47. Lucas
47
Lucas
Standing on the side of the road where Titus told me to wait, I watch for the blue hummer that was sent to pick me up. After explaining to him about Kaylee being kidnapped three days ago, he told me to make my way to the human nature park about a three-hour walk from the north side of Ivory Fangs’ border, and that when I reach their hideout, I will be informed of the plan that Titus and his fellow packmates have been planning since Jordan took over. My stomach growls and I remind myself that I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast this morning, and looking at the time on my cell phone I note that it is now one in the afternoon.
Suddenly, the device rings, and the name Rose appears on my screen. It is the name my aunt told me to save her number under to keep this operation secret, and I wonder if all the women in my life prefer aliases using the names of flowers.
“This is Lucas,” I answer, moving to sit on a bench leaning against a wall and slouching in the seat to keep my phone as secure as I can, in case someone is watching me.
“Lucas, it’s Rose,” my aunt replies back, and I roll my eyes but keep up the charade.
“I am calling about the conversation that a friend of mine overheard, and we wanted to let you know that we want in on it,” she continues. I sit up straight now, wondering what she means, and then it hits me. I was right that someone was watching me when I first called Titus.
“How many men do you think you can spare for the project?” I ask, hearing my aunt chuckle sadistically. I suppress a shudder and realize that my aunt is pissed. Jordan took Kaylee, who is not only her goddaughter but also her beta. Of course she wants revenge, if there is a plan in place.
“Seventy percent of my crew. Need to keep the other thirty at the office, in case something crops up,” she answers, and I smile. Seventy percent of Ivory Fangs’ warriors and hunters are a heck of a lot, especially if they were trained by Kaylee, her, and David.
“Sounds good. Let me talk to my brother about it, and I will get back to you tomorrow,” I answer, getting an okay. We make simple small talk about the weather to throw off any spies before we say our goodbyes. Tucking my phone in my front pocket, I watch the entrance to the park, wondering if Titus will really show up. I know he has to be careful with Jordan being alpha, so what excuse will he make to leave the packland?
The sound of tires on the gravel road catches my attention so I stand to my feet, readying myself for a fight if need be. Soon a blue Hummer comes into view, and I spot Titus in the passenger seat. The driver drives the vehicle to the nearest parking spot before my friend jumps out.
“Lucas…nice face,” he greets, brows raised as he takes in my appearance, my black hair cut short with the four scars running across my face. I roll my eyes and grab my bag, before walking towards Titus and giving him a hug.
“I have Kaylee to thank for these,” I shrug, throwing my bag into the backseat of the Hummer and leaning against the outside of the vehicle, as the driver—an olive-skinned bald wolf with deep brown eyes like dark chocolate—comes to shake my hand.
“I would you say you deserved them,” the man states with a chuckle, and I nod.
“I did. They are a reminder of the worst mistake I ever made,” I admit.
“Lucas Rider,” I introduce myself to this wolf as we shake hands.
“Carson Mick, head warrior of Shadow Moon,” Carson answers, and I nod. It seems the problem in their pack is bigger than I thought if the head warrior is a part of this.
“The hideout we are using is only a four-hour drive, so hop in the Hummer and we can talk freely there,” Titus interjects, motioning me to climb in the back before he climbs into the passenger seat. Carson rounds the hummer once again, climbing into the driver's seat. After making sure we have the seatbelts on, the man puts his vehicle into gear and drives off.
“So, how did you escape Shadow Moon for the time being?” I ask, curious to see what Jordan was told.
“Oh, we haven’t been there the last few days,” Titus admits, anger and guilt in his voice.
“Some of the hunters, warriors, and I went on a ‘hunting party’ to bring some game to the pack, but the truth is we had been planning a coup when you called.” Shocked, I look to Carson who nods in agreement, and I sniff the air, scenting for any lies. There are none, and for a moment I wonder just how long they have been planning this assassination attempt.
“So, you really left Oak Fur?” Titus asks after some silence passes between the three of us.
“Yes, I really left it. I did it to find and apologize to Kaylee.” A look of understanding and approval crosses behind Titus’ eyes before he turns serious.
“Had I known Jordan was going to kidnap her, I would have stopped him,” he swears solemnly. I watch him for a moment before I nod. I know he would, considering how precious and sacred the mate bond is to him.
“I know. Anyways, before we talk about how we plan to kill Jordan, I have some good news for you.” We pull up to a red light, both men turning in their seats to look at me. I can sense their curiosity and anticipation, and take a deep breath.
“Ivory Fangs wants to join the fight and stop the Huxley tyranny,” I announce. For a moment they stare at me in shock, until the vehicle behind us honks a few times. This knocks the men out of their stupor, and we realize the light has turned green. The hummer moves forward and Carson speeds away, a grin on his cleanly-shaven face.
“Well, Jordan Huxley did steal her beta. She has every right to declare war on him, and I am more than happy to share the bloodshed with her,” Titus states with a chuckle, his eyes narrowing as he stares out the windshield.
“Give her a call as soon as we reach our base, and we can make a plan for three days from now,” he adds.
“Why three days from now?” I ask out of curiosity.
“Because I have a feeling in four days, Kaylee will be marked and mated whether she wants it or not. Jordan is not a patient man, and if he wants Kaylee, only death will stop him.”