Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Hunter
My study looks like a tactical command center.
Maps cover every available surface. There are topographical surveys of the territory, watershed diagrams, and satellite imagery of the EnvironTech facility that Ava pulled from public databases.
Ethan's notebooks are spread across my desk alongside Ava's meticulously organized research files.
Empty coffee cups multiply in the corners like some kind of caffeinated infestation.
And in the middle of it all, three people who shouldn't be working together but somehow are.
"The contamination patterns follow the water flow almost exactly," Ava says, tracing a line on the map with her finger.
"If we extrapolate backward from the highest concentration points, it leads directly here.
" She taps a spot on the map where an industrial complex sits at the edge of our territory.
Ethan leans over, studying the location. "That's the old EnvironTech facility you mentioned. I scouted the perimeter a few weeks ago but couldn't get close enough to see much. The place is rigged with cameras and motion sensors."
"They have security for an abandoned facility?" I ask, immediately suspicious.
"Exactly what I was wondering." Ethan pulls out his own map, marked with notes in cramped handwriting. "There are cameras at the main entrance, and I spotted at least two guards doing regular patrols. For a place that's supposedly been shut down for years, that's a lot of active security."
I study both maps, my tactical mind already working through the problem. "So either it's not as abandoned as they claim, or they're protecting something they don't want found."
"Or both," Ava suggests. She's perched on the edge of my desk, her laptop balanced on her knees, looking exhausted but determined.
We've been at this for six hours straight, ever since she arrived this morning with boxes of equipment and that fierce look in her eyes that means she's not stopping until she has answers.
The door to my study opens, and Caleb walks in carrying a tray loaded with sandwiches. Rachel follows with a fresh pot of coffee and clean mugs.
"Lunch break," Caleb announces, setting the tray down on the only clear corner of the desk. "And before you argue, Hunter, when's the last time any of you ate?"
I open my mouth to protest, then realize I can't remember. Breakfast, maybe? That was hours ago.
"Thank you," Ava says gratefully, immediately reaching for a sandwich. "This is exactly what I needed."
Rachel pours coffee for everyone, her journalist's eyes taking in the organized chaos of the room. "Making progress?"
"We think so," I say, accepting a cup. "We've narrowed down the contamination source to the EnvironTech facility."
Caleb and Rachel exchange a look. They're the only other pack members who know the full extent of what we're dealing with. I brought them both in to help and because I trust them to keep Ethan in line if things go sideways.
"The one that's supposedly abandoned?" Rachel asks, moving to study the maps.
"The very same." Ethan takes a sandwich but doesn't eat it, too focused on explaining. "But it's got active security, regular patrols, the works. Something's going on there."
"So what's the plan?" Caleb asks, looking at me. "We can't exactly walk up and knock on the front door."
"No, but we can scout the perimeter, document what we find, and gather evidence.
" I point to a spot on the satellite image.
"There's a service road here that appears to run along the eastern side of the property.
If we approach from that direction, staying in the tree line, we might be able to get close enough to see what's really going on. "
"And if there are guards?" Rachel's question is pointed.
"Then we stay out of sight. This is reconnaissance only." I look at each of them in turn, making sure they understand. "We're gathering evidence, not starting a fight."
"I should go with you," Ethan says immediately.
"No." The word comes out harder than I intend, and I see Ethan's jaw tighten.
"With respect, Alpha, I've been tracking this contamination for months. I know what to look for, and I can move quietly through wolf territory without being detected. That's why you haven't caught me yet."
He has a point, and we both know it. But the thought of bringing a rogue wolf sets my teeth on edge.
"Hunter," Ava says quietly. "He's right.
We need someone who knows the contamination patterns, who can identify what we're looking at.
And if something goes wrong, if we need to move fast or defend ourselves...
" She trails off, but her meaning is clear.
Having another wolf along could be the difference between escape and capture.
I force myself to think like an Alpha, not like a wolf whose instincts are screaming not to trust the outsider. "Fine. You can come. But you follow my lead, you stay where I can see you, and if I tell you to run, you run. Understood?"
Ethan nods. "Understood."
"I'm coming too," Ava announces, and I turn to her.
"Absolutely not."
"Hunter—"
"Ava, if something goes wrong, if there's trouble, I can't protect you and focus on the mission.”
She stands, setting her laptop aside, and I can see the stubborn set to her jaw that I'm learning means she's about to dig in her heels.
"I'm the environmental scientist. I know what samples to take, what to document, how to preserve evidence that will actually hold up if we need to report this. You need me there."
"She has a point," Caleb interjects. "And you can't keep her locked up safe while you run into danger. That's not how partnerships work."
I shoot my brother a look that would make most wolves back down, but Caleb just grins at me. He knows exactly what he's doing, using the word "partnership" instead of something more loaded.
"Fine," I concede, though everything in me rebels against it. "But you stay between Ethan and me at all times. If I say run, you run. If I say hide, you hide. No arguments, no scientific curiosity making you take unnecessary risks."
"Deal," Ava agrees immediately.
Rachel clears her throat. "When are you planning this little field trip?"
"Tonight," I say, making the decision. "We scout from a safe distance during daylight to plan our approach, then go in after dark when we're less likely to be spotted."
"I'll come with you," Caleb offers. "Extra eyes, and I can help you plan the approach."
I nod gratefully. "Rachel, I need you here holding down the fort. If this goes wrong, if we're not back by dawn, you contact Gregory and the elders. Tell them everything."
Rachel's expression turns serious. "You think it could go that badly?"
"I think we don't know what we're walking into. And I'd rather be overprepared than leave the pack without leadership if something happens."
The weight of that statement settles over the room. This is potentially dangerous, potentially deadly, and we all know it.
"Okay," Ava says, breaking the silence. "If we're doing this tonight, we need to finish mapping the approach routes and figure out exactly what equipment I'll need."
We spend the next two hours in detailed planning.
Caleb and I review the satellite imagery, identifying possible approach vectors, fallback positions, escape routes.
Ava makes lists of collection supplies, discusses with Ethan what specific contamination markers to look for.
Rachel takes notes on everything, building a timeline and documentation trail.
By the time the sun starts its descent, we have a solid plan.
The service road is barely more than two ruts in the dirt, overgrown with weeds and clearly unused for years. Which makes the fresh tire tracks running through it all the more suspicious.
"Someone's been here recently," Caleb observes quietly, crouching to examine the treads. "Heavy vehicle, probably a truck."
We're about half a mile from the EnvironTech facility, having parked my truck further back and hiked in. We move through the forest with practiced quiet. Well, most of us are. Ava's doing her best, but she's still louder than any wolf would be.
"The tracks lead toward the facility," Ethan says, his nose working. Even in human form, his senses are sharp enough to pick up traces. "And there's a chemical smell. Faint, but definitely there."
I catch it too. Something acrid and wrong, cutting through the normal scent of pine and earth. My wolf doesn't like it.
We continue forward, staying well within the tree line, until the facility comes into view through the branches.
It's larger than I expected. The main building is a sprawling concrete structure, maybe three stories tall, with several smaller outbuildings scattered around the perimeter. A chain-link fence topped with barbed wire surrounds the entire complex, and I can see cameras mounted at regular intervals.
"There," Caleb murmurs, pointing. "Guard station at the main gate."
I follow his gaze and spot a small booth with a figure inside, barely visible from this distance. "Just one?"
"That we can see. Could be more inside the buildings."
Ava pulls out her camera, the zoom lens allowing her to get detailed shots without getting closer. "The main building looks operational. See those vents on the roof? They're actively exhausting something."
She's right. Even from here, I can see heat shimmer rising from the ventilation system.
"So much for abandoned," Ethan mutters.
We circle the perimeter carefully, staying in the forest, documenting everything. More cameras. More fence. And behind the main building, a loading dock with another fresh set of tire tracks.
"They're moving something in or out regularly," I say. "This isn't just a mothballed facility someone's maintaining. It's active."
"Look there," Ava says, pointing to an area behind one of the outbuildings. "Is that?—"
She doesn't finish the sentence because we all see it. Barrels. Dozens of them, stacked haphazardly in a clearing behind the fence.