A Matter of Convenience

Forty-Six

~Miles~

This has been an awkward meeting, to say the least. We spent a lot of it giving each other the stink eye. I wanted to end them, but now isn’t the time. When we get the Alphas back, all bets are off. I don’t care about their pack; I want revenge.

From what I could gather, Jovanni was able to put eyes on a map that was marked up in specific areas. We have sent trackers to see if there’s any movement among three spots from the map. If everything works out, we should be able to make our way to them in a few hours.

I advocated contacting Ericson’s dad about what was going on, but I got no response. He didn’t answer when I tried to call many times. I went over to the pack, and he couldn’t be disturbed. I don’t understand why he doesn’t care about his son, but it isn’t for me to figure out. I hate to be him when Ericson comes back.

My phone rings, making me turn and answer it. I listen intently before disconnecting the call. I turn to the group, fisting my phone. “The trackers found traces of rogues. They couldn’t get too close and risk being seen. They saw enough to believe that they found the abandoned building that the Alphas are being held in. The other locations turned up nothing.”

“So what’s the almighty plan?” I growl at Felix, risking a look from Beta Lionel. I get it; I really do, but that loser has to die. Beta Lionel leans in, hovering over the map on the table.

“Here’s what we should do.”

~Jovanni~

We break for an hour, and people take that time to prepare to move out. I’m glad I saw the map because we’d be lost without it. I can’t believe we were played by the rogues, though I was having trouble trusting them in the first place.

Alpha Felix, Beta Terrance, and I walk out of the packhouse. There’s nothing for us to get ready in anticipation of this rescue. We brought three warriors with us, not wanting to leave the pack unguarded. We have no idea how many other rogues there are or what their orders might be. Jovanni?

Alpha?

I need you to be alert. I need to get to Ericson before they do. Take them after Isis so I can have the time I need. I nod, though I don’t like where this is going. I don’t like this focus on Ericson. I feel like it won’t go well for us. We are already in a mess, having tried to work with rogues.

I nod in response, not having the backbone to voice my objections. I can feel how I feel; even if I’m right, that’s my Alpha, and you DO NOT question your Alpha. Maybe I need to have a plan on my own in case this entire situation goes sideways.

~Ericson~

Another punch lands on my stomach, causing me to double over. I don’t know how long I’ve been here, but I’ve been getting this rough treatment since. I spit out another round of blood and lean my head back.

They pulled me from Isis and threw me into another room. I was strapped into a chair, and they demanded that they call my father. They want me to have him trade the pack for me. I’ve refused to make that call, so I’ve become a punching bag.

I don't believe in giving in to the whims of kidnappers or madmen. It’s always been my belief that once you give in to them, you open the door for them to continue to demand more and more from you. There’s nothing that shows them that there’s a limit to what they can get from you.

In my other mind, I don’t trust my father to follow through on anything like that. It isn’t that he hates me or anything; it’s just that his pride is too much. He would never want anyone to see him as weak or easily rattled. I’m not more important than the pack, so there’s no need to call.

My only issue is the fact that Isis is still here. I would much rather be able to get her out of here and somewhere safe. She shouldn’t have been here in the first place and I just want to get her back home.

A phone is shoved in my face again, and all eyes are on me. This has happened about three other times, with their results being the same. I’m on a roll now, so there’s no point in switching it up. “So you aren’t going to call?” I gather the saliva I can and spit it toward those in front of me. The phone is removed, and I get two punches in my middle. The air is knocked out of me, and I feel like I’m going to throw up.

“We’re wasting our time here. We should just kill him.”

“Killing him would be stupid. Obviously, the Alpha wants him for something. He has to be valuable.”

“We can’t use him against the Alpha now, can we? He already knows that we turned on him.”

“You let me figure that out. We will get the value out of this one, kill the other one, and have our way with the bi.tch.”

I’m roughly grabbed out of the chair and dragged out of the room. We go a ways before I’m thrown into another room, and the door is slammed behind me. I don’t even bother to get up; my body is hurting. Those bastards were only able to inflict damage because I don’t have my wolf. They better plan to kill me because if they don’t, I’m going to use their blood to paint these walls red.

“Ericson?” Her voice is soft, and I’m having trouble making her out in the dark. They have the windows boarded up, so we can’t see what time of the day it is. “Ericson, are you okay?” I hear shuffling and feel her body move closer to mine.

Her hand reaches out in a grabbing motion. It makes contact with my stomach, and I whimper. It doesn’t take long before Isis pulls my head into her lap. “f***k, Ericson, what did they do to you?”

“Awww. Don’t tell me that Isis is worried about me.” She playfully slaps me on my arm, and I whimper again. This is not Alpha-like in the slightest.

“I didn’t know what they were doing to you or if you were going to come back.”

“Mmmm. Well, I’m here now, so don’t worry.”

“Shut up and get some rest. We have to get out of here.” Isis strokes my head, and my eyelids get heavy. It doesn’t take long for me to doze off.