Chapter 186

Chapter 186
ASHER

My blood was still pounding from the ambush, a fire that pulsed in time with every heartbeat. But there was no time to let that anger simmer. They’d broken into our home. My family, our son, had been right there—and they’d come after him. If they wanted a fight, they were about to get one.

Now, with everyone gathered at the pack house, the sense of purpose was almost tangible. The rooms buzzed with low conversations and the movement of the security teams, every face set with a focus that matched my own. We were on high alert, ready to respond at any moment.

Jax stood beside me, his expression mirroring my own fury, but his gaze stayed sharp and level. He was already laying out ideas to bolster security, each point precise and deliberate, a testament to how serious he was about what lay ahead. It was that quality that made him an indispensable leader. He didn’t let emotion cloud his judgment, especially not now.

“We need more patrols along the east and south borders,” Jax said, gesturing at the map splayed across the table between us. “The hunters know our territory by now. If we’re predictable, they’ll be back with a strategy to match.”

He glanced at me, waiting, and I nodded, marking the areas on the map. His plans were solid, but the look we shared said what we both felt. We needed to go further, to push harder, to be ten steps ahead.

“We’ll need to spread the patrols thinner if we’re covering this much,” I replied. “Which means we need to look at reinforcement options. We can’t risk wearing out our own teams right now.”

That’s when Jax brought it up, the suggestion I knew had crossed my mind too but hadn’t voiced yet.

“I think it’s time we consider reaching out to the surrounding packs,” he said, his gaze steady as it met mine. “We’ve defended our territory on our own until now, but things are shifting. This attack tonight proved that.”

His words hung in the air between us, carrying weight. I’d always been cautious about letting other packs into our territory, keeping the lines between us clear. We’d handled things ourselves; it had been our way, part of our pride. But tonight had changed things.

“I know it’s a big step,” he added, and there was no challenge in his tone, only a steady sense of resolve. “But think of it as an alliance. We’d lend support to them if it came down to it.”

I considered his words, glancing down at the map again. He was right, as much as I hated to admit we might need help. The pack came first, above everything else. And the best leaders recognized when they needed more than just pride to protect their own.

“All right,” I said, nodding slowly. “We’ll put out the call for reinforcements. But we’ll stay in control. This is our territory; we’ll run the operation.”

Jax’s lips curved into a small, approving smile, and he clapped me on the shoulder. “We’re on the same page, then.”

“Always,” I replied, and I meant it. Jax had my back, just as I had his, and right now, we needed to be a united front more than ever.

Before we could continue, Knox strode in, his jaw set, and I could tell he was itching for more action. “Patrols are in place along the northern perimeter,” he reported. “We’ve got two teams stationed there, and they’re doubling the rounds every hour.”

I nodded, feeling the tension ease slightly. “Good. That’s one less weak spot. We’re pushing for reinforcement options too.”

Knox let out a sigh of relief, and it was clear he approved. “About time,” he muttered with a small, humorless grin. “After what happened tonight, I say let them come. We’ll be ready.”

I couldn’t argue with that sentiment.

Still, my mind drifted to Isabella and Luca. They were with Maggie in one of the apartments here, safe for now. But this close call had ignited something primal in me. Isabella had managed to calm Luca down, something I’d felt through the bond we shared. It grounded me, knowing they were safe, and I couldn’t help but think of her strength, her unwavering calm in the storm of it all.

Jax’s voice brought me back to the present. “We’ll need to establish communication protocols with the surrounding packs. They need to know what’s at stake.”

I nodded. “Let’s get in touch with the alphas tonight. We don’t waste time.”

He and I exchanged another look, a silent agreement passing between us. We’d tackle this together, shoulder to shoulder, equal in purpose. Jax had been beside me through everything—family, battles, and now this threat that seemed to lurk around every corner. And I knew he felt the same, the drive to protect everyone we cared about, no matter the cost.

With one final look at the map, I turned to the rest of the security team, my voice clear and steady. “We’re going to hit them back harder than they hit us. They’ll learn quickly that this pack doesn’t fall. We stand, and we fight.”

The room stirred with the sound of agreement, and in that moment, I felt the tension shift, purpose solidifying in each of us. It was a start, a plan to keep them safe.

And that was all I needed.