Page 73 of His to Possess

I heard the slam of several doors, the thudding sound of heavy bodies moving toward the group of people. I had no way of knowing how many there were, but I could assume by the number of vehicles there were at least twenty, maybe more.

“What the hell is so important, Stone?” one of the newcomers demanded.

“Take it easy, Carter. There is a legitimate reason we need to work together,” Stone answered.

I realized that Stone was the name of person Max had told me about who he’d questioned. Now I was confused as hell.

“What in the fuck is going on here, Gregor?” another voice asked, snarling in an animalistic manner.

“Look, we have to work together, Josh,” Gregor answered.

“Yeah, well, what about the fucking laws?” Josh hissed.

“Fuck the laws,” Max stated in a dominating tone. “I’m now alpha. Our two packs are working together in order to catch the killer and figure out why our community has a target on its back. No one is going to destroy our way of life or challenge everything we’ve built. No one.”

There was a moment of hushed silence before several of the men actually growled. I was beginning to think I’d dropped into some kind of a nightmare. My hands were sweaty, my pulse racing, and I knew I was way in over my head.

“You speak of taking control, Maximillian, but you betrayed your own people,” another new voice piped in. I heard the murmurs of approval, the tension palpable. “And your father isn’t dead.”

“My father had mandated that I take control and I never betrayed our people. You all know I would die to protect us,” Max answered. I heard such sincerity in his voice, yet his entire being was riddled with angst.

“I believe him,” Gregor stated clearly. “He wants the best for the packs, both of them.”

“I agree and stand with him,” Stone said, and I could swear he tipped his head back and howled.

A chill swept through me, forcing bile into my throat.

The same ugly snarls and grunts permeated the dense forest. Who were these people?

“You’re certain, Gregor?” Josh finally asked.

“Absolutely. We work together and we follow our alpha. The council has spoken, approving the hunt. We have a true traitor in our midst, a wolf attacking from all sides. We cannot allow that to happen.” Gregor’s tone was full of his own level of command. “I relinquish my control to Maximillian and ask that everyone here do the same. Nightwalkers, you are a part of us. You’ve always been.”

“Gregor is correct. The feud between our packs ends tonight. We hunt together. Do I have your alliance?” Max asked. I could feel his presence, his aura as if he was suddenly larger than life.

I shrank back even more, taking shallow breaths as the fear constricted around my throat like sharp claws.

“You have the full allegiance of the Nightwalkers. Anyone who disregards my acknowledgement or the allegiance that has set forth will pay penance. Am I clear?” Stone’s deep voice carried into the night sky.

“Yes.”

“Fine.”

The men mumbled, a few growls ensuing.

“What is the plan?” Stone asked.

“We search the woods and surrounding area for any sign. Josh, I need you to protect the body and the crime scene. Do not allow anyone to fuck with it.” Max shifted once again, obviously moving through the crowd of men.

“I can do that,” Josh answered. “Although I doubt the fucker will have the nerve to show his face here again. If this was a warning, then he will wait to see what we are going to do.”

Max exhaled. “Agreed.”

“What if we find this traitor?”

“Then we bring him to justice. Our way,” Max answered.

The roar within the group was more positive.

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