26. Mai

As night's cool cloak swathed the world, our SUV slipped quietly through the darkened country roads. Shadows and the soft outline of trees merged in a dance of camouflage, making us nothing more than a fleeting ghost against the quiet night.

We were a covert crew, Ryan at the wheel, his eyes focused like a hawk's on the uneven gravel path. I was in the back now, trying to keep both Sam and Mason alive. We'd dropped Shya off at the boundary between Bridgetown and the Three Rivers territories. She was needed there to stop Tristan and protect her family. She hadn't wanted to leave Mason, but I'd promised her I'd give her regular updates. Just before she got out of the car, Shya had leaned over Mason and then kissed him. His eyes had widened in shock, and she'd pulled back before he could kiss her back. Then she'd ordered, "Stay alive, Mason Shaw," and jumped out of the car.

I'd called Derek. Told him everything. He wasn't happy and was worried about his brothers, but he'd agreed he would be of better use in Bridgetown for the moment. He would warn Michael and Camille, then head out to pick up Shya.

Ahead, I could see the faint outline of Three Rivers. It was hostile ground now.

We drove for a while in silence until the vague shape of the town's outskirt buildings appeared, bathed in moonlight. We knew the main roads in were being watched, so we had taken an old track that Ryan knew about. He didn't think Brock had enough enforcers yet to cover this track as well as the others and keep guard on the Alpha compound. It was a risk, but we had to take it. The plan was for Ryan to drop us off near Thomas's house, help us in, and then go back and ditch the car.

Ryan pulled in a few streets away from Thomas's house. It was quiet. Sofia had texted that there was a curfew in place, which worked in our favor but meant anyone seeing us might report us as curfew breakers.

"Everyone out," Ryan ordered. "I'll carry Sam. Mai, you scout ahead. You see any trouble, you let us know. If it looks bad, make a run for it. We'll regroup behind the old Moorhead church."

My heart thudded in my chest as I nodded. This was risky. If we got caught, Brock and Hayley would kill us all.

Mason grunted as he got out of the car, and I knew he wouldn't make it as far as Thomas's on his own.

I reached out, putting my arm around him. "I got you."

Ryan looked at me, indecision clear on his face. He knew we just lost my role as a scout. It meant we'd have to move slower, when Sam was running out of time.

I felt the weight of Mason's body lean into mine. His breath hitched in pain, his usually strong frame trembling under my arm. Ryan's eyes met mine for a brief moment, a silent pact exchanged in that gaze. We would get them both through this. We had to.

"No time for second thoughts," I muttered, my voice barely a whisper against the hushed stillness of the night. I started to lead Mason down the shadowy alleyway, keeping close to the edge of the brick buildings, my senses on high alert. Every stray whisper of wind, every distant dog's bark sent a surge of adrenaline coursing through me.

Ryan followed, his larger frame a silhouette against the dim moonlight, Sam's limp body cradled in his arms. His movements were careful, calculated, every step a masterclass in silent prowling.

Mason stumbled, his grip on me tightening. I could feel the tremors racking his body, his determination battling against his injury.

"Not much further," I lied.

We were so slow. We were running out of time for both of them. The journey seemed to take forever as we moved deeper into the heart of Three Rivers.

The maze of alleyways led us to Thomas's place. The light from the windows was such a welcome sight that I almost cried. As we staggered up the rear pathway, the door swung open to reveal a surprised Thomas looming in the doorway with a bin bag in his hand.

"Wally!" he called, dropping the bag, rushing forward, and taking Mason from me.

Wally's slight frame appeared, his eyes wide with shock.

"Fucking hell!" he exclaimed, making way for us to enter. "I'll get the supplies."

Then suddenly, Sofia and Jase were there, grabbing us and hauling us inside. The door was shut and locked, and we were led into Thomas's office. Ryan placed Sam on the bed, and Jase helped Mason into a chair.

"Mason has a deep wound in his left side. We can't seem to stop the bleeding. Sam has a head wound and broken ribs. There may be internal bleeding. He's been out for over an hour," Ryan said, methodically listing what we knew, his voice steady and calm, even though I could feel how scared he was for his brothers.

Thomas nodded, then ordered, "Wally, cut the clothes off Sam; I need to see what I'm working with. Jase, clear the table and lie Mason down there. I'll need to clean the wound and sew it shut. Ryan, Mai, wait outside; there are too many people in here."

Sofia guided us out and sat us in the waiting room. "They'll be okay," she whispered. "They're strong, and Thomas is an awesome doctor."

I nodded, unable to say anything.

I was vaguely aware that Sofia left and sometime later, came back with hot drinks. She pushed one into my hand. "Drink this. It'll make you feel better."

We both sat there, Ryan and me, our bodies close, knees touching, the exhaustion of the night's events seeping into our bones. We didn't speak, just sat there and waited.

I don't know how long we stayed there. Time lost all meaning as I thought about Ryan's brothers and how it wasn't their fight. I'd brought them into this, and they were suffering because of it.

I didn't see him come in, but Thomas was suddenly there, standing in front of me.

"Mason lost a lot of blood, but I sewed the wound closed and gave him a transfusion. He'll be okay in a few hours. Sam is worse off. I've had to put him in a coma. It'll give his body a chance to heal. He should pull through, but it's going to be a couple of days before I can bring him out of the coma."

A weight lifted off me. They were both alive. They were going to be okay.

"What the hell happened?" Thomas's voice cut through my thoughts.

"Korrin attacked us," I explained. "He had friends with him."

"Tell us," Jase said.

So I did. I told them about the Bridgetown Pack, about Tristan being seen here, about Ronnie and what he knew, and finally about Korrin's attack.

"What?" Wally screeched after I was done. "You left me out of all the fun! I'm not missing any more. I want in. I want revenge. I'm part of this and not you," he pointed at Thomas, "and not you," he pointed at me, "and not even you, Ryan Shaw, are going to stop me!"

Thomas sighed and put his hand over his eyes. He looked tired, and I wondered how long he'd been working on Sam and Mason. "You are all mad," he said, sweeping his hand over his face.

"Mad? More like totally badass!" Wally retorted, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Come on, Thomas, you can"t expect me to sit on the sidelines while everyone else gets to be a hero."

Thomas groaned, shaking his head. "Wally, this isn"t a game. People are getting hurt. It"s dangerous."

"You think I don"t know that? That"s why they need me. I"m the tiny, gay werewolf that"s married to the Pack doctor. I"m their secret weapon. Those assholes will never see me coming!"

As crazy as it sounded, Wally had a point, they wouldn"t expect it from him. But I couldn"t face putting anyone else in danger. Before I could dash his dreams, though, Sofia beamed at me. "Well, I'm just so glad you're back."

I smiled back at her. We were in enemy territory, Brock and Hayley were hunting us, Tristan was plotting to kill Shya's family, and Korrin was still out there, thirsting for revenge. Only Sofia would be happy that we'd just put a massive target on her back.