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"How do we know we can trust you?" Del questioned.
I gritted my teeth, agitated but understanding why she was apprehensive to take my word for it. She was protective of Rosie, that was for sure. Keeping my hands above my head I dropped to my knees and dipped my head. "If you truly feel like I can't be trusted, you can kill me now. I won't stop you."
With my eyes on the floor, it was hard to see what was happening as silence hung in the air. I imagined that Del and Kai were looking at each other, wondering if they should spare me or kill me. I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the inevitable shot that would send me to my end. Oh well, at least I'd be reunited with Carly. If I died, at least I'd be doing so while doing the right thing. I counted to ten in my head, waiting for my life to drain as fast as the loud boom of a gun firing, but it never came.
"Fine." Del huffed sounding annoyed. "Get up and take us to Joaquin so we can get out of here. We don't have much time before the betas come back here to find Kai.”
Now it made sense. Kai acted as the diversion to lure the betas away so Del could sneak into the lodge. Not a bad plan. Thankful I was going to live to see another day, I stood back up and ushered them to follow me down to the basement. Once below, we ran to Joaquin's cellar where I unlocked the door and swung it open. Kai impatiently pushed passed me and stepped inside.
"P'Joaquin." Kai slid to the ground beside Joaquin's unconscious body, his face ashen as he took in the state of his mate's other chosen. His eyes wet with tears as he gently brushed Joaquin’s damp hair from his face. "P'Joaquin, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
“We need to get the chains off him, but I don’t have the key,” I said, frantically thinking what we could do to break him out.
“I got this,” Del shoved me out the way and pulled out her pistol. Pointing it to the lock, she fired twice, and the lock broke off releasing the chains it held. Once she put the gun away, she rushed over and removed the chains from Joaquin’s body, making sure to be extra careful with his ruined wrists. “Jesus Christ, what the hell did you guys do to him?”
"This was Pierce's doing. He's inhaled too much wolfsbane and is very weak. We have to get him out of here before he dies. Come on, we can take my car."
Not needing to be told twice, Kai stood up, lifting Joaquin in his arms bridal style. The fact he was able to pick up Joaquin so easily was telling enough how weak Joaquin was. Hopefully we weren't too late to get him some help. "Come on, let's get out of here."
We couldn't leave the lodge fast enough. Thankfully my car was parked next to the lodge, and so was a motorcycle I assumed belonged to Del. I just unlocked my doors when someone behind me yelled, "Stop right there!"
We turned to see the rest of the pack betas blocking our path, all of them in wolf form expect for Thomas, one of the younger betas in charge of border patrol. He was only a year older than the twins but had shown promise in combat and in protection details. When Thomas recognized Kai and noticed how he had Joaquin with him, he looked to me as if he'd been slapped. "Byron, what's going on here? What are you doing?"
Dammit, I was hoping for us to escape before we were caught, but now that wasn't possible. "I'm sorry, but I have to go."
"With the traitors and the Blue Hunter?" Thomas gestured to the three in question. "You're betraying us now too?"
"I'm not betraying you guys," I corrected. "I'm betraying Pierce."
"Pierce is a part of this pack!"
"But he shouldn't be, and you all know that. He's too dangerous to lead us."
"What are you talking about?" Thomas looked confused while the wolves on both sides of him were exchanging glances at one another, wondering what they should do.
I didn't want to waste too much time trying to reason with them, but now that they discovered us, they were in danger of Pierce killing them too. I should at least give them the heads up. "Pierce is planning on killing everyone in Kingsrose, both pack and humans alike. He's forming alliances with rogues and is planning on allowing them to invade us and killing off everyone he deems disposable. He's already killed Kellan tonight before he left. You can get close to his office and still smell his blood in the air."
Thomas took a step back gaping like a fish gasping for air. Even Kai blanched at the news.
"He's going to kill everyone in Kingsrose?" he asked.
I nodded, not taking my eyes off Thomas and the other betas. Thomas looked as if he didn't want to believe me, but he would've known if I was lying. He looked to the other wolves who were whining their concern. I needed to nip this in the bud so we could leave.
"Pierce will likely kill all of you if we escape, but he'll probably kill you all anyway, unless you're willing to kill other pack members and innocent civilians. Pierce is planning to form an army and wants to keep Kingsrose as his home turf. Only he wants to make it wolves only. He has to be stopped, Thomas."
"Can he?" he asked.
"Be stopped? I'm not sure, but Joaquin, Kai, and Kao put their faith in Rosie Mendoza. Mother Moon has chosen her for a reason, and if she can stop Pierce, then I'm willing to help her make it happen."
"You're putting a lot of faith in a girl you barely know."
"She's not just a girl," Del spoke up. "She's been given a special power that could save us all. Not to mention the true alpha heir is right here." She pointed at Joaquin's limp body.
"I know it's a lot to digest, but we really don't have time. The rest of the pack needs to be warned, and you all should get to safety before Pierce decides to kill you all. I need to get to Rosie before Whitney and her team gets to her first," I urged, hoping they'll let us go without having to fight our way out. Doing so would only shorten Joaquin's chances of survival.
Thomas and the wolves had an unspoken conversation with each other, using their pack bonds to communicate. When they seemed to have come to a decision, Thomas said, "If you're going to stop Whitney and her team, you're going to need backup, right?"
I breathed a sigh of relief. Staying in Kingsrose wouldn't be safe, so if they had to leave, I'd rather have them come with us. I was sure Rosie and her mates could use the numbers. "Only if you're prepared to fight members of your own pack."
