Page 45 of Ruthless Reign

"If it wasn't for Cade spying on us," I finish.

Cade smiles, but this time, it's more genuine—not taunting. "See—life has a funny way of working out."

"Don't push it," Maverick shoots back.

"So, what do we do now?" I ask, directing the question to Alpha Daxton.

He's probably the most logical of the group, the least attached to the situation—which is weird because five minutes ago I would have given that title to Alpha Wyatt.

"I think we need to pay them a visit," he says. "We can detour that way tomorrow back to Shadow Creek. In the meantime, as forthissituation," he nods toward me, Cade, Lex, and Maverick. "Stevens is correct. It's her decision. And you all need to respect that."

Chapter Eighteen

Maverick

We stand at the edge of Wyatt's territory. After departing from Silverpine Meadows with an additional half-dozen wolves, including that smug bastard, we decided to go through Wyatt's land for safety measures.

I can't say I'm thrilled about any of this. Firstly, the idea that I may have to accept that blue-eyed, comical asshole is nauseating. Secondly, I hate the fact that Nyx needs to tag along to confront Orson and his pack.

When Cade filled us in more about the wolves stalking Daxton's pack, I was shockingly not surprised. As much as I despise the New Moon Pack, they haven't given any reason—except for their recent actions—for us to suspect that he was lying. However, from what Wyatt has said about Orson, that man is a ticking time bomb.

Personally, I've had no interactions with him. Daxton had briefly spoken to him last time we traveled, to seek permission for us to enter his territory when we were hunting down the witch and lone wolf. When they gave permission, none of usquestioned it. And we certainly didn't expect that they would use our travel to target us.

Given how much the Shadow Pack had endured, and that we were a bunch of alphas traveling away from home, I assumed that the attack on us was purely opportunistic. It's why we hadn't taken any of our other pack members except for the betas. Not every pack has good intentions. Some, if they see leaders away from their territory, will try to capitalize on it. Afterall, what alpha wouldn't love to take over new land and possibly a pack?

I'm furious that none of us saw this coming. For me, I blame my own distractions. I've been entirely focused on Nyx, and the disappearances of other packs, to start investigating potential culprits. Especially since we knew it was orchestrated by the celestial higher beings. Still, we had specifically discussed that it was possible that the disappearances were the result of negative behaviors from packs. We had just started looking into the White Pack's history, trying to figure out why they vanished first.

It was obvious that things escalated when packs took it upon themselves to start sending hunters out. But never once did we stop and really consider who was doing the hunting. It was our weakness—the loophole. And now, we're here.

Eventually, we'll also need to deal with Nyx's situation. I'm completely bewildered that every time she meets a damn new alpha, she somehow collects a new mate. How many more are there? I'm tempted to kill Cade, if not for the thought that perhaps she's done… and if I end his miserable existence, she may get issued a replacement mate.

I've spent our entire trip running through all the alphas, ticking off those who have a luna already. Thankfully, Cade appeared to be the last mate-less one.

"What's the plan?" Lex asks.

I look down our horizontal line of alphas, while our packs linger behind us waiting for orders. "We can't go rushing in. The best thing we can do is act friendly."

"I agree," Daxton chimes in. "Even with all of us, we're still outnumbered if things go south."

"Surely, they wouldn't make a move though," Nyx says quietly, but there's uncertainty in her tone.

Next to me, Wyatt shrugs. "Orson is a wildcard. It's hard to say what he has planned. But we want to catch them off-guard. Kill them with kindness, so to speak."

I can't help but notice that Cade lingers close to Nyx, eyes constantly on her. The further we ventured away from Silverpine Meadows, the stronger her heat scent grew. But before we left, I saw a woman hand her a vial of liquid, and that witch told Cade that she had cast a mask over us that would hold off any uncontrollable urges.

Even though her heat is largely covered, I still want to take her—mostly to piss off Cade. I can see the way he looks at her, his acceptance of the shared situation. However, I do not hold the same mentality. It was bad enough having to deal with Lex, but we have an unspoken truce in place now.

The difference between the two of them though is Lex was respectful. Even when Nyx and I slipped up, accidentally fucking on more than one occasion, he controlled himself. Despite the mess we have found ourselves in, Lex rose above the tension, which I respect and admire. This asshole seems to take pleasure in creating chaos.

Eventually, we're going to have to make a decision. Even though that decision is solely in Nyx's hands, I know she'll be taking myself and Lex into consideration.

And fuck it. I know I was hesitant to have a mate, my own past hindering my ability to move forward, but I've changed my mind. If I'm being honest with myself, that changed long ago—but it's cemented now that this bastard is trying to weasel his way in.

I'm disappointed that we didn't end up fighting. I would have loved to have gotten my hands on him—maybe I still can. Accidents do happen, after all…

"We shouldn't approach in such a large number," Lex says, looking at the group behind us. "It's intimidating, even if we don't intend it to be so."

I couldn't give a single fuck if Orson finds us intimidating. The others might be trying to take a cordial approach, but I'm still overly conscious of the fact they came onto Daxton's territory, murdering one of his own. And judging by his expression, he feels the same.

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