Chapter 171

Chapter 19: Theo I called Ayla from a gas station in Bonnerville when we arrived. She sounded like she was feeling a lot better than when I left, but I was still in a foul mood. She may have felt better, but I could hear the stress in her voice. It mirrored my own. I couldn’t believe how much I missed her.

Like, I physically missed her.

Kieran was so touchy I had to force him back and block him out. He was furious about the attacks as it was. He could feel the damage to our connection with our pack members and became more restless throughout the day. Now that we were so far away from Ayla and Dasha, he was practically a powder keg.

“It’ll get easier to deal with,” Will said as he got back to the car.

“That’s hard to believe,” I replied, getting into the driver’s seat. “The local sheriff wants us to meet him at the station. He’ll debrief us and take us to the captives.”

“How many did they knab?”

“Three,” I stated. “None of which are talking.”

I pulled out of the gas station and headed toward the police station.

Like most in this area, the town was a small border town. It had a couple of grocery stores and gas stations, a small shopping complex, a town hall, a police station, and a factory. One large school building housed all three grade schools. There were a few neighborhoods, but much of the population lived on farmland outside town. The other two towns that were targeted were actually larger. That begged the Chapter 19: Theo 288 Vouchers question of whether the rogues were escalating or if this town was so poorly defended it was easier for them.

I pulled into the parking lot and parked near the front doors. We entered the building to find an older male half–asleep at the front desk. He jumped to attention when he noticed us. He was small and a bit frail–looking.

“Alpha,” he acknowledged respectfully. “We’re glad you have arrived so quickly. Give me just a moment to grab the sheriff.”

He scurried out from behind the desk and down the hall.

“I hope he isn’t a representation of the rest of the force out here,” Will said quietly. “My five–year–old could break him in two.”

“Let’s hope that’s why he’s on desk duty,” I replied.

He returned quickly, a much larger, sturdier male in tow.

“Alpha Theo, Alpha Will, we can’t thank you enough for coming down,” the new man said kindly. “I’m Sheriff Finley McCabe. We spoke over the phone.”

“Yes, I believe we met about six years ago as well,” I said, “when you won the appointment.”

“That’s correct,” he replied. “I wasn’t sure you would remember.”

“I certainly try to,” I stated.

“Well, gentlemen, if you will follow me to my office, we can get started.”

He led us to a simple but nice little office near the back of the building. Will and I took the seats in front of the desk while McCabe picked up Chapter 19. Theo 288 Vouchers two files and handed them to each of us.

“The rogues came from the east. They somehow managed to circle up from the south,” he began. “They started along the outer neighborhood, set a few fires, broke in and trashed a few houses. But they moved straight through. That wasn’t their main target and too many occupants were fighting back.”

“What was their target?” I asked, looking over the paperwork.

“I can’t say for sure, but I think they were heading for the town’s infrastructure — town hall, the water treatment plant, even here,”

he stated.

“Same as the other two,” I replied.

“They’re trying to push the population out,” Will said. “Gain ground. for them to move in.”

“That’s what it looks like,” McCabe agreed. “With the help of the extra warriors you sent, we were able to prevent them from doing that kind of damage. But I lost two of my men in the process.”

“We were told there was only one casualty,” I said.

McCabe’s expression was stormy. “My deputy died a few hours ago. A severe head and neck injury.”

I closed my eyes with a deep sigh. “That explains my wolf’s distress. I was hoping it wasn’t another loss. I’m sorry, Sheriff.”

McCabe simply gave a tight nod.

“That was nearly eighteen hours after the attack,” Will stated questioningly. “Why wasn’t he healing?”

Chapter 19. Theo 288 Vouchers The sheriff’s jaw clenched and he opened the top drawer of his desk. He pulled out an evidence bag and dropped it on the wooden surface in front of us.

“Tranquilizer guns?” I asked incredulously.

“Filled with wolfsbane,” McCabe told us.

“How the f*** did rogues get their hands on those?” I asked viciously.

“That’s what I was hoping you would help me find out,” McCabe said.

“Take me to them.”

McCabe stood up and led us out of the office. Taking us through the halls. he swiped a key card that brought us to the other side of the building. As soon as he opened the door, I could hear someone yelling.

“We only have two interrogation rooms,” McCabe told us. “The third we have in a cell. He’s a loud f***er. It’s a shame he only shouts bullshit threats.”

“For now,” I said quietly.

The closer we got, the more my stomach churned at the scent of the rogues. It was a foul, sour stench that left a rancid taste in your mouth. I wouldn’t be surprised if these were life–long rogues, born outside a pack and raised to hate them.

The sheriff banged on the cell bars as we approached. “Hey,” he yelled. “You’ve got a visitor.”

“I hope it’s that delicious little she–wolf from the front desk this morning,” a slimy voice said.

I stepped in front of the cell. Inside, chained to a chair, was a filthy Chapter 19. Theo 288 Vouchers male with tattered clothing. He looked at me from his prison, taking me in. There was no blocking Kieran out anymore. He charged forward, sending my Alpha’s aura bursting through the room.

The man’s eyes went wide and his breathing quickened. He pulled at his shackles. I smirked.

“It seems you like to talk,” I stated, holding my hand out for the key to the cell door. “That’s good. Because I would really like to hear what you have to say.”

Chapter 20 Ayla