Everyone met up in Josh's office at noon. Farkle and Zay carrying in the dart guns and an array of sedatives. I focus on that while Josh is being 'scolded' by Vanessa and a quiet Smackle. Vanessa doing all the talking. I can't help but compare them to their mates. Vanessa, the stronger one and Smackle the smarter and calculating one. Together they make the perfect Gamma females, just like Josh said – his reasoning for having more than one Gamma. "We can't set up a pack picnic or luncheon within 2 days Alpha. I'm sorry it can't be done."
Zay winces from her tone but I think he knows better at this point then to chastise her for it. V is definitely stronger willed and no doubt gives him hell more often than not. "First, watch your tone. Jax doesn't appreciate the blatant disrespect you're giving me." I'm incredibly surprised at how calm he said that. If anyone had said that to my father they'd be in the cells for a week. It isn't necessarily the skin side that has a problem with tones and the way words are placed together. That would be our fur side, our wolves who demand respect and nothing less especially an Alpha. "Second, team up with my mother – Amy and she can help you. Maggie, can put together a meal plan so in reality you both just come up with a bunch of games and different prizes, make sure the pool is clean and have somewhat of a set schedule and it'll be fine."
Vanessa opens her mouth to protest again, and Amber immediately stops her. "Vanessa, stand down." Josh beams proudly, his female standing up for him. Huffing she falls onto the leather couch, Zay approaching her less than a second later. You can tell she tries to fight the PDA of the mate bond, her head angled in an opposite direction but can she see it is useless? Her legs angled slightly in his direction, the hairs on her arm standing up towards him, the way her nostrils flare when he gets closer and not to mention the slight tremor when he touches her. You can't hardly fight the mate bond, of course in this pack I've learned that you can't reject your mate.
I actually love that, unless your mate is harming you – which is rare, then you have no choice but to try and work things out. You can go as slow as you'd like, I mean look at Farkle and Smackle but you can't reject the wolf the Moon Goddess has blessed you with. I think it makes perfect sense, the moment you reject your mate it throws off the perfect balance. Your destined mate will find another who will then lose their mate… it's a tricky balance that you should tread carefully.
Loading up another dart gun I set it on the table while Farkle shows Lucas and Allen the hover bird video. We sent out a GPS monitored videoing system so we can locate where the border patrol wolves are. Thank you Farkle. The tingling sensation on my hips has me sighing in content, the heat is gone thank Goddess but Josh has openly told me he wishes the opposite. He wants more love apparently. "Hi baby girl."
"Mm, hey Alpha." Playfully he nips at my earlobe, "You ready for this?" I ask while glancing around the room. Amy clings to her mate who is in full Alpha mode now, he's going to take my left while Josh takes my right since I'm the one leading this rescue mission. Lucas will take the point in the back, he quite literally has our backs.
A low growl shakes his chest, "I hate that you're doing this."
"She's in there because Katie felt threatened by me. It is my job as Luna." Well to be honest, that isn't my job. Luna's are all about bonding and taking care of the pups… I guess you could say I'm unconventional. Maybe once this is over I'll plan pack parties and what not. Fingers crossed, if I keep up this charade of risking my life I'm almost positive Josh will have a heart attack.
"Alpha, I just got word from the humans patrolling Alpha Kermit. They checked into a hotel." Zay mentions while still eyeing his mate, does he see the slight pink of her cheeks? From that cheeky smile it seems that way.
"Humans?" I ask, they're defenseless when it comes to werewolves why would they send humans to spy on my father?
Josh nods, "Mates of a few wolves in our pack that have yet to be mated or marked. They carry their own scent and will attract less attention since your father will be on the lookout for wolves. All males, they have a gun with silver bullets should it be necessary."
Well that's a relief. Now that all 3 dart guns are loaded, I make sure to grab both bottles of masking spray. "We go in on foot. Allen you'll switch to fur when I rescue Naomi, run her back to pack lands." Adding some shorts for the guys and a tee shirt for me should we have to shift I zip up the black backpack. "I'll stay on foot the whole time so we won't lose the masking spray."
"NO." Josh growls, his grip on me tightening. "I'm faster, I'll stay on foot to carry the bag."
Shaking my head, I shove a dart gun into his chest. "I'm stealthier and you forget I know both Crescent Moon pack lands and ours. If necessary I can divert them away from you all and still be able to make it back to our lands without any issue. And I'll need to carry the bag, the masking spray is in it and I'll have to spray down Naomi."
Kris steps up, passing me a picture of her and Kris. Fairly recent, and she's gorgeous. Dark hair and blue eyes just like John – his father. Doesn't surprise me that they mated, she's a beautiful she-wolf. "Have her read the back of it. She'll know it's me."
Flipping over the picture, his messy handwriting has me snorting. I don't see how she could read it.
Go with her nomnom. She'll bring you to me. Love, your son.
Sliding it into my back pocket I arch my brow towards him, "My mom's name is Naomi, she's my mom. Nomnom, get it?"
Shaking my head, I glance at an amused Josh. "Link Farkle or Zay if you have any issues. Make sure Katie sees you hanging out with your mate. I'm still in heat and just… everyone remember the plan. Stick to it like glue! Now, we're sneaking out. Farkle or Zay one, I need you to call patrol wolves off of our eastern border. Move them towards the northern or southern, we will link you once we enter no man's land so you can put them back."
Throwing the bag over my shoulder, I pass Lucas a dart gun. Allen deciding on a slightly more lethal approach, his teeth should it come down to that. Old fashioned, he doesn't use weapons.
Josh wraps his arm possessively around my waist, "Lucas, dad say goodbye. We'll meet you in the garage in 5 minutes." Poor Riley, slightly in tears. She's got nothing to worry about he's a strong wolf and if given the order I'll send him back. I wonder if he'll listen. Using wolf speed we sprint to the garage in an effort to not be seen. We will have to do that the entire time through our territory. It would look weird, the previous and current Alpha male, Alpha female and Beta running through our land with dart guns. Too suspicious and that's when the gossip starts. "Don't stress baby girl. I need you to stay calm for me to do so."
Selfish. "I'm trying. I know I'll be okay. I just, Riley's so upset."
He shakes his head and pecks my lips several times till my flat lips curve into a smile. "Perfect." He replies and kisses me one more time. "And no offense to Riley but she's an emotional she-wolf."
"In the end it balances out, I'm more about the tough love. She's all emotional and what not." The garage door opens, Allen and Lucas have their game faces on. Now it's our turn. Tightening the straps on my backpack, I clip it in front of me and double check I still have the picture in my back pocket. All of them hold a dart gun, and looking to me for instruction. "Thank you."
My words of gratitude that won't ever do their actions justice. Putting their lives in danger to save a she-wolf that I refuse to leave behind. "Let's go."
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We entered rogue territory about 30 minutes ago, roughly. Luckily we weren't spotted by any pack members and we can't smell any rogues around. Somewhat of a perk of having a strong pack. Setting down the bag, I pull out the go phone to check the time. We're all inhaling deeply to catch our breath, "4 o'clock. We walk from here, keep your senses open so we can hunt up some food." Passing them the water bottle, Josh takes the bag.
Giving him a look, he does it anyways. "You'll have to carry it into their territory, let me carry it now." He wasn't asking, though his words made it seem that way. I can feel his anxiousness for me going in there but we don't have much of a choice.
20 minutes later both Lucas and Josh take off together and Allen steps towards me. "You sure you want to do this?"
As we near the border my anxiety level spikes, I haven't been here since I ran away. Would I be hated? Would they resent me for leaving them behind when at one point I was their only hope? Of course then I realize my main goal is to get in and out without being seen, hopefully everything goes to plan. "Yes. I'll come back Allen and if I don't then pray I'm dead. I can't live through torture again… I can't." I muster out while removing my leather jacket and sticking it into the bag, the humidity will make it easier to hide our scents.
His eyes shift towards my back before they're averted yet again. "If you're captured it's war, we will attack same day Maya. Understand that." I just nod because there is nothing else to do.
Lucas and my mate come back hands filled with rabbit. Must have found a litter. We all sit and eat in silence, our minds wandering to the next 2 hours. Since our connection from the pack itself has dissipated because of the distance, the connection with the wolves in front of me is overwhelming. Nerves, Lucas is worried about me living, Allen is worried about his son – which is understandable. If something happens to me it will hurt Josh. I think Allen trusts I can do this, he questions me to check my resolve and stubbornness.
Well, I win there. I'm as stubborn as they come.
Josh isn't worried necessarily about me dying, he's worried about me being captured. Just like I've told Allen, I've told him. I can't do torture again and he knows that, my mate knows my fear.
Which is why I packed a silver knife with me. Allen said that he'd attack same day and I believe him but – no I'm not even going to worry about that because I'm coming back with Naomi. Inhaling deeply, I finish off my meat and smile at the wolves in front of me. "Let's pack up. We have about 45 minutes until we reach the spot where I'll coat us in masking spray."
"Us?" Josh questions.
He's pretty but sometimes I wonder if he has a brain. "That's why I asked Arabella to come to your office. I don't want to risk them scenting you guys, this masking spray will last 12 hours so we should be set for a good while."
Josh straps the backpack on while nodding, throwing a wink my direction. Together with me as point we continue our trek.
We continue our rescue mission.
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Picture. Check.
Masking spray for Naomi. Check.
Dart Gun loaded. Check.
Extra tranquilizers. Check.
Silver knife. Check.
Once I'm all set, Josh pulls me to the side. Lucas and Allen turning around to give us some privacy. No words are exchanged, his lips connecting to mine in one completely earth shattering kiss is all either one of us needed. His arm wrapped firmly around my waist, the other clutching the back of my head. Silently I'm telling him that I'll come back, whether or not he believes me, I don't know. Slowly I retreat away from him, scurrying up to the first sturdy tree I can find. Slow calculating movements as I move discreetly from branch to branch. Occasionally, I slip and I realize I have to take it even slower now that I'm getting close to the border.
Wind rustling the fallen leaves on the forest floor that are turning a light brown now that fall has full-fledged approached us. It's crazy how time passes by so quickly, it was August whenever I met Josh. Now that it's October I can't even believe it. I'm marked, mated and knowingly started a war. I wouldn't change a thing, because I have Josh. I have my mate and my best friend, Cory and Topanga along with my pack.
'Patrol wolves to your left.'
Listening to Amber, I come to a halt and put the dart gun in the pocket of my shoulder. My cheek resting against the butt of the gun to glance through the scope. 2 large wolves pace the perimeter, passing one another in a half mile radius. Some things just don't change, they've had the same routine for years. Inhaling deeply, my finger teasing the trigger waiting for the gust of wind to pass. I'll have to make two quick shots as they're crossing paths. Fingers crossed they fall on one another to muffle the sound.
Without hesitation I hit them both in the side of the neck with a heavy exhale. As soon as they both fall, I land softly on the ground. Some leaves crunching lightly, stealthily I take off towards the tree that I estimate to be around a quarter mile away. 'Heading towards the tree now.'
I hear a sigh of relief on their end, 28 and a half minutes. I see the tree as it approaches, my name carved deeply into the bark. Gripping the growth of the tree, while I'm praying to the Moon Goddess for this to be silent, my heel hits firmly on the metal door that is covered in growth, moss and leaves. Clearly this hasn't been used for a good while especially since it didn't budge. That's good though. One more time, I will Amber to the front of my conscious state and slam it in. This time it budged and I scurry inside towards the steps before gently closing the door.
Amber is extremely quiet, on the lookout for any danger. 24 minutes.
The tunnel is extremely ill lit, taking a few seconds to adjust my eyes I grip the dart gun firmly in the pocket of my shoulder. 'Feel anything?'
Amber paces her cage, ears perked up but shakes her head no. That gives me the go ahead to start jogging. So far so good, smooth and easy. One step at a time. We thought this out. The hard part is the door that opens into the dungeon. The dirt walls of the tunnel make it slightly chillier in here, nothing too bad but I know Naomi won't be able to handle it if she is half as malnourished as I think she will be. Slowly coming to a stop as the door the size of an air vent comes into view. Slinging the dart gun behind my back, I press my stomach into the ground, my ear to the steel door.
'Be careful Maya.'
Amber warns and that sends me into high alert. Rust on the edge makes me aware this won't be silent. I'll have to push it open and there will most definitely be a creak. I'll have to come out swinging. "This is for you Kris." I whisper before my fist connects to the door and I'm landing on the floor of the dungeon. Let me rephrase that, I landed on top of a guard. My boot is firmly planted into his throat as he begins to growl, I grab my gun and shoot him in the neck.
Mental note to collect the darts on my way out.
20 minutes.
It's still just as dingy as I remember. Dripping water echoes throughout the cement room, the only light is from the torches resting on the wall. A little old fashioned if you ask me, but that's what it is there for… to intimidate you. The smell is as revolting as ever, blood, tears and vomit is never a good combination. I remember once contributing to that, shuddering at the memory I try to move past it and focus on the task at hand.
Pressing my back against the cold brick, I creep around the corner using the shadows as a cover. Slight snores are heard and I can't help but think that drugging them was probably the only way they could get a decent sleep. Turning my head around the corner 2 guards wait at the entrance, luckily their backs are to me at the moment. Gripping the gun I come out of hiding, unfortunately there was one prisoner who was wide awake and I know I have been found when they yell for 'help'. "Shit." The guards flip around right when I shoot the prisoner, I can't take more than one person. I don't have time to watch him slouch to the floor.
Shifting the dart gun back towards the entrance of the dungeon, both wolves are barreling towards me. I manage to hit one with a dart before I'm tackled by the other. Catching the fist he's throwing at me, I wrap my legs around his shoulder and will my heels to apply pressure to his joints while I firmly hold his arm tight. Hissing in pain he tries to release my hold, "One more move and I will break your fucking arm." I sneer, "No one is dead. They're sedatives." His head cranes up to look at me, but that only has me applying more pressure. "Don't look at me." I demand and in one fluid movement I release his hold, my fingers reaching for the dart gun before he has time to comprehend what's occurring.
Tapping the trigger twice, both land in his abdomen. 18 minutes.
Reloading the dart gun, I make my way through the dungeon, snatching the keys off one of the guards in my wake. Unknowingly I'm moving towards my old cell, each wolf I pass is knocked out and not Naomi. "Come on." I whisper to myself when I come upon the stainless steel door. "Oh the irony." I grit.
My old cell.
Glancing towards the lock I realize it is a thumbprint scanner.
Son of a bitch. I growl and run back towards the guards. "Amber."
'Got it.'
Lifting the male over my shoulder with ease, sprinting back towards the cell I slam his thumb on the scanner waiting for the green light. As soon as I see it, I drop him to the ground with a loud 'THUD'.
15 minutes.
Pushing the door open, I force all the memories out of my head and focus on the task at hand. I don't have long before the patrol wolves wake up. Naomi sits on the half an inch mattress in the corner, huddled up in a protective manner. Arms wrapping around her knees, tear stains down her cheeks and bruises everywhere. You can see her bones peeking out through her skin, I put my hands up in surrender. "My name is Maya, Naomi." Her blue orbs widen at the realization I know who she is, "I'm sent here by your son, Kris." I reach around for the picture and don't miss the flinch at my sudden movement. I don't dare take a step forward. "Hey, it's okay. I'm getting a picture so you can trust me. I'm here to rescue you."
With the word 'rescue', she's struggling to stand. Her form so accustomed to curling into a ball. "I'm going to help you, okay?"
Mutely she nods, while I pass her the picture and lift her up. Legs wrapping around my waist since the backpack is on my back. "I'm sorry, I can't be gentle right now. We don't have enough time. Focus on the picture Naomi, and believe I won't hurt you."
Silently she sobs and wraps her arms around my neck, I'd like to think she's giving me a hug even if it is her holding on for dear life while I sprint off towards the opposite end of the dungeon. I can't even remember the countless times I prayed for this moment to happen to me.
So far so good.
11 minutes. I can do this.
That is until I hear a resounding howl, a warning howl. Someone trespassed on their territory.
"Shit."
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