Chapter 153: An Ambush

Chapter 153: An Ambush
(Devion’s POV)

The days remaining to meet the contractor passed by. My body was healing better, thank God. I was grateful for Helena’s herbs, better food, and real rest too.

I spent more time with Jazmine and Helena, and I could feel myself preparing better for the mission, my resolve getting stronger.

The day of the exchange finally arrived.

Tonight, I’d meet the handler—the one who delivered Gretel to Kendrick’s client. Now the fool thought he'll be getting me tied up like a package.

He thought he had the upper hand. But he didn't know the game had changed. He's about to find out. Or so I thought.

As night fell, I met with my team in the weapons room. These were men I trusted more, my fewer circle—warriors who had stood by me through past battles. The plan should be simple if things went smoothly.

Byron would pose as the Collector, pretending I’d been caught and bound. I would wear fake shackles. When the handoff started, then my hidden team would strike.

Distraction and fire. Chaos. That’s when Byron and I would take down the handler. Capture him. Drag him away before his men get us.

It's risky, yes we know. We’d done missions similar to this before. But this time, the stakes were higher. If things go wrong—it could affect Gretel, I feared. So we have to be more careful.

After loading up and checking that things were in place, I went upstairs to say goodbye. Helena and Jazmine were waiting.

They saw the weapons strapped across my chest, the way I looked prepared. Still, they didn’t look scared. They knew and accepted what had to be done, it seems.

Helena gripped my wrist. “Please, be careful. Come back safe… my son.”

She just called me son. I didn’t know what to say to that. That one word touched something in me. My heart it seems. I nodded and gently squeezed her hand.

Jazmine hugged me tight. “I love you, brother,” she whispered in my ear. “You’ve pulled off hard missions before. Go do it again this time.”

“I will,” I murmured, my voice thick with emotion. “For Gretel. For all of us.”

Then I stepped back and walked away, adrenaline already pumping in my veins. This was it. Time to hunt. Time to show them what happens when you mess with my mate.

Inside the SUV, I pulled a burlap sack over my head. It scratched my skin, but I welcomed the sting. This was little compared to what I felt over missing Gretel.

And it made me even more furious. Every day she spent away from me was like another strength added to me to deal with the enemies.

The car slowed as we approached the meeting spot—a deserted football field. I could feel Byron near me, playing the part of the cold and silent Collector. He won't speak much. Just act according to plan.

It was time. And we were ready.

Byron pulled out Kendrick’s phone and tapped the number of the man we were supposed to meet. The contractor.

His voice was used by the voice changer, making him sound just like Kendrick.

“We’ll be there in five minutes,” Byron said flatly. “My team will deliver the package. Make sure your end is ready with my money.” He added.

I could hear the voice coming from the other end of the line. Normal, almost smug. “Naturally. I look forward to your… delivery.” He said. Then he hung up.

My hands clenched as my anger simmered at the sound of that man treating this like a game. He had captured Gretel—my mate—and dared to speak so smug like he already won.

But he’d soon learn the hard way. I looked out the window as we slowed down to a stop. The football field looked unkempt with grasses overgrowing. Also surrounded by woods on the sides, it looks like a trap.

I turned to Sean, the team leader. “Get our gunners in those trees with enhanced night vision goggles. I want a clear shot of the whole field. We finish this quickly.” I ordered him.

He nodded and signaled to some six men. They moved silently into the trees, finding their spots with goggles on their faces trying to get a look on the field. We need to be careful.

Two guards grabbed my arms like they were restraining me. I didn’t fight them—I needed to look like a prisoner. Byron had dressed in Kendrick’s black mask and coat, becoming the fake Collector.

Someone tugged a rough hood over my head, scratching my face and blocking my vision. I focused my hearing, my senses alert. My wolf inside me became jumpy, growling to be let loose.

We stepped out into the dark night. I listened closely as our boots crunched against the dry earth. We stopped about twenty feet away from where I could see a group gathered.

Yes, because the sack didn't entirely block my vision. I saw faintly through it.

Byron halted us there, facing six or seven large men, probably guarding the one we came to meet.

A voice reached over to us, dark, cocky and cruel if I could judge it.

“Didn’t think you’d bring the wolf here walking. Last time, you knocked the girl out.” The man said.

Byron, cool and calm, replied, “You said you wanted him alive and unharmed. Why knock him out? Don't see the need.”

Before the man could say more, he walked over to us. I tensed, expecting an attack.

But instead, he yanked the hood off my face, and my eyes met with bright silver eyes of his. His wolf eyes looked like hers. These men were part of his pack, I could sense it..

“So, it is the alpha. I thought you’d bring someone else,” the man said while circling us slowly.

Why wouldn't the Collector bring me? Why did he think he'd bring someone else when he trusted him? Something felt off.

In fact, he acted like he didn't trust him this time because his followers raised their guns and pointed them at us.

Why were they raising guns at us instead of bringing the payment? I quickly counted the men. They were seven. My team outnumbered them, but barely.

The man laughed, clearly amused. “You thought I wouldn’t recognize a fake Collector? Please. I was told someone’s been pretending to be him. The real one is badly injured and confined.” He said.

My heart beat picked up at that? Where did he learn that from?

But before Byron could say anything, he threw something towards him. Byron caught it smoothly. I saw a crest on the object. Maybe something secret.

Byron tried to keep his composure I guess, but his voice came sharp. “What's the meaning of this?” He asked.

The man chuckled. “Proof that you're a fake. The real collector has a crest he goes to business with. He would show me something like this to prove that it's him.” He explained.

Everyone remained still. Tension thickened. Our mask just fell off and now both sides were calculating to make the first move. But then we did.

Gunfire came from the trees. My hidden men attacked first, catching the enemy by surprise. At the same time, I ripped off the fake restraints and joined the fight.

To my surprise, from some hidden angles, more wolves burst out, huge and silver-furred with glowing eyes. I counted thirteen of them.

“You won’t escape, Devion!” The silver-haired leader growled before ripping his shirt, fangs sharp and looking ready to attack.

And then he shifted in front of me, bones cracking as he turned from man to a beast wolf.

My wolf surged forward, tearing through me as I shifted. My bones snapped and reshaped until I stood on four legs, fur bristling, ready for war.

All around me, my pack shifted too. Black wolves faced silver ones under the pale moonlight. Screams and snarls filled the air as wolves collided in chaos. Looks like blood was about to be spilled.

My warriors fought hard, trying to keep me safe, their Alpha, as if looks. I saw Borris grappling with a grey wolf, their fangs locked on each other’s throats. But I had my own fight.

The silver wolf circled me, his eyes looking sharp, trying to read my moves as it was in battle. He lunged left—I dodged and tried to grab his leg, but he spun away. He was good.

We moved like that for what felt like minutes, dodging each other’s speed, each other's moves. Finally, I saw an opening and slammed into him, pinning him down.

I sank my teeth into his shoulder, feeling warm blood spill into my mouth. He howled in pain and slashed my side with his claws. I held on tighter.

If I took him down, the rest would surrender as it is in battle.

Then, gunshots rang out. Not from my wolves it seems. They were occupied at the moment, brawling these wolves with their bare hands.

I looked around. It was Calvin's team who joined the battle. The enemy were outnumbered now.

The silver wolf pulled away, shifting back into his human form, bleeding heavily.

“This isn’t over, mutt,” he spat, then collapsed back on the ground.

I looked around, panting. Most of his pack were down—dead, injured, or captured. Calvin stomped over and began handcuffing the ones who could still move.

I shifted back, sore and bleeding, surrounded by my loyal warriors. Wounded but alive. Victorious. Calvin gave me a firm nod and started locking up the silver-haired leader and his thugs.

We hadn’t lost anyone—thank God. And now, we had prisoners to question.

“Search them,” I said, still breathing hard.

They found a phone and a thick wallet on the leader. The truth hit me hard, so it wasn't a joke. Their alpha wanted me. That looks like payment for capturing me.

That opened up more real questions. Why did the alpha want me? What did he know about me? Did Gretel speak about me? Why didn't he just invite me over?

I looked around at my bruised and bloodied men.

“Wrap those wounds fast. We move out,” I ordered. “We’ll get answers back at base.”

After that, we left the field behind, now scattered with bodies and soaked in blood.

Byron drove through the backroads while I sat in the rear, inspecting my wounds. Deep bite marks, long gashes. They weren't fatal, but I needed to heal first.

Helena’s skills and soups should be helpful. Thankfully, our wolf healing would take care of most of it fast.

The captured wolves sat nearby, chained and silent. I studied them. They all had that strange silver hair and bright eyes—clearly from the same bloodline.

My attention landed on their unconscious leader.

Probably all part of Hayden’s pack. He sent his men all the way here to capture me? Now they'll be my leverage it seems.

In thirty minutes, we reached my safehouse.

As we pulled up to the guarded gates, they creaked open. When we entered the compound, my team secured the place, keeping all the entrances locked tight.

The pain started to be more intense now that the fight was over. I grit my teeth and braced myself. I need the doctor's attendance first.

Then I’d tear the truth out of these wolves.

Starting with the one who made me bleed—and who bled the most.