Page 68 of Alpha Hunt

I nod, gratitude flooding through me. Jagger puts the phone to his ear, pacing as it rings.

“Callum,” he says when the other man picks up, his voice sharp with urgency. “We’ve got a situation. Edirn and Barrett are MIA, possibly in danger. I need you to call together the beta council and our most trusted wolves. We’re organizing a search and rescue immediately.”

There’s a pause as Callum responds, and Jagger’s free hand clenches into a fist at his side. “I don’t care what it takes,” he growls. “Pull them from patrols, wake them up, I don’t give a damn. This is top priority.”

Another pause, then Jagger nods. “Good. Have them meet at the Gathering Hall in ten. And Callum? Keep this quiet for now. We don’t need panic spreading before we know what we’re dealing with.”

He hangs up, shoving the phone back in his pocket. When he looks at me again, his eyes are hard with resolve. “We’ll get to the bottom of this. Don’t worry.”

I fall into step beside him as we stride out of the gym, my heart hammering. I can only pray we’re not too late.

When we get there, the others are assembled.

I watch as Jagger takes his place at the head of the long table, his hands braced on the polished wood as he surveys the assembled council members. Gage is to his right, his green eyes sharp and focused. Callum sits across from him, his weathered features set in grim determination. Tarkin is nearby, surveying the others with his usual air of nonchalance.

“We have reason to believe that Edirn Alpen and Barrett Chord are in danger,” Jagger begins, his voice low and serious.

“What makes you think they’re in trouble?” Tarkin asks, his eyes sweeping over me before settling on Jagger.

“Barrett’s not answering his line. And…” Jagger looks at me, “Casey has felt a shift in her mate bond.”

It’s bizarre hearing him say it, but I remain impassive as the others nod and murmur as if this makes perfect sense. Of course it does – because this is how the wolf bond works.

“And you think this warrants an organized search effort?” asks Gage. “Why not just send a small team?”

“Based on the intel they’ve gathered, we could be dealing with an organized crime ring. We need to act fast and be prepared for anything,” says Jagger.

“What makes you think this?” asks Tyson, one of the senior beta council members.

I lean forward, my elbows resting on the table. “When Edirn and I were in Sweetwaters, we noticed a lot of suspicious activity. Bikers at the bar, truckers at the lot. It felt off.”

“Off in what way?” Another voice asks. Sharp, intelligent eyes fix on me. Kieran Dale is one of the younger members of the beta council, but he earned his place there with his sharp mind and astute insights.

“We were pretty sure that they weren’t as informal as they seemed,” I tell him. “Edirn felt we were onto something big. A wolf-human alliance.”

There’s an intake of breath from around the table.

“Then we should certainly be prepared,” says Kieran.

Jagger nods, his gaze meeting mine before moving away. “Exactly. We can’t take any chances. Gage, Callum, I want you with me. We’ll take Tarkin and a few others as backup.”

Gage’s jaw clenches as he nods. “We’ll be ready. Just give the word.”

“Good.” Jagger’s eyes sweep over the room. “We move fast, and we move smart. This isn’t just a rescue mission. It’s a fact-finding operation. We need to know what we’re up against.”

Callum leans back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest. “Agreed. We go in with our eyes open and our guard up.”

The others murmur their assent, the tension in the room strung taut as a bowstring. I can feel my own heart racing at the prospect of getting out there.

Jagger straightens, his expression hardening. “Gear up. We leave in ten.”

As the others rise from their seats, I catch Jagger’s eye. He gives me a small nod, a silent acknowledgment of the gravity of the situation. I nod back, my resolve strengthening.

“I’ll get my gear and take up the rear,” I tell him, about to head out after the others.

Jagger puts a hand on my arm, stopping me. “No can do, Stone. I need you back here,” he says with an air of finality.

I stare at him. “What? You can’t be serious?”

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