Page 129 of Stolen By the Alpha Hunter
“We haven’t had a chance to talk about it, but yeah,” he says. “Before they dosed me with kraken, they met with an Angel named Uriel. It was spooky as hell—and Gideon was talking a big game about coming after the Austin pack.”
“But why?” Frankie cuts in, her British accent slicing through the warmth of the room. “They have resources, food, a whole pack out there. Why come after us?”
I gasp as the realization hits me. “Because they can’t have babies anymore. They’re dying. They want what we have here…family.”
Everyone goes silent for a moment, Tilda tapping her foot on the ground. She shakes her head as she considers what I’ve just said. “Well, shit…that means our omegas are going to be in more danger than ever.”
“Which is why we’re all going to learn how to fight,” I say.
Javi looks down at me, his brow furrowed.
“I can protect you,” he says.
“I know you can,” I reply, squeezing his bicep. “I mean—you’re huge, Iknowyou can protect us. But until we take care of the Gulf Pack, we need to make sure we’re not defenseless. Can you teach us?”
He nods. “Anything, Peach.”
“It’s a good idea,” Will pipes up. “This is the second time in six months that the pack has been threatened, and in this world…well, we all have to adapt.”
“Agreed,” Javi says.
“Which leads to my last question,” Reyes says. He leans forward and clasps his hands, looking Javi in the eye. “How exactly did you get past our perimeter fence and patrols without being detected?”
He exchanges a look with Boyd and is about to open his mouth to reply, but I cut him off. “Wolfsbane—isn’t that right?”
He nods, though he shows the hesitancy of a man protecting his trade secret. “Yeah…we’ve skirted around plenty of lycan that way. It dulls your instincts and makes it harder to shift, but it also masks your scent. Other lycan can’t sense you when you’re on it.”
“It’s how we spent three whole days together before we figured out we were fated,” I say. “The stuff is strong.”
“Where do you get it?” Will asks.
“Homestead,” Tilda says before anyone else can.
Javi raises an eyebrow. “You’ve dealt with them before?”
“They’re my blood,” she replies, mouth tightening. “My little sister still lives there, even though I’ve tried to get her out. If someone in Homestead is dealing, it means things are stirring there again.”
Reyes frowns. “That a problem?”
“It might be,” she says. “Homestead’s been quiet since we warned them off—but if the Angels are moving and the Gulf Pack’s regrouping? We’re gonna need allies.”
“There’s a crew out of New Mexico that might be worth talking to,” Boyd says, glancing around the table. “Tough, scrappy, and they hate the Host almost as much as you do. Soledad Vega runs point, and she doesn’t take shit from anyone.”
“I’ve heard of her,” Reyes mutters. “Runs a neutral zone near Roswell, right?”
Boyd nods. “Yeah, out on the old military base. Might be worth a visit.”
“I don’t like relying on might,” Tilda says. “But if Homestead’s trading wolfsbane and the Host is regrouping, then yeah—we’re gonna need backup. Real allies. Ones who bleed like we do.”
Will leans back in his chair, arms crossed. “Then it sounds like we’ve got our work cut out for us.”
Javi’s hand finds mine beneath the table and squeezes. He doesn’t say anything, but I feel it in the bond:whatever’s coming, we’ll face it together.
And this time?
We’ll be ready.
“And Javi?” Reyes locks eyes with him. “I trust that you’ll prioritize protecting our pack from now on. I’m putting my trust in you based on Peaches’ word. Don’t squander it.”
