Chapter 170

Chapter 18: Theo 288 iVouchers Chapter 18: Theo I pulled up to Will’s house and honked the horn. I would normally have gone in, but we needed to get on the road. He came out the door a few minutes later, Beth and the three younger kids in tow. Beth managed to wave at me with a baby on each hip as Will hugged their toddler. I waved back, smiling at the images of Ayla flashing through my mind.

My chest tightened.

It was just another reason why this was such shitty timing. Now that we had marked each other, Ayla’s heat could come on anytime. I couldn’t even think about it happening while I wasn’t there. It would be hell for both of us if it did.

Will finally managed to pry himself away from his family and jogged to my car. He threw his bag in the trunk and climbed into the passenger seat.

“Damn, dude,” he said, shooting me a look and hitting the button for the window as I pulled out of the driveway.

“Well, hello to you too,” I said. “What’s wrong with you?”

“I get that you had a better send–off than I did, but did you really have to make me smell that for the next five hours?”

I didn’t stop the smug grin that developed. “Hey, consider it payback for subjecting a bunch of horny teenagers to you and Beth practically dry–humping each other every second of the day.”

We both laughed. Will light–heartedly punched my shoulder before 000%

11:11 D Chapter 18: Theo 288 Vouchers pulling my collar down to get a better look at Ayla’s mark.

“So, the rumors really are true,” he drawled.

“Yeah,” I replied contentedly, “I’m a claimed man.”

“How’s Kieran taking to that?” he asked.

“He’s the biggest pervert I’ve ever met,” I scoffed. “But I can’t say I blame him.”

“Based on what you smell like, I doubt you’re any better,” Will chuckled. “But seriously, bro, I’m happy for you. Confused as shit about how all this happened but happy for you.”

“Thanks, man,” I said. “It’s been a crazy few months, but she’s amazing. I can’t wait for you to meet her.”

“Okay, but I have to get some things straight,” he said. “You know the rumor mill gets pretty wild by the time it reaches this side of town. Is she really Kylee’s sister?”

I took a deep breath and started to fill him in on what had happened with Ayla and me. Feeling bad that he was just finding out about it all now.

“You could have called, Theo,” he said after I told him about Ayla being taken by Dad’s Beta.

“I know,” I replied. “But I know you wanted to step back from pack duties for a while...”

“That didn’t mean I wanted to step back from being your family,” he interjected. “And it was never meant to be permanent, Theo.

After we lost Lena, I just needed to focus on Beth and the kids and the business for a little while.”

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11:11 D 288 Vouchers “You don’t think I know that, Will?”

Lena was their oldest child from their first set of twins. She had passed away unexpectedly from an undetected birth defect three years ago. It hit everyone hard, but Will seemed to carry it the most. He stepped down from all his pack responsibilities and moved to the suburbs on the other side of the city. It hurt, but I did everything I could to respect his wishes.

“I was waiting on you, Will,” I said quietly.

Will huffed, rubbing his neck. “Yeah, I know,” he said. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t fair. I just feel bad that you didn’t think to call me for help. But I know that’s on me.”

“It’s not on anyone, man,” I said. “Shit happens. You’re here for me now.”

He nodded. “Tell me more about these attacks?”

“They’ve hit three border towns now,” I said. “This last one was the worst. It’s the first time they killed someone. The first two targeted property looking to do as much damage as possible. There were a few injuries from some fires and accidents and a few, warriors who scared them off. But this one was more violent.”

“So, they’re escalating.”

“Yeah,” I confirmed, “and so far, we have no idea why. That’s why I need you. We have prisoners now.”

“And two Alphas are better than one,” he concurred. “Why do you think they’re coming after us? Why now? We’ve never had problems with rogues like this.”

He was right about that. It wasn’t unusual for rogues to attack the w 47.85%

11:11 D Chapter 18: Theo 288 Vouchers borders of the nearest packs. But my father had set up a buffer zone years ago to help keep them at bay. It was a stretch of land between our border and the human towns. Humans didn’t have a problem with rogues as long as they didn’t cause trouble, so the rogue would be able to survive well enough to keep animosity toward the pack at bay. Rogues could never thrive outside a pack, but if they could scrape by, they would have enough, to lose to think twice about attacking a large pack.

Apparently, that wasn’t enough anymore.

“I don’t know, “I told him. “The fact that they are organizing their attacks makes me think they have some kind of leader. Whoever that is may be vying for the chance to take some, or all, of our territory for themselves and establish a new pack.”

“Let’s hope it’s that simple,” Will said. “They clearly underestimate our strength.”

“They could have heard about our transition in leadership,” I said. “Putting off my Alpha ceremony could have them believing we’ve been weakened.”

“Well, it will be my pleasure to show them otherwise, cousin,” Will said, clapping my shoulder again.

If that was what was going on, I might be able to sway the situation in my favor. If rogues are questioning my hold over the pack, what will other Alphas think? I had plenty of allies who trusted my capabilities, but others may decide to challenge me.

It would put any rumors to rest if I could swiftly put down a rogue rebellion.

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