33 - ra


    Under the cloak of night, we slip quietly into the garage, just like any other evening. Jax and Dev haul the rogue out, his head hanging limply as if he''s already resigned to whatever fate awaits him.


    "What exactly are we nning to do with this idiot?" Jax mutters, frustration evident in his voice.


    I grit my teeth. "I swear, I''m going to hang him up by his neck. If he calls himself a ''frencer,'' eventually his own selfishness will outweigh any loyalty he ims to have. I''m done with these rogues—and anyone else hiding in the pack-thinking they can trample all over me. If they want me to be a bitch, then fine. I''ll be that bitch." I turn sharply and walk away without waiting for a response, but I know they''re right behind me.


    We head toward the discreet door leading to the cells, tucked away in the garage. It''s a practical setup—after a brutal interrogation, you don''t have to walk through the packhouse covered in blood and grime. There''s even a shower room down here. My father used it before-cleaning up after interrogations to join my mother at parties filled with unsuspecting guests. If any Alphas were present, they probably caught a whiff of the blood, but no one ever said a word. Each Alpha does what''s necessary to protect their pack. Now, it''s my turn to do the same.


    Jax and Dev are anything but gentle as they drag the rogue down the stairs. They grip him under the arms, letting his knees and feet m hard against each step. No care, no mercy. When we reach the furthest cell, they drop him unceremoniously onto the floor. We work silently, outfitting him with silver chains and slipping on special gloves to handle the metal safely. When we finish, he''s slumped against the far wall, arms and legs bound so that if he tries to stretch out his arms, his legs are yanked back-any movement will only cause him pain.


    "Leave him like this for now. No food, no water," I order. "Let''s clean up, then sweep the house. After that, I want to see my dad."


    "Got it," Jax replies.


    "I''ll check my office and bedroom," I continue. "You two split up and cover the other usual rooms. Then we can quickly hit themon areas." They both nod, exhaustion clear on their faces. We''ve been at this nonstop for days, but I can''t trust anyone else right now. I guess the rogues'' n is working, at least in that respect. When I reach my room, I do what I always do-scouring every corner, every crack. Finding nothing, I head straight for the shower. Immediately, my thoughts drift to Ben. Being in this space without thinking of him is impossible. My wolf won''t let me forget. I''ve tried to release the tension, but every time Ie close, I imagine his face between my thighs. It only frustrates me more—that he has this much control over me. I hate feeling controlled by anyone.


    My hand rests on the door to the pack hospital, bracing myself to see my mother clinging to life.


    “ra, we have a problem. Get down to the cells, now," Jax''s voice crackles through my earpiece.


    "What''s going on, Jax? I need to see Mom. I haven''t been there in a week."


    "We caught Jeff in a cell."


    "What the hell?!" I freeze, heart pounding, just inside the door.


    "He was nting devices. What do you want us to do?"


    Without hesitation, I turn and stride back toward the packhouse. I''ll tell my dad what we found once I have more answers.


    Since finding the rogue, anger has simmered just beneath my skin. Ben isn''t here to calm my thoughts, my mother isn''t here to help me control my impulses, and my father isn''t here to guide me. Everyone I rely on to keep my head clear is absent, and that only fuels my fury. This bastard has made my pack doubt me, and I''ve grown suspicious of them in return. He''s too dumb to act alone, but maybe I can use him against whoever''s pulling the strings. I need to know-who''s poisoning these pups? Why? What''s the ultimate goal?


    The door to the cells ms against the wall as I storm inside, my wolf and rage pushing me forward. I hear the struggle and rush straight into the cell. Jax and Dev leap back just in time to avoid my flurry of punches.


    "How," I spit through clenched teeth, “dare,” punch, “you," punch, punch, punch, "betray my family." I strike every inch of his face, pouring every ounce of the fire burning inside me into each blow. Onest punchnds hard in his gut, forcing him to his knees.


    "My parents trusted you to keep them safe."


    He spits blood, sneering up at me from the floor. "Yeah, well... this pays better. And I''m about to get a raise.” His ck, lifeless eyes chill me to the bone. That smug look makes my stomach twist, then a blinding, white-hot pain sears through my head, dropping me to my knees. My mother''s face shes before my eyes, then darkness swallows me whole.


    She''s gone. Just like that, she''s gone. I was supposed to be with her now. I failed her again.


    A fresh wave of anguish ignites in my chest. "Dad! No!" I scream, but Jeff justughs cruelly.


    "What''s wrong?" Dev''s voice whispers in my ear.


    "What''s wrong, wannabe Alpha? Trouble with your folks?"


    I lunge to attack him again, but another blinding light floods my vision. Nausea rises


    as the crushing weight of full control over the pack crashes down on me like a physical blow.