Rival and Report

Teddy’s POV

“No, I don’t think you understand, King.” He scoffed at the title, shaking his head in amusement. “Just because you’ve been given a crown, doesn’t automatically make you a ruler. And I wouldn’t be too hasty as to say everyone will be after me. How did I know you were coming to begin with, hmm?”

The bastard had a point, another mile in our operations that we had to hunt down. “You’ll be taken out; one way or another.” I growled as my fists clenched at my sides.

“We’ll see.” He smirked as the screen went lank, Shepard having ended the call. Everyone in the room just stood there for a moment, letting the words of the bastard sink in.

“I want that computer taken back with us and gone through with a fine toothed comb. See if there’s anything we can pull off of it to lead us to Shepard.” I barked out the command, leaving the room and heading back to the first floor. ‘Axel; Shepard escaped.’ I knew my friend was somewhere on the premises, making sure no one else escaped.

‘Fuck!’ He growled through the link, his voice dripping with venom. ‘Do you know how hard I worked to get info on that bastard?! He’s like a ghost!’

‘We need to track down any allies he might have and cinch him in a noose. He’s bound to show up again eventually. How’s the other part of this raid?’

‘That part’s going off without a hitch. It seems that we are going to be victorious all around. Chester and his cronies are basically sweeping through the west, and all our allies on this end have squelched all of the Black Haven packs left. All’s that’s left is for you to get back to Melody and get ready for your announcement later today.’

I nodded to myself as I walked, heading to the cars in the driveway. ‘And are you coming too?’ I sent as I opened the SUV’s door and climbed in.

“I’m already here.” Axel made me jump as he passed me over a beer, letting out a deep sigh as he took a sip himself. “I have eyes in the skies looking for any possible private plane that is leaving the country, but it’s gonna take some time.”

“Out of all of the one’s we wanted to get rid of, why did it have to be him who escaped?!” I slammed my fist down on the seat as the driver took off, heading to the airport.

“He’s as slimy as they come; but don’t worry, I’ll track him down eventually.” Axel assured me, monkeying around with a small laptop on his lap. “Don’t forget to call Melody… Jude is saying she’s having a better day today.”

I nodded at my friend and pulled out my flip phone, dialing home. Melody was getting better, but she still had way more bad days than good ones. On the third ring, the phone was answered. “Hello?” Jude sounded worn out, her voice holding some worry.

“Jude, it’s Teddy.”

“Oh, thank goodness.” It sounded as if she held the phone away for a second, her voice muffled. “Melody… come on, hon. Let’s get you on the phone with Teddy.”

There was a brief pause and a slight rustle as something jostled against the phone. “Hello?”

“Melody, baby, it’s me.” I sighed a little, Melody’s voice still sounding hollow. “I’m on my way home, alright?” I heard a hum of approval, but that was the extent of her usual greeting. “I love you.”

“You too, Teddy.” She whispered back, making me smile slightly then. That’s slightly better. She hadn’t said that to me since we had gotten back from my parents, so there was some progress.

“See you soon.” She hung up on me, the line going silent.

“She sounds better.” Axel noted, shaking his head.

“I hope so.” I looked out the window of the SUV, watching a couple cars on the highway pass us.

“Bingo!” Axel shouted all the sudden, making me jump in my seat and the driver swerve a little.

“Fuck; Axel!” I glared at him as his fingers flew over the keys on the computer, his face going serious.

“I found me a rout from Tennessee here with a private jet going over to London. I’m informing the wolves on their end now to meet that plane at its destination. Hopefully this will still be all over today.”

“How long until it lands?” I tried leaning across to see his screen but the seatbelt caught me on my chest and held me back. I undid it and joined Axel in the pilot seats in the middle of the vehicle.

“They should land just as soon as we get back to home base.” Axel showed me the screen and the itinerary, the path of the plane going across the vast ocean. “But, we should reserve ourselves. I don’t really know if he’s on there or not.”

I nodded my head in understanding, the suspense going to be the death of me. We already had a group of reported for the wolf population waiting for an interview when we got back, the news of a new law and the final takedown of Black Haven going to be broadcasted to every pack in the US.

The drive to the airfield felt tense, the flight home even more so. Axel kept me updated on the planes progress overseas, but they had still yet to land. When we pulled up to the house after hours of being tense in our seats, I relaxed some as I saw Melody waiting for me along with Walter, Alvin, and Jude holding Lucy. Alvin had ahold of Felix’s hand as my little boy stared at the gathered throng of reporters in front of the estate. “Looks like they’re all waiting for you.” Axel noted as the SUV pulled to a stop. “I’m gonna hang back and work on this, the plane is circling their airfield now.”

“Alright, link me as soon as you know.” I took another second before bracing myself as I opened the door, the reporters flashing photos at me the moment I did.