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The roar of engines filled the air as a fleet of trucks and cars pulled up to the gates. Wolves jumped out of the cars and surrounded the walls; Vanya, Nyx, and another man took vigil at the gate.
“Open it before we force our way in. Either way, you’re done here,” Vanya called out. “We outnumber you with allies inside and outside your walls.” His laughter cut off as the entirety of our pack formed behind me, Emma and Garren leading the charge. It seemed we weren’t the only ones hiding weapons as I saw a number of silver-lined daggers and even guns in their hands. We likely could have taken them alone but having allies would make it a sure bet.
“You have no power here. The Grave Pack outnumbers your backwoods tiny packs easily.”
“Then go assemble,” Nyx snarked. Man I missed that asshole’s constant commentary. “We’ll be waiting.”
Steele looked so out of his element that it was laughable. I had a feeling we were the first pack who’d fought back. No one had likely been brave or stupid enough to escape and find allies, to band together and force them out.
“Leave,” I said as I stepped forward. Even his guards didn’t bother to get in the way, in fact they’d retreated several steps to let him lead this completely alone. That alone showed they were not truly on his side. “And if any of you soldiers are ready to change your ways and escape that pack. Join us.”
Steele turned to them and his voice dripped malice as he gave the last orders he’d give in this pack. “If you go, consider yourselves marked for death. There will be no second chances.” As he faced his guards, Hades slipped out of the security building. He looked like a zombie, bloody, bruised, and exhausted, but he didn’t hesitate to sneak up behind Steele. I half expected one of his men to warn him, but they were silent as our newest warrior slit their alpha’s throat without hesitation. Steele dropped and the grounds were silent as everyone processed what the fuck just happened. Then Antonio walked out with a grin on his face. He’d apparently watched the security feed, saw the opportunity, and took it.Good man.
“You’re right, there won’t,” Hades said as he spit on the lifeless body bloodying the dirt. “Who’s next?” The guards all stayed silent and dropped their eyes to the ground. Except one who stepped up.
“We had a pack just like this, I wish we would have fought back,” he said bitterly. “Let us join. I can’t go back to them.”
“You’re welcome to stay. But we don’t know you enough to trust you, once you say you’re staying, you won’t be allowed to leave. We can’t risk someone tipping off the alpha,” Vanya said as soon as Antonio slid the gates open to let them in.
“Who here is loyal to the Grave Pack?” Nyx asked as he stepped up next to Hades. They all shifted their eyes to one man and once again Hades disposed of that soldier’s body.
“You didn’t give him a chance,” Emma protested. She sounded horrified but Hades simply shrugged.
“I know the eyes of a killer. I’m sorry, but every one of these men condemned him. That’s damnable evidence in my book. Was he Steele’s second?” He directed the last question at the soldiers and they all nodded.
“He tortured my brother for refusing to bow down,” one of them spoke up. The anger and bitterness in his voice showed how hard they had to fight submitting to the asshole. “They have our family though. This was a stupid move.”
“And we’ll get them back for you,” Vanya said. “And once again, not letting anyone disappear on us will keep them alive. Don’t take stupid chances, we get one shot at this.”
“Understood,” they agreed.
“Antonio?” He nodded at my unspoken question of him handling the soldiers.
“Right this way,” he called as he turned and headed for the security office. They followed him in. By the time the twins finished with them they’d either be trusted or outed as a traitor to our cause.
“Back to business, people, we have a pack to return to normal,” Emma called out. Her voice shook as she said it and her hasty escape didn’t go unnoticed by Hades either. He’d genuinely scared her and it would take some serious talking to get her back on his side. Once she calmed down though, I had a feeling she’d come to terms with it. We were at war; he’d made the right call. Blood would be on more than just his hands before the end.
“We made it just in time it seems,” Vanya said as the bulk of the pack walked away.
“Vanya,” I breathed out in answer. The allies were amazing, but I didn’t currently give a fuck about anything but her. She’d only been gone for a few days but it felt like a lifetime. There were too many factors involved for me not to spend days sick with worry. The second she was within reach, I yanked her to me and claimed her mouth. She melted into my arms, a sigh on her lips as I showed her just how happy I was she was back in one piece.
“Well, that’s a hell of a welcome. Do I get one?” Nyx joked as he blew me a kiss. I flipped him off but released my girl. For now.
“And I take it this is the alpha from your old pack?” I guessed as I turned to the man who looked insanely uncomfortable now. As he should. She nodded and if she wasn’t holding me back, I’d have grabbed him next, though for far more violent reasons. “You know, she hasn’t given me or Callum the full story on those scars, but I have a feeling you’ll be answering for them the moment she does.”
“My pack was raised on traditions, both Vanya and I were born into a pack where that was considered normal. I changed things when I took over and I won’t take your assumptions lightly. Vanya means more to me than anyone ever has and we have dropped tradition to join you here,” he argued. His voice was defensive and held a note of desperation. But I was stuck on his words. And from the huff of laughter from Nyx, something was going on.
“Vanya?” She winced as I said her name.
“So, the merging of packs came at a price. Before I explain, just remember that Steele is dead because of us coming here,” she said in a rush.
“You’re rambling. How bad is this?” I demanded. She chewed on her bottom lip as her gaze bounced between the three of us.
“I agreed to be his Luna. It was his stipulation for helping us. He didn’t want to step down in disgrace. He gave everything for that pack and didn’t deserve that end. I wanted to save you guys and Callum, so we came to an agreement. Once I said I’d be his Luna and he agreed to take it at my pace, we came here as fast as we could,” she explained. Her eyes wouldn’t meet mine and my chest tightened with worry.Did she want him all along? Was this the end of what we had?Generally I didn’t give into insecurities but this was so out of left field I wasn’t sure how to process it.
“A mate.”
“Yes, another mate. In order to get his help that was his condition. He was an alpha who’d failed his pack and he wanted a chance at redemption. I could have refused and returned without their help, but where would that leave us? So here we are,” she said. Her eyes were pleading with me until she glanced around at the crowd still lingering around us. Then she was tired and done with it all. “Let’s go home, this isn’t a conversation for the streets.”
