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They didn’t often use radio lingo within his Pack but handled them more like phone calls, especially when they were more likely to be in wolf form managing their communications. However, outside the territory, the terminology became paramount to ensure no miscommunications happened.

Chanin released the side button and waited with slight trepidation for the person to continue.

The last time he spoke to another Preternatural Council leader, it had been Iskah, and she was entering his territory because of Farkas’s vile actions and intent for two Fae girls.

Valko, the rogue second, was now dust at the Fae Queen’s hand.

Chanin could only hope his cousin hadn’t insulted another leader by his actions.

If so, it solidified that Chanin needed to get his hands on his cousin this day no matter what.

It had been days since Farkas escaped the cold storage facility, but Chanin did not regret taking the time to make Morlie his and complete her first shift.

It had to be done. In a Pack as fierce as his, there could be no weakness.

If Morlie had remained human for too long, especially with Minsi out for blood, it could have gotten his mate killed.

“This is Dov, Alpha of the North American Sleuth. Your Comms male, Dolf, said I could reach you on this frequency channel. Over.”

“Read you loud and clear. What can I do for you? Over.” Chanin watched Bleddyn’s wolf pace about. His Beta’s wolf was just as anxious to get to the hunt as his.

“It’s more about what I can do for you with the situation of your rogue. Over,” Dov continued.

Chanin frowned. “Say again. I don’t follow. Over.”

He hadn’t contacted the other territories because they wanted to handle Farkas in-house.

Chanin wondered if Iskah contacted the others about what had gone down.

If she had, that would piss him off. Not that Chanin didn’t plan to bring it before the council at the next meeting, but by then, he expected to have it handled and close this familial embarrassment out.

A chuckle came across the line with more than a few grunts in the background. “I believe I may have your rogue in custody. Over.”

“Shit.” Bleddyn now stood beside him.

‘What the fuck?’ Chanin mouthed to his Beta, his heart pounding. “Say again. Over.”

“We have your rogue in hand. We’re holding him right outside the old sewage plant behind our lines. Over.”

Chanin knew precisely the area Dov the bear-shifter spoke of. Because of the massive sewage plant, still in working order, the wolf and bear territory lines curved wide, placing the plant on the bears’ side.

“Copy that. Hold him. We’re on our way. Give us three hours. Over.” Chanin released the button but tried to squeeze the life out of the long-range handheld case.

“Wilco. See when you get here.” A few more grunts came through, peppering Dov’s speech. “Over.”

“Over and out.” Chanin turned and slammed his fist into the tree trunk where Bleddyn’s clothes lay. “Mother fucker!”

It pissed him off that Farkas had stupidly gone into another shifter's territory. Chanin could only pray to the Great Spirit that his unscrupulous cousin had not committed another cardinal sin against the Ursidae as Farkas had done to the Drahk and Fae. Chanin’s mind whorled with possible atrocities.

He hoped no one was dead or badly injured.

On the other hand, Chanin felt relief pumping through his blood that this nightmare on his Pack would soon be over.

Chanin needed answers as much as his wolf wanted to sink its teeth into Farkas’s throat and rip it out.

Valko had hinted at some plans for the Fae teens they took and a connection with the human government.

“The sewers. What were the chances?” Bleddyn shoved a hand through his hair.

“Seems appropriate because Farkas’s behavior and attitude have been shit since he lost the Alpha position to me.” Chanin shook his head. “But I never conceived that he and his followers would get around through the disease-ridden sewers.”

Some humans had gone below the surface and didn’t make it to the human underground city before the walls closed, keeping them from protection.

They had made main cities around the sewage system their fallout shelters.

But they hadn’t been adequate for many reasons.

The space bred diseases, sickened people from the water pollution, death from radioactive infiltration within the air, and on people and rats they fed on in an attempt to survive.

The International Preternatural Council was sure some of those rats that could burrow deeper than humans had made their way into the underground city and were responsible for XD87867.

Even though Farkas and his rogue wolf could feed off the rats, it wouldn’t kill them, and it could drive them mad slowly and continue the sterilization. A problem with the females in his Pack was the reason finding marked human mates was imperative for the Lupines’ generational growth.

Bleddyn held his hand out for the radio.

“We need to go, Bleddyn. The sooner we get Farkas off Dov and the Sleuth’s hands, the better.

Notify Boris to reach out to the Fang Warriors about the change of direction.

They’ll likely reach Farkas first, but tell them to hold until we arrive.

Contact Dolf to spread the word that Farkas will stand before the Pack for his crimes once we bring my cousin in.

” Chanin handed the device over and shifted.

“Will do.” Bleddyn didn’t wait to communicate his messages to the Security and Communications leaders as Chanin’s wolf stalked back and forth.

Chanin’s beast was too anxious to get going, but his human side needed to implement things before they could head out.

The Fang Warriors kept one member unshifted to carry their comms and supplies since they could be far from Pack Central for days.

However, for him and Bleddyn, having their wolves carry the radio would be cumbersome.

Their handhelds were unnecessary as long as they were within telecommunication distance of other wolves.

Soon, Bleddyn's wolf was beside his. Boris said he’d get the containment unit prepared. I told him not to allow Valko’s debris cleared from inside the space.

That’s right. I want the fucker to scent his second’s remains and dread what is coming to him, slow and painful, if he doesn’t give us the information we need.

Chanin’s wolf tipped its head back and let out a loud, piercing howl.

They weren’t far from central, and Chanin knew many in his Pack would hear their Alpha.

Bleddyn’s response echoed his call as they heard a few other wolves in the distance.

Let’s go. Chanin’s wolf launched into the woods, set on a different path than they originally started on. His Beta ran lock-in-step with him, muzzle aligned with Chanin’s wolf’s shoulder, the position set as a sign of respect to the Alpha.

Chanin always led, and he would continue to lead the attack against any enemies who challenged the Pack, no matter who they were, and he’d propel the Lupine into prosperity.