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“If it’s who I think it is, she doesn’t have a name, or more specifically, she has many, but no one knows which is real.” We all turn our heads in utter shock, our eyes focused on the soft yet resounding words Tala spoke.
“What the fuck are you saying?” I ask, stunned by her words.
Chapter 9
Hunter
“She’solderthananyoneknows, and hell we’re not even sure what she is or where she comes from. She sees and knows all. If she’s getting involved, and sharing information with us, we need to take heed and listen. Our rescue plan has just been moved up. We can’t wait any longer. Get your wolves here, your witches, vampires. Whoever is in the rescue and we need to leave. NOW!!”
“Are you sure?” Ryder asks, his mouth downturned in a frown and his eyebrows furrowed. “We wanted the extra support that Damien’s family would provide when they got here.” The worry registering that we might not get them in time, or that he made a fatal error in his rescue plan.
“Positive, Alpha,” she answers curtly and with no emotion.
“Are we ready to open the portals? If so, we leave tonight. We attack at night under the cover of darkness. Sebastian, check with all the vamps you contacted and see if they are a go. If not, we do this with who we have,” Ryder announces before turning and leaving the room, his shoulders slumped as he goes, with a barely audible sigh.
“Okay guys, I’m heading over to the pack house to speak with everyone. We can’t take them all; we need to leave some here just in case the asshole decides to attack.” I snatch my keys off the counter and head out the door. As much as my wolf is begging to run, I need to stay in control and have some time to think.
Pulling up to the packhouse, I see some of the Betas in a huddle outside, unaware of my arrival.Odd!
I tune my hearing in on what they are saying. Curiosity is killing me.
“He took a mate with others and they are not wolves, well, except for Hunter,”Craig spits out in a venomous tone.
“What does it fucking matter? If it’s his fated mate, who are we to question the fates?”Chad's no doubt the voice of reason in this group, while Steve nods in agreement with him.
I slowly move closer, my wolf growling in annoyance at Craig’s vocal rebuttal of our mate. Not once did the three of them turn or notice me creeping up closer to them until I announced my presence.
“If we have time to stand here and question who the fates mated me and my brother with, then you’re clearly not doing what you’ve been ordered to do by your Alpha. As he so eloquently announced when he spoke of our mate, you have the choice to leave if you don’t like it. Take this as your first and last reminder Craig. If it bothers you that much, get the fuck out of our pack. Ryder will gladly release you from your bond to this pack, and you’re free to find one that suits your beliefs. Chad, Steve, the same goes for you as well.”
Their faces are mortified by my words as the latter two vehemently announce they do not carry the same opinions. I head into the pack building, annoyed that this is what I had to come across on my arrival. Chad follows behind me, clearing his throat before he begins to speak. “I’m sorry you heard that, sir. But more than that, I’m sorry we didn’t even notice you were there. Our defenses were down, allowing anyone the perfect opportunity to attack us. I have failed you and our Alpha.”
“Your words are one hundred percent true, and we were fortunate that no one attacked. You’re also lucky that it was just me that heard that conversation. This is the first time your actions have ever come into question. DO NOT let it happen again. Understood?”
“Yes.” His one-word response carries the weight of his guilt.
“Gather all the warriors and meet me on the field in fifteen minutes,” I command, heading to Ryder's office to mentally prepare.
Pulling out my phone, I send Ryder a message to let him know I’m alerting the pack to be ready and briefing those who are staying on what to do. We had already decided to split the pack, taking an even number of weaker and stronger fighting pack members with us. Our plan was to ensure the pack would be able to handle any force that may come against them in our absence.
He shoots back a quick reply, two words.Thank you.
I pull out a shot glass from the cabinet, as well as the bottle of Jack, and pour the amber liquid into the glass. Lifting the glass to my lips, I open them, allowing the warm liquid to slide down my throat.Okay, Ryder, let's get this done.
Heading out of the office, I make my way straight to the field, the pack fighters already standing in formation awaiting my orders. Moving through the clusters, I make my way to the head of the crowd, turning to face them.
“Okay, men and women, this will be brief. We are taking a team with us and leaving the others here to ensure the safety of our pack lands. Chad will be in charge of the team that remains here. I will give him the list of those going and those staying. Once I’m done, he will inform you. Those who are going will meet at my home at nine PM, you will then be placed with the team you are going with and briefed on what to do. Come dressed in your black battle gear and check your weapons from the armory. We will be working with a team of witches, warlocks, fae, and any other supernatural beings who come to our aid. So this is the final time I will say this. Alpha Ryder has already announced that if you are not happy that we are bonded outside of the pack or to someone other than a wolf, then say so now and follow me to my home, where we can rescind the pack bond. Any hatred spewed past this point will end in death, as we will deem it a threat against the pack. Speak now.” I wait as I watch the pack look at each other until finally three of the older members step forward, contempt laced in their words.
“All due respect, Beta Hunter, but this is blasphemous. When warlocks, vampires, witches, and fae mate to one of the most powerful Alphas and his powerful Beta brother, we would be laughingstocks. I can’t stand by and watch as this pack's good name is sullied,” the oldest one with long graying hair, wrinkled skin, and audible limp spews his degrading words towards my mate.
I let out a deep, sadistic laugh, patience is no longer within me to deal with this stupidity. Confusion sets in as they gawk at my uncharacteristic response. “Well, good thing for you then that you no longer need to be a part of this pack. One where we revere our elders and hold them in esteem. But bigoted views and opinions are no longer condoned here. Get your belongings together and meet me at my house in thirty minutes. You will be released from your bond to this pack, and good luck finding one who wants to take an old feeble man who can no longer offer any type of added protection to their pack. That goes for the two behind you. I’m done. For anyone else with the same views, the same goes for you. Pack and meet me at my house. For the rest, get with Chad. We’re rescuing our mate, her best friend and oracle, and our missing warlock bond.” With that, I storm through the crowd, done with all the stupidity of all of them today.
Never in my life would I have thought our own pack would have such narrow-minded members and views. Guess I was wrong to assume that. We’ve always strived to be accepting and tolerant of all other supernatural species.
Opening the door to my truck I climb inside, put the key in the ignition, and start it up. I shift my weight so I can pull my phone from my back pocket and send a text to Ryder letting him know what to expect.
Me: OMW home. We had some speaking out against our mate and other bond members. Craig was one. They have all been told to be at the house in 30 min so you can rescind the bond link. Expect 4, maybe more.
Ryder: Got it. We don’t need anyone who can’t support our bonds.
