Chapter 20

POV Joann

I reached out for Aiden he pulled me in while talking to what felt like twenty others in the pack. “Get two groups of ten men headed for Blue Lagoon territory now! Darien is dead.”

One of the members asked. “What about Alpha Eric?”

“Nothing yet, he could be hurt or unconscious. That’s why we need to hurry.”

Aiden cut the link with everyone but me. “I’m sorry honey.” I told him.

“He was a great warrior; he served our pack with pride, and we will honor his memory once Eric is found.” He replied in a cold tone.

I understood, he needed to focus on finding our son. Grieving for his brother would unfortunately have to wait.

Thea startled me, reaching her small hand out and placing her palm on my cheek. “Are you ok?” She asked.

Her eyes held wisdom that her years did not, but I couldn’t concern her with what’s happening. “Yes, I’m fine.” I lied. Excusing myself.

Candice caught up to me in the hallway. “What’s going on Luna? You looked pained and your face lost all color.”

“Darien just died, Aiden and I could feel it. He’s sending men to the Blue Lagoon territory now but it’s a four-hour trip.” I told her.

“Eric?” She asked.

“Nothing, he’s too far away to make a connection but he’s alive for now at least.”

Walking outside several cars and trucks could be heard frantically driving around. Without knowing what they were getting into the warriors gathering anything they could think off.

Dr. Stevenson pulled up and grabbed two large duffle bags out of the passenger seat. “Mrs. Isaacs could you give me a hand.” He handed her one bag and headed inside. I tagged along curious as to what he was doing.

Past the operating room down a second hall a small lab housed various vials and a small loading machine we use to make tranquilizer darts. We had plenty on hand to take down any werewolf, but Dr. Stevenson wanted to ensure our men were ready for anything.

Grabbing a cooler out of one of the bags he set it next to the machine. “Luna it’s not safe for you to be here when we do this. We need to make a mixture strong enough to take down a Lycan in case they need it.”

Candice looked at him questioningly.

“Mrs. Isaacs none of these things will harm you being human, you can make a stronger dose than I could even come near.” He handed her a notebook and began going over the ingredients and amounts for each dose.

I watched as he showed her how to extract each ingredient and press the glass capsules into the bullets for the tranquilizer gun.

Satisfied that I could be of more use elsewhere I left them to their work.

Three four door trucks were filled with supplies and ready to roll out when Elijah and Candice came out of the clinic carrying six dart guns. Placing two in each vehicle Dr. Stevenson gave a word of caution “If possible don’t be too close to whatever you hit with one of these. There’s enough wolfbane in one of these darts to knock you out for days. It’s not a lethal dose but if any of you guys come in contact with it, you’re going to wish you hadn’t.”

I desperately wanted to go with them, I could feel Aiden did too, but we couldn’t risk weakening the pack if either of us were injured. Aiden leaving was not an option. He needed to be here to keep the territory secure. Never in my life had I regretted not training more than today.

My son is in trouble, and I couldn’t plan, organize or budget our way out of this. I felt helpless.

Aiden had called twenty of our best warriors, but I was not surprised when over thirty showed up. Nicolas and a few other young men had showed up to volunteer, disappointed when Aiden turned them away.

Aiden came over to me, wrapping his arms around my waist and addressing the growing crowd. “I can’t thank those of you going enough.”

As the trucks drove off and out of sight the crowd dispersed leaving only Nicolas and I watching the road where the trucks had long since disappeared.

“Luna, I don’t understand, I thought I had proven myself. I train every day. Why wouldn’t Alpha Aiden let me go with them?” He asked.

“Alpha Aiden didn’t make you stay because he thinks you’re not ready or capable. He did so because with Darien gone and half our warriors leaving, we need you here. All of you boys. We are more vulnerable than ever.” Placing my hand on his shoulder. “Trust me, I wanted to go as well but we are needed here. Find volunteers for patrols, make a schedule and get it to Alpha. Most of our patrol just left we will need you young men to take their place.”