Thursday, January 30th 2020

Thursday, January 30th 2020
She was frantic telling me about what has been happening. Thinking about this little boy and his sister getting beaten after he was given a high dose of wolfsbane has me moving faster than my crew; dad let me put them together myself. 
Jessa has been back at the pack a little over a month and everyone involved is grateful that she has returned to the medical wing. We need her tonight. I stop for a moment on the main path we use in the south east forest, panting hard as my heart races with adrenaline. My understanding is that Micah is five to six years old but the neglect that he has suffered has stunted his growth and he’s no bigger than a three year old. He’s light enough to be carried but the chronic vomiting has Declan bringing him in the wagon. Beyond that, we know very little about the state of his health. 
I force myself to stand still, waiting impatiently for the rest of my crew. We need to stick together as each member has specific skills to either treat the children or to help keep them safe during transit. 
“What’s the hurry?” Parker pants as he slows his run to a walk, Celine and three of our border guards jog up behind him. 
“Dad didn’t brief you?” 
“He told us that there was an emergent case that needed swift handling.” Celine interjects as she slows. 
“You seem to know something that we don’t.” Parker comments. 
I draw a deep breath and let it out slowly. 
“I’m sorry. I thought dad’s communication with Declan was better than that.” 
“He was rushing when he told us what we were doing tonight. He didn’t give us details. Just get out here, grab the kids and get to the hospital wing.” Darren adds to the conversation. 
“We have to go. I need you to keep up.” 
I mentally face palm myself as I was expecting more from my father but then again I was packed and out the door as the briefing was starting. I shake my head. 
“It’s my fault you don’t know.” 
I stop at the Blue Ridge path and admit to my mistake. 
“The youngest orphan was poisoned with wolfsbane last night. Somehow he has survived over twenty-four hours on a substance that kills in three.” 
The group is stunned by my information. 
“How do you know more than your father about this?” Parker asks with slow hesitation. 
“I didn’t give him the opportunity to give you any information that Declan may have had. The Luna of the Orphans, the oldest child living in that hell house is my mate. She contacted me in a panic attack over Micah and his sister after she gave them to Declan. She knows the support needed to get him through this type of poisoning doesn’t exist in her pack. She doesn’t trust me or my pack but we are all she has.” 
I shiver as a cold breeze sweeps down the main path reminding me of where we are. I’m staring down the slim path that we created and named The Blue Ridge path as it leads directly into their territory. It’s the sounds of a motor starting in the distance that snaps me out of my daze and I start heading down the path. I’ve compromised on a light jog, the backpack I carry bouncing rhythmically against my back. I refuse to slow until I see them. Two tiny silhouettes barely discernible from the trunks and branches of the trees they stand between. We keep our  approach towards them at a slow but steady pace. I’m quickly surveying and taking mental notes of what I’m seeing as we do. 
‘There are no adults with them.’ 
I reach out to my dad not liking the idea that they are alone. 
‘I promise. They may be out of sight but they are not far away. The kids are traumatized enough that they will run if they think they have an out.’ 
‘That means Declan and Heinrich are closing off exits.’ 
‘Yes. Exactly..’ He confirms. 
“That means we need to do the same.” 
I accidentally speak the last part out loud causing everyone to look at me with intense curiosity. I crouch down, studying the children and the area surrounding them. My group does the same. 
“What’s going on? I thought this was a critical mission.” 
“It is. I don’t know how Micah is even standing.” 
I talk low so my group can hear me without straining but not loud enough that it echos. 
“But he will meet certain death if they run and we can’t catch them.” 
I can feel what I have said hit everyone in the group. The raw realization of what this alpha is willing to do. 
“Darren and Derrick, I need you to spread out. One to the left of the path, one to the right. You need to keep these kids within your sight but stay about ten feet away from them until I give you further instructions. You need to find the clearest area that they can use to run if they get spooked. Parker, I want you to stay on the path. Follow Celine and I until you are about ten feet away from them, then I need you to hold your ground. This path is the easiest for them to use to try and get away but it also makes it easy for you to get to me. You know the most about administering medication and Jessa is waiting for your call.” 
They all nod silently as I stand. 
“Celine,” I pause trying to figure out the best way to tell my group of the horrors shared with me last night. “Something all of you need to know is that all of the girls in Alrik’s care are turned into toys once they hit a certain age. Once Alrik tires of playing with them they are offered to visitors who he has gotten to know and share his pedophilic kink. To my Luna’s knowledge, Micah is the only boy shown such unwanted favoritism. This is the reason I need you with me, Celine. The little girl, hopefully, will respond better to you than the rest of us.” 
She nods, waiting for me to make my next move. True to the group we have become, we each move silently in our own directions. Keeping my eyes trained on those kids as we creep ever closer.