Chapter 262: Chapter 262

Chapter 262 None Taken “I just can’t figure out how so many men could disappear so easily like this. It doesn’t make any sense that there would be no sign of any of them” Bertram continued with a deep frown.

Allen could feel Lexi’s tension rise as Bertram spoke, so he reached for her hand and squeezed it reassuringly.

He knew damn well that her anxiety was rooted in her concern over Greyson more than anything, and as much as he wished that their relationship would only ever be about the two of them, he had long since accepted that the Moon Goddess had plans for them all, and it was a matter of trusting in her wisdom rather than his own selfish desires.

“Do you think they are in some sort of trouble?” Lexi asked softly.

“Who knows,” Bertram snorted, “The whole area is a dead zone for communications. The last contact I had with them was here,” he said as he pointed to an area on the map, “and with the second team here,” he continued, moving his f*inger to a location slightly to the west of where Greysons team had last been seen.

“Strange. I understand there’s pockets of poor coverage here and there, but…” Allen began but he was cut off almost immediately by Bertram’s snort as he slammed his hand down on the map in front of him.

“Look, this whole area here,” he said as he indicated a circular area on the map that had been shaded with parallel lines, “It’s a complete dead zone. After I lost contact with the second team, I sent one of the handlers in with his direwolves, fully equipped with a tag and a scanner so that I could track it’s movements from here and map it out in real time.”

“Pity you didn’t attach a camera to it too,” Lexi muttered bitterly.

“It might interest you to know that our Dire Wolves are fitted with pinhole cameras as standard on their collars,” Bertram smirked, “I was able to map the entire dead zone by having the handlers stay in areas that they had a strong signal to maintain the connection with me, and then sending the wolves in whilst they monitored the signal strength.”

Allen frowned.

“Is there anything in that area that could be causing this? Could it be some sort of naturally occurring phenomena?”

“If you want to call forbidden rites and depraved daemonic magick naturally occurring phenomena, then sure.” Bertram scoffed before his eyes widened and he turned to Lexi with an apologetic smile, “No offense of course.”

“None taken.” Lexi smiled tightly.

“The evidence was there, we have it on camera,” Bertram explained, “Multiple ritual sites are scattered around the area where the dead zone is at its densest. So, to me at least, it seems as though they have a barrier that originates from the altars and their existence is holding it in place.”

“So, let’s take the next step and test this theory, shall we?” Lexi grinned as Bertram eyed her warily.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, surely if your theory is correct, then the destruction of these so-called altars should enable communications to be re-established… yes?”

“Well, I mean…in theory…yes…” Bertram stammered with a hint of uncertainty.

“So send some men in and tear them down then.” Lexi suggested with a hint of irritation in her voice, “I don’t understand why you all have to spend such a long time dithering about what to do next when the logical course of action would be to just g get on with it.”

“I cannot make decisions in the field without at least running it past the higher ups!” Bertram blustered as Lexi laughed coldly.

“For f**k sake, do none of you have a single braincell between you to enable you to act of your own accord? What the f**k is the use of holding a commander title if you have to run back to us with your tail between your l*egs every time something crops up?! We shouldn’t have to hold your damn hand!” Lexi fumed as Allen sighed internally.

“I don’t have the authority to dispatch anymore men to deal with this!” Bertram protested, “Well I’m giving you the f**** authority!”

“With all due respect, it doesn’t work like that…”

“f**k your respect Bertram!” Lexi spat, “Either get it done or I’ll f*****g go and tear them down myself!”

“Beta…I really don’t have the authority to send any more men.

There’s a limit to how many people are allocated to defense at the Enclave, if I go below that number then…”

“Do you know what…just stop.” Lexi snapped as she narrowed her eyes at him, “I’ll do as I said. As soon as my business for today is finished, then I’ll head out and see to this myself.”

“Lexi…” Allen exclaimed in dismay but she held a hand up to silence him and the fire that burned in her eyes as she glared at him stopped him in his tracks.

“Shut up, Allen. I’ve already decided. Bertram, I expect a detailed map with the list of altar locations, their appearance and any other information that we may need ready and waiting for collection in the next few hours.”

Bertram nodded weakly, his face suddenly pale in the face of her fury and the insinuation that he had been neglectful and complacent in his duties.

“I’ll make sure it’s ready for you, Beta.”

“See that you do.” Lexi spat as she stood and stormed out of the room leaving Allen alone with Bertram.

They exchanged a look and Allen sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose tiredly.

“I know we have rules and regulations for everything Bertram, but Lexi has a point. Sending a few men to take care of this would have saved all of this unpleasantness.”

“Beta, I don’t think you understand. I am already below the accepted limit for defense of the Enclave until the party returns from the borders that Consort Adam took with him. I had intended to send a further group when they returned but..”

“I don’t think you realize the urgency of the situation Bertram…” Allen growled before Bertram cut him off.

“I can assure you that I do Allen, but I cannot pull people out of my a*ss to cover a force that is thinly stretched as it is and has been continuously neglected for years.”

Allen frowned as his words sank in. It wouldn’t be a surprise to anyone if the defenses had been neglected to breaking point under Ann’s father’s rule, but that was something that he didn’t have the time, nor the ability, to correct overnight.

“Okay. We’ll discuss this further once this issue is settled, alright? I’ll need you to put together a report of what we currently have available, along with our current commitments and what we need ideally in order to respond fully to multiple incidents without leaving us weakened.” Allen said finally as a flicker of hope ignited in Bertrams eyes.

“I’ll make sure it’s done, Beta.”

Allen nodded and stood abruptly, his chair scraping the floor noisily. He excused himself and thanked Bertram for his help, as he made his way out of the Barracks and towards the furious face of his beloved mate.

“What a f*****g s**t show. Honestly. If you want anything done properly here, you may as well do it yourself.” She fumed as Allen chuckled and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her into his chest.

“We knew that things would be difficult here, Lexi.” He reminded her as he rubbed her back gently and felt her relax into his arms, “Come on, let’s go and see the old sleazeball and see what Lexi scowled as she pushed away from him.

“Fine, but if he tries anything I’m ripping his bollocks off and shoving them down his throat.” she grumbled as they made their way through the corridors and towards the cells.