Page 33 of Advocate Omega (Unforeseen Paths #1)

Lucan

Wolves always look out for their own.

It’s a simple truth that should apply to everyone, but things that should be are often not.

Someone alerted the Terra Clan that we were coming. Our small entourage is met with a roadblock heading into town. I ease off the gas, slowing down before the row of spikes across the concrete shreds our tires. The three vehicles behind me follow suit.

This isn’t the only way into the town, but it’s the most direct. Admittedly, I wasn’t expecting anyone to know. That was my mistake—having faith that everyone aware of our plans would remain loyal.

Putting my truck into park, I check the rear view mirror, and then the side ones.

Terra wolves aren’t isolated by any means, and folk from all over travel through their territory.

Wealth and their likelihood to look the other way make this a hub for all kinds of sick individuals.

Since I know this and everyone behind me does as well, we are on high alert at the severe lack of traffic.

Not a single car or person is in sight.

Only the tall trees bordering the highway, the pop of buildings at the end of it, and an occasional fallen leaf floating over the asphalt make up our surroundings. My hackles instantly rise as I unbuckle myself and press my finger to my lips.

Zander sniffs the air, his little canines pricking his bottom lip in worry.

What was I thinking bringing him along? Sure, he would have put up a fight, argued and whined, but it would’ve been for the best. There might be a rat in the Kato clan, but Gabe would never allow anything to happen to his friend, that I’m sure of.

Gods, I never should have let him come with us. Never should’ve risked the unknown like this.

Terra wolves could be anywhere, using whatever methods they have of masking their scents.

An attack could happen at any moment, and Zander is here.

I’m tempted to turn back, to take him somewhere far away.

He’s my mate, the other half of my soul.

In my desperation to fulfil his every desire, I’ve knowingly put him in harm’s way.

That is not what an alpha is meant to do.

“Luc,” Zander whines, reaching over the console to clutch my arm.

“Shh,” I command and gesture for him to stay put.

His eyes grow wider, those blue irises locked on my moving form. “ Don’t go ,” he mouths, his fingers slipping from my bicep.

I shake my head and exit the truck. The need to reassure him is strong.

To hold him and pet him, but now isn’t the time.

A handful of wolves leave their vehicles as well, all of us trying to locate the threat.

I should be able to hear their hearts, taste the salt in the air from their sweat.

Something is fucking wrong. One of the Kato alphas approaches me, Arlo, and jerks his chin towards the trees.

“Too much mud.”

He’s right. It’s thick and pungent. Since there wasn’t any rain recently, we shouldn’t be able to smell it so strongly.

Which means wolves are hiding out there like cowards, waiting for the moment to strike.

They must have some spell on the grounds to hide their presence, too.

My instincts go haywire, every fiber of my being demanding we get the fuck out of here.

But it’s too late, and my need to investigate has damned us all.

As if the fates themselves deign to highlight my lethal error, Zander appears at my side, having snuck out of my truck.

I whip around, ready to scold him for disobeying, when a high-pitched whistle rips through the sound barrier.

I hurry to shield him with my body just as white-hot pain jolts my system.

I jerk forward, my left shoulder crashing into my truck.

“Luc!”

My vision immediately blurs. A metallic tang is coating my tongue and a sizzle in my veins.

What the fuck hit me?

I peer down at my shoulder, palming the spot where it hurts, and find a small silver projectile wedged into the muscle. I pull it out before crushing it under the heel of my boot. Wobbling a bit, I slam my hand into the side panel for support and growl. “Get back in the truck.”

Zander searches the trees, his nostrils flaring. “They’re coming.”

I’m seeing fucking double already. Whatever was in that projectile works fast. Before I can even open my mouth to tell him again , howls sound off behind us, followed by the crashing of bodies into steel.

I don’t waste any more time. Grabbing his wrist, I push through the fog trying to overtake me, and guide him to the other side of the truck.

We crouch down, battle cries and the scent of blood circle around us.

Sliding his hand through mine, Zander tugs on me and nods towards the trees.

It isn’t the smartest decision considering my legs are already turning gelatinous beneath me, but I dip my chin in agreement.

He counts down from three on his fingers, and then we run.

It’s like trying to sprint through slime; my feet don’t cooperate.

Howls acknowledging our escape echo through the trees.

I’m not getting far, I know it, and so does Zander.

“Luc, come on!”

Every step I take feels slower than the last. Fuck. “Baby,” I urge, hiding us between some thick trunks. “You have to leave me behind.”

His eyes flare with defiance and hurt. “Absolutely not.”

“ Do it ,” I growl, palming at my shoulder. The blood coagulating there is turning colors and reeks of poison.

“I’m not leaving you.”

Even my heart has stopped beating as quickly. I shake my head, determined not to pass out before he gets away, and cup his cheek. “Go back to Gabe, tell him what happened.”

“No!”

“Zander,” I boom, pushing all of my authority into my voice. He whimpers, knowing what I’m about to do.

“ Please . Please don’t do this to me.”

Leaves crunch, twigs snap. They’re not far. I swallow the lump in my throat, push aside the promise I made never to make him do what he didn’t want to, and make him obey. “Shift into your wolf and run . Do not stop until you get to Gabe, and do not come for me.”

A guttural sob explodes from him as he fights the command and kisses me hard and fast. “I’m coming back.”

I slump against the trunk, struggle to keep my eyes on him. “Precious, go.”

With a howl that rattles my fucking bones, he shifts, shedding his mortal skin and taking his true form.

A white wolf with starlight glittering through his pelt.

Those sky-blue eyes become engulfed by his pupils, and then he runs.

The last thing I see is the fluff of his tail disappearing between the trees.

Metal restrains my wrists above my head, a heavy chain coils around my throat, and a cold sweat coats my skin.

I stifle a groan and peel open my defiant eyes.

At first, it’s all fog and shades. I blink, smack my dry lips, and try again.

Grey walls, stone floor, and the scent of piss and blood tell me all I need to know.

This is a prison cell. I’m still too weak, barely able to wiggle my fingers, but I take in my surroundings anyway.

A few of the Kato wolves are chained up in here with me. One of them is dead. Iris, I believe her name is, a beta who was eager to help, stares with unseeing eyes, the gaping hole in her throat might’ve healed if not for the one in her chest, where her heart should be.

Fuck, how did I let this happen? I know the answer even if I don’t want to admit it.

My sire was the warrior, not me. I might have the genetics, the authority, and the build for battle, but I’m painfully inexperienced.

The sole focus of my life was being a mate, raising pups, and living in isolation from the outside world.

I didn’t care for politics, didn’t want to entertain a possible future where our temporary peace might crumble.

I led these wolves to their capture and deaths. And I brought my fated with me.

Like a gods damned fool.

“Forgive me,” I croak, catching Arlo’s disoriented stare.

He has a mate and pups back at home, waiting for his return.

I glance over at Oberon, who shares the cell with us.

It was a last-minute decision to join our cause, seeing as this was supposed to be a mission for intel , not an ambush.

The left side of his torso is slashed open, blood still dripping down and onto the stone floor.

He’s a leader, someone who’s meant to protect his clan, and he agreed to help. But his anger isn't directed at me. Bound similarly to me, he fists his hands above his head and jerks his chin towards the steel door that cages us in here.

“Their betas talk too much,” he whispers. “The Terra Clan has reverted to the old ways.”

I take a breath.

“Prime Alpha,” he tells me. “We kill him, they are leaderless.”

Zander never told me this, but it's likely he didn’t know. “Did you catch his name?” I rasp, throat still impossibly dry.

Shaking his head, he winces a bit and schools his features. “No, but they did say Prime . What else could that mean?”

Nothing that I’m aware of.

“Whatever poison is inside me still lingers,” I admit. “I have to wait until it washes out of my system.”

“You can’t taste it?” he asks, frowning.

“Taste?”

I can’t taste anything anymore.

“Silver, Lucan. You’ve been poisoned with liquid silver.”

My stomach twists, but I keep my face blank.

I can’t be afraid right now, not when these wolves depend on me.

It’s this very poison that killed the majority of my kind over the centuries.

Great Wolves have the strongest reaction to silver, whereas those like Oberon and his clan only get mild effects; it could put me in my grave.

I try to tug on my shackles, but it’s futile. I’m only going to get weaker.

“I think the only reason you’re not dead is because not all of it got inside you.”

Since that projectile hit the back of my shoulder, I can’t see the wound. I’m sure it’s webbed with black, pus oozing, and the flesh around the site necrotic. “How long have we been here?” I dare to ask.

“A few hours.”

“Total?”

He nods.

I relax a fraction. That’s good. A few hours is manageable. When I meet his eyes again, an understanding passes between us. I don’t need to say it out loud, but I do anyway. “That means we have three days to kill their Prime Alpha.”

Oberon swallows hard.