A Matter of Convenience

Forty-Seven

~Miles~

We’ve gotten out of the cars and shifted to run closer to the building. We stop a good 100 yards away from the structure, making sure to stay out of sight. Scouts have already checked the area, and we know that there are rogues around the structure, but not this far out.

We circle together to get the information we need before we move in. “We both have our Alphas in this structure. They are being held by rogues, though we aren't really sure what their end game is. We have to plan for their inevitable deaths if they have no other choice.” Beta Lionel looks around at everyone we have with us. I have my eyes on Jovanni and Alpha Felix, but I do not trust them at all. “We want to get in and get our Alphas out. We have the element of surprise, so keep that in your mind. Kill everyone if you must; we don’t care about sparing any lives.” Everyone nods in agreement. “May the Goddess be with us all!”

We separate into groups so we can move in. We will take the four directions and move in bit by bit. We will surround the structure, get rid of those on the outside, then move inside the structure. It will be hard because we don’t have eyes inside, but if we keep spread out, we shouldn’t miss anyone. Miles, I want you to stay on those two. Keep them in your sights as best as possible. I don’t trust either one of them, so I want you to follow them.

I was planning to do that anyway. Yeah, I plan to watch them like a hawk. If I get the opportunity to end either of them, I’m not so sure I won’t take it.

~Jovanni~

I have the orders from Beta Lionel, and then I have the orders from Alpha Felix. I also have my own thoughts about how I want this to work out. This is really in the Goddess’s hands, but if I can implement my own plan, I plan to do so.

We are given the go-ahead and move closer to the structure through the woods. I’m with my Alpha, knowing he wants me to help him get to Ericson. I will help him until I see how that’s going to turn out.

It doesn’t take long for the first rogue to attack. He attacks a Scarlett Moon warrior, tossing him to the side and running toward us. He howls toward the sky right before he shifts. He’s a decent-sized wolf, but he looks sick. He has patches of fur missing from his body, and the stench is out of this world.

As he engages in battle, more rogues tumble out of the woods, running toward us. I jump in front of my Alpha, shifting in Wolfgang. I stay at the forefront with him, making sure we share control.

A rogue jumps in front of us, causing us to step back. Follow my lead, Alpha. I will make a hole for you. I lunge forward, snapping my jaw. The rogue swipes at me, but I’m able to move out of its way. As it turns to come after me, I’m able to latch down on his tail. It takes everything for me to hold on because the taste he leaves in my mouth is enough to make me lose my lunch.

I tighten my grip and viciously shake my head. When I shake it to the left, the rogue tumbles away from me, leaving the gift of his tail in my mouth. I spit it out and soldier forward. I see a warrior attacking the rogue I was fighting.

I continue forward, tearing into rogues left and right. I break them down enough so I can move through them and allow someone else to handle them. My goal is to get my Alpha into that building, even though I have no idea what he plans to do in there.

I can see the building in front of me, and rogues are running out of it. I can see some of the warriors that came with us getting closer to the building. I pick up my pace, moving as fast as I can. I duck away from rogues, pushing them in the back and snapping at their legs. We finally reach the building and a rogue barrels into me. I shift my body to the right, allowing it to make contact. We tumble together on the forest floor, with me ending up on top. I glance up and see Alpha Felix run into the building. That small amount of distraction almost got me killed. The rogue snaps at my jaw, capturing some of my fur in its mouth. I swipe at its throat, making contact and tearing open skin. I drop my head and wrap my jaws around its neck, shaking my head until I hear a snap.

I step over the body and run to the side of the building. I shift into my human form and look behind me. I see the chaos is still going on, so I slip into the building. I focus my nose on my mate, assuming the Alphas are together. I need to make sure she’s okay.

~Ericson~

Yelling wakes me out of my sleep. Isis’s body is stiff, but she’s on alert. I still can’t feel Blade; they must have used a lot of wolfsbane. “What’s going on?” I whisper to Isis, not wanting to draw too much attention to this room.

“I’m not sure. I heard some howling and then all hell broke loose.”

“Do you think our people have come for us?”

“I hope so.” I sit up, wincing as I move. My body is still weak and aching from earlier. The jiggling of the door handle has me push my discomfort aside and struggle to my feet. Isis seems to have the same thought since she pops up next to me. I push her behind me and drop into a fighting stance. “Uh, what are you doing?”

“I’m pretty sure that someone is trying to come in here and I’m planning to protect you.”

“Protect me?! I don’t need your protection. I’m an Alpha the same as you. Besides, you don’t seem to be excelling at protection right now.” I roll my eyes and growl a little.

“Can you feel Rona yet?” Isis doesn’t answer, so I take her silence for what it is. “That’s my point. You don’t have Rona, so you are a bit vulnerable. I can hold my own, and I will protect us.”

“Puh-lease! If anyone is going to be the protector, it’s going to be me. I mea-” I stand and whirl around, my eyes on Isis.

“Are you seriously going to argue with me right now?!” Isis doesn’t have time to answer as the door is pushed open, and it slams into the wall. Two rogues run into the room, and I situate myself in front of Isis.

“It looks like we have run out of time. Let’s have some fun with her now, kill the other one.” Huh, that’s their great plan? I’d like to see them try. I growl, positioning myself in front of Isis for her safety.

Before I can do anything, one of the rogues is pulled back. Almost instantly, blood starts to pour from his neck. His buddy looks at him, but before he can make a move, his guts begin to spill out of his abdomen. They both drop to the ground, leaving Alpha Felix standing between them, breathing heavily.