“But…” she started again, but the smell of blood stopped any and all arguments.
They turned to see Zander, covered in blood, helping a limping Tristen. James took off in a run towards them, the alpha and his daughter close behind. “What the hell happened,” James demanded, glaring at Zander.
“H-he saved me,” Tristen said with a sniff. “Again.”
“The omegas…” Zander said, looking guilty.
“What about them?” Nick asked, his voice held an edge of caution.
“They attacked me,” Tristen answer for him. “They were going to take me to Vincent. Apparently he offered them a lot of money.”
“I told you Issac was no good,” Wendy said with a scowl.
That didn’t surprise James too much, but he couldn’t help but wonder what Zander was looking guilty about. The boy helped Tristen lean against a car. He took a slow breath then let it out slowly as if he was trying to prepare himself. “I knew that Vincent was trying to buy off the omegas. I tried to dissuade Isaac, and I didn’t say anything because I assumed the stuff they did on the full moon was it. I didn’t really think they’d do more especially after Tom died.”
“Oh my God, really? You knew and…” Wendy started, but Nick held up his hand to stop whatever rant she was going unleash on the boy.
That explained the guilty look. Apparently he knew them and assumed they wouldn’t really do anything serious. James couldn’t hold that against him, too much. “Where are they?” he demanded.
With a slight look of shell shock, Tristan answered for him again. “He killed them.”
Zander flinched, and Nick seemed to relax. James thought the kid was going to need to work on his control. It was a werewolf’s instinct to hurt anything or anything that hurt their mate. Sometimes murder was justified. James had killed Silvano for trying to bind Lily, and he had no regrets. However, he wasn’t sure that Zander slaughtering omegas were exactly justified when their capture might have served them better.
“Wendy, why don’t you take Tristen to get cleaned up, looked at, and clear up any confusion,” Nick told his daughter.
She gave him a nod and helped Tristen up. When they were out of human earshot, Nick clapped his hand on Zander’s shoulder, which just made the boy flinch once more. “Seeing as you’re trying to turn over a new leaf and the omegas were your group for a long time, I am not going to hold the fact you knew the vampire was bribing them against you. However, I need to ask. What more are you holding out on us?”
James was glad to see Zander actually, think before answering instead of automatically claiming that he wasn’t. “I believe that’s it. Vincent wanted to buy the omegas. Isaac was their leader, but he didn’t go into specifics. He was just excited to stick it to the higher ups. I do know he tried hard to get me on board. I don’t know if it’s because it’s what he wanted or because of something Vincent had said or done.”
“This is the last time, Zander,” Nick warned him. “The last time I allow you to withhold something from you and give you clemency. Next time it’ll be the standard punishment exile or execution. Understood?”
Zander lifted his chin and gave his alpha a small nod. “Yes, Alpha. I understand completely. I’ve made my choice, and there won’t be a next time.”
“Did any of them get away?” James asked once Nick appeared satisfied and Zander shook his head side to side.
“We need to work on your control,” Nick told him. “Prisoners would’ve been better than bodies.”
“They would never tell you anything. Isaac was good at painting you as the arrogant alpha that didn’t give a shit about the omegas. They’d rather die,” Zander told him.
Hot emotion flashed in Nick’s eyes, telling James that more than anything else bothered him. Nick obviously cared about his people and that some of them tried to slander that, upset him. Clearing his throat, Nick looked at Zander. “Get cleaned up. I want you with me when we go into town. Besides Bonnie, you’re the only one I have that knows something about Vincent and may be the only one who will be able to pick up on anything wonky,” he told him.
“Wonky?” Zander asked with a snicker.
“Problem?” Nick said, with a glower but there was a hint of humor on the edge of his lips.
“No sir,” Zander said, giving him a quick salute.
“Smart asses,” Nick said with a scowl. “I’m surrounded by smart asses, and I blame your mate! She started all this!”
James laughed and shook his head. “So go yell at her about it,” he shot back.
“Like that ever did me any good,” Nick complained then shook his head with a laugh.
It was almost two in the afternoon when the bomb squad team came back, and the road to town was clean and free. James, Lily, Nick, and Zander were already ready. Bill, Donovan, and James’ dad all decided to come with them as well. Nick brought in three more wolves, and they were on their way. Split into the same two SUVs used earlier. James, Lily, Zander, Nick, and Bill were in one. Donovan, James’ Dad, and the other wolves were in the other.