Chapter 23: 23: Reinforcements Have Arrived

MAX

Despite the fallout from Beck’s mission, my dad insists we continue with our plan to scout the southern border. He argues that we can’t go in blind if we have a choice.

I understand his point, but I can’t shake the feeling that this is risky. They probably know by now that we were there.

I’m on the brink of pulling into the airport to pick up the warriors who flew in from the Texas pack. Milo is following behind me in the van.

We can only hope that the Canyon Ranch Pack isn’t watching us. We don’t want them to get wind of our plans.

Warriors from the Black Moon Pack arrived early this morning, traveling under the cover of darkness to avoid detection. They’re currently settling into the barracks-style quarters we’ve prepared for them.

Their lead warrior is scheduled to meet with the alpha, the beta, and Connor later tonight. I won’t be there.

The plan is for me to head to the southern border of the Canyon Ranch Pack as soon as I return from picking up these twenty warriors.

As I pull up to the curb, with Milo right behind me, we park. I take out my phone and call our contact to let them know we’re at the curb.

We don’t want to draw attention, and it’s likely that the Canyon Ranch would recognize both Milo and me if we stepped out of the vans. Two minutes later, twenty burly men are piling into our vans.

Each one has a backpack that they toss into the back of the vans, traveling light. One man hops into the passenger seat of my van, shuts the door, and turns to me.

He extends his hand and introduces himself, “Hello, I’m the beta from the Santa Fe Pack. Name’s Brock.”

I shake his hand and introduce myself. “So they sent the beta, huh? Isn’t that unusual?” I ask, shifting the van into drive.

Brock shrugs, “Your grandfather has a lot of pull, and I’m the best fighter we have aside from our alpha.”

I nod and we navigate our way through Billings. “Ever been to Montana before?” I ask.

“Nope. I gotta admit, I was pretty excited to come up here to the mountains,” he replies, his southern accent revealing his Texas roots.

“We’ve got lots of desert where we’re at, gotta travel to find any decent mountains. Looking forward to the change of scenery, even if it’s not under the best circumstances.”

“I’m sure you’ll find Montana beautiful. I hope you don’t mind, we’ve put you guys up in our barracks housing.” I sneak a glance at him and he doesn’t bat an eye.

“But, I’m pretty sure my father will want you in the pack house on the beta floor. I’ll let him know you’re coming.”

“Whatever’s easier for y’all. I ain’t no wussy. I’ll sleep wherever,” he replies.

I chuckle at his accent and his ‘no wussy’ comment. He’s got a good vibe about him. I think we’ll get along just fine.

SEBASTIAN

“Alpha, we’ve got a problem with the barracks housing.” Connor is standing at my door looking flustered.

“What might that be,” I ask him, raising an eyebrow.

“It seems that the Black Moon Pack sent seven female warriors. We only anticipated four. We have no place to house the extras,” he informs me.

I chuckle, stand from my seat, and walk around my desk. Leaning against it, my arms crossed over my chest, I give him a stern look.

“Shouldn’t you be discussing this with your luna? Or perhaps the beta? I’m sure Jackson can figure this out.”

I’ve got more pressing matters to deal with than sleeping arrangements. Connor is a great lead warrior, but he’s no Milo.

Milo would never have bothered me with this nonsense. “Right. I apologize, Alpha.” He turns to leave, but I stop him.

“Connor.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“We’re prepared for this afternoon, correct? You’ve chosen a team for Max? I don’t want any hiccups with this mission. It needs to be a quick in and out.”

I want to ensure we don’t have a repeat of the last forty-eight hours. Connor takes a deep breath. “Yes, Alpha, it’s all set.

Max asked me not to go on this one. He actually called and said that the Abilene Pack sent their beta and he will be taking him.

I stand up. “Oh, Brock came? Well, that’s interesting. Make sure to tell the luna so she can get a room ready for him on the beta floor.”

“I will, sir.”

Just to double-check that everything is in order, I mind link Jackson before diving back into the maps.

~“You’re handling all the barracks, right? I just had Connor in here talking to me about sleeping quarters for extra female warriors.”~

~“Sorry about that, Alpha. I’ve got it covered. I also let the luna know not to worry about it, it’s taken care of. We’re putting them up in one of the empty cabins,”~ Jackson mind links me back.

I knew he would have it under control. I sit back down and get to work. I can’t wait for all of this to be over.

Just a few more years and Max will be home from his training. I’d love to retire and take my beautiful mate to see other parts of the world.

We’ve both been working hard for the past twenty years and she deserves everything. I smile as I sit at my desk for a moment, just thinking of Serena in a bikini on the beach.

With a sigh, I reach over and grab a map of the Southern border of the Canyon Ranch pack. I need to start marking pinpoint locations on this paper map so that Max will have it with him.

I want this to be as streamlined as possible. In and out, like I said.

MAX

We drive across our border and through the gates. Our sentries are on high alert, standing guard.

We’ve doubled them up, so there are four instead of our usual two. After what happened, we have to maintain tighter security than ever.

We drive up to the barracks quarters that we’ve built near the training fields. The Abilene pack unloads and Beta Jackson greets them and gets them settled in.

All except for Beta Brock, he follows me to the pack house. This gives me a chance to size him up without being too obvious.

The guy is extremely burly, even for a wolf. His hair is cut very short, but he has a full beard.

His beard is neatly trimmed and has an auburn hue. He’s got a full sleeve tattoo on his left arm.

It’s very intricate, looking very much like Viking symbols. I decide to ask him about it.

“Beta Brock, can I ask about your tattoo? The meaning of it?”

Brock laughs, a deep hearty laugh. “Sure you can ask. Which part you looking at?”

“It looks a lot like Viking symbols.”

“Yeah, it’s true. I’m of Viking descent. If I were in Europe, they’d probably call me a Viking.

My dad moved here to become the beta of the Santa Fe Pack. He was friends with the alpha then, whose beta had died in a war.

The alpha invited my dad to be his beta. It’s a good thing he did, because his mate was in this pack.

I wouldn’t exist if not for that, if you get what I mean.” He winks at me, which is amusing coming from such a large guy.

I can’t help but chuckle. “That’s really cool. How long have you been the beta?” I’m curious about him.

I’ll be alpha soon and these relationships matter. “I’ve been beta for about three years.

My dad retired earlier than expected. He and my mom moved back to Ireland for a bit.

My grandparents are getting old and they wanted to spend some time with them.”

“That’s fascinating. We’ll have plenty of time to chat tonight. I’d love to hear more about your tattoos and your heritage.

My dad told me I can choose to lead this pack or another one we have in Italy. It would be great to hear the perspective of someone from Europe.”

He nods but doesn’t say much else. I lead him through the main entrance of the pack house, instead of the side door to our living area.

I’m not sure what my dad’s plan is, so we head straight to his office. We have a lot to discuss before we leave in a few hours, and we need to eat.

I bet these guys haven’t had a meal since they boarded the plane. As we cross the main area of the pack house and pass the dining hall, it’s packed with wolves, many of whom I don’t know.

They’re probably warriors from the Black Moon Pack. “We can get some food now if you’d like, or we can go see the alpha first,” I suggest to Brock as we pause outside the dining hall.

“It’s pretty packed in there. Let’s go see the alpha first.”

We enter the alpha’s office and my dad gets up and walks around his desk. Brock slightly bows his head in submission before extending his hand.

“Alpha Sebastian, I’m Beta Brock of the Santa Fe Pack.”

My dad approaches Brock, reaching out his hand in greeting. It’s the first time I’ve seen a werewolf who’s taller than my dad.

Brock is taller by a good two inches and heavier by about fifty pounds. He’s a true Viking warrior, there’s no doubt about it.