Chapter 38

ALEXIS

My heart dropped to my stomach.

Next week? The griffins were attacking next week?

I didn't know what to think. Were we even prepared for this?

A wave of fear and dread washed over me as I thought about all the innocent wolves that would be involved. We couldn't let anything happen. I wasn't about to let any wolf die because of me.

I heaved a sigh, "Lacey? Do you know anything else about this attack?"

"Well, someone mentioned that–" Her voice cut off suddenly and a deafening sound echoed from the phone. I flinched and stood up, quickly clicking the end button on the call.

Seriously? Right when we were getting information?

I tried dialing the number again, but the line didn't go through.

Hudson let out a roar and slammed his fist against his desk, sending a crack through the wood. He dropped his head against it and exhaled quietly, "I can't–we can't–our pack–"

I placed my hand on his curled-up fist and squeezed it, "We need to calm down. If we freak out, we're not going to be able to think straight."

He huffed and yanked me into his lap again, burying his face into the crook of my neck. I ran my fingers through the strands of his hair and felt the tension in his shoulders slowly disappear.

My wolf let out a whimper and started pacing in her head, fear taking over her mind as well.

Must protect pack. Must protect pack.

I pursed my lips and closed my eyes, trying to send a feeling of reassurance up to her and Hudson. A few seconds later, a pair of warm lips pressed against my cheek.

"Get your dad on the line and go grab Breydon and Boston. I'll mind-link all my Deltas. I'm setting the pack on lockdown. Do you think you can do a ground check with Lucy and Devin in ten minutes?"

"I can do that, but what about Matthew?"

"We're leaving him out of this for now. He's not in the right state of mind to be making decisions."

"But Hudson, he should know about Lacey."

Hudson sighed, "If he isn't busy sulking, I know he'll come to me with questions once he hears my announcement. I'll tell him about her then. Just head over to the boardroom once you're done with the ground check. Alright?"

"Got it," I kissed his cheek and raced out of his office. As I slipped my sneakers on, a connection popped up in my head and Hudson's commanding voice rang in my ears.

All pack members are under lockdown. You are not allowed to leave the grounds unless you have permission or instruction to do so. All pack warriors will be taking up day and night shifts on the pack borders. Any violation of these rules will result in severe punishment.

I snorted a little despite the seriousness of the situation. He sounded like a school principal who wouldn't let the students leave campus.

I shifted into my wolf and leaped down the stairs. Usually, I would shift outside, but I wasn't in the mood to leave my clothes in a pile somewhere and spend ten minutes trying to find them again.

Lucy and Devin were already shifted and outside the house when I opened the door. I barked to them in greeting and open the mind-link between us.

Devin, how about you take sectors one and two. Lucy and I will cover sectors three, four, and five.

He bowed his head to show he agreed and ran off in the direction of sector two. Lucy and I took off towards the end of sector three, making sure the pack members were heading into their houses safely.

***

Something was fishy.

And no, it wasn't the lake.

I was hiding in the bushes and watching an unfamiliar wolf climbing up one of the walls of the boardroom. Clearly, his old age didn't stop him from doing much.

He reached for one of the window sills and peeked over the edge. Then, I saw him grab a microphone from his pocket and slowly slip it towards the window.

Hudson, we have a spy. Don't look at him. He's at the window. Whatever you do, don't reveal any of your plans.

Roger that, my Luna.

He was so concentrated on what was going on inside, he didn't even notice me tiptoeing out of the bushes and coming up right behind him.

I counted to three quietly and leaped into the air, grabbing his ankles. I yanked him down with all the strength in my arms, making him yelp and let go of the window sill. He was damn heavy, and I was sure that if he hadn't been caught off guard, I would have never been able to move him.

He landed on the ground with a thud and a loud groan. I let out a low growl and watched him sit up fearfully.

"L-luna, I–I was–"

I rolled my eyes and grabbed the collar of his shirt, "Stand up."

He got on his feet nervously and shivered as I approached him. I grabbed him by his ear and dragged him up the stairs, ignoring his whimpers. Once we were on the second floor, I kicked open the door to the boardroom and shoved the wolf to the ground, catching the attention of all the wolves sitting around the table. Hudson stood up and stalked towards us angrily.

The wolf started shivering on the floor as Hudson towered over his quaking figure.

"I should have known," he muttered, "James Miller's best friend. Of course."

"Who?" I asked, glaring down at the wolf.

"The wolf that died. This is his best friend, Baxter."

I nodded slowly, "Well, Baxter, let's see what you recorded shall we?"

He swallowed hard and let me grab the recorder from his hand. I clicked the play button and Breydon's voice filled the room.

"What's wrong, Hudson?"

"You gave me extra small condoms! That's what's wrong."

"Oh, were they too big? You should try using a Ziploc next time."

"You little dick."

"Careful Hudson, you shouldn't insult your manhood."

I pressed the pause button and gave the two men a blank look, "Out of all the conversation topics in the world, you choose this one."

Breydon chuckled darkly, "It worked didn't it? I'm sure the griffins know all our plans now, don't they, Baxter?"

"N-no, Alpha sir," he said, shaking twice as much as before. He looked like a dying fish at this point.

"So, Baxter," Hudson trailed off dauntingly, "Is there anyone else involved?"

The wolf stayed silent.

He was obviously still loyal to the griffins.

I kneeled next to him and flashed my fangs, "Listen, wolf. If you don't start talking, I'm going to rip your dick off and let my wolf use it as a chew toy."

Hudson's wolf suddenly popped up in my head, The only dick you'll be using as a chew toy will be mine.

I furrowed my eyebrows and gave Hudon a weird look. His face was slightly red as he rubbed his face.

Ignore my wolf. He likes things rough.

I resisted the urge to laugh and decided to divert my attention to the wolf that was trying to crawl away. Did he really think that would work?

Boston quickly reached over and pressed his foot against the wolf's shoulder, stopping him from moving any further.

Baxter's eyes widened with fear as he realized he had no other choice, "I–I'll speak."

Hudson gave him a short nod and the wolf started stuttering names of the two other wolves involved, both being pack warriors.

The grim look on everyone's face made it clear that the punishment for these wolves was going to be gruesome.

"How did the griffins come in contact with you?" Breydon asked.

"When Alpha was visiting the Burlington Pack, James went to do a supply run. He was confronted by a group of griffins in town, who asked for his help in searching for the Blessed One. They told him that they would make him Alpha if he handed her over."

"Is the information you've given them on the pack the reason why they can attack next week?"

The wolf stayed quiet like he was afraid to answer, but we all knew the answer anyway.Rage washed over me, and I knew that what I was feeling was both mine and Hudson's emotions combined.

Before I knew what was happening, Hudson leaped onto Baxter and started pummeling him. I quickly ran forward and yanked his shoulders, "Hudson, stop! Beating the crap out of him won't solve anything!"

He roared with rage, and I knew his wolf was in control.

Great. Just great.

I grabbed his face and shoved it into my chest so he would smell my scent– not the best idea, but it was the easiest thing to do at this point. He froze and sniffed my boob, before giving it a small lick as if to make sure it was the same.

Okay, he was clearly fine now.

I pulled his head away gently, ignoring the little shivers that ran up my spine, and Boston took this chance to take the bloody wolf away from Hudson's loosening grip.

Hudson raised an eyebrow and gave me a pointed look. I avoided his stare and nodded at the wolf, "What are we going to do with?"

He turned his attention back to the unconscious wolf, "Lock him and homies in the dungeon. I'll deal with them later."

Boston nodded and dragged Baxter out the door.

Hudson stood up and brushed himself off, before helping me up, "Breydon, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Lunch?"

"I'm serious, Breydon."

The amusement disappeared from Breydon's eyes, "Yes, I know."

"What are we talking about here?" I asked confusedly, looking back and forth.

"We're going to send out an E. A.C."