Lowering the now unconscious wolf in my grasp to the forest floor, I take a deep breath of the fresh air and try to calm my jittery nerves. It’s been forty minutes since the operation started. Forty minutes since Brynlee and Rune left for the Pack House to kill my little brother. In that hour, our wolves have found many of Valor’s supporters that we have drugged and tied up. As soon as we know Valor is gone, we will gather these wolves and execute them at dawn and cleanse Pine Moon once and for all.
“Delilah found many Rogues in the dungeons and Odette is on her way to help them.” Avery calls out, making me jump. Tristan had sent his Beta with us to help in our part of the plan while he and Ashton went off to help Brynlee and Rune.
“When did this happen?” I ask, worried that this may be a trap.
“About five minutes ago.” She answers, looking up at the night sky. I can feel her worry for her Mate as Jamal went with Delilah to protect his cousin and Luna.
“They will be fine.” I reassure the she-wolf, getting a small smile from her lips.
“I know.” Avery whispers, turning her gaze to me.
“Jamal and Delilah are close, have been since they were pups from what I hear.” She begins with a shrug before resuming to stare at the night sky.
“I just feel a sense of unease knowing so many Rogues were found in the dungeons. From what Jamal told me; these Rogues were used for more than just menial labor or sparing practice.” I shudder at her explanation and frown. I knew Valor was a sick bastard, but to capture innocent wolves and use them for his gain is just to grow his thirst for power is just heartlessness at this point.
“Do you think Delilah can find out which wolves participated in the abuse of those Rogues?” I ask, hoping that they are the very same wolves we are drugging and planning on executing.
“Let me ask her.” Avery says, closing her eyes.
“Asteria?” Caspian calls out, coming out of the shack he and Gale disappeared into, checking to see if any enemies were hiding inside. I hold out my hand, signaling for Caspian to be quiet while I wait for Avery’s reply.
“Delilah says there are a few books on a shelf, looks like records of who came to ‘Borrow’ a Rogue for a bit of pleasure.” Avery finally states, a low growl coming from her throat.
“What disgusting beings this Pack holds.” She mutters in disgust and I agree instantly with her sentiments. Pine Moon has indeed become disgusting in our society.
“What is going on?” Gale asks, finally emerging from the shack. I sigh, running a hand through my hair as I recount the situation with the Rogues in the dungeons. Both Caspian and Gale let out snarls of anger, the sounds shaking the trees around us. Caspian wants to rush to the dungeons after learning his Mate and our medical team will be rushing there, but I remind him that Brynlee and Rune need us to finish searching for Valor’s supporters and incapacitating them. With great reluctance, Caspian accepts that he can’t go to Odette’s aid and follows our group to our next target.
[Checking in.] Holten’s voice calls through our Pack link.
[Fifteen of the twenty-five groups have already completed their part of the plan. Some Warriors were lost on Pine Moon’s side due to them trying to kill Shadow Rose and Crescent Phoenix wolves.] He continues explaining. I smile, happy to know that everyone has worked quickly and efficiently since our takeover started.
[Have they started working on gathering their unconscious captives towards the Pack House?] Gale asks, getting a chuckle from the Holten.
[Already working on it.] Holten chimes back with a chuckle.
[Many of them have asked the Omegas to bring the vans over to stuff the unconscious wolves into and make it easier to bring them to the Pack House for dawn.] I relay this information to Avery and Caspian, the two wolves gaining a second wind and saying we need to finish our part in capturing Valor’s supporters. After telling Holten to keep us updated, we close the link and make our way to the next target passing through the shadows of the many trees. Suddenly, Caspian stops ahead of us, his body rigid as his gaze is captured by something to our left.
“Caspian, what’s –” I begin to ask, my words getting stuck in my throat. Infront of us is a shell of what used to be a beautiful home. One that Caspian, Gale and I spent a lot of time in.
“Who would do such a thing?” Avery asks, her voice a rumble from the growl spilling forth as we stare at the burnt remains of what used to be Brynlee’s childhood home.
“Tanya did.” Caspian states, his voice so dangerously low that I wonder if I heard him.
“Keep this from Brynlee until we’ve cleaned out Pine Moon.” Gale states, his eyes narrowed in a glare.
“Agreed. A house can always be rebuilt.” I whisper, closing my eyes and turning away from the scene. Tanya must have burnt the house down just after Caspian and Rune escaped the Pack as Caspian had been transferred ownership of the place. No one would have dared touch this place unless Caspian was gone.
“Where is our next target?” Avery asks, changing the subject. I hear Caspian scoff, his eyes still on the burnt house.
“My parents.” He states coldly.
“They choose to support Valor instead of protecting this Pack. It doesn’t surprise me at all with how they cursed Brynlee’s name after she was banished.” He continues, finally turning from the remains of the building and taking a step toward his childhood home.
“My father will still be up now. Let's go pay him a visit.”