Chapter 9: Friends and Traitors.

.........BaCkGrOuNd....... If you haven’t read the other books leading up to this point read this before scrolling. Otherwise scroll down for chapter 9.

It's a time where werewolves and humans coexist but humans know nothing of their existence. All wolf packs are named after their Alpha so when an Alpha dies, the name dies with him if he has no heirs. If he has an heir however, then the position is passed as such.

The beta of the pack becomes Alpha if no such heir exists. The pack is presided over by what is known as the council: a group of elders who advise the Alpha and while their authority is not supreme, their power is far reaching.

The camp is situated far from any town, however the camp takes the shape of a normal neighborhood so that if any human was to stumble across it they wouldn't think twice about it.

They attend school just like any normal humans would and all the other werewolves in the pack live normal lives in human society, the only time they are able to truly be themselves is in the wolf camp. Homosexuality is generally prohibited in wolf packs because it is expected that each member should one day find a mate and procreate so that the packs can grow, thereby becoming stronger.

This rule has been changed recently however when the Alpha and his Beta both came out to the pack as homosexuals each having discovered their mates.

Carson is the Alpha of this particular pack; one of the largest packs in the state. He and his Beta Thomas, are two of the youngest pack leaders in the country being that they are still nineteen year old seniors in high school. The Alpha’s mate is Laken who is but a seventeen year old attending the same institution.

Thomas’s situation is a bit unusual since he is the first known wolf to find a human mate. Up until a few months ago his mate: Grady who has been his best friend for as long as they both can remember was homophobic and completely unaware that Thomas was even gay. This has all now been resolved as was demonstrated in book two of the series.

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Chapter 9

~Lucas’s POV~

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous.

I could feel my heart pounding away in my chest and my throat became dry. I hadn’t seen him in almost a year, I had no idea what to expect, no idea how I would react to seeing him again. I had always planned to visit again but that was meant to be when I was sure I was over him just so I wouldn’t have to deal with this very feeling.

When Adrian had told me he was going to pay him a visit I knew I had no choice but to tag along, firstly because I knew I couldn’t change his mind and lastly because I had no idea what he would do once he saw Laken. I was sure he wouldn’t dare to harm him if I was there. He may be a lot of things but he would never do something that would cause me pain. Not on purpose anyway which was one of the reasons I was more than slightly ashamed of my earlier behavior.

Yes I was pissed he chose not to call off his men but ending the relationship hadn’t been the answer. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. He’d been pretty quiet since we left the airport, only speaking whenever Thomas’s partner; Grady addressed him directly which brought me to my next issue; Grady.

Last I heard he was a homophobic human boy who was an inconsiderate party animal. Well it was clear he was over his homophobia the way he interacted with his mate but as for all the rest it wasn’t be hard to believe.

He hadn’t shut up the entire journey and for whatever reason the smart ass had everyone in the damn vehicle hanging on to his every word like he was clown of the year or something. Okay so maybe he was a bit charming and his antics were kind of funny but I couldn’t say I appreciated his bluntness.

As expected however, it didn’t take long for the friendly atmosphere to sour. I knew that once their names were mentioned everything would go to shit. I had hoped that we’d have at least made it to camp first where I’d be able to explain it all to Carson before things got out of hand.

“Corsetti? As in the…drug lords? : Grady was asking, shock written on his face.

I had watched as Thomas tensed in the front seat, his hands tightening on the wheel and Grady stared at Adrian wide eyed and if I wasn’t mistaken that was fear I saw in his eyes. He looked over at Thomas who pulled out his cell. I knew immediately what was going to go down. Shit.

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~Thomas’s POV~

Shocked.

That’s the only word I could find for what I was feeling right now. I glanced over at Grady who was wide eyed with fear as he looked at the man who was responsible for the horror he’d gone through for years. The man who had indirectly caused him pain and suffering when he’d been recruited into the drug ring a few years back. Adrian Corsetti.

If I was being honest, It actually had struck me as odd when Carson had told us that Lucas was coming for a visit exactly two days after we’d asked him to look into Corsetti, but I hadn’t dreamed he would take the man and his brothers with him; especially not on seemingly friendly terms.

My mind drifted back to the events that unfolded a few days ago. We’d been having lunch with friends before it all went down…

Flashback

“Stop sulking Thomas.” Grady said, stealing a handful of fries from my plate.

“I don’t sulk.” I replied with a glare and he raised an eyebrow.

“Then what’s that you’re doing with your face?” he questioned and I shrugged then looked over at Carson when he answered his vibrating cell phone.

“You have news?...Where are you keeping them?....okay I’m on my way.” He spoke then ended the call, by now the entire table was looking at him because we knew that the only time Carson answered his phone at school was if it had to do with the pack.

“Thomas, Grady, come with me.” He said and pushed up from his chair.

Grady and I glanced at each other briefly before we got up and to no one’s surprise Laken followed, leaving the other four at the table looking on at us with concern. Other than Grady they were the only humans who knew we were wolves but our secret was safe with them.

Carson didn’t pause even when we pushed through the school’s main doors.

“We’re heading back to camp.” Was all he said as he jumped into his car with Laken following suit and I didn’t ask questions as I turned to where I had parked and started the engine as soon as Grady jumped in.

I had no idea what was going on but I had a feeling this was big.

“What’s going on?” Grady asked, pulling on his seatbelt.

“Guess we’ll soon find out.” I replied and maneuvered the car out of the parking lot.

Twenty minutes later we were pulling into camp and I trailed behind Carson’s vehicle, parking my car beside his when he came to stop before the holding rooms. I was even more confused than before as I stepped out of the car and when we met up with Carson and Laken at the door, the Alpha still offered no information. Instead he turned to Laken and spoke in a firm voice.

“Laken, you stay here.” He told him and when it looked like his mate was going to argue Carson cut him a look that said he wasn’t kidding and Laken fell silent, glaring at Carson’s back as we entered one of the holding rooms.

I offered him a small smile before closing the door thereby shutting him out.

The atmosphere in the room when we entered was tense. I sensed fear, anger and danger and my hackles rose as we walked pass the first set of guards standing by the door.

In the middle of the room stood at least four other guards, their faces grim and around the small table in the centre sat three haggard looking men, one of them I recognized instantly as the man who had tried to kill Grady that day I was shot. Paul I believed he was called.

“Thomas, Grady I’m sure you know that I had asked my team to continue the search for the man responsible for your injuries.” Carson spoke, his voice reverberating through the silent room. I nodded but Grady seemed to not have heard as he stared at Paul, his expression unreadable.

“Well after weeks of searching and hitting on dead-end leads we finally found him and these two guys in a warehouse not far from the school. They were recruiting more students and asking around for you Grady.” Carson told us. “A bit stupid for you to stay in town though, don’t you think gentlemen?” Carson spoke again, this time addressing the thugs.

The big one; Paul, sneered at him, cutting him a dirty look. “Wait till I get my hands on you kid, you’re gonna wish-’ he started but broke off when the guard standing closest to him kicked the back of his chair.

“They told us, they get their orders from their boss, who gets his orders from the head in London.” The same guard said and Carson’s brows furrowed.

“London? I didn’t think the operation spanned to overseas.” He said “What’s the head’s name?” he asked but the three men remained silent.

“The Alpha asked you a question!” the other guard shouted and the man closest to him looked over at Carson.

“I-If we tell you we’re dead men!” he said, his voice quivering and I watched as Carson stepped closer to the table, staring into the face of each dealer.

“You don’t talk, I’ll be shipping what’s left of you to your loved ones, so open your mouth and give me the information I need.” He said, his voice low and deadly and I saw Grady shiver next to me. I put a hand on his arm to offer support.

“You don’t understand!” the guy in the middle spoke up and we all saw when Carson nodded to one of the guards who, grabbed the chair from under the guy in the middle and proceeded to drag him out of the room literally kicking and screaming. Then Carson turned to the other two.

“Your friend won’t be leaving this camp alive, so either you two start talking or you join him.” Carson said and if I didn’t know him any better I’d think he was serious, but Carson wouldn’t harm the other guy, this was all a bluff to get them talking. I knew his strategies well.

Paul only folded his arms and looked away, jaw set but when Carson turned his gaze on the other, he started spewing everything. He told us that the organization was run by one Adrian Corsetti along his brothers Marcus and Scottie. Apparently this Adrian character was one of the biggest drug Lords in London, as well as a reputed arms dealer and hit man, a force to be reckoned with I presumed. When they told us all they knew, Carson instructed one of the guards to call the police; these men were about to be found handcuffed to a table in the warehouse they had been found, with more than a couple bags of Cocaine and evidence linking them to a few other crimes in town.

Carson was nothing if not thorough. These men would be going away for a long time.

When they had cleared out the room and Laken was finally invited to enter, Carson turned to Grady. “Adrian Corsetti, ever heard of him?” Carson asked and Grady shook his head.

“They said he’s based in London, I’m gonna give Lucas a call, find out if he’s heard anything.” Carson said. “He can take it from there, our job is done.” He said and when we nodded he turned to go.

“Don’t worry Grady, if anybody can get these guys it’s Lucas.” Laken assured him then turned to leave in the direction Carson had gone.

I turned to my mate. “You okay?” I asked.

He took a deep breath. “Yeah I’m just glad they caught them, but I doubt this is over.” he said and I nodded. It rarely ended so easily. I had a feeling that if Lucas got on this Adrian guy’s trail, it would do more harm than good but who was I to question my Alpha.

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End Of Flashback.

If Carson had known they were coming he would have told me, which meant this would be a complete surprise to him as well.

I pulled out my cell, prepared to get in touch with my Alpha.

The only thing that kept me from pulling over was the fact that I trusted Lucas with my life and there really had to be a good reason he was travelling with them. I glanced at the rear view and spotted Lucas looking at me helplessly. He knew what was coming.

I looked away from him and at the others. The one called Marcus looked more bored than anything. Scottie was looking between me and Lucas as if he wasn’t sure what was going on and Adrian was looking at Grady as if in deep contemplation.

“Carson, we’ve got a problem.” I said as soon as the Alpha answered and Lucas deflated in his seat.

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~Scottie’s POV~

I found that I didn’t like the US quite so much after all.

As soon as we pulled into ‘camp’ the vehicle was surrounded. There were men holding high powered rifles and wolves shifted down to form growling at the vehicle. It certainly wasn’t a friendly bunch.

We were pulled roughly from the vehicle, and I spotted Marcus struggling with one of the armed men who held him. The moment his gun came up to rest on Marcus’s forehead my brother froze, his gaze murderous. Adrian’s calm was the only thing that somewhat allayed my fears. He stood on the other side of the vehicle, a good number of weapons pointed in his direction but his hands were casually resting in his pockets and his expression was more amused than anything else.

My gaze strayed to the unarmed man standing a few feet away from me. I cocked my head to the side, my brows furrowed. He had an air about him, one that seemed to command respect and at the same time instill fear. He was similar in stature as Thomas and intelligent eyes that seemed to pierce through you if you were unfortunate enough to have his gaze rest on your for any length of time.

The way he held himself spoke of a high level of authority and leadership. He stood feet apart, his arms crossed at his chest as he surveyed the scene and I was somewhat surprised when a smile tugged at his lips. I followed his gaze to where Lucas was now being pulled from the vehicle but the guards let him go immediately and no guns drifted in his direction.

"It’s been too long Lucas.” The unarmed man said, his voice deep and sure.

“It’s good to see you Carson.” Lucas said and  it all clicked.

So this was the Alpha.

I watched as ‘Carson’ walked the distance that would take him face to face with Lucas then enveloped him in a hug, patting him on the back good naturedly in that familiar way between friends.

The relief I felt was immediate, thank God they were friends because I didn’t know if how long I could stand here with those weapons trained at me. I never did like guns. It was only when The Alpha put his arm around Lucas’s shoulder, pulling him further away from us as they spoke that I realized my relief had been too sudden.

“Lock them up.” The Alpha announced, looking back at us briefly before he continued on his way with Lucas. My eyes widened in shock when I felt the strong hands grab my arms on either side pulling me roughly away from the scene. I heard Marcus start to struggle again and not long after Adrian let out a string of curses. I spotted Thomas and Grady standing off to the side as they watched us being carted away. Their expressions gave nothing away.

‘So much for us being quick friends.’ I thought sadly,  but I think what really got me was the fact that Lucas didn’t even glance our way as the armed men shoved us along, guns still trained on us as we walked. I watched him until he was blocked from my sight but the smile on his face as he spoke with his long time friend was undeniable. My heart plummeted.

This had all been a set up.

AUTHOR'S NOTES

MUNCH ON THAT!

LOL ENJOY.

-DoUbLe.A

-unedited