Page 38 of Broken Forced Mate
“Twenty-four confirmed so far,” I reply. “Could be more we haven’t spotted yet.”
“Against how many of ours?”
“Combined? Maybe forty fighters between both packs. But most of our people aren’t trained for this kind of warfare.”
One of the Ambersky scouts—Marcus, I think his name is—speaks up. “What about calling in support from the other territories? Llewelyn, the coastal packs?”
“That takes time we might not have,” Dorian responds. “And bringing outside forces into our territory creates its own risks.”
The math isn’t encouraging. Even with superior knowledge of the terrain, we’re outnumbered and outgunned by professionals who’ve been preparing for months. But running isn’t an option. This is our land, our family, our responsibility.
My phone goes off with a text from Raegan.Be careful out there. I can feel your worry through the bond.
The message makes something behind my sternum ache. Even separated by miles, she’s connected to what I’m feeling. The supernatural link between us grows stronger each day.
I text back:Stay close to Ash. Don’t leave the compound.
Her response comes immediately:I’m not helpless.
I know. But I need to focus on this without worrying about your safety.
Fine. But you'd better come back in one piece.
An involuntary smile plays at my lips. Despite everything between us, she still cares, even if she hates me for what I’ve done.
“Problem?” Aidan notices me staring at my phone.
“Just checking in with base.”
“Right.” His knowing smirk tells me he doesn’t believe that for a second, but he doesn’t push. After three years of watching me pretend I didn’t care about Raegan, he probably sees right through my attempts at detachment.
Dorian clears his throat, drawing everyone’s attention. “We’re going to split into two teams for the close reconnaissance. Wyn, you’ll take Aidan and Jay north toward the main Thornridge camp. I’ll take Emin and Theo south to investigate the supply routes.”
“What about backup?”
“Radio contact every thirty minutes. If either team goes silent, the other provides immediate support.”
I check my watch. “Rendezvous back here in four hours?”
“Or sooner, if we find something that requires immediate action.”
We split up and load our respective vehicles. The drive north takes us deeper into territory I know like the back of my hand—every canyon, every hidden path, every vantage point that might provide cover. But the familiar landscape looks differentnow, viewed through the lens of impending conflict. What were once landmarks become tactical considerations.
Cover, concealment, fields of fire.
“You know this area better than anyone,” Jay observes from the passenger seat. “What’s your assessment?”
I consider the question while plowing over a particularly rough stretch of desert road. “They chose their position well. Natural defensive advantages, multiple escape routes, and good visibility in all directions. Taking them head-on would be suicide.”
“And taking them by surprise?”
“Possible, but only if we can get close enough to identify their weaknesses first.”
“Which brings us back to the reconnaissance mission.”
“Which brings us back to the reconnaissance mission,” I agree.
We reach the observation point and park the truck behind a cluster of boulders that provide natural camouflage. From here, the Thornridge camp sits about three miles away across rolling desert terrain that offers minimal cover for the final approach.
