Page 114 of Alpha Queen
"How many are still in there?" Ares asked.
"Maybe twenty."
"Who shot you?"
Kane looked at his shoulder and licked his lips. "Not one of your Alphas."
Apollo's jaw tightened. If the rogues inside were willing to shoot Kane, they were ready to die before surrendering. Promise or no promise to River, he couldn't save those who refused to be saved.
Kane gestured to the group behind him. "These are the refugees. Wolves cast out of their packs for various reasons. Some for challenging corrupt Alphas, others for being what their packs wanted them to be." He pointed to a young female holding the hand of a preteen boy. "Sarah was exiled when she refused to mate her Alpha's son. The boy is her cousin. Both his parents were killed during a pack run. No one would say how or why."
A low growl rumbled through several of the watching Alphas.
"This older woman, Belinda, was a healer, banished for treating rogues. Those three young males were kicked out for supporting a Beta who challenged their Alpha's decision to execute a packmate." His eyes hardened. "None of them participated in River's kidnapping. No one even learned she was here until after the fact."
Ares exchanged a glance with Apollo, both processing Kane's words against what River had told them.
"You mentioned others still inside," Apollo said.
Kane's expression tightened with regret. "They're heavily armed and determined to protect Titan. They believe death in battle is preferable to submitting to Alpha authority again."
"Led by whom?" Ares demanded.
"Marius and Lydia. Both were chased for years before Titan found them. They've... seen the worst of what Alphas can do."
Several of the gathered pack leaders bristled at the implied accusation, but Apollo raised a hand, silencing them before they could protest.
Ares huffed, his patience wearing thin. "Open the gates."
Kane nodded to one of the rogues behind him, who moved to the control panel beside the massive iron barrier. With a mechanical groan, the gates slid apart.
"Remember your promise," Kane said. "These wolves deserve a fair hearing."
"They'll get one," Apollo assured him. "But first, we secure Titan and deal with those still resisting inside."
As the gates opened fully, revealing the sprawling estate beyond, a deafening explosion rocked the compound. Glass shattered as windows blew out of the west wing, flames erupting from the upper floor. Screams and shouts erupted from both sides of the gate as debris rained down.
"What the hell?" Ares' eyes flashed dangerously.
Kane's face drained of color. "The armory. It's in the west wing."
"They're destroying everything," a rogue cried.
"Get them out of here!" Apollo commanded, gesturing to Duncan, Regan, and Silas. "Load them in the transport vans. Get them to the safe houses.”
The guards moved with practiced efficiency, herding the surrendering rogues toward the waiting vehicles as another explosion rocked the compound, smaller this time but no less concerning.
"Keep them separated from each other until they can be processed," Apollo added, his voice cutting through the chaos. "No one speaks to them except us and the High Luna."
As the rogues loaded into the vans, Apollo turned to Ares. "This is about to spiral out of control."
Ares' eyes remained fixed on the burning building, his face hard as granite. "We can't let Titan escape. If he gets away-"
"I know," Apollo cut him off. "But those rogues inside are armed and desperate."
"They chose their fate when they decided to side with him," Ares growled.
Before Apollo could respond, Alpha Elkan pushed forward, his face contorted with contained rage. "Enough discussion. We came here for justice!"
