32 - ra
"I want one of these bastards alive! They''re not slipping away this time I need answers!" I bark into thems, my voice sharp and urgent as I rally my team.
For the past hour, we''ve been hot on the trail of this rogue group, chasing them relentlessly. We tore through Junior''s territory without pause, pushing into the neutral zone. I suspect they hoped we''d halt at the borders, but they badly miscalcted. I reached out to Junior, and his pack quickly joined us. Together, we just barely missed capturing one of the five rogues we''re tracking. They managed to injure him, though, and that''s where Junior''s focus is locked. Meanwhile, my attention is fixed on the one leading the retreat. How the hell are they moving so fast? As an Alpha, even on a bad day and while transitioning, I should be able to outrun them.
"Got him!" Junior''s voice crackles through the link, and I immediately pass the news to my team.
"Do we push forward for the leader, or settle for what we''ve caught?” I ask, linking Junior, Jax, and Dev.
Junior''s reply is blunt. "I want that asshole, but we can''t afford to waste energy."
"I''m with you. We''re already too deep into enemy territory. What if this is just a distraction?" my warriors add their voices.
"We''ve got a truck en route. Regroup with us, and we''ll get you home so you can rest,” Junior offers. Over thest few months, he''s really stepped up. He''s shaping into a remarkable leader.
"I want to speak to this prick before we head back," I insist.
"Then he''s yours. He just crossed mynd. But I''d like to know how he knows the terrain so well. If you can get that answer before tearing him apart, I''d appreciate it,” Junior replies with a dry edge.
We make it back to Junior''s ce faster than I expected. His warriors have the rogue cuffed in silver shackles, blindfolded, and panting heavily from the chase.
"What happened to him?" I ask, eyeing Junior.
"He apparently thought it was a good idea to piss off my guys by flirting with every female that passed by—including my mother," Junior says, a bitter smile crossing his face. The rogue grins like it''s some kind of joke. "My guess? He was trying to provoke the wrong guy-someone who''d kill him in a blind rage before we could get any answers. Honestly, if he gives you trouble, I''m not against you taking his eyes one at a time."
The rogue shes a smile again, revealing yellowed teeth. He clearly underestimates us. I''ll make sure to use that against him.
"Cells?" I ask Junior.
"Follow me.” He nods, and his men grab the rogue under each arm, dragging him along. I can tell he''s going to be as difficult as possible.
Jax, Dev, and I hang back for now. The room is thick with scents-too many for him to single us out individually. But soon enough, he''ll realize he''s dealing with an Alpha.
"What about your parents?" Dev asks, breaking the tense silence.
"I linked Richard. He can be an ass to me, but he''s loyal to my dad. I have to trust him to keep them safe. I need you guys here now," I admit, the weight of responsibility pressing down. We''re stretched thin, and my trust in many people has eroded. It''s isting and exhausting. Honestly, I''m starting to agree with Ben—this is exactly what these rogues want.
The rogue is shoved into a chair in the center of a cold, concrete room. It feels like something out of a mafia movie—there''s a drain embedded in the floor''s center and a table pushed against a side wall, positioned so the interrogator sits closest to the only door.
For now, I leave his blindfold on. If Junior wants his eyes, we''ll take them. This is Jaxon''s favorite part.
"Alright, let''s start simple. What pack are you from?" I ask quietly. His scent confirms he''s a rogue; pack wolves carry a distinct aroma tied to their Alpha, which helps us identify friend from foe, especially when everyone can shift shapes.