Chapter 764 Chapter 764
Oaklyn looked at Rayne, who nodded. She hoped this worked. If not, all those behind them were going to make a very big ruckus getting in that office. She still couldn’t believe what some of those here had been through because of the man locked behind the doors. Griffin and Noah, in her opinion, were likely the two that had the most reason to see this Aiden Tomas’ existence end. She inhaled a slow breath and then pushed the button beside the door.
When they could hear the locks turn, Rayne stepped closer to her. She was sure it was to prevent the guards from looking out into the hall. If they did, well, that would let the cat out of the bag very quickly.
A tall man, that smelled like a pure one-form opened the door.
“Hello.” Rayne’s voice was lighter than usual. “We’re here to see Aiden.”
He looked at her, checking her out a lot longer than he should have. She put her hand into the crease in the skirt of her gown where the pocket was with a cute little pop-out blade, just in case.
“He’s not seeing anyone right now.”
Rayne giggled softly. “Oh, believe me, he wants to see me. He’s been looking for me.”
“For quite a while,” Oaklyn added. She’d heard the story and knew it was the truth.
Another man came up behind him and gave both of them a quick once over and then smiled. “Let them in. It’s supposed to be a party.” He sounded bored.
“Excuse me, ladies.” Boone walked up behind them.
Oaklyn stepped out of his way, and the large man married to the Alliance’s princess put his foot out so the door couldn’t close.
“I’m going to need both of you to come with me.” He held up a small leather card fold.
Both men looked at it, and then the first one grinned. “You have no jurisdiction here.” He snorted.
Boone nodded slowly. “That’s true. Unless I’m working with a friend that is a US Marshall.” Boone shrugged. “His mate is a friend of my wife.” He touched his ear. “Fraser, I have two more on the top floor to be brought out.”
“What is the problem?” The one moved closer to the doorway.
“Trafficking. Human and otherwise.” Boone stepped back and motioned for them to come out into the hallway. “Gentlemen. Let’s do this the easy way.”
The tall one scowled and stepped out of the door. “You don’t have…” His eyes went wide when he saw the others in the hall.
Amari moved so fast that Oaklyn barely saw her until she was standing in front of him with a gun aimed at his face. “Try it.” She smiled, and it was a real smile.
The one still in the doorway held his hands in the air.
“That’s what I like to see.” Konner came forward and ‘helped’ the man come out into the hall. He shoved his face against the wall and held his hand against the back of his head.
“Allow me.” Pasha came over with tie straps in her hand. She leaned close and inhaled slowly. “Smells worse than any animal could.” She chuffed and pulled the man’s hands behind him.
“Well.” Rayne glanced around and then looked at Devin for a moment. “Shall we?” She reached and took off her cape and held it out to Oaklyn. “Can you hold this? I’ll need it in a few moments.”
Oaklyn took it, and then it dawned on her what she was going to do. “I’d love to.” She glanced behind her. “You gents may want to turn around for a moment.” She smiled at Zain. He went wide-eyed and then turned, giving her his back.
“What?” Noah looked at Griffin and then turned around.
Griffin was smiling before he turned around.
“You heard her.” Pasha grabbed the man and jerked him so his back was to them.
“Rayne.” Devin started to step forward when Calum turned his back and placed an arm around Rayne’s mate’s neck. Devin stood there, flames practically shooting from his eyes.
Rayne held out her gown, and Oaklyn took it and then checked that all the men were looking away. Amari was nodding, looking more than happy with Rayne’s plan. Blaise and Kobie were the same as they put away their guns and got out the tranq guns.
Boone and Konner started walking the two guards toward the elevator.
“He keeps a gun in his desk,” Griffin said quietly.
“Noted.” Oaklyn heard the bones shifting, and then when she looked to where Rayne had been standing, she saw the most beautiful white wolf. Rayne looked down the hall in the direction of her mate and then went into the outer room. She stopped and then turned and gave Oaklyn a look that said, ‘Waiting’. “I believe she’d like someone to open the door.” Oaklyn smiled at Devin.
“Allow me.” Blaise moved through the door, and Amari was right on her heels.
Oaklyn bent down and picked up Rayne’s earbud, shoes, and hair clip. She tucked them into the dress. Going in, she deposited them on a table and flipped Rayne’s cape over one shoulder. Pulling out her little knife, she leaned down, reached under her skirt, and retrieved the throwing knife she had tucked into a leather garter.
“I’ve got the door.” Deacon came over and stood behind it.
When Devin and Calum stepped into the room, Blaise, Amari, and Kobie stood by the door with Rayne right in front of it. Calum looked like he wanted to smile, but a quick glance at the expression on Devin’s face had him managing not to.
“All cells are open. Medic is assessing everyone. A lot of notebooks and things to go through down here.” Raymond Hardy’s voice didn’t convey any sort of happiness.
“Ender and I will come down and start gathering it up.” A man said.
“Devin wants photos as well, Kaid,” Raymond informed him.
“No problem,” Kaid replied.
“We are interviewing all guests before anyone leaves.” The man Fraser stated. “I would like those that may be familiar with them to have a looksee at each face.”
“Journee is here watching,” Illias said. “Griffin, Rayne, and Noah are the others that need to take a look.” Oaklyn glanced at Zain and wondered if he should maybe check faces too. Having worked at the Alliance for so long. Zain made eye contact with her and nodded. He touched his ear.
“I’m coming down to see if any of them have ever been to the Alliance headquarters.” He glanced at her, and his intent glare told her to behave and not get hurt. She nodded and fought to keep the grin off her face.
Calum put his hand in front of Devin when he went to walk over to Rayne. He glanced behind him and nodded to Noah. “We’re last through, my friend.” He said quietly.
Noah and Griffin walked side by side until they were behind Rayne.
A shudder went through Oaklyn. She almost felt bad for the man on the other side of the door. Almost.
“Save some for us, Rayne,” Blair said quietly.
Amari nodded to Blaise, who had her hand in front of the doorknob. She turned it slowly and then shoved it open.
Rayne went into the room, and Oaklyn rushed over. She did not want to miss this. A low growl that was about ten clicks past a warning was coming from Rayne.
Oaklyn went in right after Blaise and Amari and wished for a moment she had her phone so she could take a picture of this monumental moment in the shifter world. A very well-dressed blond man stood behind the desk. The look of terror was on his face. She thought for a moment it was because of Rayne, but then saw he was looking at Griffin and Noah. She glanced at them and did a literal double take like she had a rubber neck. Both men were still in man form, but their muscles were exaggerated. A low growl came from Griffin, and there was no mistaking it in her mind. She’d heard what a bear sounded like more than once in her life, all up close and personal like.
Rayne bound forward, put her front paws on Aiden’s desk, and growled a lethal warning. Oaklyn held her breath, wondering if she was going to go for his throat. She snapped her head around and looked at the others to see if any of them would move to prevent it. She didn’t think so. The expression on Aiden’s face made her wonder if he was going to need to change his underwear after this.
Noah and Griffin walked around behind the desk. Griffin put his hand on Aiden’s shoulder and shoved him so he was sitting in the chair.
Rayne got back onto all four paws and then came over to Oaklyn. Pulling the cloak off her shoulder, she held it up behind Rayne and looked to see Devin and Calum coming in the door now. This moment was so intense that she was going to remember it for the rest of her life. So powerful that they walked in, no one firing weapons, no one speaking either. She heard the shifting of bones and looked to see Aiden’s eyes widen further. The man was going to pop an eyeball right out of his head soon.
“Thank you.” Rayne took the cloak and wrapped it around her. She turned around and started to walk toward the desk slowly. “Hello, Aiden.” Her voice was soft and hypnotic. Oaklyn could never have sounded that calm.
If the man hadn’t been sitting, he would have dropped to the floor. “Rayne.” He whispered it. He pointed to the floor and then jerked his hand back.
“Surprised? I thought a nice holiday surprise was to your taste.” The only sign that she was not as calm as she was pretending was the way she was enunciating each syllable.
He tried to stand up and Griffin put his hand on his shoulder and kept him sitting. “Merry Christmas, brother.”
Aiden looked up at him and then shifted in the chair, so his hand wasn’t on his shoulder. He looked around the room slowly and then stopped on Devin, who was standing just inside the door with Calum. “The new King.” He sneered at him.
Oaklyn grinned. The man had balls that was for sure.
“Prince.” Devin took a few steps forward. “The king is outside with his queen right now.”
Aiden’s brows knitted.
“That’s right, scumbag,” Amari walked over and stood beside Rayne. “All of your cages are now empty.”