Chapter 27: 27: Prepare for War

MAX

The moment we cross into our territory, the alpha wants a full rundown. He and Luna are tasked with the heartbreaking job of telling Seth’s family about his death.

Luna, the soul of our pack, has a knack for comforting people. We quickly brief the alpha on everything that happened, including the four wolves we took out.

At first, he thought we should have backed off. But once I explained how close we were to them while trying to save Seth, he got it.

We also wanted to make them pay for Seth’s death, a point I made sure to drive home. He just looked at me for a beat before nodding.

My dad sees how worn out we are. We haven’t had a bite to eat or a wink of sleep in nearly two days.

He tells Brock and me to go to our rooms to rest and promises to send up some food. With that in mind, I make a beeline for my personal haven—a hot shower.

I’m still caked in blood, some of it even in my hair. I watch as the water changes from red to pink, washing away the remnants of the fight.

I don’t feel guilty. Canyon Ranch started this, and we’re going to end it.

After the shower, I pull on some sweats and hear a knock at the door. An omega is there with a tray of food and a carafe of orange juice.

She places the tray on my coffee table and asks if I need anything else. I wave her off, sink into the couch, and take a big gulp of juice.

The tray is piled high with fresh fruits, chicken pot pie, sirloin tips in mushroom sauce, and green beans. I’m hungrier than I thought, and I polish off everything.

With a full belly, I crawl into bed and fall into a deep sleep.

BROCK

After gorging myself on more food than usual, I take a shower and get ready for bed. I can feel the effects of sleep deprivation.

I need water, so I head to the kitchen. On my way back, I run into Beck. Oh yeah, he’s a beta.

“How are you, Beck? Recovered from your mission?” I ask. I don’t want to be rude; we might have to work together someday.

“I’m good. Heard you guys ran into some trouble too. Seth is dead?” he asks.

“He is. They gutted him. Your alpha is pretty pissed.”

“I bet. He’s a force to be reckoned with when he’s angry or on a mission. Keep that in mind,” he warns.

Why is he warning me? I’m here to help, not to get on the alpha’s bad side. “Right,” I reply.

“I need some sleep, ~Beta~ Beck,” I say, putting emphasis on his future title. He scowls but quickly recovers, probably thinking I didn’t notice.

But I notice everything. I pat his shoulder as I walk past him and head to my room, shaking my head.

Once inside, I lock the door. I really need sleep.

I sink into the softest bed I’ve ever felt and quickly drift off.

MAX

We’re all squeezed into the alpha’s office—two alphas, three betas, and Connor. Not a small man among us, including Connor.

You don’t become the lead warrior by being small. We’re poring over maps, with Beck and me pointing out our entry and exit points.

There are a few potential entry points, but we have to consider that they know we’re coming. How could they not?

We left four of their wolves dead at their patrol border. They definitely know we’re coming.

“We need to send in groups from different directions. This will spread their numbers thin. We outnumbered them even before Black Moon Pack and Santa Fe sent us additional warriors.

I think since both our trackers had issues on your missions, no one goes alone anywhere. Agree?” my father asks, looking at us all.

Everyone nods, and we continue planning. “Do you think we should send in all our groups at once?

Get to our entry points and then coordinate so we enter at the same time? It could throw them off,” I suggest.

“That’s a good idea, Max,” my father agrees. “Connor, can we set up six groups?

Two will go south, two west, and one each from the north and east. Those two are the least guarded and harder to access the pack land.”

“Yes, Alpha, we can do that. How many in each team?” Connor asks.

“I’d say twenty. We have that many, right?” he asks.

“We do. I think we should keep Black Moon and Santa Fe with multiple members in one team.

They need to be able to communicate as well. I don’t want to leave one alone in a team they can’t talk to,” Connor suggests.

“That’s a fair point,” my father agrees. “Let’s take a break for a few hours.

Connor and Beta Jackson can work on the teams. Beck, join them.

Brock, I need you to give Connor a list of your pack members and how you want them divided,” my father instructs.

Everyone responds with “Yes, Alpha,” and leaves to do their tasks.

“What about me, Dad?” I ask once everyone is gone. “Do you have a plan for me? I assume I’m leading a team?”

“You are. But I also have a special mission for you,” he says, leaning over the desk and pointing to the Canyon Ranch pack house.

“Alpha Jason doesn’t lead his warriors. He stays safe in his pack house whenever there’s trouble. He’s a bully and a coward.”

I look from the map to my father’s eyes. I can see his anger simmering.

He’s still angry about what happened to my mother years ago, and now it’s fueled by what happened to Melanie. “So, you want me to go get him?” I ask.

“That’s exactly what I want. I want him alive. I want you to bring him to me.

I’ll send you with a few select warriors that I’ve already chosen. Connor knows, so he won’t assign them to another team,” he says, running his hand through his hair—a sign of his inner turmoil.

“You get him, Max, and you bring him back here. He’s going to pay.”

“Understood. Tell me the plan.”

MELANIE

Finals are next week, then it’s summer. I’m both excited and sad about this.

Summer means Max will be leaving soon. But it also means a break from studying.

I’m outside on the back lawn, surrounded by my books, taking notes. It’s a beautiful day, and the fresh air is good for the brain.

I have water and a plate of strawberries and grapes that I keep nibbling on. It’s perfect, except for the studying part.

Worry lingers in the back of my mind. I know we’re about to go to war, and it’s dangerous.

The only consolation is that it won’t take place on our land, so those who can’t fight are safe. But Max isn’t.

I know he can fight—he’s one of the best warriors here. I’m not worried about his ability to fight.

I’m worried about how dirty Canyon Ranch fights. What they did to Seth was despicable.

Beck is on my mind. He’s going too, and I can’t help but worry.

If anything happened to him, Amanda would be crushed. I recall a chat with my mom a few weeks back.

Beck is twenty-one and seems to have taken a liking to me. Mom thinks he sees me as his mate.

I’m not so sure. He’s handsome, funny, and sweet.

But the more I ponder it, the more I see him as a brother. Maybe that’s naive, or maybe it’s my way of shielding myself.

I wouldn’t want to experience what my mom went through. The thought of my best friend being mated to a guy I loved is unbearable.

Madison is my best friend, and she’s truly a treasure. I remember we have a study date tomorrow.

I’ve got to help her with her organic chemistry. I’m not sure why she’s even taking the class.

I suspect she signed up because I did. I need it for med school.

She wants to be a teacher. Organic chemistry isn’t necessary for her, but I can’t let her fail it.

My thoughts are scattered, everywhere but where they should be—on my studies. With a sigh, I open my pathophysiology textbook and flip to the key terms I need to master for the final exam.

My notes for this class must span over two hundred pages. It’s daunting to study all of it, so I follow the professor’s advice and focus on the items she highlighted for review last week.

I pull out the review sheet from last week’s class and start making flashcards. I’m about halfway through, around fifty cards in, when a shadow falls over my blanket and I hear a throat being cleared.

I look up to find Brock, the huge beta, standing there. “Umm, hi? Can I help you?” I ask.

Brock grins, revealing the whitest, straightest teeth I’ve ever seen. I decide he has a captivating smile.

“No, I don’t need anything. You’re Melanie, right? Mind if I sit?” he gestures to the only spot not covered with books, notes, and flashcards.

Not wanting to seem rude, I nod and return to my flashcards. I steal glances at him from the corner of my eye as he looks over my books and notes.

“You’re into biology?” he asks. “I’m sorry?” I respond.

I heard him, but his question seems redundant given the evidence scattered around me. “Biology. You must like it.

You’re enrolled in all these medical courses. Seems like heavy stuff,” he notes.

“Yes, I do like it. I want to be a doctor. Specifically, a pack doctor,” I share, a smile spreading across my face.

I’ve dreamed of being a doctor for as long as I can remember, and saying it out loud fills me with pride.

I’m not the little girl who gets patronizing responses like, “oh, isn’t that cute”. Now, people look at me with respect because I’m pursuing a challenging and noble path to serve the pack.

“That’s admirable. I did well in biology. Can I help you study?” he offers.

I sit up straighter and turn to face him. Now that he’s so close, I realize just how big he is.

My father is a large man, but Brock is even taller—an unusual sight. I don’t respond right away, probably looking surprised.

When I stay silent, his large hand reaches over and picks up my stack of flashcards. “How about I quiz you?”

“Ummm, sure,” I respond. And that’s how I end up on my lawn until dusk, studying with a very attractive beta.