Chapter 105 The Entry Plan
It took long enough for Ryker to finally accept the plan.
Now, the group stood just outside the Titanium Pack’s perimeter.
"We are here," Ryker said. He looked at the fence. "We need to move now before the next patrol comes around."
Dax looked at his watch. "The guards switch every ten minutes. We have a three-minute window where the back entrance is lightly guarded."
Ryker went first, sliding through a gap in the iron bars. Dax followed, then Lyra. They moved quickly across the grass and hid behind a stone building used for water storage.
Once they were settled, Dax turned to Lyra. "Okay, here is where the plan changes. You aren't coming with us to the back."
Lyra blinked. "What are you talking about? You said we were staying together."
"You’re going to the front gate," Dax said. "And Wayne is going with you."
Lyra looked at Wayne, then back at Dax. "Why? Why can't Ryker come with me? If I'm going to the front door, I want my husband there."
"Because everyone knows Ryker's face," Dax explained. "He is the Alpha of the Iron Fangs. The moment the guards see him, they'll start shooting. And they know me too. I’m the one who helped you escape the last time. I’m a wanted man in this territory."
"Then let me go alone," Lyra argued.
"No," Ryker interrupted. "That’s even more dangerous. If you go alone, they might just throw you in a cell without a second thought. You need a story. You need a reason to be there that makes them want to help you."
Lyra looked frustrated. "This sounds like a trap. What if they recognize Wayne?"
"Wayne isn't as famous as we are," Dax said. "He’s been on deep cover missions before. He knows how to act. He’s going to pretend to be a traveler who was attacked."
Wayne stepped forward and looked at Lyra. "I will protect you, Luna. I promise. I won't let them take you away from me."
Ryker put his hands on Lyra’s shoulders. "Listen to me. We will be right behind the wall. We can hear everything. If something goes wrong, I will jump over that wall and kill everyone in my way to get to you. Do you believe me?"
Lyra took a shaky breath. "I believe you. I just don't like being away from you."
"It’s the only way to get inside without a war starting immediately," Ryker said.
Wayne looked at Ryker. "Alpha, I need you to do something. For the story to work, I can't look like I’m fine. I need to look like I’ve been in a fight."
Ryker narrowed his eyes. "What are you saying?"
"Punch me," Wayne said. "Hard. I need a bloody face and a bruised jaw. I need to look like I barely escaped a group of rogues."
Ryker shook his head. "No. I'm not hitting my own man."
"It’s part of the job," Wayne insisted. "If I walk up there looking clean and healthy, they’ll know I’m lying. Look at my clothes. They’re too neat. I need to look like a victim."
Ryker groaned and swung his fist. He hit Wayne square in the jaw. Wayne stumbled back, blood started to run down his chin and onto his shirt.
"Oh my god!" Lyra shouted. She reached for Wayne, but he waved her off.
"I'm fine," Wayne said, spitting blood onto the ground. "That was a good hit, Alpha. That’ll definitely sell the story."
Ryker looked at his knuckles, then at Wayne. "I'm sorry. But you asked for it."
"Don't be sorry," Wayne said. He rubbed the blood across his cheek to make it look even worse. "Now I look like I’ve been through a war. Lyra, you need to look scared. Can you do that?"
Lyra looked at Wayne's bleeding face. "I don't think I have to pretend. I'm already terrified."
"Good," Dax said. "Use that. Now, get to the front gate. We’ll be watching from the side."
Wayne took Lyra’s hand. As they got closer to the lights of the gate, Wayne started to limp. He began to breathe heavily, making it sound like he was out of breath and panicking.
"Help!" Wayne yelled as they reached the gate. "Is anyone there? We need help!"
He fell to his knees, pulling Lyra down with him. He made sure to stay close to her, acting like he was trying to shield her.
"Help us, please!" he shouted again.
A guard appeared on the wall above them, holding a torch. "Who goes there? Identify yourselves!"
"We were attacked!" Wayne cried out. "Rogues! They came out of the trees near the border. They even tried to take my wife!"
The guard looked down at them, squinting. "We don't know you. This is Titanium Pack land. You're trespassing."
"Please!" Wayne yelled back. "Look at my face! They almost killed me. I just need a safe place for my wife to sit while I figure out what to do. Please, have some mercy. We are werewolves, just like you."
Another guard walked up to the first one. "What’s going on? Who are these people?"
"Just some travelers," the first guard said. "Claim they were hit by rogues. The guy is bleeding pretty bad."
"We don't have orders to let anyone in," the second guard said. "Tell them to move on. They can find a cave or something."
Wayne slammed his fist into the dirt. "You would leave a woman out here with rogues nearby? What kind of pack are you? My wife is exhausted. Just let her sit inside the gate for an hour. I’ll pay you if I have to, though the rogues took most of my gold."
The guards started talking to each other in low voices. They seemed unsure.
"Where did you say the rogues were?" the first guard asked.
"About three miles back, near the old creek," Wayne said.
"I have to check with the captain," the guard said. "Stay where you are. If you move toward the wall, we will fire."
A few minutes passed and the man came out it.
"Stand up," the captain said. "Slowly."
Wayne helped Lyra to her feet. He kept a hand on his jaw, letting the blood drip so the guards could see it clearly.
"Check them for weapons," the captain ordered.
One of the guards stepped forward and patted Wayne down.
He found a small knife but nothing else. Then he turned to Lyra. He looked at her face for a second too long, and Lyra felt her heart race. She quickly looked away.
"She’s clean," the guard said.
"Fine," the captain said. "Bring them inside. But they stay in the holding room near the gatehouse. I’m calling the Alpha. He’ll decide if we keep you or kick you back out to the rogues."
"Thank you," Wayne said, sounding relieved. "Thank you so much."
As they were led through the gate, Lyra took one last look back at the woods.