Page 31 of Country and Clove
“She’s damn lucky her mate can teleport,” Lance added. The Beta looked weary and sleep-deprived.
“She is,” Gideon agreed. “Our usual course of action would be to send Aaron’s people out to secure the barrier as a unit, but considering how new they are to the program, we’ll be using one of Lucas’s search and rescue teams instead.”
The air shimmered and Lark appeared in the heart of the room. Aaron’s lip curled back instinctively. Lucas clasped his shoulder and lowered his voice.
“Now is not the time, mate.” Lucas squeezed him more firmly and Aaron took a steadying breath.
“I’ll head the team myself,” Aaron quickly offered. “I’ve dealt with the wraiths before and I’m familiar with most of the lycans under Lucas’s command.” All eyes turned to him and the weight of their combined looks made his stomach flip-flop.
“Fine, but Lark is coming with you. Having a teleporter on hand could mean the difference between life and death out there and I won’t ask Romani to leave Leah’s side right now.”
Aaron’s eyes locked with Lark’s. The unnatural shifting colors made his skin crawl.
“Is that going to be a problem?” Gideon growled out from behind his desk.
“No, sir.” Aaron hated Lark, but his loyalty was to his packmates. If there were even the smallest chance that Lark could prevent another disaster like the one that took Aaron’s team, he would be foolish to deny the other man’s help.
Lucas was on the phone, enacting one of his emergency protocols. The lycans in his squad were exceptionally trained, many by Aaron himself. Despite the fact that it was the middle of the night, all thirty men and women were dressed, armed, and waiting for Aaron within fifteen minutes of receiving their orders.
Aaron paced in front of them, forcefully shoving down the haunting accusations of his past. Things would be different this time. Lark took up a place by his side and dropped his voice low enough for Aaron’s ears alone.
“I’m here with you.” Lark’s voice was calm and his eyes fixed on Aaron’s.
“Thank you,” was all Aaron could offer back. He didn’t like Lark, but he couldn’t deny he felt safer with the Celestial wolf as part of the patrol.
He addressed the group, his tone commanding and firm. “A Veil Wraith has been spotted on our perimeter. We have no way of knowing whether the creature is still lurking in the forest or if it has fled. We move as a unit. No one ventures off alone. Is that understood?”
“Yes, sir,” they responded in disciplined unison.
“Let’s move out.” Aaron took the lead with Lark close by his side. He prayed to the moon, the stars, and every god and goddess to ever rule the wolves beneath their skin.Please don’t let me lose anyone else.
* * *
The group patrolled well into the morning hours without a single sighting of the wraith. It left Aaron feeling wary and guarded. The inner circle, minus Leah and Romani, huddled around the conference table.
“If the attacks are starting up again, we need to push securing allies to the top of our list of priorities.” Gideon rubbed his temples as he ran his eyes over the list of packs that had been presented as options.
Lance handed Gideon another coffee. “The main issue we’re running into is that the packs are afraid of the Veil creatures. They’ve heard of our casualties here and don’t want to risk their pack members’ lives for a battle they don’t even feel concerns them,” Lance added.
“So we need to find a fearless pack who’s unafraid to run headfirst into a battle where they’re fighting nightmare creatures that steal souls and suck people’s blood. Perfect.” Lucas kicked a nearby chair. His frustration was echoed by the rest of the group. Aaron was deep in thought when he felt eyes settle his way. He looked up to find Gideon with a serious-as-hell expression pinned on him.
“Aaron.” He hesitated a moment. “What about your old pack in Texas? From what I’ve heard they’re just the type of wild, ruthless lycans who would be willing to join in on something this crazy.”
Aaron stilled as Gideon’s words sank in. “I haven’t had any communication with them since I transferred packs.” His pulse was ticking with anxiety.
“But you still have family there?” Gideon pressed. Aaron nodded. “And you agree they just may be the wild kind of allies we need?”
Aaron didn’t answer right away. Everything had changed since he left that horrible pack. New Alpha, new Beta. Things had been at their darkest when he left. Of course he’d heard the rumors of the new Alpha and how much better things were. “It’s possible.”
“All we need is possible right now,” Gideon replied hopefully. “You’ll head there today, and do whatever it takes to convince them to join our cause.”
“Today?” Aaron almost choked. He didn’t know if he could face them after everything that had happened.
“Today.” Gideon’s Alpha tone left no room for negotiation. “Lucas will secure a small team to accompany you.”
“Wait. The Alpha isn’t going to take kindly to a group of foreign lycans encroaching on their territory.”
“We’ll keep it small then. Lucas, find me two capable lycans who fit the needs of this mission.” Gideon seemed almost giddy as he gave out orders.
