The Beta's Justice

Chapter 2

Darren's POV

I watched as Audrey headed down the hall with Caden trying to lead the way. I wanted to make her stay here, where it was safer. I should have been the one to go, but I couldn't do that to her. She was just beginning to act like a leader. I couldn't undermind her by stepping in now. Letting out a sigh, I focused back on the task at hand. “Aiden, how much longer until you've gathered all the ingredients you need?” He was standing by a counter with rows of shelves lining the back wall.

“Do you need help?” I asked when he didn't respond. He appeared to be looking thoughtfully over the shelves.

Again he appeared to be ignoring me. I tried not to let it bother me, but being an Alpha, it was hard to shove my wolf back. Aiden was focused and so I assumed he truly didn't hear me. Walking over to him, I tapped him on the shoulder, trying not to startle him. “Yes?” He looked over his shoulder, confused.

“Did you find everything you needed?” I questioned again.

He shook his head. “No, I have a few more vials to look for, but I can't seem to find them. Although they could be up there,” he said as he pointed to the top shelf. “I'm a little short and can't see what's up there.”

“Would you like me to pull the vials down for you?” I offered.

He glanced over the shelves once more before responding to me, “Looks like that's the only way.”

“Okay, give me a couple minutes,” I told him as I started to pull down the vials for him, setting them on the countertop. “Come help me,” I instructed the warriors.

Quickly they were at my side. We had all the vials down in no time, but before the warriors went back to searching the room, one stopped to speak with me, “Darren..., Alpha Darren?” He seemed to be trying to figure out how to address me.

“Darren is fine,” I told him, trying to put him at ease. I could tell by their glances at me and expressions, that I am sure they thought went unnoticed, they are still unsure of me.

Instead of repeating my name, he went straight to what he had wanted to tell me, “I found files on the desk over there. One has Audrey's name on it.”

I nodded, “thank you.”

Walking over to the desk, I found the file he had told me about. Then I noticed one with Nova's name on it as well. Opening Audrey's file, I quickly came to realize it contained all the details of the experiments her father had run on her. Closing it, I found a small briefcase next to the desk. Opening it, I put the files inside it. Glancing at Aiden, I saw that he was still carefully scanning the vials. Looking around the room, I saw there was a filing cabinet. I figured Ryker must have more files inside. Part of me didn't want to open the cabinet. I didn't want to see what other horrible things he may have recorded in them.

Deciding it was better to at least look, I went over to the filing cabinet. Opening it, I scrolled through the files until I came across two files that had the same last name as Nova Miller. Pulling them out, I added them to the briefcase. I was about to continue searching through the files when Aiden called my name. “Yes?” I asked, looking over at him.

“Can you have one of the warriors bring over the carrier to the far corner of the room? It is designed specifically to carry these samples,” he asked as he motioned over to the side of the room he was talking about.

Nodding, I instructed a warrior to do as he had asked. One brought the carrier over and Aiden quickly began to load it up. A moment later, he peered back at me, looking distraught. “What's wrong?”

“I need another one,” he muttered.

“Can you not fit all the samples in?” I wondered as I looked over his shoulder to see how many he had loaded inside.

“I can, but I want to take more,” he pouted.

Looking around the room, I noticed there were many things that we should remove from this area. It would be dangerous to leave this all here for someone to find and possibly use irresponsibly. “We will be sending others to come and gather everything up. They will bring it back to the packhouse later,” I tried to reassure him that we didn't need to try and do everything now. “Besides we need to gather what is needed for Nova and the pups, then move out. We can't waste any time today.”

He nodded. I knew he understood, but I could tell he wanted more than anything to gather everything now, prepare it for transport, and take it back with us. “We don't have the room to move it all now,” I pushed for him to understand.

He let out a sigh. “Fine, I understand.” He wasn't happy about it, but he closed up the carrier. “I have gathered everything necessary for Nova and a little extra in case our initial plan doesn't work,” he informed me.

“Good, now we just have to wait for Audrey to come back with the pups,” I said as I patted him on the head. “Good job,” I complimented, causing his smile to broaden.

Peering around the room, it was clear Ryker had more plans in the works that would now remain unfinished. “Although, I suppose while we wait, we could start packing things away to make it easier for the clean-up group.” Looking down the hallway, it was clear that Audrey wasn't coming back any time soon. I was a little nervous since I hadn't been able to hear her for a while now, but I hoped it was just due to some kind of science machine Ryker had placed in this lab somewhere.

Audrey's POV

I tried to turn the door handle, but it wouldn't budge. It didn't feel locked, more like it was blowtorched shut. “Caden, do you think you could get this door open?” I questioned. I didn't want to force it open in case there was a trap waiting on the other side or I hurt whoever may be there.

“Of course,” he responded all full of himself. “Easy,” he muttered as he stepped forward. He placed his hand on the door and mumbled something under his breath and then we stood there, waiting.

A few seconds later, the door started to move. It was slow at first and then it flew open. It took a moment for our eyes to adjust to the different lighting in the room. Caden went to step into the room, but I quickly grabbed his shoulder, pulled him back, and then shoved him to the ground with me. “Down!” I commanded. My voice echoed down the hallway.

“What are you doing...” Caden's voice trailed off as he saw the arrows that shot over our heads, heading down the hallway.

“That's what I was doing,” I huffed. Getting up, I spoke again. “More than likely the room has traps. We need to be careful or it could cost you your life.” I knew my father. He would never leave a place without setting up precautions. If these pups were as precious to him as I presumed them to be, then he would make sure that whoever tried to get them would die before they reached them.

Everyone stood back to their feet. “Caden, do you know any spells that could disable the traps that are between us and the pups?”

He appeared thoughtful for a moment before responding, “I think I have one.” He stretched out his hands in front of him and mumbled some words. His hands began to glow and a light shot from his palms into the room.

“They should be dismantled now,” he told me, but I could see the uncertainty on his face.

“Okay, I'll go first,” I said as I stepped through the door. Nothing happened. “Follow me, we are going to take this slowly,” I told the warriors and Caden.

Cautiously, I made my way through the doorway and into the room. It felt like my heart would leap out of my chest at any moment. I have never been so stressed in my life. The further I went into the room, the more anxiety I felt. It was exhausting. Just as we made it near the center of the room, a light at the far end flashed, followed by the sound of a door slamming shut. Deciding to through caution to the wind, I launched myself toward the door. Something inside of me knew that the pups were just beyond this door.

As I placed my hand on it, a shock wave zipped through my body. It was so strong, I was unable to pull my hand away from it. I tried hard to keep the scream that was begging to be released, inside. I failed. “AHHH!” Tears streamed down my face.

“Audrey!” Caden reached for me.

“No!” I was barely able to grit out one word. I knew if he touched me, he would only be electrocuted along with me.

Finally, it stopped and I collapsed to the floor. Everything burned inside me. Every muscle refused to move to my will. I knew I needed to move. I had to move. We are so close to the pups. “Caden,” I muttered, struggling to speak.

“Yes?” he responded. Quickly, he was bent down next to me.

“Help me up,” I said, already trying to push myself up, but struggling to do so.

“You should rest.” He actually sounded worried about me, making me smile.

“Help me up,” I pushed for him to listen to me.

He let out a sigh. “Fine.” He was not pleased, but he and another warrior got me back on my feet.

“We need another way to get through that door,” I mumbled more to myself than to anyone in particular.

“I can do it,” Caden declared as he let go of me and stepped toward the door. He placed his hand on the door and was not shocked. “Open!” his voice boomed. I had never heard such a small pup be able to sound so commanding. The door didn't just open, it ripped off the hinges and went flying into the tunnel.

We looked deeper and there was a long, dimly lit tunnel. It appeared that it was cutting through a mountain. Drawing in a deep breath, I pushed myself gently from the warrior's arms to stand on my own. “Let's go. They can't be that far in front of us.”

“Caden, can you light the tunnel and check for traps again?” I asked as I stepped up next to him.

Peering down at him, I could see he was hitting his limit, but we needed him to be strong for just a little longer. He nodded. “I can do it.” He muttered a few more words and then, in an instant, the tunnel was lit and any trap that lay in wait was set off. We watched the horrors that awaited us, but now we could walk more freely.

“Good work,” I said as I patted him on the shoulder.

Moving forward, we headed into the tunnel as quickly, but also as cautiously, as we possibly could. It felt like a long time before we began to hear the pitter-patter of pups coming from up ahead. Slowing our pace, we quietly made our way closer and closer. Caden stopped his fire magic to let the path darken and match the light the pups were travelling through. We needed to catch them by surprise. It was the only way to try and capture the pups without causing any harm to them. At least, that is what I thought.

We were mere feet behind them, but before I could even command, the older pups pulled the younger ones behind them. Now there were nearly twenty she-wolves with them who were quickly in front of them all facing off against us. “Stay away!” one said as she bore her fangs at us.

“Stand down,” I commanded, drawing in a calming breath. They were fighting the command. They were fighting hard. “We are not here to fight. We are here to help,” I tried to reason with them.

“No, Alpha Ryker told us that if he didn't come back, we needed to keep the pups safe otherwise Crimson Fang will kill them.” She was shaking as she spoke. I could tell she truly believed what she was saying.

“No, we do not intend to hurt the pups. We are here to help them,” I tried to calm her. If she relaxed, there was a chance that the others would follow and then I wouldn't need to use my powers on them. It would be better if they came back willingly.

She glanced at the other she-wolves standing with her. Then, without warning, she launched herself at me. She wasn't a fighter. It was very apparent. I sidestepped and she fell onto the warriors behind me who quickly restrained her. “Please, I don't want to fight. I just want to take everyone home.” I looked back at the pups. “Your mothers want you back,” I tried to persuade them.

I could see how they wanted to see their mothers, yet they were unsure. “I promise, we will take good care of you and reunite you with your mothers.” The words tumbled out of my mouth and I felt instant regret. There was a good chance that not all of them would meet either of their parents again. I had no way of knowing whose parents were still around and sitting in the dungeons at this moment.

“We don't believe you!” One of the older pups stepped forward, anger rolling off him.

“I guess we are going to have to do this the hard way,” I mumbled. “Then I will prove it.” Taking in a deep breath, I prepared to make my command, “Follow the warriors,” I commanded and they all began to move. I watched as they marched by with the warriors leading them back the way we had come.