Chapter 15 #3
I argued, “That’s not on you. I ignored my instincts.
” Buttercup groaned, “You all are like a broken record. She’s here with us so let’s focus on that.
Melanie is fierce and awesome. She may have that whole white wolf element to her, but she’s smart and cunning.
We will obviously protect her as a family.
Just don’t forget, she is perfectly capable. ” With that, Buttercup left.
I felt Melanie’s brief surprise flicker, but then just as quickly she recovered.
I told EJ, “Let’s go for a run.” EJ nodded.
We were close to the border when Bradford linked, “Alphas, I smell others here that shouldn’t be.
They were obviously coming out after the patrol passed, and it’s not a pack I recognize. ”
I ran to my pack member faster than I ever had and EJ popped to me. I shifted back. Liam, Cory, and other Warriors came back. I snarled, “Show yourself.” I linked Bradford, “Great job, Bradford.” I heard some wolves running up.
I raised an eyebrow when Mason and Hendrick showed up.
Before I could ask what they were doing here a group of ten, what looked to be Warriors, stood before us.
EJ asked, “What are you doing trying to sneak into our lands? If I were to call Alpha Emmett, would you have permission to be in his territory?”
One Warrior lied to us, “We are passing through.” I snorted, “In a group? Please. You were not passing through by coming through our lands, and our allies without permission. Should I call my sister out here? Or my mother?”
One offered, “We simply wanted to look for the white wolf. There are rumors that she fought with you and your allies.” I linked EJ, “Well, that’s just partial bullshit.” EJ pointed out, “You should’ve requested permission.” Bradford growled, “I smell the traps.”
I turned towards him in surprise. If that was true, then my mate was right.
This guy did have quite the nose. Bradford said, “No offense meant Alphas, but they aren’t here to look.
They are here to hunt, and they could hurt the pups in the Yellow Hills area with those traps.
I smell silver. It’s faint, but I smell it. ”
I took several steps towards the group and snarled because Bradford was right. The faintest scent of silver reached my nose. I told my brother, “EJ, I can smell it here too.” EJ growled, “You laid down traps in the woods where another pack lives? And intended to do that in my territory?!”
One wolf sighed, “It would’ve been fine if you didn’t run your patrols so differently than everyone else.
” He was right. Without Melanie’s ideas, they might have gotten through.
I looked at Mason and Hendrick. Then again, I wasn’t so sure about that.
Those two might have somehow known that these guys were coming.
Mason shifted back. He commented, “You seem very certain you’d know who was caught in your traps. Traps don’t ensure the capture of a specific wolf. Unless you have surveillance equipment with you too.” They all paled.
EJ conjured his phone and called our ally and friend. “Emmett, you have some Warriors that just came through your lands. They are not from a pack, not from around here. I haven’t determined their pack name yet, but they set up traps on your lands.”
“Oh, not just that. They set up surveillance. They seem to have been studying our patrols. We just changed ours. I’ll explain. Yes, it was her idea. I know she’s a genius. Yeah, I’ll see you soon.” EJ hung up and snarled at the men.
Our dad showed up and shifted back. I snapped clothes on everyone that needed them. My dad asked, “What’s going on?” I snorted, ‘“They are studying our patterns and border patrols and setting up surveillance and traps for the white wolf because of the rumors.”
My dad growled, “Unless there is magic on those traps, you could hurt innocent pack members.” I grabbed one Warrior by the throat.
I questioned, “What’s your answer for that?
” The Warrior shook saying, “The white wolf might give herself up if innocent people are getting hurt. It would be obvious why the traps were set. We’ve left clues that lead to us, so she could come with us. ”
I growled and snapped his neck. Gage said, “Well, that’s a reaction.” Phil snorted, “Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. You’re doing this over a rumor. You’re just out here thinking ‘let's hurt innocent people in hopes that a rumor turns itself over to you.’ Morons.”
Emmett ran up and grabbed one of the men. Emmett snarled, “My Trackers are out there now looking for these traps. How many are there?” Cory warned, “They’ll already be in Alpha Allister Thunders area too. They had to cross his borders to get through to your territory.”
Phil said, “I texted his Beta already and their Trackers are out looking.” I linked Bradford, “I can offer for you to assist them if you want. This was your catch.” Branford nodded. I said, “Emmett, Bradford here is the one who caught onto them. He could assist your trackers if you’d like.”
Emmett nodded, “We will take the help. If he’s already got their scents, it would speed up the process. My Trackers need to smell them.” I linked Liam, “Get three more Trackers out here and assign Warriors to go with them.” He nodded.
Our pack members showed up and got their scents. I told Bradford, “You’re in charge of our people. Make sure everyone comes home safely.” What was the world coming to? I’m over here giving Bradford control. Bradford?? Phil was laughing with Gage. Probably over the look on my face.
They left with Emmett to meet up with the Yellow Hills Trackers.
They took some clothing from the group we had custody of.
EJ ordered them taken to the dungeons. Once they left, I rubbed my face.
I said, “We need the Trackers to go through our area. We might not have made the changes fast enough to catch everyone chasing the rumors.” I was furious.
Our lead Trackers entered the area, and both shifted back.
Ingrid was our Lead Female Tracker and Kirk was our Lead Male Tracker.
Ingrid announced, “We are having the Trackers sweep the area. They are out with Warriors. It seems a bit overly cautious, but we assigned four Warriors per tracking group.”
I shook my head, “No, it’s not overly cautious. There could other groups of Warriors out there.” I told EJ, “I want the name of the pack they came from.” EJ assured me, “And we will get it. We are going to the gym though.” I frowned but popped there.
EJ and I got into the ring and we fought for an hour before going to the dungeons. I did feel a little better. When we got there Cory told us, “They are from Louisiana.” I growled. EJ asked, “Where in Louisiana?” Phil answered, “Alpha Boudreaux’s pack.” I rolled my eyes.
I knew Chase Daniels had problems with that Alpha. Apparently, the problems were continuing with his son. EJ and I popped into our office with Phil, Toby, Genevieve, and Gage. Toby called and got a hold of the Beta who got Alpha Boudreaux on the phone.
EJ announced, “We have your men.” Alpha Boudreaux asked, “What do you mean?” Toby snorted, “Can we just call you, Alpha Darrell? Your dad was Alpha Boudreaux.” Alpha Boudreaux sounded annoyed, “Whichever is fine.”
I snarled, “Your men were here setting up surveillance and traps to catch a rumor.” Alpha Darrell paused, then said, “I have no idea what you mean.” LIAR! I glared at EJ. EJ linked me, “We don’t have proof he knew.”
I snarled, “One is already dead, and I don’t intend to return the rest.” Alpha Darrell argued, “That’s a harsh stance.
” I disagreed, “Not really. They came uninvited and wanted to set up traps and surveillance in the territory of ourselves and our allies. Without a request, and certainly without permission. They could’ve gotten innocent people hurt. ”
Alpha Darrell reasoned, “I’m sure they are just curious.” EJ pointed out, “If they were curious, they could’ve asked us for permission. They tried to get in without detection, and they set up traps. Traps are not something one lays out of curiosity. It’s called hunting my damn pack ON MY LANDS!”
Alpha Darrell huffed, “Surely you know people will come. The rumors….” I snarled, cutting him off, “Anyone who DARES to not show us respect dies. Rumors are rumors, Alpha Darrell. I would remind your people of that.”
Alpha Darrell said, “Punish them if you must, but let them return home.” EJ said, “You and our Beta’s can continue discussions on that. If ONE person is harmed hunting down these traps, they will never leave here alive.”
I linked EJ, “They aren’t leaving alive anyway.
” EJ shrugged, “Maybe just one.” Nope. Not even one.
Toby said, “Your Beta and I will continue talking once I’ve spoken with my counterparts in our allied packs.
Our allies in this area are now searching for these traps.
The more they find, the worse it is for those Warriors. ”
Phil added, “That you apparently had no idea what they were doing out of state is concerning. It was a large group even.” Alpha Darrell growled, “I can’t keep track of everyone.” Phil snorted, “How odd considering we do. Especially groups that large.”
“Particularly when they go out of town because they represent us. Our pack is MUCH larger than yours, but hey what do we know? We’ve found our leadership style is VASTLY different from those we are not allied with.
We also don’t get calls about behavior like this from other Alpha’s, so we might know a thing or two. ”
I was trying not to laugh. Alpha Darrell sighed, “Our Beta’s will be in touch with each other.” He hung up. I looked at EJ, “He’s not even fighting that hard for his own people. If he’s not one of the forgotten packs, I’ll dress up in a tutu and do a ballet dance.”