Rejected By the Alpha (Forbidden Alpha Kings #5)

23. Lucas

23

Lucas

A knock on my bedroom door alerts me that someone is here, and I smile. It’s either Simon or Kurt, coming to report to me.

“You in here, Lucas?” Kurt calls out as my door opens and shuts.

“By the window. Keep the lights off, so that we don’t attract attention,” is my answer. I listen as Kurt shuffles around my room, and let out a laugh as he curses when he stubs his toe on something—most likely my bed. Then he is beside me, his hand reaching out to push the curtain out of the way as we watch the eastern border

“How many are leaving today?” I ask, feeling some of the weight of responsibility falling off my shoulders. Today is the first day of our plan being enacted. Those who are too scared to stay here in Oak Fur will be leaving, and meeting with the Ivory Fangs warriors. Three days after Kurt reached out for help, the alpha returned the call with a plan in place. Simon and Kurt took the call in Kaylee’s old house, away from prying eyes and ears. When the meeting concluded, Simon linked me to come over so that I can sign some form that the lawyer for Ivory Fangs made. All I am to know is that every fourteen days, a group of our wolves will leave for their safety.

“Twelve today. Mostly omegas with pups that Ramos won’t miss, and two warriors with their own pups.” I close my eyes and send a silent prayer to the goddess that she will keep these wolves safe. Pups are our future in the packs, and without them, we cease to grow stronger. I just hope that Ivory Fangs keeps their word, and trains each one of them to be stronger. Once my father realizes something is amiss, I plan to be long gone from this place.

“You are doing the right thing, Lucas.” Kurt places a hand on my shoulder and smiles at me. It’s the same way my father told me I did the right thing, the day I rejected Kaylee. Back then, I tried to convince myself that his words were true, but now I see that they weren’t. Kaylee would have focused on training everyone, from the pups to the elders. Made sure that everyone could fight back, and protect themselves as best as they could. With Kurt’s praise, I feel like he is right. That I am giving these wolves a future where they will live happily, outside of Marilyn and my father’s reach.

“Have you briefed this Lilac person on what these wolves’ strengths are?” I ask. It turns out this beta went by the nickname Lilac, and that she and Simon are friends. No one will tell me her real name, and curiosity has gotten the better of me a few times, ending in Simon’s wrath these last two months of planning for tonight.

“Yes. She knows what to expect, and has careers lined up for them. She actually plans to promote omegas into lower ranks of warriors and hunters, if they have the strength.” Kurt chuckles, and my mind wanders back to Kaylee. She had said something similar a few years back, about how some omegas are able to become stronger and reach the rank of warrior. That we should promote them, and strengthen the pack. No one listened to her. They never did, unless it was my aunt and uncle. I start wondering if Lilac may be Kaylee, but push the idea out of my mind. Kaylee is gone, and I will need to find her once all the wolves who want to leave Oak Fur are gone.

Kurt and I stand by the window in silence, lost to our own thoughts. Simon is on patrol tonight at the east border. It is how we are able to sneak so many wolves away from the pack. Each operation will take place like this, with Kurt or Simon on patrol while I wait in my room for confirmation of everyone safely in Ivory Fangs’ custody. From what I know, transportation has been provided for everyone, and the ten-day trip has been cut even shorter.

“How have you been feeling lately?” Kurt breaks the silence and I groan, rubbing a hand along the side of my face and feeling the scars left there. I have learned to live with the physical reminder of what I did to Kaylee, and have grown used to my reflection being marred.

“Not good. Marilyn keeps asking me to be more intimate, but the idea of touching her makes me sick. I am glad that she has gone to Blood Oath for a while.” I walk towards my bed and flop onto it, my hands clutching the sheets.

“Thankfully, the wedding was pushed back, as she has to stay at Blood Oath while they celebrate her final moments being part of that pack,” Kurt adds, coming to sit beside me. I smirk. The wedding was supposed to be this Friday, but with Marilyn leaving, she will not be back for a while. It gives me time to plan my own escape, once this plan concludes.

“Hopefully I won’t be here when she returns,” I muse, turning to lay on my back and stare at the dark ceiling above. I have a mate to find. A mate to apologize to, and beg for forgiveness. I need Kaylee, and I am pissed it took me so long to realize this.

“Neither will Simon nor I. We plan to leave with the last of those escaping Oak Fur,” Kurt sighs. The room returns to a comfortable silence once more. I turn and check the time on my alarm clock, and note that it’s been about an hour since Kurt entered my room. Everyone should be long gone by now with the Ivory Fangs wolves.

[Checking in.] Right on time, Simon’s voice enters my head.

[How was it?] I ask, sitting up in bed as my eyes meet Kurt’s.

[Good. Everyone made it onto this really cool tour bus that Ivory Fangs brought, and they are leaving now. Give it another thirty minutes, and they will renounce their status as pack members.] I silently cheer at this information, as Kurt and I high-five each other. The first attempt went smoothly, as Simon continues to explain the process. What few snags he faced, and how we will handle them next time, as well as what we should prepare the next group for. It is clear this Lilac person knows a thing or two about organizing missions, and for that, I am grateful.

When all is said and done, and before I set off to find Kaylee again, I want to meet this Lilac person and thank her for all her dedication in helping us.