Chapter 93 Regroup

*Chief*

It was a rough night. We were all prepared to ambush Connor, Lucas and his daughter Diana, but we all fell asleep. It was strange. I have never fell asleep on a mission.

My men and I were tasked to capture Diana. With her in my custody, I could flush out Lucas and Connor. I knew the two Alphas would never allow me to hurt a hair of that girl. Everything was going as planned until we all fell asleep.

When we all woke up, we were shocked to discover we had various injuries although all of us had one wound in common, the bite mark of the black wolf. I told my men to drive the truck back to HQ so we could regroup.

"Call in the doctor so he can meet us at HQ and radio the other men and ask them if they were successful," I told my lieutenant.

"I have already gotten word from Team Bravo, Chief. The children of Athena Lockwood have gone missing."  I closed my eyes and restrained myself from throwing the water bottle that was sitting infront of me. Connor and his men have taken the children as planned.

"And Team Charlie?" I asked.

"No word from them yet, Chief. I've been trying to call them, but they aren't answering," my lieutenant answered.

I decided to tend to my wounds. I've been wounded before, even worse than this, but this one hurt like a motherfucker. I rolled up the right leg of my pants which was wet and stained from my blood. Aside from a deep gash on my arm, there were two deep puncture wounds set widely apart from each other oozing with blood. I tore off a piece of my clothing and applied pressure.

"I need to close up this wound. Hand me the butterfly tape. I'l have the doctor suture this when we get back to HQ." One of my men opened our medical kit and handed me the tape and some bandages. "Men, if you have the same wounds, I advise you to clean out your wounds and do the same," I ordered them.

I proceeded to sterilize my wound, after which I placed the butterfly tape to close the wound temporarily and applied gauze around it. I took out my bottle of wolf grade ibuprofen and placed a couple in my mouth. That should help the pain. I tossed the bottle to one of my men and told them to pass it around so they could feel better too.

I sat back in my chair and glanced at the empty cage which should have been Diana's accommodations if we had captured her. Last night, we had faulty communication and now we had fallen asleep. Two problems in a row.

Then, there was my dream. I had dreamt I was the prey, which in real life, was impossible. I was in an unfamiliar dense forest and my surroundings were so dark. The light from the moon couldn't penetrate the huge trees that served as umbrellas of the vast forest. I crouched down and stayed in position so my eyes could adjust themselves to the darkness.

When I heard a twig snap, the hairs on my neck rose to attention. There was something else with me. I paused and tried to listen so I can figure out from which direction the movement was coming from. I heard a distinct rustle nearby. Whatever it was, it was close and it was quickly approaching

I didn't want to wait to find out whatever was lurking in the darkness so I shifted to my wolf and sped off. My wolf has the gift of night vision and was able to avoid the obstacles in our path as we ran through the forest.

"My, my. Aren't we in a bit of a hurry. Why do you run from me, little wolf? Are you frightened?" The husky voice echoed around the dense forest. My wolf stopped and whimpered.

"You fool. Just keep running, Blackbeard," I told my wolf.

"The queen commands I stop," my wolf said, whimpering with his head low.

"What queen?! Run, Blackbeard, run!" I exclaimed. However, my wolf stood still, not wanting to disobey this queen.

"Your wolf knows of the despicable things you have done, Mason O'Connell. He will not listen to you. He answers only to me," the voice was now coming from above us. Blackbeard raised his head so I could see the queen he spoke off. What I saw made my blood run cold.

She was a massive black wolf. Her head was maybe as big as my wolf's whole body, her blood stained teeth probably bigger than his leg. Her green eyes were peering down on us, the fog and moonlight making it appear as if her eyes were glowing.

"There is no such thing as a queen of the wolves," I said with defiance. I could not let this black wolf know I was scared. She laughed maniacally. Her laugh echoed throughout the forest.

"You think you defiance can mask your agitation. I can smell your fear, you worthless creature," she said, baring her teeth.

"What do you want?" I asked her.

"I want your submission, of course. Bow to the queen," she answered. My wolf immediately knelt down on his legs and dipped his head. What an imbecile! "Your wolf is not as empty headed as you think, Mason." She can read my thoughts?

"This is just a dream. In the real world, there is no such thing as a queen of the wolves."

"Ah, a skeptic. That can be easily remedied," she said. She swiped us with her paw, one of her sharp claws scratching one of our legs.

"My queen, please forgive him. He does not know the truth," my wolf whimpered. "I beg you. Please do not hurt us anymore."

"But your human form doubts my reality. I was the one who interfered with your communications. I am also the one who is now obstructing your plans to ambush my human form. For that, I will give you a parting gift for you to remember me by," she said. She opened her mouth and bit my leg to the bone. My wolf yelped loudly from the pain. His cries echoed through the forest. "When you wake, you will see the truth. Submit to me and repent or my mark will never heal."

I had watched the feed from the Christmas Ball last night. Diana Lockwood-Crowne had made the wolves in attendance bow to her as a queen. The girl was more valuable than I had first thought. Imagine having the queen submit to me. I could do whatever I wanted.

"Chief, incoming call from One," my lieutenant said while he waved my phone.

"Put him through on speakerphone. He must have some information regarding Diana Lockwood."

_________________


*One*

Damn that black wolf to hell and back!  She had placed her mark on my buttocks and had laughed at me like I was a joke. It was painful for me to sit down. I had to call in the benevolent doctor so he could stitch me up because I couldn't tend to my wounds on my own.

I received a message from Eric Lockwood informing me Second was being transported to Connor's territory and that Lucas, Diana and Connor were at his mansion. I sleep for a few hours and they were able to leave New York City unharmed with Second with them.

"One, the doctor is here." One of my guards ushered in the doctor into my home and closed the door behind him.

"Doc, we'll do this in the bedroom," I told him and drank the shot of whiskey I had poured in a glass before he walked in.

"Why not here in your living room?" The doctor asked.

"Because I need you to stitch my ass," I answered. It only took him thirty minutes to stitch up the wounds on my ass. Before he left, he told me he had appointments to see many other wolves in his clinic with wounds just like mine. At least I know I wasn't alone. After the doctor left, I called the Chief to tell him what I knew.

"Chief, Connor, Lucas and the girl are at the Lockwood Mansion in New Jersey," I said.

"How sure are you?" The Chief's voice was gruffer than usual.

"Eric Lockwood messaged me earlier. I need you to tend to those three while I attempt to rescue Second. Lucas, Connor and Diana can't be in two places at one time and while Connor is occupied, I can finish what I had started eighteen years ago and exterminate his pack," I replied.

"You're forgetting a few details, One. First, the border between New York and New Jersey will be heavily guarded and secondly, Connor's pack is under the protection of the High Lord Wolf," the Chief said. "If you want to rescue Second, you must do it with the use of stealth. Do you know anyone from the pack that owes you a favor?"

"Actually, I do know someone who still owes me money," I answered.

"He's your way in, One. Get in touch with that wolf and we'll synchronize all our movements for later tonight. Do inform Elder Eric Lockwood of our plans so he can leave the gates and doors open for us to enter. Tell him to stay out of our way and we will make sure the three wolves will be dealt with accordingly. And One, make sure the bounty is ready for pickup. I intend to capture all three tonight."

"Chief, you said that last night and they still aren't in any way in your custody or are dead. I'll prepare the money once I have proof you have all three in your custody or have killed them. Until then, nothing."

"One, you better pay or else I will..."

"You will what? I have more rogues on my side than you have team members. Please spare me your threats. I'm not in the mood," I told him harshly. "I will call once I have contacted the wolf for my IOU to make further arrangements." I hung up. I dialled the number of the Sheriff who was part of Connor's pack. Luckily he answered right away.

"What do you want? I've already done what you wanted," the Sheriff said.

"You have? I don't recall you giving me the whereabouts of Lucas Lockwood. You still have a debt to pay," I told him.

"No. I don't owe you anything anymore, One."

"You know, Sheriff, there are many others who owe me. I can call any one of them and order them to start killing the people you care about. Maybe even hurt the families of your deputies. Then I'll send them a Christmas card telling them it was because you refused to pay your debt.You do know what will happen next, right? They will come for your family," I said, hoping he would gain a better perspective at what I was capable of doing as a means to an end.

"Fine! I know what you want, I mean, who you want. You want me to help Second escape," he said. "How did you find out he was here?"

"Let's just say a little birdie told me."

"There's something happening tonight at the Lotus Pack territory. Most of the men will be going there to keep watch. I can drug the guards at the dungeons and get Second to the highway along Salty Moon Forest. After that, he's on his own," he said.

"Splendid. That's all I need. Oh, one other thing, make sure to give him a phone. You do this for me, I will never bother you again. You have my word, Sheriff," I said and hung up. Now, all I needed was a number of trucks so I can have a team of rogues pick up Second.

Soon, I will have Second by my side again. Time to inform Eric Lockwood and the Chief of my plan before I head to my office.

__________________


*Eric Lockwood *

The pack doctor finally arrived to tend to Chase's wounds as well as mine. Lucas was about to deny us medical attention, but it would make him appear vengeful. So, he allowed it, even asking the doctor if the other wolves who have suffered injuries have been tended to

Chase's wounds were worse than mine. He had several puncture wounds on both legs which meant he was bitten repeatedly by the black wolf. The doctor tended to him first in our study. When he was done with the both of us, he instructed us to take some painkillers and to stay away from aspirin. He gave Chase a stern look when he said that because he knew Chase always took aspirin when he nursed a hangover.

"I need to talk to the Alpha before I leave the mansion," the doctor said while placing all of his things in his medical bag.

"Sure, Doc," Chase answered. "What's on your mind?" The doctor coughed and scratched his head clearly confused.

"I beg your pardon, Chase. I mean no disrespect, however, the scent of the Alpha is coming from the young woman in the living room," the doctor said.

"SHE IS NOT ALPHA!" Chase yelled at the doctor. I raised my hand at him. There was no use in arguing. By virtue of the ring, my granddaughter was Alpha.

"My granddaughter, Diana. Thank you, Doctor, for all your help," I said.

"Of course, Elder Eric Lockwood. If you feel anything out of the ordinary, please do not hesitate to give me a call." The doctor bowed and exited the study to talk to Diana.

"Father, how could you?! How could you accept her as Alpha?!" Chase asked angrily.

"We can not fight it. Even the doctor can smell the Alpha on her. And it is no use challenging her either. You are injured on both legs and our best fighters no doubt are injured as well. What we can do is make them believe we accept her as Alpha. Then, when they think we have submitted to her will, we will pounce. All we need is the perfect plan just like we did with Lucas. But this time, there is no room for mistakes," I told him. My phone began to vibrate on the desk. I picked it up and saw the name One on the screen.

"E.L., the Chief is planning something for tonight," One said. "I, on the other hand, have to go pick up Second."

"Good. I need to go see the High Lord Wolf in the city. Make him give me a call so we can plan accordingly. Tonight, my granddaughter will be anointed as Alpha. Let's rain on her parade, shall we?" I heard One laugh. I chuckled with him.

"Oh, how I love spoiling someone's fun. I'll inform the Chief he has a party to gatecrash."