As we began to plan our assault on Benny’s operation, my wolf snarled in anticipation, eager to finally strike back at those who’d dared to threaten our family. The road ahead was dark and uncertain, but one thing was clear: Benny and Castro would soon learn they’d messed with the wrong alpha.
“How are we going to do this?”
“Leave that to me, Ty. I’ll handle the details.” Sven’s menacing grin was a reflection of the ruthless strategist Hiram had promised him to be.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about handing control over to someone else, even someone as capable as Sven. There was no denying he had more experience with these matters than I did, and my pack needed me to make the best decisions for them. Swallowing my pride, I nodded curtly.
My nose twitchedat the sterile smell of antiseptic as I entered Liam’s hospital room, and the beeping monitors created a steady rhythm in the background. Liza had done an excellent job convincing him to stay overnight, despite his protests that he was fine and needed to get back to the pack. As alpha, it was my responsibility to make sure my pack was safe, but seeing the man I now considered to be my brother-in-law lying on that crisp, white bed, bandaged and bruised, I felt utterly powerless.
“Hey,” Liam greeted me with a tired smile, his voice hoarse from the painkillers. “Where’s Liza? How’s everything at the house?”
“Cleanup is underway, and Sven and Hiram have been helping out.” I forced a smile of my own as I took a seat by his bedside. “I sent Liza to the cafeteria—don’t worry, Isaiah is withher. I need to talk to you about something else, and I don’t want Liza to know just yet.”
Liam shifted slightly in his bed and winced at the movement. His injuries weren’t as severe as we’d feared. Yes, he’d been sliced up pretty badly, but the doctors had stitched him up within hours. Still, the sight of him, injured and vulnerable like this, filled me with urgency. We couldn’t afford to let our enemies keep attacking us like this.
Taking a cleansing breath, I plunged into the details of Sven’s plan. I explained how we were going to hit Benny where it hurt by destroying his shipment and cutting off his resources. It was a risky move, stepping into mob territory like this, but I wasn’t sure we had any other choice.
Liam listened intently, his expression unreadable. Then slowly, he sighed. “It will definitely send a message, but you know it’ll only antagonize Castro more, right?”
“I figured,” I grumbled, my heart heavy with my decision. “But we can’t afford to look weak anymore, Liam. They’ve already caused too much damage, and I can’t let them take anything else from us.”
“I get it.” Liam strained from the pain of his injuries. “You’ve been passive for too long. Castro has been walking all over you and thinks he’s better than you. It shows, man.” He grimaced as he tried to find a comfortable position in the hospital bed. “Just be careful. This isn’t like you, but sometimes we have to do things we don’t like to protect our pack.”
“Thanks,” I said, placing a hand on his shoulder, feeling the solid muscle beneath my fingertips. “I appreciate your support.”
“Of course,” Liam said, offering a small smile despite his pain. “Promise me one thing.”
“Anything.”
“Keep this from Liza,” he said, his expression serious. “If she finds out you’re stepping into mob territory, she’ll freak thefuck out. We can’t afford for her to go off the deep end, with everything else going on.”
I hesitated, guilt twisting in my gut at the thought of keeping something so important from my mate. But I understood Liam’s concern and the logic of his words. Liza was already under enough stress with Castro’s constant threats. Putting this weight on her shoulders wouldn’t do her any favors.
Liza wouldn’t want me to embrace this darker path, but there was no other choice. Castro had pushed me too far, and the decision I’d made pressed heavily, like the suffocating grip of an unseen force, as I considered the path I was about to tread. A path that would lead me far from the man I wanted to be.
A few days later,the plan hatched into motion. The cold wind whistled through the trees as we stood outside the abandoned warehouse, our breaths fogging in the air. Eerie shadows crawled across the rusted metal walls, setting the stage for a tense confrontation.
“Remember.” Hiram checked me over, nodding at me, his eyes sharp and calculating. “You’re playing the traitor. Benny needs to believe you’ve turned your back on Liam.”
I nodded, my stomach roiling with unease, but I steeled myself. The stakes were too high to back down now.
“Let’s do this.” I pounded my fists on the sides of my thighs, then forced myself to relax. This had to look natural, not forced.
We entered the warehouse, with the door creaking loudly behind us. Inside, the darkness was oppressive, broken only by the dim glow of an overhead light. Benny sat at a makeshift table surrounded by armed guards who tracked our every movement.
As I walked farther into the dimly lit warehouse, my skin prickled. Damp rust tinged the air, and dripping water echoed off the walls. Hiram walked beside me, his confidence a comforting presence, though the pressure was more intense than anything I’d ever felt.
My breathing must have increased because Hiram hissed, “Remember, play your part.”
I nodded, and set my jaw. This meeting was crucial, a chance to sway Benny from Castro’s side, but I couldn’t help the knot of anxiety that coiled in my stomach. I had to be convincing to play a role utterly contrary to my nature. If Benny saw through the façade… well, there was no turning back.
Benny rose to stand by his makeshift table and turned to face me as we approached. His arrogant sneer had my hackles raising, but I forced myself to calm, reminding myself of the game at hand.
“Ty.” His voice dripped with false warmth. “What a pleasant surprise.”
“Cut the crap, Benny.” I struggled to maintain an even tone. “You know why we’re here.”
“Of course,” he said, flashing his teeth in a grin. “You’re going to help me get to Liam, is that it? You’ve finally seen the light?”
