Chapter 161 PREDICTABLE
Benjamin's POV
Trinity fit against me like she was made to be there.
I sat back in the black leather recliner. I had one arm wrapped around her waist, the other draped loose as my teeth grazed the shell of her ear. Slow and teasing. I murmured low enough that only she could hear it. My voice promising things meant for later.
She laughed soft softly, trying to shush me. Her eyes were flickering to the floor, where our son sprawled on his play mat. Kael was surrounded by toys. Blocks, balls and something metal he shouldn't have liked as much as he did. Three months old and he's already built solid. Big hands, heavy limbs. He looked up once and then went straight back to his toys like the world had nothing to offer him yet.
"Alpha, we have movement in the tree line. It's not ours." Dante said through our link.
I didn't move. I didn't tense. I just watched my son stack two blocks with clumsy determination.
"Send Ned with a small team to confirm." I replied calmly through the link.
Seconds later, the first blast hits.
The windows rattled. A deep concussive, boom, rolling through the night. Trinity stiffened instantly. Instinct taken over as she slipped from my arms and moved closer to Kael, crouching protectively near him.
Kael didn't cry. He didn't even flinch. Fucking interesting.
I stood and walked to the window as the next explosion lit the sky. Smoke rolling, and lights, flashing, in deliberate and arrogant patterns. I smiled wide at that, not really meaning to.
"It's Clarence. Don't warn the pack. Quietly make sure civilians are safe. Let the rest react naturally. He wants a show. We will give him an audience." I said to Dante through our link.
He paused for a brief moment. "Understood Alpha." He replied.
"Take a team and circle wide. Come up behind them. Catch them while they're admiring their own work." I said to him then I closed the link.
I watched the display unfold like a poorly written play. Smoke. Noise. Fireworks. Masquerading as a threat. The words burned into the sky, and I laughed out loud.
Rogue King
"Ha Ha! He really thinks that's a thing." I said, as I shook my head. Trinity glanced up at me. Her brows were tight. "Benny"
"Kitten, No worries love. He's posturing. Nothing more. Kitten, I promise you I have it all under control."
Kael smacked one toy against another, unimpressed by the chaos outside.
The display ended as abruptly as it began. The darkness swallowing the ridge again. Minutes pass then I finally heard from Dante.
"Alpha, we caught 12. I only have seven alive. Sorry, five resisted and didn't make it." Dante said as his voice was steady.
I close my eyes briefly. "I'll be there shortly."
I walked over to Trinity. Bent down and kissed her lips. Our kiss was soft and gentle.
"Kitten, I have to step out and take care of something. I shouldn't be long baby." I say as I press my lips to hers once more. I bit her bottom lip and she smiled. I slipped my tongue into her mouth and she melted it into me. She reciprocated, our tongues searching each other's mouth as my hand went to the back of her head and drew her in even closer. Our kiss deepened and that's when Kael thought it was a good idea to throw a block at mommy and daddy.
We pulled apart from our kiss. Both of us breathing hard.
I told her goodbye and kissed my son's head.
The dungeon smelled like iron, piss and fear. Bright lights hummed overhead illuminating every crack in the concrete walls.
Dante didn't waste no time. There they were, all seven of them. Bruised, beaten and bound.
Oh fuck. Those three faces right there. Those I knew far too well.
Norvil. Marvin. Raven.
I stepped into the room slowly, the sound of my boots echoing off the walls. I was letting them feel my presence before I spoke.
Norvil lifted his head first. Recognition flashing across his battered face. "Well that's disappointing." I said, as I folded my hands behind my back.
"Still a smug bastard." Marvin said, and he spat blood onto the floor.
"Still predictable." I smiled.
I stopped in front of Raven. I crouched down so we were eye level. "You always favored the left flank. You also always rush your exits. I thought I taught you better than that." I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
Raven's jaw clenched. His eyes were blown wide. He was in disbelief.
I stood and looked at Dante and Ned. "Separate them, start with the oned who think they're expendable."
The screams came quickly. I didn't rush it. Pain is a language. You have to speak it fluently.
One man broke after his fingers were crushed one by one. Another lasted longer, that is until Ned dislocated his shoulder and whispered how much worse it could get.
Blood pooled and bones cracked then pleas followed. I let it happen.
When they brought Norvil back in front of me, he was shaking and his eyes wild.
"Clarence. He's building. 500 strong. Warehouse compound. He calls himself the rogue king now." He rasped out in broken sentences.
"And tonight?" I tilted my head, waiting for my answer.
"A warning. He's tired of waiting." Marvin croaked from the wall.
I straightened and turned away. I was already bored with this.
"He's impatient. That will be his undoing." I paused at the door and glanced back once.
"You all forgot something."
They all looked at me. They are all broken and bleeding.
"I don't just build things. I dismantle them." I said softly.
I left them all screaming behind me.