Chapter 184 Locked In
Coban’s POV
Morning came slowly.
The room was quiet, warm, and still wrapped in the lazy comfort that follows a long night where no one really slept much for reasons that had nothing to do with danger or war.
Trixie was asleep between Caden and me, tangled in both of us like she belonged exactly where she was. One of her legs rested across Caden’s thigh while her back was pressed against my chest. My arm was wrapped loosely around her waist, and Caden had one hand resting lightly along her shoulder, slowly tracing absent circles across her skin.
Neither of us moved for a while.
Caden was the first to break the silence.
“Our Lycans are very pleased with themselves,” he muttered.
I huffed out a quiet laugh. Conan stretched lazily, radiating satisfaction.
"Of course we are." Conan said happily and content.
I smirked slightly. “Conan agrees with you.”
Caden turned his head toward me with a crooked grin. "Drake does too.” He laughed and shook his head.
Trixie shifted softly between us, still asleep, her breathing slow and steady. Her hair was an absolute mess from the night before, curls everywhere across the pillow and my arm.
Caden brushed his fingers down Trixie’s arm again. “She’s exhausted.” He said as he stared at our girl.
I nodded. “Leigha had a lot of energy to burn.”
Caden chuckled. “That wolf has been waiting a long time. She didn’t waste the opportunity.”
We sat there another minute before Kevan’s voice suddenly came through the pack link.
"Morning, lovers." He teased with kissy sounds and moans.
Caden groaned and rubbed his face. "Oh hell. It's way to damn early for this."
I sighed. "What do you want, Kevan?”
His voice carried the unmistakable sound of someone who had been entertained for hours.
"Clarence and his men discovered the minefield last night."
That got our attention instantly. Caden pushed himself upright. "They what?” I asked, my eyes suddenly wide open.
"Triggered half of it," Kevan continued, clearly enjoying himself. We’ve watched the footage about ten times already.
I snorted. “Of course you have.”
"Come watch it yourselves. You’ll appreciate the panic." He said as he kept chuckling. Evidently, there watching it again. This has to be good.
The link faded.
Caden looked over at me. "Well, that sounds promising.”
Right then Trixie stirred awake between us. Her eyes blinked open slowly before she stretched with a quiet groan. “Morning babes.”
Caden leaned down and kissed her forehead.
“Good morning little mouse. Did you sleep well.”
She stretched again and winced slightly. “Uh, I need more sleep. I’m sore.” She groaned and polled the pillow over her head.
I chuckled. "That’s because your wolf decided last night was the perfect night to celebrate.”
Trixie rolled her eyes but smiled. "Leigha’s very happy.” She said as she gave us the most beautiful smile ever. Those hazel eyes were just gleaming this morning.
“I’m sure she is,” Caden said as he stared into her eyes. I guess he sees exactly what I do.
About an hour later we were walking into the arena complex for day five of the tournament.
The entire place was buzzing with energy.
Warriors were gathering everywhere preparing for the second run of the obstacle course, while pack members filled the stands waiting to watch the next round begin.
Cassian and Atlas walked with us between Caden and me while holding onto Trixie’s hands.
Cassian looked up at me with excitement.
“Wun again?” He looks up at me.
“Yep,” I told him.
Atlas tilted his head. “Boom?”
Caden laughed. “Possibly son.”
Cassian grinned like that was the best answer he could have hoped for.
We climbed the stairs toward the viewing room that overlooked the arena floor. When we stepped inside, most of the others were already there. Mark, Kevan, Benjamin, Darien, Lucian, and Elliott were gathered around the long table while the women sat along the couches with the younger children.
Kevan immediately grinned when he saw us.
“Well look who finally woke up.”
I pointed at him. "You’re the one who woke us.”
“Worth it,” he said.
Mark turned with a laptop already in his hand “You need to see this.”
He passed it over. Caden leaned over my shoulder as I opened the video. The screen showed Clarence’s compound during the night. Several of his warriors were stepping cautiously out of the front entrance, clearly believing the coast was finally clear.
Cassian climbed up onto the chair beside me to see better. Atlas leaned against Caden’s leg while staring curiously at the screen.
On the video one of Clarence’s men stepped forward. A second later the ground detonated beneath him. The explosion launched him into the air while dirt and smoke erupted across the yard.
The room exploded with laughter. Benjamin slapped the table. “That’s fantastic.”
Another warrior ran forward in panic and immediately triggered another plate. Another explosion followed.
Kevan leaned back laughing. “That one right there is my favorite.”
On the screen smoke bombs erupted while blinding lights flashed violently across the compound yard. Clarence’s men stumbled blindly in every direction, completely disoriented.
Darien wiped tears from his eyes. “They completely lost control.”
Lucian shook his head. “Look at that idiot run straight into another one.”
Another explosion shook the yard.
Caden chuckled. “Phase two worked even better than expected.”
I nodded in agreement. “They panicked immediately.”
That was when Atlas suddenly went rigid beside Caden. Cassian froze at the exact same moment. Both boys had stopped watching the screen. Instead they were staring toward the massive viewing window that overlooked the arena floor below. A strange tension filled the room.
Trixie noticed immediately. “Cassian?”
Atlas’s small fingers tightened around Caden’s pant leg. A low sound left his throat. “Mm… mm…”
Cassian slowly stood on the chair beside me.
His eyes were locked on something below.
His tiny hand lifted and pointed toward the arena entrance.
“Dada” he murmured.
Every adult in the room turned toward the window. Down below, near the entrance where warriors and workers were moving around the arena grounds, a man stood among the crowd. None of us recognized him. But the twins had already noticed him.
Benjamin leaned closer to the glass. “Who the hell is that?”
Caden was already moving. "That’s one of Clarence’s men.”
I stood immediately. "Let’s go.”
Every man in the room rushed for the door at once. Kevan grabbed a weapon from the rack on the wall as he ran, while Darien and Lucian were already halfway down the stairs.
Within seconds the room emptied of men. Only the women and children remained. Trixie walked toward the door slowly, Leigha stirring uneasily inside her mind.
"Something wasn’t right." Leigha said as she paced back and forth.
Then the handle turned. The door opened. Two unfamiliar men stepped inside. One of them shut the door behind them. The other twisted the lock with a heavy metallic click.
The women froze. The children went silent.
One of the men slowly turned toward them. And smiled.