"Fucking hell!" Ethan cursed as he ran his hand over his face in frustration. He was exhausted. They had spent the majority of the day digging people out of the rubble and Ethan didn't feel comfortable leaving, going back to the safety of his land while his people were suffering.
The casualties were significant, and the grief of the victims' families hung like a heavy cloud over him. He couldn't help but feel responsible for the safety of his people. Ethan had failed to prepare in case of an attack, but he never thought that this would happen. He never thought Kenneth would stoop so low to do this.
And now, rogue packs were beginning to take advantage of the situation. One pack had already been taken over and he would need to acknowledge their claim or destroy them. On top of that, there were so many in need of help.
"My King? My King, are you there? What would you have us do?" his warrior said through their telepathic link.
"Issue warriors to each pack and pride. Make sure the rogues are beaten back. Leave the new pack alone for now," Ethan instructed over the phone.
"But, my king, we will be spread too thin," one of his warriors replied.
"If we lose more people, we will have no kingdom. Make sure our best warriors stay to take care of our territory," Ethan instructed before ending the link.
There was a knock on the door and Adam, Garrett's beta, walked in. He bowed slightly to him before saying, "Only four Elders remain not including Elder Richard."
"Are they dead?" Ethan asked.
"Yes," Adam confirmed.
"Better than being captured then," Ethan stated gravely.
"Are you sure you do not want to return to your territory? Garrett and I can report back to you..." Adam offered.
"No. Being here provides a strategic vantage point and and what kind of Alpha King would I be if I fled," Ethan dismissed his offer.
"You're not fleeing. You're..."
"But that is how it would seem. I will remain here and construct a plan of attack. I will make this right," Ethan declared.
"If you're going to do that, you need to rest," Adam stated.
Ethan's eyes bore the marks of exhaustion. Ethan waved him off and returned his focus back to the maps and reports. "We need to figure out where the Hunters' foothold is. I'll sleep once I figure it out."
Suddenly, Garrett stormed into his office. Adam opened his mouth to try to calm Garrett, but the glare Garrett gave him made him close his mouth quickly. Garrett had told Adam to help Ethan, but his loyalty still remained with Garrett even if Ethan was the Alpha King.
"Not now, Garrett," Ethan growled, already feeling the frustration rolling off Garrett in waves.
"Ethan, we have done all we can for the people here. We can not wait any longer. We have to rescue Lily now," Garrett demanded, desperately.
Ethan regarded Garrett briefly feeling empathy for Garrett. He understood where he was coming from, but Ethan did not have the luxury to not think about consequences of his actions right now. "There are more important things to be concerned about right now," Ethan responded.
"She is the most important thing. She is a red wolf," Garrett countered.
"She is not the most important thing. We have survived without the ancient bloodlines," Ethan stated.
"What are you even saying? You said you would protect her! She is in danger, and we need to help her," Garrett retorted.
Ethan raised a weary hand, pushing back his dark hair, his eyes never leaving the map. "Do you know how many of us we lost? Some died, and some were kidnapped. Only the goddess knows what happened to them or what is happening to them," Ethan stated, finally looking up at him. "Word is spreading like fucking wildfire. Rogues are already taking advantage. We have already lost a pack to a rogue attack. What do you think is going to happen when vampires find out? We can't afford to act recklessly. We don't know what we're walking into out there."
Garrett clenched his fists while he fumed listening to Ethan. Berric, his wolf, tried to calm him. 'Ethan wants to save her just like we do. We can't rush this.'
'Whose side are you on? We need to do something now,' Garrett snapped.
"That is unacceptable. We need to do something now," Garrett stated.
Ethan finally looked up, his face stern. "I know how you feel, Garrett, but in order to move forward, we need a strategy. Going in without any plan or strategy will simply put her in more danger and make our situation even more difficult. So, let's sit down and figure out a plan."
Garrett slammed his fist on Ethan's desk, his frustration boiling over. "We don't have time for plans, Ethan! Every second she spends with them is a second too long. You say we can't blindly rescue her, then ask the hunter you caught. Make her tell her what her people's plans are."
"No," Ethan responded. His expression going blank.
"What the hell is going on with you? We have a prisoner. Use her. Get information from her. If you won't do it, I will," Garrett snapped and turned to leave to go speak to the huntress in the dungeon.
Ethan took a deep breath before lunging forward and grabbing Garrett by the shoulder. He spun him around, grabbed him by the throat, and slammed him backward into the ground. "I have had about enough of your temper tantrums, Garrett! We are friends, but I will not allow you to continue to disrespect me," Ethan snarled. "I have not abandoned Lily, and I won't, but we need to be smart about this. What good are you to her if you get yourself killed?"
Suddenly, a commotion erupted in the packhouse's foyer. Shouts and raised voices pierced the air, drawing all three men's attention. With a shared glance, they hurried out of the office to investigate.
In the foyer, Bethany, Garrett's older sister, stood in a heated argument with their mother, Kelly. Bethany's fiery red hair matched her temperament, and her emerald eyes blazed with intensity. She was unyielding in her demands, her voice carrying through the room.
"You watch your tone with me," Kelly growled. "You are not Luna here, I am."
"Or what mother? You and your father are just hiding in your packhouse doing nothing. Why are you not striking back?" Bethany snapped back.
"You don't even know what happened! If you showed up for events like a proper Luna, you would know why!" Kelly argued.