Page 40 of Forgotten Arcane (Broken Ashes #6)

Neith

I t doesn’t take long for all of the wolves that are left unbound to say that they’re coming with us. Van runs his gaze over them, making sure that they’re all physically able to go with us.

He nods, “Alright, but you follow River’s lead.”

“Done,” Logan replies with a smile.

Van looks at his parents, and Calia waves him off.

“Don’t worry about us. We’ve got this handled. It’s definitely not our first rodeo when it comes to stuff like this,” she says with a reassuring smile.

“If you need backup, call. I will have a team on standby,” Eamon says.

Van nods, “You got it. Could you please do me a favor and call Ty and fill him in on the situation? If we get a lead about where Derek thinks he’s going to buy she-wolves from, then we’re going to need to put a task force together to handle it.”

Eamon once again smiles proudly, “Absolutely.”

“Thanks,” Van says again. He looks at our team and me, “Can I have a word before we set off?”

We move off to the side, but where we can see everyone, and without anyone having to ask, Ransom puts up a ward.

“We can see out, they can’t see in. Just in case any of them are good at lip reading, and of course, it’s soundproofed,” Ransom explains as soon as it’s up.

“Great. Thanks, man,” Van says. “River, are you comfortable taking the lead?”

River nods, “Surprisingly, yes, I am. I want to help this pack and deal with the asshole that’s abusing his power.”

“Good,” Van replies. He then looks at me, “Is there any way that you would consider staying behind?”

I shake my head and smile, “Nope. I get that it’s dangerous, but if we’re right, and I am assuming that we’re all on the same page here and think that the Blue Fucker is behind the wolves’ attack, then he’s not there now.

Derek was supposed to call him, and I would imagine that Derek wouldn’t have the time to do so by the time that we arrive.

Especially with River doing his sexy alpha thing. ”

“All good points,” Raiden agrees. “I still don’t like it.”

“I know, and I’d feel the same if you were in my position, but I’m not going to let him dictate my life. And I am certainly not going to let him stop me from saving those women and children,” I explain.

Evander nods, his expression, “I get it. Let’s do this.”

Ransom drops the barrier, and everyone looks at us curiously, although they keep their questions to themselves.

“Let’s go,” River orders.

“We can show you a way to get in that won’t be detected,” Logan offers helpfully, and I have to say that despite the fact that he was trying to kill us moments ago, I like him.

River’s smile is sharp as he replies, “Nah, I think we’ll go in through the main gates.”

“Are you sure?” one of the other wolves asks, looking nervous.

River’s smile widens, “Absolutely, let’s go. Logan, lead the way.”

“Yes, sir,” Logan replies.

Before River can correct him, all of the wolves shift back into their animal form, and River shifts into his kitsune.

I know enough about kitsunes to know that they should be smaller than the wolves, and River definitely shouldn’t be looking down at them.

All of their eyes widen in shock, and they drop to the floor, getting as low as they possibly can.

“What’s happening?” I ask quietly.

“They’re all showing that they consider River the alpha,” Eamon replies, looking shocked. “When he shifted, more of his alpha power came out.”

“How the hell is he that big?” Eddie asks. “I’ve never seen a kitsune that big before.”

Eamon nods, “It’s the Choosing, they won, remember?”

“Oh yeah,” Eddie replies.

I get the sense that Eamon knows more than he has let on, and I’m just grateful that he hasn’t said anything else. Not that he would ever risk sharing something that could put one of us in danger.

My attention turns back to River and the wolves, as Eamon, Calia, and their people begin attending to the wounded wolves, and calling back to the meeting house and safe room, so everyone knows that they can come out, and so that they can get some help with the dead.

“Are you ready?” Griff asks me. “Wolves run fucking fast.”

I grin, “It will be a good test of my newly found supernatural abilities.”

River barks once, and it’s clearly a command, as all of the wolves stand up and race into the woods.

Griff wasn’t kidding. They really do run fucking fast.

So fast that I have to call on my magic to help give me a burst of speed so I can catch up, and I’m relieved when it actually works.

Griff grins from beside me as we race through the woods, once again dodging trees and jumping over rocks.

We’re covering a lot of ground really quickly, and despite the distance that we have to travel, the pack grounds quickly come into view.

Like the compound, they have a guarded fence around the property to stop humans wandering in and protect the pups.

Wolf pups are extremely volatile and not in control, so it’s safer for everyone if the pups can’t get out, and the humans can’t accidentally wander in.

Unlike the compound though, the gate that we’re approaching is heavily guarded by wolves.

The wolves with us shift back, along with River, and we all approach the gate.

“Logan, what happened? Where are the others?”

“Why aren’t they in chains?” another one demands angrily.

“You were supposed to kill them and leave her alive. Derek is not going to be very happy.”

The three guards start to approach us, and River looks at Logan, “Are all of them loyal to Derek?”

Logan nods, “Yes.”

“Ransom?” River asks.

Without any more words needing to be shared, Ransom snaps his fingers, and magical cuffs appear around the wrists and ankles of the wolves, making them fall to the floor.

“What the fuck!”

“Derek is going to kill you!”

River nods as he walks past them, and one of the wolves with us goes into the little guard house and opens the gates.

“Neith?” River says as he glances back at me.

“Yeah, gorgeous?” I grin, and his eyes light with amusement.

He holds a hand out to me, and I immediately take it as I move to stand next to him, at the front of the group.

The guys all share a knowing look that I, unfortunately, can’t question them about because now is not the time.

I look up at River questioningly.

“You need to be next to me,” he says, looking confused himself. He adds, sounding slightly unsure, “It’s a kitsune thing.”

I smile, “It’s good with me. I will always stand by your side.”

The tension drains from him immediately, and he smiles before his expression becomes serious again. I get the feeling that he doesn't really know why he needs me next to him, but that’s okay.

I meant what I said. I will always stand beside him when he needs me to.

We all follow River’s lead. At this point, I am reasonably sure that he doesn’t need us at all.

He’s got this handled. We’re just here in case shit really hits the fan, and he needs us to provide backup.

Plus, for things like magical handcuffs so the wolves loyal to Derek don’t escape or cause issues, and because if any of them alert Ahren to what is going on here, then he would have to look into it, and that could, no, it will cause problems for us.

We have no idea if the alpha command that Derek gave to the wolves also stops the wolves who are loyal to him from talking to Ahren, and it’s not a risk that we can take.

Of course, after this is over, then the wolves that aren’t loyal to Derek could decide to fill Ahren in on what happened here, thinking that they’re doing a good thing by getting River some recognition for helping.

We could just ask them not to say anything, and we probably will ask them, but there are no guarantees that no one will say anything.

It’s just going to have to be a risk that we’re willing to take because there is no way that any of us are going to walk away while there are children and women in trouble.

Hell, we wouldn’t walk away if it were a single person in trouble.

It doesn’t really matter who it is that needs help. If we can help them, then we will.

As we break through the trees to the main part of the compound, River lets go of my hand.

“Stay close, Neith,” he tells me.

I nod. “Always.”

Catching Coen’s gaze, his smile is huge, and when I look around at the others, they all have the same expression.

Big smiles and knowing looks in their eyes.

It wouldn’t be so strange if it wasn’t for the very deadly situation that we find ourselves in.

I am definitely going to have to ask them all about this later.

As we continue to walk and make it to the large space in front of the Alpha’s home, we quickly find ourselves surrounded by wolves.

Angry, snarling, wolves.

“They’re here to help us,” Logan tries to explain.

“How the fuck can these supes help?” one of the wolves who has stayed in human form yells.

The longer that we stand here, the more wolves that surround us, and I tense. It’s not a good idea to show fear around creatures like this. They’re predators, and they will attack.

I’m surprised that they aren’t attacking us already.

Before we can answer and show that we are more than capable of helping them, there’s a growl that splits the air, and the wolves immediately part, lowering their heads, but with looks of anger and hatred in their eyes.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that these wolves, at least the majority of them, don’t have any respect for their Alpha.

“What the fuck do you think you’re playing at?” he growls from the steps of his house, set in the very middle of the pack cabins, and quite frankly, looking like it needs to be torn down, it’s in such disrepair.

I vaguely remember coming here when I was younger, when the old alpha and his true mate were in control, and the house was absolutely beautiful, and extremely well maintained.

“Do you realize how much fucking money I’ve just lost! He’s cut all fucking ties,” his eyes glow with his wolf's.