Marcus’s POV
The shrill ringing of my phone jolted me from my thoughts. I glanced at the screen-one of the sentinels guarding the outskirts of the clan’s territory.
“What is it?” I barked, answering the call.
“Alpha, there’s been an incident,” the sentinel reported, his voice tight with urgency. “Ryan and Sally’s car crashed near the old woods. Sarah escaped into the forest. Ryan attempted to pursue her but lost her trail. Sally is unconscious.”
Anger surged through me, hot and consuming. I slammed my fist onto the desk, causing the papers and a nearby glass to rattle. “How could you let this happen? You’re supposed to keep everything under control!”
“We tried, Alpha,” the sentinel stammered. “She’s fast, and the terrain made it impossible to track her without exposing ourselves.”
“Useless,” I muttered before ending the call.
I wasted no time summoning Lexon. Within minutes, he arrived, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.
“What’s going on, Marcus?” he asked, crossing his arms.
“Sarah escaped,” I growled. “Sally’s out cold, and Ryan’s too incompetent to finish the job. We’re heading out to clean up their mess.”
Lexon nodded without hesitation. “Understood. Let’s move.”
We left immediately, our wolves moving swiftly through the dense forest as we tracked the scene of the crash. The smell of burning rubber and spilled gasoline lingered in the air, leading us to the wrecked car. Ryan leaned against a tree, his face pale and covered in scratches, while Sally lay on the ground, still unconscious.
Lexon crouched to examine her while I turned to Ryan. “What happened?”
Ryan struggled to meet my gaze. “She fought back. Hard. The crash disoriented us, and by the time I shifted, she’d already disappeared into the woods.”
“Pathetic,” I spat, fury boiling within me.
Lexon stood, wiping his hands on his pants. “Sally will survive, but she needs immediate treatment. Ryan’s not in much better shape either.”
I clenched my fists, my frustration mounting. Sarah was a liability-a loose thread that could unravel everything if left unchecked. “We’re not leaving without her.”
Lexon hesitated. “The longer we stay, the more we risk exposure. If she’s gone to the enemy, they’ll be on high alert.”
I hated admitting he was right, but we had no choice. After hours of searching every cave, tree, and shadow, we returned empty-handed.
Back at the compound, Sally and Ryan were tended to while I paced in my office, my mind racing with ways to salvage the situation. Sarah wouldn’t remain hidden forever. And when we found her, she’d regret ever running.
—
Jake’s POV
The morning sunlight streamed through the dining room windows, casting a warm glow over the table set for breakfast. Diane and John sat across from me, their expressions expectant as I took a sip of my coffee.
Clearing my throat, I set the mug down. “It’s done. Our clan is finally free from external threats.”
Diane’s eyes lit up, though her expression quickly darkened. “And what of the traitors within? Have they been dealt with?”
I gave her a flat look. “Let’s focus on celebrating our victory first, shall we?”
John nodded approvingly. “This is a turning point for us. Our pack hasn’t seen peace like this in years.”
Just then, the door creaked open, and Stephanie and Reyna walked in together. Diane’s face twisted into a scowl, her posture stiffening as if she’d been personally affronted.
“What are they doing here?” she snapped, her voice cutting through the room like a blade.
“I invited them,” John said calmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “From now on, they’ll be having their meals with us. It’s time we started acting like a unified clan.”
Diane’s jaw clenched, but she said nothing. I could feel her simmering anger radiating across the table.
Stephanie and Reyna took their seats, and while Stephanie was quiet, Reyna’s usual confidence was on full display. She smiled at John as if she belonged there, and her presence-so effortless and vibrant-gnawed at me in ways I didn’t want to acknowledge.
“Speaking of celebrations,” I said, steering the conversation away from Diane’s brewing tantrum, “we’ll be hosting a moonlight party.”
John raised an eyebrow. “A party?”
I nodded. “The elders sent word. They want us to pick our mates. It’s vital for the future of the pack.”
The table fell into silence, the weight of my words settling over everyone. Diane’s face lit up with something between satisfaction and triumph.
“This is excellent news,” she said, her tone saccharine. “John, it’s time to secure your position by choosing a Luna. And Reyna,” she added, her gaze sharp, “you’d do well to remember what’s at stake here.”
Reyna didn’t flinch under Diane’s scrutiny. Instead, she met her gaze with a calm, defiant smile.
“Of course,” Reyna said sweetly. “I wouldn’t want to disappoint anyone.”
I clenched my jaw, trying to focus on my plate as the conversation swirled around me. My eyes, however, kept drifting back to her-her laughter, the way her hair caught the sunlight, the ease with which she handled Diane’s venom.
For a fleeting moment, I wondered if I’d been too harsh, too closed-off. Was that why she seemed so much more at ease with John?
I pushed the thought away, masking my emotions behind a neutral expression. Whatever my feelings were, they had no place here. Duty came first. Always.