Chapter 28
The house is mayhem as I grab a plate of fruit and weave through the people to return to Stark’s room.
We have a final meeting with everyone this afternoon.
I slip into a chair and flip open the book I’ve been rereading—I finally found one on werewolves with intense speed.
The power of being able to keep your vision ahead of your speed is the thing you have to focus on. It’s what I was missing in that field.
Stark comes by and checks in, then leaves soon after. The claw marks haven’t come up again, thankfully. He’s been organizing the distraction and attack lines. It’s a good plan, but things can always go wrong. They still have guns, and a mass of them.
Just before meeting time, I stroll down the hallway. There are too many pack members to have everyone meet in the forum, so they’re outside below the large deck, which is also prepped as a med unit. I find Kiya. We’re on the same task starting tonight.
“This is intense.” She gestures at the crowd.
“It’s a lot . . . but he’s got it.” I smile up at Stark, who is standing in the middle of a group of the cohort Alphas.
Pride fills me. I’m the one who gets to call him mine.
Despite the fact that no cohort is supposed to be above another, in the last few days of him commanding and organizing the chaos, it’s become clear the pack respects him.
He’s the head of everything, and the more I watch him, the more it makes sense.
Attention.
Everyone hushes as Stark begins. “This is our final group meeting before we take on the Uprising. I understand that the majority of your duties for most of you have been low combat. Tomorrow will be no different if you’re instructed to stay behind certain lines.
Follow those instructions. The humans’ long-range guns are not something to take lightly.
Going in first, we have Kiya and Nikolas. ”
And me? I look up at him, but he avoids my gaze.
“They will be starting off ahead of everyone . . .” He goes on to explain the different positions of groups, as well as important signals to know and meet-up locations.
“The goal is not to eliminate all the humans. It’s to make them abandon camp beyond the border’s edge.
Do not give them a second chance. If a gun is on you, your options are limited. ”
A few start to murmur to each other. Some seem excited, but others fearful.
“Thank you all. Our land, homes, and families are grateful for your efforts. Please spread out and meet with your cohort leader for final instructions. Excused.” He gives the signal, and the Alphas on the deck all separate into various areas across the yard.
“Did he just forget to mention me?” I ask Kiya.
“Probably. I’ll meet you out front at midnight.”
“See you then.” I search for Stark with no tingles on the edge of my skin to guide me, but eventually, I head inside the house and find him with a few Elders. He catches my glaring eye and excuses himself.
“You forgot to mention me.” I cross my arms.
“No, you’re staying here. Aloka, it’s not safe. There’s no way for you to defend yourself if things go wrong.”
“Stark is right. It’s for the best you stay and help with those that return injured,” Graden says from behind him. The Elder’s voice is softer than my mate’s.
“This is all my work. I’m the only one who’s been into the camp,” I huff at Stark and bite the inside of my cheek. I told him I hated that cool indifference he uses.
“Your maps will guide Kiya and Nikolas,” he says, with no regard to how I would feel, stuck here, again. He doesn’t get to make decisions for me.
Stretching my spine tall, flames crawl along it. “I’m going.”
“She’s fiery, I’ll give her that,” Graden snickers.
He has no idea.
I abandon them for Stark’s office to scan the original maps I drew out.
Gretch will be somewhere on the map. I wish I could protect her.
I also know I’ll need to blend in again.
Nikolas is on the shorter side for a werewolf and Kiya is stealthy.
She also somehow got experience with explosives when in the human cities—a story she’s yet to elaborate.
Stark slams the door as he comes in.
“You’re not going anywhere, and this isn’t like last time. You’re to stay in this house until I tell you different.” Pure control over himself, he slides his hands into his pockets.
“No, you don’t get to do that.”
“I do. You’re safer here.” How is he so calm?
“I’m not breakable. Stop treating me like I am.” My voice rises enough to be heard outside the room. Heat fuels in my extremities, and I breathe in to cool it. I am at the edge of turning. I rest my burning palms on the desk.
This is infuriating. I thought maybe since we have been unofficially mated, he’d trust me more to make decisions for myself.
“Red, you’re not getting a choice in this. There’s no need for you to risk yourself. You can’t run or attack. You’ll be defenseless.”
My hands lift off the wood slab, leaving dark handprints on the surface. I don’t even care. At this moment, I’d burn the room down.
“No, you’re not in charge of me. I don’t belong in a cage.” I can’t help but think that this was exactly what Scarlett was afraid of in her diary—if they didn’t kill her, maybe they’d entrap her to study. No prison even this nice is going to hold me in.
“Cage?” he falters.
I move around him to leave, but he beats me to the door.
“You’re mine, mate, and I’m keeping you safe.”
Safe? I’m the one with magic coursing through my blood who can heal broken bones and two-inch cuts in moments.
If I can figure it out, I am faster than everyone else too.
I’m larger than every other wolf here except for him.
I can choose whose mind I speak into and who I hear.
There’s so much more I can do. Strength isn’t everything, and I’m tired of being treated like a breakable piece of glass.
“Maybe I’m not.” Maybe you don’t know me at all.
Those damn blue eyes narrow. “Not what?” The icy, controlled Alpha voice has been replaced by one deeper.
“Yours. You don’t even know me.”
Stark’s mouth hardens, and he backs up.
I grip the door handle and storm out of the room.
Fuck this.
Fuck him.
I am going.
I dig through my clothes for long sleeves and pants. Ready to blend, I sneak to the rear of my SUV where Kiya and Nikolas will meet. We’re leaving first, as we have to go the long way, driving up through human territory. I can rest here until it’s time to go.
“Aloka.” I turn to see Jocko running around a truck.
I keep my face flat. “If you’re here to lecture me about Stark, I don’t want to hear it.”
“I’m not. What happened?”
I scoff, knowing that’s bullshit. He’s avoiding eye contact. “He wants me to stay here.”
“That’s not—”
My hands reach back for the metal on the bumper, still colder than the air. “I get I’m not some werewolf like you, but that doesn’t mean I’m useless.”
Jocko’s curls bounce when he steps forward and leans beside me. “I doubt Stark thinks you’re useless. He wants you safe, and so do I. You’re the one who matters to him.”
“He cares about you, his best friend,” I say.
He laughs, but it cuts short. “Sure, but I bet you he’d kill me if I hurt you. If you hurt me, he wouldn’t blink.”
His words change nothing; Stark wants me to be holed up in this house, waiting while everyone else goes to fight against the people who took Pratt away from me.
“I’ll see him when this is done.”
“Maybe see him now?” He starts to retreat as tingles spread across my skin. I look into the dark woods.
You’re going to have to show her one day, Jocko says to Stark through his thoughts. Maybe now is a good time.
What is Jocko talking about? I can’t believe he came to break the ice. I know it wasn’t Stark’s idea—it’s not his style. He doesn’t care for people’s boundaries.
Stark appears at the side of a tree as Jocko’s thoughts fade off.
“You’re not convincing me not to go, and I’m not letting you hold me hostage.”
His hand grips his neck. “I can’t have you out there. You can go if you promise to stay in the SUV.”
“Fine.” I stare up at him. But there’s no way I’m staying in the damn SUV. If it makes him less worried, then I can tell him what he wants to hear.
“You’re mine. There’s no changing it.”
I sink to perch on the edge of the bumper and nod. “I know. I didn’t mean it.” I’m tired of feeling alone, even when connected to someone else.
I reach my hand out and pull him closer, leaning my head against his stomach muscles, I sigh.
If I showed him my truth, what if he told someone by accident?
What if he thought about it at the wrong time?
When if he doesn’t believe the stories and legends about sacrifice and wants to tell everyone the truth?
There are too many scenarios that all end up with me or both of us dead.
I’ve been isolated my whole grown life, and I will survive the loneliness with him beside me.
He pulls up on my arms, and I stand from my seat on the bumper. “There’s only you, Red. All this might go wrong, and I need you to be here when it’s over.”
“Okay. I promise I’ll be here. You need to come back too.” I kiss him.
“Promise.”
The night stretches on as I spend it listening to the hustle of everyone getting ready.
I’ve gone through the plan at least fifty times, including possible scenarios of things going wrong.
I have no intentions of turning; our job is to get in and get out.
Stark will be out on the front lines where the humans have posts stationed.
As long as our first task goes smoothly, I can freak about that after.