Page 65 of Spike

Deep down, I couldn't shake the crushing weight of guilt gnawing at my insides.

I should have been there, watching over Gray, protecting him from harm. But now, all I could do was focus on finding him and bringing him back home where he belonged.

Half an hour later, we gathered in the MC clubhouse. I had a feeling the meeting would be brief.

What had started as a simple act of protecting Gray from Jack's advances had now snowballed into something far more complex.

"It's safe to assume that Jack has disposed of Olaf and taken control of the Blue Vale Valley wolf pack," Venom said, his tone grave.

Nitro's brows furrowed with concern. "Does that mean the wolves are no longer on our side?" he asked.

Venom nodded solemnly, his expression unreadable. The news clearly affected him more than he let on; Olaf had been more than just an ally, he had been a friend.

"So, what's the plan?" I interjected. "Because with or without backup, I will rescue my mate, no matter what."

Nitro shot me a wary glance, but I could see the unwavering loyalty in his eyes. Whatever the outcome of this meeting, I knew he'd stand by my side through it all.

"Spike, you know I'll stand by your side, no matter what," Nitro began. “But how are we going to deal with the dragon?”

His words struck a chord within me, momentarily halting my single-minded determination to rescue Gray at any cost.

I opened my mouth to dismiss his worries, to declare that nothing mattered more to me than getting Gray back safely.

But then, a wave of guilt washed over me as I considered Nitro's own circumstances.

What about Tommy, his mate? While I was fixated on retrieving Gray, I hadn't even stopped to think about Nitro's obligations and responsibilities to his own partner.

What kind of friend was I, to expect Nitro to join me on what could very well be a suicide mission, without considering the impact on his own life?

The realization hit me hard, stirring a sense of self-reproach within me. If our positions were reversed, Nitro wouldn't even think to include me in such a mission.

My thoughts wandered, drifting to memories of Austin, who I had lost thanks to my own recklessness.

The pain of that loss resurfaced, a bitter reminder of the consequences of my impulsive actions.

Was I doomed to repeat the same mistakes, endangering those I cared about in pursuit of my own objectives?

"Spike, you'll lead a small team into Blue Vale Valley," Venom declared, his voice steady despite the tension in the room.

Venom's unexpected decision to assign me a leadership role caught me off guard.

"Nitro, did losing Olaf affect your sensibility?" Nitro's boldness surprised me, but I held back a smile.

He wasn't afraid to question authority, even in dire circumstances. Venom's response was sharp, a warning growl underlining his words.

But there was something in Venom's eyes that told me Nitro was mistaken. Venom hadn't lost his grip on reality; he was still the strategic leader we needed.

"I don't intend to send any of my bears to meaningless deaths," Venom retorted, his tone firm.

Venom continued, “Colin is on his way to Sky Stead this instant. He and his uncle will also be heading to Blue Vale Valley. They'll handle the dragon. Spike, you focus on Jack."

A surge of anticipation coursed through me, and I cracked my knuckles in readiness.

"Now we're talking," I responded eagerly.

While I had initially hesitated about involving Colin in our plans, because this wasn’t his fight, the inclusion of Colin's powerful uncle changed the game.

With the two of them on our side, Jack’s trump card could be neutralized. Did we have an unfair advantage? Maybe, but Jack never played fair even in the beginning.

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