Page 10

CHAPTER TEN

REECE

Reece gripped the steering wheel tightly as his truck rumbled up the winding mountain road, the dense forest surrounding him on all sides.

The sun was setting behind the peaks of Blackthorn Ridge, casting long shadows across the rugged terrain.

The cabin rental Ron had arranged was tucked away deep in these mountains, isolated from prying eyes and unwanted attention.

Perfect for the conversation they were about to have.

As he neared the cabin, Reece clenched his jaw in anticipation. It had taken far too long to get Ron and Chad together.

Weeks of unanswered calls and ignored messages had only fueled his frustration and grief.

Trevor was dead, and their so-called pack had been scattered to the winds, acting like nothing had happened.

The thought made his blood boil.

The cabin came into view, a rustic wooden structure nestled between towering pines.

Smoke curled lazily from the chimney, indicating that at least one of them had arrived before him.

Reece pulled up beside two parked motorcycles, recognizing Ron's sleek black Harley and Chad's battered but reliable cruiser.

He killed the engine and sat for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady himself. This meeting was long overdue.

He stepped out into the crisp mountain air, the scent of pine and damp earth filling his nostrils.

As he approached the cabin, the muffled sounds of voices reached his ears.

Pushing open the front door without knocking, he found Ron and Chad seated at a worn wooden table, a bottle of whiskey and three glasses between them.

"Look who finally decided to show up," Ron drawled, his piercing blue eyes fixed on Reece as he leaned back in his chair, boots propped up on the table.

His blonde hair was disheveled, and there was a hint of mockery in his gaze that set Reece's teeth on edge.

"Funny, I was about to say the same thing," Reece retorted, shrugging off his leather jacket and hanging it on a nearby hook.

He strode over to the table and took the empty seat, eyeing both men critically.

Chad, ever the quiet one, simply nodded in acknowledgment, his dark eyes unreadable beneath the brim of his cap.

An awkward silence settled over them, tension thick in the air.

Ron broke it by pouring a generous measure of whiskey into each glass, sliding one toward Reece.

"To absent friends," he said, raising his glass.

Reece's jaw tightened, but he lifted his glass nonetheless.

"To Trevor," he muttered before knocking back the fiery liquid in one go.

The burn down his throat did little to numb the ache in his chest.

Ron studied him for a moment before leaning forward, all traces of humor gone from his expression.

"So, is it true? Is Trevor really dead?" Ron asked.

Reece met his gaze squarely, his voice cold and hard. "Yes. I buried him myself."

Chad shifted in his seat, his usually stoic face showing a flicker of anger. "How the hell did this happen?"

Reece's eyes flashed with irritation.

"If you two had bothered to answer your damn phones, you would've known sooner,” he pointed out.

"Don't start with that," Ron shot back, his tone defensive. "We've had our own shit to deal with."

"Yeah? Like what? Chasing tail and causing trouble in every backwater town you come across?" Reece's voice dripped with contempt. "While you were busy playing games, Trevor was dying alone."

Ron slammed his glass down on the table, liquid sloshing over the sides.

"Watch it, Reece. You're not the only one who cared about him,” Ron reminded him.

"Could've fooled me," Reece muttered, but he reined in his temper, knowing this bickering wouldn't get them anywhere.

He took a deep breath before continuing, his voice more controlled. "I spent the last few days coming to terms with his death. Now, we need to decide what we're going to do about it."

Chad leaned forward, his eyes intense.

"Tell us what happened,” “Chad said.

Reece began recounting the events, his voice low and steady as he described how he had planned to meet Trevor and his new omega mate for a weekend getaway.

How he'd arrived at the cabin only to find Trevor's lifeless body, his throat torn out in a gruesome display.

The memory made his stomach churn, but he pushed on, detailing how he'd tracked the omega, Nathan, into the woods.

"You lost him?" Chad interrupted, disbelief evident in his tone.

Reece glowered at him, a low growl rumbling from his chest.

"Don't interrupt until I'm done,” Reece warned.

Chad held up his hands in a placating gesture, falling silent as Reece continued.

He told them about the encounter in the ravine, about the massive creature that had appeared out of nowhere, snatching Nathan away and leaving Reece with nothing but fear and humiliation.

"A dragon?" Ron asked skeptically when Reece finished, his eyebrows raised. "You're making this up."

Reece's gaze hardened. "Do I look like I'm joking?" Reece demanded.

Before Ron could respond, Chad spoke up, his voice thoughtful. "I believe you."

Both men turned to look at him, surprise evident on Ron's face. "Seriously, Chad?"

Chad nodded slowly. "I saw one a few months ago, flying above my head at Yellow Ridge. Thought I was seeing things, but now..." He trailed off, the implications settling over them like a heavy blanket.

Silence hung between them for a few moments, each lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Reece broke it.

"I followed the dragon shifter to a town called Sky Stead,” Reece said.

At the mention of the name, Chad's face paled, his eyes widening slightly. Reece noticed immediately.

"What? What do you know about it?" Reece demanded.

Chad hesitated before speaking, his voice tense.

"I once belonged to the largest wolf pack near that area. Sky Stead was one of the territories we were told to steer clear of. It's dangerous, Reece. Now I understand why,” Chad said.

Reece's lips curled into a sneer.

"I don't care how dangerous it is. Trevor was our leader. He always had our backs. We owe it to him to make this right,” Reece said.

Ron nodded in agreement, some of his earlier skepticism replaced with determination. "So what's the plan?” Ron asked.

Reece leaned back, his mind already calculating.

"There's a barrier around the town. Strong magic. That's why I couldn't get close enough to do anything,” Reece explained.

Ron leaned forward, a glint in his eye. "That's why you asked me to reach out to my black magic user contact,” Ron said.

"Exactly," Reece affirmed. "Think he can help us with our little problem?"

Ron smirked, confidence oozing from him. "He said he could. He's dealt with worse,” Ron said.

Chad frowned, skepticism returning. "Black magic users are dangerous and unpredictable. You sure we can trust this guy?" Chad asked.

"We don't have much of a choice, do we? Unless you have a better idea,” Reece pointed out.

Chad's jaw tightened, but he said nothing, conceding the point.

"Good," Reece said, satisfaction evident in his tone. "Then let's go pay him a visit.”

Ron drained the rest of his whiskey and stood up, grabbing his leather jacket from the back of his chair.

"He's expecting us tonight. Lives about an hour from here,” Ron said.

Reece rose as well, feeling a surge of energy coursing through him.

For the first time since Trevor's death, he felt a sense of purpose, a clear path laid out before him.

They would avenge Trevor, no matter what it took.

As they headed toward the door, Chad hesitated, his gaze lingering on Reece.

"Are you sure about this? Going up against a dragon shifter... that's not something we can take lightly,” Chad pointed out.

Reece met his gaze head-on, his eyes blazing with conviction.

"I'm not afraid of some overgrown lizard. Trevor deserves justice, and Nathan needs to pay for what he did,” Reece reminded him.

Chad studied him for a moment longer before nodding slowly. "Alright. I'm with you."

"Good," Reece replied, a cold smile forming on his lips. "Then let's get moving."

They stepped out into the crisp night air, the sky above them dotted with stars.

The forest around them was cloaked in darkness, but Reece felt no fear. The hunt had begun, and he was ready.

As they mounted their bikes and roared down the mountain road, Reece's thoughts were consumed with plans and possibilities.

The black magic user would be the key to breaking through Sky Stead's defenses.

Once inside, they'd find Nathan, and the dragon shifter, and make them both pay dearly.

The night air whipped past him, carrying the scent of pine and earth, mingled with the intoxicating thrill of vengeance.

Reece's heart pounded in his chest, a steady rhythm that matched the roar of his engine.

He could almost taste the retribution on his tongue, sweet and satisfying.

Trevor's death would not be in vain. Reece would see to that personally.

Sky Stead had no idea what was coming for it.