Page 80 of Understanding Fate

War has always been inevitable.

We just need to make it until the LLC no longer has us blacklisted, and then we can utilize our allies without them being afraid of legal ramifications.

We can hold our own for two more days.

Flying out of my territory, even to sort things out, leaves a bad taste in my mouth, and I’m struggling with the idea of leaving my pack vulnerable.

Would he attack while I’m gone?

Of course, he would.

What better time to launch an assault than when he knows both myself and Cain are out of the area, so there are two fewer Alphas he’d need to defeat?

In terms of war strategizing, it's a solid plan for him, so I need to find a way to ensure their safety.

The light knock on my door pulls my attention, and I see Quinn standing there.

“Mr. Healy is here,” she says, pointing to the waiting area. “Are you ready for him?”

“Yes, please, send him in, and Quinn, can you contact Noah and let him know we have an appeal date? I’ll forward you the information for my calendar as well,” I ask, closing a few of the documents on my screens as David walks in.

“I appreciate you coming in so quickly, David,” I say, extending my hand to invite him to sit.

“No problem at all, Alpha Stone. Your assistant said you needed some information about Luca Amato,” he says as he sits.

“Yes, recent events have led to some turbulence between the Reno Pack and ourselves. We believe an attack is likely in the next few days, and I was wondering if you had any information about what resources the Miami pack may be able to supplythem,” I say, not wanting to be too open about our position but also needing very specific intel from him.

“Well, I’m not sure how useful I can be. We were only officially part of the pack for a few months, and neither of us had wolves strong enough to be of interest to them. Had I not,” he pauses, looking at the floor momentarily before clearing his throat and continuing. “Hmph, had I not gotten mixed up with my debts, I don’t know that I would have ever had a conversation with him outside of our recruitment.”

David fidgets in his seat, obviously embarrassed about the whole situation and his role in it.

“I understand, David, and I’m not here to judge you, but anything you could tell me would help,” I urge, hoping he can remember something.

“I know they handle a lot of the drug trade in the area, and while they had me detained, I heard one of the enforcers talking about a shipment they were receiving. Something about a new development in one of their internal projects. I don’t remember its name, but he said it was like steroids, but it was for your wolf. I guess Amato had been testing it on his enforcers, and it was enhancing them,” he says, his voice gaining enthusiasm as he speaks.

A steroid drug for wolves?

Fucking perfect.

Super soldiers.

If they were testing them on their own pack, I have no doubt that by now, they could be shipping them to other packs, including Reno.

“Did you hear anything about the new development in that drug or any details? Side effects? Duration?” I question, trying to keep my voice even despite the dread creeping through me.

“Sorry, nothing about that. He just kept complaining that it wore off too quickly, and he hoped they found a way to make it permanent,” he said, shrugging.

“Ok. Thank you. Anything else you remember? How many wolves they have or technology?” I probe.

“At my recruitment into the pack, I was pack member 45, 804. I’d never heard of a pack having so many, and I remember saying so. One of the other recruits mentioned the pack was only about a third that size, probably close to 18,000 active wolves. So I’d guess they could send thousands.” he says, frowning.

Thousands?

Thousands of drugged-up super soldiers.

Could it get any worse?

He stands, signifying the end of the information he has to offer.