2-117.5
The clash of fangs and claws echoed through the forest, and the wolves exchanged ferocious blows. The movements are so fast it’s hard to tell who caught these guys. I am stuck momentarily watching the beauty of the movement. Then I see it, the dark gray, almost black wolf with a small white patch on his front, crouches down and snarls at one of the mangy looking rogues Oliver.
It’s Oliver’s wolf and he’s beautiful in his furious glory. Before I can even say anything, he lunges at the rogue, clamps down on his neck and rips back. The rogue stood no chance against him. He turns towards the other rogue engaged with his partner.
“Oliver! I need him alive!” I shout through our link and it feels almost rusty and slow.
Oliver’s wolf whips his head towards us as we run forward, then looks back to the rogue lunging forward and sinking his teeth into its back flank. The rogue howls in pain, but there’s enough damage that he can’t fight anymore. The rogue falls to his side panting and whimpering.
Oliver’s patrol buddy shifts and it’s one of the teens that trained with us forever ago. I can’t remember his name, but he has certainly grown up. I don’t pay much attention though, I only have eyes for my friend. I slowly walk up to him, still in my wolf form and he lets out a little growl which makes me pause. Then he shifts and stands there in all his naked glory.
I shift back, fully clothed and he gives me a curious once over. I can feel Lillian and Jena behind me, they have shifted too.
“Oliver.” It comes out like a whisper.
“You’re here?” He says it like a question, but it also sounds accusing. I nod and take a tentative step forward. “But not to stay?”
I shake my head ‘no.’ “I’m sure you all heard the rogues are on the move, we chased these two here after we took out four others. We need to question this one. I’ll find out where Osiston wants him.” “That’s it? All business now. Too caught up in being a warrior to even check in with your friends?” Yep, he’s angry with me.
My breath catches, but before I can say or do anything else I am tackled to the ground by a white and ginger wolf who starts aggressively licking my face. I hear exclamations from the girls, but I start to giggle and it feels amazing. “Sam, stop! I’m so gross, covered in blood and dirt and who knows what else.” He licks my face one more time and then jumps off of me shifting. He also stands up completely naked. Reaching a hand down to help me up.
“I had to see it with my own eyes, you’re really back!” His smile is infectious as he picks me up in a hug and spins me around.
“Midge!” Lillian shouts as the underbrush around us starts to rustle aggressively, then my brother and the twins run
out. My brother doesn’t even stop crashing right into me. “1am so happy to see you!” He breathes into my hair.
“Me too!” I tighten my arms around his neck.
“Tiny, what’s going on?” Cam moves to my side and I look up at him. I let go of Mateo and give him a hug around the waist then moved to Dakota before answering again. I don’t want to keep explaining myself. I pull a silver collar out of one of my cargo pockets and take it over to the rogue. He’s shifted back to his human form, his injuries too much to handle. I lock the collar around his neck. “You try to shift the sliver in this collar won’t kill you, but suffocating while being poisoned slowly by the silver will.”
Then I stand and turn to my guys. “Yes, Oliver, it’s all business right now. I need this rogue alive, for now.” I side-eye the rogue. “He needs to be questioned. Can we put him in the cells until I have my orders?” I look back to the twins who are glancing between Oliver and I. If he is going to be a d*ck then so am I.
“Of course. Any idea how long you’ll be home?” Cam asks, staying neutral.
“No, we didn’t think the rogues would make it this far. We need to connect with Osiston and Alpha Reggie and have
our guys expand the perimeter they have set to include where we found these guys.”
“Declan, take this guy down to the cells. Little Bit, it’s late or early depending on when you slept last, so let’s get you and your friends back to the packhouse, cause you know Luna Ava will kick your ass if she finds out you were on the territory and didn’t stop.”
At the mention of my friends I turn around and look at Jena and Lillian hanging back, but still flanking me like the dedicated soldiers they are.
“Oh, umm, Jena, Lillian,” I gesture to each girl. “These are my future pack leaders. Cameron and Dakota, future Alphas. Mateo, my brother and the future Beta. Oliver, future Gamma and Sam, future Delta. Declan is one of their warriors. Guys these are two members of my team. Sierra, Wyatt and Nathaniel are stationed with other groups.”
“Come on, shorty. You have some explaining to do.” Mateo puts his arm around my shoulder and leads us back towards my pack.
I’m home.
