Chapter 16 - Flynn

“They were rogues,” I confirm to the gathering of Alphas at the embankment, pointing in the direction that the rogues ran off last night.

“They're closing in on us,” Cyrus sighs. “How is it that we can't track them further than our borders?”

“I have no idea,” I shrug. “Once they escaped over Fort Smit, we lost them somewhere in Devil's Den,” I continue, telling the others about how the rogues’ murky scent disappeared in the state park outside of Nightclaw territory.

Turning to Dorian, I notice how he gnaws his bottom lip, biting off chunks of chapped skin as if he's nervous.

Lord! I wish I could read his mind. If I could, I'd be able to tell if his trepidation has anything to do with my suspicions. If he's working with the rogues, his missing werewolves are only a cover-up.

I have so many questions. Like why he'd work with the rogues. To what end?

I huff my frustration, running a hand through my hair as I contemplate the leap of faith I've been mulling over. Perhaps it was the adrenaline from last night that had me thinking about Lila during the chaos of chasing the rogues—whether, by a stroke of luck, taking our mating relationship to the next level would serve as an advantage in uncovering the threat. Not only would I be able to confirm if Dorian is behind this, but I'd also be able to track the rogues and find their hiding place.

“We have reason to believe they're not working on their own,” Theodore, Alpha of Blackmaw, suggests. “We've been trying to track them for weeks now, but their scent always filters off in those parts of the region.”

“We need to catch one of them,” Damian adds. “Run some tests and figure out if they've been enhanced somehow.”

“It's impossible to catch them,” the Alpha of the Misty Creek Pack grunts. “It's almost as if their speed is enhanced, too.” Simon goes on to tell us how his border patrol soldiers chased a group of rogues heading in the same direction.

“Cyrus,” I begin, turning to the Alpha of the Moon Shine Pack. “You can get access to U.S. satellites, can't you?”

Cyrus nods. “I'm in the process of acquiring access to their feeds. Still, we've scanned the area. The rogues have been sticking to the shadows,” he explains, going on to tell us how he's been combing through every form of surveillance to pinpoint the whereabouts of the rogues.

Even owning a tech company, the Alpha of Moon Shine hasn't had much luck.

Blood Moon has always been considered “backward” in terms of our relations with the human world. However, right now, it seems like the only way to catch the rogues is by employing old methods—like the supernatural gifts only the Lycoan bloodline would carry. I know that now more than ever, it's imperative to unlock those gifts. If I'll be gifted with them at all once I've taken that leap of faith—a leap I would have taken last night if it wasn't for the interruption of the rogue wolves trespassing the Blood Moon borders.

The animosity between the Alphas who were once sworn enemies isn't as prevalent as it was during our last meeting. However, some of us are still wary when it comes to Dorian—especially his brother, Damian. The Alpha of the Valley Walker Pack hasn't said much since his arrival, and I notice him throwing a few suspicious glances at Dorian.

I want so much to put the past behind me, as Grandfather Tomas advised. I can only do that when I'm certain that Dorian doesn't have anything to do with this, and he is really on our side. What happened in the past while out with Finch is the only thing I've struggled to forgive.

Being around him isn't easy, and I just want to go back home and relish the comfort I momentarily glimpsed inside the pot of stew Lila cooked for me.

“Have you called a meeting with the youngsters?” I ask Miles.

My Beta nods. “Howard just informed me that they're already gathering in the hall.”

I turn back to the others to inform them that we need to leave. The impromptu meeting was only called to inform them that the rogues have discovered our location, and since Blood Moon is on the furthest end of the region, we all need to be on high alert.

“Thank you, Alpha Flynn, for your cooperation in this alliance.” Cyrus offers a hand. “I know this is new for all of us.”

I take the man's hand and shake it. “We're doing what's best for the safety of our packs.” I glance at Dorian. “Let's just hope everyone is on the same page.”

***

Doing things differently means that apart from the special ops wolves who've received extensive training to protect the pack, we now have to recruit younger males who are capable of fighting.

Everyone older than eighteen with the ability to shift into wolf form has gathered in the pack den, the moon casting light on their fresh faces. I've just announced that we'll commence training this weekend to strengthen our forces and protect the pack from outside threats.

They're made aware of the danger from rogues and the kidnappings that have been taking place in other packs. Their young faces become pale with worry, and I have to assure the group that we're doing everything to ensure the safety of our members.

We've doubled down on nightly patrols, and I would have liked to be on guard myself tonight. But one of the measures I need to take to protect my pack awaits me at home.

It's the only way I can protect her, if she knows the truth.

I end the meeting and wait until the members of Blood Moon have left the den before taking my own leave. It's a steady jog toward the house, my heart pounding as adrenaline rushes through my veins.

I'm about to make the leap of faith.

A fleeting frown flits over my face when I notice the front door left ajar. I shake my head to dismiss any ideas that might have me cowering and going back on my decision, and I head inside, locking the door behind me.

“Hah.” I chuckle under my breath as I take the extra precaution, just in case Lila decides to run the moment I tell her that we're fated mates.

I've mentally processed every probable outcome once I've told her the truth. I'm hoping that tonight doesn't end in another heated argument, though I'm not opposed to the idea when a wave of awareness courses through me and settles in my core as I ascend the stairs. I have to clear my throat to compose myself, wanting to remain as level-headed as I can until I've said everything I've been rehearsing in my mind.

I knock on the bedroom door despite finding it open just a crack. Every night since the ceremony, this door has been sealed shut. As the Alpha and her mate, I could have burst in any time I wanted to, but it was privacy she asked for that first night, and I had to give that to her.

After running out on her in a moment of pleasure, it was the least I could do. She didn't deserve that, and I hope she'll understand why I'd been caught in a frenzy of shock.

“Lila…?” I call out gently, my voice dropping to signal that I'm not here to fight or banish her from the pack center, even after hearing that it's where she spent her day today. The only way I can truly protect her is by giving her the truth. I'll just end up wasting time wracking my brain for ways to keep her safe while we're barely on speaking terms.

It doesn't help that she doesn't know what's going on in the pack she's meant to lead with me. As the Luna, I've done nothing but treat her like a disposable member of the pack.

Tonight, that changes. That's why I push the door open when she doesn't reply, finding a row of scented candles on the nightstand and lavender petals spread out on the bed.

Hm…

She really is my fated mate, I think with a cocky smirk that has me tiptoeing into the bedroom. Perhaps she sensed that I would come to see her, and had the room set up to create the ambiance I'm looking for tonight.

“Lila,” I call out again, noting the closed bathroom door. “It's me, Flynn. We need to talk…”

“Uh-huh,” she concedes from the bathroom in a sing-song tone that has me smiling.

I can do with seeing her in a good mood for a change, so I take off my jacket and take a seat on the bed when I find a note and a blindfold beside me.

“ Put this on and wait for me,” the note reads.

Frowning, I do as instructed and call out, “I have the blindfold on. You can come out now.”

The splish-splash of bathwater is followed by the sound of the bathroom door opening up. Gentle footsteps come padding across the carpet, my breath hitching in my throat when I sense how close she is.

“What's with all of this?” I chuckle lowly.

“Shh…” she urges sweetly, palms resting on my shoulders.

Behind the blindfold, I frown. I inhale deeply, unable to find the sweet scent of jasmine associated with her being. I take another breath, my airways overwhelmed only by the lavender petals all over the bed.

When gentle heat fans my face, I'm hit by the smell of fermented grapes instead of the sweetness of Lila's breath. Grabbing the wrists on my shoulders, I quickly pull off the blindfold, only to discover that it's not Lila in front of me.

“Cynthia?!” I bellow, instincts kicking in as I stand up with her wrists clenched in the vice-grips of my powerful hands like cuffs. “What the fuck?!”

Glaring at Cynthia in disbelief, my heart lodges in my throat from how revolted I am.

“Ow…you're hurting me, Alpha,” she wails, but I know it's a pretense. I only let go because the sensation of her skin feels coarse beneath my fingers. That's just how much I can't stand her.

“Now,” she drawls as she takes a step forward. “Where were we?”

When the redhead reaches out for me, I slap her wrist away, inadvertently sending her crashing onto the bed. She gasps, a salacious grin forming on her lips until I stop the heinous look on her face with a hand on her neck.

“What are you doing here, Cynthia?!” I rumble with the anger simmering inside. “Answer me!”

With trembling fingers scratching my thick arms, she choked, “I—I can't b-breathe…”

I let her go with a forceful push, sending her back on the bed. Impatience has me tapping my foot and glowering at her from above.

“Speak. Now.”

Cynthia buys herself time by rubbing her neck and feigning how horrified she is. I'm so disgusted by her being here, in the bedroom I'm supposed to share with my mate, that a pang of nausea skitters up my throat.

“I thought you'd be glad to see me, Flynn,” she whines, her voice like poison to my eardrums. “I wanted us to start fresh.”

“Fresh?!” I exclaim, repulsed by her. “Where the fuck is my mate?!” I demand, an unsettling panic rising in my gut.

“I've taken care of her, Flynn,” Cynthia purrs as she gets to her knees in an attempt to come closer. “Don't worry, she won't bother us again.”

The anger inside me reaches its peak as I grab Cynthia by the neck and glare at her with fiery eyes.

I hadn't thought that this was a probability—that my mate has been put in danger by one of my pack members.

“Where. Is. Lila?” I ask sternly, my rage reaching dangerous heights.

The only reason Cynthia is still alive is because I have to find my mate.