levi and Sapphire followed his lead. "You gotta let me watch you two play," Drake said as we dressed. I looked at him with a raised brow and looked at Chase, whose blushing like a school girl. I don't care if we have an audience, as long if it wasn't a lot of people and it was people I trusted. I've watched Drake handle my brother and vice versa but Chase may not agree with it.
I was about to ask him that question when I felt deep sense of humiliation from him as well as curiosity. I hummed and finished getting dressed. "Chase," I drawled and his blush deepened. "That has to be a yes," Drake chuckled and Chase averted his eyes. "He's curious at least," I replied. "Get dressed, pet." "Whats next?" Drake asked. "Well," I said. "Lets get the team into the office, they help sort through our members, who belongs where and so on, then the three of us can call all the packs they've come from. I'm not quite ready to face rest of the alphas yet." "Good idea," Chase said. "And then after that, all of us can formulate to deal with...everything," I added.
The boys only hummed in response. I linked with everyone needed and shut it after I got a confirmation. I walked up with to the office and Drake closed the door behind him. I picked up the list with everyone's names and sat at the lounge in front of desk. Chase sat beside me and Drake across from me with the coffee table in the middle. Jesse and Livy arrived first followed by Ashton and Abby shortly after. I divided the stack between us. Chase got up and gathered the six highlighters on my desk, all different colours. We got the dividing pack members, what ranks they are, what jobs within the pack they can or cannot do, which packs they're from and so forth.
By the time we finished, midday turned into the early evening. I stretched and groaned as my stiff back cracks with the movement. "Ouch," I drawled as I slumped back into the couch. "Ditto," Jesse groaned as he twisted his back to release some tension as well. "I hate paper work," Livy muttered. She rubbed his face and went to the liquor cabinet. "What's next?" Ashton asked as Abby yawned beside him. "I was planing on calling the alphas to let them know where their pack members are but it's late now. They'll be with family, we can do that in the morning," I said. "How about organising a plan to deal with this war?" Drake asked.
"To be honest, Drake, I don't have the energy to even do that," I replied. "Understandable," Jesse muttered angrily. "But we have to do it at some point," Drake said and I sighed. "Yeah, I know," I said as I rubbed my tired eyes. "Very well, get them up here. You lot stay, I might need you to keep me from strangling Stavos and Skylar." They all laughed as Abby left to grab them. "You're okay," Chase whispered and I just nodded. I let them pack up everything and organise it just how I like it. Abby returned with Theo behind her.
"Hey, Theo," I said. "Hey. Chase, I am sorry for the behaviour of my Beta and Delta," Theo immediately apologised. "They're not joining us, are they?" I asked. "Hell no," he replied. "Good, once is fine, twice is pushing it, three is a private training session with me," I said. "Or as we call it, a death sentence," Ashton said as made his own drink. "I'll tell them that," Theo said. "Don't bother, I'm going to give them hell one way or another," I replied and he nodded. "Be my guest, I'm sick and tired of their petty arguments. Most of which is from Hart's mouth," he said as he sat down. "Figured," Andrew growled.
The door opened and in walked Aditi, Skylar and Stavos. Aditi greeted us and immediately went to pour herself a drink. Neither Sky or Stavos said anything, just situated the self at the back of the room. Their crew followed in shortly after. "So, a plan of attack, huh?" Addy spoke first, breaking the tense silence. "Unless you want to go in blind?" I asked. "That's more my style," she replied. "How we aren't dead by now, still amazes me," her brother, Drake said. "Is there any blood in here?" My Drake asked. "In the fridge, I had someone bring some up for you," Chase answered. "Thanks, brother," Drake whispered.
"Well, for this, we need a plan. If we don't, we and hundred of thousands die. As Theo said yesterday, whatever happens here, affects the rest of the planet," I said. "We cannot afford to make a mistake. We make a mistake, we lose. And I, for one, am not willing to take that chance." "Agreed," Theo said. "Shouldn't we wait until your Beta and Delta are here?" Sky asked. "They don't deserve to be here," Theo said sharply. "Since we have so many things we need to worry about, we need to organise who does what," I said before anyone could say anything. "And I suppose you tell us how to do it?" Skylar said smartly as she crossed her arms.
My team growled and tension started to rise again. "No," I said with an easy smile as I stood and stalked my way over to her. "How you chose to do it will be done at your discretion, will that be satisfactory, your royal highness?" Skylar gulped at the close the proximity between us, my tone and no doubt the challenge presented on my face. She nodded her head and bared her neck. I snorted and I walked back to my seat. "Anyone else want to demonstrate their idiocy today?" I asked, looking at each individual long enough to have them shift uneasily. When no one answered, I sat down.
"I think we can agree the biggest problem is the two fronts they're going to hit us with. South has already started, killing sixteen packs already," "Eighteen, they took another two," Jesse said solemnly. I sighed and rubbed my forehead. "Sky, I'll be stupid to not let you handle the south yourself. You need to figure out how to keep Zane and his goons from coming further north, Stavos and Theo will help you with packs on each of their side on the country," I said. "Agreed," Theo said and Stavos nodded.
"Aditi, the council you told me about, they work for Zane. They control your packs, they haven't attacked us here so I'm assuming they haven't got full control yet; I need you to gather the northern packs and destroy the council before they can do that," I said. "Easy enough, most know who I am anyway and I helped each of them at one point or another. The alphas can make some small argument until I can come up with something more solid to by us time," she replied. "The longer the better," Theo added. "And then we have another problem, with these two things happening, our resources will be stretched.
"Jagger and Serenity is having problems with their own rogues, Viola needs to physically leave to rile up the Vampires, Angels and Demons are out of reach for now, and our packs not being attack by this war, have their own rogues and hunter problems. We need strength and muscle," I said. "Who do you have in mind? The Dragons?" Skylar said. "That's exactly who I have in mind," I replied. "They have their own problems as well," Stavos finally says something. "Dragons are naturally independent but when threatened, they are the strongest souls on this earth. No force beside the Daemon can oppose them," I said.
"But they managed to capture the Dragon Den," Chase said. "Dragons are notoriously loyal, they wouldn't betray their kind unless the worse of the worse happened to them; kidnaped mate, children, torture. Either way, it would have taken years for them to formulate a plan to capture the dragon capital. Hell, Azazel could have something to say about it," I replied. "All in all, the dragons will rally behind Conner when he calls for them. The only problem is their Queen." "Kayla," Andrew whispered.
"Aye, if they still have the Queen, the dragons and Conner won't be able to do much. We need to rescue Kayla before anything else is done," I said. "And how do you suggest on doing that? And with what support units?" Stavos asked. "We'll have to pull all Warriors, who aren't doing anything vital, back to be that support. As for how, Andrew and I lived in the Dragons Den for a couple of months," "And we know it well enough," Andrew added. "And we have Conner and Jude, who know the Den like the back of their hands," I said. "And what if the Warriors called back aren't enough to stake a siege on he mountain?" Theo asked.
"Then we'll have to free the Warriors enslaved by Hart. Terry hinted he may know where they are. I was going to give him a few more days rest but I'll ask him tomorrow, we can't afford to wait," I replied. "Ari, we may need Alec for this. He's the best at battle strategies," Andrew said. "Yes, anyone hear from him lately?" I asked. "No, we've been trying him for weeks. You haven't?" Abby replied. "No," I said slowly, a sinking feeling started to form in my stomach. "He didn't call you on your birthday?" Ashton asked. "He never misses your birthday."
"No, a matter of fact," Andrew whispered confused. "Try calling him," I said but Andrew had his phone out of his pocket already. He dialled, held the phone to ear and waited, and waited. He hung up and dialled again. "Not picking up," he said. "You try, Ari. He always picks up for you," Livy said. I immediately fished my iPhone out of my jeans. I opened my contacts and found Alec's name. I pressed his mobile first and waited. "What number did you try?" I asked Andrew. "Mobile," he replied. I waited far longer than he did and just when I went to hung up, an electronic voice said, "I'm sorry the number you're trying to call has been disconnected. Please check the number and try again."
"Disconnected," I whispered. "What?" Jesse exclaimed. "He'd tell us if he got a new phone," Abby said. I pressed his apartments number and waited. "Hello," a woman's voice answered. "Hello, is this Alec Cameron's apartment?" I asked. "Not any more, sorry dear. He's sold me the apartment about a year ago," she replied. "I see. Do you know where he moved too," I asked. "Moved?" Jesse exclaimed again and I held up my hand. I'm not liking this, my breathing has beginning to get laboured again. "No, sorry dear. You could ask the buildings manager," she replied. "I think I will, thank you," I said. "I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help," she said. I hung up and quickly dialled the managers number.
I got up and paced the length of my desk as I waited for him to answer. "Ari, you okay?" Aditi asked. "No," I replied bluntly. When the manager finally picked up, I immediately asked where Alec could have gone but he didn't know either. All knew he was in a hurry and looked scared as he left. "He was scared. The only time he's scared is when his father is involved," I said and Livy gasped. "Oh, my god. I completely forgot," she cried. "What?" I asked hurriedly. "At the end of our vacation in New York, Alec was tense and fidgety. He came to me before I left, he said he need to tell you something but couldn't tell you directly. He was about to tell me when he suddenly said he'd tell me later, but he never did. I completely forgot about it until now," she said as tears streamed down her face.
"Fuck," I yelled and got behind my desk, shooing Drake away from it. I placed my phone on it and braced myself on it, thinking in what I should do. "You don't think Hart got to him?" Drake Silver asked. "Of course she does, we all do," Jesse yelled. "Jess, calm down," Ashton said. "I won't calm down, Ash. Not until I know where Alec is," he said. He continued to yell and scream at everyone, especially if they argued that Hart may have nothing to do it Alec's disappearance. I sat down with my head in my heads. My mind wandered to most unpleasant thoughts and before I could grasp at the most practical ones, my mobile starts ringing.
I didn't recognise it and it was a long distance call. "Hey," I yelled and everyone fell silent. "Aria Knight," I answered the phone. "A-Ari," Alec's broken voice rattled through the static. "Alec," I yelled. "My Gods, Alec. Where are you?" "Where is he? Is he okay?" Jesse asked. "Is he safe most importantly?" Abby yelled and I held up my hand. "I-I don't know," he replied shakily. I could barely hear him. "Are you safe?" I asked as I pressed my finger into my other ear. "No. A-A, help me. I'm scared. I don't know where I am, all I see are trees and wildlife," he said and I growled. I clicked up fingers at Ashton and he rushed out with me following. The footsteps behind me, tell me the others are following.
"Alec, stay on phone. What are you using?" I asked as Ashton settle at his computers to track Alec's phone. "Satellite," he stuttered. "He's using a satellite phone," I told him. "I need a number," Ashton said. I held my phone out long enough for Ash to type it in his tracking software. "Alec, are you moving? I can hardly hear you," I asked. "Y-Yes, I barely escaped. They'll be after me soon," he cried. "Escaped? Alec, what happened?" I tried not to yell but I'm getting more worried by the second. His breathing was shaky, his voice husky like he's been screaming for too long and I can hear him release pained sounds very few seconds.
"Actually, find somewhere safe. Hide. Then tell me," I said and I hear him whimper. "Come on, Ash," I muttered. "I'm getting there, just a few more minutes. It doesn't help he's moving," Ash replied. "O-Okay," Alec stuttered. "Are you safe?" "For now," "Alec, brother, tell me what happened?" I said softly. He was more clearer now that's he's stopped moving. My team and the others stared at me confused, worried or scared. "Ari, I'm scared," he cried. "Brother, I know you're scared, I can hear it. Remember the breathing exercises, take a deep breath in," I take one in as well and waited until he did the same. "And out." I said once he did and I repeated the process until he sounded calmer.
"Alright, Alec, tell me what happened?" I repeated. "H-He threatened you, all of you. He said if I didn't do as he said, he'll kill you," he said and I could feel the rage starting to come back. "Was it Hart?" I growled and he whimpered fearfully. I banged my unoccupied hand against the table and released a window shattering growl. You could hear the windows breaking. "Alec, breathe with me," I said in order calm himself and myself down before proceeding. "Nearly there," Ashton said. "What did he do?" I asked. "I thought he was going to kill me, like usual, but when I met up with him, he had this cruel smirk. It was crueler than when he beat me," he said.
"He said I was going where I belonged. I hear a snap behind me and arms caged me to chest and a cloth over my mouth. I t-tried fighting, I really did but I felt a prick and my body went limp. The person holding me, dropped me and laughed as he checked me over, touching places I didn't want him too." He whimpered again and I could practically hear his shiver of disgust. "Before I lost consciousness, I saw another man giving him a load of cash," he continued and began sobbing uncontrollably. I froze there, my body, my breathing, even my heart stopped before kicking into over drive. My rage hit me ten times worse than ever before.
"H-He s-so-sold me," Alec cried. My first breath was hiss before it turned into a growl. 'That fucking, insolent, traitorous bastard,' Sapphire seethed. "N-No, no, no, no," Alec started mumbling fearfully. "Alec," I cried in alarm. "They found me. Ari, they found me. Save me. Please. I can't handle it anymore," he cried and I could hear yelling from his side. "Ash, hurry," I yelled. "Got him," he replied. "Alec, brother, listen to me!" I yelled to get his attention. "I'm coming to get you, I'm coming, I promise," I said and he whimpered.
"What I want you do to is to hide the phone. Smash it, break it, whatever. The slavers can't know of this conversation, once you get rid of it, run. Run as fast as you can, don't look back, just keep going and don't stop," I said and he cried. "Hurry," he whined. "I'll be there as fast as I can. Now go, Alec. Run," I ordered. "I-I lo-love you, a-all of you. T-Te-Tell the others that for me," he cried. "You can tell them yourself. Alec, please run," I started crying when the yelling got louder. "A-And tell my m-mate, Jasper I-I'm so s-so-sorry," he added and I placed my hand over my mouth to keep from sobbing too. "I... I will," I promised. "Now run."
The line went dead and I clenched my eyes shut. Mores tears spilled, one after another. My phone slipped, banging to the ground and sobbed into my hand. "A-Ari?" Livy called. More tears fell from her own eyes when I turned to look at her. "He sold him," I whispered. "He sold him!" Abby and Livy cried in pain as Jesse punched a hole in the wall. Andrew growled and Ashton's body shook with anger. I placed both hands on the table and sobbed. I felt hands touch my shoulders but I didn't want anyone touching me right now. I pulled away from them and continued to sob.
Chase whined and protested weakly when Andrew pulled him away. His phone started ringing and I didn't bother listening as he answered. I gave myself an one arm hug as my chest hurt, keeping the other on the table to steady myself. I could hear Andrew talking lowly before he hung up. I barely noticed him inch closer to Drake to whisper in his ear. "Yeager has Hart, he's bringing him here," I heard very clearly. All the guilt, fear and worry turned into something else after I heard that. My wolves growled, howled and snarled for vengeance. Pure, glorious, unadulterated rage filled me, filling me to the brim. Not one part of me escaped the feeling. This much rage I've never experienced before, this level of rage anyone could call demonic.
One part of me knew if I didn't reign it in, I will do something like never before but the greater part of me only held one desire, a desire so great and so marvellous, I didn't fight it. I didn't even lift a finger to stop it from completely consuming me. I opened my eyes, my vision still blurry from tears, and I dug my nails onto the wood until it creaked in protest. My breathing heavy and long, and my body shook with this terrible desire. Despite the people in the room; no one, not even the Gods, could stop me from my one desire: to kill.