Chapter 43
The werewolves began their journey to the appointed location later that night as one pack, including all able-bodied members of the clan, as well as clan members from neighboring towns who had been summoned to participate in this movement. Their existence was now being threatened by a bunch of scientists and dirty government agents who were trying to weaponize werewolf powers. If they didn’t fight against it now, it would eventually spell the end of their kind.
Their battle formation was simple; the Alphas and Lunas ran together in front, the Betas ran closely beside them, while the Delta and Gamma wolves took the rear. They began their run as humans, but as they picked up speed, one by one, they began to transform into giant wolves racing at top speed. The wolves at the rear fanned out and positioned themselves strategically, such that they were beside and behind the Alphas and Betas. In total, they were 26 adult wolves running together into a battle to fight for their spot in the ecosystem.
They covered the 30-mile distance to Chatanika, where Eric was being held, within 12 minutes. As they neared the facility which would be the exchange point, they slowed down and all the wolves began to fall back gradually and melt into the darkness behind tress and thick bushes, until only Gary and Aubrey were left in front.
“You should go behind with the others,” he said to her. “I am the one they’re looking for, not you.”
“I’m staying with you,” she said stubbornly. “Someone has to help Eric get on his feet for the journey back to Fairbanks.”
“Antoine and Byron will do that. I already explained all that before we began the trip here. Fall back, Aubrey.”
She didn’t appreciate her father’s hard tone, nor did she intend to obey his order. “No, Daddy,” she replied in a tone that showed she was ready for any objections he might raise. “Eric is not just a clan member to me; he is my mate.”
Gary could not hide his surprise. “What?”
“It’s true, Daddy. Eric and I found out we were fated to be mates on the night of the last Full Moon Feast.”
“Aubrey, that was weeks ago. Why am I just hearing about it now?” Gary asked, stunned.
Aubrey hung her head. “I—I wasn’t sure I wanted him then. Besides, I’d always dreamt of falling in love with an Alpha mate, not a Beta. I know that sounds very classist, but it seemed like such a big deal to me until…”
“Until what?” Gary prompted her to continue.
“Until I realized that I was falling in love with Eric. It didn’t hit me in the face with a bang, but it was more…subtle. I realize that he has a good heart, and his kind nature is the reason why nobody has anything negative to say about him. I have also realized that I don’t want the power tussle that comes with being with an Alpha—I think I prefer a calm, cool-headed Beta who would never keep me guessing about how he feels about me. Eric is my mate and I want to find him tonight and take him home with me.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Gary admitted after a few seconds of silence. “But I am happy that fate chose the right mate for you, Aubrey. Eric is a great guy and I know he would make you very happy.”
Aubrey smiled. “Does this mean I have your blessing on this?”
“My darling, you will always have my blessings on anything that brings you happiness,” Gary assured her.
“Even if I rob a bank to make myself happy?” she teased.
“You wouldn’t do that,” Gary laughed.
Aubrey leaned forward and licked her father’s muzzle to show her affection for him. “Thank you for being a great dad, Daddy.”
“I never thought I would ever hear you say that,” he said emotionally. “Now, I need you to do me a favor.”
“Anything,” she said without hesitation.
“Fall back and let me handle this,” he said quietly. “I need you to trust me, Aubrey. We will get Eric back, but I need you out of harm’s way first.”
“I don’t want to leave you alone, Daddy,” she appealed.
“Trust me, sweetheart. Everything is going to be ok. Now fall back, please.”
“Ok,” she said reluctantly and receded into the shadows.
Darren White and Eli Grey, from the neighboring clan, stepped forward, fully dressed in human form, and held out folded clothes for Gary to wear. The Chief switched to his human form and got dressed briskly, ready to approach the facility and make the exchange.
The three werewolves marched forward gallantly towards the gate of the facility that looked like an abandoned factory. The gate swung open as they neared it, but the three Alphas did not go in.
A masked man dressed in all black and carrying a rifle approached them from the inside. “Which one of you is Gary Silver?” He asked.
“Where is Eric?” Eli asked in response.
“Answer my questions first,” the masked man said aggressively. “Who is Gary Silver?”
“I am,” Gary said.
“Follow me,” said the masked man.
“Not until I see Eric,” Gary insisted. “This was supposed to be an exchange. You give my people here Eric, and then I will follow you in, or we all leave, and this exchange is canceled.”
“I was not sent here to negotiate with you,” the masked man said. “I was sent to fetch you and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
He pointed his rifle at Gary’s head and cocked it. “Step forward, now.”
“I’m thinking your boss needs me alive, so I wonder what you will tell him when he comes out and finds me dead with a bullet in my head.”
“Lower your gun, Wesley,” Luke Thompson called out from behind the masked man as he approached with a legion of armed guards, all masked and looking formidable. “Don’t be so hostile towards our guests.”
Wesley lowered his rifle but maintained his battle-ready stance in case he needed to swing into action at a moment’s notice.
“It’s good to finally meet you in person, Alpha Silver,” Luke said with a wide grin. “I could never have guessed in a million years that you are the leader of the pack, or clan, or whatever you people call yourselves these days. Mind blown!”
“Where is Eric?” Gary asked calmly, ignoring Luke’s annoying monologue.
Luke snapped his fingers twice, and the armed men behind him parted immediately to allow two guards holding Eric on each arm, to drag him forward. He was naked, wounded and looked very exhausted. His injured limb dragged limply behind him as they pulled him forward.
In the dark where she hid behind the bushes, Aubrey had to physical restrain herself from running forward, by digging her paws into the ground. She felt like attacking Luke and his men and slaughtering them for what they had done to Eric. How dared they treat her mate like this?
“What sort of madness is this?” Gary fumed. “What have you done to him?”
“Nothing serious,” Luke said, still grinning. “I may have lost my temper and shot him when he wasn’t cooperating with me.”
Gary balled his fists. “You think this is funny? Kidnapping and shooting an innocent man, then making a joke of it?”
Luke’s expression became serious. “Stop getting emotional, will ya? Now that you’ve seen that your precious werewolf is still alive, step forward and let’s go inside for the rest of the party.”
“Hand over Eric to my men first,” Gary demanded.
“Of course,” Luke said and nodded at his men. They dragged Eric forward towards the three werewolves, then Darren and Eli stepped forward to carry him.
Gary remained where he was, while his men carried Eric into the nearby bushes where the female wolves were waiting to tend to him.
“Now that we have gotten that out of the way, allow me to introduce you to my associate,” Luke said with a flourish. “You can call him my partner in crime. Come on out, old friend.”
Luke’s partner stepped out from behind the armed men, and the moment Gary’s eyes landed on him, the Alpha couldn’t hold back his gasp of surprise.