Omega Bound Chapter 245

Thane

I sit in front of my laptop, waiting for the video call to start that was requested by Alpha Stevens. I already know what it is about, I just have to decide how to play it out. I also have to try to control my temper and remind myself that the traitor still needs to be found.

Alpha Stevens' snide face comes onto my screen. I immediately notice that he looks haggard. A father missing his pups. Now he understands the feelings of countless others involved in the trafficking ring he exploits.

"Thane. Good to see you."

"Cut the shit, Stevens. You already know how I feel about you." Managing my temper will be difficult.

"Fine. I will make this brief, then. Both my boys have gone missing. My investigation here has led me to you."

"Oh, really?

"Yes. My contacts have told me they left for your pack and never made it back here."

"Maybe they decided to go somewhere else."

"I doubt that."

"Did you tell them to come here?"

"Absolutely not. I forbade it."

"So you think they would go against your orders and come here anyway?"

"In this situation, yes."

"Why would this situation be any different?"

"You know if my boys are there, you will regret ever coming up against me."

"It is humorous that you would think you are threatening me."

"Humor me by letting me come in and look for my boys."

"Your jokes are getting better. You thinking I would let you within my territory is hilarious." I'd kill him on the spot.

"Give me my boys back, Thane, or I will come for them."

"Sure, what parts do you want back? They are hanging on meat hooks in my dungeons, or dismembered." Well, so much for controlling my temper.

"You didn't."

"No, I didn't. Not me personally. Your boys kidnapped a pack member, a crime punishable by death."

"You're lying."

"No. My team and I caught them." I leave out the location since it was on neutral territory, which has a no-kill rule. I had to pay a massive amount of hush money to that sleazy motel.

"You can't make my property a pack member, Thane. She should have been returned to me when you rescued her from the ring. We have all been so worried about her." 

"Her mate says otherwise."

"My son is her mate."

"Your song rejected her. She has been marked and claimed by her second chance mate, who is a pack member and mated. You would have no rights to her, regardless of which pack she lived in, because she is mated. "

"My boys better be alive," he growls and smacks his hand down on his desk.

"Tell me who the traitor in my pack is, then you can have your boys back, Stevens." I leave out the part about getting them back alive.

"Oh, I can't do that. They provide me with too much information."

"Information is worth the lives of your boys?"

"Are my boys alive?"

"I'm suddenly not sure."

"I'm coming for them, Thane."

"I'll have them bagged up. Would you prefer one garbage bag or two? One would be less to carry, but definitely a three-shifter job." Damn, I've known Cyrus for too long.

The video feed cuts off, and I know he's right. He will plan something. I just need to discuss it with Raven to prepare.

*"Raven, Stevens knows. Would he rush into an invasion based on emotions or wait and plan?"* I mind-link.

*"Rush. My father was the planner.*" Raven mind links back.

*"All trained soldiers are called to command. Prepare for an imminent attack. Double borders and utilize heavy artillery. Eliminate all threats. All pack members are called to close down the entire pack. Stay indoors. Use the next few hours to gather supplies you may need. Stay calm and orderly. All non-guard members who can fight are called to watch and police their communities."* I mind-link my orders while pushing peace through the bond, knowing Ayla heard the mind-link.

*"I'm on my way."* I mind-link Ayla as I run down the stairs, shifters are all ready moving through the packhouse, murmuring and running to their rooms.

*"Everybody is here."* Ayla mind-links back. I sigh a breath of relief knowing she is well protected. Although it would help if I could remember that she has a literal shield that leaves her body.

I drove home and around the barriers I had erected as quickly as possible. Cyrus, Raven, and Damon are heading out of the house before I even get pulled up the drive.

"Will he come with them?" I asked Raven as I stepped out of the SUV.

"Not likely. He's out of shape, and I can't remember the last time I saw him fight. My father would hire outside fighters if necessary."

"We run the risk of any sent being gifted," Damon states.

"I thought you weren't going to tell him?" Cyrus asks.

"My temper got the best of me," I respond.

"As usual," he retorts.

"I told him they were dismembered and we will give them back in bags, so if you haven't done it already, you need to. I don't want to be a liar."

"They are already cut up. We kept some of Trevor's skin, though." Raven answers.

"I don't want to know."

Ayla comes from the house with Amani trailing behind her.

"He knows?"

"Yes, Little Wolf."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Stay here."

"I could help."

"You will help more by staying here. Damon will stay with you and Amani. Show him where the weapons are. Cyrus and Raven are with me. We are going to bag up your toys and see if we get the opportunity to give them back to prevent a fight."

"Body parts are better than no body parts." Cyrus shrugs.

"You really think he will come?" Ayla asks.

I nod my head for Cyrus and Raven to get into the SUV. Damon takes Amani and leads her back to the house. "I know he will come. I want you to stay here and keep the pup safe. Plus, I don't want them to have access to you. The traitor is still among us. You're safer here."

I cupped Ayla’s face like she was something sacred. My thumb brushed her cheek, grounding myself in her presence. When I leaned in, everything else faded—the noise, the blood on my hands, the fight to come. My lips met hers, slow and steady.

I pulled away and stared at her teal eyes. They are filled with so much love and respect for me. I can't believe I got this lucky. This blessed to have her as my mate. I know that she can handle herself. I know that I should allow her to stand on her own more and use her gifting, learn, and grow it, but I be damned if I can.

I need to keep my family safe.

"I will stay here, but I will use my gift in front of Amani if I have to."

"Good girl."

"I'm still scared. That fight at the last raid was a lot."

"We handled ourselves fine, and you did too. We're the best around, Little Wolf. Don't forget that." Ayla nods, and I bend down and kiss her one last time. "Go in the house. We need to leave." Ayla squeezes me one last time before turning and leaving. 

I can feel her fear through the bond, and I send as much peace down the bond as I can before getting in the car and leaving.