Chapter 87

(**Sebastion**)

I have never enjoyed waiting for anything. Every time I was told to have patience as a kid, I would always get angry with my parents. Right now, knowing what will happen when Treadstone finds us, my impatience to have it all done and over with is driving me crazy. Aries is pacing in my head. Growling every so often to be let out.

He wants blood and I can’t blame him. After everything Irina told me she suffered at Treadstone’s hands, I want to rip his head off. She alluded that the physical torture he put her through took on a darker tone on more than one occasion. She didn’t say the word outright, but I understood what she didn’t say.

There was no need to say it.

Treadstone abused her sexually. I know he did that to all his female captives. The file we found on his hard drive in his compound showed he liked to record himself with them. Gabe deleted the videos as soon as he saw what was on the first one.

Aries is in turmoil over what that sick fuck did to our mate. He wants to hunt the man down and tear him apart. I want to let him. However, part of me knows Treadstone isn’t mine to kill. I would like to give that honor to Irina.

After all she has suffered, everything she lost, all the time she spent away from her child, she deserves to be the one to rip his heart out. Much like he did hers when he killed her pack, stole her daughter, and forced her to hunt down others of our world.

“Are you always this impatient before a battle?” Monroe asks.

I turn to look at him. He is leaning back against the wall next to the front door of the packhouse. His eyes look calm, maybe even bored, which surprises me. I am a massive ball of energy because I am eager to get this mess over with.

“How can you be so calm?” I ask him.

“This, little Alpha, is far from the most challenging fight I’ve ever had. Though it is the most horrific crime against our kind that I’ve ever encountered.”

That statement is absolutely true. It is one thing for our kind to kill each other for land or petty territory squabbles. However, it is much worse having this group of humans hunting supernaturals down and treating us like animals.

The very animals that some of us embody with the blessings of the Moon Goddess. Our humanoid forms have allowed us to blend in with humans, but by our true nature, we are primal creatures. Were-animals are neither human nor beast. We are a true blend of both.

“Do you think there will ever come a time when supernatural creatures won’t have to hide what they are from humans? A world where we can all live in peace together?”

Monroe glances at me. The bored look in his eyes is gone. Now there is curiosity. He tilts his head to the side as he studies me.

“My great-grandfather had that hope once. It was during what the human’s called World War Two. Well, it was around the start of the war. There was a werewolf pack in Germany that tried to help. At first, they stayed in their human forms, just giving aid or shelter.”

He looks down at the ground. I have never heard this story before. It must have been kept out of our history books. Not that it surprises me that something like this has been omitted from our records. The original Werewolf council kept incredibly detailed records of certain events, but others were very spotty, or mentioned as an afterthought.

“When one of the pack members shifted to protect the Jewish refugees they were helping, the German soldiers went crazy. They ran away, only to return a few days later with reinforcements. They slaughtered most of the pack and all the refugees. The werewolves that survived retreated into hiding and decided that the conflicts of men were not their concern unless it spilled over onto their land. Then and only then would they fight to defend themselves.”

“Why was this kept out of our records?”

“There was a small mention of a battle during that time, but who they fought with was left out. The council thought it prudent to keep it a secret. That was around the time they were hoping the next true Alpha King would show himself.”

Monroe chuckles at the irony of that statement.

“That is why the council wants you back in Europe. They know you are our true king.”

“That and they are hoping to get back into my good graces when I take my throne. Joke is on them. They were never on my good side. One day soon, I know I will have to come out of hiding and take what is rightfully mine. Before that day comes, I will tell you the story about why my family came here. When I do, I will ask something from you.”

Before I can think of a response, Flint mind-links me.

*Sebastion. His tracker found the scent trail we left for them. They are turning in your direction now.*

*Warriors, our enemies have taken the bait. Stay clear of the walls and wait for the trap to be triggered.*

*Yes Alpha!!*

A rush of adrenaline courses through my veins as I hear my pack’s united reply. We are ready. It won’t be long now.

Twenty minutes later, Flint informs me he has spotted armed men in the woods to the west of the main gate. One of our scouts mind- links me a moment later to inform me that there are armed men approaching from the south near our back gate. They are all coming in slowly. Cautiously. Not knowing what they are walking into.

*Any sign of Treadstone?* I ask them.

*He is about a mile out, just waiting with his tracker and the other man he came here with. I think he is intending to use his soldiers as cannon fodder in case we have made a trap.*

Smart move. From what Irina told me about Treadstone’s attack strategy, he likes to send all his soldiers in, then join them after they have subdued or killed everyone. It is a wise strategy. However, what he doesn’t know is that there are more wolves in the forest than he knows about.

We left both gates open. The plan is to make the pack look abandoned. Once they step past the barrier of the spell on the walls, the spells will trigger. The first spell is an alarm that will let us know the walls have been breached. It is at such a low frequency that only werewolves will hear. The second spell, one that Arabella added in before she left with all our children, will prevent all that means us harm from leaving.

It is on a ten-minute time delay. She did that to give everyone Treadstone brought with him time to get inside the walls. Hopefully, that will be enough time for what we plan. Once all our enemies are inside the walls, Monroe’s pack will surround us.

The barrier will last for two hours, which is more than enough time for what I have in mind. One thing is certain, Treadstone dies here today. No matter how that happens, he will not leave these walls alive.

I am ready for you, Vicktor. Come meet your maker. Come, answer for all the crimes you have committed against my mate, her family, and every supernatural creature you put in a cage.

*His human soldiers are at the gates. They will be inside soon.* One of my scouts tells me through the pack mindlink.*

*Treadstone?*

*He is not far behind them. He has stopped a few feet from the main gate.* Another scout informs me.

*This is it. Everyone, wait until Treadstone is inside our walls, then wait for my command.*

I turn to Monroe. He gives me a nod then moves off the stairs to take up his position behind the large marble wolf statue in the small alcove to the right of stairs. I move to the left and hide behind the marble wolf statue. Justin and Wade shift to their wolfs and walk around to the side of the pack house. There are two similar alcoves, just like the ones Monroe and I are in. They will hide there and mask their scent.

To the invaders, my pack will look abandoned.

The next five minutes pass by like time has slowed down. I concentrate on calming my breathing for the first two minutes, then I stand still like the marble statue I hide behind. My eyes are closed as I listen to how quiet my lands are.

It is as if every animal in the surrounding forest knows what is lurking in the trees. All the birds have gone quiet, as if they, too, are waiting in anticipation for the coming battle to start. In all the battles I have fought, this one has got to be the one that has frayed my nerves the most.

The plan is good, but the wait is horrendous.

Three minutes later, a shrill siren sounds out. I get call outs through the pack link telling me that the human soldiers have entered through the gates. I tell everyone to wait. Hold their positions until Treadstone joins them. If he is as impatient as I am, he won’t wait long to join his men.

I stiffen in place as I hear footsteps approaching the pack house. Their scents tell me they are human. They are speaking in hushed tones as they walk. There is nothing quiet about their words to a werewolf. I hear every word they say, each footstep, and the nervous beating of their hearts.

“This place is empty. I thought Treadstone said there would be tons of werewolves here?” One man said.

“I always imagined they just lived in the woods like wild animals. This isn’t at all what I thought it would be. They live in houses like we do.” Another man says.

“Didn’t you pay attention when he was telling us about these things? They mimic humans. They can take a form that looks like us. Of course, they live in houses, you idiot.” A third voice speaks up.

I suppress a growl. Their conversation would be funny if the situation wasn’t so tense. I wonder what these men would do if the saw a full transformation from our human for to our wolf form. I bet they would shit their pants and run. The frantic beating of the third man’s heart shows his obvious fear.

*Treadstone is inside the walls.* Flint tells me through the pack link.

*Is his scout with him?*

*Yes. Treadstone hit him hard in the back of the head. He is unconscious now.*

That does not surprise me at all. Gustav has served his purpose. Now he is bait. I give Monroe the signal we agreed on to have his rogues surround the walls on the outside.

*No one moves until Treadstone is in front of the pack house.* I give the order.

Soon, Treadstone will face his end.

*Irina, he is inside the walls. Stay inside with your guards until I call for you.*

*Gustav? Is he with Vicktor?*

Aries growls in my head when she asks about Gustav. I ignore him because I realize she is only asking about a man. A man that no longer has a place in her heart. All he is to her is a part of her past and the father of her oldest child. Nothing more.

I know there are unresolved feelings for her about the past. None of those feelings are important to how she feels about me or the family we made together. I am the only man she loves. For her, I will do all I can to save Gustav. He is as much of a victim of Treadstone as the rest of their pack.

“Where the fuck is Drakos? Come out here, you coward!” A new voice yells.

Vicktor Treadstone.

I have heard his voice over recordings we found at his compound in Portland. I know his face well. This will be our official first encounter. It will also be our last.

*Now.*

With that order given, I step out from behind the marble statue. Monroe stays where he is because his role will come later. As I step out of hiding, there is a collective gasp from his human soldiers as they notice all my warriors surround them.

“What the fuck is this, Treadstone? You told me this would be an easy slaughter. We would get in, get what we came here for, then burn this pathetic place to the ground.” A man beside Vicktor says. There I so much rage on his face.

“Shut up. This fight is not lost yet.”

The minute those words leave Treadstone’s mouth, there is a sudden gust of wind all around us. The weapons in all his soldier’s hands are ripped away. They fly up into the air, then vanish from sight. It takes all my effort not to smile.

Thank you, Jazmine.

Justin and Wade move to the bottom of the stairs in their wolf form. Aries is demanding to be let out now that our prey is in our sight. I want to let him out so badly.

The look of shock on Treadstone’s face is hilarious. The pungent smell of urine from off to the left makes me glance at the group of soldiers. One of them pissed his pants in fear. I do not want to kill them, but they can’t leave here after seeing what they have and knowing what they do.

*Subdue the human soldiers when I give the signal. Do not harm them. We will see if our allies have a way to erase their memories.*

*Yes Alpha.*

“I can see you are well prepared for this, Drakos. It won’t matter in the end. I have someone who will break that traitorous bitch. Where is she, by the way? I know she is here. There is nowhere else for her to go. I killed her entire family, her pack, and her mate.”

“Yet her family is still alive and far from your grasp. As for her mate, isn’t that Gustav behind you?” I point to the unconscious man lying on the ground at Treadstone’s feet. “As for your spy.” I smile wide when he looks surprised.

“I knew that pathetic runt wouldn’t be able to do what I asked. His father will die for this.”

“My father, sister, and brothers are somewhere far away from you.” Irina says as she steps out of the house behind me. She steps up to my side and wraps one arm around my waist. I slide my arm around her shoulders.

“I see you didn’t heed my warnings.” Vicktor yells at her.

“I can see you are just as arrogant as always. That arrogance will be your downfall.”

“You will die for everything you helped take from me.” He reaches down and yanks Gustav up, then rips the cloth bag off his head. “First, I will kill this one again.”

Gustav’s eyes flutter open, then widen in shock when he sees Irina. The myriad of emotions that cross his face in rapid succession are heartbreaking for the man. The life he once had is lost. In its place is nothing but pain.

“Then kill me already.” Gustav says quietly.