Page 53 of Ruthless Reign

Overwhelming doesn't even begin to cover it. I'm still completely in disbelief that one pack has managed to cause such chaos—all over a bit of land. I know packs are territorial and at times, selfish, but hundreds of innocent people have died.

Sure, it's easy to blame the pack leaders for sending out hunters. What they did was terrible, but I have no reason to believe that their pack members always knew. Most would be innocent—and probably never saw it coming. Families, young children, mate-less wolves—gone in the blink of an eye. All because of one bad decision by an alpha. Well, two alphas.

It's hard to fathom that Alpha Orson has set this wheel in motion, and he's completely protected. They murdered Tyler—but that's the poor reality. In every society, murder exists. It's not a new concept, nor is it accepted… but it happens. Yet, they remain unpunished for their actions. Tyler's family and our pack carry that burden. Nothing will ever fix it or bring him back, but the Seventh Circle Pack walks free while other packs disappear. The instigators, the ones responsible for the hunters and the people who hurt the innocent females, they deserve to suffer. But so many people became collateral damage.

And I hate the fact that Lex is right. We don't know if I was the target for the Seventh Circle's attack. It sounds like they are only concerned about territory and strength numbers. If that's the case, and they aren't hunting because they know the consequences, then it wasn't me they were after—it's our pack.

What happened that night? Was it a case of bad timing—Tyler in the wrong place at the wrong time? Or was it a warning? If so, why haven't they owned up to it?

Maybe they are hoping we will assume it was a rogue hunter. Or perhaps we blame someone else and end up in a fight, weakening us so that they can attack.

Regardless, the fact that we visited them makes me sick. I can't shake the feeling that they may try to come back now, suspicious of our actions. And if not us, then Wyatt's pack.

Their territories are right next to each other. If they want land, that could be their next target. And knowing that Eve ispregnant? They know that they are vulnerable—but also a future alpha is on the way.

I'm scared for them—for my friends.

Lena slides into the seat across from me, and I force a smile. A shadow falls over her and I look up, grinning as I spot Beau.

"Well, aren't you two just the cutest couple?" I tease.

Lena sticks her tongue out, slapping the seat next to her, motioning for Beau to sit. He drags it closer to her before getting comfortable in the wooden chair.

"Where's my big brother? I thought he might join us," Beau says warmly, reaching for a menu.

"He's with the other alphas in a meeting," I reply, smile dropping.

Of course, Lena notices instantly, frowning. "It's bad, isn't it?"

I nod, not bothering to hide it from her. I have no doubt that Lex provides Beau with information, who passes it on to Lena. Besides, while it was once better to keep everyone in the dark, times have changed. Now, we need everyone to be prepared—which is why Alpha Daxton updated everyone last night when we returned. People need to be on alert—this is what we trained for, and if people aren't on guard, ready to defend themselves, then we're risking their lives.

"Really bad," I answer. "We believe that the pack who killed Tyler are the ones who started this whole mess."

Lena inhales sharply. "Shiit… ake mushrooms. What are they going to do?"

I shrug, showing my uncertainty. "I don't know. It's hard to say what their next move is going to be. But right now, all the packs are vulnerable—including Alpha Wyatt's."

Beau's face hardens. "We'll figure it out. There's no way we're letting them get to any of us."

Nodding in agreement, I watch as Lena slumps her shoulders, reaching for his hand. "I don't like the idea of you going away again."

"If Lex has to return to Summer Valley, the pack will go with him," I tell her, tilting my head in her direction. "Including you."

Lena frowns. "And you?"

I shake my head. "I need to stay here. It's where the most trouble occurs. And it's not fair on the alphas if I go with one and not the others. It would be too much of a distraction."

"And it's not safe to travel back and forth," Beau points out.

"Exactly," I agree. "We think Alpha Orson's pack were the ones who attacked us on the trails last time. It's better we stay where we are strongest."

Lena squeezes Beau's hand, pausing as Sarah comes over to take our order. The change is instant in her demeanor, giving Sarah a sly grin. "Hey, girl. You're at work today."

Sarah's cheeks flush, but she doesn't seem embarrassed. "Reese had to work too."

"I'm really glad you guys found each other," I say genuinely. "Honestly, the perfect mates."

"Speaking of perfect mates," comes a familiar playful voice.

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