32. Ryan

Islammed Mason against the wall. "How could you?" I snarled, my face inches from his. "How could you let her walk out of here and straight into Brock's hands?"

Mason's eyes narrowed, a flicker of defiance igniting within them. "She's my Alpha, Ryan," he spat back, his voice laced with a stubborn loyalty that only infuriated me more. "We obeyed our Alpha. If you don't like it, take it up with your mate."

"My mate?" I said, my voice suddenly calm. I knew Mason realized this was even more dangerous than me yelling. "I would, except my mate is currently being held hostage by our enemies."

Jase, standing nearby, shifted uncomfortably. "We had no choice. She insisted. You know what Mai"s like when she gets something into her head."

"That's not good enough. You knew it was a trap. You knew what Brock would do to her."

"It was her decision," Mason said quietly. "She made her choice, Ryan."

I stared at him, my breath ragged, my mind whirling. My heart was pounding with a fear I couldn't control. Mason was right, and yet it did nothing to quell the rage streaming through me. I stepped back, dropping Mason, as the door slammed open, and Derek stormed into the room. His eyes were furious, and they locked onto me with an intensity that matched my own.

"You! How dare you! Asking Michael to lock me down. Are you out of your fucking mind, Ryan? Never, and I mean it, bro, never try to lock me down when my mate is in danger," he growled, his voice low and threatening.

I snorted. "Your mate? Is that what you're calling her now, Derek? After all this time, you"re finally ready to acknowledge her?"

His face twisted in anger, and he took a step toward me, fists clenched. "Don't question my feelings for her, Ryan. You know I've had my reasons. You had no right to try and keep me away."

I stared into his eyes. "No right? I'm your Alpha—or did you forget Sam's little speech about how Mai and I are the Pack's only hope? I did what is right for you and for the Pack. You're no good to us or to Sofia if your anger is clouding your judgment."

"Like you can talk!" Mason butted in, and I wanted to throttle him.

"Stay out of this," I ordered as I saw Jase backing away. He, at least, was being sensible and getting out of the way.

Mason moved between me and Derek. "You both think you're the only ones who care about Mai and Sofia? Neither of you is in a fit state to rescue them right now."

"Back off, Mason, before I put you down," Derek growled.

"That's enough!" Wally roared from the doorway. His voice cut through the room like a cold wind, instantly snapping us all to attention. His eyes swept over us, taking in the chaos, the anger, the fear.

"Enough of this infighting." His voice was tight with controlled frustration. "You're acting like pups squabbling over a bone, and it's time to grow up."

He stepped into the room, his presence filling the space.

"Mai and Sofia are in danger," Wally continued, his voice calmer now but no less commanding. "We don't have time for this. We need to be united, to be focused, and be ready to act."

Wally turned to me, his eyes filled with determination. "Ryan, we need a plan. I know you want to storm the compound, but Brock and Tristan will be expecting that. We need to be smart, to think ahead."

I sighed, taking a step back from my brothers and running a hand through my hair. "I want to run over there and rip all their heads off. But they'll kill Mai and Sofia as soon as I step foot inside the gates."

"Good. I'm glad you're finally seeing some sense. Here," he handed me a note, his eyes softening for just a moment, "I found this in the kitchen. Mai left it for you."

I took the note, my hands steady as I read Mai's handwriting.

I don't see another way. I can't just let Sofia die. This is what Alphas do, Ryan. We put ourselves on the line to protect our Pack. If you and I are going to make this work, if we are going to be together, then you have to trust me. You can't wrap me up in cotton wool. It would take longer, but it would kill me just the same as Hayley's knife would.

- Mai

Fuck!

She was right, and I hated that. Hated that she was there, in the compound with Brock and Hayley, and I couldn't reach her. Hated that if we were going to be the Alpha pair, she would need to repeatedly put her life on the line and there was nothing I could do about it. Not if I wanted her to stay with me.

"We need to gather our supporters," I ordered. "Brock and Hayley will take them to the Meet. We'll do whatever it takes to bring them back."

I looked around the room at the faces of our renegade Pack. Wally's whole stance screamed his determination to make us see sense. Jase was in the corner. He looked small and still held a guilty look in his eyes. He felt bad about letting Mai go, but right now, I didn't have it in me to forgive him. Not until I had her back in my arms, safe and unharmed. Mason stared at me, a look of pride on his face. Derek was a roiling bundle of rage, just waiting to explode. I could use that. I'd just need to make sure he was pointed in the right direction when he went off.

This was it. My Pack now. Our numbers were dwindling rapidly, but while there were still some of us alive and ready to fight, we'd keep going. We'd get Mai and Sofia back. We'd get justice for Jem. We'd rebuild what we lost. And then Mai and I were going to have a long, hard talk about her making decisions behind my back.