Page 44 of Spike

"Blue Vale Valley," Venom replied evenly.

The mention of that name ignited a firestorm of anger inside me. I couldn't contain it. I lost all reason.

"Venom, Jack Roth just sent mercenaries to kidnap my mate. And you're still providing weapons to Olaf's pack?" I demanded, my voice sharp with frustration. "What's wrong with you? Unless, of course, you don't believe me. You still think I took Gray from Roth?"

My words came out bitter, laced with a desperation I couldn't hide. I wished Gray was here, his calming presence a balm to my frayed nerves.

Despite promising Nitro I wouldn't do anything rash, all bets were off now. Venom calmly lit another cigarette, his demeanor unwavering.

"You need to do something about your temper, Spike. I'm sure your mate won't want to see you like this," he remarked casually.

His words cut through my anger, forcing me to pause and reconsider. Venom called Gray my mate, which meant…

"You believe me?” I asked, surprised by the shift in his tone.

Venom scoffed, but there was a hint of understanding in his eyes.

"Wait, so why are you sending Nitro and me back there?" I pressed, needing answers.

Venom remained silent for a moment, his gaze distant. As my head cleared, the pieces of the puzzle started to fall into place. Nitro was right, I really should think before I acted.

"Delivering a fresh cache of weapons... that's just a front, isn't it?" I ventured.

"I want to know what's going on with that pack," Venom admitted finally.

"The Olaf I knew wouldn't let something like this happen. He wouldn't risk jeopardizing our business relationship. And if it came to a war between our groups..." Venom trailed off, leaving the implication hanging in the air.

We both understood the consequences. If tensions escalated, the MC would come out on top, and Venom knew it.

"Then Nitro and I will gladly do it," I affirmed. "I'm sure you won't complain if I accidentally off Jack Roth in the process."

"If he's causing friction between our two groups, no one would miss his absence," Venom confirmed.

Well then, that was all I needed to know. It was then I remembered something important.

"Venom, there was something interesting that the mercenary I just ended said," I began.

"What's that?" Venom prompted.

"He implied he and his partner were forced to accept this job because Roth had some kind of monster, or maybe he's the monster himself, but I can't imagine other alpha shifters quaking in their boots at the sight of him," I pointed out.

"Something is definitely going on with the Blue Vale Valley wolf pack," Venom concluded. “Find out what it is and Spike? Try not to cause any additional problems while you’re there.”

“Nitro and I will do our best,” I promised.

13

GRAY

As I stood behind the grill, flipping burgers and trying to focus on my work, my mind kept wandering to the evening ahead.

Tonight was the night of my date with Spike, and I couldn't shake off the nervous jitters that had been building up inside me all day.

Lost in my thoughts, I wasn't paying enough attention to what I was doing.

Suddenly, I felt a searing pain shoot through my left hand, and I yelped in surprise.

I had accidentally touched the hot grill, burning my hand in the process.

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