5. Declan

This phase had been the hardest plan to gain approval from the others. A lot of the Rogue committee had wanted to kill everyone outright. Slit the throat of every man, woman, even child and leave it scorched once the team survived winter. Burn the place to the ground with them all in it.

I had argued for a fairer method. I wanted to kill Valdis, but not at the expense of becoming just like him. The bunker and fortress served an important purpose. Just because Valdis had sat on the powers available underground didn’t mean they were gone forever.

In the end the compromise was agreed. Allow those who wanted to attempt safe passage. Realistically it was almost impossible without vehicles. Perhaps those who were determined, smart and resourceful might get far enough before the huge ice sheets and blinding snow descended.

I would not lose sleep over the Beta’s who wanted to attempt it. The one with the tattooed face was making me itch to fire another bullet. The way his icy eyes glared at me, constantly scheming, was unnerving. I was het up and irritated by my stupidity in that storeroom too. What the fuck was I thinking touching that girl.

He was Valdis’ main muscle. Even with his boss's brains splattered on the wall outside he didn’t consider himself beaten.

When the silver-haired servant declared herself my conscience pricked. Those women truly had no chance of surviving. They simply would not be quick enough over the ground. Less powerful wolves, smaller bodies with less resistance to the cold. Simple shifter physiology. Allowing them to leave would be murder.

The dark-haired one, Lyra, looked up at her friend in panic. Cradling a battered blonde girl it was clear she wasn’t keen. Luna Corina looked over and shouted, “Oh no you don’t!”

“What?” Reu asked, stepping inwards, gun cocked as Corina sat up proudly. Pointing a bejewelled finger from out of her bedsheet, in a haughty tone.“Those two are my personal servants. I shall be staying here and so shall they.”

“I don’t think you have servants any more you silly bitch,” Beta Ronan chuckled darkly from his seat. “They’ll slit your throat the first chance they get I reckon,” rubbing his jaw with amusement.

“Shut up,” and without looking I pointed the pistol directly at his head, still fighting that itch to fire those tattoos clean off his face.

Corina was unmoved. “You need people who know the bunker, cooking, cleaning, fetching, who are safe to trust and won’t cause issues. Plus…what of the Full Moon. If you allow the women to go…be a hell of a heat for you guys.”

Fucking bitch. That had come up in the pre-attack meetings too. Of course I knew we had at least five full moons to get through. Like it or not there would be a time when all our brains wanted was female companionship. Another reason to not be complete bastards. We need good relations in order to survive the heats.

Amelie, my full moon fuck-buddy for the past six months was not going to be around anytime soon. I had to trust my desire to sort this shithole out was stronger than my wolf's grip on my cock. Seeing how quickly I’d ended up under the spell of that dark haired Lyra I was already concerned.

“Shut up Corina,” the silver-haired girl yelled, “We can leave if we want! You don’t own us!”

“What about the fact that Lyra is a daughter of Valdis too. Are you going to just let her walk out?” she added with a devious smile.

No I am not.

Lyra, the pretty, green-eyed one with the vanilla scent. The one whose soft face I just allowed myself to touch, to quell her fear? She is formed from the same filthy flesh and blood as my nemesis! Why does that make my wolf wince.

Looking closer at the pair it is clear they share the same raven black hair and slender build. Corina’s face is moulded in anger with harsh green eyes and high cheekbones. Lyra is smaller in her purple uniform, all wide eyes and cupid bow pink lips.

Out of nowhere, I knew I could wrap around her entire waist with just one arm. She would weigh nothing in my grasp. I slam the brakes on such thoughts.

The disgusting bloodline that delicate little thing comes from makes my mouth taste bitter. She’s fucking scum. Her and her sister.

Lyra’s mouth widened in horror at Corina’s announcement. As if expecting help she turned to look at me. “I haven’t done anything wrong!”

There is no mercy to be found at my door. Not for the blood of my nemesis, I want her where I can see her. My wolf growls in agreement, prickling my skin. Pointing my gun at her for the third time in an hour I bark, “You stay. Your friend may leave.”

The silver-haired girl trembled, her small fists clenched. Looking around to find no other woman was willing to risk the Freeze with her, the energy drained from her face. “I…I withdraw.”

“Fine,” and I moved swiftly along, a whisper of relief that they hadn’t gone.

Finally all but one of Valdis’ Beta’s were taken away by Reu and half of the Rogues to prepare backpacks. The one with the tattooed face, Ronan refused to leave. “I’ll take my chances with the new Alpha you fetch in spring,” he smirked as the fiery-haired Howen slapped silver handcuffs on him.

Stretching out on own on the big mattress he chirped. “Plus, I’m the only one alive now who knows all the codes to the safes. That’s what you’re after isn’t? Don’t fuck about pretending you’re being sweet keeping these pricks alive.”

With one stride I reached him, pressing my barrel of the pistol to his head. “I came for vengeance, I just don’t kill prisoners, unless they really fuck me off,” I growled. He might have frothing psychosis on his side but I am stronger. Broad shoulders and well over six feet tall means I fill the corridors in this pit.

If we cannot access the reserve food stores without codes, I will try every single form of torture against him before yielding an inch. I’d rather he screamed out the codes on his dying breath than let him think he's won for a single second.

Ignoring him I turned back around and addressed the crowd. “So you all know, I am Declan, elected Rogue leader. All those who have chosen to stay I expect to earn their keep. This situation can work. In six months the new Alpha will arrive. You will all be alive ideally, but I’m not here to play games.”

Twelve women including Lyra and Corina blankly nodded. The men left, all slaves too were covered in the same scars that had destroyed Reu’s torso, arms and neck. I doubted we would find any resistance. All of them had shaved heads and wore burgundy uniforms. Like a bunch of depressed monks gathered on the silken mattresses.

It was the Beta’s we wanted rid of. Ego-driven idiots thinking they could beat the cold. They won’t. They’re all dead. But I don’t care. Any man who worked their way up the ranks with Valdis had to be the worst kind of violent shifter.

The Rogues all agreed it was the easiest way to clear the decks. Trick the bastards into killing themselves for us. Cruel, fitting justice. I just couldn’t let those girls do it too. The anger at having shown a softness towards Valdis’ spawn rattled through me.

“Anyone who wants to rebel, mess with the heating, open bunker doors once the Freeze lands will find themselves in a cell with this psychopath,” pointing at Ronan. Little Lyra visibly shuddered. Having her in my eyeline is an unwanted distraction.

I turn to face the male servant group. “My men can do your duties without issue, but I am giving you the chance to see spring.”

“See you soon naughty little Lyra,” Ronan brayed dirtily and without thinking I rammed my fist straight across his jaw. He flew face first into the concrete wall. I’m not putting up with any more of this guy’s shit.

“Take him away.” A bald male servant rose, he had fresh red lashes on his neck. “Sol,” the man introduced himself with a quick bow.

“Sol, please show Beta Howen the route to the prison cells so that Ronan can wake up where he belongs.”

Howen, keen to inflict some pain, dragged Ronan by his black coiled plaits. His bloody drool left a trail, dragged like a sack of potatoes. If Howen ripped one of those plaits off I wouldn’t care.

I turned back around to the remaining group and saw a soft half-smile on the pale face of Lyra as she looked at her silver-haired friend. Clearly she fully approved of that punch.

It gave me a strange, fleetingly warm feeling.

Not that it matters. This is a six month job. All these people are potential enemies in disguise and we can’t forget that for a single second. Not even if the scent of vanilla manages to cut through the must of the stale air and make my wolf stir.

“Women, sort out the removal of the two bodies immediately. Valdis and…whoever this idiot was,” gesturing towards the man I shot a few minutes ago. “Then we shut the doors.”

Finally, with a snowy wind rising, the metal bunker was shut. The Beta’s who have taken their fate into their own hands are forgotten. I make one final declaration, already tired of being the centre of this circus.

In my low, gravelly tone I urge, “Before the Freeze descends, I want everything organised. Just as it would normally be. Each of my men will be assigned a man,” gesturing towards the servants.

“Teach us everything we need to know. All my men need a room, we have lost two hours of preparation during this raid. Let us work now and ensure we all survive this Freeze. Valdis is dead. Rejoice in your safety. For when spring comes, you can choose your own path.”

I could hear the excited chatter as I walked out. Freedom, the first time many of them would have had even a glimpse of it. Even so, I highly doubt the bloodshed is at an end.

After all, we are only two weeks away from the first Full Moon. That will be the first true test of this shaky alliance. I head to Valdis’ quarters to check it for weapons, codes, anything useful.

It is not long before I become aware of the annoying click of high heels and perfume following me. It would appear Corina is as desperate for power as her father. She is not above lowering herself to regain the status she has lost today.

I have already lowered my guard to the powers of feminine wiles today. It won’t be happening again.