Chapter 88 Prank

*Lucas*

I waved a quick salute to Michael as he and his team exited the suite to board the helicopter. He nodded his head at me before closing the door behind him.

I looked down at Diana's ring which now had a red pearl beside the pink diamond. She said she needed an emerald from "a friend" to complete her ring. Whomever this friend was must be a good friend.

"Diana, do I know who this friend is? You know, the one you're suppose to get the emerald from? Hmm?" I asked her.

"In a way, yes," she answered, but not really answering my question.

"Do you, I mean, do we need to kill someone to get the emerald your looking for?"

She smiled. "That really depends, Dad. If we can get to the territory before the sun rises, then I won't have to kill anyone." I stared at her with a stunned expression on my face. She used the word kill without batting an eyelash. "I'm just kidding, Dad. I just need a set of keys and someone we both know will be giving me those keys."

I nodded my head, not understanding what she meant, but relieved she wouldn't be killing anyone soon. I walked to the window and saw a huey helicopter in the distance already heading toward its destination while I heard a sound of another helicopter approaching the hotel. The door of the suite suddenly opened and one of Captain Hathaway's men in civilian attire came in, bowing before he spoke.

"Alpha, the medical helicopter is en route. You and your men are requested to go to the helipad for pickup. I am tasked to aid in escorting Miss Diana and the prisoner on the ground."

Alpha Connor's men as well as Ethan's men stood up. We were all dressed in scrubs with surgical masks and jackets with the cudaceus symbol crocheted on them.

"Good," I said to Captain Hathaway's man. I bent down to whisper to Diana. "Diana, I will see you at the rendezvous point. You should get there in thirty minutes." I gave her a kiss on the top of her head.

"Dad, don't worry. I can do this on my own," she said, hugging me. "Remember..."

"Yes, listen to the whisper," I cut her off.

"I was going to say 'I love you'," she said, giggling.

"I love you, too. Athena, you know what to do," I said, giving Athena the look. She nodded her head at me in understanding. "Boys time to act like medical doctors. There's a sick VIP that needs to be transferred to Lenox Hill."

We exited the suite with one of Alpha Connor's men pushing a wheelchair. We split into two groups, one group entering the elevator to go to the helipad while our group went down the hall to the other suite. I knocked gently on the door. The door opened and another of Captain Hathaway's men bowed and ushered us in.

"Doctor, I have a pain in my chest. I need to go to the hospital," the High Lord Wolf said. It was clearly acting on his part. Captain Hathaway said it would be better if we had him feign sickness so we could have use of the medical helicopter of the Wolf Troop Army.

"Yes, Your Excellency. We have a wheelchair for you." I aided the High Lord into the wheelchair so he could wheel him to the helipad.

"Strange night we're having, huh, Doctor. Seems the wolves are asleep. Except for a select few. Well, few compared to the thousands of wolves around the country," the High Lord Wolf said, as we wheeled him out of his suite. "I guess the odds are in our favor."

"I agree, Your Excellency. The odds are definitely on our favor. Do you feel uncomfortable in any way? I asked.

"No, however my heart rate has gone up," he answered laughingly then he suddenly coughed to hide his excitement.

As we passed our suite, the door opened and Second emerged in cuffs with the Wolf Troop in civilian clothing following his every step. Second glanced and openly sneered at us, but it was shortlived as the Wolf Troop shoved him to move forward. We quietly passed them on our way to the elevator. I glanced behind us and saw Diana and Otis leaving the suite.

"Second, I believe, does not look good. He had a tinge of green. He most definitely is in need of a doctor," the High Lord Wolf again chuckled at his own joke.

The medical helicopter was waiting with Captain Hathaway at the pilot seat. I aided the High Lord Wolf into the helicopter and made sure he was comfortable. After her was properly seated, all of us jumped inside the chopper, each taking a seat.

"Alpha Lucas, I will be dropping all of you off at Lenox Hill. The High Lord Wolf's doctor is already at the helipad waiting," Captain Hathaway said. "After you have located the wolves you need to rescue, you will leave via the ambulance waiting for you at the rear entrance near the ER. I heard Lenox Hill Trauma Unit is at capacity. Unfortunately, this sleeping spell may have caused many wolves to fall asleep while driving, walking or working.There was a wolf bus driver who fell asleep while on duty. Good thing he parked the bus before he fell asleep."

"Oh my. Have there been any deaths?" The High Lord Wolf asked.

"I haven't gotten the numbers yet, but there was a pile-up that happened at the Queens-Midtown tunnel. Driver who caused the accident fell asleep. I assume he was wolf," Captain Hathaway answered. "I'll be circling the city to see if there is anyone in need of medical transport after I drop all of you off at the hospital."

Didn't Diana see this happening when she made most of the wolves fall asleep? I prayed quietly hoping there would be no more untoward incidents.

"Lenox Hill, ETA two minutes. Make sure your masks cover your faces at all times and avoid the ER at all costs," Captain Hathaway instructed.

As we approached the hospital, we could hear the sounds of sirens of ambulances bringing in the patients which needed care. I glanced at the men and I could see the sorrow in their eyes knowing one sleeping spell could cause a city to go in chaos.

"Men, remember what Captain Hathaway said. The bus driver was able to park the bus before falling asleep. Whatever accidents are happening may not be caused by wolves falling asleep," I told the men through mind-link. They nodded their heads and I saw the relief in their eyes.

Captain Hathaway landed the helicopter smoothly on the helipad of the hospital where two people were waiting with a wheelchair. As soon as I got out, they ran towards the helicopter, eager to get our patient into the hospital. I aided the High Lord Wolf into the wheelchair and all of us walked towards the entrance to the hospital.

"Alpha, the patient you seek is on the second floor, room 202. Take the stairwell to avoid contact with hospital staff using the elevators. Since the ER has requested an 'all hands on deck', there will be few nurses on duty. When you leave, exit again using the stairwell. It will lead to the rear exit. There is a vehicle already waiting," the High Lord Wolf's doctor instructed.

"The pile-up, Doctor, was it caused by a wolf who fell asleep?" The High Lord asked, obviously concerned.

"No, the accident was caused by a drunk driver who fell asleep, a human. However, there are three wolves here at the hospital who were sent to the ER. They are under observation as we speak. Night terrors," the doctor answered. The High Lord Wolf smiled, relieved the accident was not caused by a wolf.

When everyone was inside the hospital, Captain Hathaway made a quick salute and flew away. The High Lord's Wolf doctor pointed us to the stairwell while the nurse pushed the High Lord Wolf into the elevator.

"Thank you, Doctor," I told him.

"What are friends for, Alpha Lucas. You helped me and various others become doctors. This is the least I can do for you. Good luck," he said before entering the elevator.

"We walk in two groups," I instructed the others. "Let's go."

We quickly took the stairs down to the door that led to the second floor. I opened the door to check if there was anyone in the hallway and listened for footsteps. "Coast is clear," I said through mind-link. "Team A, come with me. Team B wait here and keep an eye out."

Room 202 was a door away from the stairwell. I slowly turned the knob of the door and opened it a crack to check if we were at the right room. I peeked through the crack and saw my mother and Rose laying side by side on the hospital bed. They were sound asleep.

I opened the door to enter the room, but was surprised to see a man sleeping on a chair. He had a long dark blue overcoat on with a matching sweater, black pants, and black leather boots. I sniffed his scent, but could not tell if he was wolf or human.

"I will take care of the man if he wakes. Carry the two women to the stairwell and wait for me there. I need to gather their things," I instructed the men through mind link. They nodded. One of Alpha Connor's men took my mother while one of Ethan's men carried Rose and hurriedly left the room.

I picked up the women's things which were on a table beside the hospital bed and placed them in a foldable bag I brought with me. Then, I kicked the man who was sleeping on the chair, so I could get some answers.

"Wake up," I said, kicking him again.

"The black wolf has ordered me to sleep," he whispered. He's wolf? I took my phone out of my pocket and took a quick picture of him. Who was he and why was he here? So many questions were beginning to formulate in my mind. I frisked him, looking for his phone which was in his coat pocket. I took it out, swiped the screen only to find a biometrics lock so I placed his thumb on his phone. I scanned through the first two of his most recent messages. I shook my head at what I had just read.

I hurriedly left the room, closing the door quietly behind me and headed to the stairwell.

"Go downstairs now. Don't worry. I am right behind you," I mind linked the men. The door to the stairwell opened and one of Ethan's men gestured for me to enter.

We quickly took the stairs to the rear exit where there was an ambulance waiting near the doors. As we exited the hospital, the rear doors of the ambulance opened. Two Wolf Troops jumped out and took out a stretcher.

"Place the women here," one of the Wolf Troops instructed. The two men carrying the women gently placed both of them on the stretcher. I placed the bag with their things at the foot of the stretcher.

"That was quick. No problems, I presume?" The Wolf Troop asked while helping the other with the stretcher.

"None," I told him. "Wyatt," I mind linked Ethan's Gamma, "take hold of the Wolf Troop in the ambulance and knock him out."

"Sure, Alpha Lucas." Wyatt jumped into the ambulance followed by Nash.

"The rest of you, surround this Wolf Troop. We need to take the keys of the ambulance," I instructed the men through mind link.

"I know it's a tight fit, but all of you have to sit in the back," the Wolf Troop said, taking the keys of the ambulance out of his pocket. I closed one rear door of the ambulance so he wouldn't see what was happening to the other Wolf Troop.

"No. Give me the keys," I ordered.

"Alpha, this ambulance is Wolf Troop property. We're the only ones allowed to drive it," he argued.

"I said... give me the keys. If you will not give me the keys, then we will have to take them from you," I replied.

He took a step back, but found himself surrounded. "Captain Hathaway will hear about this," he spat at me. I grabbed his arm.

"He will, but not right now. Hold him down boys." One of Alpha Connor's men placed a hand on the Wolf Troop's shoulder while another twisted his other arm. I squeezed his wrist until his hand opened. The keys fell into my hand. "Thank you. Now in you get."

Alpha Connor's men pushed him inside the ambulance where his fellow Wolf Troop was already lying on the floor of the ambulance, out cold.

"What did you guys do-..." He wasn't able to finish his sentence. I hit him on the head and he collapsed on the floor.

"Get in, men. We'll throw them out when we get to our destination."
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*Alpha Connor *

Since Ethan was a newlywed and had more "enjoyable" things to do with his time, he was always late so, we decided to do a small prank. The helicopter was suppose to be gone when we arrive at the helipad then come back after a couple of minutes. Unfortunately, Michael's military bud didn't get the memo.

"I have to admit this is the worst prank I have witnessed in my entire life," Matt said, taking the girl Michael was carrying from him.

"Prank?" Ethan asked. "Wait. This "helicopter disappearing act' was supposed to be a prank?"

"Yeah, it was supposed to be a prank on you, because you're the newlywed of the group" Michael said, "but it seems it has turned to be a prank on all of us. So, unfortunately, we gotta hoof it. Let's go down to basement parking and find a car we can, uhm 'temporarily use'.

"Steal. We need to steal a car," Ethan translated. "Well, this is Diana's building and the cars for corporate use are technically hers so, it won't be considered stealing."

"Good analogy. Michael, I think you're vibrating,"I said, pointing at his pocket. He pulled out his phone and smiled.

"It's Lucas. I'll put it on speakerphone," Michael said. "Lucas..."

"Michael, we're coming to help you. One of the keys Athena gave you is a key to her car and its parked at the basement parking," Lucas replied. "Use Athena's access card to use the elevator." Michael pulled out the keys from his pocket and immediately found the car key to the Mercedes-Benz.

"How did you know we needed a new extraction plan?" I asked.

"Let's just say I heard the whisper. We're about fifteen minutes away. We'll meet you infront of the ground entrance." He hung up.

"I love it when a plan falls into your lap," I said. "Let's head to the basement as quickly as possible. This girl is getting heavy."

"I'll help you, Alpha Connor. Let me carry her for a bit," Ethan said. I handed her to Ethan and stretched my arms.

"Thanks, Ethan. How about you Colt? You need a reliever?"

"No, Alpha Connor. This boy is light as a feather," he answered.

"Okay then. Michael, lead the way," I said.

With the use of Athena's access card, we rode the elevator all the way down to the basement. Michael said all VIP's used the first level of the basement parking.

Once there, we didn't have any problems looking for Athena's car. Only two cars were parked in the entire parking area and the other car wasn't a Mercedes.

"This is Athena's mate's car," Michael pointed out. It was a nice black Audi.

"The one sleeping with the redhead upstairs?" Matt asked. Athena's mate apparently had a girlfriend.

"Yep, he is a son of an Elder. The mating at the beginning showed promise, but you can't pretend forever," Michael answered, his eyes turning black and his long sharp nails protruding from fingers. "Here, get into the car." He pushed the car key to unlock the doors of the Mercedes. "I would just like to leave a little surprise for Athena's mate." He then scratched the paint of the exterior of the car then in one quick movement, slashed one of the tires. "There. That should do it."

"Juvenile, but I like it," I said, nodding my head at his handiwork. I looked at my watch. "Michael, Lucas will be here soon. Let's get to the ground entrance."

The three were all scrunched up in the back with the kids on their laps. Michael took the driver seat and I sat beside him infront.

"Comfortable?" I asked, chuckling at the three behind us.

"Funny, ha ha ha," Ethan scoffed. "Next time, we call OUR military buds. Right Colt?" Colt nodded his head.

"I know, my friend was a bust. Sorry about that." Michael maneuvered the car from the basement parking unto the streets of New York City and parked infront of the entrance of Lockwood Towers.

An ambulance with its sirens blaring came rushing down the street towards us. Lucas. It slowed down and parked infront of us. The rear doors of the ambulance opened and I saw my men dump two unconscious Wolf Troops out on the icy pavement.

"What's going on?" Colt asked.

"Looks like we've been betrayed," I answered. "Captain Hathaway doesn't know about the rendezvous point. All he knows is our plans to head out to New Jersey."

"We need to get to New Jersey then before sunrise," Ethan said. "That's when the wolves will wake up."

I glanced at Michael whose eyes were staring out into space. He was mind linking with Lucas.

"Alright. We're heading to the the rendezvous point to meet with Diana's group. Buckle up everyone. We will be speeding though the streets of New York City." Michael revved up the engine of the car.

I put on my seat belt. Things are always exciting with this group.