Page 105 of Scarred Savages
“This arrived today,” Hudson says, his voice unnaturally calm. “From Conrad.”
A dog collar. Pink leather with rhinestones, the name “Luna” embossed in glittering letters. Attached to it is a heavy metal chain leash.
“The entitled little prick,” Damien snarls, snatching up the collar. The chain rattles ominously. “I’ll rip his throat out.”
“There was a note,” Hudson continues, sliding a small card toward us.
I pick it up, my fingers stiff with growing rage as I read, “I’m coming for what’s mine. Have her ready. She’ll look perfect in this.”
I crush the card in my fist, my vision tinged with red. “That sick bastard.”
I’ve seen torn ligaments, broken spines, poison eating people from the inside, but I’ve never felt the same sickness in my gut as I do staring at that collar.
“He’s finally making his move,” Damien says, his voice tight with anger.
Hudson nods, his expression grim. “Still no news from the patrols at the borders. But both of you were right. The plan was always to apprehend him the moment he crossed into our territory,” Hudson says, pushing back from his desk. “He wouldn’t get anywhere near the compound or Luna. But this level of cockiness from Conrad—sending this right to our doorstep—suggests he either has a death wish or knows something we don’t.”
I exchange a look with Damien, momentarily united in our concern.
“You think we have a mole?” I ask.
Hudson’s jaw tightens. “I don’t know. But I’m not taking chances. Conrad’s smart. We all grew up together; he was always calculating and patient, more than we give him credit for. He wouldn’t make a move this bold without having an advantage.”
“Or he’s just that arrogant,” I say.
“Maybe,” Hudson concedes. “But you two were right. We can’t risk the tenants. We’re moving Luna to the lake house tonight.”
“The safe house?” I ask. “That’s smart. It’s smaller—fewer access points. Better visibility. And we won’t be putting the tenants in harm’s way.”
Hudson nods. “No one outside the pack knows about it. We’ll bring only men we trust and keep the compound heavily guarded, just in case.”
Damien finally drops into a chair. “What are we telling her?”
“The truth,” I say firmly. “She deserves to know what’s happening.”
“No,” Hudson corrects. “We tell her we’re going to the lake house for the summer.”
“And the enemy won’t know where we are,” Hudson adds. “It’ll also give us time to devise a better strategy than using Luna as a pawn.”
“Using her as bait was never acceptable; she’s a person with her own wounds, not a piece to be sacrificed,” I grumble. “When do we leave?”
“Tomorrow.” Hudson turns to Damien. “Problem?”
“Several.” Damien sneers. “But you’re the Alpha leader.”
The title seems to hang between them.
Damien is the stronger of the two, but he never wanted the responsibilities of being a leader.
Hudson rises slowly, his power filling the room. “Yes. I am.”
I nod my agreement, ignoring the flash of something unreadable in Damien’s eyes.
“Let Oli, Axel, and Luna know we are going to the lake house,” Hudson continues.
Damien stands up from his seat. “If we’re done playing happy families, I have work to do.”
He strides toward the door.
