* I had left Raechel Hadrian to put together the lists and schedules for the community service of the females. As far as I was concerned, the situation was done and over. It was up to the males to decide when they could move past it. I had kissed her cheek as I headed out. * I shouldn't be gone long. I'm just going to fan out along the border and make sure everyone is doing alright. * She nodded as Thomas crammed a huge piece of waffle into his mouth. * An' behavin', huh? * He asked around the bite. I ruffled his hair. * Smaller bites, buddy. And no talking with your mouth full. * He nodded and I stuffed my phone in my pocket. * If you need me, call. Jackson is here. * Raes eyes met mine, questioning. * Just a precaution. Banishment isn't pretty. * She nodded and I kissed her again, dropped a kiss on Thomas' head and headed out the door. Raja trotted behind me and I scratched his ears. * Protect them good. * He seemed to understand and I stepped out onto the porch and shook hands with Jackson. * Thanks for doing this. * I told him as he grinned. * Of course. Its an honor. Its my sincere hope that my services aren't needed. * I agreed. * Hopefully, I'm being over cautious. But better safe than sorry. * Jackson nodded and I headed to my truck. Cole Ross texted me that he was on his way to get Ian Holder so they could get Mia processed out of holding and off pack land. I was working with Slade Michaels on getting Vincent Gaines set up as a gainful employee of the police department as well. I just needed to touch base with those families that tended to live on the outskirts of the pack land. They weren't rogues; most were older shifters who had barely survived O'Donnells reign of terror. They just wanted to live their lives in peace. It was my job to make sure they stayed fed, clothed, housed and received proper medical treatment. They were outsiders to most and distrustful of those they didn't know. I tried to make the rounds at least twice a month, but with Bianca going missing and then Jordan's disappearance, I had been remiss in these duties. I drove out to the north side first, finishing my coffee as I drove. The first trailer came into view. There were about ten of the camper trailers on this section and there were people working small sections of land. They were harvesting the fall crops before winter set in. I parked and climbed out, watching as each one glanced my way. * The Alpha has returned. * I turned at the announcement and smiled at the old man. Rupert Elslow was the one who took on "leader" of this band of misfits. * I thought surely you had forgotten about us. * I shook his hand as he laughed, pounding my back. * No, I hadn't. Business carried me out of town for longer than expected. * He nodded as he stepped inside his trailer. He poured two black coffees and handed me one. He gestured to a small stool. * Have a seat. * I did and he dropped into a nearby lawn chair. * You're looking smaller than I remember. * I sipped the coffee. * You know they done put me in the hospital? Yessiree, they sho did. Had me hooked up to all them IV fluids like a fish. They said, you doin' anything about your high blood pressure? I said no, they said what about your cholesterol? I said, nope. Nothin'. I cut my arm running that tiller. And she liked to never heal up. Jenny insisted on taking me in, said I was run up with the fever. I couldn't hardly shift. * He sipped his coffee, the proof of his ordeal still scarred. * The coffee was somethin' turrible. I tell you, you'd go on and spit that right out. Don't get me started on the food. Blech. I ain't never tasted nothin' so bad in all my days! * I chuckled. * I'm glad to see you're on the mend. How is everything else? * He looked out over the land. * Fair to middlin'. We could use some clothes. Margaret Alice has a youngin' ready to come any day now. * I nodded, making a mental note. * We can do that. How are your food stores? * He nodded. * We're right set. Waters good. Orion is brewing that rotgut again. Swears it'll be liquid gold this time. * I heard what sounded like four wheelers getting closer, the throttles open. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. * Rupert, you expecting company? * I asked as I stood. * Can't say as I am, Alpha. * Those working in the field stood up. The four wheelers came down the mountain pass, open throttle. It took me seconds to realize the intent. * Call them back, Rupert! * He gave the whistle and just as tools were dropped and people started running, the four wheelers caught air and landed on them. * Shit! * They wore masks and there were at least six of them. I started to run when Rupert stopped me. * You're going to need this. * He slapped a gun into my hands and grabbed his own shotgun. He chambered a slug and I had just aimed when the first driver came at us. I shot him in the head and the hit lifted him into the air and off the ATV. It kept going until it hit the fence. There was no time, people had been run over and now the men were coming for us. Those that were able made their way towards us into the fray. I pulled out my phone to call for back up when I was hit with the impetus of a freight train, my body hitting hard enough to jar my teeth. * Big mistake banishing my sister! * He snarled through his mask, punching me in my jaw. I reached up and grabbed his jacket, pushing him off of me. * Big man, hiding behind that mask. * I growled, sucker punching him. He hit the dirt, and I was on top of him, fisting his jacket and punching him. * We're going to kill you. And your stupid fucking mates! * He announced through his bleeding lips. I hauled him up just as Rupert came up. He jabbed a taser against the males neck and I watched as his body jerked around before he collapsed. * Rupert. You crazy son of a-- * I never finished my statement as more rogues came at us with switchblades and pistols. *

* I had left Raechel Hadrian to put together the lists and schedules for the community service of the females. As far as I was concerned, the situation was done and over. It was up to the males to decide when they could move past it. I had kissed her cheek as I headed out. * I shouldn't be gone long. I'm just going to fan out along the border and make sure everyone is doing alright. * She nodded as Thomas crammed a huge piece of waffle into his mouth. * An' behavin', huh? * He asked around the bite. I ruffled his hair. * Smaller bites, buddy. And no talking with your mouth full. * He nodded and I stuffed my phone in my pocket. * If you need me, call. Jackson is here. * Raes eyes met mine, questioning. * Just a precaution. Banishment isn't pretty. * She nodded and I kissed her again, dropped a kiss on Thomas' head and headed out the door. Raja trotted behind me and I scratched his ears. * Protect them good. * He seemed to understand and I stepped out onto the porch and shook hands with Jackson. * Thanks for doing this. * I told him as he grinned. * Of course. Its an honor. Its my sincere hope that my services aren't needed. * I agreed. * Hopefully, I'm being over cautious. But better safe than sorry. * Jackson nodded and I headed to my truck. Cole Ross texted me that he was on his way to get Ian Holder so they could get Mia processed out of holding and off pack land. I was working with Slade Michaels on getting Vincent Gaines set up as a gainful employee of the police department as well. I just needed to touch base with those families that tended to live on the outskirts of the pack land. They weren't rogues; most were older shifters who had barely survived O'Donnells reign of terror. They just wanted to live their lives in peace. It was my job to make sure they stayed fed, clothed, housed and received proper medical treatment. They were outsiders to most and distrustful of those they didn't know. I tried to make the rounds at least twice a month, but with Bianca going missing and then Jordan's disappearance, I had been remiss in these duties. I drove out to the north side first, finishing my coffee as I drove. The first trailer came into view. There were about ten of the camper trailers on this section and there were people working small sections of land. They were harvesting the fall crops before winter set in. I parked and climbed out, watching as each one glanced my way. * The Alpha has returned. * I turned at the announcement and smiled at the old man. Rupert Elslow was the one who took on "leader" of this band of misfits. * I thought surely you had forgotten about us. * I shook his hand as he laughed, pounding my back. * No, I hadn't. Business carried me out of town for longer than expected. * He nodded as he stepped inside his trailer. He poured two black coffees and handed me one. He gestured to a small stool. * Have a seat. * I did and he dropped into a nearby lawn chair. * You're looking smaller than I remember. * I sipped the coffee. * You know they done put me in the hospital? Yessiree, they sho did. Had me hooked up to all them IV fluids like a fish. They said, you doin' anything about your high blood pressure? I said no, they said what about your cholesterol? I said, nope. Nothin'. I cut my arm running that tiller. And she liked to never heal up. Jenny insisted on taking me in, said I was run up with the fever. I couldn't hardly shift. * He sipped his coffee, the proof of his ordeal still scarred. * The coffee was somethin' turrible. I tell you, you'd go on and spit that right out. Don't get me started on the food. Blech. I ain't never tasted nothin' so bad in all my days! * I chuckled. * I'm glad to see you're on the mend. How is everything else? * He looked out over the land. * Fair to middlin'. We could use some clothes. Margaret Alice has a youngin' ready to come any day now. * I nodded, making a mental note. * We can do that. How are your food stores? * He nodded. * We're right set. Waters good. Orion is brewing that rotgut again. Swears it'll be liquid gold this time. * I heard what sounded like four wheelers getting closer, the throttles open. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. * Rupert, you expecting company? * I asked as I stood. * Can't say as I am, Alpha. * Those working in the field stood up. The four wheelers came down the mountain pass, open throttle. It took me seconds to realize the intent. * Call them back, Rupert! * He gave the whistle and just as tools were dropped and people started running, the four wheelers caught air and landed on them. * Shit! * They wore masks and there were at least six of them. I started to run when Rupert stopped me. * You're going to need this. * He slapped a gun into my hands and grabbed his own shotgun. He chambered a slug and I had just aimed when the first driver came at us. I shot him in the head and the hit lifted him into the air and off the ATV. It kept going until it hit the fence. There was no time, people had been run over and now the men were coming for us. Those that were able made their way towards us into the fray. I pulled out my phone to call for back up when I was hit with the impetus of a freight train, my body hitting hard enough to jar my teeth. * Big mistake banishing my sister! * He snarled through his mask, punching me in my jaw. I reached up and grabbed his jacket, pushing him off of me. * Big man, hiding behind that mask. * I growled, sucker punching him. He hit the dirt, and I was on top of him, fisting his jacket and punching him. * We're going to kill you. And your stupid fucking mates! * He announced through his bleeding lips. I hauled him up just as Rupert came up. He jabbed a taser against the males neck and I watched as his body jerked around before he collapsed. * Rupert. You crazy son of a-- * I never finished my statement as more rogues came at us with switchblades and pistols. *
* How quickly this day had gone to shit. I was surrounded by rogue's. Most of Rupert's small family had been injured but most were still fighting. I used the AK47 without issue, popping rogues off one by one. * We gonna have to get to those run over. * Rupert told me as we were hunkered down behind his trailer. Bullets zinged past me as I peeked around he corner. * I know. There are two left. I can't get a clear shot. * I aimed again, waiting for Rupert's son-in-law to move. I hoped that everyone else in town was okay. I had known Mia was trouble. We had the so called leader slumped next to us. Rupert had tied him up real good with rope and then a strip of duct tape. He was starting to come to and struggling within his confines. I felt the vibrations and realized he intended to shift. Before I could move, Rupert slammed the butt of his shotgun. I'd never get to question the bastard at this rate. * Cover me. * I demanded as I whipped around the side of his trailer. Bullets pinged the dirt in front of me and one zinged past my cheek. I ran in a zig-zag line, making myself a harder target. One rogue with long, greasy hair peeked over the hood of my now bullet riddled truck. Without hesitation I aimed and shot him through the eye socket. The back of his head exploded. I heard the rogue next to him reloading and I dove over the hood of the truck. I had him in my sights. He dropped his gun immediately. He was younger than the others and his hands went up immediately. * Don't shoot me. * I never moved my weapon. * Why shouldn't I? You ran over innocent people and then plowed them down with bullets. Why should I show you more mercy than you showed them? * He was visibly shaking. * I-I didn't wan-want to, Mister. But Brady..he, he made me. * I gestured with my gun for him to stand. He did, his hands still up in surrender. * Who's Brady? * It was quiet as I waited for his response. * Mia's brother. * I nodded. * And who are you? * He hesitated. * My patience is gone and with it my sense of mercy, so you better start talking. I have no problem putting a bullet in your head, too. * I snapped. * Michael. I'm her younger brother. Brady wants the land - this land. And he sent Mia in to see if she could possibly get the deeds. She thought to mate the doctor, get in good standing and convince you to give us this land back. But then you banished her and Brady decided to go rogue, and I didn't want to, but he said it was my duty! * The whole story poured out of him so quickly I could barely keep up. * I didn't shoot anyone, Alpha. I didn't hit nobody neither! But you gotta know, no one knew you would be here! The other rogues are in town. Where you're supposed to be! Do you get what I'm sayin'? * I damn sure did. I opened the passenger side door of my truck and grabbed a tie down. Without missing a beat, I secured Michael's hands behind his back and shoved him into my truck. * Rupert! Bring the other one! * I bellowed. He drug the rogue around to me. I handed him the gun. * I have to get to town, to my mate. They're after her too. I promise I will return here and help fix this. Take all the wounded into town, to the clinic. Dr. Julian Takumi is excellent. I will take care of the expenses. But now, I gotta go. * I ripped the rogue off of the ground and threw him on top of his brother, ignoring the protests. I jumped in my truck and sped off, headed back to town. * Goddamnit. * I roared when I saw the windshield shattered from bullets. * I just bought this fucking thing. CAN I JUST GET A BREAK, HUH? * I shouted at no one in particular before I took a deep breath and counted to ten. I had to be calm. Collected. If anyone had touched my mate, they were dead. It was as simple as that. As for the two in the truck with me, once I had touched base with my enforcers, we would decide together what was to be done. *
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