Chapter 88

Chapter 88
A silent yet adrenaline-filled hush fell on the cabin of the plane as it slowly made its stop. The lights went out, and everyone was waiting for the command to proceed. Reed stood up and started to exit the plane with Wyatt and myself behind him. Watching myself walk from my mind was crazy. I felt like I needed popcorn as the anticipation was overwhelming. For no reason other than it felt right, everyone was crouched down as they exited in a hurry and ran to the nearby forest for cover. Reed gave the nod, and everyone began to strip down and change into their wolves. It would be a much easier trek if everyone was in their wolf forms, and if an attack were to happen, we would be prepared.

Raven went behind a tree and stripped down. I could feel the warm breeze hit my skin still, but yet it didn’t feel like it. I saw the air around me shiver like steam coming from a warm bath as Raven crouched down. A hot white pain erupted from the core of me but was gone a few seconds later. Opening my eyes, I first saw my paws. Pure silver fur coated them. Standing up, I felt like I was well over six-feet tall. It felt amazing to finally shift and stretch my legs out. Everyone had a greenish tint as my eyes were glowing brightly. Grabbing my clothes, I walked out and revealed myself to everyone else.

Most wolves had to do a double take, but they immediately dropped their heads and bowed to me. I saw two massive wolves off to the side. One was larger than the other and just as tall as I was. He was pitch black with blue eyes, and I recognized him as my mate. The other was mainly black but had spots of brown. The aura around him was that of an alpha, Reed. Reed bowed down to me, and Wyatt walked up to me, looking at me all over with astonishment in his eyes.

“You are pure silver!” Wyatt said via mind-link.

“Fully silver?” I asked excitedly.

“Yes, Raven. You are beautiful!”

“Thank you!” Raven said with much appreciation. She looked over at everyone else and made a grunting sound that signaled everyone to stand. She then turned to Wyatt and Reed and nodded to them to begin the journey.

And we took off running, it was amazing! The wind in my fur and the feel of the soft earth under my claws was like nothing I had ever imagined. It was like I was seeing everything for the first time. Everything was sharper, clearer even. Like I was blind before but now my eyes were open to the world. I ran so fast that the world became a blur around me, and only Wyatt managed to keep up with me but still slightly behind me. Raven let loose and opened her stride to get the full extent of her abilities out. She was free.

Once we ran about three-fourths of the way there, Reed’s wolf howled, signally us to stop. We were close to the parting point. Half of the team would go left and make their way to the abandoned building that was supposed to be housing countless women and children. Our team was heading right to the ocean and the boats.

Reed nodded to us and turned to leave but stopped in his tracks as Raven spoke to everyone. “This is Raven, Nina’s wolf. Do not be afraid as I am your destined queen and thus have the abilities to mind-link anyone I please. I am just here to give you a warning as I am sensing some obstacles in your path. I smell high levels of metal and wolfsbane in the air. Watch out for bear traps and anything other that could potentially be life-threatening. I do not know what lies ahead, but each and every one of you are warriors and thus have my respect. Save those who cannot save themselves and return back alive to your loved ones. Be safe!” With that, she turned and began to lead the warriors to the boats.

I felt it. I felt the shift in morale after that from within Raven. She was connected to them on a level I didn’t even realize or expect. She could feel they needed a pep talk or encouraging words. She felt like there was danger ahead and warned them as much as possible. Raven was a true leader in every way.

As we approached the water, there was a large cargo ship waiting for us. We were about to board the boat, and it would take us like we were captured women and drop us off at the island. So far, we hadn’t been attacked, but I could feel it in my bones, it was coming. Something was coming, and it was big. Raven sniffed the air before she got on the boat and looked around to feel for any threats.

Raven nodded to the other wolves, and they boarded the boat with caution. Making the way to the captain’s chair, Wyatt went back to his human form and started the ship to the island. Everyone was silent and were scared to utter a single word. Like the enemy would hear us, and our cover would be blown if they knew who we were. In the distance, lights appeared. The island was approaching, and everyone hunkered down, only their eyes visible. Wyatt cut the engine and let the ship drift to the dock. We needed the ship to get everyone back on, so he had to expertly maneuver it so we could tie it off.

Everyone knew their jobs, and little was needed to be communicated or directed. Three men had shifted back to their human forms and jumped into the water with ropes to tie the boat to the dock, making as little noise as possible.

Raven stood at the ramp and smelled the area. Wolfsbane, metal, sex, drugs, and alcohol. The brothel was said to be a few miles off the shoreline, so it should be an easy walk. She led the way slowly, taking in everything around her. No birds, no squirrels, no animal life at all. Occasionally, there was a dead owl or mouse found but no signs of life. Stopping quickly in her tracks, Raven squatted down, telling everyone to stop! Immediately, everyone stopped and crouched down, waiting for her command.

Raven was not sure exactly what was wrong but knew something wasn’t right! Walking over to a tree, she saw a vine that looked to be growing at a weird angle. Nudging it with her nose, it snapped, and a very large net shot up from the ground and would have entangled anyone who kept walking. “Be careful,” Raven said to everyone at once. “This place is booby trapped. Keep your eyes open! Advance slowly.”

After about thirty yards, a vine snapped and there was a yelp and a large thud off to Raven’s right. Suddenly, sharp pains erupted from my body that lasted a quick second before I felt a pack member’s bond snap. Raven barely made a face, but her expression was that of sadness. No wonder she knew I wouldn’t be able to handle this. She walked over and saw there was a very large rectangle hole with wooden spikes at the bottom of it. About twenty feet down was a smaller gray wolf, dead as seven wooden spears were poking out from his body.

As there was nothing we could do for him at this moment, Raven turned to continue on as everyone was more on edge than before. Five more wolves lost the battle before the battle begun in different medieval traps. The brothel was finally in sight. The edge of the woods stopped and there was about an acre of land between the forest line and the brothel. Loud music was playing, drunk men were singing from inside, and you could hear the whimpers and cries of the women and children.

Raven stopped again, smelling the air. Wolfsbane. She lowered her head to the ground, and the grass was wet. Not wet with water, but wet with wolfsbane mixed with water.

“They watered their grass with wolfsbane?” I asked, more to myself than anything. Wolfsbane was virtually odorless to most wolves, but Raven was not ordinary and had the ability to smell it. One wolf went to take a step forward and Raven let out a threatening, low growl that stopped him in his tracks. He immediately bowed and backed away.

“I think it is under the ground, like their water system has been laced with it,” Raven said to me.

“How will we pass?”

“Wolfsbane doesn’t affect me, so I shall pass just fine but I am thinking.”

“What’s wrong?” Wyatt asked.

“Wolfsbane in the underground watering system. The ground is covered in it.”

“We could take the driveway, but we will not have the element of surprise. We don’t have a choice, really, as you guys cannot walk on the grass,” Raven said to Wyatt, and he nodded in return.

“The water in the watering system has been laced with wolfsbane. The grass is covered in it, and if you step on it, you will be poisoned with it. The only way to attack is to attack from the driveway, so they will see us coming and the element of surprise is gone. Be swift and aim for the throat. Only two prisoners will be taken today,” Raven said to everyone as they all got a pissed-off look in their eyes.

Making our way to the driveway, we took a deep breath and Raven lifted her head up and howled, signaling everyone to attack! The sound of snarls and growls filled the air as waves of wolves erupted down the driveway, careful to stay off the grass. The music had stopped, and growls had sounded from within the walls. Busting out the doors, wolves had started pouring out in their drunken state. Raven charged at them and assisted in taking down wolves. I felt three more wolves lose their battle, and the burn in my throat told me how.

Waves of wolves kept coming out in every direction, and soon we were outnumbered. We came with one hundred wolves, but more than one hundred and fifty wolves had surrounded us. Completely outnumbered, we were clumped together on the driveway, trying to not touch the grass. Laughter was heard from the door of the brothel. Raven turned to see Devin standing there, clapping his hands.