Outloud, I ask, "What could have had you so preupied that you couldn''t link us to say you are, in fact, all right?"


    "Apparently you aren''t the only pack getting special visitors looking for shelter and assistance. We have our own casters staying in the pack now. It was a misunderstanding, that''s all."


    "So why are you here at the border then?" ra asks, striding closer to the border, but not close enough to be impacted by whatever is there.


    "Like I said, it was a misunderstanding. We were in negotiations when you called out. I figured I woulde and meet you myself since you were in shouting range. I do need to go tend to my guests though, unless you would like toe and meet them.” He gestures behind him, and I notice for the first time that he is alone.


    Alpha''s are never alone, it''s a basic, unspoken rule. There is always back-up since the Alpha is the most likely to be attacked. What the hell is going on?


    “What is the coven leader''s name? Maybe our guests know yours.” ra tries for information. "I know the coven that came to us came under duress, and they did not have all of their coven ounted for."


    "Shame that they aren''t as adept at caring for their group as others." He shrugs off thement and I want to punch him in the face. Why is he being a d*ck? “I''ll let Beth know of your concern." He turns and waves over his shoulder before taking off towards his pack.


    I moves to follow him. "DON''T!" ra shouts. s skitters to a halt, small flecks of dirt spray towards the border line and a sizzle can be heard as the small speck evaporates into wisps of smoke.


    “Oh, sh*t!” I breathes out looking at us.


    "Oh sh*t is right." I say back to her. “Let patrols know that the Red Fang border isn''t safe for now and to keep their distance." I switch to mindlink, in case there are ears listening in from the other side. Everyone needs to be on ale They apparently have


    witches and, my guess is they aren''t friendly. I can''t tell if Junior is working of his own ord or if they have taken possession of him and controlling his actions. Jason?!" I switch the link over to my friend and my mate.


    “We have a development. Can you ask the witches if they know a Beth who is a coven leader? Apparently Junior has visitors and his border is now guarded by a potentially deadly magic. We need to figure out if the magic is keeping us out or him in."


    We need to head back and rest. We''ve been running most of the day. I know that is going to piss ra off though. She hates leaving a problem unsolved. She has already proven she will risk her health to protect her pack. I can''t let that happen again.


    "It''s gettingte. Let''s head home and check in with Marietta and Brianna. We need to talk to Walt too, now that we know what''s behind the barrier. We need to know if he, or any of the Elders, were aware of what the barrier was hiding or if they were duped Then we can tackle the Junior problem. Even if he is being mind controlled, it doesn''t appear like he''s going anywhere."Copyright O 2025 Miss L Writes and Ember Mantel Productions


    "Ben! What the f*ck?!" ra turns on me.


    The rest of our warriors spread out knowing a fight ising and they don''t want to


    be a target of her wrath.


    "What?"


    "You just want to leave Ma to whatever his fate is with potentially dangerous witches possibly controlling his mind?"


    "Yes! With that many ''probably''s'' and ''possibly''s'' will leave him to his own. devices тока short time. We have our own problems and if we can''t contain them, we are no good to him as an ally. You know that. You both got f*cked in this whole thing and I think it''s all connected. Jeff and Drake are dead, they serve no purpose. Walt and the other elders are useless, but don''t think they would actively go against us, for now. Brianna and Marietta need to give us better answers and everyone needs to do it now! Let''s go.