A Matter of Convenience

Forty

~Miles~

The vans have arrived, and we have unloaded them. I really didn’t see the need to bring them at first, but Isis is right. If we have serious injuries, transporting them using the vans will be easier. I really don’t want to stay here if I don’t have to. There’s something about this place that rubs me the wrong way.

I check the time, having dug my phone out of my bag. Isis still isn’t back, and it’s been about 30 minutes. Neither of the warriors that she had with her have returned either. I’m starting to panic slightly, but I don’t want it to be visible to everyone.

Alpha Felix has been inside, only popping out here and there to check on everyone. That, alone, is suspicious. He’s made sure that my men are well taken care of, but he doesn’t seem too concerned.

I clear my throat and discreetly make my way to Warrior Jamison. He stands when he sees me and a few other warriors gather. I make sure my back is facing the packhouse and set my eyes on a spot in the distance. Something’s off with this.

I agree, sir. I was thinking that it shouldn’t take this long and no one has come back.

I’m going to investigate, but I don’t want them to know that I think something is off. If I come back without our Alpha, you WILL NOT make it obvious that it’s an issue. You will act like things are normal. There’s something going on here, and Isis was already thinking that something was off.

Understood, sir. I clear my throat and watch my warrior nod as if we were discussing something. I turn to walk to the woods when a hand stops me. I turn back to Jamison with an eyebrow raised. He says nothing but motions to a younger warrior named Scotts to follow me. I give him a slight nod, not thinking it was necessary, but I’m not about to argue.

Alpha Felix had just been outside, so if my observations are correct, he won’t be worried about us right now. I make it to the side of the packhouse that Isis left for and realize my asessment was correct. I should be able to search a bit before he comes looking.

I close my eyes and let my nose do its job. I can catch Isis’s scent easily. I follow it into the woods for a bit before I come to a stop. I look around and see nothing but trees. I sniff around the area, but I smell nothing. There’s no trace of her scent past this spot.

Groaning from a few yards away put me on high alert. I nod at Scotts, and we hurry over to where we hear the sound. We out warriors on the ground, writhing in pain. This is why they didn’t come back; they were incapacitated. Isis didn’t return because she’s gone. Scotts rushes to help the fallen warriors. One is worse than the other. He helps one up, who turns to help the other.

I motion to Scotts and turn around to head back to our group. I’m pissed, no, I’m fu.cking furious, but not isn’t the time to dwell. We have to get back home and come up with a plan. I have no idea who took Isis or why, but I know I need to find her. We should have gone with her! I knew we shouldn’t have let her go by herself! My wolf, Deryn, is growling and pacing in my mind. I agree with him wholeheartedly, but that isn’t going to help us now.

Stop it! She didn’t want us to, remember? She gave us an order, and we had no choice but to follow. Deryn doesn’t like my answer almost as much as I hate to give it. It doesn’t matter now because this is where we are.

When we make it out of the forest, Alpha Felix is standing at the side of the packhouse, looking into the woods. I walk toward him, fighting to keep a neutral look on my face. “Is everything okay?” I find the will to smile and plaster it on my face.

“Everything is fine. I just had to grab something for Isis.” It was just a flash, a very brief flash, but he was worried.

“Oh? Did you talk to her?” I stand in front of Alpha Felix, keeping my eyes trained on his entire being.

“Yeah, she called me. I had to grab something she dropped. She decided to go after the rogues and keep watch. I will talk to her in a bit. We have to get these warriors back home. I will leave a van here to collect Isis when she’s back. Uh, I mean, if that’s alright with you.” Alpha Felix looks past me.

“Are they okay? What happened?” I give a dry chuckle.

“They just had their own run-ins with rogues. I guess they were following too closely.” I move in closer as if I’m telling him a secret. “They’re young. You know how that can be.” I wink and straighten up. Alpha Felix nods, and I move past him.

“Please leave whoever you need. They will be taken care of until your Alpha returns.” I nod as I continue to my group. When Jamison spots me without Isis, I see a slight shudder go through him; otherwise, he remains composed.

“Jamison, you and two warriors will stay here and wait for Alpha Isis. We will go back to our pack and get these two fixed up.”

Watch him! Do what you have to, but keep tabs on him. Isis is gone, and we found them out in the woods. I will be back as soon as I can, but keep me updated. I don’t wait for a reply because I don’t need one. I said what needed to be said, knowing my orders will be handled with care.

We load up the vans that we are taking, leaving one behind. The injured warriors are situated, and I get in the front seat. It doesn’t take long before we are on our way home. I wait until we clear the gates to pull my phone out and dial. “Hey, is everything okay?”

“No, Beta Lionel. We have a problem.”

~Isis~

My body is being jostled, and every inch of it is screaming out in pain. I know I was hit, but I shouldn’t still be hurting from it. I mean, it blindsided me, but it wasn’t that serious. You good, Rona? I try to shift my body, but every move I make makes pain radiate. There’s no answer from Rona, which is weird. Rona? Are you good? There’s still no response, and I’m freaking out. RONA?!

I struggle to get my eyes open so I can see what’s going on. I recognize the gentle hum of a motor, so that must be why I’m moving so much; I’m in a car or other vehicle. Did I get hurt, and they are taking me back home? I close my eyes and go back to what I can remember, but after the hit, there’s nothing. “How much longer?” My body stills at the sound of his voice, and I hold my breath.

“Not much longer. It’s just up the road.” I even out my breathing and act as if I’m asleep. I feel eyes on me, roaming all over my body.

“Don’t worry, babe. We’ll be there soon.” I know that voice. Fu.cking Jovanni!