Chapter 54 FIFTY-FOUR
Jao watched from a distance behind a tree as the rogues started to fall one by one. At first, they had the upper hand because of the drug, but everything changed when the Crescent Stone Alphas joined the fight along with the additional warriors they brought. The rogues Derrick sent didn’t stand a chance anymore.
"Damn it!" Jao muttered, clenching his hand into a fist. He turned around, transformed into his wolf form, and ran as fast as he could, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew if they caught him, they wouldn’t show mercy. This is definitely not the place he wanted to die, and not until he securely takes his family away from Derrick.
But Ravena saw him. Her sharp eyes caught his retreat, and she growled, anger burning in her. She wasn’t going to let him escape.
Jao glanced back and froze when he saw Ravena chasing him. Her white wolf was fast, powerful, and relentless.
"Fck," he whispered, pushing himself to run faster. His lungs burned, and branches scratched at his skin, but he kept going, desperate to get away.
Ravena was determined. She wouldn’t let a rogue like him get away after all the chaos they caused. She pushed herself harder, her paws barely touching the ground as she got closer and closer, but Jao miraculously escaped away from her. Ravena cursed.
"Alpha," Diego, one of the elite warriors, called out to Ravena, snapping her attention to him.
"Go after that rogue! Fck it! He got away from me," Ravena said through the link, frustration clear in her voice. She was breathing hard, anger bubbling inside her. Diego gave a firm nod and sprinted in the direction Jao had gone, disappearing into the thick forest.
"Ravena," Arthur's voice called firmly behind her. She turned, her face still tight with irritation.
"I'm sorry, Dad. I let that rogue escape," Ravena admitted, her tone heavy with disappointment. She prided herself on her speed—one of the fastest in the pack—but being outrun by a rogue stung her pride deeply.
"Let Diego and the others handle the chase," Arthur said, his calm voice grounding her. "We caught one rogue alive, but I doubt he’d tell us anything useful." He gestured to a rogue lying nearby, barely alive and back in human form. His gaunt face, sunken red eyes, and trembling hands were definitely signs of addiction.
"Where’s Raven?" Ravena asked, scanning the area anxiously.
"He left right after the last rogue was taken down. I sent Carter to follow him," Arthur replied. His voice carried concern, but his focus remained steady. "Now that the rogue problem is handled for now, we need to deal with the fallen warriors—and Brienne," he added grimly. Ravena’s eyes softened at the mention of Brienne.
"I’ll go after Raven, Dad. He needs me, and I’m worried sick about Brienne," she added. Ravena liked Brienne, and she also liked her for her brother. She's also affected by her kidnapping. Arthur nodded his head.
"Go. Your brother needs all the support he can get right now," he said firmly. His expression darkened as he looked around at the aftermath of the battle. "I’ll handle the funerals and take care of everything here. Just make sure Raven keeps his head together," he added.
"Thanks, Dad," Ravena said quietly before running in the direction Raven had gone. She was determined to stand by him and bring Brienne back, no matter what it took.
Jao was panting heavily as he ran. He had finally managed to shake off his pursuers by misleading them. Transforming back into his human form, he made his way toward a secret cave that only he knew. Inside, he grabbed a plastic bag with clothes and some money. After changing quickly, he went outside and waited near the road for a bus. A few minutes later, one arrived, and Jao jumped on, relieved.
Two and a half hours later, Jao arrived at the Red Moon Pack. He headed straight for his house, but as he approached, he saw a familiar car parked outside. His heart raced in his chest as he hurriedly opened the door. Inside, Jasper was sitting on the couch, grinning at him.
"Jao," Jasper said, his voice calm and amused.
"S-Sir Jasper," Jao stammered, his eyes shifting nervously. He saw his wife sitting on the opposite side of the room, holding their child, a look of horror on her face. "W-What are you doing here?" he added, his throat dry.
"Nothing," Jasper replied smoothly. "Just visiting your family. They’re lovely. And your son will make a great addition to my father’s warriors when he’s older," he added, his tone casually menacing. Jao clenched his fists but kept his silence.
"Anyway," Jasper said, standing up and slipping his hands into his pockets. "I have to go," he added, walking toward Jao. He stopped next to him and leaned in, his voice low.
"Remember what I told you, Jao. Your family’s life is in my hands. Better keep that mouth of yours shut tight," Jasper said.
With that, Jasper left the house, leaving Jao standing there, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Jao!" Celine exclaimed and rushed towards her husband. Jao immediately spread his arms and embraced his wife.
"Did he hurt you?" Jao asked, scanning Celine thoroughly. Celine shook her head.
"He did not, but I was surprised when he showed up in our house," Celine said. "I was terrified, Jao," she added, sobbing. Jao caressed her hair.
"I'm sorry, Celine," he said. "Stay here with our son. I have to report back to Derrick," he added and let Celine go.
"Take care, Jao," Celine said. Jao nodded and left the house. He clenched his hand into a fist and went inside his car. He drove to the packhouse where Derrick is waiting for his report.
When he arrived, Jao immediately entered and was greeted by a few servants Derrick had. He went to his office and saw Jasper sitting on the couch.
"Jao, what happened?" Derrick asked. "Tell me everything," he added. Jao looked at Jasper, who was smiling at him.
"Go on, Jao. Tell Father because he did not believe what I told him I was there," he said. Jao glanced at Derrick, who appeared to be pressing him to speak up.
"Jasper was there, Alpha," he said. "He led the rogues to battle, but the overwhelming force of three Crescent Stone Alphas defeated the rogues even though we took our time giving them the drugs. Jasper and I ran away, and we separated to fool the warriors chasing us," he explained.
"Three?" Derrick asked.
"It seemed that Derrick's daughter went back," Jao said. Derrick slammed his hands on the table, his eyes darkening with anger.
"But did you kill their warriors?" Derrick asked.
"We did," Jao said. Derrick leaned back.
"Alright, you're dismissed, Jao. I will have a word with our partner about the drugs," Derrick said. Jasper also stood up. "Where are you going?" he added.
"Weren't the discussion just ended? I wanted to rest. I participated in the fight, father," Jasper said. Derrick eyed him and heaved a sigh.
"Fine," Derrick said, waving his hand. Jasper walked towards Jao and put his hand on his shoulder.
"Let's go, Jao!" he said. Jao clenched his teeth but continued to follow Jasper. Outside the office, Jasper tapped Jao's shoulder.
"You did well," he said and left. Jao watched as Jasper's back completely disappeared from his view. Jao swore he would get Jasper for threatening his family.