Omega Bound Chapter 100

Ayla

Seven nights of hotels and camping later, we made it to the outskirts of the territory Thane believes holds a compound holding my father. Clarke's pack has brought our 80 shifters. He didn't trust everyone in his pack either, but I think the numbers are great. Thane would like them to be better, but I can't fathom any shifters being able to withstand an attack from these trained mercenaries. Thane has been all business since we stepped foot into Clarke's pack. He and the others seemingly flipped a switch, the reality of the situation coming up becoming their focus.

I was grateful for my time in the pack. The Luna Elizabeth was very welcoming. She made me feel comfortable and talked with me about her duties and experiences. It was helpful in terms of what I could expect stepping into my role.

Now, we are grouped outside of the border with Thane giving out instructions. The team sprays themselves with scent blockers and goes over plans and alternate plans for when the first one goes off the rails. I am like a sponge soaking it all in. My wolf in intently taking it all in, learning as well.

We head on foot through the forest. There is snow up here, and I enjoy it immensely. Reminds me of my perceived happier times with my sister. "Pack Clarke will work the perimeter and lay down cover. Use your weapons and shift when necessary. We will leave the packs here. I want two healers to remain here with guards for incoming, and I want one on standby to shift and be ready to get in if needed. Protecting the rescued and taking some of these shitbags alive is our priority. If you see this shifter." Thane proceeds to hold up a photo of my father and I wince.

"Take him alive at all costs. Only put him down if necessary. This is believed to be the leader of the entire operation. Years of work point to him and I want him alive. Use the mind-links. If I say to retreat, we do. If I say to kill everything, do it. We burn the building to the ground before we leave. Any questions?" He asks and everyone stays silent.

We break and head through the forest. I am trying to keep my nerves in check, but while I am feeling nervous, Aramana seems to be rageful, and hungry for vengeance. Feelings I am not used to feeling and it makes me a little on edge.

We cross the service road, and the team engages in a few shifters they easily put down by snapping their necks. Cyrus says keeping the blood out of the air when you are trying to stay hidden is a priority and I make a mental note. Thane keeps me close to his side. We spent last night with Cyrus practicing my shielding and using it away from pack Clarke.

He does not want me to use it outside of our own pack if necessary and since only our pack is going within the compound, I should be fine. He also said that anyone seeing me use my shield that isn't our pack will die by his hands, and I believe him.

The pack is stealthy as the compound comes into view. They make no sounds and are like wraiths through the woods. Silent, deadly and the leader is all mine. I smile at the thought before trying to get myself in check.

Get myself ready.

I trust my wolf to work with me but also to follow her instincts which will help our team survive.

"They have a heavily guarded perimeter, more so than before. Get me some snipers and start picking them off. Team Clarke on you," and with that, shifters bolt for trees with their huge weapons and pack Clarke leads the groups. Once snipers start dropping guards off the roof tops and fence line, pack Clarke lays down cover fire. I stay close to Thane, following him wherever he ducks and weaves. Cyrus is behind me; he too is firing while Thane leads us toward the compound.

My nerves kick up and I feel reassurance push through the bond as I keep one hand on Thane's back, always letting him know that I am here. He is a killing machine, and I am thankful that I am fates blessed, or I wouldn't be able to keep up with his speed. I noticed as we move, I am flanked on all sides. Not only are they doing their job, engaging in battle, and looking for points of entry, but they are ensuring my safety. They are protecting me, and I could actually cry from the feeling, but now is not the time.

We take cover ducking behind anything we can find to return fire. Thane constantly runs his eyes up and down me, checking for injury before taking my arm and pulling me behind him again. The smell of iron is thick in the air. Screams are a constant sound from dying shifters and so is the noise of the firearms shooting and reloading. It is hard to hear and concentrate. I don't know how they can focus under these conditions, but they do. Some wolves are shifted from pack Clarke and engage in fights. We look to have all our people, and I thank the fates for that.

We come up on the entry to the compound and the team fans out listening and waiting as Damon opens the door. Shots rain through it and Cyrus throws in something that explodes loudly, and the building starts to fill with smoke. I can barely see, but I can feel Thane grabbing my arm and pulling me in behind him as we make entry into the building. We are immediately met with more fire as we weave in, finding places to take cover.

This building is huge and open. A giant warehouse of sorts. The team starts to pick off snipers up high, they hit the ground below hard with a thud and I turn away. When I turn, I see an enemy shifter raising his weapon. He somehow got behind Tyler and the thought of Tyler's beautiful waves coated in blood from getting a bullet to the back of the head causes me to react with instinct.

I bring my hand up at once, yanking on my blue thread internally, sending a shot of my blue shield into the attacker, sending him into the wall behind Tyler. Tyler turns and fires between the enemy’s eyes, ending him. "I fucking new that shit would be amazing under pressure." Cyrus calls out and I feel proud of myself. I can feel my wolf preening within, obviously proud as well. Thane sends his feelings through the bond. He is proud but also enjoyed what he just saw probably too much.

"Good job Little Wolf. Next time, see if your shield will hold someone in place. Could be useful." I start to think how that could be accomplished as bullets within the compound die down and the team starts to fan out, clearing rooms. There are a few shifters being knocked out and dragged to a pile, under guard to be questioned later.