10 - Finn


    "We''ve carved a route to reach the Dark Moon pack, Alpha Rory," I announced, trying to keep my voice steady despite the tension thickening the air.


    "Hold on a second! You were part of the group that attacked Ryker and Kennedy?!" The room instantly filled with low, threatening growls, the kind that warned of potential violence. I nted my feet firmly, muscles coiled and ready to spring if necessary. My expression remained calm, neither indifferent nor cocky, just neutral —careful not to provoke further hostility. Honestly, I had no clue why I was even here. To them, I would always be the leader of the pack that tried-and failed-to take down Ryker''s. I braced myself for interrogation and suspicion.


    “Hey! Gunner. Kade. Cut it out." Greta''s voice cut through the tension like a de. "Ryker vetted him. He''s been working with us for six months now. That''s why he''s here. Besides, he clearly slipped past all of you without being noticed." She positioned herself between me and the beta and delta, as if creating a buffer zone. I couldn''t hide my surprise. Did Greta just stand up for me? "That''s where we should start,” she added, ncing at Rory, as if nothing hostile was about to unfold. He gave a slight nod. "Is there any other information we need before moving forward?" Greta''s urgency was clear-she wanted to get me away from her friends as quickly as possible.


    "No, I think you''re set. The cabin isn''t too far, but you''ll have to hike up the mountainside. No vehicles can reach it, and the weather is expected to turn sour in the next couple of days. The guys have stocked you up with everything you''ll need. Hopefully, the bad weather will work in your favor and keep those rogues contained." Rory''s tone was serious, but there was a flicker of hope in his eyes.


    "What kind of details do you want about the rogues?" I asked, shifting my weight as I prepared to take notes mentally.


    "Right now, I need to know the size of their group. Every time they show up, the number of rogues varies. I need demographics too—ages, genders, any patterns. They haven''t taken anyone yet, butst time they came close. Their target was some of our girls, though I don''t think it was a nned attack. That''s the only sign of disorganization we''ve seen from them so far. We managed to kill two of their men, but I was hoping to have someone alive to interrogate. I haven''t been in charge long, but I can''t let pack members be taken on my watch, especially not in my first year, Greta.” His gaze shifted to my partner, and I recognized the same helplessness I''d felt countless times when innocent people got hurt following Amy and ude''s reckless orders.


    I couldn''t hold back my voice any longer. "We can help with that, Alpha. How will we stay in contact? I''m not sure about Greta, but I don''t have the ability to mindlink within Ryker''s pack just yet." I ignored the disgruntled huff from Gunner. This mission could very well decide whether my people get to stay in Dark Moon. I wasn''t about to sabotage it over someone''s attitude.


    "I''ve set up two-way radios in the cabin for you. Just let us know if you need anything else."


    "Thank you, Alpha.” I nodded and turned toward the exit. If Greta had more to discuss, I wasn''t needed, and maybe she''d get better information without me hovering. I grabbed my bag from the SUV and waited.


    She emerged momentster, carrying another bag. "Here, you can carry the food in your mostly empty bag,” she said with a yful roll of her eyes.


    "You say that like it''s a bad thing. What''s wrong with my bag being mostly empty?" I nced over the top of the truck as she pulled out her own pack.


    “What''s the point of a bag if there''s nothing inside?" She arched an eyebrow and began walking away.


    "Are we just leaving the truck here?" I asked, watching her move.


    “Huh? No, one of the guys will move itter."


    "You just let other people handle your stuff? Why not take care of your own things


    and make sure it''s done right?" Pack dynamics sometimes baffled me.


    "Since when did you be the control freak in this rtionship?” she teased, ncing back over her shoulder.


    "Wait, we''re in a rtionship?” I snapped my head toward her, raising my voice with mock excitement.


    "There he is! I was worried you might be taking something seriously for a moment." Her teasing tone was new to me, and I realized it was the woods that gave her this yful edge. I''d never heard her like this before.


    "I do take things seriously. I don''t get why training has to start at the crack of dawn, but I still show up and do the work. Protecting the pack is serious business, but doing the same drills over and over gets boring. After a while, training alone isn''t enough, and I haven''t been given any other responsibilities. I''ve been moving around constantly for thest five years. I''m just trying to adapt."