Omega Bound Chapter 92

Thane

The next few days after Little Wolf's heat were spent resting and eating. We are back at the pack house now. I am currently awaiting intel video footage of a possible base camp for the trafficking ring or at the very least a place where the leader frequents based on the digital paper trail my team uncovered.

Ayla is baking away in the kitchens. She enjoys it, but I had to make a lot of reassurances to the kitchen staff that their Luna was in fact safe and able to work in the kitchens. Yes, they are shocked, but I want Ayla to feel productive and flourishing before she even thinks about taking on anything in the Luna role. She isn't used to pack life as an adult. I want her self-worth to be where it needs to be. I want her confident. If baking in the kitchens provides that and makes her happy, so be it. If anyone has a problem with that, they know where the pack transfer papers are.

A knock on the door pulls me out of my mapping "Hey, I got the info." Cyrus enters and sits down to share with me what Damon found at the new potential trafficking site. "This here is the aerial photo of the entire compound itself. The place is huge and heavily guarded. They observed a high flow of traffic daily of normal vehicles, nothing militia related. This second photo is of two girls brought into the compound yesterday, looking battered. The third photo is of an Alpha shifter that arrived in a luxury vehicle. The others bowed before him. It has to be our guy."

I review the photos from Cyrus and finally see the face of the shifter that ruined my life, Little Wolf's life, and countless others. He is a smug, fat bastard. No Alpha in their right mind would ever let go of themselves in that way. Clearly, he isn't fighting any border wars.

The aerial shots of the compound are terrifying. So close to the northern border, if they were able to cross, we may never find them. It's all dense wilderness. Millions of places for hideouts and they are too large of an area to comb over. "The distance of this one alone would suggest that Ayla is from a more northern location than you realize. If the order to keep her came from up there, she likely did too." Cyrus suggests.

I take that information in, trying to decide when and if to discuss this with Ayla. I need to, but the idea of telling her how far away we need to go right after her heat upsets me.

"We need to get the rest of the team together and plan this raid out. This far away, we would have to set up camp multiple times, I don't want any mistakes, and we need to keep it to elite team members only. I don't need the car bomber finding out." I put the folder back on my desk and decided I need to check on my Little Wolf.

*"How are things going in the kitchen little wolf?"*

*"Great! Making cookies. How's your day going?"* She asks and I can feel the warmth in the bond and the smile in her voice.

*"Oh perfect. Cyrus is rambling something about mind-link sex stomping out of my office. Can I come take you away for a little bit?*

*"We can't. I'm not done with the cookies."*

*"We can. Need I remind you that I am the Alpha and you are the Luna? We can do what we want to do, Little Wolf."*

*"I will feel bad."*

*"I will show you my dimples."*

*"Fine."*

*"I will be down in a little bit to get you."*

I plan to take Ayla out. Another first and it gives me more time to judge this leaving conversation with her. I take out my phone and reserve a seat at an excellent restaurant and leave to pick her up.

Once she is in my arms, the world is right again, and we head to the cabin to get ready as I discuss the new compound found with Ayla. The world tilts on its axis when she asks to go on the raid with us.

"No. Absolutely not. I know a week to ten days is a long time apart, but the answer to that is not to put you in danger Ayla."

"It isn't about the length of time away. I understand this is a big opportunity to take the ring down. It is what I can do. I can shield you, Thane. I can't just pretend I do not have a gift knowing that you are putting yourself in danger. I could not live without you, and I can help prevent that."

"I couldn't live without you either. This is a combat situation. I cannot concentrate if I think you are in danger. We haven't assessed your powers yet. We do not know how long you can hold a shield."

"I held one when you were poisoned, Thane."

"Yes, but that wasn't in a high stress, triggering environment. What happens if you see someone and a memory comes back. Maybe it is the same shifter? You could panic or worse."

"Well, if I recognize a shifter and I am with you then I can point him out and you can get revenge for me."

"Fair point Little Wolf, but the answer remains no." I haven't needed to be firm with Ayla, outside of trying to get her to eat during her heat, but this is her safety. I cannot agree with it.

"I care about you and the safety of this pack. I also care about the girls that are there. Seeing a female with you would help."

"We have female fighters Little Wolf."

"None with my story, Thane."

"There won't be time to tell your story Ayla.”

“I could keep bullets away from you."

"We don't even know if it is bullet proof Ayla and I am not going to find out."

I hate how defeated she looks. I understand what she is saying, but it doesn't mean that the idea of her going makes more sense than staying here in safety. We haven't needed a shield before. That's not to say that we haven't lost any lives, but I am not planning to risk hers.

In any capacity.

Still, the look of rejection on her face guts me. I want so much to let her help with some part of it. To feel like she is getting stronger and to partake in destruction of the system that ruined her before me.

"I tell you what Little Wolf, let me plan the raid with my team and think about your involvement." Ayla perks up straighter looking hopeful at me with those big, teal eyes.

"Really? You mean that?"

“I wouldn't lie to you Ayla. I will think about it. I do not want to be without you that long, and I don't want you to be in danger. I also understand your side. I will think about it." I tell her honestly and she rewards me with a large, radiant smile.

Damn the fates.

I may have a get out of jail free card, but she can have whatever she wants from me. I would burn it all down for her.