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CHAPTER NINETEEN

ARES

A res and Theo sat across the table from Duncan as he ate a steak and vegetables. Santiago sat at a table nearby, watching people enter and leave the restaurant.

"How did you even know we would be at the storage unit?" asked Theo.

Duncan shrugged. "I didn't. Not until I saw you. Ares came to a tri-pack meeting once. I saw you both there."

"So no one in Titan's organization knows we are in the states?" asked Ares

Duncan shook his head. "Not as far as I know."

Theo glanced at Ares, who turned his glass of wine before sipping it. The restaurant buzzed with the low hum of conversation and the clink of silverware. Soft jazz played in the background, creating a stark contrast to the tension at their table.

"Tell us again," said Theo.

Duncan took a colossal bite of his steak and then put down the knife and fork before finishing his beer.

"I told you three times already."

Ares wolf growled. "And if you want me to believe you and not slaughter you, you will tell me one more time."

Duncan held up his hand to the waiter and ordered another beer before pushing his plate away a few inches.

"I'm Duncan McShane. Raised in the East Valley pack in West Virginia.

When our Alpha died, our packlands were claimed by the West Valley pack, and instead of dealing with the politics and backstabbing and ass kissing of a new pack, I took off on my own.

I traveled all over the US and ended up in New York a few years back, where Titan found me and convinced me to join him. "

"And now you don't agree with him?" Ares asked.

Duncan's beer arrived, and he thanked the waiter before sipping it.

"I agree with what he said he wanted to do. I don't agree with how he is going about getting it. Plus, I'm not okay with the drugs and gun running."

"What, you're a lover, not a fighter?" asked Theo.

Duncan snorted. "Oh no, I'm a fighter, but only for the things I agree with. And Titan isn't one I can agree with any longer. Plus, I don't agree with Titan kidnapping your Luna. That's not okay."

"So you want to help us now? Why? What do you want out of it?"

Duncan twirled his beer. "I'm tired of being alone.

I need a pack. Under the current laws, the only options available to me are to return to my pack or marry into another.

Problem is, as a rogue, no pack will have me.

And no female will even give me a chance unless she's a rogue herself.

I'm done traveling. I want a place. A home. A family."

Ares studied Duncan, searching for any sign of deception. The rogue met his gaze, his brown eyes clear and unwavering. There was a weariness in those eyes, a loneliness that resonated with something inside Ares. He knew all too well the pain of feeling like an outsider, of not belonging.

His wolf paced, not ready to trust Duncan. But he'd told the same story four times now, and it added up. Besides, he had to have at least considered the fact that Ares or Theo would kill him on sight, and yet he chanced showing himself anyway.

Ares sipped his wine, savoring the rich flavor as he considered Duncan's words.

"A pack," Ares mused, his voice low.

Duncan leaned forward. "I understand your hesitation.

But I swear on my life, I want no part of what Titan's planning.

I've seen firsthand the destruction they're capable of.

The way they manipulate others to further their agenda.

" He paused, running a hand through his shaggy hair.

"I joined them because I believed in change, in creating a better world for our kind. But this... this isn't the way."

Theo shifted in his seat, his hand never straying far from the concealed weapon at his side. "Pretty words," he said. "But actions speak louder."

Duncan nodded, a rueful smile tugging at his lips. "Which is why I'm willing to put my life on the line to help you. I know where they're storing the drugs in New York, and I can get you inside."

Ares raised an eyebrow. "Inside, where precisely?”

"They have a warehouse, heavily guarded, where they're coordinating everything- the drug distribution, weapons shipments, recruitment of new rogues."

Ares and Theo shared a look. They already knew about the warehouse in New York, but Duncan telling them about it showed that he might mean what he said.

"Alright," he said slowly. "Let's say we believe you. What's your plan?"

Duncan's eyes lit up with a mixture of relief and determination. "I can get us past the outer security. I know the weak points in their defenses."

Duncan's voice dropped to a hushed whisper as he outlined his plan. "The compound is an old factory on the outskirts of Brooklyn, heavily fortified and surrounded by abandoned warehouses. They've got a rotating security detail, but I know the blind spots in their patrols."

He pulled out a napkin and began sketching a rough map.

"There's a drainage tunnel here that leads into the basement.

It's narrow and partially flooded, but it's our best shot at getting in undetected.

Once inside, we'll need to move fast. The main storage area for the drugs is on the ground floor, but the boss is two levels up. "

Theo leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "Who's in charge? Titan?"

Duncan shook his head. "No, the compound is managed by an Alpha named Rudy. Mean son of a bitch, built like a tank. He's Titan's enforcer, keeps everyone in line through fear and brute force."

Ares' eyes widened, and his wolf's hackles raised. "Rudy? He was one of the Alphas there the night River was taken."

A cold fury settled in Ares' bones as he remembered Rudy as one of the men who had gotten away unscathed with his Beta and their mates. How many other Alphas had turned against them? How deep did the betrayal go?

Duncan nodded. "Rudy's got a personal grudge against the royal family. Says you've grown soft, forgotten what it means to be true Lycans. He's been itching to prove himself against you."

Ares' lip curled in a snarl. "He'll get his shot soon enough."

Duncan watched them with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Rudy's dangerous," he warned. "Loyal to Titan and Kane, and not afraid to get his hands dirty. If we meet him, we'll need to be prepared for a battle."

Ares took a long swig of his wine, letting the rich flavor ground him. "I'd welcome one at this point," he said. "How soon can you get us inside?"

Duncan's eyes gleamed with determination. "Give me a few hours to make the necessary arrangements. But we need to get to New York."

"I'll take care of it," said Theo.

"Aren't they going to miss your group? Won't someone come looking?" Ares asked.

"Not for at least twenty-four hours. We drive the products to New York.

That's about twelve hours, give or take.

Trust me, if I thought I couldn't pull this off, I wouldn't have offered.

Rudy is cocky and overconfident. He doesn't think anyone would dare cross him or betray him. Not with Kane and Titan at his back."

Ares nodded, then fixed Duncan with a piercing stare. "I'm trusting you with a lot here. If this is a trap..."

"It's not," Duncan said. "I swear it on my life. I want out of this mess as much as you want to find your mate."

As they settled the bill and prepared to leave, a concoction of hope and trepidation coursed through Ares. They were close. But not close enough. Not for him and not for his wolf.