CHAPTER 12: AUDACITY

TRAVIS

The shrill alarm tears through the packhouse, and I’m already halfway out the door before it finishes its first ring. My wolf pushes against my control, his instincts urging me to shift, but I hold him back. Not yet.

I cast a sharp glance over my shoulder at Louisa, who’s frozen, her children clinging to her sides like frightened shadows. “Stay here,” I snap, my tone leaving no room for argument. “Don’t move. Keep them close.”

Her eyes narrow at me, blazing with defiance. “What’s going on?”

“Stay here,” I order before rushing out.

I slam the door behind me before she can fire back, my mind already reaching out through the link to my warriors. The rush of panicked voices hits me like a wave.

“Intruders at the northern border.”

“No forewarning.”

“Seems like a pack.”

Then, through the noise, one phrase cuts through like a knife.

“Alpha, movement near the northern border!”

“We think it’s rogues-”

“No confirmation yet-”

“Calm the fuck down,” I snarl through the link, silencing the chaos. “Beta, report!”

Mark’s voice comes through clearly, steady and clipped. “Alpha, I’m on my way to you now. We have identified the intruders. Alpha Gaines and his warriors, they are here.”

I stop mid-stride, a growl rumbling low in my throat. “What the hell does he want?”

“No idea,” Mark replies. “They are stationed at the northern border. Doesn’t look like an attack… yet. They are just… waiting”

I bite back a curse.

Great!

Just fucking great

The last thing I need on my plate is a temper tantrum from that overgrown manchild.

Gaines never shows up without a reason, and it’s never good. I mind-link the warriors. “Everyone on shift to the northern border. Now. I want this contained before it becomes a goddamn spectacle.”

Or before Louisa gets wind of it

After all, she belonged to his pack.

“Maybe he is here for her,” my wolf whispers to me.

“Why would he be?” I reply. “He doesn't strike me as someone who is really concerned about rogues, even if they belonged to his pack before.”

“I guess we will see soon.”

I guess so.

As I move through the halls, pack members scatter out of my way, their faces pale with fear and confusion.

No one

Absolutely no one has ever dared to come on my lands without permission and then this bastard dared it.

I have half a mind to just rip into him once and for all.

The alarm continues to blare, as Mark falls into step beside me just as I step outside. “What do you think his angle is this time?” he asks, his tone sharp.

“I don’t know,” I mutter. “But he had the audacity to show up here without permission, which means he must have a good reason. Or at least, what he thinks is a good reason. I am guessing it’s another one of his pathetic attempts at a power play.”

Mark scoffs. “The man’s obsessed with you.”

“Obsessed with himself,” I correct. “I’m just the unfortunate target of his delusions.”

It’s true.

Gaines has been a thorn in my side for years, constantly trying to prove himself superior. It’s laughable, really, how desperate he is for my attention.

And it just makes him all the more angrier that I do not respond to his antics.

“You don't think…” Mark begins before he falls quiet.

“Spit it out Mark,” I mutter.

“Well, it's just quite coincidental, isn't it?” He begins.

“What is?” I ask even though I have an idea where he is going with this.

“Louisa, a former member of his pack, shows up here and not too long after, so does he.”

“So?”

“Do you think they planned it?”

“What?!” I ask, coming to a halt.

“Well… maybe they planned it together to give him a reason to pick a fight with you.”

“That doesn't even make sense. She has been a rogue for years, and from what Tammy told us, she wasn't exactly on good terms with her pack. Why would she work with him now?”

“I don't know man… it just feels suspicious. Why would he come now?”

“I guess we are about to find out.”

By the time we reach the northern border, my warriors are already in formation, a wall of muscle and claws ready to defend our land.

And across the clearing is Gaines and his men, a smaller group but no less threatening.

An insane dog still has claws, after all.

As soon as he sees me, he steps forward, his smirk as infuriating as ever while his warriors bristle behind him, their eyes glinting with challenge.

“Gaines,” I call out, my voice cold and commanding. “What the hell are you doing on my territory?”

He spreads his arms wide, as if welcoming me to some grand event. “Travis,” he says smoothly, like we’re old friends. “It’s been too long.”

“Not long enough,” I snap. “Get to the point. Why are you here?”

His smirk deepens, and my wolf growls, pacing beneath my skin. “I am here for my Luna,” he says, his tone casual, as if the words mean nothing.

What?!

I blink, thrown for a moment. “Your Luna?” I repeat. “Have you finally lost it? As far as I know, and the rest of the werewolf community knows, your Luna died twenty years ago. Reportedly by your own hand.”

He growls at that before he gets himself under control and puts a weird smile on his face.

“Not my former Luna, Travis” he corrects, his voice laced with condescension. “My new Luna.”

My brows furrow. “I don’t know what game you are playing, Gaines, but I don’t have your Luna.”

“Oh, I think you do,” he says, taking a step closer making his warriors tense, and mine mirror the movement. The air is electric with tension, one wrong move away from chaos.

I glare at him, my patience hanging by a thread. “If you have something to say, say it.”

He tilts his head, his smirk twisting into something darker. “I am talking about Louisa,” he says, his voice ringing with smug certainty. “She’s my Luna now.”

The words hit me like a blow, and for a split second, I’m frozen. My wolf snarls, the urge to tear him apart surging through me, but I force it down.

“Louisa,” I repeat, my voice low and dangerous.

“Yes,” Gaines says, clearly enjoying himself. “She belongs to me. Now… turn her over.”

AUTHOR NOTES: Hello, my wonderful readers. A huge and gigantic thank you for selecting my book to read. It really warms my werewolf heart. I would love to hear from you all, your thoughts, opinions, feelings. Who pisses you off? Who do you absolutely love? Where do you think this story is going? I want to hear it all. So, please do comment and support my book. Your dear Author, Adeline Valois