Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Barrett

Ismile gratefully at Sierra as she leaves Jagger's office, a tender look passing between the two mates. Sybil left minutes ago, and I ache to join her with Cedara, but I know I need to stay and discuss the situation with Jagger and Edirn.

"Thanks for backing me up," I say to Edirn beneath my breath. "I wasn't sure Jagger was going to listen."

Edirn gives me a solemn look. "Of course. The truth needed to come out."

I turn my focus to Jagger, who is staring pensively out the window overlooking the Steel Lakes compound. "What's the plan now? The police are going to be a problem, from the looks of it."

Jagger exhales heavily. "You're right about that. These attacks – whoever was behind it, combined with the breakout from Whispering Pines, will bring a lot of heat down on us." He meets my gaze steadily. "We need to get ahead of this before they start digging too deep."

"You think the cops will make the Whispering Pines connection?" Edirn asks.

"Hard to say," Jagger admits. "But we can't take that risk. We need to get our stories straight and control the narrative."

I nod grimly. There's no other way. We all know it.

"We have other problems, too, I think." I adjust the direction of the conversation. "Leadmills has been a thorn in our side for too damn long. First, they were smuggling wolves to the auction houses; now it seems they're trying to stir up trouble for us directly."

"It reeks of desperation," Edirn says. "They're getting bolder, more reckless. I wouldn't be surprised if they were trying to weaken our security forces so they can overpower us."

My fists clench. "Well, it's not gonna work. We're not going to let those Leadmills scumbags jeopardize everything we've built here."

Jagger eyes me coolly from behind his desk. "Careful, Barrett. We don't want to go off half-cocked without all the facts." His gaze shifts to Edirn. "But you may be onto something. Sowing seeds of chaos…"

"Exactly," Edirn affirms. "It fits their style – they're wily, unscrupulous. Willing to fight dirty to get what they want."

I shake my head in disgust. "Cowards, more like it. Afraid to face us directly."

Jagger drums his fingers on the desk, deep in thought. After a heavy silence, he meets my eyes again. "We need to get to the bottom of this. But carefully – I don't want to tip our hand until we know exactly what we're dealing with."

The door opens, and Callum and Tarkin troop in.

"I'm guessing we don't have to stand on guard duty anymore." Callum shoots a look at me before focusing on Jagger.

"Pretty much." Jagger shrugs. "We've figured things out. In a nutshell, Cedara didn't do it. She'll be out as soon as the commissioner leaves."

Tarkin pulls a face. "Thank fuck he'll be gone soon. I don't like the way his goons are hanging around the place."

"I don't like the way Parker arrived with such a heavy security detail," Callum grumbles, shooting a glance out the window. "Seems like serious overkill for a simple investigation."

I grunt in agreement, my jaw tightening. The police commissioner had swept into Steel Lakes, flanked by a veritable army of armed men. "You're telling me. The guy acts like he's in hostile territory."

"The goons who were flanking him had handguns, but I'm pretty sure the ones in the SUVs were packing automatic rifles," Tarkin adds. "Way too much firepower."

Jagger leans back in his chair thoughtfully. "You're right – this does seem excessive."

"You think he's onto us?" I can't help but voice the concern that's been nagging at me. "About us being wolves, I mean?"

Edirn shakes his head. "I doubt it. We've been too careful to allow that. He's likely just being overcautious due to the nature of this case."

"Still doesn't explain needing that kind of arsenal," Callum mutters. "Makes me uneasy as hell."

Jagger rises and moves to the window, his eyes narrowing as he studies the vehicles outside. "Keep an eye on things, but don't engage unless absolutely necessary. We don't need to give Parker any more reasons to be suspicious." He glances back at us. "He'll be gone soon enough. Then we can focus on getting to the bottom of this Leadmills situation."

I rub my eyes briefly as this all sinks in. It's been a long day, and I can't wait any longer to get back to Cedara. The anxiety and impatience are eating away at me. I turn to Jagger. "Look, I appreciate you listening, but I need to go see her now."

Jagger gives me an understanding nod. "Of course. Go ahead."

I glance at Edirn, who seems to read my mind. Of course he does. I really hope he keeps a handle on that shit.

Psychic. What next?

We both pivot and head for the door, my strides long and purposeful. I can't get to Cedara fast enough.

As we step out into the hallway, I'm brought up short by the sight further down the corridor. It's Raura walking beside a well-dressed man in an expensive suit. Even from this distance, I can sense an aura of power and authority radiating off him.

"The man of the hour," I mutter. This must be the police commissioner – Parker – that everyone's been grumbling about. My eyes narrow as I study him. He's impeccably groomed, his hair perfectly coiffed, his suit crisp and tailored. But there's something off about him, too – a coldness in his flat brown eyes that doesn't match his polished exterior.

Edirn has frozen beside me, his body rigid with tension. I glance over at him in confusion, only to find him staring at Parker with an expression of abject horror.

"What's wrong?" I murmur under my breath.

Edirn doesn't respond at first, his eyes boring into the man up ahead with a murderous look. Finally, he speaks in a low, strained voice. "I recognize him…from Whispering Pines."

My brows knit together. "What do you mean?"

"He was there," Edirn continues hoarsely. "Giving orders, instructing the others on what to do with us…"

A chill runs through me as the implication sinks in. This Commissioner Parker – if he's really a police commissioner at all – is the kingpin behind the whole Whispering Pines operation, the illegal trading of shifters!

My gaze snaps back to Parker, fury and disgust roiling in my gut. This pretentious bastard is the one responsible for caging up Cedara's family and so many others. And now he's here in Steel Lakes under false pretenses…

What the fuck does he want?

???

Barrett

I don't get a chance to find out because Edirn launches into action. His body tenses, muscles coiling like springs as a snarl rips from his throat. Rage contorts his features into a mask of pure hate as he hurls himself toward Parker.

Parker's eyes widen in alarm as Edirn charges. His guards snap into action, seeming to materialize from every corner. They're a well-drilled unit, brandishing firearms as they rapidly form a perimeter around their boss. Shouts of warning echo through the corridor.

We're in danger! All of us!

Someone swings a gun up, but Edirn's momentum barely slows. He plows straight into the line of guards, scattering them like tenpins.

More of our fighters pour in from adjoining hallways, alerted by the commotion. Tarkin and Callum are at the forefront, eyes blazing as their wolves simmer beneath the surface. They hurl themselves into the fray, fists flying.

The first gunshots crack the air like a whipcrack. Jagger storms out of his office, his powerful frame rippling.

I see Tarkin take a hit, red blossoming on the front of his shirt as he stares down at it, and then, unthinkably, he sinks to one knee. His face morphs into surprise and alarm as he clutches at his shoulder.

"Silver!" he chokes out, dropping further. "They're using silver!"

Fuck!

Their ammunition is silver. They know exactly what they're up against…and they came prepared.

I half-shift without conscious thought, my own rage boiling over. Parker's smug face fills my vision like a red flag to a bull as I fling myself out of the line of fire, taking cover behind a nearby pillar.

I crouch low behind it, panting heavily as the acrid stench of gunpowder and blood hangs thick in the air. Edirn's initial charge has devolved into a full-blown melee, our wolves trading blows with Parker's guards. The sharp reports of gunfire punctuate the snarls and cries of combat.

A body slams into the ground nearby with a sickening thud. I risk a glance and feel bile rise in my throat. It's Lyle, one of our younger recruits. His eyes are open and glassy, a bullet hole oozing blackened blood from his chest. The wound isn't closing…the silver is keeping it open.

One of us…they got one of us!

It seems incomprehensible. Up ahead, I catch a glimpse of the man behind it all. He's shouting instructions, not quite so smug anymore.

"Take what you can! Move on out to the vehicles!" There's no doubting what they're here for. They came ready for a fight, taking us by surprise. Right beside him stands Raura, looking bewildered. She jerks as someone grabs her.

Rage surges through me, scalding and raw. I bare my fangs, a growl building in my chest. Before I can move, Jagger's commanding roar cuts through the chaos.

"Get the non-combatants out of here! Fall back to the residential sector and seal it off!" His deep baritone is sharp and commanding. I catch sight of him through the press of bodies, partially shifted and radiating an aura of power. His dark eyes burn with determination. With a few terse gestures, he deploys a team to sweep the adjacent halls and hustle our people to safety.

Safety!

Cedara can't get to safety!

My mate is locked in the cells, trapped there, far too close to the gunfight. And there are more of Parker's men pouring out of the awaiting parked vehicles not far off. If they split up and spread out, the chances of them finding her are too damned high. If those men breach the holding cells…

I let out a roar, fangs bared as my wolf rages for blood. I can't allow that to happen. I won't! The beast in me howls for vengeance against those who would threaten my female, but the man within knows where my true duty lies.

I can't abandon the fight.

I already made that mistake once. I won't do it again.

I spot an armed bodyguard lining up his sights on where Callum is wrestling with another guard nearby and propel myself at him. I hit him like a charging bull; he's a giant of a man, honed and battle-hardened, but even though he fights like an animal, he's no match for a half-shifted wolf.

The gun flies wide, and we roll on the floor. There's a knife in his hand, the blade gleaming wickedly. As it rakes across my bicep, I realize it's tipped with silver. It doesn't slow me. If anything, I'm even more enraged. Bones crunch, and he screams as I sink my fangs into his shoulder, getting a grip around his throat with both hands. With a vicious twist, his neck snaps. His body goes limp against me, and I shove him away. But it's not enough to settle the anxiety within me. Bullets fly by as I quickly dart for cover again, making me more aware of the danger that may be heading Cedara's way.

Warring instincts wage a furious battle within me as I rake my eyes across the battle. My pack brothers trade savage blows, holding their own against the onslaught of armed guards. Their bodies are a blur of fur, fangs, and spraying blood. But every time my gaze strays towards the cellblock, panic rises.

Cedara needs me. She's alone and defenseless down there. If I don't get to her…

The thought is unthinkable. My instincts scream at me to protect her at all costs, no matter what.

I force myself to focus, picking out Jagger amidst the chaos. Our Alpha is a whirlwind of fury, shouting orders as he expertly marshals our defenses. For a brief instant, his gaze meets mine.

"Cedara!" I bellow, putting every ounce of urgency and desperation I can muster into that single word.

Understanding flashes across his face. "Go!" he roars back. "We've got this!"

That's all I need to hear. Gathering myself, I spin on my heel and charge down the corridor toward the holding cells, moving with an urgency that allows for no hesitation.

I'm coming for you. Hold on!