Chapter 139 War
Ryder pov
"Tonight." I look around the room. "We've got intel, we've got weapons, and we've got a small team that can move fast. We hit Montana tonight, extract captives, and be gone before Council reinforcements arrive."
"That's insane." Phoenix stares at me. "We haven't done proper reconnaissance, haven't tested our gear, haven't even finalized team composition."
"Which is why they won't expect it." I smile grimly. "They think we're scared, scattered, running from their threats. They're not expecting us to go on offense immediately."
"He's right." Luna starts pulling up Montana facility specs. "If we move now while they're still preparing to come after us, we might actually catch them off guard."
"How many captives in Montana?" Jolie asks.
"Four." Phoenix reads from the file. "Two females, two males. Ages twenty-one, twenty-three, twenty-six, and thirty. All displaying empathic or healing abilities, held for research purposes."
"Four wolves we can save." Jolie's says. "Four people who've been trapped in that facility waiting for someone to care enough to get them out."
"Then we get them out." I start assigning roles. "Knox, Cass, you're point on breach. Luna, coordinate from here with extraction ready. Phoenix, monitor communications and shut down any calls for reinforcement. Gio, you're with me and Jolie as backup."
"What about Celeste?" Doc's voice comes through. "She's finished her medical eval. Physically she's fine, but psychologically she's fragile. The emotional breakthrough is overwhelming her system."
"She stays here." Jolie says firmly. "Under Doc's supervision. She's not ready for combat."
"Agreed." I check weapons, loading blessed silver rounds into multiple firearms. "Everyone gear up. We leave in two hours. That gives us time to prep, review facility specs, and make sure our exit routes are clear."
The team disperses to prepare. I'm checking tactical maps when my phone rings I almost ignore it but something makes me answer.
"Kane." I keep my voice neutral.
"Alpha Kane." The voice is smooth, cultured, familiar. "This is Councilor Ironwood, I believe we need to have a conversation."
My blood runs cold. Ironwood was one of the seven Elders Jolie broke with empathy. Should be living with perfect understanding of every terrible thing he's done.
"We have nothing to discuss." I move toward the door, signaling for others to trace the call.
"On the contrary." He sounds amused. "We have everything to discuss. Your mate, the divine abilities she possesses, and the very generous offer the Council would like to extend."
"The Council is dissolved." I keep him talking while Phoenix works to trace the signal. "Jolie destroyed it."
"The Elder Council, yes." He agrees pleasantly. "But the administrative structure remains. Someone needs to ensure divine wolves don't abuse their considerable power, someone needs to maintain order and stability in wolf society."
"And you think that someone is you?" I can't keep the contempt from my voice.
"Not me personally." He chuckles. "I'm quite aware that Jolie's empathic judgment left me somewhat... compromised. No, I'm calling on behalf of my colleagues who remain functional. Who have a proposition for your Luna."
"She's not interested."
"Perhaps let her decide that for herself?" His voice hardens slightly. "The Council Oversight Committee has a very reasonable offer. Your mate joins our rehabilitation initiative, uses her extraordinary healing abilities to help wolves like young Celeste recover from conditioning damage. We provide resources, protection, and influence beyond anything a rogue pack could offer."
"You mean you want to control her." I snap. "Use her divine power for your own purposes."
"We want to harness it for the greater good." He corrects smoothly. "There are hundreds of wolves suffering from various forms of conditioning, trauma, or emotional damage. Jolie could help them all. Wouldn't that be better than hiding in your compound, waiting for enemies to find you?"
"What enemies?" I ask carefully.
"The ones who believe divine wolves are threats that need to be eliminated." His voice carries dark amusement. "The packs who lost power when Jolie destroyed the Elder Council. The traditionalists who think empathic abilities violate natural wolf hierarchy. Your mate has made many enemies, Alpha Kane. The Council could protect her from them."
"For a price."
"Naturally." He doesn't deny it. "She works with our initiative, follows our protocols, agrees to certain restrictions on how she uses her abilities. In exchange, we ensure her safety and provide her with the resources to actually help wolves instead of just surviving."
Phoenix signals—he's traced the call. Montana. The same facility we're planning to hit tonight.
"I'll present your offer to my Luna." I keep my voice careful. "But the choice is hers alone."
"Of course." Ironwood sounds satisfied. "Though I should mention—time is limited. We have other options if she refuses. Less pleasant options that we'd prefer not to implement."
"Is that a threat?"
"It's reality." His voice turns cold. "Divine wolves are too powerful to be left uncontrolled. Your mate will either work with us voluntarily, or she'll be contained by force. One way or another, her abilities will serve the Council's purposes."
"She's not a tool." I snarl. "She's not a weapon you can aim at your problems."
"She's a resource." He corrects. "And resources must be managed appropriately. Surely you understand that as an alpha. Sometimes we must make difficult choices for the greater good."
"The greater good according to who?" I challenge.
"According to those with the wisdom to see beyond individual desires to collective needs." He sighs, like he's explaining something obvious to a child. "Your mate thinks with her heart, Alpha Kane. She sees suffering and wants to heal it without considering the broader implications. That's admirable but dangerous, divine power requires oversight."
"She has oversight." I growl. "She has a mate, a pack, and her own moral compass. That's all the oversight she needs."
"Is it?" His voice turns mocking. "Tell me, has she considered what happens when she heals the wrong wolf? When she gives empathy to someone who uses that gift to manipulate others more effectively? When her compassion creates greater cruelty?"
The question hits harder than I want to admit. Because I've thought about it too. Worried about Jolie's tendency to try saving everyone, even wolves who don't want to be saved.
"That's her choice to make." I say firmly. "Not yours."
"Then she'll have to live with the consequences." Ironwood's tone shifts, becoming businesslike. "You have forty-eight hours to respond to our offer. After that, the Council moves forward with alternative containment protocols. I suggest you convince your mate that cooperation is preferable to capture."
"And if we refuse?" I already know the answer.
"Then you'll learn what happens when rogues declare war on the Council's resources." He hangs up before I can respond.