Chapter 175

Chapter 23: Theo I stormed through the station and outside, needing the fresh air to sober me up. I forced my hands through my hair, keeping Kieran at bay as best I could. I was trying to figure out how the Waar Pak had managed to get rogues to organize against multiple packs when Will came outside.

“What the hell is going on, Theo?” he asked urgently. “Why would they be after Ayla?”

I sighed and walked over to a bench, falling onto it.

“I didn’t tell you everything about Ayla,” I admitted.

“Okay,” Will replied slowly and gently. “Are you going to tell me now?”

I looked around the area. We seemed to be alone. But I also had to consider bringing McCabe in on this information. These attacks were likely to continue, and he may need to understand the motives.

“Yeah, but we need McCabe first,” I said.

Will nodded but looked a little hurt.

“It wasn’t about trust, Will,” I insisted. “It was because there was already so much else to tell you. And I didn’t want to put this mess on you, too.”

“She’s my Luna, too,” Will said sternly. “And whether I’ve met her or not, she’s family. Stop trying to protect me, Theo. If anything, that’s supposed to be my job. Now, how bad is this mess?”

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O 10:49 “It’s bad,” I said.

“Okay, then let’s get McCabe and figure out how the hell to clean it up,” he stated, returning to the station.

I stood to follow, pulling my phone out of my pocket. I sent Ayla a message checking on her. The knot in my stomach relaxed some when she quickly sent me a picture of her and Mina at their dress fitting. She said Maggie was with them as well. She didn’t think Jimmy would appreciate being dragged along, and it was a good girl–bonding activity. I smiled a little, feeling less anxious about her safety but still missing her like crazy.

I met Will and McCabe inside and we went to his office. I filled them in on how I knew what was going on and that the Waar Pak were coming after Ayla.

“The first thing I want to do is set up a special task force along the border,” I said. “We’ll need to reach out to all the border towns to get that organized. Do you think that’s something you can handle, Sheriff?”

“If you can send the men, I can make that happen,” McCabe replied confidently.

“That covers our southern border,” Will stated. “What about the east and west? They may try to travel through our neighbors‘

territories.”

I nodded. “I’ll have to reach out to them,” I said. “The Wildtail Pack shouldn’t be too hard. A few members will be here this weekend for Beta Briggs‘ mating ceremony. His mate, Mina, grew up and has family there.”

“And how are you going to handle Sablemane?” Will asked nervously.

I had told him about my recent history with Kingston. He understood 19.99%%

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10:49 <

Chapter 23: Theo 288 Vouchers the issues I had with the Sablemane Alpha, but this was pack business. Ensuring he’s prepared to defend his territory would protect our borders by default.

“I’ll call Kingston,” I replied. “But I’ll see if Randy can also look into their prior movements. I’m not sure how forthcoming Kingston will be with me regarding any other information he may have.”

I thought about contacting Pierce instead. He seemed to be the one actually running that pack lately. However, I knew that was the case because Kingston had been obsessed with tracking down the Waar Pak members. So he would better know what to do with this information.

“What are we going to do with the prisoners?” McCabe asked.

“I’ll take care of the one in the cell,” I told him. “I’ll let you know what I decide to do with the other two. But I’ve got some phone calls to make. Will, can you help the sheriff get a plan in place for the task force?”

“Can do,” he replied.

I left the office and went to sit in my car. I called Briggs first and gave him an update on what was happening. He would get another group of warriors on their way down by the end of the day.

“Did you want me to call Beta Pierce?” Briggs asked when I told him the other packs would need to be informed.

“No,” I said, “I’m going to call Kingston.”

There was a tense silence on the line before he replied. “Okay.”

“And hey,” I stated tentatively, “don’t say anything to Ayla yet. I’d rather this come from me. If I can get out of here today, I’ll tell her when I get home. If not, I’ll call her tonight.”

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O 10:49 “I can handle that,” Briggs agreed.

“Thanks,” I said. “I’ll keep you updated.”

I hung up and dialed the next number.

“Alpha Theo,” Randy answered.

“Can you talk?” I asked, making sure he was in a safe location.

I heard movement before he replied. “I can now. What’s up?”

“The Waar Pak is organizing rogue attacks on my pack,” I told him. “They started out at the Sablemand border. I have to contact Kingston to let him know they may be coming back to his lands once we get our border fortified. I have a feeling he will know more about the situation than he’s going to tell me. I wanted to see if this was something you could look into.”

Randy chuckled. “I’m already here,” he replied. “Should I get him?”

I sighed. “Yeah, might as well.”

It took a few minutes until I heard Randy giving Kingston the information I gave him. There was a muffled back and forth before he came back to the call.

“You’re on speaker,” he said.

“Were you able to get a name from the rogue?” Kingston asked.

“No, we can’t get anything from him regarding their plan without Ayla.”

“Is it possible to make that happen?” Randy asked.

“Yeah, it might take a day or two to get them transferred, but it’s 70.87%

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10:49 90.75%%%

doable,” I replied.

“Give me a week to get my border situated and I’ll come to you,” Kingston said.

“That won’t be necessary,” I retorted. “Randy...”

“If you want to be able to do anything with the information I have, it is,” Kingston insisted. “Just keep the rogues alive until I get there, Theo.”

“Okay,” Randy rushed in as my temper began to rise, “and you’re off speaker. I’ll play the mediator, Alpha. Keep me in the loop and I’ll do the same.”

“Thanks, Randy,” I said sincerely. “Now, just figure out how to keep him the hell away from my mate.”