Chapter 16: Where Will You Go?

ALPHA JORDAN

“When you are done here, where will you go?”

She straightens in her seat and her eyes meet mine. “I will find my brother. I will find Luca.”

Her brother’s words echo through my mind. “~Please let me go~.” I shudder at the realization that this is a suicide mission and she knows it. I watch as she wraps her fingers around her brother’s amulet, holding onto it as though it might disappear if she were to let it go.

“~Alpha, perimeter breach, northern border. Rogues~!”

“~On my way~.”

Her eyes follow me as I stand up. There’s a strange look on her face.

“Stay inside and lock the doors. I will let you know when it’s safe to come out.”

I rush out the door, shifting once my feet touch the dirt. I break into a run toward the northern border. I have the sense whoever is attacking is here for Cora, and I wish we had talked her into staying in the pack house.

By the time I reach the patrol, the fight is in full swing. The ground is littered with fur and blood. Snarls, growls, and whimpers fill the air.

I lunge at a rogue that is preparing to sink its teeth into one of my men, tearing his shoulder as I fling him to the side. I rush him before he gains his footing. I tear into him. My claws shred through his chest as his jaws snap at me.

He falls to the ground. Another comes running at me, but suddenly stops, letting out a low whimper as he stares at me.

I hear the loud, thundering of heavy feet and turn to see the large white beast rush past me. The white wolf howls. The sound is hauntingly beautiful.

All of the wolves stop their fighting.

The rogues drop to their bellies before her, bowing in a show of submission. All of my men are fighting the need to follow suit and looking to me for direction.

I stand down, but don’t drop.

“Enough! Enough blood has been shed today.”

My men stumble back as the wolf speaks. The fact that she can speak is something that might surprise me more if I didn’t know the identity of the white wolf.

She steps closer to one of the rogues. A wave of heavy energy erupts from her.

“Shift.” The word is spoken in a soft voice, but it is clearly a command, not a request.

“~Get our wounded to medical. Everyone leave, now.~”

My men look at me with concern etched on their wolves’ faces. None dare defy my command. They are all retreating when the rogue shifts.

Cora shifts as well. “Why have you come here? Why attack this pack?”

The rogue studies her for a moment before responding in a raspy voice.

“We were sent here. We were given instructions to discover the weak points in the border patrols.”

I step forward, ready to punish the wolf when Cora grabs my arm. Her touch instantly warms and calms me.

“Who sent you?”

The rogue looks away, not wanting to give up the name of whoever had sent him.

“I will heal your men if you tell me who sent you. Please.”

His eyes meet hers, and I can see his resolve fading.

“Jacob Laurent.”

I’m angry. She knows it. Her grip on my arm tightens as if to hold me back.

“What were your orders?” She reaches forward, placing a hand over a large gash on his arm, channeling her energy until the flesh is knitting itself back together in a matter of seconds.

“Once we found the weakest point, we were to attack, killing as many as possible.”

Her head tilts slightly as she takes a step closer.

“Obviously you would not risk the safety of your people for money. I doubt he’s paying you for this. What leverage does he have?”

The man drops to his knees in front of her. Tears stain his soiled face as he sobs at her feet.

“He has our mates and children.”

His men finally get to their feet. All are in their human form as they make their way to his side.

“What is your name?”

I’m at a loss for words. These men came here to kill my people, and they might have succeeded if Cora hadn’t stepped in.

“Colton. Laurent has my wife and son. This is Bret; his two daughters are among those who were taken.”

Each steps forward, offering their name and the person they are fighting to save. It is the last man to approach who truly shows us the reason for their fight.

“My name is Amus. He took my mate and our three children. When we refused to follow his orders, he killed my wife and my youngest daughter, Amelia, to show us what would happen if we refused him again. He killed them. But I still have two living children. We reached out to the council, begged them for aid, but they turned their backs on us.”

Cora steps forward and pulls the man into her arms, whispering something in his ear before pulling away.

The man nods his head, and the wolves all take off, crossing back over the border.

“What did you say to him?”

Her expression is filled with anger and sorrow.

“I told him that I will help to free their families. I will make sure that Laurent pays for what he has done. I’m sorry, but I cannot help you. I will not bind you to the daughter of that monster. It will not be good for your pack.” She releases her hold on my arm and begins to walk back toward the cabin.

I catch up, feeling the need to be near her and keep her safe.

“I want you to come stay at the pack house. Lady Laurent will be detained. I’ll have to find out what she knows. I need you where we can keep you safe.”

She stops and turns to face me, her dazzling green eyes nearly glowing as the moonlight illuminates them from above.

“No. You can’t provide me safety. Your people won’t feel safe with me in the pack house.” She turns and continues walking.

I think of my father and how hard he worked to keep his father’s secret, out of fear. He told me I would have to make hard choices as alpha. If my people are going to understand anything, it’s time for them to know what really happened.

“It is time my people know the truth. I want you there when I tell them.”