Page 61 of The Renegade Mate

I opened my mouth, but before I could respond, another figure arrived. Henry, also in human form, and he was about as mad as I was.

“Tucker, you’re in deep shit! You’re supposed to be back at the Alpha House!” Henry snapped, his eyes locked on his brother.

I turned to Henry. “What happened?”

“We’re supposed to lie low at home. They’re ready for an attack on the Alpha House, just in case this is a trick. I know you talked to my dad about this. But bright spark over here snuck out. I saw him escape from the top-floor window. I knew the others wouldn’t be able to track him. Only my parents, Shya, and I have been able to catch him since he was four. I followed him here, and I intend to drag his sorry ass back home.”

The situation was spiraling, the appearance of Tucker and Henry complicating our mission, adding a layer of risk that we didn’t need. My mind raced, weighing the options, calculating the best course of action.

I glared at Tucker, my voice cutting like a knife. “You’ve put us all at risk. What if you were caught by Tristan? He would kill you without a second thought. You led your brother here. Henry could have been taken instead of you, Tucker. I get that you want to help, but you’ll help by keeping yourself and your brother safe and making sure the rest of us don’t have to worry about you. Henry, take him back to the Alpha House. Now. Derek, go with them. Make sure they get back okay.”

I could see the protest in Tucker’s eyes, the desire to argue, to fight for his place here. Then he hung his head low. “I just wanted to help.”

“I don—”

I stopped talking. A sound at the edge of my hearing stopped me. A distant rumble, growing louder, the unmistakable sound of the convoy approaching.

Fuck!

The plan changed in an instant. There was no time for Tucker and Henry to leave, no time for anything but action.

“Henry, protect Tucker. Do not let him out of your sight. Tucker, you will stay here, right here, you understand? You will not move, you will not twitch a tail until I come back, no matter what happens, no matter what you hear.”

Tucker looked up at me, his eyes wide.

“I’ll look after him,” promised Henry as he grabbed his brother and forced him to sit down. Fuck, Henry was barely more than a child himself.

There was nothing for it. If we wanted to save Michael, Camille, and Shya, we had to act now.

Chapter thirty-seven

Ryan

Derek, Mason, and I sprang into action, our bodies moving with a purpose honed through years of training. I motioned to Ivan and the Bridgetown Pack to circle in from the west, and they set off, a shadowy force moving quickly and stealthily through the forest.

My brothers and I came from the east just as the convoy halted, the car engines dying. The sudden silence reverberated through the forest. A moment passed, then another. The tension in the air was a tangible thing, a force that pressed down on us, urging us into action.

I watched Danni get out of the first car with Ethan. Danni’s hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, and she moved with a grace that was deceptive, a fluidity that hinted at a power and explosiveness she could unleash in an instant. As she moved closer to the truck, her nose twitched, scenting the air, searching for any sign of the enemy. Her hands were steady, her movements controlled. Every part of her screamed competence and readiness.

She approached the truck alongside Ethan, and I could see them exchanging a quick, knowing glance. They were ready, and so were we. The trap was set, and we just had to spring it. It was vital that we made sure we had all of Tristan’s men, made sure there were no extra surprises for us waiting in the shadows.

I glanced at our team, checking we were all in place, when Tristan’s men exploded into action. I caught sight of Danni and Ethan, both prepared for the attack. Three of Tristan’s men lunged at them, their movements coordinated and fast. They were a well-trained team, and Danni and Ethan would have their work cut out.

I sprinted forward with Derek and Mason, heading to intercept the attackers.

Ethan blocked a blow with his arm, then spun and landed a kick to his assailant’s chest. Danni was right beside him, her movements swift and deadly. They fought back-to-back, the sound of fists and feet hitting flesh filling the air. I reached the fray just as one of the attackers leaped at Danni. I tackled him, my shoulder slamming into his midsection, and we both went down. The impact jarred, but I rolled to my feet and kicked his face just as he was getting up.

I blinked as Mason jumped on two attackers, his claws and teeth doing significant damage. His movements were savage and powerful, leaving his attackers no time to defend themselves. Derek’s jaws closed around the throat of another man, ripping it out. The man went down in a spray of blood.

To my right, Danni knocked out a man with a roundhouse kick to his head.

She grinned at me, her eyes shining with adrenaline.

“That was fun,” she said.

I couldn’t help but grin back at her. Then I noticed the car. It was the third car out of the convoy of five. That’s where Michael and Camille were supposed to be, and four of Tristan’s men were heading straight for it.

The men approached the car, their faces set in grim lines, weapons at the ready. My legs were already moving, and I knew Derek and Mason were right behind me.

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