Chapter 73
My krockles tatted white as I gripped the steering wheel, the speedometer needle porking well past the bait. Beside me, Ryder sat in treat slinge ke
A deen dated acrows the mad, forging me to serve kinlently. The MIX Indtailed, tires screaming against asphalt before I wrestled in hard under contest,
sat Ryder gasped, bracing himself against the dashboard. “We can’t help them if we a dead.
1 redded curtly, easing off the accelerator slightly. The national part of my brain knew he was right, but every fiber
The image of Skye and Nadia in Kane’s chinches burned behind my eyes, hurling a rage I could barely contain
When we finally reached Oasisbons, I immediately called an emergency council meeting. Within minutes, our core members had assembled around the confer table, faves grace as 1 deliamed the news.
“Kimse has taken Skye and Nada,” Lannounced, my voice tight with controlled fury. “He’s demanding we surrender Danishorn territory in exchange for their
The mom rupted. Venus slammed her single fist on the table, her eyes flashing with indignation, Matusally to face hardened into granite, while lydia remained renly still, only the narrowing of her eyes above her mask betraying her Enger.
Garrett’s reaction was the most visceral–his face drained of color, hands trembling as he gripped the edge of the table. “Nadia.. he whispered, the single word heavy with ampoken emotion.
“What are mat options!” Venus demanded, ever the pragmatist.
We could give him what he wants, Garrett suggested, his voice small but steady. “If you just want a comfortable life with resources, you didn’t need to leave Sternhowl in the first place, Adrian.” He looked up, meeting my gaze directly. “A pack’s strength isn’t measured in territory, but in the bonds betwe
Marcus shook his head vehemently. Surrender will only embolden him. We showed restraint when he poisoned our lake, and look where that’s gotten un.” His sightless eyes seemed to burn with intensity. “Next time, hell demand something worse.
I know men like Kane, Venus added granly. “Even if we give him everything, there’s no guarantee hell honor his word.” Her fingers unconsciously traced the empty sleeve where her left arm should have been. We should fight, end this sence and for all.”
Lydia, whun had remained silent until now, finally spoke. “I support schatever decision Alpha Adrian makes” Her melodic voice carried through the roam, “If war is necessary, 111 porpane wolf polon for every bullet we have. Elen our weakest Omega will have a weapon by nightfall.”
going to blast Kane’s fucking head off Hyder snarled, pounding his fist on the table.
derted nervously. Im not afraid to fight,” he clarified, “but how do we ensure Nadia and Skye remain unharmed?”
Their words swirled amund me as I formulated a plan. I’d been trained for Teadership since childhood, taught to consider every angle belice acting. Now, with the lives of my Beta and… Skye… hanging in the balance, clarity emerged from chaos.
“Here’s what we’ll do, I announced, my voice commanding inmediate attention. “I lead a small infiltration team with Ryder to extract Nadia and Skye from
| turned to Garrett. “Doce write in position, you disable their surveillance systems remotely. Create enough confusion for us to move undetected”
Gameti nodded, determination replacing his warlier uncertainty
“Marcus,” I continued, “position our warriors ope kilometer from their border. When we emerge with Skye and Nadia, Kane will undoubtedly pursue. Well med over fits and
route.
The blind security chief inclined his head Consider it done, Alpha;
“Venus, evacuate the children and viable pack embers to our contingency location. If Kane attempts to strike while were scrupled with the rescue, cur
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Chapter 73
most precious presters most be protected.”
‘And what of me, Alpha?” Lydia inquired softly.
Before could tespond, the continued, her melodic voice taking on a deadly edge. I will prepare well poses for our misdan tonight.” the lifted her eyes determined above her mask. “I necessary, Ell mat every bullet with enmush toxin to dmp a werewolf in seconds”
A tense silence fell over the room. In verewolf variety, will poiton was considered didnnochle a tactic employed by humain bounty hungers and weak to act our kind im fair combat. Na respectable pack would rent to such methods in formal confrontations. Such tactics vielated the ancient codes of hope that had govered werewolf conflicts for centuries,
Are you certain, Lydia?” I asked, studying her carefully. “Using wolf poison omilé damage our standing with other pecks.
This isn’t a formal duel,” she replied fiantly. “Kane broke all rider of humor when he took our people hostage Why should we handles ourselves with outdated notions of fairness?” She gestured toward Venus with her scarred hand. “Tye seen what honorable Alphas are capable of when no one holda them accountable.”
Venus nodded grimly, her single hand clenching into a fist. “Lydia’s right. Kane would use poison against us without hesitation if the situation were
reversed.”
“Sometimes honor must yield to hecessity, Marcus added, his blind eyes
fixed unreing on the middle distance
I looked around the table, meeting each council member’s gaze. This ends tonight. One way or another,”
Within the hour, weapons were distributed, vehicles prepared, and communications established. As we loaded the final supplies, Lydia approached, pressing several vials into my hand.
“Enough in temporarily paralyze twenty werewolves, the explained, her eyes solemn above her mask. “I’ve been developing this variant for years. It works faster than standard wolf poison and leaves no detectable scent. She squeezed my hand gently. “Bring them home, Alpha.”
will, I promised, tucking the vials securely into my tactical vest. No matter what it takes.”
Across the compound, our rescue trum thun numbers.
uricuetrum was assembling–six of our strongest
at warriors plus Ryder and myself. Not a large force, but we needed stealth more
As I climbed into the lead vehicle, I caught a glimpse of the moon rising over the desert, nearly full in the night sky. A primal energy surged through me, my wolf straining against the surface of my control
Hold on, Skye, I thought fiercely.
- ly. We re coming for you both.
The engines rated to life, and we moved out into the darkness, heading toward Gravestone territory with a single–minded purpose.
This night would end with every member of my pack home safe–or with Kane’s teritory painted blood.
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23
Crowned by Fate
