Chapter 66-Enemy Territory

I slow down as we enter the Shadow Rock territory, Enyo on high alert as we observe our surroundings, focusing her hearing on anything out of the ordinary. The smell of burning wood can still be smelt from the fire, making me nauseous as I sniff the air to see if anyone else is in the area.
I slowly walk out of the thick brush, my head down low as I cautiously approach the clearing where the barn used to be, my ears back as I let out a warning growl for the figures I can see in the opposite tree line. I stop where I am, not leaving the cover of the trees, as I wait for them to make a move. Around ten people step out into the moonlight, and I see one of them is Alpha Leon.
“No need to be afraid, Alpha Athena. We mean you no harm,” He calls out.
Ryna shifts behind me and comes to stand by my side. “Show us that you’re unarmed,” he yells back.
Alpha Leon lifts his suit jacket and turns to show he has no weapons hidden.
“And your people, too,” Ryna calls out.
Alpha Leon motions for his people to do the same, and when I’m satisfied, I step behind the tree and shift, and Ryna hands me a t-shirt and shorts. I enter the clearing after dressing, with Ryna to my right.
I hear a truck pull up behind us, and Harry, Cassia, and Andreas get out and come over to join us. Andreas stands to my left with Cassia and the Luna Guard shift and stands in front of Cassia and Andreas protectively.
“Why so many guards? You’re in no danger here,” Alpha Leon says. “I did ask you to meet alone, after all.”
“I don’t know you, Alpha Leon,” I call out. “And considering what I did to your Alpha, I wasn’t taking any chances,” I smirk.
“All water under the bridge, Alpha Athena,” he says.
‘I doubt it,’ Enyo growls.
“That’s why I agreed to meet you. To show you that we can work together. What can I help you with?” He asks.
“I want to know about the pack that was staying here and the explosions that occurred.”
“I don’t know anything about a pack staying in our territory. But the explosions were caused by faulty gas lines. Both complete accidents,” he explains.
“He’s lying,” Andreas growls.
“And who’s this?” Alpha Leon asks, looking at Andreas. “You dare to call an Alpha a liar on his own territory?”
“I know you’re lying, AlPhA,” he says mockingly. “I heard my captors talking about hidden explosives,” Andreas snarls.
“Captors? Explosives? What are you talking about?” Alpha Leon asks, but I see the corner of his lip twitch.
“Don’t lie to my mate, Alpha Leon. You won’t like what happens,” I growl.
Alpha Leon’s face slowly turns into a sickly grin, his eyes full of malice. “Your mate? Well, that makes things more interesting.”
“He doesn’t look like your mate,” a girl around my age says from behind Alpha Leon. “I see no mark on his neck. Seems like fair game to me,” she smirks as she eyes Andreas. A blue haze casts over the clearing as I give a low menacing growl to the she-wolf. She puts her hands up in mock surrender. “Don’t worry, Alpha. I’m not into Omegas,” she says, causing Andreas to growl.
“Enough!” I roar. “Disrespect my mate again, mutt, and I’ll rip your throat out.”
“Now, now, Alpha. No need for threats,” Alpha Leon chuckles. “Say sorry to the Alpha, Alice.”
“I’m sorry, Alpha,” she says condescendingly, with a smirk.
“There, all fixed,” Alpha Leon says. “Now, let’s get down to business, shall we? How did you know about the barn?”
“One of our warriors came across it on a hunt,” I tell him, lying to protect Felix.
Alpha Leon clicks his tongue. “Now who’s lying?” He smirks. There’s movement from behind him, and a man appears, throwing a beaten-up Felix to the ground in front of him. Handcuffed in silver, Felix slowly brings himself to his knees, and his face is so severely beaten that one of his eyes is completely swollen shut.
Harry growls at the sight of his old friend.
“Roy,” Andreas growls, his eyes turning green as he sees one of his torturers.
“Good to see you again, Andreas. Wren sends his love,” he says with a wink and a smirk.
Andreas steps forward with a growl, but I put my arm out in front of him to stop him.
“What is the meaning of this?” I ask.
“We know Felix has been feeding you information, so young Roy here had some fun with him,” Alpha Leon says, and Roy kicks Felix in the jaw, causing him to fall back to the ground with a whimper.
“Enough!” I yell. “He has nothing to do with any of this!”
“He has everything to do with it! Why do you think you’re here? Felix did exactly what we wanted him to. Do you think he found the barn by accident? Alpha Costas knew he was a traitorous snake. We made sure he found the barn so he could lead you to it! You were all supposed to die in the explosion!” Alpha Leon bites out angrily.
Felix whimpers on the ground, crying as he hangs his head in shame.
‘Felix, can you hear me?’ I try to mind-link him, and his head shoots up in surprise. ‘It’s going to be okay, Felix. I’ll get you out of here.’
‘Leave me! You need to run, Alpha. They’re going to kill you all!’ He links back.
‘I won’t leave you behind,’ I tell him.
“Well, your plan failed. As you can see, we’re all alive,” I taunt Alpha Leon as I look around to see what they’re hiding.
‘Felix warned it’s a trap. Everyone be on the lookout.’ I link to everyone.
“Not everyone,” Alpha Leon smirks, and the group around him laughs. “Tell me, is it true Alex found his mate in the basement before he died?”
Enyo and I fight for control as she tries to come forward. ‘Enyo, stop! We need to stay calm. He’s trying to get us to attack first,’ I tell her.
‘I’m going to kill the son of a bitch!’
‘No! We need him alive! We outnumber them. Please just trust me,’ I tell her, shoving her back in my mind.
“Tell me, Alpha Leon,” I say angrily. “What do you think the penalty from the council will be when they find out what you’ve done?” I ask, signaling for Noah and Rich to get ready.
“I don’t see any council around here,” he laughs. “And they can’t touch me. They’re powerless here.”
There’s a snap of twigs behind us as Noah and Rich’s wolves come forward, with Elders Laskaris and Andino surrounded by the Crescent warriors.
Alpha Leon falters for a moment but quickly recovers with a smile
“Welcome to Shadow Rock, Elders. What can I do for you?” He asks, crossing his arms over his chest.
“We’ve heard what you have divulged here tonight, Alpha. You and your previous Alpha have committed acts of war, and we’re here to take you into custody,” Elder Laskaris tells him.
Alpha Leon laughs. “You and what army? I only see two of you.”
“If you do not come willingly to stand trial, then by our laws, Alpha Athena will have the right to attack you,” Elder Andino states.
“Shadow Rock doesn’t live by the council’s laws,” Alpha Leon says, spitting on the ground with disrespect.
“Then you sign your own death warrant,” Elder Laskaris says, and he and Andino turn and walk away from the clearing.
“Do you think I’m scared of you?” Alpha Leon growls.
“You saw what I did to your Alpha,” I smirk. “I know you are.”
‘No matter what happens, I want Leon and Roy alive,’ I link to the others, causing Andreas to growl. ‘He will pay for what he did to you, trust me,’ I say just to him, squeezing his hand.
“You will pay for what you did to Costas,” Alpha Leon growls, and the others behind him growl as well.
“Costas was a weak, pathetic excuse for a lycan. He deserved to die,” I growl out.
“Take that back,” Alice growls.
I cross my arms over my chest with a smirk. “Why don’t you come over here and make me?”
She steps forward, ready to shift when Alpha Leon stops her. “You dare to come to my territory and disrespect my Alpha?” He roars.
“How many women in your pack did he exploit and force to work in his strip club?” Ryna growls. “He wasn’t a lycan. He was a pig!”
Alpha Leon snarls, his teeth bared at Rynas’ insult. I suddenly see movement out of the corner of my eye in the tree above Alpha Leon, and my eyes go wide as I scream, “GET DOWN!”
A loud boom fills the air as a shot is fired, and I feel a burning sensation on my arm as the bullet whizzes past me.
I whimper as I check my arm, but I see it’s just a graze. But when Andreas sees it, all hell breaks loose.