Chapter 223

Chapter 73: Ayla After Alpha Torin left, I commanded everyone to keep what was found in the vault a secret. I didn’t feel great about it, but I did find some comfort in knowing we had that bit of protection. Once that was done, we returned to our apartment. Mina and Briggs joined us, but the atmosphere was quiet. None of us were sure what our next move would be.

Theo set the box gently on the dining table. We all just stood around it for a while.

“So, where are we going to put this thing?” Mina finally voiced.

“For now, it’ll go in the safe here in the Alpha’s suite,” Theo said. “It’s better to have it close for now.

“Is anyone else as overwhelmed as I am?” Briggs asked, rubbing the back of his neck as he pulled Mina closer. “I have to say, it’s getting harder to keep up with everything.”.

“Ha,” I scoffed. “You’re telling me.”

Theo reached out and rubbed my lower back. “I know this is all getting pretty crazy but hopefully it won’t be too much longer. We still have all the other plans in place. That includes our tail on Hawkins. We know he’s got something going on tonight. I think we’ll get some answers at the very least.”

Suddenly, my stomach grumbled. Loudly. Breaking the silence in the room.

“It’s still several hours before we have to focus on Hawkins,” Briggs said. “What do you say we order up something to eat and take the afternoon off? I think we need a little down time to regroup.”

“I think that sounds like a great idea,” Theo said.

***

Kingston I had went back upstairs with the others but retired to my room. I needed some time to think. So much had happened that I was left with more questions than I could handle on my own. But I didn’t think Ayla was in the position to be my sounding board at the moment, and I wasn’t ready to turn to Theo. So, I called the one person I trusted most in the world.

“Everything okay, Kin?” Pierce answered.

“I’m alive. If that’s what you mean,” I replied. “There’s been some developments.”

I wasn’t able to tell him about the tomb. Ayla’s command prevented me. I ran a hand over my face with a sigh. I settled for telling him about Theo’s family line.

“What do you mean they’re Sablemanes?” Pierce said.

“The heir to the Sablemane Pack,” I clarified. “Technically, at least. Their founding Luna was an Amvorov.”

“If he thinks about taking our pack...”

“I don’t think he is,” I said. “Ayla wouldn’t allow it, and I trust her.”

“Still,” Pierce replied, “you better stay on her good side.”

“I wasn’t exactly planning on getting on her bad side to begin with,” I replied.

Pierce was silent for a few moments.

“There’s still been no sign of Grogan since you left,” he said solemnly.

I nodded. “I figured there wouldn’t be. Something tells me he’s here somewhere.”

“He was so focused on you, Kin,” Pierce said. “Now, even the attacks on our borders have stopped. If his attention has shifted so completely, he’s planning something big. And soon.”

“I’ve already talked to Theo about that,” I said. “But with no leads on what or where that move might be, he can’t really take his focus from what we do know is going on.

“1 “Then maybe you should be focusing on that for them,” Pierce said. “You said they still have that rogue in custody, right?”

Theo had said I would have free reign with the rogue. There wasn’t more I could do at the moment.

“You’re right,” I said. “I think I could use some time with him. “I’ll need you to come out here, though. There are some other things going on that I can’t tell you about. Ayla will need to be the one to fill you in. It’s important that you know everything that is going on from here out.”

“We still need to be careful about how many ranking members of other packs are there at once,” Pierce reminded me. “I’m worried we all may have already started to draw attention.”

“I know,” I said. “Bring Emma with you. If we can make it look like a social visit I think we’ll be fine.”

“I can definitely manage that,” Pierce said. “She’s been dying to see Ayla.”

“Good,” I replied. “Let me know when you’re headed this way.”

I hung up the phone and grabbed a pen and paper. After scribbling down what I needed, I headed straight down to the cellar.

When I arrived, there were still two guards stationed at the cells.

“When was the last time anyone was in there?” I asked before going in.

“Other than dropping in food and water, at least a week, maybe two,” one of the guards replied. “He’s been quiet for a few days.”

“Are either of you getting off soon?”

“My relief should be here within the hour,” one answered.

I pulled the paper out of my pocket and handed it to him. “If you could get me everything on this list I’ll make sure you’re paid overtime.”

The guard looked at the supply list and a smirk crossed his face.

“I think I can do that,” he replied, tucking the paper into his pocket. “We may even be able to throw in a few extras. With how difficult the ba stard has made this job, we’d be happy to provide.”

“That’s good to hear,” I said.

“Do you want us to restrain him for you?”

“That would be helpful, yes,” I confirmed.

The guard unlocked the cell door. We entered, the second guard shutting the cell behind me. Lloyd looked up at us from a cot in the corner of the room. A nasty sneer crossed his face when he saw me. He didn’t put much effort into fighting the guards as they lifted him over to the metal chair in the middle of the cell floor. The silver restraints were quickly fastened and I waved for the guards to leave the room.

“Before you get too comfortable,” I began, “I should let you know that I will not be as lenient as Alpha Theo and his men.”

“Before we start this little game,” Lloyd croaked, “tell me what day it is?”