Chapter 171
Be Prepared.
Thane
“Where are we on the pack interviews?” 1, Little Wolf, Damon, Tyler, Cyrus and the newly added Raven set around a table in the war room to brainstorm and update each other on the progress of our investigations or lack thereof.
“ Pack interviews are happening. There isn’t any way to speed the interviewing process up when we don’t know who to trust to bring into the fold.” Damon leans back in chis chair with his chin in his hand.
“Anything suspicious or anyone uncooperative at this point?” I question as I rub my thumb over the back of Ayla’s hand
“No,” he sighs, exhaustion evident on his face. On all our faces, actually.
“How are we combing through the transfer and discharge files p>
“Nothing yet.” Tyler speaks up as he scours through computer files.
“Pick up anything with the bomb?” I turn to Cyrus, but I already know the answer judging by how tense he is.
“Begular black powder. No hidden treasures within it. We couldn’t pick up the smell either. So not a damn thing. You sure this is an inside job?” That question has been bouncing around in my head all morning.
“Let, talk it through.” I start. “I was poisoned and almost died.” I feel Little Wolf tense at the reminder next to me and I send some love down the band to her. “Video shows a generic looking shifter. Fake name, new pack transfer. Follow–up showed that was fake as well
“Outside enemy. Could be hundreds of shifters in our line of work.” Damon answers.
“O: Rogues.” Tyler states while his fingers fly over his keyboard rapidly.
“No rogue smell noted.” Cyrus reminds them.
“Insider could have hired an outsider.” Damon interjects.
“Still could be an outsider. Cyrus volleys back.
“A bomb was found in my car, undetonated.” I give Little Wolf’s hand a squeeze.
“Nothing traceable. Not a single store remembers selling t the parts necessary
fot
it at one
me time
wway.” Damon reminds us. anyway p>
“ Could have been purchased outside of the park and brought in.” Cyrus speaks up.
“The ting knows who we have and where we are.” I remind them all
“Do we operate under the assumption that it is them until we know different?” Damon asks a valid question.
“They have helicopters and compounds. I don’t think they would screw up detonating a bombs or a poisoning Tyler interjects.
“They would’ve been successful with the poisoning if it wasn’t for Ayla. They didn’t plan on that or maybe didn’t even understand why it happened. Maybe they panicked after that and threw a bomb together incorrectly, took time off to study and then tried again.” Raven speaks up and I’m glad Cyrus took the time to get her up to speed.
“Insider or outsider could have costly found out the poison was unsuccessful.” Cyrus answers her more pleasantly than he does his brothers. I’m
Under working with the ring or maybe insider reached out to the ring Tyler suggests.
“I can see the two working together, but it is a stretch for me to do that. We continued to bounce around wh
what we know and theories when I gat this scratching feeling deep in my gut. An idea or more of a bunch I need to explore, but I’m not sure that I want to.
“We never found out how my sister was abducted. The room goes silent as I run through my conversation with Ayla before coming here. “She never left the pack. She was a teenager living at home. The files at the time showed no transfers or discharges for over seven months prior and
that year that did transfer had solid alibus of were elderly wolves. She wouldn’t have put herself in an unsafe situation for fear of me alone.
Be Prepared
She had no hoyfriends. Her devices were clean. She disappeared.” Now it’s Little Woll’s turn to comfort me through the bond.
“Inside job,” Cyrus speaks up. The pain in his eyes is evident as well.
“Insule job with connections to the ring.” Damon finishes what we are all thinking
“I think we have our answer.” I finish, the realization of a traitor amongst us is one thing, hut a betrayal this deep, Unfathomable, “A traitor from before I was alpha. My guess is tied to the old hela as well. They nodded in agreement around the table.
“ So, we are looking for one of us and we don’t know who.” Tyler stops typing, disappointment written all over his features.
“New plan. Comb through the files of the last few years of my father’s rein. Who left, who came in. Cross reference with known members of the
betas circle p>
“I think you killed everyone involved, Thane.” Cyrus reminds nie.
“Evidently not.” I run my hand through my hair and look over at Ayla. She looks a thousand percent better than she did this morning.
and
“I think we are finished here. Continue the interviews anyway but stop the transfers and discharge file combing. Ayla d I are going to visit the (families of those we lost and then we are going to the clinic to talk with those who are injured. After that, we must look at the ground for the
new potential heat clinic…
“You’re welcome.” Cyrus interrupts.
“Piss of Cyrus.” I stand and take Ayla’s hand leading her out of the war room.
“You sure you are ready for this?” I turn to her in the elevator, studying her features for any hint that we need to change our plans.
“I’m sure. I’m the pack Luna; I should be able to talk to them and grieve with them. They need to know we support them.” Little Wolf explains, but that wasn’t what I was referring to exactly.
“I meant Monica’s family. Are you sure we should be going there right now p>
Yes. The same applies to them as well. I can do it.” I pull her close to me and place a kiss on top of her head. Of course she can do it. She’s the strongest shifter I know.
“They know we are coming, but we can leave at any time. We also need to plan a public ceremony and get some
things from each family to display. Either we come back to get those things or send someone else.” I led her to the car and helped her in it. I notice her seatbelt sitting differently now that she is starting to show and it makes me smile with pride.
“Do you want to go to her parent’s house first?” I ask as we pulled out of the parking lot.
“No” she whispers, and I nod to her that I understood.
“Maybe saving it for last would work better.” I suggest and she nods.
“Yeal, I don’t want to be a snotty, blubbering mess and then go to another family afterwards. I’m going to try to hold it together though.” Ayla watches out the window as 1 head toward the pack. The closer we get the more I find myself dreading the interactions to come.
“I don’t know what kind of interactions we will have Ayla. I want you to be prepared p>
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.