“The main breakers were pulled, and the fuses ripped out. An easy fix once we found them.” Meadow appears, seemingly jovial at their accomplishments and Cesar is hot on her heels. Neither fazed at all and at least they don’t seem as hostile and combative towards Varro as my mate is.
“The others are outside, turning on floodlights and restoring power to nearby buildings. Everyone is waiting to find out what’s next.” Cesar drops a hint, meaning they too want to know what’s going on now we’re all in here and the fighting has stopped. It feels surreal and not like a bloody battle was raging outside not so long ago.
“Allow me… I suppose being clear on one thing will help your pack disperse back to their homes for now. Juan can only hide if there are crowds outside.” Varro rubs his temple for a second, his blood red eyes seeming to glow a bit brighter and then he gives me a crooked smile when he catches me staring at him. “Send them off. No need for them anymore; Darrius informs me that they have Juan and are heading our way. Sadly, his minions didn’t survive. So, it’s a solo prisoner I have to take.”
My heart sinks knowing that with the fall of his loyal, their mates too have perished, even though they were completely innocent in this. More lives lost because of that man and yet it was unavoidable no matter the outcome. Those wolves had to pay for their crimes and their family is seen as collateral damage. It breaks my heart knowing we just lost more souls in this night, and it was no fault of theirs. At least now I know Sierra will be spared if Juan disappears for good. None of the mates would suffer from their bonds if prisoners had stayed alive to be tortured.
“Disperse the wolves once the hybrids go. Send the valley pack back to their homes, and most of ours back to the stead. We need to find out who we lost and decide on plans for the dead. Keep only our best sub packs here to carry out the orders tonight.” Colton is commanding Meadow, pacing towards them, and setting things in motion as I adjust to my overly bright surroundings. I’m lightheaded and exhausted and don’t know how long I can hold on. I need rest.
“What about his dead? Are we left to clean that crap up too?” Cesar snarls at Varro and joins Colton in that aggressive wolf glare he has going on. My heart sinks at the sight of it, knowing it was too good to be true to have Cesar seemingly fine with our guest. I know the entire pack are going to be worse than this in the new light of day.
“If you want me to have mine drag away the remains then so be it. It makes no difference to me. They can work to clean up if that’s what you want, Alora.” Varro shrugs as if I am merely asking him to pick up his used dinnerware after a meal.
“You’re kidding right? By sunup they will turn to ash and no longer dirty our valley. Make the living ones leave and give my pack some piece of mind. The last thing we need is your vermin crawling all over our fallen brothers and sisters.” Colton snorts, his eyes staying amber as the thought of how many we lost lingers in his heart. His whole aura changing to that of regret and heartbreak.
“Cole, Radar is incoming with…” Cesar cuts in, obviously linked to his buddy on a one to one, and Colton stiffens all over. His mood nosediving and I sense the instant hesitation in him. Despite everything that’s happened I always knew this would be the hardest moment for him. They are bringing his father to us, to be handed over to the person who will oversee his death. Whether now or in ten years, this will be the last time Colton ever lays eyes on him.
“Tell him to bring him here.” Colton’s voice deflates and his tone is huskier than normal. The emotion hitting him hard as he too knows this will be a goodbye, no matter what is going to happen to Juan. I suddenly feel sick and hurt for him. Knowing how confused he must feel inside.
“Oh, the fun begins. I hope you don’t mind my bringing in my right-hand man. Darrius will take charge of our hostage once he’s handed over. Don’t want an escapee I might have to chase down again in these newly peaceful lands.” Varro’s chipper tone and almost joking dialogue sits heavy on me and gets only glares in response from my sub mates.
“What are you going to do with him?” Meadow pipes up, cutting the tension with her sharp question. Hand on her hip and throwing Varro some serious shade. I can feel the distrust, subtle contempt, among all of them. The vampire in our midst isn’t being welcomed at all but they know better than to show open disrespect given the circumstances. They are behaving for the sake of peace, but not one of them has anything but hatred in their hearts for this species.
“Death eventually, but who knows. I have a lot of pent-up aggression over the loss of my love and child… I have two decades worth of anger directed his way.” Varro is completely uninterested in their obvious dislike and goes back to admiring his nails.
“Not here. If you kill him then do it far away from us, we don’t need any more blood of our kind here. I don’t want to tarnish these walls any more than they are already.” Colton turns away, hiding the conflict of his facial expressions and I sense his intense pain.
“I thought some of you would happily stand and watch an execution? No?” Varro smirks, knowing fine well this is cutting my mate deep, and Colton turns and walks off; holding himself in check as his emotions start to unravel. I know he’s conflicted. It’s only natural given that he once loved and idolized his father. I can’t even begin to understand what he feels, even though I too am getting a small amount of it.
“Some of us would, but as he was our alpha, it’s not right.” Meadow comes to my side and links her hand in mine, pulling me to her side and throws a wary glance Colton’s way.
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