“Stay safe,” I said to him, knowing his wolf’s hearing would mean he’d catch my words, despite the distance between us. He offered a small smile in response, and I felt immensely grateful for his presence.
Inside the hospital, Sabrina and I stayed by Liam’s side while doctors and nurses worked tirelessly to stitch up his remaining wounds. The antiseptic burned my nose, and the constant beeping of machines, and the murmurs of worried families pierced my ears. As frightening as it all was, I was thankful I’d been there for my brother in his time of need.
“Almost done,” one of the nurses said gently as she finished stitching Liam’s arm.
Sabrina watched her with a hawk’s eye. She never questioned the need to be by Liam’s side, and instead made casual conversation with me, but her attention was on the nurses and making sure they behaved appropriately. If any got too personal, she made a point of going to Liam and standing next to him.
“Thank you,” she said earnestly once the nurse finished stitching Liam’s arm.
“Who needs telepathy?” I said, my lips curving into a small, defiant smile. “I can save lives. That’s what really matters.” And I meant it. In that moment, when I’d been able to heal Liam’s wounds and save his life, I’d felt more powerful than ever before. More connected to my true self.
118
TY
Sven and Hiram arrived with their pack while I stood among the wreckage, somehow keeping my anger simmering beneath the surface. I clenched my fists, the tension coiling within me like a tightly wound spring as anger and shame bubbled up inside me. Castro had made a mockery of me yet again.
“Ty!” Sven’s cold, calculated shout cut through the air. “What the fuck happened here?” Their expressions mirrored my own frustration, and their rage emanated off them.
I recounted the events, watching the same thought forming in both Sven and Hiram’s minds. It was clear Benny and Castro thought of me as the weak link, and that thought gnawed at my pride like a relentless beast.
“You can’t keep letting them walk all over you like this. You need to send them a message they won’t forget,” Sven said. “Show both that you’re not to be trifled with.”
“Agreed,” Hiram said. “You’ve got to show them you’re not a pushover, Ty, because, right now, Castro is making you look like a little bitch.”
As much as I hated to admit it, they were right. Castro was playing me for a fool, and I needed to show him that I wasn’t about to roll over and submit. But what kind of message would make an impression on someone like him? My father hadn’t raised me to be ruthless or vengeful, only to lead with compassion and understanding. But the time for diplomacy had passed. My pack was suffering, and it was my duty as their alpha to protect them.
I nodded, swallowing the lump that had formed in my throat. My phone buzzed, interrupting my thoughts.
“Ty?” Liza’s strained voice echoed through the line, and my stomach clenched at the realization that she shouldn’t have to sound like that, ever.
“Is Liam okay?” I asked, hoarse and uneven as concern for my mate’s brother bore down on me like a physical force.
“He’s going to be fine,” she said shakily, her breath hitching. “They’re stitching him up now. But... Ty, it was so close.”
Her words sent a fresh wave of anger flooding through me, hot and fierce. Sven and Hiram were right. I couldn’t let this go unchallenged any longer.
“Thank God,” I said, relief momentarily washing over me. “Liza, stay with him until he’s stable.”
“Of course.” She sniffled. “I love you, Ty.”
“Love you, too.”
I turned back to Sven and Hiram, steeling myself for the difficult conversation ahead. “Liza says Liam will be fine, but she’s clearly distressed. What do you suggest we do? This isn’t in my nature. I’ve never had to deal with anything like this.” My chest tightened with anxiety. “But I have to do something to prove I have a chance in this war.”
“Remember,” Sven said, his whole demeanor carrying a predatory edge. “This isn’t about being cruel or ruthless. This isabout protecting our own. Sometimes, you have to fight fire with fire. We need to send a message they can’t ignore.”
Hiram scratched his chin thoughtfully. “We need to hit them where it hurts most,” he said, his eyes flashing dangerously. “Show them that they’ve underestimated you, and make it clear that you’re not to be trifled with.”
A predatory grin played over Sven’s lips. “I have just the thing in mind. It’s going to push you out of your comfort zone, Ty.”
His expression reminded me, once again, why I was glad he was on my side. “Tell me.” I wouldn’t let Benny and Castro threaten my pack any longer. It was time to prove that I was every bit the alpha they’d underestimated, and they would soon learn just how much they’d miscalculated.
“Castro is using Benny as a resource. Since I’m planning on taking over Benny’s territory, I don’t want to destroy anything that will be useful once I’m in charge.” Sven paused and began to outline his plan. “Benny imports a lot of his material from one main supplier. We cut that off, and we cut off a lot of his resources: drugs, weapons, you name it. By destroying this shipment, Benny and Castro will both take a big hit, and that should send the right message.”
My nostrils flared as I tried to wrap my mind around the idea of plunging into mob territory. It was brutal, calculated, and undeniably effective. Could I bring myself to go that far and become something I’d always fought against? It went against everything I believed in, but desperate times called for desperate measures.
“Ty, listen.” Sven’s tone was deadly serious. “This isn’t your style, but you need to understand that these people don’t care about honor or loyalty. They will stop at nothing to destroy everything you hold dear. If you want to protect your pack, you have to be prepared to do what it takes.”
