Page 31 of Prey for Me

“We were divided after the war. The wolves used to be the wardens, the jailkeepers pretty much. And we were the prisoners and… Forget it. Enough chattering. We need to get back,” Nakoa says, tossing sand into the fire as he polishes off his fish.

For what feels like the millionth time since I’ve washed up here, I’m not sure I want to know that answers to my questions as I’m hoisted back onto Leo’s back, Raphael’s situated me there before shrugging on his backpack.

“We have a mission to protect the survivors, and that’s that,” Nakoa says, as if that’ll explain everything. “Now, let’s head into city. Whatever they’ve discovered, it’s urgent enough they’re requesting all pack leaders to attend an emergency meeting.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

GRACE

Idon’tknowifapiggyback ride is the best way to make an entrance as a newly minted pack queen, but it’s what they’re going to get as we crest a hill, and the ruins of Providence come into full view. Without the threat of death looming over my head and nestled between the tropical forest that now looks peaceful, lush, and green, the sight of the city doesn’t inspire terror. It almost appears homely, quaint, in the way a rebuilt settlement in a zombie movie feels quaint.

As my pack walks through the street, and I ride Leo’s back, masked alphas and betas poke their heads out of windows and alleyways with huge grins. Some wave or incline their head. But no matter what, Nakoa keeps his head straight and shoulders square silent like a stone, matching his stone face. Raphael barely makes eye contact, and rarely speaks, only to black masked alphas when he does. And Leo is the chatterbox towards the black masked alphas and red-masked betas alike. Maybe something to do with the pack hierarchy on the island. Not that I want to stick around long enough to find out.

There are clotheslines here and there, drying aged clothing that has all seen better days in the

“Why did you really bring me here?” I ask as Leo carefully places me on the plush chair.

It’s so big I sink back into it like an oversized bed. My body is stiff and slightly achy still from the trip, despite being carried the entire way, so I’m grateful for it. But I make a show of not showing even an iota of the pain I’m in. If my observation of their pack has taught me anything, it is that they value a tough-as-nails attitude and not a hint of weakness. And I’d be smart to at least play the part of a pack princess if I want to gain the pack’s prince’s trust.

Nakoa sucks in a sharp breath, looking at Raphael for support no doubt. They speak in a silent tongue, their eyes communicating with each other in a way that’s unnerving, as if they can read each other’s minds. Finally, the apex of the pack, my alpha, turns to me with a severe, stricken expression.

“I don’t want you to get your hopes up, omega,” he begins, and I don’t like that sound of that. Not at all.

I swallow the lump in my throat as he continues in a hushed voice, “When we went to search for your medicine, we received a report from Delta Pack of–”

“Who?” I ask, trying to delay the inevitable. I have a sinking feeling that is tearing my gut apart.

Nakoa sighs, glancing at the hole in the metal ceiling quickly before looking back at me. “Both shores are divided into thirteen packs. Thirteen foxes and thirteen wolves. We’re Alpha Pack, and below us in order are Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliet, Kilo, Lima, and Mike.”

“Mike? Hotel? Golf!?” I ask, wondering who has the misfortune to be Pack Mike, Pack Hotel, and Pack Golf among the foxes.

Leo snickers, and Raphael, despite not wanting to with every fiber in his being, smiles too.

“Look, I didn’t invent the radio or its alphabet. I’m just informing you that Delta Pack, the fourth strongest among us, was scouting the breach.”

I nod, ignoring the vast majority of what he’s saying because it’s not making any sense, but going along with it. No more stalling. I have to hear the truth.

“And?”

“And they found a shipwreck similar to the one you drew for us. A yaa-ch,” he says the word incorrectly.

My stomach drops to the floor, and I hold my head, dizzy as hell.

“You found…”

“No bodies. None we could recover, anyway, is what Delta said,” Raphael butts in, and I can’t mistake the look of relief on Nakoa’s face.

“O… kay…” I say, stretching out each part of the word as my world slows to a crawl.

“But they did recover someone valuable. Someone who might lead us to your sister. If we can figure out how to communicate with her.”

“What!?” I shout, leaping up way too fast with my ankle tied up.

Leo grabs my shoulders to keep me steady as I try to limp away.

Emilio is a tall, handsome, dark-skinning man with a short afro and a beard. Beside him is another looker, Marquis, with a sauver aura, tan skin, and a goatee. Aaron is shockingly blonde, almost bleach blonde, with a buzz cut and a stern face. And on his knees, beaten, bitten by a large dog by the looks of the wound on his arm, and bruised, is a beta who looks like a youngerversion of Aaron, kneeling before one of the most beautiful omegas I’ve ever seen.

“Ohh?” I gasp, because the resemblance to Mother almost tricks me into thinking I’m seeing a ghost.

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