Rise of the Immortal

Chapter 7: The Rescue

I didn't sleep that night. How could I, knowing that my decision to leave Silver Fang territory had put an entire pack at risk? Every time I closed my eyes, I saw wolves dying because their Alpha had chosen to protect me instead of maintaining political peace.

By dawn, I'd made my decision.

Marcus's delegation was due to return for Kale's answer in two hours. That gave me just enough time to slip away from the pack house, make my way to the border, and turn myself in before anyone could stop me.

It was the right thing to do. The only thing to do.

I was halfway to the door when it opened, and Kale stepped inside.

"Going somewhere?" he asked, his golden eyes taking in my hastily dressed appearance and the way I was obviously preparing to leave.

"I was just—"

"You were going to sacrifice yourself to save my pack from having to make a difficult decision," he said. "Which is noble, brave, and absolutely not happening."

I stared at him, wondering how he'd known. "You can't stop me."

"Actually, I can. I'm your Alpha now, and I'm ordering you to stay."

"I never formally accepted pack membership," I said, lifting my chin with more defiance than I actually felt. "You can't give me orders."

He smiled, and the expression was warm enough to melt my resolve entirely.

"You're right," he said. "I can't give you orders. But I can ask you to trust me."

"Trust you to do what?"

"To handle Marcus the way he deserves to be handled."

Before I could ask what that meant, Sarah appeared in the doorway behind Kale.

"Alpha," she said urgently. "Marcus is back. Early. And he's brought more wolves with him."

Kale's expression hardened. "How many more?"

"At least thirty. Armed and in battle formation."

So much for diplomatic immunity. Marcus had decided that if negotiation wouldn't work, intimidation might be more effective.

"Get everyone to the safe zones," Kale ordered. "Full defensive protocols."

"Already in motion," Sarah replied. "What about our guests?" "Maya and Henrik are already secured," Sarah continued. "But Talia—"

"Stays with me," Kale said firmly. "If Marcus wants to escalate this beyond diplomacy, then he can face the consequences of threatening my pack members directly."

I felt my stomach clench with fear and guilt. "Kale, please. If I just go with him—"

"Then you'll spend the rest of your life in a cage, assuming he doesn't kill you outright once he has you back on his territory." Kale's voice was gentle but implacable. "That's not happening, Talia. Not while I'm breathing."

The sound of vehicles approaching made us all tense. Through my window, I could see Marcus's expanded convoy pulling up to the pack house—sleek black trucks that had clearly been chosen for intimidation rather than diplomacy.

"Thirty-seven wolves total," Sarah reported, speaking into a communication device. "All armed, all displaying hostile positioning."

Kale nodded grimly. "And how many do we have ready?"

"Sixty-three in immediate response range, another forty within ten minutes if needed."

"Good. Make sure they understand this is still technically a diplomatic meeting. No one engages unless Marcus's wolves attack first."

As we made our way downstairs to the main entrance, I could feel the tension radiating from every Red Moon pack member we passed. These wolves were prepared to fight for me—a broken wolf they'd known for less than a week. The weight of that responsibility was almost crushing.

Marcus was waiting in the main courtyard, flanked by more wolves than seemed necessary for any legitimate diplomatic purpose. His cold eyes found me immediately, and his smile was sharp enough to draw blood.

"Alpha King Kale," he said with mock formality. "I trust you've had time to consider my generous offer?"

"I have," Kale replied, stepping protectively in front of me. "And my answer is no."

The word hung in the air like a challenge. Several of Marcus's wolves shifted restlessly, hands moving closer to weapons.

"I'm afraid that's not acceptable," Marcus said, his voice taking on the dangerous edge I remembered from my years in captivity. "Talia is Silver Fang pack property, and I will not leave without her."

"Property?" Kale's voice was deadly quiet. "Did you just refer to a pack member as property?"

"I referred to a dangerous, unstable wolf who belongs under Silver Fang authority as exactly what she is," Marcus shot back. "And if you continue to harbor her against my legitimate claim, you'll be in violation of every inter-pack treaty currently in existence."

"The only thing I'll be in violation of," Kale said, "is your expectation that you can intimidate me with threats and superior numbers."

One of the other Alphas from yesterday's meeting stepped forward. "Alpha Kale, surely we can reach some kind of compromise—"

"The compromise was offered yesterday," Kale interrupted. "Marcus could have walked away and left three wolves to find happiness in their new home. Instead, he chose to bring an army to my territory and make demands backed by the threat of violence."

"Because you left me no choice!" Marcus snarled, his carefully controlled facade finally cracking. "Do you have any idea what that wolf is capable of? What her bloodline has already done to werewolf society?"

"I know what your treatment of her has done," Kale replied. "I know that ten years of abuse and isolation would drive any wolf toward violence and instability. The question is whether you created the monster you claim to be protecting us all from."

Marcus's face flushed red with rage. "You sanctimonious bastard. You think you can waltz into my territory, steal my pack members, and then lecture me about leadership?"

"I think I can protect wolves who ask for my protection," Kale said simply. "And I think any Alpha who has a problem with that is exactly the kind of leader who shouldn't be trusted with pack members in the first place."

The insult was clear and deliberate. Around the courtyard, I could see Marcus's wolves bristling with anger, while Red Moon wolves moved into more defensive positions.

"Last chance, Kale," Marcus said, his voice shaking with barely controlled fury. "Return her to Silver Fang custody, or face the consequences of harboring a rogue wolf."

"She's not rogue," Kale said. "She's Red Moon pack. She's under my protection, my authority, and my care. If you want her, you'll have to go through me to get her."

The declaration sent a thrill through my chest that had nothing to do with fear. For the first time in my life, someone was willing to stand between me and the wolves who wanted to hurt me. Someone was claiming me not as property, but as family.

"So be it," Marcus said.

The signal was subtle—just a slight nod toward his lead enforcer—but I caught it. So did Sarah, who immediately began shouting orders to the Red Moon wolves.

What happened next was chaos.

Marcus's wolves moved with military precision, advancing in formation while Red Moon defenders spread out to protect their territory and their Alpha. I found myself pressed against the pack house wall, watching in horror as the conflict I'd tried to prevent erupted around me.

Kale shifted partially, his wolf bleeding through in his eyes and the way he moved. When Marcus lunged at him, the Alpha King met the attack with controlled ferocity that spoke of years of combat experience.

"The safe room," Sarah shouted over the sounds of fighting, grabbing my arm. "We need to get you to the safe room."

But I couldn't move. I was transfixed by the sight of Kale fighting for my freedom, by the way his pack members threw themselves into battle on behalf of a wolf they barely knew.

This was what a real pack looked like. This was what it meant to belong somewhere.

The fighting was intense but brief. Marcus had brought impressive numbers, but Red Moon wolves were fighting on their home territory to protect their own. Within minutes, it was clear that the Silver Fang assault was failing.

"Fall back!" Marcus roared, blood streaming from a gash across his face. "Fall back!"

His wolves began retreating toward their vehicles, carrying their wounded with them. Marcus himself backed away from Kale with murder in his eyes.

"This isn't over," he snarled. "The Council will hear about this. Every pack in North America will know that you chose a single damaged wolf over inter-pack stability."

"Good," Kale said, not even breathing hard despite having just been in a fight. "Let them know exactly where Red Moon pack stands on the treatment of vulnerable wolves."

As Marcus's convoy pulled away, leaving tire tracks and bloodstains in the courtyard, the Red Moon wolves began tending to their wounded and assessing the damage. I was amazed to see that none of the injuries seemed serious—a testament to both their skill and the fact that Marcus hadn't really wanted a prolonged battle.

"Is everyone all right?" I asked Sarah, who was coordinating the medical response.

"Few cuts and bruises, but nothing major," she replied with a smile. "We've been training for something like this for years. Marcus may be brutal, but he's not particularly strategic."

I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. Red Moon pack had protected me, and they'd done it without paying a terrible price. Maybe I could allow myself to hope that this was really over.

I was walking around the edge of the courtyard, staying out of the way while the pack cleaned up from the fight, when I noticed that the chaos was providing perfect cover for someone to move unseen.

I was about to call out a warning when a hand clamped over my mouth from behind, and something sharp pricked my neck.

"One sound and you're dead," a familiar voice hissed in my ear.

Greg. Marcus's beta had stayed behind while the others retreated.

I tried to struggle, tried to call out for help, but whatever he'd injected me with was already taking effect. My limbs felt heavy, my vision blurring at the edges.

"Marcus sends his regards," Greg whispered as darkness closed in around me. "And he wants you to know that this is just the beginning."

The last thing I saw before everything went black was Kale turning toward us, his golden eyes widening in alarm as he realized what was happening.

But it was too late.

I was already gone.