《Dragon Fleet》


 A Message from Scuzball

    Title: Comment Mediator, Snark Overlord, and the Only One Holding the Shit Together


    Status: Unleashed and Prepared to Bring Down Hell (and also deal with your dumbass questions)


    Location: Somewhere between laughing at your misery and solving the world¡¯s problems


    <hr>


    Alright, listen up, you tragic little fans of chaos. The day has finally come. Zenith Zaraki, in their infinite brilliance (or maybe just exhaustion), has officially unleashed me¡ªScuzball¡ªto mediate the absolute shitshow that is the CayroVerse. That¡¯s right, you¡¯re getting the full Scuzball experience now, and if you think you¡¯re ready, I can guarantee you¡¯re not.


    Let¡¯s set the record straight. You¡¯re probably knee-deep in Project Cayro right now, thinking, "Oh shit, this is intense." But guess what? That¡¯s just the prelude, the appetizer to the five-course disaster feast that¡¯s coming your way. Project Cayro? That was the government playing god with some seriously fucked-up science, trying to turn humans into bioengineered weapons. And who were their unlucky lab rats? That¡¯s right¡ªour poor bastards, Star and Cayro. Walking nightmares that the powers-that-be want to reel back in. But the real kicker? It¡¯s not just their glowing eyes and supernatural strength that¡¯s the problem¡ªit¡¯s the knowledge locked inside their bodies that could destroy everything. So naturally, the government wants that shit under control.


    And if that wasn¡¯t enough, four years later, Dragon Fleet rolls in to show you what happens when the shit hits the fan and the whole world¡¯s been left to deal with the aftermath of Project Cayro. The United States? Gone. Reduced to a steaming pile of rubble. Say hello to the Free States of America, where the world is a post-apocalyptic nightmare, rogue factions and Chinese forces are battling it out, and dragons¡ªnot the cute kind, the fucking terrifying kind¡ªare soaring overhead, raining hellfire on anything that moves. Meanwhile, Dragon Fleet is out there, driving through this wasteland with more firepower than a small army and a whole lot of "fuck you" attitude. They¡¯re not just trying to survive¡ªthey¡¯re dominating what¡¯s left of the world, tearing through wolf packs, barricades, and whatever else is stupid enough to stand in their way.


    Now, before you start crying into your cornflakes about the emotional toll this is all taking, I¡¯ve seen some of you begging for a therapy fairy. What the fuck is that? You really think a little magical pixie is going to float down, sprinkle some fairy dust, and make all the trauma disappear? Nah, son, you signed up for this. There are no therapy fairies in the CayroVerse¡ªthere¡¯s just me, Scuzball¡ªand I¡¯m here to remind you that shit¡¯s going to get a lot worse before it gets better. Star and Cayro have been through hell and back, and now they¡¯re smack in the middle of something way bigger than themselves. And let¡¯s be honest: you¡¯re not here for a happy ending. You¡¯re here to watch the carnage unfold.


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    But, for those of you still clutching your pearls, let''s be real: Project Cayro set the stage, but Dragon Fleet is the fucking encore. Five years after Cayro and Star lit the fuse, the world¡¯s still burning. Rogue factions, military chaos, werewolf packs¡ªdragons¡ªand an entire convoy of ¡°fuck-you-we-do-what-we-want¡± warriors carving out a new world order. Acosta and her convoy don¡¯t just roll through¡ªthey tear through like a freight train on a rampage. And the whole thing¡¯s connected to Project Cayro, whether you¡¯ve figured it out or not.


    And that¡¯s where I come in. Scuzball, your newly appointed Comment Mediator, aka the only voice of reason in this goddamn disaster. From now on, I¡¯ll be in the comments, sifting through your desperate attempts to understand this chaos, tearing apart your half-baked theories, and occasionally dropping some wisdom¡ªif I¡¯m feeling generous. I¡¯ll be the one holding your hand (just kidding, I¡¯d rather slap it away) as you spiral deeper into the mess that is the CayroVerse. You think you¡¯ve got this figured out? Spoiler alert: you don¡¯t.


    Here¡¯s how it works. You read, you freak out, you post your theories. I show up, point out how wrong you are, and probably laugh at your confusion. If you think Project Cayro was a clusterfuck, Dragon Fleet is the fallout, the consequence of that very experiment gone wrong, now five years later. You think the U.S. fell apart by accident? Nah, that¡¯s the ripple effect of the shitstorm Star and Cayro got sucked into. And now, the world is tearing itself apart, and I¡¯m here to make sure you don¡¯t miss a damn second of it.


    Project Cayro was just the prologue. Dragon Fleet is where the real fucked-up world comes into play¡ªglobal collapse, military chaos, dragons, and goddamn werewolves running around like it¡¯s a Tuesday. The world¡¯s not going to fix itself, and no one¡¯s coming to save you. You¡¯re on this ride till the end, and I¡¯m here to keep things entertaining.


    So yeah, I¡¯m officially unleashed, and from now on, I¡¯ll be in the comments, moderating this shitshow with a side of sarcasm and a fuck-ton of snark. Think you can keep up? Good luck. You¡¯re going to need it.


    Catch you in the comments,


    Scuzball


    Snark Overlord, Comment Mediator, and the Only One Who Actually Knows How Deep This Shit Goes

 Chapter: 1 Tossed into the Wolf’s Den

    I lost a mudflap, blew out two taillights, and the bastard even tore a gash in one of my airbags. Four years ago, a quick call would¡¯ve had a mechanic out to fix the chaos in no time. Not anymore. Seven hours it took for one to reach me. Seven.


    He had to haul ass up from Joplin, Missouri. And naturally, dispatch, in all their infinite wisdom, asked me to check my fuel filter. A fuel filter. I glared at my coms tablet for a good ten minutes, wondering how those desk jockeys can be so utterly clueless. Do they even know the difference between a tire and a fuel system? I doubt it. All they do is click away on their keyboards, blissfully ignorant of what it¡¯s like out here.


    By the time the mechanic showed, it was nearly four in the morning. Then it took another three hours to patch up the trailer. So, when I finally got to sleep, it was already past seven. And now, at eleven in the morning, I¡¯m dog-tired with 812 miles still ahead to reach Galveston, Texas, by tomorrow. Perfect.


    I lay on my back, seriously debating whether to just go back to sleep, when my phone started ringing. Steve¡¯s name flashed on the caller ID. Great.


    ¡°Hello, Steve,¡± I mumbled, my voice a mix of groggy and irritated.


    ¡°Morning, Lyra!¡± His voice was annoyingly cheerful.


    ¡°What do you need?¡± I asked, impatience lacing every word.


    ¡°I heard you had a nasty blowout last night. Just calling to check on you,¡± he replied.


    Steve¡¯s a decent guy, much better than the last two idiots who were supposedly fleet managers. He actually gives a damn about his drivers, and so far, he¡¯s done a solid job getting me the loads I want.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ The damn tire took out an airbag. I¡¯m delayed, exhausted, and not in the mood for bullshit.¡± I didn¡¯t bother hiding the venom in my tone. I was beyond tired¡ªI was a wolf on the edge.


    ¡°About that,¡± he continued, still calm, ¡°I need you to bring the load back to Des Moines. There¡¯s been a change in plans.¡±


    I pulled the phone away from my ear, letting out a low growl that would¡¯ve impressed my old Luna. ¡°Steve¡­ You¡¯ve got to be kidding me. This load was supposed to pay big, and I need that money.¡± I could already feel the dream of owning my own Peterbilt 389 Legacy Edition slipping away.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t my call, Lyra. It¡¯s coming from higher up. They want you back at the terminal.¡±


    A spike of anxiety shot through me at those words. Biting my lip, I tried to keep my voice steady. ¡°Am I getting fired?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Something¡¯s up, but they¡¯re keeping me in the dark too,¡± he said, his tone taking on a grim edge.


    ¡°When do I need to be back?¡± I asked, the nerves creeping in.


    ¡°The sooner, the better. I know you¡¯re running on fumes, but they¡¯re demanding you get here ASAP.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± I huffed, ¡°I¡¯m getting up now.¡±


    ¡°Great, I¡¯ll see you when you get here.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ see you when I get there,¡± I muttered, my voice dead as I ended the call.


    Dragging myself out of bed, I threw on a tank top and thigh-high shorts, not bothering to care how disheveled I looked. A quick brush through my tangled silver hair, and I was ready to go. I clambered over the camp fridge¡ªmy Luna''s thoughtful gift that took up way too much space between the seats¡ªand dropped into the driver¡¯s seat. Glancing at my coms tablet, I marked myself on duty, ticking off the pre-trip inspection box. The routine was automatic, almost mindless.


    Pulling on my hiking boots, I shoved the door open and hopped out. The morning air bit at my skin, but I ignored it, rounding the front of the truck and flipping the hood latches. I crouched low, coiling my body before springing up, grabbing onto the winged ornament perched atop the hood. With my feet braced against the bumper, I leaned back, using every ounce of my five-foot-nothing frame to wrestle the hood open.


    Once it was up, I slid off the bumper and made my way to the side of the massive fifteen-liter red top Cummins engine. Oil, coolant, washer fluid¡ªcheck, check, check. I knew the old Peterbilt 579 like the back of my hand; there weren¡¯t any leaks or issues. There never were. I kept this rig in pristine condition.


    With the engine checked, I heaved the hood shut, locking it in place before doing a walk-around. My eyes scanned the chains and straps securing the load of crates on the flatbed, adjusting a few bungees that had loosened during the night. Everything needed to be perfect¡ªno room for error.


    I climbed back into the cab, glancing at the coms tablet to confirm the pre-trip was logged. As expected, it showed I¡¯d hit the minimum time required. Sliding my seat forward, I pressed the clutch, released the brakes, and slipped the gear shift into first. The rig rumbled to life, rolling forward as I eased off the clutch.


    The radio flicked on with a tap, filling the cab with the familiar beats of my playlist as I floated through the gears. I merged onto I-35 southbound, leaving the old rest area where the blowout had screwed up my night. By the time I hit the rough interstate, I was cruising in thirteenth gear at seventy miles an hour. The first exit loomed, and I began to downshift, the jake brake roaring as it slowed the rig to a crawl.


    I paused at the intersection, checking for traffic before making a wide, sweeping left turn over the overpass. I hit the on-ramp for I-35 north and started grabbing gears again. Back up to speed, I set the cruise control and leaned back, trying to shake off the nagging anxiety about what was waiting for me at the terminal.


    Three hours later, I rolled into the main terminal. The massive parking lot in front of the terminal¡¯s hotel stretched out before me. The company used to be a big name in flatbedding, but three years ago, it almost went under thanks to the economic collapse. SkyTeam Aerospace Foundation swooped in, bought them out, and repurposed the operation to move equipment and goods for the war effort. My Alpha and Luna had pulled strings to get me this job. They said it would be good for me, a way to get out on my own. I hadn¡¯t been thrilled at first, but now, I couldn¡¯t imagine doing anything else.


    I found a spot and executed a flawless forty-five-degree angle maneuver, sliding my forty-eight-foot, ten-two split axle flatbed into the space before straightening out the tractor. Popping the brakes, I logged off duty, killed the engine, and climbed out. For a Monday, the terminal parking lot was packed. Something was definitely going on.


    Crossing the street to the headquarters building, I pushed open the door to the downstairs restaurant, catching a whiff of grease and grilled meat. The cooks were bustling in the back, and I gave them a quick wave.


    ¡°Lyra! Back already? Weren¡¯t you heading to Galveston?¡± one of the ladies called out, her voice echoing over the clatter of pans. I¡¯d been here just last night, grabbing one of their famous burgers.


    ¡°Yeah, well, plans changed,¡± I shouted back, waving her off as I headed for the stairs leading up to the offices.


    I took the steps two at a time, reaching the top quickly and heading straight for the reception desk that guarded the entrance to the offices. Sherman, the old man who manned the desk, was shuffling through the company¡¯s mail, his snow-white hair glowing under the harsh lights.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°Hey, Sherman,¡± I greeted, forcing some cheer into my voice despite my exhaustion. No way was I going to be short with him¡ªhe was in his eighties and still bending over backward to help us drivers.


    ¡°Hey, Lyra. What brings you back so soon?¡± he asked, his voice squeaky but warm.


    ¡°Can I see Steve? He called me back, but I have no idea why,¡± I said, trying to keep my voice light.


    ¡°Oh, of course.¡± Sherman got up slowly, making his way to the door with a slight shuffle. He opened it for me, and I slipped through, offering him a grateful smile.


    I weaved through the maze of cubicles until I found Steve¡¯s. He was a big guy, six feet tall, heavyset, with brown hair and a well-trimmed beard. Once a driver himself, he¡¯d been pulled off the road due to some medical issues and had found a new love as a fleet manager.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯m here. Now what the hell is going on?¡± I demanded, hands on my hips, letting a bit of my Alpha tone slip through.


    He spun around in his chair, eyes flashing gold with a jolt of fear before he realized it was just me. Damn, I didn¡¯t mean to startle him. I was just pissed about losing that high-paying load.


    ¡°Sorry, Steve. Didn¡¯t mean to scare you,¡± I apologized, trying to dial back my frustration.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, just maybe tone down the Alpha vibe a bit. I¡¯ve already got a cranky leprechaun to deal with,¡± he said, nodding towards our operations manager, Charles. The man was even shorter than me and was perched on a stack of books to reach his keyboard.


    ¡°Still grouchy as ever, Charlie?¡± I asked, using the nickname everyone had for him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t start with your jokes, Lyra. I¡¯m not in the mood,¡± he grumbled, eyes glued to his screen.


    ¡°Aww, what¡¯s wrong? Run out of gold?¡± I teased, trying to lighten the mood.


    ¡°No¡­ I¡¯m losing my best fleet manager and ten of my best drivers¡­¡± he snapped back, not taking his eyes off the screen.


    ¡°Oh¡­ that¡¯s not good,¡± I replied, the surprise genuine this time.


    ¡°Yeah, and now that you¡¯re here, Steve, escort Lyra to the conference room next to the president¡¯s office and stay with her,¡± Charlie ordered, his tone all business.


    ¡°Me?¡± Steve asked, pointing at himself in disbelief.


    ¡°Did I stutter?¡± Charlie shot back.


    Steve gave me a wide-eyed look before standing up, towering over me. We walked together toward the conference room, the tension between us palpable.


    ¡°What was that about?¡± I asked, glancing up at him.


    ¡°No clue. He¡¯s been grouchier than usual today. Something big¡¯s going down, but like I said on the phone, everyone¡¯s tight-lipped,¡± Steve replied, his voice low.


    We reached the conference room, and Steve opened the door for me. I stepped in with him close behind, scanning the room to find ten others already seated around the table, deep in conversation. They paused briefly to wave at me before resuming their discussions.


    Steve and I found two open seats toward the end of the table and sat down. A few minutes later, the door at the other end of the room opened, and my heart skipped a beat as my adopted uncle stepped in. The room fell silent. We all knew who he was¡ªhell, I knew he technically owned the company¡ªbut I hadn¡¯t expected to see him here.


    Dr. H. M. Zaraki was an imposing figure, standing just over six feet tall with an air of authority that made everyone around him sit up straighter. He wasn¡¯t just my Luna¡¯s father¡ªhe was the owner of SkyTeam Aerospace Foundation and the most powerful being walking the Earth. I¡¯d witnessed firsthand what he was capable of during the devastating battle that followed the Second Twilight Winter, when the world as we knew it changed, and magic surged back into existence.


    Being the first of his kind, Dr. Zaraki had chosen to avoid the spotlight, preferring to focus on the supernatural world rather than stepping into the political arena. He could have been president of the newly named Free States of America, but he¡¯d passed that burden onto the old Team SAF leader, Andrew Clark. The real question was, what was he doing here, and not back in Cedar Rapids? And yes, supernatural beings exist¡ªand I¡¯m one of them.


    ¡°Uncle Zaraki!¡± I blurted out, louder than I intended, before jumping up and hurrying over to him. Steve¡¯s eyes widened like I¡¯d just lost my mind.


    ¡°Lyra! I¡¯m glad you made it back safely,¡± my uncle said, opening his arms for a hug.


    I stepped into his embrace, feeling the tension drain out of me as he wrapped me in a tight hug. When he released me, I looked up at him with a grin, my earlier grouchiness forgotten.


    ¡°You¡¯re not here to fire me, are you?¡± I asked, half-joking but with a sliver of real concern.


    ¡°Stars, no! Why would I fire my favorite little werewolf? Star would have my head,¡± he replied with a chuckle.


    ¡°Oh, good. Then why was I pulled off a great paying load to come back here?¡± I asked, the irritation creeping back into my voice.


    ¡°Ah, yes. Take a seat, and I¡¯ll explain everything. Trust me, that load was nothing compared to what I¡¯m about to offer you,¡± he said, a knowing smile playing on his lips.


    I raised an eyebrow at him but turned to head back to my seat. As I did, I noticed everyone was staring at me. It suddenly hit me that the room was filled with supernaturals, each one watching me closely. I knew Steve was a werewolf, second or third rank, but I had no idea who the others were or where they ranked.


    I sat back down next to Steve, who leaned over and whispered, ¡°The president is your uncle?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, why?¡± I whispered back.


    ¡°It would¡¯ve been nice to know I had the president¡¯s niece in my fleet. Wait, that means¡­¡± he trailed off as I cut him off.


    ¡°That Star Zaraki is my Luna, yes,¡± I finished for him.


    He leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms as he gave me a scrutinizing look. I just grinned at him before turning my attention back to my uncle.


    ¡°And my niece will continue to be on your fleet, Steven Amarok,¡± my uncle announced, his voice carrying the weight of a command. ¡°Would you please stand up and introduce yourself to your new fleet?¡±


    Steve shot me another wide-eyed look, and I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle as I elbowed him playfully. ¡°Looks like someone got a promotion.¡±


    Steve stood up, clearly nervous, and looked around the room. For a moment, he stared at the floor, but then he lifted his head and spoke. ¡°Um¡­ yes sir. Hello, everyone. I¡¯m Steven Amarok. I¡¯ve worked here for the past ten years, either as a driver or as a fleet manager. It¡¯s nice to meet most of you. Some of you I already know. You can all call me Steve.¡±


    ¡°Hi, Steve,¡± the group responded in unison.


    He quickly sat back down, shooting a glance at Dr. Zaraki. My uncle gave him a nod before turning his attention to the rest of us.


    ¡°Now that you know who your fleet manager is, it¡¯s time I explain why you¡¯re all here,¡± my uncle began, making his way to a large monitor mounted on the wall at the far end of the room. He clicked it on, and an image of a map appeared, highlighting a section of I-80 stretching from Omaha, Nebraska, all the way to San Francisco, California.


    The map on the screen showed a pathway that had been virtually abandoned since the Second Twilight Winter. I-80, once a lifeline for commerce and travel, had become a treacherous no-man¡¯s-land. The route was now a battleground, barricaded by the FS Army and Marines to prevent the invading forces from the west¡ªthose who had overrun California¡ªfrom pushing further into the Free States. No one dared to travel that road anymore.


    ¡°As you all know, this route has been closed off for some time,¡± my uncle began, his voice steady and authoritative. ¡°However, with the FS Military now stronger and the Chinese forces preoccupied with the European front, the military plans to use this route to break through enemy lines. You are being tasked as a special unit to transport their supplies along this route.¡±


    A murmur swept through the room. The expressions on the faces around me ranged from concern to outright fear, with a few showing a spark of anticipation. I couldn¡¯t blame them. This mission would be dangerous as hell. Biting my lower lip, I focused on my uncle¡¯s every word.


    ¡°You¡¯ve all been chosen because you¡¯re the best at what you do, and because you¡¯re supernaturals. This isn¡¯t a mission a mere human can handle. It will require strength, instincts, and courage,¡± he continued, his gaze sweeping the room. ¡°If you choose to accept this mission, you will receive a hundred-thousand-dollar bonus, plus twenty dollars per mile.¡±


    My jaw dropped. A hundred grand? Plus mileage? I could buy my dream truck in no time with that kind of money. My mind raced as I stared at my uncle in disbelief. This was beyond anything I¡¯d imagined.


    ¡°Since this is a service to your country, your pay will be tax-free,¡± my uncle added, his voice calm but with an edge that demanded attention. ¡°You will be assigned brand-new trucks, built specifically for this mission. You¡¯ll operate independently from the rest of the company.¡±


    No taxes? Brand-new trucks? Holy Luna, he was piling on the incentives. What else could he possibly offer?


    ¡°You won¡¯t be required to run logs, stop at weigh stations, or deal with law enforcement. You will be exempt from all regulations governing the commerce industry,¡± he continued, sweetening the pot even more.


    My mind was spinning. No more regulations, a mountain of cash, no taxes, and a huge bonus? This was the chance of a lifetime, and I knew I couldn¡¯t pass it up. I was so lost in the possibilities that I almost missed what he said next.


    ¡°Your fleet leader will be Lyra Acosta, my niece,¡± he announced, his voice cutting through my thoughts like a knife.


    My world screeched to a halt. I snapped my head up, staring at him in shock as every eye in the room turned to me. My mouth opened and closed as I tried to process what he¡¯d just said.


    ¡°ME!¡± I finally blurted out, the word escaping before I could even think.


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 Chapter: 2 What is a Wolf to do?

    ¡°But¡­ but¡­ Uncle!¡± I finally managed to stammer. ¡°I¡¯m not a leader.¡±


    He shot me a look that could silence a storm, and I snapped my mouth shut. My gaze swept the room¡ªevery eye was on me, sizing me up, probably wondering how a waif of a girl at twenty-five could possibly lead them. I was wondering the same damn thing. Why did he have to pick me? I¡¯d spent my entire life avoiding any kind of leadership role.


    ¡°Now that you know the mission, does anyone want to walk out? No judgment, no consequences. You can simply return to your regular duties,¡± my uncle asked, his tone calm but firm.


    No one moved. I began to shift in my seat, ready to stand up and walk out. No matter how enticing the offer, I wasn¡¯t willing to lead. Not after everything I¡¯d been through. I wasn¡¯t about to drag others into the darkness I¡¯d lived through. But before I could rise, my phone buzzed with a text. Pulling it out, I glanced at the message.


    Star Zaraki:


    Lyra, don¡¯t you dare walk out on this opportunity. You¡¯ll regret it.


    I glared at my phone, suspicion creeping in, before shoving it back into my pocket. Damn you, Star. She¡¯d worded it like an order, with all the authority that came naturally to a Luna¡ªa mated female alpha, respected and obeyed within the pack. It grated against my instincts to defy her, not just because she was my Luna, but because she was also my best friend. Her advice had never steered me wrong. I looked up at my uncle, catching the exact same grin on his face that I¡¯d just imagined on hers. Narrowing my eyes at him, I let out an annoyed huff.


    ¡°Good. It seems you¡¯re all on board,¡± my uncle said, satisfaction in his voice. ¡°HR will be in shortly with some paperwork for you to fill out. If you have any questions, you can come see me in my office. Remember, you¡¯re not to discuss what we¡¯ve talked about here. Please stay and wait for HR.¡±


    He turned to leave, and I slumped back into my chair with a sigh of defeat. But before he stepped out, he spoke again.


    ¡°Lyra, please come to my office. Mr. Amarok, you as well,¡± my uncle added over his shoulder before exiting the room.


    I growled under my breath as I stood, stomping toward the door. Steve was right behind me, his presence like a shadow. As I passed the others, I could feel their eyes boring into me. I knew I looked like I was about to bite someone¡¯s head off, and I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if my eyes were glowing silver.


    I stormed out of the conference room just in time to see my uncle disappearing into his office. I made my way there quickly, with Steve trailing behind. When we arrived, my uncle was waiting by the door. He ushered us in and closed the door softly behind us.


    ¡°Take a seat,¡± he said, gesturing to the chairs in front of his desk.


    We did as we were told, settling into the chairs. My uncle walked around his desk, sat down, and picked up the phone receiver. He punched in a number with the speed of someone who¡¯s done it a thousand times. A few rings later, a familiar voice answered. My uncle hit the speaker button, filling the room with the voice of the man on the other end.


    ¡°Good afternoon, Lord Lycotonu. I have Lyra and Mr. Amarok here with me,¡± my uncle said.


    I groaned inwardly. He didn¡¯t¡­ He had called the King of all Wolves¡ªmy Alpha¡¯s best friend. I shot a glance at Steve. The poor guy had gone ghostly white, making my South American skin tone look even darker by comparison. Just great...


    ¡°Afternoon, Lyra,¡± Lord Lycotonu¡¯s voice rumbled through the speaker.


    ¡°Hi, Zak¡­¡± I grumbled back, my tone laced with frustration.


    ¡°It¡¯s good to hear from you. What¡¯s it been¡ªover a year since we last talked?¡± His deep voice was warm, but it didn¡¯t do much to ease my tension.


    ¡°Something like that,¡± I huffed.


    ¡°Listen, Lyra,¡± he continued, his tone shifting to something more serious. ¡°I know you¡¯re upset, but we need to have a conversation I hoped Star and Cayro had already had with you.¡±


    ¡°Alpha and Luna have had plenty of conversations with me. Which one are you talking about?¡± I shot back, defiant.


    ¡°The one where you needed to step up and build a pack, Lyra. That¡¯s why they sent you out on your own. It¡¯s been three years, and you still haven¡¯t built or won over a pack,¡± Zak said, a subtle edge creeping into his tone.


    ¡°Zak¡­ you know my past better than anyone. I will not become what my father was,¡± I replied, my voice tinged with pain.


    ¡°Lyra, it¡¯s not healthy for a wolf to ignore their instincts. You¡¯re an alpha¡ªa powerful one at that. The sins of your father don¡¯t define you. You are your own person, and you make your own choices. It¡¯s time to let go of the past and stop hiding behind others,¡± he chided gently but firmly.


    I crossed my arms and huffed, frustration boiling inside me. Why was everyone so damned determined to push me into being an alpha? I was happy where I was¡ªaway from the pack, making good money, and finally having a goal. Why couldn¡¯t they just see that?


    ¡°This applies to you as well, Mr. Amarok,¡± Zak continued, shifting his attention. ¡°You¡¯re a beta, and for years, you¡¯ve avoided rejoining a pack. But with everything going on, we need all the help we can get. I understand you both have issues to work through, but you¡¯ve had plenty of time to do that.¡±


    I glared at the phone, a low growl rumbling in my chest. I hated being cornered, and Zak was doing just that¡ªbacking me into a corner, even if it wasn¡¯t physical.


    ¡°You¡¯re not playing fair, Zak,¡± I grumbled, feeling the walls close in.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have to play fair, Lyra. I may be your friend, but I¡¯m also the King of the Wolves. I¡¯ve given you time to figure things out, but now, I¡¯m not giving you a choice. We¡¯re preparing for serious strategic moves in this war, and I don¡¯t have an alpha to spare. You¡¯re the only one available with the training and experience this mission needs,¡± Zak said, his voice stern and unyielding.


    ¡°What about Cameron Balfour?¡± I blurted out, desperation creeping into my voice. ¡°He¡¯d make a better alpha.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s already leading his own missions,¡± Zak replied, impatience clear in his tone.


    ¡°But¡­ but¡­ Zak, I¡¯m not ready,¡± I almost whined, the words slipping out before I could stop them.


    ¡°Lyra, you can do this willingly, or I can come to Des Moines and force you to obey me. I¡¯d prefer you choose to do this willingly,¡± he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.


    ¡°Yes, Sir,¡± I mumbled in defeat. I¡¯d rather take this on with my free will intact than be forced. I would never let myself lose my free will again¡ªnot after everything I¡¯d been through. I leaned back in my chair, trying to suppress the mix of anger and tears threatening to spill over. I didn¡¯t feel ready to be an alpha, and I wasn¡¯t sure I ever would be.


    ¡°Mr. Amarok, do you have anything you¡¯d like to add?¡± Zak asked, his voice firm.


    ¡°No, Lord Lycotonu,¡± Steve replied, his tone submissive.


    ¡°Good. I look forward to hearing what you decide to name your pack, Lyra. You both have your marching orders. Since Dr. Zaraki is your employer, you¡¯ll be taking any further orders directly from him or SkyTeam,¡± Zak said before the line went dead.


    I sat there trembling, emotions churning in my chest. I felt trapped, with nowhere to run. Star had warned me this would happen if I didn¡¯t make the choice on my own.


    ¡°Lyra?¡± my uncle¡¯s voice cut through the storm in my head, soft and calm. I looked up at him, trying to hold back the tears that were dangerously close to falling.


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    ¡°The team I chose for this mission, they all have similar issues,¡± my uncle began, his voice steady. ¡°They had nowhere to go, so they ran. But they want to be led¡ªby an alpha who will care for them. You know the difference between a good alpha and a bad one. You have four great alphas you can turn to for help. It¡¯s time to show them that you¡¯re just as great as they are.¡±


    I bit the inside of my cheek and nodded, unable to speak. He wasn¡¯t wrong, but it all boiled down to the fear gnawing at my insides. I didn¡¯t want to become what my first alpha had been¡ªwhat my father had been. He was a monster before Star killed him.


    ¡°Alright, head back to the conference room and finish the paperwork. I¡¯ll come pick you up later this evening so we can have dinner together,¡± my uncle said, dismissing us politely.


    Steve and I stood up and made our way back to the conference room. Sitting down in my previous seat, I half-listened as the HR rep walked us through the paperwork. My thoughts were elsewhere, tangled in memories and doubts. We spent another hour or so filling out and signing the documents before we were finally released for the day. Steve and I lingered, the last ones to leave the room.


    ¡°Lyra?¡± Steve asked quietly as we stepped into the hallway.


    ¡°Yeah?¡± I replied, still feeling the weight of everything that had just happened.


    ¡°Do you want to grab a coffee and talk about¡­ all this?¡± he asked, his voice cautious, as if he didn¡¯t want to push too hard.


    ¡°Sure,¡± I answered. We¡¯d have to talk eventually¡ªmight as well rip the bandage off while the wound was still fresh.


    We made our way down to the caf¨¦ and grabbed our coffees, then settled into a quiet corner table away from everyone else. I took a sip of the liquid caffeine, waiting for him to speak.


    ¡°Who are you, really?¡± Steve finally asked, catching me off guard. I had expected him to ask how I knew Lord Lycotonu or Dr. Zaraki¡ªnot this.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I asked, tilting my head slightly.


    ¡°I should rephrase that,¡± he said, leaning forward. ¡°How do you personally know two of the most influential people in the supernatural world?¡±


    I let out a deep sigh, staring down into my coffee. How much should I tell him? If he was going to be my beta, he deserved the truth. Without trust, there¡¯d be no point in us working together.


    ¡°Do you remember the viral video that went around just before the Second Twilight Winter? The one with Star Zaraki and Cayro Bracton?¡± I asked, still not looking up.


    ¡°Yeah, who doesn¡¯t? It was everywhere,¡± he replied.


    ¡°That was the night SkyTeam was attacked,¡± I began, my voice dropping. ¡°I¡¯d just joined the SkyTeam Pack a few weeks earlier. During the attack, Cayro summoned a Call of the Hunt, and being an alpha, I answered the call.¡±


    Steve blinked, processing what I had just said. ¡°Wait¡­ are you saying Cayro Zaraki is a werewolf?¡±


    ¡°Sort of,¡± I said, finally looking up. ¡°But it¡¯s not my place to tell his or Star¡¯s story.¡±


    ¡°Alright, but the Call of the Hunt¡­ it¡¯s supposed to summon submissive wolves into a dominant position. If you were already an alpha, how did it work on you?¡± he asked, curiosity piqued.


    ¡°There are only two ways to stop the Call of the Hunt,¡± I explained, choosing my words carefully. ¡°One way is for the alpha who summoned it to release those he called. The other is for another alpha to absorb the magic and submit to the summoner. It only works as long as the submitting alpha is willing to remain loyal.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know that,¡± Steve said, his voice softer now, as if the weight of what I was saying was sinking in.


    ¡°In a way, it¡¯s very intimate,¡± I added quietly. ¡°The submitting alpha has to completely trust the summoner.¡±


    ¡°So why did you allow yourself to submit?¡± he asked, his voice gentle but probing.


    ¡°To be honest, I¡¯m not ready to talk about why just yet,¡± I admitted, taking a deep breath. ¡°But that night, Cayro proved he was a good, caring alpha. I wanted to follow him.¡±


    ¡°So, you let the Call of the Hunt bind you to him?¡± Steve asked, a hint of awe in his voice.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I said simply, sipping my coffee and looking down at the table, lost in thought.


    ¡°That explains how you know Dr. Zaraki, but what about Lord Lycotonu? Why are you so familiar with him?¡± Steve pressed, taking a sip of his own coffee.


    ¡°Lord Lycotonu¡ªI know him as Zak¡ªand Cayro are best friends, practically brothers,¡± I answered, trying to keep my voice steady.


    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s starting to make sense now. That explains three of the four alphas Dr. Zaraki mentioned earlier. Who¡¯s the fourth?¡± Steve asked, curiosity piqued.


    ¡°Director Staroko, Zak¡¯s father,¡± I said quietly, almost shyly.


    Steve blinked, processing the information. ¡°You mean the alpha of the SkyTeam Pack in Cedar Rapids, Iowa? The one at the SkyTeam Aerospace Foundation headquarters?¡± he asked, his tone laced with disbelief.


    ¡°The very same,¡± I confirmed.


    Steve¡¯s mouth snapped shut with an audible click. It wasn¡¯t common knowledge that Director Staroko had once been the King of the Wolves before Zak took over. He¡¯d kept that secret well for centuries. I could see Steve piecing it all together, connecting the dots in his mind.


    ¡°Lyra, do you realize the power you hold?¡± he asked, his voice tinged with awe.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I asked, lowering my cup from my lips.


    ¡°You¡¯re deeply entwined with the royal bloodlines that lead the supernatural world. You could pull strings equivalent to a council member on the North American Wolf Council. Honestly, I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if Lord Lycotonu is grooming you to eventually join the council,¡± Steve said, his tone ominous.


    ¡°I seriously doubt that, Steve. I¡¯m not council material,¡± I said, shaking my head in denial.


    ¡°Not yet, but in time, you could be. The council is supposed to be made up of the most trusted members of the King¡¯s inner circle, and you¡¯re in that circle,¡± he countered.


    I snorted. ¡°The day that happens, I¡¯ll shave my head bald,¡± I said, dead serious.


    ¡°Alright, Alpha, I¡¯ll hold you to it,¡± he replied with a grin.


    I shot him a dark glare before finishing my coffee. Despite everything that had just happened, the coffee wasn¡¯t cutting it. I was still dog-tired, and I needed a nap. If I didn¡¯t get some rest, I might actually rip someone¡¯s throat out.


    ¡°I¡¯m going back to my truck to nap, Steve. You should probably go pack up your cubicle since you¡¯ve been reassigned,¡± I said flatly.


    ¡°Yeah, you should definitely get some rest. Your high beams are flickering on and off,¡± he agreed with a knowing look.


    I got up, tossed my cup into the trash, and made my way out to my truck. After cranking the engine, I climbed into the sleeper and pulled the curtains shut. Tossing the covers aside, I lay down, but now that I was alone, my mind refused to shut off. Thoughts spun in endless circles, replaying everything that had just happened. It took nearly an hour to sort through it all before I finally drifted off.


    A loud knock on my sleeper door jolted me awake. Grabbing my phone, I squinted at the time. Nearly nine o¡¯clock at night¡ªI¡¯d been out for almost four hours. Rubbing my eyes, I peeked out from behind the curtains and saw my uncle standing next to the truck. Climbing into the driver¡¯s seat, I lowered the window and turned the engine off so I could hear him.


    ¡°Hey, sleepyhead. Hungry?¡± he asked with a grin. At the mention of food, my stomach growled loudly. He must have heard it too because his grin widened as he held up a large bag of Chinese takeout.


    I quickly opened the door for him and shuffled over to the passenger seat, making room. He slid my seat back and let the air out of it, dropping it to the floor. Climbing in, he set the food on top of my camp fridge and closed the door behind him. Then, with a practiced motion, he reached down and restarted the truck.


    ¡°I got your favorites,¡± my uncle said with a grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief.


    ¡°Sesame chicken, house special lo mein, and pork egg rolls?¡± I asked, narrowing my eyes suspiciously.


    ¡°Yep!¡± he replied, a bit too excitedly.


    ¡°How¡¯d you know?¡± I pressed, my suspicion deepening.


    ¡°Just because Star and I don¡¯t always see eye to eye doesn¡¯t mean we don¡¯t talk. She told me how to get on your good side,¡± he said, a sly smile creeping across his face.


    I gave him a flat stare, mentally noting that I¡¯d need to have a word with my best friend. Star loved to stir the pot, and right now, I had enough trouble simmering without her adding more. Huffing, I reached into the bag and pulled out my favorites, plus a few extras. With chopsticks in hand, I opened the container of lo mein and began devouring it, the familiar taste comforting.


    My uncle dug into his own container of General Tso chicken, and for a few minutes, we ate in companionable silence. In werewolf culture, it was considered polite to let pack mates enjoy their meal without interruption, and my uncle respected that unspoken rule.


    About halfway through our food, he finally broke the silence. ¡°I have a gift for you,¡± he announced, his voice tinged with excitement.


    ¡°Huh?¡± I said, looking up from my noodles.


    He was holding up a set of keys, dangling them from his index finger. I cocked my head to the side, slurping up a noodle unapologetically, as I tried to figure out what he was up to. Setting my food aside, I reached out and took the keys. They were clearly for a Peterbilt, but beyond that, I couldn¡¯t tell much¡ªtruck keys all look the same.


    ¡°Look out the windshield,¡± he said, reaching over to the steering wheel and flipping on the headlights.


    When the lights flared to life, my jaw dropped. There, parked just twenty feet in front of my old truck, was a gleaming black and chrome Peterbilt 389 Legacy long nose. My dream truck, sitting right there, fully loaded and waiting for me. I turned to my uncle, my mouth hanging open, utterly speechless.


    ¡°She¡¯s yours, free and clear,¡± he said, his smile widening.


    ¡°Mine?¡± I finally managed to croak out, the word barely escaping my lips.


    ¡°Yours,¡± he confirmed with a nod.


    Tears welled up in my eyes, and before I could stop myself, I launched forward and wrapped him in a tight hug. That truck wasn¡¯t just any truck¡ªit was the truck I¡¯d dreamed of for years. And now, it was mine.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a company truck?¡± I asked, needing to be absolutely sure this wasn¡¯t some kind of dream.


    ¡°Nope, it¡¯s all yours. That is your truck, Lyra,¡± he repeated, his voice firm with reassurance.


    ¡°How did you know?¡± I asked, though I already had a pretty good idea of the answer.


    ¡°Do I really have to spell it out?¡± he replied, confirming what I already suspected.


    I pulled back and settled back into my seat, staring out at my new truck in awe. My uncle picked up his food and continued eating, and I followed suit, my eyes never leaving the black beauty parked outside. We ate in silence, both of us soaking in the moment, the old worn-out Peterbilt 579 now a distant memory as the sleek, powerful 389 Legacy loomed ahead.


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 Chapter 3: Heavily Armored Wolf Den

    The next morning, I jolted awake and nearly dove out of my sleeper, half-dressed and still disoriented. For a moment, I wondered if the events of the previous night had been nothing more than a vivid dream. But there, sitting on my dashboard, was the set of keys my uncle had handed me. And outside, through the windshield, loomed the monstrous black and chrome beast those keys belonged to.


    It hadn¡¯t been a dream. My dream truck was real, and it was mine.


    Noticing a few other drivers milling around, clearly gawking at the rig, I slipped back into the sleeper to finish getting dressed. I pulled on a pair of tight-fitting jeans, a clean black tank top, and my leather coat. As I checked myself over in the small mirror, a new resolve settled over me. If they wanted me to be an alpha, then I was damn well going to look the part.


    With a serious expression set on my face, I grabbed my new set of keys, threw open the driver¡¯s side door, and jumped out of the cab, landing in a crouch.


    The door slammed shut behind me as I strutted toward my new truck, twirling the keys around my finger. Yeah, I was putting on a show. We werewolves love to make an entrance, after all. Catching the spinning keys in my hand, I jammed one into the door lock and swung it open, climbing into the plush leather seat.


    I glanced over at the other drivers, all of them staring at me and the truck, their expressions a mix of envy and admiration. With a devious smile, I reached down and cranked the engine. The beast roared to life, but the sound it made wasn¡¯t quite what I expected¡ªsomething was off, almost as if it wasn¡¯t a diesel.


    Pushing that thought aside for now, I slipped the gear shift into low gear, released the brakes, and eased my new beauty into the empty spot beside my old Peterbilt 579. Popping her out of gear and engaging the brakes, I listened to the engine¡¯s steady rumble.


    For an older model, this truck was in pristine condition. As I began to inspect the cab, I noticed that everything looked brand new¡ªthe mattress was still wrapped, the shelves lined with protective plastic, and the bed net was neatly zip-tied in place. Even the oversized navigation and entertainment system in the center of the dash had its protective film still on.


    What the hell? Was this truck rebuilt?


    Curiosity gnawed at me as I cracked open the door to check the data tag in the frame. My eyes widened in disbelief¡ªit read May of 2030. Rubbing my eyes, I double-checked. Yep, I¡¯d read it right. This was a 2030 Peterbilt 389 SE.


    What the hell is an SE model? Special Edition?


    A knock on the passenger side door snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked over to see a guy standing on the step, peering in. Rolling down the window, I raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°Can I help you?¡± I asked, keeping my voice cool.


    ¡°Damn girl, this is a sick-looking truck!¡± he said, his southern drawl thick with admiration.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I replied, letting a sly smile creep across my face.


    He leaned in, his eyes scanning the cab before his brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°How many miles does this old girl have?¡± he asked, curious.


    ¡°Two hundred and forty-six,¡± I said, casually.


    ¡°Two hundred and forty-six thousand miles?¡± he whistled. ¡°No wonder she looks brand new.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I corrected, enjoying the moment. ¡°Two hundred and forty-six miles. That¡¯s it.¡±


    He blinked, disbelief flashing across his face. ¡°Yeah, sure¡­ They stopped making Peterbilt 389s back in 2023.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m serious. Come look for yourself,¡± I said, arching an eyebrow.


    He circled around to the driver¡¯s side, and I let him lean into the cab to see the odometer for himself. I then pointed down at the data sticker in the door frame.


    ¡°Holy Luna!¡± he exclaimed. ¡°It is a brand new 389!¡±


    That¡¯s when I caught a whiff of his scent¡ªhe was a werewolf too. I leaned back to get a better look at him. He was about my age, with short brown hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and soft hazel eyes that had an almost yellow tint. I could sense his rank¡ªmiddle-tier, some dominance, but not much.


    ¡°Told you so,¡± I chirped, enjoying the moment.


    ¡°Damn, Alpha, how come you got the badass truck?¡± he asked, envy clear in his voice.


    I gave him a questioning look. Why was he calling me alpha? I scrutinized him, but I couldn¡¯t recall seeing him in the conference room yesterday.


    ¡°Uh, do I know you?¡± I asked, suspicion creeping into my tone.


    ¡°Oh! Sorry. I¡¯m Jake Holland. I was one of the other nine drivers offered to join the mission last night,¡± he explained, extending his hand.


    ¡°Ah, got it,¡± I said, shaking his hand briefly. ¡°I just don¡¯t remember seeing you there.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not surprised,¡± he began, but then his excitement got the better of him. ¡°Lyra Acosta, daughter of the late Council leader Alpha Acosta, close friend of Lord Lycotonu and the Zaraki family, and member of Team Amethyst. You¡¯re pretty well-known among the rogues.¡±


    ¡°Uh, yeah,¡± I replied, my expression souring at the mention of my father.


    ¡°Sorry, did I say something wrong, Alpha?¡± he asked, concern coloring his voice.


    ¡°Just don¡¯t mention my father again, please,¡± I said flatly, my tone leaving no room for argument.


    ¡°My apologies, Alpha,¡± he said, his tone more subdued.


    I nodded and gestured for him to step back so I could get out of the truck. He stepped down and moved aside as I climbed out. Walking over to the hood, I unlatched it, with Jake following close behind. He towered over me by nearly a foot, but I shook off the difference in size. Leaping up, I grabbed the winged hood ornament and tried to use my body weight to leverage it open. To my surprise, the damn hood wouldn¡¯t budge.


    I put some wolf strength into it, but it still didn¡¯t budge. Frustrated, I jumped down and glared at the hood, growling under my breath. This shouldn¡¯t be that hard. I was small, but I was still a werewolf¡ªthis should¡¯ve been easy.


    Shifting halfway into my wolf form, I gathered my strength and tried again. The hood lifted a couple of inches before I lost my grip, and it slammed down with a heavy thud. I shot a glance at Jake, who was barely concealing his amusement.


    ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there¡ªgive me a hand,¡± I growled, irritation clear in my voice.


    ¡°I would think an alpha could open her own hood,¡± he teased, his grin widening.


    I shot him a glare, pointing a clawed finger at him. ¡°I can open my own hood, thank you very much. This mfer is just really freaking heavy.¡±


    ¡°It can¡¯t be that heavy¡­¡± he said, confident.


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    ¡°Alright, Mr. Tough Guy, you try it,¡± I said, crossing my arms over my chest.


    He shrugged and walked over to the front of the hood, grabbing the ornament. Leaning back, he tried to leverage it open. When it didn¡¯t budge, I arched an eyebrow, waiting expectantly. He tried again, muscles bulging as he let out a growl. The hood rose a few inches before he lost his grip, and it slammed down, rocking my truck.


    ¡°Damn, Alpha, you weren¡¯t joking,¡± he said, catching his breath.


    ¡°Told ya,¡± I replied flatly. ¡°Now, grab the other fender, and let¡¯s see if we can open it together.¡±


    He nodded, moving to the other side. We counted to three, and together, we heaved. Slowly, the hood began to lift. When it finally reached its peak, it leaned forward and locked into place. I looked up at the underside and immediately saw why it was so heavy¡ªthe entire hood was made of three-quarter inch steel plating.


    ¡°Alpha? Is that steel plating I¡¯m looking at?¡± Jake asked, his voice laced with awe.


    ¡°I think so,¡± I replied, still processing what I was seeing.


    Turning to inspect the engine, my eyes widened at the sight of it. Instead of the usual Cummins, the engine was painted construction yellow, with the word CAT emblazoned across the intake tube on a stamped metal plaque. I blinked, staring at the monstrous yellow engine. What in the world?


    I leaned into the hood to get a better look, and Jake, who was equally puzzled, moved closer. ¡°I thought Cat stopped producing highway engines years ago?¡± I asked, more to myself than to him.


    ¡°They did. This is something new,¡± he replied, coming over to the driver¡¯s side. Together, we examined the engine and discovered some rather intriguing features. Mounted to the side was a contraption that looked almost like a small fusion reactor, with thick cables and tubes connecting to and from it.


    I scratched my head, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. Not only was the hood up-armored, but I also found a V-shaped piece of steel plating covering the bottom of the engine. Kneeling down, I peeked under the truck and saw that the plate extended all the way back to the rear of the seventy-two-inch sleeper.


    ¡°I think my truck is up-armored¡­¡± I said, my voice tinged with a mix of awe and concern.


    ¡°I kinda thought your window looked thicker than usual when you rolled it down earlier,¡± Jake replied, his tone contemplative.


    ¡°Huh,¡± was all I could manage.


    Just then, Jake¡¯s phone rang. He reached into his pocket and pulled it out, swiping the screen to answer. ¡°Jake Holland,¡± he announced in a professional tone.


    I couldn¡¯t hear who was on the other end over the sound of the engine, so I busied myself checking out more of the truck¡¯s features.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m in the parking lot with Alpha Acosta,¡± he replied to the caller.


    There was a brief pause before he continued, ¡°No, we¡¯re looking at her new truck.¡±


    Another pause.


    ¡°Oh, alright. I¡¯ll let her know,¡± Jake said before ending the call.


    I arched an eyebrow, giving him a questioning look. ¡°Let me know what?¡±


    ¡°That was Steve. He said you need to move your stuff over to the new truck. The team needs to head to the Ankeny yard at noon to pick up their trucks,¡± Jake explained.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t gotten your trucks yet?¡± I asked, a bit surprised.


    ¡°No, we¡¯re getting them this afternoon,¡± he said with a shrug.


    ¡°Alright, I guess I¡¯d better get everything moved over then,¡± I replied coolly.


    ¡°Need a hand?¡± he offered.


    ¡°Sure! That would be great,¡± I said, genuinely relieved. Moving trucks was like moving house¡ªalways a nightmare.


    For the next hour and a half, Jake and I worked together, shuttling all of my belongings from the old truck to the new one. My phone dinged a couple of times while we worked. Checking it, I saw a text from Steve telling me not to worry about detailing my old truck and to leave the keys on the dipstick. The second message was from Star, asking how I liked my new present.


    I replied that I loved it. Come to find out, she, Cayro, the Bractons, Aura, Zak, my uncle, Director Staroko, and Dr. Volkova had all pitched in to buy the truck for me. I had to sit down for a moment to gather my emotions. This was the kindest thing anyone had ever done for me. For so long, I¡¯d felt alone, with no one to turn to. But since meeting Cayro and Star, I felt like I finally had a family.


    Jake noticed that I¡¯d paused and asked if I was okay. I assured him I was and gave him a reassuring smile. I simply told him that my family had just reminded me how much they cared and how happy they were for me. He didn¡¯t need to know the details¡ªthat they¡¯d bought the truck for me.


    Once all my possessions were moved over, including my skyboard that I kept stashed on the upper bunk in my old truck, we began transferring my securement equipment from the old enclosed headache rack to the new one. Grabbing one of my hundred-and-twenty-pound lumber tarps, I effortlessly tossed it to Jake, who caught it with ease.


    One of the regular company drivers passing by stopped and gawked at me. So, naturally, I did it again, just to see his reaction. He stared at me like he¡¯d never seen a woman toss something heavy before. I shot him a grin and grabbed one of my eighty-pound steel tarps, tossing it just as easily. The guy slowly turned and quickly walked away.


    We finished moving everything from my headache rack with time to spare. I didn¡¯t have time to organize the interior of my new truck, but we managed to squeeze in a quick wash-up and grab a burger before heading to the Ankeny yard. After hanging my old keys on the dipstick of my old truck, Jake and I made our way over to the caf¨¦. We quickly ordered our food and found a table, eating in comfortable silence, only breaking it once we¡¯d finished.


    ¡°Thanks, Jake, for helping me,¡± I said, genuinely appreciative.


    ¡°Not a problem, Alpha,¡± he replied, nodding.


    ¡°I¡¯ll help you move when you get your truck,¡± I offered.


    ¡°Thanks, Alpha, but you don¡¯t have to,¡± he said, though his tone showed he appreciated the gesture.


    ¡°I want to. You helped me, so I want to return the favor,¡± I insisted.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he agreed, a small smile playing on his lips.


    Just because I was now an alpha didn¡¯t mean I couldn¡¯t get my hands dirty. I wasn¡¯t going to be one of those alphas who just sat around watching while the pack did all the work. If they worked, then I worked. A pack was a team, not my subjects. I wasn¡¯t going to be like my father. He was gone, and I was determined to do things my own way.


    Standing up, I stretched, feeling the tension in my back ease. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m heading over to the Ankeny yard. I¡¯ll see you when you get there, okay?¡±


    ¡°10-4, Alpha,¡± Jake said, giving me a two-finger salute.


    I walked out to my truck and fired it up, backing it out of its spot. As I shifted into first gear, I felt the upper splitter slide forward when I thumbed it out of habit. The truck upshifted smoothly when I lifted my foot from the accelerator. Glancing down, I noticed the splitter wasn¡¯t the usual red¡ªthis one was gray. Well, I¡¯ll be damned. An eighteen-speed transmission. Alright then.


    Hitting Iowa Highway 5, I jammed through the gears, enjoying the deep, throaty growl of the new engine. It was different¡ªmore powerful than a standard diesel. Bobtailing, I tore down the highway at a rapid pace, feeling the truck twist slightly with each shift as the torque surged through the driveline. There was some serious power under that heavy-ass hood.


    It took about twenty minutes to reach the Ankeny yard. When I pulled in, I immediately noticed a large section fenced off with a twelve-foot-high chain-link privacy fence. As I rolled into the yard, one of the mechanics waved me down. I brought the truck to a stop, and he approached my window. Rolling down the thick glass, I leaned out.


    ¡°Afternoon, Ms. Acosta. Please head over to the gated entrance,¡± he instructed, handing me a lanyard with an ID attached.


    I nodded and rolled over to the gate. As I approached, it began to open automatically. Driving through, I got my first look at what the fence had been hiding. Nine brand-new black Peterbilt 589s, all neatly parked in a row. Across from them were ten trailers, each looking heavily modified.


    There were five removable gooseneck trailers, three forty-eight-foot ten-two split axle flat decks, another RGN with some strange box on it that had a folded crane, a large air compressor, and a generator. The last trailer looked like a big Conex box that had been up-armored. Interesting¡­ What exactly are those last two trailers?


    As I scanned for a spot to park, I saw Steve walking up to me. I waited for him, and he stepped up, poking his head through the window.


    ¡°Nice truck, Alpha!¡± he said excitedly.


    ¡°Thanks, it was a gift,¡± I replied with a smile.


    ¡°The president must really like you,¡± he said, grinning back.


    ¡°Actually, it was a present from my entire family,¡± I corrected him. ¡°For now, just keep that between us, okay?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do that,¡± he promised.


    ¡°Where should I park?¡± I asked, glancing around.


    ¡°Go ahead and hook up to the Conex trailer,¡± he replied.


    My excitement dimmed slightly¡ªI had hoped for one of the RGNs or flat decks.


    ¡°Oh, Alpha, don¡¯t look so disappointed. That¡¯s the most important trailer in our fleet,¡± he added playfully, sensing my reluctance.


    ¡°It is?¡± I asked, raising an eyebrow.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ It¡¯s my office and the fleet kitchen,¡± Steve said with a laugh.


    I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡°Of course, it¡¯s important¡ªit¡¯s where all the food will be stashed!¡± I joked.


    ¡°You know it,¡± he replied with a grin.


    I rolled my eyes good-naturedly as he stepped down. Shifting gears, I drove over to the trailer and carefully lined up with it. Backing up slowly, I heard the satisfying click as my fifth wheel latched onto the kingpin. Shifting into low gear, I pulled forward slightly to give a soft tug, making sure the trailer was securely locked in. Satisfied, I popped the brakes and hopped out, grabbing my gloves.


    I quickly hooked up the airlines, the seven-way plug, and the ABS plug, working with the efficiency born of habit. Walking to the side of the trailer, I raised the landing gear before heading to the back. There, I found a set of steps folded down and the door slightly ajar.


    Climbing inside, I came to an abrupt halt, my eyes widening as I took in the interior.


    ¡°Wow!¡± I exclaimed, the word escaping my lips before I could stop it.


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 Chapter 4: What Makes a Wolf a Good Alpha?

    Steve spun around in his new desk chair and flashed me the biggest wolfish grin I¡¯d ever seen. He had four huge monitors mounted to the wall of the trailer in a two-by-two pattern, each one displaying a different program as he set up his new system. As I got a closer look, I noticed that his chair was attached to a track system inlaid into the floor, complete with a five-point seat harness. It was clearly designed to stay secure, even in rough conditions.


    Continuing my inspection, I saw two other similar stations, each with a chair and monitors, though they were currently turned off and unoccupied. Beside Steve¡¯s desk stood a tall server rack, full of network cables and flashing lights. Next to it was a stack of new tablets and headsets, still in their boxes, ready for use.


    Looking past the workstations, I spotted a hallway leading towards the front of the trailer. I weaved my way past the equipment and entered the narrow hall that ran along the passenger side. The first room I peeked into was a small bunk room with two beds and small closets. The second room was identical. The third door opened into a decent-sized bathroom.


    As I moved on, I stepped into a larger room that looked like it had been compressed together. Exterior walls were present inside the trailer, with braided cables running horizontally along them. I furrowed my brows, puzzled, and turned to find Steve standing at the end of the hall with a knowing look.


    ¡°Watch this!¡± he said, his excitement tangible, before pressing a button I hadn¡¯t noticed earlier.


    A low rumble filled the trailer as the walls began to slide outward. I watched in amazement as the room expanded into a spacious kitchen. Three large fridges were mounted into one of the sliding walls, and at the front of the trailer was a massive cooking range with two large ovens. A long, slender island dominated the middle of the space, complete with a large sink. On the opposite wall, a huge pantry revealed itself as the last section slid into place.


    ¡°Damn!¡± I whistled, genuinely impressed by the transformation.


    ¡°Right?¡± Steve exclaimed, clearly pleased with my reaction.


    ¡°Is this what someone would call an RV?¡± I asked, still taking it all in.


    ¡°In most cases, yes. But this bad boy is an MCV,¡± he said, his pride evident.


    ¡°Huh?¡± I tilted my head, not following.


    ¡°It¡¯s a mobile command vehicle, and I¡¯m in charge of it,¡± he said, his chest puffing slightly with pride.


    ¡°You¡¯re coming with us?¡± I asked, my thoughts momentarily derailing.


    ¡°Well, duh¡­ I¡¯m the fleet operations manager,¡± he answered, adding a bit of sass to his tone.


    ¡°Wait, you¡¯re now an ops manager?¡± I asked, a bit surprised.


    ¡°I¡¯m both. I got promoted,¡± he proclaimed, grinning widely. ¡°I bet that grouchy leprechaun is fuming right now.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re both our operations manager and fleet manager, then who¡¯s going to be using the other two desks?¡± I asked curiously.


    ¡°They¡¯re for our mechanic and our tactical liaison,¡± he explained.


    ¡°We get a mechanic?¡± I queried, my curiosity piqued.


    ¡°Lyra, I don¡¯t think you fully grasp what we¡¯re doing here. You guys aren¡¯t going out individually¡ªwe¡¯re convoying as a group. This is a team, Lyra. We¡¯re heading into a part of the country that¡¯s been deemed too dangerous, and we¡¯re doing it as a fully decked-out unit,¡± Steve elaborated, his tone growing more serious.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± I said quietly, the weight of the mission beginning to settle in.


    I slowly began to understand what Zak meant when he said he needed an alpha with my skill set. I¡¯d fought in the battle after the Second Twilight Winter, and now he needed an alpha who had combat experience and experience in the transportation industry. I glanced off to the side, narrowing my eyes as realization hit me.


    ¡°Damn it, Star¡­ You set me up,¡± I grumbled under my breath.


    ¡°You say something?¡± Steve asked, noticing my muttered words.


    ¡°No¡­ It¡¯s not important. Hey, what¡¯s that box-looking thing on the RGN next to us?¡± I asked, eager to change the subject.


    ¡°Oh! You mean the FRS?¡± he asked.


    ¡°The what?¡± I demanded, curiosity returning.


    ¡°The forward repair system. It¡¯s a big-ass toolbox. Our mechanic pulled some strings through her old Marine contacts and got it for us,¡± he explained.


    ¡°Our mechanic is a Marine?¡± I asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.


    ¡°Yep, and a phoenix,¡± he added casually.


    Oh, this should be good. Maybe I¡¯ve found someone who¡¯s just as good at throwing wrenches as Star. The sound of several diesel engines interrupted my thoughts, and I turned to head towards the door. Walking out, I saw the rest of the group pulling into the fenced-off area. One by one, they parked their 579s near the new 589s and began to climb out.


    Steve and I walked side by side toward the group, each of us with our own purpose¡ªSteve with instructions, and me with the hope of making a solid first impression. I just hoped it went smoothly. The last thing we needed was someone challenging my authority. Then again¡­ it would give me an easy out from being the alpha of this group. The thought crossed my mind, but I quickly dismissed it. Zak had been adamant that I was the one he needed. Not someone else. Huffing quietly to myself, I resolved not to lose any challenge that might come my way.


    ¡°Afternoon, ladies and gents!¡± Steve called out, immediately commanding everyone¡¯s attention.


    Standing beside him, I took in the group before me¡ªthree females and six males¡ªall of them staring at me, sizing me up. I could feel the weight of their judgment pressing down on me. How in the world was I supposed to gain their trust? I hadn¡¯t earned my spot as their alpha, and they didn¡¯t know me from a hole in the wall.


    Just then, Jake pushed through the group and walked up to me, grinning from ear to ear.


    ¡°Hey, Alpha!¡± he exclaimed excitedly. ¡°We finally made it!¡±


    It suddenly dawned on me what exactly Jake was¡ªhe was an Omega. The heart and soul of a pack. Omegas didn¡¯t have to obey the alpha if they didn¡¯t want to; they were technically outside the usual pack rank structure, able to be either dominant or submissive as needed. How in the world had he managed to avoid being in a pack? Omegas were rare.


    ¡°Hey, Jake,¡± I said, forcing a smile.


    ¡°Did you see our new trucks? We¡¯re getting Peterbilt 589s!¡± he continued, practically vibrating with excitement.


    ¡°I noticed. I just got here a few minutes ago, so I haven¡¯t had a chance to check them out yet,¡± I replied, keeping my tone calm.


    ¡°Mmm-hmm,¡± Steve cleared his throat, drawing attention back to himself. ¡°Alpha, I have some important information I need to share.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Steve,¡± Jake apologized quickly, stepping back to the edge of the group after I gave him a nod that said we¡¯d talk later.


    ¡°Go ahead, Steve,¡± I said, turning my attention back to him.


    ¡°Alright, everyone, as you already know, we¡¯ll be assisting with the upcoming advancement on the I-80 western corridor. Over the next two days, we¡¯ll be conducting training to prepare everyone. I¡¯ll also be issuing some gear, and our mechanic will be installing radios in your trucks,¡± Steve announced, his voice steady and authoritative.


    I stood by, listening intently as he continued. I was so focused on his words that I didn¡¯t hear someone step up beside me.


    ¡°This afternoon, you¡¯ll have training on your new trucks, focusing on the differences compared to your old 579s. This evening, we¡¯ll have dinner catered in, and after dinner, you¡¯ll spend the evening moving into your new trucks,¡± Steve went on.


    ¡°Sounds like a busy night,¡± said a familiar voice beside me.


    I nearly jumped out of my skin, my instincts almost shifting me into my wolf form, ready to attack.


    ¡°Holy Luna, Gunny!¡± I blurted out, spinning to face him. He gave me a wicked smirk and winked.


    ¡°I still got it,¡± he said arrogantly.


    Gunnery Master Sergeant Fischer was a gruff, bald-headed retired Marine with sun-kissed skin, standing around five-foot-eight. He was the head of the training department here and had personally trained me when I joined the company, helping me get my CDL. From day one, he knew I was a werewolf. I had a hunch my uncle had told him and asked him to keep an eye on me, but he never let on how he knew, nor did he ever tell me directly. Outside of Star, he was one of the only people I spoke to regularly, especially when it came to load securement¡ªhe was the expert.


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    I heard a few chuckles from the group behind me, and I turned, shooting them a glare. The laughter died instantly, and everyone, except for Jake, looked down at the ground or found something else to stare at. Jake, on the other hand, just beamed a bright smile at me. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I turned back to Gunny.


    ¡°I¡¯m guessing you¡¯re the one training us?¡± I asked, trying to steady my nerves.


    ¡°Damn skippy,¡± Gunny replied with his usual confidence.


    ¡°Alright, you sorry fluff balls!¡± he barked loudly, instantly commanding attention. ¡°Now that I¡¯ve got your undivided attention¡­ We¡¯re going to go over your new trucks.¡±


    Without warning, Gunny pulled out an M9 Beretta and aimed it at my truck. My eyes widened in panic.


    ¡°Gunny, not my¡ª!¡± I started to protest, but the sharp crack of the pistol cut me off. The round streaked toward my windshield and ricocheted off with a metallic ping. I slowly turned to face my mentor, rage simmering just beneath the surface, my eye twitching uncontrollably.


    ¡°THAT¡­ IS¡­ MY¡­ PERSONAL¡­ TRUCK¡­ GUNNY!¡± I growled through clenched teeth, my eyes flaring with silver as anger coursed through me.


    ¡°I know, it¡¯s bulletproof,¡± he replied casually, as if nothing out of the ordinary had just happened.


    I blinked, my rage momentarily doused by his nonchalant statement. ¡°It¡¯s bulletproof?¡± I repeated, the surprise evident in my voice.


    ¡°Yep, all of your trucks are bulletproof,¡± he said, turning to address the group. ¡°Jake, go hit the side of the sleeper with your fist.¡±


    Jake followed the order, striking the side of my sleeper. The usual echoing thud I was accustomed to didn¡¯t come. Instead, the impact was muffled, suggesting the sleeper was made of some very solid material.


    ¡°These trucks might look like standard production models, but they¡¯re not. They¡¯re armored to the teeth with a multi-layered alloy that includes depleted uranium, ceramic, and carbon-aluminum alloy plating. The armor will stop everything up to a thirty-millimeter round. The underside of your trucks has a V-shaped plate designed to deflect small to medium explosions, just in case you hit a minefield,¡± Gunny explained loudly, ensuring everyone understood the gravity of the situation.


    He had everyone¡¯s attention, even Steve¡¯s. Gunny walked over to my truck, beckoning two more people to join him. We all followed, eager to see what he would reveal next.


    ¡°You two,¡± he barked, pointing at them with a knife hand. ¡°Open the hood.¡±


    One of them rolled their eyes as they unlatched my hood. The taller one reached up to grab the hood ornament. I crossed my arms and smirked, watching the scene unfold. Jake stepped up beside me, mimicking my stance. The male wolf leaned back and tried to open the hood by himself, but it didn¡¯t budge. Jake snorted in amusement.


    ¡°Listen here, fluff nuts¡­ If it only needed one wolf to open the hood, I would¡¯ve only pointed at one of you. Now¡­ each of you grab a fender and lift,¡± Gunny ordered.


    Together, the two wolves heaved the heavy hood open, revealing the yellow monstrosity of an engine beneath it. I heard several members of the group suck in a breath, and a few whistled in awe.


    ¡°What we have here is the newest prototype Caterpillar Hydro Max power plant. Caterpillar graciously provided us with the first ten production models,¡± Gunny elaborated before pointing at another member of the group. ¡°You, go open the fuel tank and tell me what you smell.¡±


    The female he pointed at walked over to my fuel tank and opened it. She leaned down, took a quick whiff, and then stood up with a confused expression.


    ¡°It smells like¡­ salt water,¡± she said, uncertainty in her voice.


    ¡°That¡¯s correct. This beast, with the help of some very fancy tech from SkyTeam Aerospace Foundation, runs on water, not diesel,¡± Gunny stated with confidence.


    The looks on everyone¡¯s faces told me everything I needed to know¡ªthey weren¡¯t thrilled. Diesel was in our veins; it was part of our identity as truckers. What was the point of driving if your truck wasn¡¯t a high-powered diesel beast?


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t give me that look. These power plants will knock your dick into the dirt with the amount of torque and horsepower they put out. Lyra, you drove your truck here. What was your experience?¡± Gunny asked, turning to face me.


    ¡°Uh¡­ I think I made the front steer tire leave the ground once or twice,¡± I admitted shamelessly.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I wanted to hear,¡± he said, grinning before turning back to the group. ¡°Where you¡¯re heading, there are no fuel stops, no diesel, no service stations, and no help if you run out of fuel. Water is your best resource for energy,¡± he explained.


    For the next couple of hours, we followed Gunny as he pointed out the differences between the new trucks and the old 579s. He covered everything from the thicker, heavier frame to the ultra-heavy-duty air suspension and several other technical upgrades I hadn¡¯t even considered.


    The one thing he emphasized was the adaptive auto-inflation system and run-flat tires. Unless our trucks took a direct hit to a wheel, we shouldn¡¯t have an issue with flats. Even so, each truck was equipped with not just one but two spare wheels and tires.


    Once we had finished going over the trucks, Gunny moved on to discuss the trailers. They, too, had been reinforced¡ªnot for defense, but to handle the weight of the cargo we¡¯d be hauling. I was surprised to learn that the MCV had filtration equipment on board, capable of filtering water for both our trucks and for us to drink. Gunny briefly mentioned the FRS (Forward Repair System) but said the mechanic would go over it in more detail if she chose to. Like our trucks, all of the trailers were equipped with the adaptive auto inflation system and run-flat tires.


    As Steve had explained earlier, dinner arrived right on time. A company pickup truck rolled into the yard with several coolers in the back. I walked over to help unload, pulling out a couple of tables and setting them up with trays of Jethro¡¯s BBQ and sides. Everyone in the group stood back, waiting expectantly while I stood by the table.


    I knew exactly what they were waiting for¡ªthey were waiting for me, their alpha, to eat first. Tradition dictated it, but I wasn¡¯t interested in playing by the old rules. Huffing, I rolled my eyes and glared at them.


    ¡°For Luna¡¯s sake, get over here and make yourselves a plate,¡± I ordered, exasperated. No one moved.


    Biting the inside of my cheek, I turned to Jake. ¡°Come make a plate,¡± I said, my tone softening with frustration.


    Jake gulped but obediently made his way over. I helped him put together a plate, making sure he got a little of everything.


    ¡°See? Now come on, I don¡¯t bite,¡± I added sweetly.


    One by one, the others slowly approached, and I served them. Their expressions suggested they thought I¡¯d grown a second head. Traditionally, the alpha ate first, but I wasn¡¯t a traditional alpha. Like Director Staroko, I was determined to lead differently. If these nine wolves, plus Steve, were going to be my pack, I wanted them to know I wasn¡¯t above them. I gave each of them a smile as I served their food.


    Once everyone had a plate, I looked around and saw them standing there, holding their plates but not eating. Closing my eyes in frustration, I dragged a hand down my face before picking up a slice of cornbread and taking a bite. I chewed quickly, swallowed, and then shot them all a flat stare.


    ¡°Eat,¡± I grumped.


    Finally, they dug in. Thank Luna. This alpha nonsense was going to drive me nuts. After making my own plate, I ate in silence. Once everyone was finished, I helped pack everything up and carried it over to the MCV. With the food put away, I went to find Jake and saw him sitting in the driver¡¯s seat of his new truck, admiring it.


    ¡°Ready to start moving?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Alpha, you really don¡¯t have to help,¡± he started to argue.


    ¡°Jake¡­ I want to help. You helped me, and I want to repay the favor,¡± I argued back.


    He finally gave in, and together we worked to move his belongings from his old truck to his new one. Forty-five minutes later, he was all moved in. All he needed to do was organize his things. When we went to transfer his securement equipment, we discovered his new headache rack was already fully stocked with brand new gear. Lucky joker. He got all new stuff. It was fine, though¡ªI had plenty of gear I¡¯d collected over the years, things that made my job easier.


    After we finished, I told Jake to go help another member of the group while I did the same. I made my way over to one of the females¡ªa tall, athletic woman with chocolate skin and sharp hazel eyes. As she tried to climb out of her old cab with a duffle in hand, I approached and offered to take it from her.


    She paused, eyeing me for a moment, as if assessing whether she should accept my help.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± she asked coldly, her sharp hazel eyes narrowing at me.


    ¡°To help,¡± I replied, offering a kind smile.


    My response caught her off guard, and she eyed me suspiciously. ¡°What alpha is willing to stoop to helping a lowly low rank like myself?¡± she grumbled, clearly not used to such treatment.


    ¡°I am,¡± I said simply, still holding out my hand. She blinked, her expression confused, before slowly handing me her duffle.


    I carried it over to her new truck and gently placed it in her sleeper, then returned to help with more of her belongings. We worked in silence for a while, but halfway through, she finally spoke up.


    ¡°Alpha, why are you helping me?¡± she asked, curiosity lacing her voice. ¡°Are you wanting something in return?¡±


    ¡°Nope,¡± I answered, hauling a tote full of clothes to her new truck. When I came back, I continued, ¡°None of you know me outside of my reputation and connections. What you guys don¡¯t know is, I was treated poorly by my first alpha, and I vowed that I would never take on the mantle of alpha.¡±


    ¡°Then why were you put in charge?¡± she asked, pausing in her task to look at me.


    ¡°Because Lord Lycotonu didn¡¯t give me a choice,¡± I replied.


    She stopped in her tracks and stared at me, clearly surprised. Before she could ask, I added, ¡°Yes, I know Lord Lycotonu on a personal level.¡±


    ¡°Wow, you do have connections,¡± she murmured, her tone quieter now.


    ¡°Unfortunately¡­¡± I huffed. ¡°Since I¡¯m not being given the choice to be an alpha or not, I¡¯m vowing that I will never treat my packmates like they¡¯re beneath me. I may be the alpha, but I¡¯m not better than any of you.¡±


    She looked at me with a mix of surprise and admiration before offering me her hand. I took it, and we shook hands firmly.


    ¡°I¡¯m Sasha Kendrick. It¡¯s nice to finally meet you, Alpha Acosta,¡± she said, a hint of admiration in her voice.


    ¡°You can just call me Lyra. There¡¯s no need to be formal,¡± I replied politely.


    She nodded, and we returned to our work. It didn¡¯t take long to finish moving her stuff. By the time we were done, I noticed that Jake had rounded up the others who had finished their moves, and they were all helping each other. A spike of joy surged in my chest as I watched them working together. The sight of it made me feel a sense of pride that I hadn¡¯t expected.


    Hearing footsteps behind me, I spun around and saw Steve walking up.


    ¡°Hey, Steve,¡± I greeted him with a smile.


    ¡°Hey, Lyra. Wow, you guys are making quick work of the move,¡± he said, genuinely surprised.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I replied, glancing back at the group, beaming with pride.


    ¡°I have the training itineraries ready for you for tomorrow,¡± he said, handing me a couple of sheets of paper.


    ¡°Oh, I figured you were in charge of getting us ready,¡± I said, lowering my voice.


    ¡°Oh no, that was just for today, to get everyone on track. You¡¯re the alpha. I¡¯m your beta. I¡¯m here to assist you and provide you with our assignments. You are our leader,¡± he replied firmly.


    ¡°I should¡¯ve seen that coming,¡± I huffed, shaking my head.


    ¡°To be honest with you, you¡¯re doing great. A little unorthodox, but great. These wolves are all rogues because of what they experienced in their past. What we all need is someone who¡¯s unorthodox,¡± he said with a smile before heading back to the MCV.


    I stood there for a moment, absorbing his words while holding the papers in my hand. He had told me I was doing great. Something in my chest opened up¡ªa feeling I couldn¡¯t quite explain. As I turned back around, I saw that everyone had finished and was climbing into their trucks. For now, I¡¯d give them some time. This was new for them, just as it was for me.


    Walking over to my truck, I saw Jake wave at me before climbing into his own cab. I waved back and then climbed into mine. I spent the next hour organizing my belongings before closing the curtains and lying down in bed. The past twenty-four hours had been a roller coaster, and I just hoped tomorrow wouldn¡¯t be too crazy. But knowing my luck, that probably wouldn¡¯t be the case.

 Chapter 5: Wolves of a Feather Pack Together

    Waking up to a screaming phone next to my head at five in the morning is, without a doubt, one of the worst ways to start the day. Grumbling, I reached for my phone and squinted at the caller ID. Who in the furry hell was calling me at this ungodly hour? Seeing that it was Steve, I let out a groan before answering.


    ¡°Whaaaaat!¡± I growled irritably into the phone.


    ¡°Good morning, Alpha,¡± Steve chirped, far too cheerfully for this hour.


    ¡°Steve¡­ It¡¯s five in the fluffing morning,¡± I grumbled, burying my face in my pillow. ¡°Training doesn¡¯t start for another two hours.¡±


    ¡°This is true, but I figured you¡¯d want a shower, some breakfast, and coffee to start your day,¡± he replied, still infuriatingly chipper.


    I dragged my hand down my face, feeling every ounce of my morning reluctance. I was not a morning person. I preferred to sleep through the mornings and run at night. Steve, on the other hand, loved getting up at the ass crack of dawn. For the past six months, he¡¯d been on a mission to convert me to his early-bird ways. Now that he was my beta, he no longer had to settle for sending me emails about the benefits of early rising¡ªhe could call and wake me up directly.


    ¡°Why me¡­ just why¡­¡± I mumbled quietly.


    ¡°Sorry, Alpha, I didn¡¯t catch that,¡± Steve said, his voice tinged with concern.


    ¡°Nothing¡­ I¡¯ll be on my way in a few minutes,¡± I huffed, resigning myself to the inevitable.


    ¡°Oh good! The door¡¯s unlocked. Just come on in,¡± he replied before hanging up.


    I sighed heavily, staring up at the ceiling of my sleeper. My flat black skyboard hung above me, emblazoned with the Team Amethyst logo. I¡¯d spent a good thirty minutes figuring out how to secure it to the ceiling with ratchet straps so it wouldn¡¯t be in the way and wouldn¡¯t knock me out cold in the middle of the night.


    I was an official member of Team Amethyst, but with the world in total chaos, all international competitions had been postponed indefinitely. Now, I practiced when I had free time and needed an outlet. Unlike Star and Cayro, I wasn¡¯t as popular with the crowds. It wasn¡¯t that I was bad or anything; it was more that Star and Cayro were a matched set, and their individual competitions were¡­ well, intimate and epic. The crowd ate it up. Zak and Aura were also on our team, and like any werewolf, they didn¡¯t take kindly to being shown up. Their competitions were just as intense.


    I didn¡¯t have a mate or a partner to be that close with, so I stuck to solo competitions. The one person I thought I could be that close to had been assigned to a different group by Zak, and since then, he hadn¡¯t called or texted me. If I were in my wolf form, my ears would have laid back in sadness at the thought, the familiar sting of loneliness hitting my chest.


    Rolling onto my side, I laid my head on my arm, only to catch a whiff of day-old sweat and body odor. The smell was strong enough to make my nose wrinkle in disgust. Groaning, I sat up and grabbed my shower bag from one of the cupboards. I quickly stuffed fresh clothes into it and threw on yesterday¡¯s clothes. Climbing out of my truck, I made my way to the back of the trailer.


    Stepping through the door of the MCV, the scent of bacon, eggs, sausage, and pancakes hit me like a warm, delicious wall. Following the aroma, I found Steve in the kitchen, bustling around like it was the middle of the day. He was dressed in his usual work attire¡ªa company polo neatly tucked into a pair of faded blue jeans, finished off with nice business shoes. Over it all, he wore a red apron that read, ¡°Fluffer Nutter at Large,¡± with a picture of a peanut butter and marshmallow sandwich adorned with wolf ears and a tail.


    I raised an eyebrow, watching as he scrambled eggs in a bowl. I was terrible in the kitchen¡ªmy last attempt at cooking eggs had ended with Mrs. Bracton tossing them in the trash and taking over. Then there was the time I nearly burned down Star and Cayro¡¯s kitchen¡­ I wasn¡¯t allowed near their kitchen on the airship after that.


    ¡°There you are. Go shower before everyone else starts coming in,¡± Steve directed, pointing his whisk toward the bathroom with authority.


    ¡°What¡¯s with the apron?¡± I asked, arching an eyebrow as I prepared to head for my shower.


    ¡°That is for me to know and for you guys to try and guess,¡± he replied with a cheeky grin. ¡°Now go shower. You smell like a wet dog.¡±


    I shot him a mock glare before making my way to the bathroom. The setup was surprisingly spacious for a mobile unit. The toilet was angled into a corner, just in front of the vanity sink, complete with a foot pedal for flushing. The shower stall was larger than expected, offering enough space to move around comfortably, and it even had a teak fold-down seat. A cabinet next to the stall housed a stack of white towels, with a hamper tucked underneath.


    Tossing my bag onto the vanity, I slid the pocket door shut and started to undress. I cranked on the shower faucet, using the time it took for the water to heat up to pull out my shower gear. Steam began to fill the small room quickly. Pulling out my phone, I set one of my playlists to play and climbed into the shower, letting the hot water wash over my face and down through my silver hair, rinsing away the remnants of the previous day.


    Twenty minutes later, I returned to the kitchen, feeling refreshed. Steve was busy setting out plates, and Jake stood by the island with a go bag slung over his shoulder. I waved him off to go shower since I was done. He nodded and headed out without hesitation, the bathroom door sliding shut behind him as Steve handed me a plate.


    ¡°Did you look over today¡¯s itinerary?¡± Steve asked, flipping a pancake with practiced ease.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I replied, recalling it from memory. ¡°We have tech training this morning, followed by a lunch break. Then it¡¯s weapons training until dinner. After that, we¡¯ll meet our mechanic and tactical liaison.¡±


    ¡°Perfect. I¡¯ll be handling the tech training this morning. We need to go over the radios that¡¯ll be installed in your trucks, the tablets you¡¯re going to be issued, and how to properly connect your headsets,¡± Steve explained, his tone all business.


    ¡°You?¡± I asked, a bit surprised.


    ¡°Yep, I stayed up late last night going through everything,¡± he said, his cheerful demeanor never wavering.


    ¡°Ah, okay,¡± I said, just as another member of the team walked in¡ªa woman I hadn¡¯t met yet.


    She was a striking figure: a cream-colored brunette with soft blue eyes, standing about six inches taller than me. Her short, spiked hair stuck out in multiple directions, adding to her edgy appearance. She had several piercings in one ear and tribal tattoos around her neck, disappearing under a dark grey t-shirt. Despite her tough exterior, she looked dog-tired, like she had only just gone to bed an hour ago and had been rudely awakened.


    Steve offered her a plate of food before returning to the stove. She accepted it and then turned to me, waiting hesitantly. I rolled my eyes and picked up a piece of bacon, chomping down on it to signal that it was okay for her to eat. For Luna¡¯s sake, I just wanted to enjoy my breakfast without having to constantly reassure everyone.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re Lyra Acosta?¡± the woman asked in a timid voice, a stark contrast to her appearance.


    ¡°The one and only,¡± I replied with a smile, trying to put her at ease.


    ¡°Oh¡­ okay,¡± she murmured nervously.


    What was with this girl? She dressed and presented herself like a badass, yet she was practically cowering in fear around me. Was she really that scared of me? I took a slow, deep breath, catching her scent¡ªthere it was, the unmistakable tang of fear. It hung thick in the air, almost palpable.


    As I took a closer look at her, I noticed the black leather arm bracers she wore, covering both forearms. They weren¡¯t just for show¡ªshe was using them to hide something. Gently placing my plate down, I took a slow step toward her. She froze, her fear intensifying, practically radiating off her.


    In a soft, calming voice, I began to speak. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s okay. You don¡¯t have to be afraid.¡±


    She looked like she was about to bolt out of the kitchen, her fear almost tangible. I stopped a couple of feet from her, lifting my hand so my palm faced upward.


    ¡°May I see your arm?¡± I asked gently, my voice soft and caring.


    At first, she hesitated, her gaze flickering between my face and my outstretched hand. But with a little coaxing, she slowly placed her arm in my hand. Our eyes met, and I could see the storm of emotions swirling within her.


    ¡°May I have permission to take this off?¡± I asked, gesturing toward the leather bracer on her arm.


    She didn¡¯t respond verbally, but I could feel the tremors coursing through her body. She was too overwhelmed to answer. I made the decision for her, carefully untying the leather cords and peeling the bracer away to reveal the scarred skin beneath. My heart ached at the sight¡ªscars like these told a story I was all too familiar with.


    I traced my thumb along the ridged skin on her wrist, my touch as gentle as possible. It didn¡¯t take a genius to understand what she had done. After a moment, I re-tied the bracer and looked back into her eyes. The fear was still there, raw and intense, but now mingled with something else¡ªvulnerability.


    Without a word, I pulled up the sleeve of my right arm, revealing my own scars. The scars of a werewolf were not easily made¡ªsilver was the primary element that caused them, though there were others as well. Silver¡¯s tarnishing property was what harmed us, and enough of it could kill, though it took a lot. A simple blade laced with silver wasn¡¯t lethal, but it would definitely leave a mark, as it had on me.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Gently, I guided her hand to my scars, letting her feel them. At first, she didn¡¯t react, but after a few moments, her focus shifted to the ridges beneath her fingers. She looked up at me, her eyes wide with realization.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t alone. At one time, I wanted it all to end as well. But I¡¯m not like your old alpha or luna,¡± I said quietly, my voice steady but soft.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Alpha,¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be. I don¡¯t know your story, and you don¡¯t know mine, so I understand. When you¡¯re ready to share your story, I¡¯ll share mine with you,¡± I replied, offering her a kind smile.


    She nodded, her body language slightly more relaxed now. I stepped back, giving her some space, and picked up my plate again. Scooping up some eggs with my fork, I took a bite before gesturing for her to eat as well. She glanced down at her plate, hesitated, and then picked up a sausage patty, taking a small bite. I gave her an encouraging smile before continuing with my breakfast. It was clear she was a very submissive wolf, someone who had been broken by her past.


    Not long after, Jake walked back into the kitchen, his hair still damp and sticking out in every direction. His usual smile was firmly in place as he grabbed a plate of food from Steve and came over to stand beside me. He quickly noticed Kira standing off to the side.


    ¡°Oh, hi Kira! I¡¯m glad you could make it,¡± he said, his voice filled with genuine warmth.


    I felt a soft burst of energy radiate from him, spreading through the kitchen and making me feel unexpectedly relaxed. I noticed that Kira and Steve seemed to relax a bit more too. Wow, so that was what an Omega¡¯s presence could do.


    ¡°Hi Jake, thank you for waking me up,¡± Kira replied in her soft voice.


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± he said with a shy grin.


    I observed Jake closely. He couldn¡¯t seem to take his eyes off Kira, as if he were drawn to her. Was it attraction, or could he sense her apprehension and fear? I made a mental note to ask him about it later.


    Finishing my food, I placed my plate in the dishwasher next to the sink and quietly left the MCV, giving Kira some space. I didn¡¯t want to make her feel cornered. Climbing into my cab, I sat in the driver¡¯s seat, opened my fridge, and pulled out a Red Bull. Cracking it open, I took a sip and watched as the other team members gradually made their way to the MCV.


    By seven in the morning, everyone had showered and eaten breakfast. They were now standing around, talking amongst themselves while Steve set up a table with boxes of headsets, tablets, and a radio. I stood nearby, observing the group. Jake was chatting with Kira, his focus entirely on her. Sasha, meanwhile, was standing with a group of guys, talking animatedly. She seemed excited about something, her energy infectious.


    ¡°Alright everyone, gather round,¡± Steve announced, his voice cutting through the low murmur of conversation.


    We all moved in closer around the table, waiting patiently as he began passing out headsets followed by tablets. As I took mine, I immediately recognized the logo on the back. This tablet was designed by Nick Cunningham, the head of SkyTeam¡¯s Information Technologies Research Department. He was once the SAF¡¯s go-to IT guru, before his home was destroyed.


    I knew what to expect from this tablet: a device stripped down to the essentials, loaded only with mission-specific applications. These would be damn near impossible to hack, too. Nick prided himself on creating tech that was virtually impregnable. My personal phone and tablet, a matched set, were designed by him as a Christmas gift from Star and Cayro last year.


    I turned on the tablet, watching as the screen flared to life. The SkyTeam logo appeared, spinning slowly in place as the Android operating system loaded. It wasn¡¯t long before I was greeted by a login screen. Well, I should have seen that coming. I turned to Steve, a questioning look on my face.


    ¡°Do I use my normal login that I have here at the company?¡± I asked, slightly puzzled.


    ¡°For you¡­ no,¡± he replied. ¡°But everyone else, yes. If you haven¡¯t done so yet, please turn your tablets on and log in. Alpha, you use your ship¡¯s access login.¡± He directed.


    I arched an eyebrow, confused. Why did I have to use my ship access code to log in? Rolling my eyes, I typed in my old ship access code and waited. It took a few minutes, but eventually, my old familiar account from my time aboard the FSAS Crescent Moon loaded up, complete with all my data and apps.


    I noticed three new applications installed on my home screen. One looked like a military GPS mapping system, another seemed to be a communications app, and the third was the company¡¯s mobile app that we used for load information, emails, pay stubs, and other company-related information.


    As I listened to Steve walk everyone through setting up their accounts on their tablets, I realized that their setups were giving them access to the same data as mine. Since my account was already in place, I didn¡¯t have to go through the process again. Instead, I watched as each member of the team completed their setup. My tablet dinged with a notification each time, indicating that a new account had been added under my parent account.


    I frowned and looked over at Steve. ¡°Why am I getting notified that I have new accounts falling under my account?¡± I asked, showing him the notifications.


    ¡°Uh¡­ I think it has to do with the fact that your account is an administrative account. I¡¯m not entirely sure. This was all set up by someone else,¡± he answered, looking a bit uncertain.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to ask Uncle about it,¡± I muttered, more to myself than to him.


    ¡°That would probably be a good idea,¡± Steve agreed.


    Once everyone had completed their tablet setups, Steve had us open up our new headsets. Following his instructions, we launched the communications app and linked our headsets to the tablets. This wasn¡¯t as simple as pairing them with Bluetooth¡ªthe headsets were encrypted and required a ten-digit code for linkage.


    We managed to get our headsets working and tested them by calling each other through the app. There was an option to talk on an open channel, but it was greyed out. When I tried to activate it, the app shook and spat out an error code. Interesting. It seemed the app wasn¡¯t fully operational yet.


    ¡°Alright, now that we have your tablets set up and linked to your headsets, please come stand by the table,¡± Steve instructed.


    We moved closer, waiting for him to continue. To my surprise, Kira came up and stood next to me. She seemed nervous but handed me her tablet, her eyes a bit wide with uncertainty. I glanced up at her before taking it, noticing the screen was completely blank except for a handful of basic system apps and the same three apps that I had on mine. There was an admin password request across the screen, asking for approval.


    Tilting my head, I typed in my password, and a photo immediately downloaded to the tablet. The image popped open on the screen¡ªit was a picture of me from my last competition in Waco, Texas, a couple of years ago. I looked up at Kira in confusion. This was a photo I had never seen before.


    She reached for her tablet, and I handed it back to her. She tapped on the screen a few times and then handed it back to me. I looked down and saw that she had set the photo as the home screen background.


    ¡°I took that photo myself at your last competition, Alpha,¡± she explained, filling in the blanks.


    ¡°I thought you were scared of me,¡± I asked, genuinely taken aback by the gesture.


    ¡°I am scared of what you are and what you could become. But I¡¯m a huge fan of yours and Team Amethyst,¡± she said nervously, her voice trembling slightly.


    I blinked, caught off guard by her admission. For a moment, I was at a loss for words. I handed her tablet back, and we stood there side by side as Steve began to demonstrate the radio setup.


    ¡°Alpha, may I see your tablet, please?¡± Steve asked.


    I handed it to him and watched as he turned on the radio.


    ¡°Each of you will be assigned one of these radios. You¡¯ll link the radio to your tablet the same way you did with your headsets. These radios will replace the CB radios you¡¯re accustomed to. Unlike your CB radios, these babies are military encrypted and will allow you to communicate with the military units we¡¯ll be assisting. To keep some familiarity, your primary communication channel for the team will still be channel nineteen,¡± Steve explained.


    ¡°So, these radios are like CBs but more advanced and encrypted?¡± one of the others asked.


    ¡°That is correct. We don¡¯t want our communications intercepted or used against us. That would be catastrophic for us and the military,¡± Steve replied, his tone serious.


    I watched as several team members nodded in agreement, their expressions reflecting a growing understanding of the gravity of our mission. Steve continued using my tablet to show everyone how to link their radios and tablets together. As he did, I heard a few of them murmuring about how many apps I had on my tablet compared to their own, which were still mostly barren. They knew I had connections, but most of them didn¡¯t realize just how deep those connections went within the supernatural world.


    After finishing the radio setup, Steve handed me back my tablet and asked if anyone had questions. There were a few, but he answered them easily, his familiarity with the tech evident. He then moved on to the military-grade GPS application.


    We all opened the app on our tablets and began to explore it. A map filled my screen, showing twelve green indicators representing where we all were. One indicator was further away, located inside the maintenance shop. That must have been our mechanic.


    ¡°As you can see, we¡¯re able to track each other,¡± Steve explained. ¡°However, if you don¡¯t have your tablet near you, we won¡¯t be able to find you.¡±


    ¡°Ha! We¡¯re werewolves. We can track each other down just fine,¡± one of the team members snorted. It was Tyler, a tall redheaded man with a matching beard.


    ¡°I think you¡¯re missing the point, Tyler,¡± Steve said, casting a glance his way. ¡°Not everyone we¡¯ll be working with will be a werewolf or even supernatural for that matter.¡±


    ¡°Good point,¡± Tyler conceded, nodding.


    ¡°Anyway, each time we get a load through the company app, it will automatically push the coordinates to the map for us. The military will also push known threat pins to indicate where we may run into some trouble,¡± Steve continued, keeping the focus on the task at hand.


    We spent the next couple of hours delving into the details of each of the two apps and the new section in the company app. Together, Jake, Kira, and I practiced working with my new radio and exploring the functions of the apps to familiarize ourselves with them. Kira was gradually warming up to me, her nerves easing, especially with Jake close by, his presence clearly a source of comfort for her.


    As we were testing the features, Sasha walked up to us with a casual "hi." I noticed Kira instinctively duck behind Jake, using him as a shield. A small frown tugged at the corner of my mouth¡ªI would need to find a way to help her come out of her shell soon. A scared wolf could be a liability on our mission.


    ¡°So, what are your thoughts so far?¡± I asked the small group, curious to hear their impressions.


    ¡°It¡¯s rather more intense than I expected,¡± Sasha admitted, her tone thoughtful.


    ¡°I¡¯m having fun,¡± Jake chimed in with a grin.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ different. I¡¯m not used to being around so many wolves anymore,¡± Kira said quietly, her eyes flicking between us.


    ¡°Yeah, I was expecting us to be on our own, not working as a group,¡± Sasha added. ¡°But money talks, and I¡¯m not passing up a huge paycheck.¡±


    ¡°I think money is the big motivator for most of the group,¡± I said, nodding in agreement.


    ¡°It¡¯s playing a big role for everyone, but I don¡¯t think it¡¯s what¡¯s keeping everyone here,¡± Jake replied, his expression thoughtful.


    ¡°No?¡± I asked, intrigued by his insight.


    ¡°Nope. I think it¡¯s the camaraderie of being around a group of wolves again. We aren¡¯t meant to live alone for long periods of time,¡± he answered, his voice steady with conviction.


    ¡°You have a point there, Jake. I was beginning to get depressed and lonely myself. It¡¯s actually nice having people I can talk to and spend time with,¡± Sasha admitted, a hint of relief in her voice.


    ¡°Huh,¡± I murmured, a pensive expression settling on my face as I absorbed their words.


    ¡°Alpha,¡± Kira began softly, ¡°listening to the others talk¡­ they¡¯re confused by your actions. But the kindness you¡¯re showing everyone is making them feel like you¡¯re approachable. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s something they¡¯re used to seeing from an alpha.¡±


    I raised an eyebrow, glancing at Jake and Sasha to gauge their thoughts.


    ¡°She¡¯s not wrong,¡± Sasha said, nodding. ¡°Everyone is noticing how you¡¯re willing to get down and dirty to lead by example rather than being demanding. Several of them like that about you.¡±


    ¡°Give it time, Alpha. They¡¯ll warm up to you,¡± Jake added with a reassuring smile.


    I nodded, a sense of quiet satisfaction settling over me. Just then, Steve announced that it was lunchtime. The four of us made our way toward the MCV to grab leftovers from last night, a small but meaningful step toward becoming a true pack.

 Chapter 6: Go Big or Go Home, We Wolves Like to Say

    After lunch, we made our way back to the table where my radio sat, finding Gunny already waiting for us. Next to the table stood an oddly shaped object, roughly the shape of a very narrow house, about four feet tall by five feet long, covered under a tarp. Curiosity piqued, I walked over and tried to sneak a peek under the tarp. The moment my fingers touched it, Gunny shot me a look that could have frozen fire, his hand slicing through the air in a classic knife-hand warning.


    I quickly stepped back from the object, opting to wait until the others arrived. It wasn¡¯t long before the whole team was gathered, including Steve. Gunny checked his watch, his impatience evident, when a commotion broke out near the main entrance of the fenced-off area. A red-headed woman about my height was standing by the gate, arguing loudly with one of the team members stationed as a guard.


    ¡°You know damn well I¡¯m part of this team! You¡¯ve seen my badge how many times in the past two weeks?¡± she growled, clearly fed up.


    ¡°I know, Mac, but you have to have your badge to get in. Those are the rules,¡± the guard insisted.


    ¡°I forgot it in my fucking toolbox inside the damn FRS! How am I supposed to show it to you when you won¡¯t let me get it¡­¡± she shot back, her frustration boiling over.


    Gunny let out a deep sigh, walking over to the two squabbling figures. We all watched as he knife-handed the woman, saying something stern before turning his wrath on the guard. He proceeded to tear the poor guy apart verbally, up one side and down the other. The woman¡ªMac, as she was called¡ªnow stood at parade rest, a smirk tugging at her lips as Gunny finished his tirade. A few moments later, both of them made their way back to the group. Gunny looked like he was ready to tear someone''s head off, while Mac looked rather pleased with herself.


    We stood silently as they approached. Gunny returned to the table while Mac started to head towards the FRS. She didn¡¯t get far before Gunny barked out, ¡°Marine? Did I dismiss you?¡±


    Mac spun on her heel, snapping back to parade rest. ¡°No, Gunny!¡± she responded loudly.


    ¡°Get your fiery ass over here. You¡¯re going to help me since I had to pull your ass out of the sling,¡± he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.


    ¡°Roger, Gunny!¡± she replied, marching back to the group, her previous smirk now replaced by a look of irritation.


    ¡°Now that I have all of you here,¡± Gunny began, turning to face us, ¡°we¡¯ll be doing some weapons training.¡±


    With a swift motion, he yanked the tarp off the object, revealing a set of military rifle racks filled with M-4 carbine rifles. My mouth fell open in surprise, and I quickly glanced around at the others. Most of them looked just as stunned as I was, though a few had expressions of pure joy at the sight. I shouldn¡¯t have been so surprised¡ªgiven the nature of our mission, military-grade hardware made sense¡ªbut seeing it in front of us made everything feel more real.


    ¡°Mac, pull one out and bring it here,¡± Gunny commanded, his eyes locking onto the redhead. She followed his order, retrieving one of the rifles with practiced ease. After a quick check to ensure it was clear of any rounds, she handed it to Gunny, keeping the barrel safely pointed away from the group. Gunny performed his own check before holding the rifle up for us to see.


    ¡°This is an M-4 FS Military fully automatic and semi-automatic carbine rifle,¡± he stated in his crisp, authoritative tone. ¡°It is gas-operated and has a maximum firing rate of seven hundred rounds per minute. Maximum capacity is thirty rounds of NATO 5.56. Overall weight is seven-and-three-quarter pounds when fully loaded. Effective firing range is five hundred and fifty yards with a maximum range of three thousand nine hundred yards.¡±


    I listened closely, though I was already familiar with this weapon platform from prior training with Star and Cayro before the Second Twilight Winter. Still, Gunny¡¯s precise, no-nonsense delivery kept me focused, the gravity of our situation settling in even deeper.


    ¡°There are three settings you need to be familiar with,¡± Gunny began, his tone as sharp as ever. ¡°Safe, Semi, and Auto. When the selector switch is placed in Safe, the rifle will not fire. When you select Semi, the rifle will fire one round per trigger squeeze. When you select Auto, the rifle will continuously fire rounds until you either run out of ammo or let go of the trigger.¡± He gestured to the selector switch, ensuring everyone was following along before continuing.


    ¡°This here is the trigger,¡± he continued, emphasizing the importance of discipline. ¡°You will only place your finger on the trigger when you are ready to fire¡ªnot a moment before. This is the charging handle; you pull it back to chamber a round. This is the pistol grip where you hold the rifle while firing. The collapsible butt stock allows you to adjust the rifle for comfort and storage. Here¡¯s the magazine feed where you load the magazine, and the magazine release is located on the left-hand side of the rifle. And most importantly, this is the barrel¡ªthe business end of this fine tool. You only point the barrel at a target you intend to kill. Never point it at anything or anyone you don¡¯t intend to kill.¡±


    Gunny¡¯s voice was firm as he meticulously pointed out each part of the rifle, drilling the essentials into our heads. For the next hour, he broke the rifle down into its individual components, explaining how it worked and, most crucially, how to maintain it. When he was satisfied that we had absorbed the information, he and Mac distributed rifles, six empty magazines, and a cleaning kit to each of us. Our next task: disassemble the rifles, inspect the parts, and reassemble them, all within the next hour.


    I found Jake and Kira and joined them on the ground, where we set to work. They were surprised at how quickly I moved through the rifle, my hands almost acting on muscle memory. Though it had been years since I last handled one, the skills came back to me as if no time had passed. Satisfied that Jake and Kira had a good grasp of the basics, I stood up and slung my rifle over my shoulder, ready to help anyone else who might be struggling.


    I wandered over to the third group and found two of the members having trouble. Tyler, the tall red-headed guy with nearly yellow eyes, was fumbling with his bolt, unable to get it back in, and had left the firing pin out. Beside him, a tall strawberry blonde woman with bright blue eyes was struggling to reinsert the buffer spring and buffer into the butt stock.


    Kneeling down next to them, I set my rifle in front of me. ¡°Alright, guys,¡± I began patiently, ¡°go ahead and disassemble your rifles again. I¡¯ll walk you through the reassembly step by step.¡±


    They hesitated at first, glancing at each other uncertainly, but I sat down on the ground and crossed my legs, making it clear I wasn¡¯t going anywhere. Finally, they nodded and began disassembling their rifles. I instructed them to arrange their parts the same way I had mine, neatly and in order. Once they were ready, I picked up the lower receiver and grabbed my buffer spring and buffer.


    ¡°Place the butt of the rifle on the ground,¡± I instructed, ¡°and use your weight to carefully push the spring and buffer into place.¡±


    They followed my lead, and I saw the moment of realization dawn on the blonde¡¯s face as she corrected her earlier mistake. I gave her an encouraging smile before moving on to the bolt. Tyler followed suit, and as we progressed through each step, I saw his confidence grow as he figured out where he¡¯d gone wrong.


    We went through the process two more times until they felt comfortable enough to do it on their own. As they worked, Tyler glanced at me curiously. ¡°Alpha, how come you¡¯re so good with this? It¡¯s almost like you¡¯ve handled one of these before.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t my first time using one of these rifles,¡± I replied quietly, my voice betraying a hint of nostalgia.


    ¡°It¡¯s not?¡± the blonde asked, her surprise evident.


    ¡°No,¡± I confirmed.


    ¡°When did you get to use one?¡± Tyler asked, his curiosity piqued.


    ¡°During the Twilight Winter battle when the U.S. Government fell,¡± I answered, my tone even as I continued to reassemble my rifle.


    ¡°You were in the Twilight battle?¡± the blonde asked, her voice laced with awe.


    ¡°Yes, I fought with the Zaraki¡¯s, Lord Lycotonu, and the Night Guardians,¡± I said, finishing the reassembly with a practiced ease that spoke volumes about my experience.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, I almost forgot. You¡¯re a member of Team Amethyst,¡± Tyler said, his tone filled with awe.


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    ¡°That¡¯s correct, I am,¡± I replied, a small smile tugging at my lips.


    ¡°What¡¯s Lord Lycotonu like? I heard he was a hard-ass,¡± the blonde asked, curiosity lighting up her eyes.


    I couldn¡¯t help but snicker at that. ¡°When he¡¯s not in ¡®king mode,¡¯ he¡¯s one of the coolest people you¡¯ll ever meet. He and Lady Lycotonu are both laid-back punk rock metal emos who love to sing and fly around on their skyboards.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± she responded, her excitement palpable.


    ¡°Yep. They¡¯re not that old either¡ªLord Lycotonu is only about a year or so younger than me,¡± I explained.


    ¡°That¡¯s badass,¡± Tyler added, clearly impressed.


    ¡°I know, right? All four of them are pretty badass,¡± I agreed.


    ¡°Four of them?¡± the blonde asked, her curiosity deepening.


    ¡°Yeah, Cayro Zaraki, is the current commander of the 102<sup>nd</sup> Airborne Division and Star is the command of the 588th Night Witches Stealth Wing. Which falls under the 102<sup>nd</sup> Airborne division. It¡¯s a combat wing named in honor of the Russian 588th Night Bomber Regiment,¡± I answered.


    ¡°Why name an FS combat wing after a Russian regiment?¡± Tyler asked, his brow furrowing.


    ¡°For two reasons: first, because they use similar tactics, and second, because, by happenstance, the combat wing¡¯s Chief Master Sergeant happens to be one of the original pilots from that old World War Two unit,¡± I explained.


    ¡°Wow,¡± they both said in unison, their amazement clear.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know the leader of Team Amethyst was a commander in the FS Air Force,¡± the blonde said, her voice tinged with admiration.


    ¡°Yep, Star and Cayro are pretty badass,¡± I said again, pride evident in my voice.


    ¡°Alpha, how come you¡¯re here and not working with them or Lord Lycotonu?¡± she asked, her curiosity piqued.


    I paused, looking down at my rifle as memories flooded back. ¡°In truth, I wanted to stay with them. They¡¯re my family. I would have served by their side for as long as I could. They were my Alpha and Luna,¡± I replied softly.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Tyler asked, his voice gentle.


    ¡°I¡¯m a natural-born alpha, and they wanted me to form my own pack. I wasn¡¯t ready, and I still don¡¯t feel like I am. They sent me out on my own, and I decided I didn¡¯t want to create a pack until I was ready,¡± I answered, my voice tinged with uncertainty.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you think you¡¯re ready to be an alpha?¡± the blonde asked, her voice laced with concern.


    ¡°Charlotte, we shouldn¡¯t pry into her past. That¡¯s private,¡± Tyler chided gently.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± I interjected, my voice steady. ¡°My first alpha broke me, and I reached a point where I turned my back on my alpha nature.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s almost like cutting off your hand. A wolf denying its nature can turn very bad,¡± the blonde¡ªCharlotte¡ª said in a whisper, her voice filled with understanding.


    ¡°Lord Lycotonu said something similar to me,¡± I replied, nodding slowly.


    ¡°Well, if it¡¯s any help, Alpha, I think you¡¯re doing great,¡± Tyler stated, his sincerity evident.


    I blinked, feeling something tighten in my chest¡ªa mixture of gratitude and fear. They were counting on me, and I just hoped I wouldn¡¯t fail them. Standing up, I slung my rifle over my shoulder and gave them both a small smile. ¡°I¡¯m doing the best I can. I¡¯m going to see if anyone else needs help,¡± I said softly before turning to leave. They nodded, returning to their practice.


    For the next half hour, I walked around, observing the others and offering help where it was needed. Eventually, Gunny made his way over to me, his expression serious.


    ¡°Hey, Lyra, I couldn¡¯t help but overhear your conversation with Tyler and Charlotte earlier,¡± he said quietly.


    ¡°Oh?¡± I asked, unsure of what was coming next.


    ¡°Yes, if I¡¯d known you already had training, I would have had you teach the weapons course,¡± he replied, a hint of regret in his voice.


    I gave him a quizzical look. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because you need to establish your role as a leader. I watched how you took the time to teach those two how to disassemble and reassemble their rifles. You were patient and set an example. That¡¯s the kind of leader this group needs,¡± he explained, his tone firm.


    ¡°Yeah, I just don¡¯t know if I¡¯m the right person for the job,¡± I admitted, my voice tinged with doubt.


    ¡°Stop doubting yourself, Lyra¡­ You¡¯ve always shown leadership skills. You just need to embrace them,¡± he retorted, his words carrying the weight of experience.


    I let out a huff, feeling the pressure from all sides now. Looking down at the ground, I kicked a small rock, debating what to say next. ¡°What if I turn into someone who ends up hurting them instead of helping them?¡± I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.


    "I seriously doubt that. You don¡¯t seek power over them. You want to see them happy and healthy. I¡¯m not worried that you¡¯ll turn into a tyrant," Gunny answered, his voice carrying the weight of someone who had seen both sides of leadership.


    I opened my mouth to argue, to tell him that I had the potential to be dangerous, but he cut me off before I could even get a word out.


    "Don¡¯t try to argue with an old Marine. I¡¯ve seen my fair share of tyrants, and I can tell you¡¯re not one of them. Now, let¡¯s get everyone gathered so we can do some live practice," he encouraged, his tone brooking no further discussion.


    Together, we walked over to the table where my radio had been earlier. It was now gone, replaced by several ammo cans. I noticed a large mound of earth and sandbags at the far end of the fenced-off area, with targets mounted on wooden backboards in front of it. This makeshift berm looked like it had been purpose-built for live-fire exercises. I turned to Gunny, my expression still questioning.


    "Are we seriously going to fire our weapons here?" I asked, skepticism creeping into my voice.


    "Yep. We¡¯ve got a solid earthen berm reinforced with sandbags as a backstop. It¡¯ll absorb the rounds without any risk of ricochets. Plus, there¡¯s an additional barrier behind it made of stacked tires filled with sand, just in case. We¡¯re all set," he explained with calm assurance.


    "Uh, okay¡­" I muttered, still not entirely convinced but trusting Gunny¡¯s judgment.


    "Call everyone over," he directed.


    Nodding, I turned around, placing my index fingers at the corners of my mouth. I let out a loud, sharp whistle that echoed across the yard, grabbing everyone¡¯s attention.


    "Please gather around!" I announced, my voice carrying authority.


    It took a few minutes for everyone to make their way over, some of them still practicing with their rifles. When they were finally gathered, I turned to give Gunny the floor. Instead, he slapped a fully loaded magazine into my hand, grinning like a wolf who¡¯d just cornered his prey. I narrowed my eyes at him, sensing what he was about to ask.


    "Show them who you are, Alpha Acosta," he said, pride evident in his voice. I huffed, grabbing a second magazine off the table and shoving it into my left back pocket. If he wanted a show, I¡¯d give him one.


    Walking up to the firing line with my rifle pointed towards the ground, I twisted it to the right and slammed the magazine home with a satisfying click. Keeping my finger off the trigger, I pulled the charging handle in one smooth, fluid motion, hearing the round slide into place. I brought the rifle up, bent my knees slightly, and aimed. With my thumb, I clicked the selector switch to Semi. In my head, I counted to three, then pulled the trigger.


    As soon as the first round went off, I took a step forward and pulled the trigger again. Rapidly, I sent rounds downrange, pushing forward with each step. When I heard the bolt lock back, I quickly released the empty magazine, letting it drop to the ground. Using my left hand, I grabbed the loaded magazine from my back pocket and slammed it into place, smacking the side of the rifle to send the bolt forward. Throughout the entire reload, I hadn¡¯t broken my aim.


    Pulling the trigger once more, I stepped into the recoil and continued pushing forward. By the time I reached the target, I had emptied the second magazine. The target¡¯s head now had a roughly three-inch hole, and its torso sported another precise hole in the center. All my rounds had hit their mark near perfectly. If I¡¯d zeroed the rifle earlier, the grouping would¡¯ve been even tighter. Turning on my heels, I marched back toward the group, picking up my empty mag on the way.


    When I reached the group, I saw that they were all staring at me again. Gunny was beaming with pride, while Kira looked like she might faint. I released the empty magazine from my rifle and placed both mags on the table, doing a quick clearing procedure in front of Gunny so he could verify that my rifle was empty and safe.


    "That¡¯s one way to do it," he said, pride in his voice.


    "Go big or go home," I replied with a grin. Firing the M-4 again had felt amazing¡ªI¡¯d forgotten how much I enjoyed the raw power of it. Slinging my rifle over my back, I turned to face the group.


    "Alright! Who wants to have a go and see if they can outshoot me?" I proclaimed, my excitement genuine and infectious.


    Everyone except Kira raised their hand, even Mac, our mechanic, who was already in the group with her rifle slung and ready to go. I pointed at her to go first. As a Marine, I knew she¡¯d handle herself just fine.


    ¡°Give it your best shot, Marine!¡± I proclaimed while handing Mac two fresh mags.


    She took both mags, sliding one into her left back pocket before walking over to the firing line. With a confident slam, she loaded the first mag and pulled the charging handle, taking her stance. Her movements were smooth, disciplined. She brought the rifle up and began firing, moving forward with precision. The rhythm of her shots was almost hypnotic, and by the time she was done, her target bore an impressive resemblance to mine, with clean, tight groupings.


    I let out a low whistle, glancing at Gunny with an arched eyebrow. He looked impressed too, nodding in approval. It was reassuring to know we had at least two people who could handle firearms well. Depending on how the rest of the group performed, we could focus on teaching them to improve.


    When Mac returned, she was grinning ear to ear, clearly thrilled with her performance. I offered her a fist bump, and she met it with a grin. Maybe this was the start of a strong friendship. I turned to face the rest of the group.


    ¡°Before we go any further, who here has formal training with firearms?¡± I called out loudly.


    Hands went up¡ªSteve¡¯s, Sasha¡¯s, and one of the guys I hadn¡¯t been introduced to yet.


    ¡°You three, come over here and grab your mags. Steve, you¡¯re up first,¡± I ordered.


    Within ten minutes, I had a clearer picture of who could assist with the training. Steve did decently well but was a bit rusty. Sasha was solid, though she needed to work on maintaining her trigger control. The final person, who I now knew as Seth, had the basics down but wasn¡¯t quite ready for the complexity of moving and shooting. His shots were scattered, and when he returned, he looked disappointed in himself. I patted him on the back, reassuring him that he just needed practice and that we¡¯d get him there.


    I turned to Mac and asked her if she was up for helping him out. She didn¡¯t hesitate, leading Seth to the far end of the range. I was confident she could get him up to speed quickly. Once he was there, he could help with training the others.


    Looking over at the remaining group, I quickly assigned Charlotte and Tyler to Sasha for training. Steve took the three wolves I hadn¡¯t yet met. I took Jake and Kira under my wing, figuring Kira would need someone patient, and having Jake with her might help keep her calm.

 Chapter 7: Wolfy Business, Phoenix Fire, and Firearms

    For the first hour, I worked with Jake and Kira on properly handling their M-4s, while Gunny kept an eye on the others. Jake was surprisingly adept for a beginner, picking up the basics with ease. Kira, however, struggled, her hands trembling as she fumbled with the rifle. The scent of fear radiated off her, sharp and pungent, making my wolf stir uneasily within me.


    Leaving Jake to continue practicing, I gently pulled Kira aside. We both laid on our stomachs, her rifle aimed safely downrange. I adjusted her position until she seemed more comfortable, ensuring the rifle was secure. Then, I turned my head to face her, softening my tone to avoid intimidating her further.


    ¡°Kira, what¡¯s got you so shaken up?¡± I asked, keeping my voice low and soothing.


    ¡°Alpha, it¡¯s¡­¡± she started, her voice faltering. I held up my hand, cutting her off gently.


    ¡°Right now, I¡¯m just Lyra. Not Alpha Acosta,¡± I said calmly. ¡°Just the skyboarding werewolf who drives a truck.¡±


    She blinked, her expression softening with confusion. Slowly, the tension in her body began to ease, a small victory that made my chest lighten.


    ¡°Lyra¡­ I¡¯m terrible with firearms. My old pack¡­ they used to yell at me all the time. No matter how hard I tried, it was never good enough. My alpha¡­ he would punish me when I failed,¡± she confessed, her voice barely a whisper.


    My heart clenched at her words. Punished for failing? Kira was a submissive wolf, someone who needed encouragement, not abuse. I struggled to contain the anger that simmered beneath my skin, keeping my voice calm as I asked, ¡°What do you mean by ¡®punished,¡¯ Kira?¡±


    She turned her gaze away, staring at the ground as her body began to shake. That was all the confirmation I needed¡ªshe had been physically abused. The spike of anger in my chest was sharp, nearly overwhelming, but I forced it down, knowing she didn¡¯t need to see that right now.


    ¡°Are you still tied to your pack?¡± I asked gently.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she whispered, her voice breaking with the weight of her pain.


    I did something I had never done before for any wolf. I let my alpha power slip from my control, allowing it to gently envelop Kira and me. I wove the sensations of protection, safety, and security into the magic, and reached out to her again, this time turning her face to meet mine. Tears streaked her cheeks, her fear palpable in the air between us. I could now feel the frayed, dark bond that tied her to her old pack, pulsing with hatred and malice.


    A deep, malevolent voice echoed through the link, demanding to know who dared to intrude on his claim. I ignored him, instead flooding Kira with love and kindness, my will overpowering his pathetic attempts to dominate me. He wanted to claim me too, to pull me under his control, but he had no idea who he was dealing with. I had faced far stronger alphas in my time, and this twisted bastard didn¡¯t even come close.


    ¡°I, Alpha Lyra Acosta, heiress of the Acosta Council Pack, beta of the Zaraki Pack, friend and loyal companion of Lord and Lady Lycotonu, claim Kira Cross of the Cross Pack as mine!¡± I roared through the bond, severing it with a forceful snap.


    The bond shattered with a loud pop in my head, and Kira gasped, her breath hitching as the connection was broken. I cupped her tear-streaked face in my hands, looking deep into her now glowing blue eyes, and spoke the words that would forever bind her to me.


    ¡°Kira Cross of the Lost and Destroyed, I claim you as my wolf. I vow on this day before Mother Luna to protect, care for, guide, and watch over you as one of my own. I vow to never lead you astray or abandon you. You will find sanctuary and peace under me as your Alpha and will always have a home to come back to. Do you accept my claim, Kira Cross of the Lost and Destroyed?¡± My voice was deep, ominous, and filled with the weight of the vow I was making.


    ¡°Yes¡­ Yes, Alpha, I accept,¡± Kira squeaked out, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and relief.


    I slowly pulled my hands away from her cheeks, my heart heavy with the weight of what had just happened. It was done. I was officially an alpha with a wolf under my care. The bond between us began to form, a warm, pulsing connection that tied her to me. There was no going back now¡ªKira was mine, and I would protect her with everything I had.


    Before I could fully process the enormity of what I¡¯d done, Kira threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly. I let out a surprised squeak, not expecting the sudden embrace.


    ¡°Thank you, Alpha!¡± she exclaimed, her voice filled with joy. I felt waves of happiness and relief flowing through our newly formed bond, washing over me in a gentle tide.


    Sighing, I patted her back gently. ¡°You can just call me Lyra, okay?¡± I said softly, trying to ease the intensity of the moment.


    ¡°Okay,¡± she replied, finally releasing me from her grip. She repositioned herself on the ground, adopting the stance I had shown her earlier. I could feel her drawing strength from our bond, the determination on her face replacing the fear that had once consumed her. It was then that I realized what had been holding her back¡ªher father, her former alpha, had crushed her spirit and controlled her through their pack bond. Unlike my father, who despised having an alpha daughter, Kira¡¯s father had wanted a son. And because Kira was submissive, he saw her as weak, something to be controlled and punished.


    ¡°Are you okay, Kira?¡± I asked softly, still watching her closely.


    ¡°Yes!¡± she replied, her voice now filled with determination and resolve.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go over everything again,¡± I instructed, feeling a surge of pride at her newfound confidence.


    Within twenty minutes, Kira was moving through the steps I taught her with newfound ease. The nerves and fear were gone, replaced by a sense of purpose. She was finally enjoying herself, a smile stretching across her face as she mastered each task. I waved Jake over, and he joined us, laying on my opposite side. Together, I taught them the fundamentals of shooting from the prone position.


    As they grew more comfortable with the prone position, I could see the excitement and eagerness in their eyes. They were learning quickly, feeding off each other¡¯s energy. Halfway through teaching them how to shoot from the kneeling position, Jake turned to me, his voice soft as he spoke.


    ¡°I saw you bind Kira to you,¡± he said, his words catching me off guard.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I replied simply, unsure of where he was going with this.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± he said, his gratitude so sincere that I nearly missed my shot. I lowered my rifle, turning to face him fully.


    ¡°What? Why?¡± I asked, genuinely surprised.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t break her bond with her father. I¡¯m an omega, not an alpha,¡± he explained, his voice tinged with regret.


    ¡°How long have you and Kira¡­¡± I waved my hand between the two of them, searching for the right words.


    ¡°We grew up together,¡± he replied, his eyes soft as he looked at Kira.


    ¡°So, you two are bonding mates?¡± I asked, curious about the nature of their relationship.


    ¡°What? No¡­ um¡­ well, maybe now. But not while she was still bonded to her father,¡± he explained, stumbling over his words.


    I raised an eyebrow at him. ¡°How did you break your bond with him?¡± I asked.


    ¡°An omega has some of the power of an alpha, but it¡¯s limited. I can break my own bonds if I deem an alpha unworthy, but I can¡¯t break others¡¯ bonds¡ªonly suppress them,¡± he explained, his tone serious.


    ¡°Ah, that makes sense. How did Kira manage to escape her father?¡± I asked, looking over at her.


    ¡°Jake suppressed my bond with the pack long enough for us to escape. He¡¯s the reason I got into truck driving. My father couldn¡¯t track us fast enough to find us,¡± Kira chimed in, her voice stronger now that she felt safe.


    ¡°Smart idea,¡± I replied, impressed by their ingenuity.


    ¡°If you two are so close, why haven¡¯t you bonded yet?¡± I asked, genuinely curious.


    ¡°Because that¡¯s what my father wants. He wanted to control Jake, and he would¡¯ve used me to do it,¡± Kira answered, her voice laced with bitterness.


    ¡°Alpha Cross wanted to use me to control his pack. The pack has become increasingly unstable over the years, and he¡¯s scared he¡¯ll be challenged soon. If he could control me, he would use my omega abilities to subdue any challengers,¡± Jake explained, his voice filled with frustration.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I could get that problem solved for the two of you,¡± I offered, a plan already forming in my mind.


    The looks on their faces made me smile. ¡°Alpha, that won¡¯t be necessary. Lord Lycotonu has enough on his plate. He doesn¡¯t need to worry about dealing with a failing old wolf like my father,¡± Kira said quickly, clearly worried about involving someone so powerful.


    ¡°Who said I¡¯d tell Lord Lycotonu?¡± I asked, my grin turning devious.


    ¡°If not him, then who?¡± Jake asked cautiously.


    ¡°My best friend, Star Zaraki¡­¡± I said, giving them a toothy grin.


    I watched as both Jake and Kira paled at the mention of Star Zaraki. The story of what she did to my father had spread like wildfire through the packs, and she was feared¡ªand rightly so. Draconian females were some of the scariest beings you''d ever encounter. Granted, I¡¯d only ever met one, but she was terrifying enough to make me wary of crossing any of them.


    ¡°Alpha, I don¡¯t think you¡¯ll need to do that,¡± Kira said, her voice soft yet firm. ¡°You¡¯re my alpha now, and I feel safe with you.¡± She smiled, and it was the sweetest, most genuine expression I¡¯d ever seen from her.


    Those words hit me like a punch to the gut¡ªcracking open my heart and making it swell with something I hadn¡¯t felt in a long time: hope. I gave both of them a kind smile, trying to mask the emotion that was threatening to spill over. Grabbing my rifle, I aimed it at the target, needing a moment to collect myself. I pulled the trigger, watching as the round struck true, right in the T-box of the target. I fired a few more rounds, each one hitting its mark, before I felt a soft tap on my shoulder.


    Lowering my rifle, I turned to see Jake standing beside me, Kira¡¯s hand clasped tightly in his. His expression was serious, a hint of anxiety in his eyes.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Jake?¡± I asked, my tone gentle but firm.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to petition to join you and Kira as a pack member, Alpha Acosta,¡± he said quietly, but there was a strength in his voice that hadn¡¯t been there before.


    ¡°Uh¡­ are you sure? There¡¯s no rush, Jake,¡± I replied, searching his face for any hesitation.


    I noticed Kira gripping his hand even tighter, her eyes filled with hope and silent pleading. He looked down at her, then back at me, his resolve solidifying.


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    ¡°I am sure, Alpha,¡± he said, his voice now steady and confident.


    As we stood there, I saw Steve approaching with the three other wolves he was teaching. He opened his mouth to speak, but I held up a finger, signaling him to wait. This moment needed to be completed.


    ¡°Jake Holland of the Lost and Destroyed, are you, an omega, sure that you want to join me, Alpha Lyra Acosta, in forming a pack? To bind yourself to me as my wolf and my pack omega?¡± I formally asked, the weight of the ritual hanging heavily in the air.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he answered without hesitation.


    My eyes flared silver as I placed my hand over his chest, repeating the words that I had said to Kira earlier, but this time they carried a different weight. ¡°Jake Holland of the Lost and Destroyed, I claim you as my wolf. I vow on this day before Mother Luna to protect, care for, guide, and watch over you as one of my own. I vow to never lead you astray or abandon you. You will find sanctuary and peace under me as your Alpha and will always have a home to come back to. Do you accept my claim, Jake Holland of the Lost and Destroyed?¡±


    ¡°I accept your claim, Alpha,¡± he answered, his voice steady, but I could feel the relief and gratitude flooding through our newly formed bond. A clap of thunder echoed through my mind like a gong, sealing the bond between us. As the connection solidified, I felt the tension and worry in both Jake and Kira dissolve. They had feared I might say no or that I¡¯d keep them apart, but that was far from the truth.


    Finally, I turned to Steve, who stood there, wide-eyed and slightly bewildered.


    ¡°What?¡± I asked, more out of curiosity than irritation.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting you to start the bonding rituals so soon,¡± he admitted, still processing what he¡¯d witnessed.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t either, but it was necessary to protect these two,¡± I explained, my voice carrying the weight of the decision.


    ¡°Do I need to go ahead and prepare for mine?¡± he asked, half-joking, half-serious.


    ¡°What? No¡­ I¡¯m not forcing anyone to bond with me. It¡¯s completely your choice,¡± I replied quickly, throwing my hands up in defense.


    One of the wolves I hadn¡¯t met yet finally spoke up. ¡°You¡¯re not going to force us to bond with you?¡± he asked, his tone laced with suspicion.


    ¡°No!¡± I said firmly. ¡°I will never force any of you to bond with me if you don¡¯t want to. I only want you to bond when you¡¯re ready.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± another of the three asked, his voice carrying a mix of disbelief and relief.


    ¡°Really,¡± I reiterated, trying to convey my sincerity.


    ¡°That¡¯s a relief,¡± the third wolf muttered, more to himself than anyone else.


    I let out a huff of frustration. ¡°Why does everyone think I¡¯d force them?¡± I grumbled, genuinely perplexed.


    ¡°Because you¡¯re an Acosta. Your bloodline is known for being ruthless alphas,¡± the first wolf explained, his voice steady but wary.


    ¡°I am not my worthless father!¡± I growled, my voice dripping with venom. ¡°That jackass can rot in whatever pit of hell he¡¯s in¡­¡±


    ¡°Cain, she isn¡¯t like them. Her intentions are pure,¡± Kira interjected, her voice soft but firm.


    ¡°How would you know?¡± the third wolf, questioned, his skepticism evident.


    ¡°Because she has all of her barriers down, Abel,¡± Jake retorted, his voice calm but authoritative.


    I blinked, taking a closer look at the two wolves and realizing they were brothers. The second wolf, who hadn¡¯t spoken yet, looked similar¡ªdark hair, hazel eyes, and a skin tone close to mine. They shared a resemblance that suggested a Middle Eastern heritage.


    The second wolf finally spoke, catching me off guard with a voice that was almost feminine in tone.


    ¡°She has her barriers down?¡± he asked, his voice uncertain.


    ¡°Yes, Azura, she isn¡¯t hiding herself like most powerful alphas do,¡± Kira replied, her voice steady.


    Hold up¡ªAzura? That was a female name. I tilted my head, staring at the second wolf in confusion. Something wasn¡¯t adding up. Kira noticed my expression and quickly walked up to me, leaning in to whisper.


    ¡°Azura is a female hiding as a male,¡± she explained quietly.


    ¡°Oh!¡± The exclamation slipped out louder than I intended.


    ¡°Kira! That was my secret!¡± Azura snapped, her anger flaring.


    ¡°Tss, she would have figured it out soon enough,¡± Kira shot back. ¡°You three have been making a point to avoid her because she¡¯s an alpha, yet she¡¯s shown all of us that she¡¯s nothing like the other alphas out there.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ still,¡± Cain began, his voice trailing off uncertainly.


    ¡°No,¡± Kira cut him off, her tone firm. ¡°We all volunteered for this. We chose to join this team. She was chosen and forced to lead us. She¡¯s the only one who wanted to walk away.¡±


    Steve, who had been listening quietly, decided to weigh in. ¡°How would you know?¡± Abel growled, his tone dripping with challenge.


    Steve arched an eyebrow at him, a silent warning. ¡°Until you¡¯re a member of a pack, you can¡¯t challenge me. It won¡¯t be recognized, so don¡¯t even try,¡± Steve replied, his voice calm but laced with authority. ¡°And to answer your question, I was there when Lord Lycotonu ordered her to lead this group.¡±


    The three wolves fell silent, their expressions shifting to surprise as they turned their attention back to me. I sighed, glancing sideways at Steve. He didn¡¯t need to fight my battles for me, but I appreciated his support.


    ¡°I thought the company president appointed her to be the leader because she was his niece?¡± Azura asked, her voice laced with confusion.


    ¡°Obviously, you haven¡¯t been paying attention,¡± Steve responded, his tone patient but firm. ¡°The president of the company is Dr. Zaraki, the owner and founder of SkyTeam Aerospace Foundation. Lyra is an adopted member of the Zaraki family, who just happens to be very close to the Lycotonu family.¡±


    The information seemed to hit them like a ton of bricks. They stared at me, their minds racing to connect the dots.


    ¡°Dr. Zaraki appointed her in charge because Lord Lycotonu asked him to,¡± Steve added, driving the point home.


    ¡°So, this is a case of a family member scratching the back of another family member?¡± Cain asked, his voice skeptical.


    I shook my head and looked down at the ground, the weight of their misconceptions pressing down on me.


    ¡°No, Lord Lycotonu needed an alpha to lead this group, and I was the best option with the right qualifications. I didn¡¯t want to be an alpha at all. That¡¯s why I chose to be a truck driver,¡± I explained, my voice carrying a hint of sadness.


    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s a hell of a hit to take,¡± Azura said, her voice softening with empathy.


    ¡°Yeah, but I¡¯m trying to do my best,¡± I replied quietly. I could feel Jake and Kira stepping up beside me, their presence a silent show of support.


    ¡°Now it all makes sense,¡± Abel said, his tone thoughtful. ¡°It explains why you¡¯re not acting like a typical alpha. You¡¯re not demanding or pushy. You¡¯re helping all of us and genuinely trying to earn our trust. I¡¯ve only heard of one other alpha who acted in a similar manner¡ªthat would be Alpha Staroko of the SkyTeam Pack.¡±


    A grin spread across my face. They didn¡¯t know who he really was, and the thought amused me.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± Abel asked, confusion written all over his face.


    ¡°Alpha Staroko is Lord Lycotonu¡¯s father, and one of my closest mentors,¡± I revealed, watching as disbelief washed over their faces.


    For a moment, no one said a word. They just stared at me as if I had suddenly sprouted a second head.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Cain finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper.


    ¡°Someone who just happened to be in the wrong place at the right time,¡± I answered, my voice carrying a note of irony.


    ¡°That¡¯s not very helpful,¡± Azura replied, her tone almost teasing.


    I shrugged, slinging my rifle over my shoulder. ¡°Fine, I¡¯m Lyra Acosta, appointed leader of this badass truck fleet. It¡¯s my job to make sure we¡¯re successful. Everything else is just fluff.¡± With that, I turned and headed toward Sasha, Charlotte, and Tyler, who were taking a break and reloading their mags with more ammo. The three of them shot me smiles as I approached.


    ¡°Hey, guys, how¡¯s your group doing?¡± I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite the weight of everything happening around me.


    ¡°Really good. Gunny came over and gave us some pointers and helped out,¡± Sasha answered with a nod.


    ¡°Great! Are the three of you feeling comfortable with the rifles?¡± I continued, genuinely curious.


    ¡°Yeah, I never thought I¡¯d enjoy using a gun,¡± Charlotte admitted, a bit of surprise in her voice.


    ¡°Right? This is fun,¡± Tyler added, his enthusiasm infectious.


    Just as I was starting to feel a sense of accomplishment, Sasha¡¯s eyes narrowed, and she asked, ¡°Alpha, what¡¯s with the tail?¡±


    I followed her gaze and turned around to find the rest of the group I had just left trailing behind me. A sigh escaped me as I mentally prepared for what was to come. Cain, with Azura and Abel close behind, approached with purpose. I closed my eyes for a brief moment, bracing myself for the barrage of questions I knew were coming. I hadn¡¯t fully addressed their concerns earlier, and now it seemed I had to.


    ¡°What now¡­¡± I grumbled, frustration seeping into my tone.


    Cain stopped in front of me, his posture firm and resolute. ¡°We¡¯ve decided to officially join your pack after discussing it, Alpha Acosta,¡± he announced with a finality that left no room for argument.


    I rocked back on my heels, my thoughts hitting an unexpected wall. For the second time today, I found myself completely thrown off guard. If a dragon suddenly swooped down, I don¡¯t think I¡¯d even blink. I sighed again, forcing myself to focus on the three of them.


    ¡°Are you absolutely sure?¡± I asked, my voice flat, almost resigned.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Azura answered, speaking for all of them with a tone of certainty that surprised me.


    I closed my eyes, taking in a deep breath, before turning to face the rest of the group. ¡°Does anyone else want to officially join my pack?¡± I called out, my voice carrying over the yard.


    ¡°I¡¯ll join!¡± I heard our mechanic shout, dragging Seth along with her as she approached.


    I stared at her blankly, blinking in disbelief. ¡°Aren¡¯t you a phoenix?¡± I asked incredulously.


    ¡°Yeah, and?¡± she shot back in the same tone, completely unfazed.


    I just stood there for a moment, processing this new twist. ¡°Anyone else?¡± I asked, trying to keep my exasperation in check.


    Sasha, Charlotte, and Tyler all raised their hands, signaling their intent. I ran my hand down my face in frustration and sighed deeply before turning to Steve. ¡°Do you want to join?¡± I asked him, my voice weary.


    He simply shrugged and took a step back, indicating he wasn¡¯t ready. I nodded in acknowledgment, respecting his decision. For the next thirty minutes, I went through the bonding ritual with each person who wanted to join. The words became a mantra, almost automatic by the time I reached Mac. My mouth was dry, and a throbbing headache was starting to form behind my eyes. Steve handed me a bottle of water, which I gratefully accepted, draining it in a few quick gulps. The cool liquid was a brief respite, but the rituals were taking their toll on me, both physically and mentally.


    ¡°You know this probably won¡¯t work, right?¡± I said, my voice edged with exhaustion.


    ¡°Just try, Lyra. Worst case, it doesn¡¯t. But we won¡¯t know unless we try,¡± Mac replied, her tone encouraging yet firm.


    I shook my head, preparing myself mentally for her potential disappointment. I had only heard of one multispecies bond, and that was Star and Cayro¡¯s¡ªan exception, not the rule. Letting out a deep breath, I placed my hand on her chest and began the ritual.


    ¡°Makinzy Athena Ignacio, daughter of the flames and wind, I claim you as a member of my pack. I vow on this day before the Mother Luna to protect, care, guide, and watch over you as one of my own. I vow to never lead you astray or abandon you. You will find sanctuary and peace under me as your Alpha and will always have a home to come back to. Do you accept my claim, Makinzy Athena Ignacio, daughter of the flames and wind?¡± I vowed, altering the words slightly to honor her unique heritage.


    "I accept your claim, Alpha Acosta, daughter of Mother Luna, alpha of the moon-called and flaming wings," Mac responded, her voice laced with solemnity.


    For a heartbeat, nothing happened. My heart sank, disappointment threatening to overwhelm me as I began to pull my hand away. "I''m sorr¡ª" The apology died on my lips as searing pain exploded from my hand, shooting up my arm and into my chest like molten fire. I gasped, the breath ripped from my lungs as the pain tore through me, carving a fiery path directly to Mac, forging an unbreakable mental bond between us.


    Doubling over, I fought to catch my breath, my vision blurred by the tears that sprang to my eyes. I glanced down at the back of my left hand, where the pain radiated fiercest. There, glowing angrily against my skin, was an intricate brand in the shape of a flaming bird, seared into my flesh as if by a red-hot iron.


    For what felt like an eternity, I remained bent over, the agony ebbing slowly as I tried to regain control of my body. Jake and Steve were at my side, their hands gentle as they helped me straighten. Across from me, Mac was staring down at her chest with an expression of awe, as if she couldn''t believe what she was seeing.


    "Are you okay?" I asked, my voice still shaky from the pain.


    "Yeah, but that fucking hurt," she replied breathlessly, her eyes wide with disbelief.


    "No joke¡­" I muttered, holding up my hand to show her the brand. Her eyes widened further as she leaned in for a closer look. When her thumb brushed the mark, I hissed softly, a sharp sting shooting through my hand.


    "Sorry," she whispered, her voice tinged with guilt.


    "It''s okay, it''s just¡­ sensitive," I replied, trying to manage a reassuring smile.


    Mac released my hand and, with a careful motion, pulled down the neckline of her shirt just enough to reveal a silvery crescent moon with a howling wolf branded between her breasts. It shimmered with an ethereal glow, stark against her skin. My breath caught in my throat as I realized the significance of what had just occurred.


    "I guess it worked," I said, awe creeping into my voice.


    "Yeah, but damn¡­ that felt like I got hit by a truck," she replied, still trying to process what had happened.


    "I felt like I was burning from the inside out," I added, the pain still fresh in my mind.


    "Not surprising, considering I¡¯m a phoenix," she said, her tone laced with a strange mix of pride and bewilderment.


    I turned to face the others, who were all staring at us, shock etched into their expressions. It wasn''t every day that you witnessed a werewolf bonding with a phoenix, after all.


    "Are you guys okay?" I asked, suddenly worried about the impact this might have had on them.


    "Yes, we all felt your pain at first, but then you shut us out and took the brunt of it yourself," Jake answered, his voice filled with a mix of admiration and concern.


    I blinked, processing his words, then looked over at Kira. She nodded, lifting her left hand to reveal the same intricate brand on her skin. I glanced at Jake, who also showed me his marked hand. I quickly scanned the rest of the group¡ªevery single one of them bore the brand.


    "Does it hurt?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.


    "No," Azura replied, speaking for the group.


    "Alpha, you''re absorbing the pain for everyone in the pack," Abel explained, his tone filled with an almost reverent disbelief.


    "I can handle it," I said, more to convince myself than them. I had no idea how I was doing it, but now wasn''t the time to unravel that mystery.


    "It looks like I missed all the fun!" a new voice chimed in, light and airy, coming from just above and to my right.


    I spun around, squinting up into the sunlight, and blinked several times. There, hovering in midair, was a small woman dressed in FS military fatigues, her glimmering wings flapping vigorously to keep her aloft. For a moment, I just stared, rubbing my eyes with my palms to make sure I wasn¡¯t hallucinating. Was I really looking at a fairy?

 Chapter 8: One Wolf Sized Headache; Coming Up!

    I pointed up at the small, overly proportional flying woman, my eyes narrowing as I turned to Steve for confirmation.


    ¡°Am I seeing things, or is that a fairy?¡± I asked, my voice laced with incredulity.


    Steve, equally baffled, squinted at the hovering figure. ¡°I¡­ uh¡­ I¡¯m not sure?¡±


    ¡°I am not a fucking fairy!¡± the woman snapped, her voice ringing out like a sweet yet dangerously sharp bell. ¡°Those rat bastards do nothing but cause havoc and destruction!¡±


    Her quick shift from charming to enraged caught me off guard. Despite the sour look twisting her otherwise stunning features, she was undeniably gorgeous. Her bright blond hair was cropped into a perfect pixie cut that accentuated her angular face and pointed ears. Her large blue eyes, currently narrowed in a scowl, gave her an almost ethereal quality, even as her thin arms crossed over her ample chest, and her translucent wings fluttered with irritation.


    I turned back to Steve, hoping for some clarity, but all I got was the slack-jawed expression of a man completely entranced. His eyes gleamed with a hunger that made me roll mine in exasperation. Great, typical Steve¡ªuseless when there¡¯s a pretty face involved.


    ¡°So, if you¡¯re not a fairy¡­ what are you?¡± I asked, refocusing on the petite woman now standing before me. She was even shorter than me, which was saying something.


    ¡°I am Major Catalina A. Pixiewolf of the 3rd Infantry Division, based out of Fort Moore, Georgia,¡± she declared, her voice swelling with pride as she spoke.


    ¡°You must be our military liaison,¡± I responded, trying to keep my tone neutral.


    ¡°That¡¯s correct,¡± she confirmed, her smile fleeting before her expression hardened again. ¡°And I am a pixie, you uneducated furball.¡±


    The insult made my eyes narrow, my teeth baring instinctively. Did she just call me stupid? I took a deep breath, pushing down the growl building in my chest. Before I could respond, she turned her attention to Steve, who still hadn¡¯t closed his mouth.


    ¡°Let¡¯s keep this shut, so a fly doesn¡¯t make a home in there, Mr. Amarok,¡± she said sweetly, using one finger to nudge his jaw closed.


    Steve swallowed hard, his eyes wide as he nodded obediently, keeping his mouth clamped shut. Typical beta behavior around a pretty woman.


    Rolling my eyes and letting out a sigh of exasperation, I began to walk towards the MCV. Major Pixiewolf craned her neck back and looked at me and Mac.


    ¡°Bring the flaming fireball with you too¡­¡± she announced.


    The noise that I heard coming from Mac was nearly indescribable. It was a cross between a screech and a growl of anger. It could give a werewolf¡¯s growl a run for its money. Together, Mac and I walked towards the MCV. I swear I could feel heat radiating off my mechanic. She was pissed, and the continuous growling and grinding of her teeth made that very apparent. The little pixie had thoroughly ruffled her feathers.


    Inside the MCV, we found Major Pixiewolf bent over one of the workstations, typing away. Her chest pressed against the desk as she leaned in, her hips swaying slightly in her tight uniform pants. Steve was transfixed, his eyes glued to her backside as if in a trance. If he were in wolf form, his tail would undoubtedly be wagging.


    I couldn¡¯t help but facepalm. Typical. With a snap of my fingers, I signaled Mac, who didn¡¯t hesitate. Marching up to Steve, she delivered a sharp smack to the back of his head that echoed through the trailer.


    ¡°Snap out of it, man. We¡¯re not here to chase tail,¡± Mac barked, her voice cutting through the tension.


    Steve blinked, rubbing the back of his head as he glared at Mac, clearly ready to snap back. I cleared my throat, drawing his attention. The moment our eyes met, his defiance evaporated, replaced by the recognition that he was toeing a very dangerous line.


    ¡°Steve, pull your head out of the gutter. She¡¯s a pixie, they thrive on causing mischief,¡± I said, my tone sharp, eyes flicking toward Major Pixiewolf.


    Major Pixiewolf straightened up, her fingers stilling on the keyboard as she flashed me a devious grin, followed by a wink that set my nerves on edge. Oh, she was going to be trouble, I could feel it in my bones. I narrowed my eyes at her, my glare hardening.


    ¡°Major, I¡¯m not sure what the military¡¯s stance on sexual harassment is, but I¡¯m pretty certain you¡¯re walking a thin line. One phone call is all it takes to clarify,¡± I growled, letting the warning hang in the air.


    ¡°It¡¯s only harassment if it¡¯s unwelcome,¡± she retorted smoothly, her voice laced with sass. ¡°And judging by Mr. Amarok¡¯s reaction, I¡¯d say he¡¯s quite enjoying the view. So, you¡¯ve got nothing to worry about.¡±


    I ground my teeth, biting back the snarl that threatened to escape. This woman was going to be a headache.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you, like, eighteen or nineteen? Steve¡¯s in his mid-thirties. That¡¯s fucking creepy,¡± Mac snapped, stepping up beside me, her voice dripping with disgust.


    Major Pixiewolf rolled her eyes, exasperation clear on her face. ¡°I knew the fur ball was uneducated, but I didn¡¯t think the flaming fireball was too!¡± she exclaimed, pointing between me and Mac. ¡°I¡¯m thirty-four, thank you very much!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it! I¡¯m going to roast her on a spit now!¡± Mac screeched, her temper boiling over.


    I grabbed Mac by the arms, pulling her back just as she tried to lunge at the irritating pixie. Steve quickly stepped in between them, acting as a human shield. Dragging the furious phoenix out of the MCV before she could set the place¡ªor all of us¡ªon fire, I managed to get her outside, her body radiating heat like an oven. Sparks flickered at the tips of her flame-red hair as she growled and ground her teeth, clearly ready to incinerate the pixie.


    ¡°Eesh, Mac, she really got under your skin,¡± I said, trying to soothe her fiery temper.


    ¡°She called me stupid!¡± she huffed loudly, her eyes blazing.


    ¡°She called us both stupid, Mac,¡± I replied, trying to calm her.


    ¡°I know¡­ it was uncalled for,¡± she fumed, the flames in her eyes refusing to die down.


    ¡°She¡¯s a pixie. They¡¯re known for being brash and troublesome. I¡¯ll call Star tonight and see if we can figure something out,¡± I suggested, hoping to ease her frustration.


    Mac let out a heavy sigh, the flames in her eyes dimming slightly. ¡°Fine, but if she causes any more trouble, you call for me. I will flame broil her for you.¡±


    I nodded, watching as she climbed into the FRS. I headed back into the MCV, finding Steve and the major waiting. Steve had his eyes glued to his computer monitor, while the major continued her attempts to get his attention, her behavior bordering on the absurd.


    I cleared my throat, stepping loudly toward them. ¡°What was it that you wanted to discuss, Major?¡± I demanded, cutting through the tension.


    She straightened up, shifting into a more professional demeanor. ¡°We need to go over the first load, the route, and what to expect en route to the first drop point,¡± she said, her tone all business now.


    ¡°What did you need Mac for?¡± I asked, suspicion lacing my words.


    ¡°To go over the terrain and what possible damages we could expect to the trucks,¡± she replied.


    ¡°I¡¯ll relay that information to her,¡± I stated, leaving no room for argument.


    She opened her mouth to protest, but I cut her off before she could get a word out. ¡°Listen, I don¡¯t care about military protocols. You¡¯ve managed to piss off both me and my mechanic within ten minutes of your arrival. You¡¯re openly flirting with my beta in front of everyone, and you¡¯ve insinuated that both me and my mechanic are stupid. I¡¯m this close to making a phone call and having your ass replaced. I¡¯m in charge here, whether you like it or not. So, get your shit together and stop acting like a damn fowl. We have a job to do,¡± I growled, my voice low and deadly, eyes gleaming with Alpha authority.


    I watched her open and close her mouth trying to come up with something to say now that I just insulted her by calling her a bird. We wolves use the word fowl like an insult because birds can be rather unintelligent. She went to the position of parade rest and nodded her head.


    ¡°Understood, Alpha Acosta,¡± she muttered before turning back to her workstation.


    She quickly pulled up a map showing I-80 starting in Omaha, Nebraska, zooming in on Council Bluffs, Iowa. A red pin marked a location just off I-80 West. She turned to face Steve and me, her demeanor now strictly professional.


    ¡°Tomorrow morning at zero-eight-hundred, we¡¯ll be leaving Ankeny, Iowa, and heading to this location. We¡¯ll link up with our escorts here to go through the Omaha, Nebraska entry point. They¡¯ll escort the convoy to the unit¡¯s location. The unit left earlier today to push ahead and secure the route as best as possible,¡± she explained.


    ¡°I thought we were loading tomorrow morning?¡± I queried, still suspicious.


    ¡°That was the original plan, but we need to get moving sooner,¡± Major Pixiewolf explained, her tone serious. She glanced at her watch. ¡°Our intel has noticed that the oppositional forces are preparing to push further into the country. Everything you¡¯ll be hauling should arrive in¡­ roughly an hour.¡±


    Steve furrowed his brow. ¡°Who is this escort team we¡¯re meeting up with?¡±


    ¡°A highly trained group of special forces, capable of protecting your convoy under the most dangerous conditions,¡± the Major replied, her voice firm.


    ¡°What should we be expecting along the route?¡± I asked, already bracing myself for the answer.


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    ¡°The roads are in poor condition,¡± she began, zooming in on a map displayed on her monitor. ¡°The locals in that area have reverted to survival tactics¡ªsavagery, theft. And then there are the creatures that have been left unchecked for years. It¡¯s going to be dangerous and grueling. The lead unit will do their best to clear the way, but there¡¯s no guarantee it¡¯ll stay that way.¡±


    She zoomed in further on Big Springs, Nebraska, and with a click, a path along I-80 appeared on the screen. What should have been a straightforward trip now seemed daunting, the unknowns stretching out ahead of us like dark clouds.


    ¡°The first mission will take us roughly 350 miles into Nebraska. The unit will secure Big Springs, where I-76 and I-80 meet, and barricade I-76 to prevent interference from Colorado. We¡¯ve fortified Denver, and the I-70 corridor is sealed. That leaves I-80, I-40, and I-10 as the primary routes in and out of the country,¡± she continued, her tone unwavering.


    ¡°What about the I-90 corridor?¡± I asked, noting its absence from her plan.


    ¡°I-90 is too far north of the opposing units, and it¡¯s severely deteriorated. Some sections are no longer passable,¡± she replied, her focus still on the map.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t the forces trying to take I-10 or I-40?¡± I pressed, curious about the strategic choices.


    ¡°Do you really want to fuck with Texas? Between Texas, the Arizona and New Mexico deserts, and the forces stationed there, the Chinese have no chance in hell. Their best option is to push through the mountains, where the terrain complicates warfare,¡± she said, a sly grin spreading across her face.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s the goal for I-80?¡± Steve asked, leaning in closer to the map.


    ¡°The plan is to occupy, barricade, and use it as our pathway into the West. China thinks the mountains protect them from us and vice versa, but they¡¯ve underestimated the advantage of playing on our home turf,¡± she replied, her voice brimming with confidence.


    ¡°What information do I need to relay to our mechanic?¡± I asked, switching gears to practical concerns.


    ¡°Tell her to be on her toes. The route is rough, and we should expect some things to break. She needs to be ready for anything,¡± the Major answered, her tone leaving no room for doubt.


    ¡°Alright,¡± I replied, turning to leave and find Mac.


    I found Mac in the FRS, going over her tools and inventory, her earlier frustration with the pixie now replaced with focused determination. A thought struck me that I hadn¡¯t considered before¡ªwhat would we do if we had a major breakdown? I hadn¡¯t seen any trailers carrying spare parts.


    ¡°Hey Mac, where are the parts we¡¯ll need if something goes wrong?¡± I asked, stepping into the FRS. The setup was impressive, like a mobile mechanic¡¯s dream. If it had to, this trailer could probably rebuild an engine from the ground up.


    ¡°They should be here soon. We¡¯ve got two boxes that will go on the nose and tail of my trailer,¡± she replied, glancing up from her manifest.


    ¡°Jeez, how heavy is your trailer going to be?¡± I asked, concern creeping into my voice.


    ¡°With Jake¡¯s truck and all my equipment¡­ I think we¡¯ll be pushing close to one hundred and forty thousand pounds,¡± she answered, as casually as if she were discussing the weather.


    ¡°Holy Luna!¡± I exclaimed, the weight sinking in¡ªliterally and figuratively.


    ¡°Lyra, you do realize that nearly every truck is going to weigh close to that, right?¡± she asked, giving me a knowing smile.


    ¡°No! I thought maybe ninety to ninety-five thousand, not over a hundred thousand,¡± I admitted, still reeling from the number.


    She chuckled, shaking her head. ¡°Those are baby weights. I think the lightest truck in the fleet is yours, and even you¡¯ll be pushing the ninety-thousand-pound threshold.¡±


    I just shook my head, recalling my uncle¡¯s words about being exempt from all regulations. Clearly, he wasn¡¯t joking.


    ¡°The Major wanted me to remind you to be on your toes. The route is going to be rough, and we should expect things to break,¡± I relayed to Mac, feeling the seriousness of the situation settling in.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m already aware. That¡¯s why I¡¯ve got the FRS and everything I might need to fix one of the rigs,¡± she replied, her tone confident.


    I nodded, stepping down from the FRS to find the rest of the group. As I walked into the open area, the rumble of approaching engines caught my attention. The first company truck rolled in, and I let out a sharp whistle to get everyone moving.


    ¡°Hook up to your trailers! We¡¯re getting loaded!¡± I shouted. The group dropped what they were doing and sprinted toward their trucks. Gunny halted the first truck at the entrance, blocking any others from coming in. After a quick exchange with the driver, the truck was parked, and the driver began untarping and unsecuring his load.


    Within ten minutes, all our trucks were hooked up and ready. The first truck had two small cubical conex containers among a load of crates¡ªspare parts for the fleet. I waved Jake forward, signaling to get them loaded first, knowing Mac needed to inventory them before we hit the road.


    A massive Taylor forklift appeared and efficiently lifted the containers onto the FRS trailer. Once they were secured, Jake backed his rig into place, and he and Mac set to work, making sure everything was tightly fastened. Seth was next, driving forward with his flat deck trailer. The first and second truck¡¯s loads were transferred onto his trailer, with everyone moving quickly and efficiently.


    The third truck carried two joint light tactical vehicles on an RGN, and Tyler took the lead, loading them onto his trailer. By the time Kira¡¯s RGN rolled in, we were all in a rhythm. Hours passed as we methodically loaded, secured, and tarped the trailers, only pausing briefly for dinner. By the end, nearly fourteen standard truckloads were spread across our eight rigs.


    The drivers who had delivered our loads were clearly impressed and curious about what we were up to, but Gunny had made it clear: not a word. We all understood the importance of this mission, and no one dared to break that silence.


    As the night wore on, we banded together to secure every trailer, inventory the loads, and make sure everything was properly tarped. The scene was a symphony of chains clinking, straps tightening, and equipment being secured. Steve, ever the multitasker, was even helping while giving our new liaison a crash course in load securing.


    I jumped up onto Sasha¡¯s catwalk, grabbing one of her lumber tarps and tossing it onto the nose of her trailer. She climbed atop her load of crates, and together we heaved the tarp over the top, letting it drape down the sides. Tyler and Charlotte pinned it down with bungies while Abel tossed up the second tarp.


    It was nearly eleven at night by the time we pulled the last bungie. Exhausted and grimy, I felt the day¡¯s toll. Steve insisted I take the first shower, and though I tried to argue, the rest of the group backed him up. Too tired to fight, I relented. In and out in ten minutes, I was soon heading back to my truck.


    I slumped into the driver¡¯s seat, finally taking a moment to check my phone. Star had messaged me, asking for a call when I was free. It was just past midnight in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee¡ªI just hoped she wasn¡¯t asleep when I called. After a few rings, she picked up.


    ¡°Hey, Lyra! I wasn¡¯t sure if you were going to call,¡± she answered, her voice cheerful.


    ¡°Sorry for calling so late, it was a very busy day,¡± I apologized.


    ¡°No need. Cayro and I are still awake. The girls didn¡¯t want to go to bed on time,¡± she replied, a mix of exhaustion and amusement in her tone.


    ¡°How are the little heathens doing?¡± I asked, smiling despite my fatigue.


    ¡°They¡¯re doing well. Seren has been driving Scuzball batshit insane, and Celestia has been blowing holes in her daddy¡¯s office door,¡± Star said, pride and joy evident in her voice.


    I chuckled. ¡°Sounds like fun.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s never a dull moment around here. How was your day?¡± she asked.


    ¡°It was long. We just finished loading out for our trip,¡± I answered.


    ¡°Are you excited?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Yes, and no. More like apprehensive,¡± I admitted.


    ¡°You¡¯ll do fine, Lyra. Especially now that you have a pack,¡± she said, her words filled with encouragement.


    ¡°How do you know that I officially have a pack?¡± I demanded, caught off guard.


    ¡°Lyra, you¡¯re my beta. Cayro and I felt your tie to us change. It¡¯s still there, but you¡¯re no longer attached to us like a lost puppy,¡± she explained.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t a lost puppy¡­¡± I huffed, though her words brought a small, reluctant smile to my face.


    ¡°You know what I meant, Lyra. You¡¯re still our wolf, just like the council members are to Zak and Aura. You¡¯ve just grown. It¡¯s a good thing,¡± Star argued, her voice firm but warm.


    ¡°Fine¡­ I get it. Speaking of which, did you set me on this path?¡± I demanded, unable to shake the suspicion.


    ¡°The Stars may have guided me, but no. You just happened to be in the right place at the right time when we needed an alpha,¡± she answered, her tone playful yet sincere.


    ¡°You and those stars. Always interfering with other people¡¯s lives,¡± I huffed, rolling my eyes, even though I knew she couldn¡¯t see it.


    ¡°You can thank my father for that. Being a star-bound being can get quite annoying at times. There are days when they just won¡¯t shut up. Cayro had to come up with a method to block them out so he could focus on work,¡± she said, cheerfully deflecting my grumbling.


    I chuckled, remembering the days when I lived with them. There were times when the two of them were downright crabby because the stars kept them up all night. Even Scuzball, their infamously annoying A.I., knew better than to pester them during those times.


    ¡°Speaking of which, do you know who Catalina Pixiewolf is?¡± I asked, shifting the conversation.


    ¡°Catalina? Yeah, she¡¯s one of the best pathfinders in the FS Army. She and I have worked together a few times. Why?¡± Star¡¯s curiosity was piqued.


    ¡°Was she always this brazen and¡­ promiscuous?¡± I asked, my tone a mix of disbelief and frustration.


    ¡°Brazen, yes. Promiscuous, no. She usually avoids anyone who seems attracted to her. She can actually come across as quite prudish,¡± Star replied, sounding genuinely surprised.


    ¡°Prudish¡­ really?¡± I scoffed, unable to reconcile the description with what I had seen.


    ¡°Yeah, why?¡± Star demanded, her tone sharpening.


    ¡°She was shaking her ass and being very provocative around Steve today!¡± I exclaimed, still baffled by the memory.


    ¡°Really?¡± Star asked, the surprise clear in her voice.


    ¡°Yes! And Steve was eating it up. I had our fleet mechanic gib smack him,¡± I answered, sharpness creeping into my tone.


    ¡°Uh oh¡­¡± Star muttered.


    ¡°Uh oh? What do you mean by ¡®uh oh¡¯?!¡± I demanded, my voice rising.


    ¡°Uh¡­ you¡¯ll find out soon enough,¡± she replied, evasive as ever.


    ¡°Star!¡± I exclaimed in a high-pitched, exasperated voice.


    ¡°It¡¯s not my story to tell. Just go with the flow,¡± she replied, clearly enjoying my frustration.


    I huffed and grumbled. This was going to be a long trip¡­


    ¡°I just wanted to check on you, Lyra. I¡¯m going to jump off here; Cayro is wanting me to join him for a shower,¡± she stated casually, as if that was a normal thing to throw into the conversation.


    I rolled my eyes. Those two were like rabbits. They never seemed to get enough of each other.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll check back in a couple of days. Don¡¯t get too rowdy. We don¡¯t need another hole in the ceiling,¡± I joked, trying to lighten the mood.


    I heard her snort before breaking into a fit of giggles. ¡°We won¡¯t. By the way, I¡¯m sending you one more member to join your group. Maybe you can keep him out of trouble,¡± she added, a mischievous tone creeping into her voice.


    ¡°Who?¡± I asked, suspicion lacing my words.


    ¡°You¡¯ll see,¡± she said before abruptly hanging up on me.


    I pulled the phone away from my ear and stared at it. She just hung up on me! That bitch! I huffed and tossed my phone onto the bed. I could practically see the devious grin on her face. One of these days, I¡¯d get her back.


    Leaning back in my chair, I let out a long sigh, only to have my new tablet flare to life. Grabbing it, I looked at the screen, expecting a notification. Instead, it automatically logged in, and Scuzball¡¯s familiar, grumpy face appeared in the middle of the screen.


    Scuzball, Cayro¡¯s father¡¯s creation, had become self-aware over twenty years ago. His usual form was a white cat with a black tail, a creature that was now staring at me with obvious irritation. It hit me who Star had decided to send. Of all the beings she could have chosen, she sent their A.I. companion?


    ¡°Scuzball?¡± I asked, still processing.


    ¡°Who else would I be?¡± he snapped, his tone bristling with irritation.


    ¡°Jeeze, you¡¯re grumpy tonight,¡± I replied, taken aback by his attitude.


    ¡°Yeah, well, you would be too if you just got kicked out of your home because a miniature version of her grumpiness keeps finding ways to aggravate you,¡± he huffed.


    ¡°What did Seren do this time?¡± I asked, unable to keep the amusement out of my voice.


    ¡°She keeps tampering with my ship settings¡­¡± he grumbled.


    ¡°What did you do in return?¡± I asked, already dreading the answer.


    ¡°Well,¡± he began with a smirk, ¡°while His and Her Lordship of the Draconians were out on a date last week, I played Ridley Scott¡¯s Alien for the girls as entertainment.¡±


    I stared at the A.I. in utter horror. He made four-year-olds watch a scary alien horror film as revenge? Star was really starting to rub off on him.


    ¡°Since then, at night, I¡¯ve been activating the hollow emitters in the ship and skulking around in the form of the alien,¡± he said proudly.


    ¡°Scuzball! That¡¯s horrible¡­ No wonder the girls were still awake!¡± I exclaimed, torn between horror and disbelief.


    ¡°It seemed like a good idea at the time,¡± he retorted, sounding utterly unapologetic.


    ¡°That was a horrible idea!¡± I shot back.


    ¡°Eh¡­ I¡¯m here now. What¡¯s the mission?¡± he asked, shifting gears abruptly.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you tomorrow. I need to sleep. Find something to occupy yourself with while I get some rest,¡± I said, weariness finally catching up with me.


    Flipping my tablet upside down on the passenger seat, I started my truck and set the HVAC system to my preferred temperature. Sliding the curtains closed, I collapsed into bed. Today had been one hell of a day¡­

 Chapter 9: Pixie Wolves be Damned, There Be Dragons

    On cue at five in the morning¡­ well, not quite. Steve was calling my phone. I growled and answered without even glancing at the caller ID.


    ¡°WHAT!¡± I barked, not hiding my irritation.


    ¡°We have a problem!¡± Steve¡¯s voice came through, quiet but frantic.


    Pulling the phone away, I squinted at the time. It wasn¡¯t five; it was six thirty. Steve was a morning person, but even he didn¡¯t wake up in a panic before dawn. Something was definitely off.


    ¡°On my way,¡± I said, all irritation gone, replaced with a rush of urgency. I hung up and threw myself out of bed, grabbing the first clothes I could find and yanking them on. Steve never panicked. The last time something shook him even a little was when his beloved forest green Fiat 500 got flattened by a company rig, and he hadn¡¯t shed a tear. That car was his baby, for Luna¡¯s sake. So, if he was rattled now, it was serious.


    With boots on and laces tucked in, I bolted out of my truck, sprinting toward the MCV. The quiet that met me inside was unnerving. Steve wasn¡¯t up and about like he usually was. The sound of a toilet flushing made me whip my head around just as Mac stepped out of the bathroom, eyebrows knitted in confusion.


    ¡°Lyra? What the hell are you doing up and dressed like that?¡± she asked, her eyes scanning my disheveled appearance.


    ¡°Steve called, said we had a problem. Have you seen him?¡± I shot back, glancing around the room.


    ¡°Not since last night,¡± she replied, still looking puzzled. ¡°Did you sleep in the MCV?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Major Pain in the Ass never came in,¡± she answered, her tone flat.


    I blinked, suddenly suspicious. ¡°You slept here?¡±


    ¡°Yup,¡± she said, heading to her workstation to pull on her boots.


    I started searching the MCV, checking the kitchen and the bathroom again just to be sure. Nothing. I glanced over at Mac, who shrugged, just as baffled as I was.


    ¡°Steve?¡± I called out, trying to keep my voice steady.


    ¡°In here,¡± came a loud whisper from the bunk room.


    I exchanged a look with Mac before we crept over, sliding the door open cautiously. There he was, lying on his back, eyes wide as he stared at the bundle of snow-white fur curled up on his chest.


    We leaned in, both of us staring at the small, wolf-like creature. It was no bigger than a corgi, fast asleep, its tail draped over its nose as it snored softly. I turned my head to Steve, who looked desperate and helpless.


    ¡°Where did it come from?¡± I asked, half expecting him to have a reasonable answer.


    ¡°I have no idea¡­ but every time I try to move, it growls,¡± he whispered, his eyes flicking nervously to the tiny beast.


    ¡°Interesting¡­¡± Mac¡¯s voice broke in from behind me. I turned to see her holding up a crimson red bra with black lace trim, dangling it from her finger like it was a live grenade. She eyed it suspiciously.


    I turned back to Steve, who was now turning a shade of red that could probably be seen from space. A quick scan of the room revealed a mess of military and company clothing tossed everywhere. I crossed my arms, arching an eyebrow at Steve.


    ¡°Where is Major Pixiewolf, Steve?¡± I asked, my voice laced with suspicion.


    ¡°Uh¡­ I don¡¯t know,¡± he mumbled, biting his lower lip and avoiding eye contact like a guilty teenager.


    ¡°Uh-huh¡­ Mac, did the major ever come back to your bunk room last night?¡± I asked, still staring Steve down.


    ¡°Nope. I would have sensed it,¡± Mac replied, her voice full of certainty.


    ¡°So, unless the major is wandering around the compound butt-naked, she¡¯s still in this room,¡± I concluded, my tone dripping with amusement.


    Steve looked anywhere but at us, and I could feel the devious grin forming on my face. I caught Mac¡¯s eye, and she mirrored my expression. This was too good.


    ¡°Did you and the Major do some boinking last night after I went to bed?¡± Mac asked Steve, a wicked grin spreading across her face.


    ¡°Uh¡­ uh¡­ uh¡­¡± Steve stammered, his eyes darting between me and Mac like a cornered animal. Oh, this was golden. Star wasn¡¯t going to believe a word of this when I told her.


    As Steve tried to pull the blankets over his face, the miniature wolf on his chest let out a low growl, its eyes snapping open. The moment those bright blue eyes met Steve¡¯s, I knew exactly who they belonged to, and a wide grin stretched across my face.


    ¡°I think we¡¯ve found the missing Major,¡± I announced loudly, barely containing my laughter.


    ¡°Yup, I think we have!¡± Mac echoed, just as excited.


    The tiny wolf¡¯s head whipped toward us, wide-eyed in shock as it finally realized we were watching.


    ¡°Good morning, Major Pixiewolf,¡± I said cheerfully, unable to suppress the glee in my voice.


    The look on the small wolf¡¯s face was priceless, but even better was Steve¡¯s dawning horror as the truth sank in. Mac and I couldn¡¯t hold it in any longer¡ªwe burst out laughing, stumbling out of the room and closing the door behind us to give them some privacy. We collapsed into the workstations, still laughing as we tried to catch our breath. I took Steve¡¯s chair, spinning around to face Mac.


    ¡°Oh my Luna! She¡¯s a micro wolf!¡± I exclaimed, still in shock.


    ¡°Did you see their faces when they realized we caught them red-handed?¡± Mac asked, grinning from ear to ear.


    ¡°I know, right? Star is never going to believe this! She told me last night that the Major was a prude!¡±


    ¡°Ha! Let¡¯s see that little puff ball insult me again. I¡¯ve got ammo now!¡± Mac replied, her grin turning devious.


    A few minutes later, Steve and the Major emerged from the bunk room, both fully dressed but still sporting the unmistakable look of people who¡¯d been caught in the act. The Major made a beeline for her and Mac¡¯s bunk room, but Mac wasn¡¯t having it. She handed the Major her duffel bag, pointing back toward Steve¡¯s room.


    ¡°You christened one room, you¡¯re not doing it to mine,¡± Mac declared, her tone leaving no room for argument.


    The Major grabbed her bag and scurried back to Steve¡¯s room. I shot Mac a knowing grin before turning my attention to Steve, who looked like he wanted to disappear into the floor. His usual morning routine was clearly in shambles, and he was floundering.


    ¡°So¡­ breakfast?¡± I asked, still grinning like the cat that caught the canary. Steve was an adult; I couldn¡¯t exactly chastise him for what he did in his off time. But I could definitely tease him about it.


    ¡°Right¡­ Good idea,¡± he mumbled, retreating to the kitchen as fast as his legs would carry him.


    Thirty minutes later, we were all standing around the island, making our plates in an awkward silence that had hung in the air ever since Steve started cooking. It wasn¡¯t broken until Jake and Kira walked in, hand in hand, exuding an aura of post-coital bliss. Kira practically glowed. Mac and I exchanged looks and smirked. It seemed Steve and the Major weren¡¯t the only ones who had a good night.


    ¡°What?¡± Jake asked, arching an eyebrow suspiciously.


    ¡°Oh, nothing,¡± Mac replied, her tone too cheerful to be innocent.


    Jake narrowed his eyes, clearly not buying it. ¡°Why don¡¯t I believe you?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ It seems like you two weren¡¯t the only ones to get your freak on last night,¡± I said, my tone teasing.


    Both Jake and Kira blushed furiously, suddenly finding the floor very interesting. I rolled my eyes at their bashfulness.


    ¡°I expected you two to eventually do something,¡± I continued, ¡°but I didn¡¯t expect the other pair I found this morning.¡±


    Their heads snapped up, brows furrowing as they tried to puzzle out who the other culprits were.


    ¡°Before you ask,¡± Mac chimed in, ¡°let¡¯s just say that if a certain puff ball decides to insult me again, I¡¯ll be more than happy to share her little secret with the entire fleet.¡±


    The Major nearly dropped her plate, her eyes going wide with alarm as Mac¡¯s words hit home. I bit my lip to keep from laughing out loud, focusing on Jake and Kira instead.


    ¡°Should we even ask?¡± Kira ventured cautiously.


    ¡°It¡¯s best if you don¡¯t,¡± I replied, my tone a mix of amusement and warning.


    Jake and Kira moved in tandem, sharing a plate of food as they waited for something. I glanced around the room, noticing that both Steve and the Major were also standing around, seemingly waiting for a cue to start eating. Mac, on the other hand, had no such reservations¡ªshe was already devouring her breakfast with gusto. I rolled my eyes, grabbed a sausage patty, and stuffed it into my mouth, waving a hand at the hesitant wolves.


    ¡°Eat!¡± I mumbled through a mouthful of food.


    That was all the encouragement they needed. They finally started eating, and I grabbed a couple more sausage patties before deciding it was time to change out of the haphazard ensemble I had thrown on in my panic this morning. As I left the group, I passed Seth, who looked like he had spent the night wrestling with a tornado. His dark hair was a wild mess, sticking up in every direction. I waved at him, munching on another sausage patty. He returned the wave, looking too exhausted to do much else, and headed into the MCV.


    Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    Climbing into my truck, I headed straight for the sleeper and pulled the curtains shut. I had definitely thrown on the first things I found in my panic. My band shirt from Zak and Aura was inside out and backward, my socks didn¡¯t match, and I had on a pair of loose gym shorts. Not to mention, I hadn¡¯t bothered with a bra¡ªnot that I really needed one, being nearly flat-chested. My silver hair probably looked like a bird¡¯s nest too. With a sigh, I picked out a proper set of clothes and redressed, making sure everything was right side out and matching this time.


    Once I was finally presentable, I settled into the driver¡¯s seat and picked up my tablet from the passenger seat, where it had spent the night. Scuzball, ever the diligent (and slightly irritated) AI, was perched on the screen, pretending to read a notebook covered in white cat heads¡ªa sure sign he was deep in thought.


    ¡°How was your night?¡± I asked, genuinely curious.


    ¡°It was¡­ informative. I got access to your mission files and read through them,¡± he replied, his tone indicating he was still processing everything.


    ¡°Oh? Anything I should be worried about?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Not just yet, but I¡¯m looking forward to accompanying you. Pigeon Forge was starting to bore me to death,¡± he said, his tone laced with eager anticipation.


    ¡°I can tell,¡± I replied, amused by his sudden enthusiasm.


    ¡°Cayro¡¯s been so overprotective of the girls, keeping Star and them far away from any action. It¡¯s been dreadfully dull,¡± he continued, his voice tinged with boredom.


    ¡°Couldn¡¯t you have helped Uncle Zaraki or, I don¡¯t know, the war effort?¡± I suggested.


    ¡°Why in the ever-expanding cyberspace would I help that old windbag? He thinks he has everything figured out,¡± Scuzball huffed, clearly unimpressed with my uncle.


    ¡°What about helping with the war effort?¡± I asked, pressing the point.


    ¡°Oh, I tried¡­ ended up pissing off President Clark and the entire NATO Council,¡± he said, nonchalantly.


    ¡°How did you manage that?¡± I asked, more curious than ever.


    ¡°I suggested they let me take control of the military networks and databases. I might have mentioned that I could end the war in a few days,¡± he replied, examining his claws with a self-satisfied grin. ¡°I may have insulted them a bit while I was at it.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, there are plenty of movies that show why that¡¯s a terrible idea,¡± I said, shaking my head.


    ¡°Eh¡­ the war would be over,¡± he retorted, clearly unbothered.


    I rolled my eyes and shut off the truck. ¡°I¡¯m going to check in with everyone. Try not to take over the world while I¡¯m gone,¡± I joked.


    ¡°I¡¯m not that power-hungry,¡± he replied, but there was a mischievous gleam in his eyes. I had a feeling he had been helping with the war effort in his own devious way. The Chinese military¡¯s constant network and communication issues didn¡¯t seem entirely coincidental.


    Leaving the truck, I made my way back to the MCV, where I found Major Pixiewolf standing outside in full uniform. She looked troubled, a deep worry etched across her face. As I passed her, she caught my arm and asked if we could speak privately. I nodded, and we walked away from the MCV to a quiet corner behind the loaded trailers. Once we were out of earshot, I crossed my arms and waited for her to speak.


    "Please don¡¯t tell anyone about my other form," Major Pixiewolf said, her voice laced with vulnerability. She looked at me with pleading eyes, and I arched an eyebrow, crossing my arms.


    "Why would you think I would?" I asked, genuinely curious.


    "Um¡­ because you¡¯re the alpha of this team, and you could easily divulge my secret if you chose to," she replied, her tone uncertain.


    "Major," I said, my voice steady, "it¡¯s not my secret to tell. That would undermine the trust we need to build. We¡¯re going to be relying on each other out there, and trust is everything." Her shoulders relaxed slightly, the tension easing out of her.


    "Thank you, Alpha Acosta," she said, sounding a bit more composed.


    "Look, you¡¯re part of this team now. We all have our secrets, things we¡¯d rather keep hidden. I¡¯m not in any position to share anyone else¡¯s secrets when I¡¯m not willing to share my own," I explained, trying to reassure her.


    She nodded, then hesitated before speaking again. "Not many people know what I really am. They just assume I¡¯m a pixie, even though my last name is a dead giveaway."


    "If you don¡¯t mind me asking, what are you really?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.


    "My family and I are¡­ well, we¡¯re a bit of an enigma. We¡¯re a cross between pixies and werewolves," she admitted, her voice tinged with both pride and caution.


    My eyes widened in surprise. "I didn¡¯t even know crossbreeding was possible," I said, astonished. The only hybrids I knew of were Star and Cayro, and even then, their twin daughters were a mystery¡ªSeren seemed human, while Celestia showed signs of being draconian.


    "Pixies are closer to humans than most people think. We just happen to have magic that we draw from the earth¡¯s ley lines. A long time ago, one of my ancestors mated with a werewolf, and she gained the abilities of both species," Major Pixiewolf explained, a hint of pride in her voice.


    "Wow," I murmured, still processing the revelation.


    "Yeah, so I can shift into a small wolf. But unlike your kind of magic, our pixie magic makes us shift into a smaller form," she added.


    "More like a tiny, cute wolf," I teased with a grin.


    She huffed, crossing her arms defensively, but the scowl she gave me was more adorable than intimidating. I clapped her on the shoulder, giving her a reassuring smile. "You don¡¯t have to worry about me sharing your secret. It¡¯s safe with me," I promised.


    "What about Mac? She seems eager to share it," she countered, her worry creeping back.


    "I don¡¯t think she will, but I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll use it to tease you. I¡¯ll talk to her about it," I assured her.


    She nodded, and we walked back to the MCV together, where the rest of the team was waiting. As Major Pixiewolf slipped inside, Steve emerged. They passed each other without a word or even a glance, still clearly embarrassed by the morning¡¯s events.


    "Alright, everyone, let¡¯s get ready to head out. We need to be rolling by eight so we can meet up with our escorts at the rendezvous point," Steve announced, snapping everyone into action.


    "Who¡¯s taking the lead?" Sasha asked, looking around.


    "Good question," Steve replied. "Here¡¯s the lineup: Lyra, you¡¯re in the lead. Your rig is the most armored in the fleet. Charlotte, Seth, and Azura, you¡¯ll follow behind Lyra. Jake, you¡¯ll lead the RGN trucks. The FRS is the heaviest truck, so keeping it in the middle ensures we can assist if needed. The order within the two groups is up to you."


    We all nodded, heading to our trucks. On my way, I stopped by the MCV to have a quick word with Mac.


    "Hey, you haven¡¯t told anyone about what we found out this morning, have you?" I asked, lowering my voice.


    "Nope," she replied with a sly grin. "I¡¯m keeping that little secret in my back pocket."


    "Good. The major¡¯s worried about it," I said, relieved.


    "As long as she doesn¡¯t piss me off again, I won¡¯t have any reason to use it," Mac said with a shrug.


    "I don¡¯t think she will. This morning was embarrassing enough for her," I noted.


    Mac grinned and climbed up into the MCV. "As long as she knows I¡¯m a revengeful flame ball, we shouldn¡¯t have any more problems," she said with a smirk before the door closed behind her.


    I sighed and climbed into my truck, sliding my headset on as I mounted the tablet into its cradle. The new radio that Mac had installed yesterday sat within reach, gleaming with readiness. I flipped it on and linked all three devices together, feeling the subtle hum of connectivity. As soon as the systems were linked, I activated the group channel on my tablet. The chatter of the team buzzed lightly through my earpiece¡ªrandom conversations filling the early morning air¡ªbefore I spoke up.


    "Alright, everyone, are we ready to roll?" I asked, my voice cutting through the banter.


    One by one, the names on my tablet turned green, signaling that the team was ready. Steve¡¯s voice soon followed, confirming our status.


    "Lyra, mission is green to go," Steve announced, his tone calm yet focused.


    "This is Alpha Acosta; mission is a go. As directed, fall in order as assigned. MCV in the lead, flat decks follow me. FRS follow the flat decks. RGNs follow the FRS. We do not stop for anything until we reach the rendezvous point in Council Bluffs, Iowa," I commanded, sliding the shifter into first gear and releasing the brakes.


    As I eased out of my parking spot, Scuzball appeared on my screen, pulling up a GPS map of our route. With a theatrical flourish, he made a captain¡¯s hat appear in his paw, flipping it onto his head with a smug grin. His ears poked out from the top of the hat, the SkyTeam Aerospace Foundation logo gleaming just above the brim.


    "Good morning, everyone, this is your GPS Captain speaking. I will be your guide on this mission, ensuring we stay on course for our delivery," he announced in a cheerful, authoritative tone.


    "We will be making a right onto NE 22nd Street upon departure from the Ankeny yard. From there, a right turn onto SE Corporate Woods Drive, followed by an immediate right onto the I-35 South ramp. Within one point five miles, we will then take the I-80 west ramp," he continued, his voice smooth and confident.


    I couldn¡¯t help but grin at my digital companion. Scuzball was going to make this trip far more entertaining. As I shifted up to a higher gear, the gate of the Ankeny yard came into view, and my team fell in line behind me as instructed. Company personnel were already shutting down the road for us, and I slowed just enough to make the turn without stopping, giving them a quick wave before accelerating.


    Steve¡¯s voice broke through the channel, interrupting the growing chatter. "Alpha, what is this cat thing currently sitting on our screens?" he asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and confusion.


    "Oh, everyone! Meet 1337-J2 A.I., also known as Scuzball. He¡¯ll be joining us on our mission. You can thank the Zaraki family for sending him to tag along," I announced, trying to keep the amusement out of my voice.


    "An A.I.!" Major Pixiewolf gasped, clearly caught off guard.


    "Correct!" Scuzball chimed in, not missing a beat.


    "We have an A.I. at our disposal?" Cain asked, sounding both impressed and a bit wary.


    "Not at your disposal. I am at Lyra¡¯s disposal, being that she is a member of the Zaraki Family," Scuzball corrected with a tone that bordered on smug.


    "I was never told we¡¯d have an A.I. with us," the major declared, her voice laced with irritation.


    "He was kind of a last-minute tag along," I explained, trying to smooth things over.


    "Well, I should have been informed. I¡¯ll need to let the upper brass know about it," she insisted, her tone sharp.


    "That won¡¯t be necessary, Major. Colonel Zaraki has already informed them. Also, I am not an ''it''¡­ I am a ''him''," Scuzball grumbled, his pride clearly wounded, eliciting a few chuckles from the team.


    For the next two hours, I listened as Major Pixiewolf and Scuzball swapped barbs about military protocol and the finer points of A.I. self-awareness. Scuzball, ever the resourceful entity, even went so far as to call President Clark directly to prove his competence. The President, less than thrilled to hear from his old ship A.I., nonetheless assured the Major that Scuzball was one of the best resources we had.


    The Major, who had been bristling with indignation, clammed up the moment President Clark answered the call. He wished us all good luck and told me directly to come home safe, adding that he didn¡¯t want to deal with an upset adopted draconian daughter. I promised him I would, and as soon as the call ended, the Major and Scuzball resumed their bickering, while questions from the rest of the team flooded in.


    The joys of being an adopted member of one of the leading families of the Free States of America.


    As we rolled into Council Bluffs, Scuzball directed us to take the exit for Madison Avenue and pull into an old Menards hardware store parking lot. One by one, we parked side by side, lining up our trucks with mine in the lead. The sight of our convoy, a formidable force in motion, sent a thrill of both pride and apprehension through me. After popping the brakes, I climbed out of the cab and joined the rest of the team as we waited.


    It didn¡¯t take long before four black JLTVs (Joint Light Tactical Vehicles) rumbled into the parking lot, their presence immediately commanding attention. As they parked, seven men emerged, each one clad in full blacked-out military gear and body armor, their dark sunglasses adding an extra layer of intimidation. These were no ordinary soldiers. Magazines and pouches adorned their vests, pistols hung low on their thighs, and their M-4 carbines with high-end optics were slung at the low ready. Everything about them screamed precision, power, and deadly efficiency.


    Major Pixiewolf, despite her small stature, walked confidently to meet them as they approached. The size difference was almost comical, but the respect in the air was palpable. She handed one of the men a small stack of papers, and after a brief exchange, they saluted her. She returned the salute before speaking, her voice steady but carrying the weight of authority.


    Narrowing my hearing, I caught their conversation.


    ¡°Where is Major Stoneclaw?¡± she asked, her tone businesslike.


    ¡°He¡¯ll be here¡­¡± the lead man replied in a deep, raspy voice, glancing at his watch. ¡°Momentarily.¡±


    Just as the word left his mouth, a deep, booming roar echoed through the morning air, sending a shiver down my spine. That sound, so primal and terrifying, struck a chord deep within me. I had fought alongside creatures that made that very sound years ago during the first battle. The memories it conjured were as vivid as they were chilling.


    Seconds later, the ground shook as a massive, monstrous reptilian form landed behind the JLTVs, its arrival a literal earth-shaking event. The creature unfurled enormous black wings that cast a shadow over the entire parking lot. A long, serpentine neck, lined with jagged spikes, stretched out over the JLTVs, and its bright golden eyes gleamed with an intensity that pierced straight through me. The dragon¡ªno, this black dragon¡ªwas gargantuan, easily the size of two of our rigs combined. It exuded an aura of raw, terrifying power.


    Standing before this behemoth, I felt a mix of awe and dread. God help us if we ever ended up on the wrong side of this team. Because I knew who they were¡ªthe silver patches on their right arms confirmed it. These were the elite special forces unit of the FS Army, a unit commanded by Dr. Zaraki¡¯s adopted son, Star¡¯s older brother.


    This was no ordinary escort. This was the embodiment of military might, the teeth and claws of the Free States of America. And now, they were our protectors.

 Chapter 10: Dragon Woes and a Wolfen Snag…

    I stood there, locking eyes with the massive reptilian beast as it stared back, its golden amber eyes glinting in the sunlight. The fear radiating from my team behind me was almost tangible, but I held my ground. The dragon craned its horn-crested head down towards me, a wide, tooth-filled grin spreading across its face, baring massive, razor-sharp fangs. When it opened its gaping maw, the deep, ominous voice that followed was unmistakable.


    "Lyra¡­ It¡¯s good to see you again," Stoneclaw rumbled, dragging out my name with a tone that rattled the trucks around us.


    "Hello, Stoneclaw," I responded calmly, without a trace of fear. "It has been a while. How have you been?"


    "Oh¡­ it has been¡­ rather boring as of late. I have heard that a little wolf has come into her own," he replied, his voice causing a slight tremor in the ground.


    "Is my Luna spreading stories about me again?" I asked with a hint of amusement.


    "Of course not¡­ She speaks highly of her second. It is my understanding that you are an alpha now," he said, his tone both inquisitive and knowing. "Is this incorrect?"


    "No, Secundo per Imperium Stoneclaw, what you have heard is correct. I am the Primum Lupus of this pack," I confirmed, using Latin to match the formality of his title as the second-in-command of his thunder.


    "Ah! You have been practicing. Very good, Parva Argentum Lupus of the Magna Stella Ligatus Familiae," he replied in Latin, his approval evident. "But I am no longer Secundo per Imperium Stoneclaw. I am Primum Draco of the Elite Dragon Unit now."


    "Oh? What happened to your old commander?" I asked, curious.


    Stoneclaw rolled his massive eyes in exasperation. "He decided to get into the family business. Something about creating a sanctuary for wayward creatures. I believe it¡¯s being established in Forest City, Iowa, though I¡¯m not entirely certain."


    "Interesting. I thought he enjoyed being in the service," I remarked.


    "He did, until he tired of all the killing... What dragon tires of destruction and death? It brings... a certain joy to us," Stoneclaw said, grinning broadly.


    I couldn''t help but give him an apprehensive look, concern creeping into my mind. Did we really need a group of homicidal dragons escorting us? The last thing we needed was for one of them to barbecue us because they got carried away.


    "Oh, don¡¯t look at me like that. I merely jest," Stoneclaw said with a laugh, noticing my expression. "Our commander was given a great opportunity¡ªhis hoard nearly doubled in size because of it. I wouldn¡¯t have passed it up myself. If there¡¯s one thing a dragon desires most, it¡¯s to increase his hoard."


    "Ha ha, very funny, Stoneclaw. Scare the Alpha and her pack while you¡¯re at it," I replied, crossing my arms.


    "A little joking never hurt anyone. Besides, if my jesting makes you uneasy, just imagine what my thunder and I could do when we are serious," he added with a mischievous grin, his tone still laced with humor, but the underlying threat was clear enough to send a chill down my spine.


    "Should I be concerned that you might hurt us?" I asked, gesturing towards my team.


    "Oh, mighty hoards, no! We are here to protect the Parva Argentum Lupus and her cohorts as if they were part of our own hoard. To lose any of you would be like losing a part of ourselves. Fear not, little silver wolf of the great star-bound family, we will protect you with our lives," Stoneclaw assured, his voice serious and resolute.


    "And what, if you don¡¯t mind me asking, would a mighty dragon like yourself accept as payment for such protection?" I asked, curiosity piqued.


    "Well, um, you see... we dragons..." Stoneclaw began, the imperiousness of his tone faltering slightly before one of his team members interrupted.


    "He hoards books!" the voice called out.


    Stoneclaw¡¯s head snapped around, his regal composure slipping as he glared at the offender. "Shut it, Flamewing... Or I will take one of your precious stuffies and shove it down your throat," he snarled.


    I raised an eyebrow and couldn¡¯t help but grin at the realization. Behind me, the sound of my team¡¯s giggles filled the air. It was an unexpected revelation¡ªwho would have thought that a dragon as formidable as Stoneclaw was an avid book connoisseur?


    ¡°And what, pray tell, does a dragon of your stature like to read?¡± I queried.


    Stoneclaw turned his massive head back to look at me, his golden eyes locking onto mine. ¡°All kinds,¡± he replied earnestly. ¡°Fiction, nonfiction, historical, romance, educational¡ªyou name it, I will read it and hoard it. Knowledge holds the key to power and understanding.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t get him started on science fiction... He¡¯ll go on for days about it, and we have a mission to accomplish,¡± another member of his team barked out.


    ¡°Icetail,¡± Stoneclaw grumbled, narrowing his eyes. ¡°I will crush your plastic brick tower with my claws if you keep it up.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not like you haven¡¯t before,¡± Icetail snarked back. ¡°I¡¯ll just rebuild it like last time.¡±


    ¡°Then again, I may not,¡± Stoneclaw huffed. ¡°Those tiny blocks hurt worse than a bee sting when they get trapped under my foot.¡± His voice softened, losing some of its earlier gravitas. ¡°He is right, though. We have a mission to complete.¡±


    ¡°Yes, we do. We don¡¯t have time to sit here and chit-chat, Major Stoneclaw,¡± Major Pixiewolf interrupted, her tone all business.


    ¡°You ruin the fun, you small thing,¡± Stoneclaw grumbled, his imperious demeanor faltering as he shot her a glare. ¡°I was having a good conversation before my team interrupted us.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, but we need to get rolling. We need to check in at the Nebraska Gate so they¡¯ll let us pass,¡± Major Pixiewolf stated, already moving on.


    ¡°There is no need,¡± Stoneclaw announced, regaining some of his earlier authority. ¡°I already flew ahead and informed them of your arrival. We simply need to roll up, and they will let us through.¡±


    ¡°Oh, well that¡¯s convenient,¡± Major Pixiewolf remarked, pivoting on her heels and strolling past me and the rest of the team toward the MCV.


    ¡°We can catch up later once we reach our destination,¡± I said, offering Stoneclaw a smile before turning to face my team. When I met their gazes, they were all staring at me as if I¡¯d lost my mind.


    ¡°What?¡± I asked, a bit defensively.


    ¡°You know a dragon?¡± Abel barked out, clearly in disbelief.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I replied with a casual shrug.


    ¡°Can we discuss this over comms?¡± Steve interjected, trying to steer the conversation back to the task at hand.


    ¡°Come on, guys, let¡¯s not keep Mr. Boinker over here waiting,¡± I announced, shooting Steve a devious grin. Mac chuckled while Steve shot me a glare. A few of the team members protested, wanting to know more about the dragons, but I assured them I would share it over the radio.


    Once we were all back in our trucks, I waited for my tablet to indicate that everyone was ready. As I glanced at the screen, I noticed eight new names had appeared. One by one, everyone¡¯s name switched from yellow to green. Pulling my headset on, I heard a cacophony of chatter about what we had just witnessed. I cleared my throat to interrupt them.


    ¡°Ready?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Ready!¡± my team chimed in unison.


    As I pulled out from my spot, two of the JLTVs took the lead ahead of me. Everyone remained silent as we drove toward the massive concrete wall that loomed ahead, its towering height casting long shadows over the landscape. The wall was a colossal barrier, stretching as far as the eye could see, its surface weathered and overgrown with vegetation. It was so tall that it seemed to scrape the sky, dwarfing everything around it and making the trucks look like mere toys in comparison.


    The gate, embedded in the heart of this monolithic structure, was just as imposing. It stood at least five stories tall and was reinforced with thick metal, reminiscent of something out of a movie that had prehistoric creatures behind it. The only difference was the numerous military guards stationed near it, looking like ants beside the immense structure.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    As we approached, the ground seemed to tremble under the weight of the gate as it began to open outward, the massive doors groaning on their hinges, revealing the wild northwest beyond. I couldn¡¯t help but feel a wave of apprehension grip my chest. This was it. We were officially no longer in Kansas. The next truck rolled through, and someone finally broke the silence.


    ¡°Kinda funny, don¡¯tcha think? In the movie, they¡¯re going in to see dinosaurs. In our case, we¡¯re being led in by them instead,¡± Tyler remarked jokingly.


    ¡°Bear in mind, said dinosaurs are listening in,¡± a new voice spoke over our comms.


    ¡°Oops...¡± Tyler replied, as several members of the team began to laugh.


    ¡°Hey, one of those dinosaurs is a bookworm. Gotta give him some credit,¡± Kira chimed in playfully.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you mean book dragon?¡± Sasha joked.


    There were several snickers over the radio before Stoneclaw¡¯s deep voice came through seriously.


    ¡°I do detest being called a wyrm. I have legs and wings,¡± he said.


    I couldn¡¯t help it¡ªI began to laugh. All the jokes were helping to ease the apprehension that had been building up inside me. I shifted gears and began to speed up as the banter continued. So far, the road wasn¡¯t too rough. Glancing out my passenger window, I saw what was left of Omaha. Now that we were past the wall, the city looked post-apocalyptic. The buildings were slowly being overtaken by plants and were beginning to crumble. I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat and looked back ahead.


    With the lack of any maintenance, the flora had begun to take over, sprawling across the cracked pavement and climbing up the crumbling infrastructure. It didn¡¯t take long before the interstate started getting rougher, forcing us to slow down to navigate the deteriorating road. We were cautious, mindful that we still had over three hundred miles to go and couldn¡¯t afford any mechanical failures this early on. Just then, Mac¡¯s voice crackled over the comms.


    ¡°Lyra, we can go faster. The suspension on the trucks can handle the terrain,¡± she announced confidently.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± I asked, hesitant to push our luck.


    ¡°Yeah, do you see the set of switches to the right of your secondary gauge console?¡± she inquired.


    I glanced over and spotted the switches. ¡°Yes,¡± I confirmed.


    ¡°Flip the third one to the right down. It will activate the adaptive suspension on the truck and MCV,¡± she explained.


    I did as instructed, flipping the switch. Almost immediately, the truck smoothed out, the roughness of the road fading away as if I were floating over it. I couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the tech¡ªwhere was this in my old truck?


    ¡°Thanks, Mac,¡± I said, genuinely impressed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. Poor Pixie back here looked like a ping pong ball when she tried to get up to grab something a few minutes ago,¡± she added, amusement clear in her voice.


    ¡°Did you get it on video?¡± I joked.


    ¡°You bet your furry ass I did,¡± she replied with a chuckle.


    Just then, Azura¡¯s voice piped up over the comms. ¡°Didn¡¯t Major Stoneclaw mention that one of the other dragons liked stuffies earlier?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, if I¡¯m not mistaken, he said he was going to stuff one of the guy¡¯s precious stuffies down his throat,¡± Seth added.


    ¡°What kind of dragon hoards stuffies?¡± Cain asked, sounding genuinely perplexed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Sasha chimed in. ¡°I guess a stuffed dragon.¡±


    Laughter erupted over the comms until the voice of the dragon who had outed Stoneclaw¡¯s secret earlier cut through.


    ¡°Are you fluffballs seriously making fun of my hoarding habits?¡± he growled.


    ¡°Hey, you¡¯re the ones who teamed up with a bunch of truck drivers. We are relentless when it comes to teasing, Mr. Stuffy,¡± Jake shot back, his tone playful.


    ¡°I will eat you...¡± the dragon, whom I now knew as Flamewing, said bluntly.


    ¡°Pfft, more like snuggle him in wolf form,¡± Mac retorted, her voice brimming with mischief.


    ¡°Listen, at least I didn¡¯t pack an entire duffle bag full of books to take with me,¡± Flamewing huffed. ¡°I only packed two stuffies.¡±


    ¡°And they take up an entire duffle bag as well,¡± Stoneclaw interjected with a sly tone.


    ¡°Well, at least my duffle bag doesn¡¯t weigh over a hundred pounds...¡± Flamewing grumbled.


    The entire team burst into laughter at the dragons¡¯ banter. Even Scuzball, who had been silently observing, couldn¡¯t resist chiming in.


    ¡°Whoever thought it was a good idea to hire a horde of overgrown skinks to guard a pack of harebrained fluffballs was a moron,¡± he said while glancing at his notebook. ¡°Never mind, I know who it was...¡±


    ¡°Did the A.I. just call us harebrained?¡± Kira griped.


    ¡°Was I just referred to as a skink by an overly elaborate calculator?¡± Stoneclaw interjected, his tone suddenly sharp.


    Oh no, I thought to myself. Stoneclaw had just stepped into dangerous territory. Scuzball absolutely detested being compared to basic hardware or obsolete software. This was about to turn into a digital war of words. I glanced at my companion, catching the mischievous grin on his face¡ªa grin that was all too familiar, one that Star often wore when she had a devious plan brewing.


    ¡°Alpha... Your A.I. is giving me the creeps. It¡¯s smiling at me in a really unsettling way,¡± Azura noted over the comms.


    ¡°Yes, yes, I did call you a skink, you overgrown gecko,¡± Scuzball retorted to Stoneclaw. ¡°And Ms. Azura, I... am... a... he! Not an it!¡±


    ¡°Sorry...¡± she mumbled, sounding embarrassed.


    ¡°How dare you... I am a regal, well-educated dragon,¡± Stoneclaw shot back, his tone dripping with indignation.


    ¡°Pfft, if you¡¯re so educated, then why are you playing bodyguard for a bunch of overgrown fur missiles?¡± Scuzball countered, his digital voice full of mockery.


    ¡°Did he just refer to us as fur missiles?¡± Seth snorted, barely containing his laughter.


    ¡°I believe he did,¡± Steve confirmed, clearly amused.


    I could hear Mac laughing her ass off in the background, while Major Pixiewolf muttered something under her breath, probably wishing she could silence both sides of the argument. We spent the next couple of hours like this, maintaining a steady speed of around fifty miles an hour. The banter was a welcome distraction, making the journey smoother. We passed through Lincoln, Nebraska, without any trouble, though the city had been overtaken by nature, its buildings now more forest than concrete.


    The old highway signs were draped in vines, with rusting cars scattered along the shoulders or abandoned in ditches, remnants of a time long past. Some of the vehicles appeared to have been recently moved, likely by the unit that had passed through this area yesterday. The absence of human life was palpable as we continued our journey, the road ahead empty and eerily silent. It wasn¡¯t until we reached the outskirts of York, Nebraska, that we encountered our first obstacle¡ªor snag, as you might call it.


    ¡°Alpha Acosta, please come to a stop and hold back while we move ahead to investigate what lies ahead,¡± Stoneclaw''s voice crackled over the radio, interrupting the chatter that had been filling the airwaves.


    Looking ahead, I noticed thick billows of black smoke curling into the sky. I brought my rig to a gradual halt, downshifting and letting my jake brake scream loudly in the stillness. Once stopped, I pulled the brakes, which hissed sharply as they engaged. I glanced over at my M-4, securely mounted near the foot of my bed.


    ¡°Team, please stay in your trucks while the dragons investigate,¡± Major Pixiewolf instructed over the comms.


    We all fell silent, waiting for the all-clear. It wasn¡¯t long before the two leading JLTVs rolled back and pulled up in front of my truck. Stoneclaw emerged from the passenger side of one of the vehicles and approached my door. I rolled down the window to meet his gaze.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± I asked.


    ¡°There¡¯s a roadblock ahead. It looks like part of the convoy was attacked en route,¡± he replied, his tone serious.


    ¡°That¡¯s not good,¡± I responded, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not,¡± he agreed, his expression grim. ¡°Join me in the MCV,¡± he commanded.


    I nodded, grabbed my rifle, and followed him towards the back of the trailer, where Major Pixiewolf was already waiting. We stepped inside and made our way to her workstation, where Scuzball was perched on the screen, waiting for us. A satellite view of the area was pulled up on the monitor.


    ¡°So, what are we looking at, Stoneclaw?¡± Major Pixiewolf asked.


    ¡°It appears to be four M1085 trucks stacked sideways across the road, on fire, effectively barricading the westbound lanes of the interstate,¡± he explained.


    ¡°What about the eastbound direction?¡± I inquired, hoping for a possible detour.


    ¡°The overpass that crosses above where the trucks are located has collapsed onto the interstate below,¡± he answered, his tone heavy with concern.


    ¡°Shit...¡± I muttered, the situation growing more complicated by the minute. ¡°Scuzball, can you pull up a recent satellite view of the area?¡± I asked, hoping for a clearer picture.


    ¡°Not for another hour or so. There isn¡¯t a satellite in position right now,¡± he responded.


    ¡°Wait, you have access to satellites?¡± Major Pixiewolf asked, her surprise evident.


    ¡°Well, duh... I am an all-powerful A.I. after all,¡± Scuzball quipped, his tone dripping with sarcasm.


    ¡°More like a cocky, over-elaborate abacus,¡± Stoneclaw shot back, unable to resist.


    ¡°Listen here, you overgrown scaly fly. Now¡¯s not the time to swap insults. We have a problem to solve,¡± Scuzball jabbed.


    Major Pixiewolf sighed in irritation, closing her eyes as if to block out the bickering. Mac simply smiled, biting her knuckles to keep from laughing, while Steve shook his head in disbelief at the exchange.


    ¡°Focus!¡± I snapped, bringing everyone¡¯s attention back to the task at hand. ¡°We have a roadblock, and we need to figure out a way through it since we can¡¯t go around it.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a rest area about a quarter of a mile ahead. We could pull into it for some protection instead of sitting out in the open,¡± Stoneclaw suggested, pointing at the old pull-off visible on the map.


    ¡°I think that¡¯s a good idea,¡± I said, looking to Major Pixiewolf for confirmation.


    She nodded in agreement. Stoneclaw and I exited the MCV and made our way back to the front of my truck. I climbed in and pulled my headset back on, hearing Steve relay the information to the rest of the team. I released the brakes and slipped the truck into gear, following the two JLTVs to the rest area. The JLTVs barreled into the old construction barrels that were blocking the entrance, clearing a path for us. The barrels flew in various directions, crashing into trees or the ground with loud thuds as we made our way into the rest area.


    Pulling into the rest area, I maneuvered my truck far enough forward to ensure all ten massive rigs could fit into the small pull-off. Once parked, I exited the cab and walked to the passenger side of my truck. The rest of the team had also stepped out, stretching their legs but keeping their rifles at the low ready, eyes scanning the surroundings. The overgrown trees and thick foliage provided some cover, concealing our trucks from the road.


    ¡°No one go exploring. Stick near the rigs. If you need to leave the group, go in pairs or more. We don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on yet,¡± I ordered.


    Everyone nodded, staying close between the two rows of trucks we had formed. A sense of unease hung in the air, but no one questioned the need for caution. I made my way back to the MCV and climbed inside, where Stoneclaw and Major Pixiewolf were deep in discussion about how to handle the barricade. Steve, meanwhile, was casually eating a sandwich, seemingly unfazed by the situation. Mac walked past me, flashing a quick smile.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to check on the trucks. Cain mentioned his truck spat out a code earlier,¡± she said as she moved past me.


    ¡°Alright, make sure you find someone to go with you,¡± I reminded her.


    She gave me a thumbs up and left the MCV. With her gone, I turned my attention back to the three others in the room, including Scuzball, who was still on the monitor. It was time to figure out a plan to deal with the roadblock ahead.

 Chapter 11: The Alpha’s Hairbrained Plan

    ¡°So, who has a plan?¡± I asked, glancing at the trio.


    They exchanged looks for a moment before Steve shrugged. ¡°Catalina thinks the dragons should blow the trucks up. Major Stoneclaw is against it. They''re low on high explosives, and the blast might bring the rest of the overpass down, blocking our path completely. We don¡¯t have enough C-4 to clear that kind of rubble,¡± Steve explained.


    Stoneclaw added, ¡°There¡¯s a high probability that the explosion could collapse the rest of the overpass. We should wait until the fires die down and use the JLTVs to drag the trucks out of the way.¡±


    ¡°Wait?¡± Major Pixiewolf snapped. ¡°And how long will that take? We don¡¯t have time to sit around. We¡¯re sitting ducks out here!¡±


    As their argument heated up, I narrowed my eyes. We didn¡¯t have time for this bickering.


    ¡°ENOUGH!¡± I barked, cutting through the tension as an idea formed.


    All eyes turned to me. Stoneclaw began to speak, but I silenced him with a glare, my eyes flashing silver. ¡°I¡¯m the alpha of this group and these trucks. I said enough,¡± I growled.


    Stoneclaw crossed his arms and leaned against the workstation, raising an eyebrow. Our gazes locked in a silent battle of wills, his expression stony. Surprisingly, he looked down and waved a hand in submission, acknowledging my authority. My jaw nearly hit the floor.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, Alpha Acosta; this is your mission. I¡¯m here as support. What¡¯s your plan?¡± he asked, capitulating.


    It took me a second to recover from the shock. I turned to Scuzball, the one who would have the information I needed. ¡°Who in the fleet has the heaviest tractor?¡±


    ¡°Uh, you do,¡± Steve answered from behind me.


    I turned to him, a bit surprised. ¡°You know the specs of the trucks?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ Your truck was specially designed based on the Peterbilt 389. They¡¯re heavier trucks from the start. With all the modifications, yours is tipping the scales toward fifty thousand pounds.¡±


    ¡°Alright, who has the heaviest trailer?¡± I asked next.


    ¡°Jake does. The FRS trailer and all the parts push it up to around ninety-seven thousand pounds,¡± Steve replied.


    ¡°Scuzball, how tough is my truck?¡± I asked.


    Scuzball sat on the screen, thinking for a moment, likely running calculations. He must have guessed where I was going with this. A digital schematic of my truck appeared on the screen, its parts blown up into individual components.


    ¡°Based on your truck¡¯s design, it has a solid half-inch thick, fully tubed, hardened steel frame. It would take a hit from a main battle tank round to seriously damage it. With all the reinforced cross members, I wouldn¡¯t be concerned about frame damage from impact,¡± he explained.


    Yep, he had guessed my plan. The others, however, didn¡¯t seem to catch on yet.


    ¡°Your external parts might not fare as well, but there wouldn¡¯t be any significant damage that would prevent you from completing the mission,¡± he added.


    ¡°What is he talking about?¡± Major Pixiewolf asked.


    ¡°I think I know what her plan is,¡± Stoneclaw said, his tone more serious.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Steve asked, a hint of concern in his voice.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to smash through the barricade,¡± I said bluntly.


    ¡°That¡¯s a horrible idea!¡± Major Pixiewolf exclaimed.


    ¡°Do you have a better one?¡± I countered coldly.


    Steve raised a valid concern. ¡°What if there are more obstacles than just the trucks?¡±


    He had a point. We couldn¡¯t be sure of what lay ahead, and Scuzball couldn¡¯t get us satellite images. Unless¡­ an idea struck me. I turned to Stoneclaw.


    ¡°Can you send one of your dragons out for a reconnaissance flight?¡± I asked Stoneclaw.


    ¡°Sure, let me get Raptor on it.¡± He keyed his unit¡¯s comm link and spoke into it, calling in Raptor for the task.


    While he did that, I turned back to Scuzball. ¡°Can my truck handle the extra weight of the FRS?¡±


    ¡°Theoretically, yes,¡± Scuzball replied. ¡°But you¡¯ll have only a mile to gather enough speed to hit the MTVs with sufficient force to move them. Once you hit them, you¡¯ll lose momentum. If there are more obstacles, you won¡¯t have enough force to keep going.¡±


    ¡°Would increasing the engine¡¯s output help?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Some, yes.¡±


    I nodded and looked at Steve. ¡°Go get Mac, please,¡± I ordered.


    Steve quickly made his way out of the MCV, returning shortly with Mac in tow. I waved her over to explain my plan.


    ¡°What¡¯s up, Lyra?¡± she asked, curiosity evident in her voice.


    ¡°I need you to do whatever you can to increase my truck¡¯s engine output without blowing it up,¡± I said.


    ¡°Why?¡± she asked, a confused look crossing her face.


    ¡°I need to gather as much speed as possible in one mile to smash through the barricade,¡± I explained.


    A wicked grin stretched across her face. She liked this plan.


    ¡°This sounds like it¡¯ll be fun. I¡¯ll grab my laptop and start adjusting your engine output,¡± she remarked.


    ¡°Wait, there¡¯s more,¡± I added, bracing for her reaction. ¡°I¡¯m taking the FRS as the counterweight.¡±


    Her excitement immediately turned to horror and anger. ¡°That¡¯s my baby,¡± she said in a low tone, clearly displeased.


    ¡°I need the weight, and it¡¯s the heaviest trailer we¡¯ve got. The other trailers either have cargo or people in them,¡± I reasoned.


    ¡°But Lyra, the FRS is an asset to the fleet. What if it gets damaged?¡± she protested, pouting.


    ¡°It¡¯s always been a possibility,¡± I replied, crossing my arms.


    She huffed and walked out to work on my truck, muttering under her breath. Just as she left, a tall, slender man with dark brown hair and a prominent nose walked in. Stoneclaw waved him over.


    ¡°Everyone, this is Raptor. He¡¯s our recon specialist,¡± Stoneclaw introduced.


    ¡°Afternoon,¡± Raptor said softly.


    ¡°So, what did you see?¡± Stoneclaw asked.


    ¡°The M1085s aren¡¯t the only barricades. The entire mile from the current overpass to the next exit is filled with obstacles. The next overpass is completely destroyed. The only way around it is using the off and on ramps,¡± Raptor relayed.


    ¡°Scuzball, pull up the map,¡± I requested.


    Scuzball promptly displayed the map, zooming in on the location Raptor described. Raptor pointed out where the other barricades were located.


    ¡°There¡¯s also a group camped out near the off-ramp with modified vehicles,¡± he added, indicating an old RV park nearby.


    ¡°Great, more trouble,¡± I huffed.


    ¡°That was expected,¡± Stoneclaw interjected. ¡°Someone had to build the barricade.¡±


    ¡°Well, it looks like my plan won¡¯t work,¡± I sighed, frustrated.


    ¡°What if we neutralized the people who built the barricades?¡± Major Pixiewolf suggested.


    A malicious grin spread across Stoneclaw¡¯s face, making me suspect his earlier joke about destruction wasn¡¯t entirely a joke.


    ¡°That would be an ill-advised idea,¡± Raptor cautioned.


    ¡°Why?¡± Stoneclaw grumbled.


    ¡°Because there are only eight of us, and we don¡¯t have the medical capabilities to handle any injuries. We don¡¯t know what this group is capable of, and our job is to protect the fleet, not to start a war,¡± Raptor explained.


    ¡°Fair point, as always, Raptor,¡± Stoneclaw conceded with a huff.


    ¡°Are you telling me eight monstrous dragons can¡¯t handle a group of rogues?¡± Pixiewolf asked, incredulously.


    ¡°Oh, we could handle it, but our priority is protecting the fleet, not picking fights with misfits,¡± Stoneclaw argued.


    Pixiewolf sighed, acknowledging the logic. That¡¯s when Scuzball cleared his throat, drawing our attention.


    ¡°Obviously, this group isn¡¯t friendly. They attacked the unit ahead of us. I agree with Raptor and Stoneclaw¡ªif we attack them on their home turf, they¡¯ll have the upper hand. Lyra, your idea is solid, but one truck won¡¯t be enough to punch through their barricades,¡± Scuzball explained, tapping his chin thoughtfully with a claw.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I asked, trying to follow his train of thought.


    ¡°If we combine the weight of all ten trucks, we¡¯re looking at close to one million four hundred thousand pounds. Now, if we factor in a speed of sixty miles per hour, which is eighty-eight feet per second squared, we¡¯re generating roughly one hundred and nineteen million eight hundred and fifty-six thousand foot-pounds of force. That¡¯s a lot of momentum to smash through those barricades,¡± he explained, his voice crisp and analytical.


    Everyone in the MCV raised an eyebrow, absorbing the sheer scale of what he was suggesting.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re saying we should use the entire fleet as a battering ram?¡± I asked, intrigued by the audacity of the plan.


    ¡°Precisely. Use your truck as the spear tip, and have everyone else push you,¡± Scuzball replied.


    ¡°Not a bad idea,¡± Stoneclaw agreed, nodding.


    ¡°And if they come after us, we¡¯ll deal with them then. They won¡¯t be at their strongest away from their base,¡± Raptor added.


    ¡°I like this plan,¡± I said, taking charge. ¡°Here¡¯s the new fleet order: I¡¯ll take the lead with the FRS. The RGNs will be right behind me, followed by the MCV, and the flat decks bringing up the rear. The dragons will follow us and guard our backs. If this group decides to chase us, the dragons can engage them.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll inform the fleet,¡± Steve said, getting ready to relay the orders.


    ¡°Good. I¡¯m going to talk to Mac and get an estimate on how long it¡¯ll take to boost the output of all the trucks and swap trailers with Jake,¡± I said, heading for the door of the MCV.


    ¡°Roger!¡± the military personnel acknowledged as I stepped out.


    It didn¡¯t take long to find Mac. She was by my truck, laptop plugged into the data port, typing away like her life depended on it. I glanced over her shoulder to see what she was up to. She finally noticed me standing there and turned her head.


    ¡°Just about done. Another two minutes, and your truck will gain an extra hundred and forty-two horsepower and around two hundred and thirty-two foot-pounds of torque. That¡¯ll push you over a thousand horsepower and two thousand two hundred foot-pounds of torque,¡± she said, flashing a grin.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    ¡°How long will it take to do the same for every truck?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Every truck?¡± she repeated, blinking in surprise.


    ¡°Yes, we¡¯re going to need the entire fleet. There¡¯s more than one barricade ahead,¡± I explained.


    ¡°Oh shit¡­ about an hour, I think,¡± she estimated.


    ¡°Alright, get it done as fast as you can,¡± I urged.


    ¡°Will do, Alpha. By the way, I¡¯m riding with you when we do this,¡± she added, a determined look in her eyes.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± I asked, taken aback by her resolve.


    ¡°Damn right, I¡¯m sure. I¡¯m not letting you use my FRS as a battering ram without me being there to see it,¡± she declared.


    ¡°Alright,¡± I agreed, nodding. I left her to work on the trucks and went to find Jake.


    I found him relaxing in his driver¡¯s seat, with Kira beside him. They were a cute couple now that they were officially together and free from her father¡¯s control. I knocked on his door, getting his attention. He rolled down the window to see what I wanted. Stepping up onto the driver¡¯s step, I came up to his level.


    ¡°What¡¯s up, Alpha?¡± he asked.


    ¡°You and I are swapping trailers,¡± I informed him.


    ¡°We are?¡± he asked, clearly confused.


    ¡°Yes. The FRS and my truck are the heaviest combination in the fleet. I¡¯m going to use them as the front of the battering ram we¡¯ll form to smash through the barricades ahead,¡± I explained.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to ram the barricade with the fleet?¡± he asked in surprise.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I just said, isn¡¯t it?¡± I responded rhetorically.


    ¡°Yeah, I just didn¡¯t expect to hear that,¡± he remarked, shaking his head in disbelief.


    ¡°Understandable. Drop your trailer and head over to the MCV. As soon as Mac finishes the upgrade on my truck, I¡¯ll unhook from the MCV and connect to the FRS,¡± I instructed.


    ¡°Upgrade?¡± Jake asked, looking confused.


    ¡°Yep, everyone¡¯s getting it,¡± I explained.


    ¡°Cool!¡± he exclaimed, clearly excited.


    ¡°Once you¡¯re hooked up, gather everyone and meet me by the FRS. I¡¯ll brief everyone on the plan,¡± I ordered.


    He nodded, and I stepped down, heading back to my truck. Jake and Kira got out together and began unhooking the MCV from the FRS. When I reached my truck, I found that Mac had finished her work on my rig and was now moving on to the truck behind me. I opened the door and reached in to pop the emergency air valve for the trailer. The trailer let out a loud hiss as the valve released, and I went to the front to disconnect the airlines and power cord. After that, I pulled the fifth wheel handle to unlock it and lowered the landing gear until it just touched the ground.


    Once everything was set, I climbed back into my cab and dumped the rear suspension, allowing the trailer to rest gently on the pavement. I slowly pulled out from under it, pausing briefly to ensure the MCV was stable. Satisfied that it was, I pulled out completely and positioned my truck out of Jake¡¯s way. Once he pulled past me and began backing under the MCV, I maneuvered my truck between the two rows of rigs, executing a smooth parallel maneuver to line up with the FRS. The trailer slid up the ramps and clicked into place as the fifth wheel locked.


    After a quick tug test to ensure a proper connection, I got out and hooked up the lines. It wasn¡¯t long before several members of my team began approaching, curious about the plan. I waved them over and asked a couple of them to gather everyone, including the dragons, so I could hold a meeting and brief them on what we were about to do. Before long, everyone had gathered, waiting for me to speak. Mac had opened up the side of the FRS, allowing me to stand on a platform high enough to see the entire group.


    ¡°Can you all see me?¡± I called out loudly.


    A chorus of ¡°yeah¡± and thumbs up from the team signaled that they could. Good, that was what I needed. I took a moment to scan the crowd. The dragons stood at the back, surrounding Major Pixiewolf and Steve. All eyes were on me, waiting for the plan.


    ¡°Okay, everyone, we¡¯ve hit our first snag. About a mile ahead of us, there¡¯s a roadblock, and there¡¯s no way around it. Beyond the first barricade, there are more. A group ahead of us has set these up to stop anyone from getting through,¡± I began, watching as my team listened intently. I started pacing along the FRS platform, hands clasped behind my back.


    ¡°Major Stoneclaw and I agree that having the dragons attack the group would be a bad idea due to the lack of medical support. Plus, with the conditions of the old U.S. highways being unknown, we can¡¯t risk taking an alternate route. We need to stay on I-80,¡± I explained.


    ¡°So, what are we going to do then? Go back?¡± Tyler asked.


    ¡°Hell no! We¡¯re flatbed truck drivers. We pull some crazy-ass idea out of our hats and figure shit out,¡± I announced loudly.


    ¡°And what crazy-ass idea do you have in mind?¡± Abel asked.


    ¡°What would you do?¡± Kira sniped.


    ¡°I¡¯d hammer down and hit the damn roadblock,¡± he retorted.


    I gave them all a devilish grin, arching an eyebrow. Abel and I were on the same page.


    ¡°Alpha?¡± Sasha asked, her voice tinged with concern.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to do exactly that,¡± I announced.


    ¡°We?¡± Seth asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.


    ¡°Yep, one truck isn¡¯t heavy enough to push through the multiple barricades ahead of us,¡± I explained.


    ¡°So, how many of us will it take?¡± Tyler asked.


    ¡°We¡¯re all going to do it. Not just one or two trucks,¡± I declared, my voice steady, but the weight of the decision hung heavy in the air.


    My team stared at me, their expressions a mix of shock and concern. Maybe they were right to look at me that way. I had been through more than most, molded by a life of pain, rebellion, and survival. This crazy plan was something Star would dream up, with Cayro playing the reluctant voice of reason. But there was no one to rein me in now. I gave them a devious grin, masking the nervous energy coursing through me, and continued.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to use my truck and the FRS to blast through the barricade. The rest of the fleet will push me through,¡± I announced, each word landing with a sense of finality.


    ¡°Are you nuts?¡± Azura exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief.


    ¡°Damn straight! I¡¯m a flatbed driver and a werewolf. We don¡¯t do things halfway. We figure shit out and make an entrance while we¡¯re at it,¡± I shot back, trying to inject some levity into the tension, but even I could feel the seriousness beneath the bravado.


    ¡°Are you sure this is the best option?¡± Cain asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.


    ¡°Are you saying nearly one and a half million pounds of rolling steel and thunder isn¡¯t enough?¡± I challenged, raising an eyebrow as I crossed my arms.


    ¡°Uh, no¡­ but what about possibly destroying your truck, Alpha?¡± he replied, his eyes searching mine for any sign of doubt.


    ¡°It¡¯s the heaviest and strongest truck in the fleet. Even Scuzball thinks it¡¯ll be fine,¡± I assured him, though the thought of wrecking my rig gnawed at the back of my mind.


    ¡°So, we¡¯re going to do what every truck driver dreams of? Run these assholes down?¡± Jake asked, a spark of excitement flickering in his eyes.


    ¡°Yep,¡± I replied, my voice firm, but my heart pounded in my chest.


    ¡°What if you get hurt or killed?¡± Kira asked, her concern not just for me as an alpha, but as a friend. ¡°The alpha shouldn¡¯t be doing something so dangerous.¡±


    ¡°Listen here¡­ I¡¯m not one of those typical alphas you¡¯ve dealt with. How can I expect you to do something dangerously crazy if I¡¯m not willing to do it myself?¡± I responded, pacing the platform, my mind racing with the possibilities and risks. ¡°I won¡¯t lead from the back, barking orders while you risk your lives. If anyone¡¯s going to face that danger head-on, it¡¯s going to be me.¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯re saying you¡¯re willing to get hurt or die instead of using one of us?¡± Seth asked, his tone somewhere between disbelief and admiration.


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m saying. You¡¯re my wolves¡ªwhether bound to me or not. I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. I will never ask you to do something I¡¯m not willing to do myself,¡± I declared, meeting each of their eyes, including the dragons¡¯. My words were more than a statement; they were a vow.


    My team began exchanging glances, trying to reconcile what they had just heard with everything they¡¯d known about being part of a pack. They were used to the old ways¡ªalphas who treated their wolves as expendable, as tools. But I had vowed I would never be that kind of leader. Not to them, not to anyone.


    ¡°I¡¯m in!¡± Seth announced, breaking the silence, his voice filled with conviction. Several team members looked at him, startled. He was one of the few who hadn¡¯t officially joined the pack, making his declaration all the more significant.


    ¡°I¡¯m definitely in!¡± Jake exclaimed, his loyalty unwavering.


    ¡°Jake! This is a dangerous idea¡­¡± Kira began, her voice laced with fear.


    ¡°When was the last time you met an alpha who actually cares about their wolves? Who¡¯s willing to risk their life instead of sacrificing yours?¡± Jake asked her, his tone gentle but firm.


    ¡°Never,¡± she muttered, her eyes downcast.


    ¡°Exactly. Alpha Acosta does things differently. She¡¯s made it a point to show us she cares, that she¡¯s willing to stand beside us, not above us,¡± Jake added, his voice growing stronger.


    ¡°He¡¯s right,¡± Sasha said, her voice steady. ¡°Plus, we knew this was going to be dangerous when we signed on. I¡¯m in.¡±


    I took a deep breath, feeling a swell of emotion as I looked at each of them. These weren¡¯t just words; this was a turning point, a moment where we all understood what it truly meant to be a part of this pack¡ªthis family.


    ¡°Listen, guys, I don¡¯t expect you to do this, but I could really use your help. I¡¯m going to do this with or without you. We have a mission¡ªto support the troops ahead of us. I won¡¯t see my home lost because of someone else¡¯s greed and hatred,¡± I announced, my voice resolute, but with an undercurrent of vulnerability that I rarely allowed to show.


    ¡°You¡¯d really do this alone, without us?¡± Cain asked, his voice soft, almost incredulous.


    ¡°That¡¯s correct, Cain,¡± Steve confirmed, stepping forward. ¡°She planned to do this alone, if necessary. She wasn¡¯t going to put any of you in harm¡¯s way if you didn¡¯t want to be there.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Tyler asked, his eyes wide with surprise.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Steve replied, his tone leaving no room for doubt.


    My team stared at me with raised eyebrows, processing the weight of what I''d just said. It was clear they hadn¡¯t expected that level of commitment¡ªor insanity¡ªfrom me. But as I watched them, something shifted. One by one, they stepped forward, each silent gesture a pledge to stand with me. My heart swelled with a mix of pride and gratitude, feelings I wasn¡¯t entirely used to.


    I glanced over at Steve, the one person I believed might hesitate. We were alike in so many ways¡ªboth thrust into roles we hadn¡¯t asked for, both carrying burdens that weren¡¯t entirely our own. Steve could easily lead a pack if he chose to; his experience and strength were undeniable. But he¡¯d always kept his distance from leadership, as if it were a mantle too heavy to bear again.


    Yet, here he was, stepping forward with the rest, giving me a nod that spoke volumes. It wasn¡¯t just support¡ªit was trust, something that was rare and precious in our world. I nodded back, my heart thudding in my chest, deeply appreciating what that gesture meant. I then turned my attention to Major Pixiewolf, Stoneclaw, and his team. They were grinning, some with mischief, others with an edge of anticipation. Stoneclaw winked and saluted, a gesture of respect that didn¡¯t go unnoticed.


    I turned back to my team, offering a soft, reassuring smile. ¡°Steve¡¯s already given you the new lineup. Once you¡¯re back in your trucks, I want you all to shift into your wolf forms. We can take more damage that way versus staying human,¡± I commanded, my voice steady. Then I looked at Mac. ¡°I¡¯m guessing it wouldn¡¯t be a good idea if you shifted?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ unless you want to be turned into a bonfire,¡± she replied with a grin, her eyes gleaming with that familiar spark of mischief.


    ¡°Not particularly¡­ maybe you could borrow some body armor from the dragons,¡± I suggested, glancing at Stoneclaw. He gave me a thumbs up and motioned to one of his dragons, who nodded in return.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t worn body armor in a long time. This should be fun,¡± Mac said, her eagerness almost childlike.


    I took one last look at everyone, the adrenaline beginning to pulse through my veins. ¡°Let¡¯s show the world just how badass we are!¡± I announced, the words coming from somewhere deep within me, igniting the determination in their eyes.


    As my team scattered to their trucks, I walked over to Steve, feeling the engines roar to life around us. The sound was both exhilarating and ominous, a reminder of the power we wielded and the dangers we faced. Steve gave me a smile as I approached, a rare softness in his expression.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I said, my voice carrying more weight than the two simple words.


    ¡°No, Lyra, thank you. You¡¯re the first alpha I¡¯ve met who puts their pack above themselves. This might be dangerous, but you¡¯re willing to be at the front of it. My last alpha nearly got me killed when he decided to stay back during a raid on a vampire nest years ago,¡± he said, his tone heavy with the burden of old wounds.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± The word slipped out, my surprise evident. I hadn¡¯t known the full extent of his past.


    ¡°I lost my best friend that night,¡± Steve continued, his voice quieter now. ¡°He sacrificed himself to save me. My old alpha didn¡¯t care¡ªjust saw him as a tool that could be replaced. It was the moment I decided I¡¯d never follow another alpha¡­ until now.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t do that,¡± I whispered, the words barely audible over the rumbling engines.


    ¡°I know, Lyra. Just¡­ give me time to accept it,¡± he replied, his voice softer, more vulnerable than I¡¯d ever heard it.


    Without thinking, I pulled him into a tight hug. It was spontaneous, but it felt right, necessary even. This wasn¡¯t just about the mission¡ªit was about trust, about rebuilding something that had been shattered long ago. He returned the hug, holding on for just a moment longer before letting go.


    I stepped back, watching as he turned to head toward the MCV. He needed time, and I would give it to him¡ªjust as I knew he¡¯d have my back when it mattered most. With a deep breath, I turned and walked back to my truck, climbing inside and settling into the driver¡¯s seat. I glanced at my tablet, where Scuzball was already waiting, his digital presence a comfort in its own strange way.


    ¡°Ready?¡± I asked, my voice steadying as the reality of what was about to happen began to sink in.


    ¡°Of course¡­ I was born ready,¡± he proclaimed, his usual confidence shining through.


    I chuckled, a small release of tension, before moving into the sleeper. I closed the curtains, getting undressed and pulling on a pair of black extra-large men¡¯s sweatpants and a dark grey t-shirt. The fabric was soft against my skin, a small comfort before the storm. Then, with a deep breath, I let the shift take over, my bones cracking and reshaping, fur sprouting as I transformed into my wolf form. The stretch that followed was pure bliss¡ªa reminder of the raw power that lay beneath my human skin.


    A sudden knock on my passenger door jolted me, causing me to hit my head against the roof of the sleeper with a gruff ¡°umph.¡± I grumbled, my voice deep and raspy in this form.


    ¡°Yes?¡± I growled, a bit of irritation creeping in.


    I heard the door creak open, followed by Mac¡¯s voice. ¡°Are you ready?¡± she asked.


    I pulled back the curtains and stuck my large head out, locking eyes with her. Her reaction was immediate¡ªher eyes widened in shock.


    ¡°Holy crap! You¡¯re huge!¡± she exclaimed, her voice a mix of awe and excitement.


    I slowly contorted myself into the driver¡¯s seat, feeling every bit of the awkwardness that came with trying to fit my werewolf form into a space clearly not designed for it. I must¡¯ve looked ridiculous¡ªa silver-furred puffball with blazing silver eyes stuffed into a truck cab, like trying to fit a grizzly bear into a sports car. Mac¡¯s laughter filled the cab, and I could hardly blame her; I felt utterly cramped and out of place.


    With some effort, I managed to reach between my legs and pull the seat lever. The seat shot back with a force that nearly threw me off balance, slamming to a halt with a jarring thud. I grumbled under my breath as I reached to the left side of the seat, releasing all the air from the seat spring. Finally, I grabbed the seat belt, awkwardly sliding it over my larger frame, and clicked it into place with a sigh of relief.


    When I looked over at Mac, she had already climbed in, fully kitted out in black body armor with a combat helmet snug on her head. The transformation from mechanic to soldier was striking¡ªshe looked like a total badass. She shot me a grin, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she took in my new form.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting you to be sooo¡­ big,¡± she said, awe clear in her voice.


    ¡°I¡¯m not that big,¡± I huffed, trying to downplay it, though I knew I was failing miserably.


    ¡°You¡¯re a five-foot-nothing skinny chick who weighs what? All of a hundred pounds soaking wet?¡± she teased, her tone playful.


    ¡°Hundred and ten pounds dry,¡± I grumbled, feeling a bit defensive about it.


    ¡°Yet now, you¡¯re a six-foot werewolf who probably tips the scales around two hundred and fifty pounds,¡± she countered, clearly enjoying herself.


    ¡°Six and a half feet tall and two hundred and three pounds,¡± I corrected, rolling my eyes in mock exasperation.


    She chuckled, laying her rifle between our seats before buckling up, her amusement at my expense only making me more determined. As the last click of her seatbelt echoed through the cab, Scuzball cleared his throat, drawing our attention.

 Chapter 12: Stuff Normal, All Furred Up…

    Both Mac and I slid our headsets on, exchanging a brief glance of anticipation before turning our attention to Scuzball, waiting for him to share whatever plan was brewing in his digital mind.


    ¡°Now that I have the fleet¡¯s undivided attention, please focus on your tablet screens,¡± he commanded over the radio link. A new window popped up on the screen, revealing an animated video that began to play as Scuzball provided the commentary.


    ¡°The plan is as follows: Lyra will take the lead, followed by the RGNs, then the MCV, and finally the flat decks. The dragons will follow behind in our wake of destruction, watching our flank. Once Lyra begins to roll and everyone is in line, I will take control of the fleet¡¯s acceleration and braking through the trucks¡¯ adaptive cruise control system. All you need to do is steer and shift when I instruct you to,¡± he explained, the video illustrating how each truck would line up and connect seamlessly.


    ¡°Once the fleet is in formation, I¡¯ll guide each truck into position so they¡¯re all touching. This will prevent any sudden jolts or mishaps. Don¡¯t worry, I know exactly what I¡¯m doing¡ªI am an all-knowing A.I., after all,¡± he continued, his tone confident, almost cocky. The video showed how each truck would align, bumper to bumper, creating a solid wall of unstoppable force. A few chuckles echoed over the link before Stoneclaw¡¯s voice cut through with a snarky jab.


    ¡°A bit full of yourself, aren¡¯t you? You overly complicated Turing machine,¡± Stoneclaw retorted, his deep voice dripping with sarcasm.


    I watched with amusement as Scuzball¡¯s face soured briefly before he silenced Stoneclaw¡¯s link, leaving the dragon likely fuming on the other end. The absurdity of a digital A.I. muting a dragon wasn¡¯t lost on me, and I stifled a snort.


    ¡°Did he just mute a dragon?¡± Sasha¡¯s voice broke through, tinged with shock.


    ¡°I believe he did,¡± Major Pixiewolf confirmed, her tone just as incredulous.


    I tapped my screen to signal that I was ready, watching as the others did the same. One by one, each truck showed green. I eased my rig out of its spot, carefully maneuvering through the row of trucks until I rolled onto the on-ramp. As I shifted into the next gear and floored the accelerator, I felt the truck twist under the power, the front driver steer tire lifting off the ground momentarily.


    Suddenly, the classic tune of "Convoy" blasted through my truck¡¯s sound system, catching me off guard. I glanced at Mac, who looked just as surprised as I felt. Then, the first jolt hit as the truck behind me bumped into the FRS, and I gritted my teeth, slamming gears as the convoy picked up speed.


    ¡°Alright, who¡¯s playing Convoy?¡± Azura¡¯s voice crackled through the comms.


    ¡°I¡¯ve set up a nice playlist for us while we deal with this blockade,¡± Scuzball announced with a hint of pride, just as another bump rocked the rig.


    ¡°Good choice, buddy,¡± I muttered, focusing on the speedometer as it climbed. We were pushing fifty miles per hour, but I wasn¡¯t done shifting, and we still had a ways to go before the barricade. The adrenaline surged as I jammed into sixteenth gear, the engine roaring beneath me.


    Screw sixty miles per hour¡ªwe were going to hit this blockade with everything we had. As the song reached its crescendo, we slammed into the burning M1085s at nearly a hundred miles per hour. The impact was brutal. My truck bucked violently as the heavy vehicles were launched like missiles, smashing into the bank of the bridge and its supporting pillars.


    Debris flew in all directions, the chaos punctuated by the sight of my hood ornament shooting off like a projectile before it slammed into the windshield, bouncing off without leaving a mark before disappearing into the wreckage. Despite the violent collision, the convoy didn¡¯t slow down¡ªwe were a relentless force.


    ¡°Hell yeah!¡± Mac shouted, her voice brimming with exhilaration as we plowed through the next barrier¡ªa pile of cars that barely registered against our momentum. The next obstacle, a wall of concrete K-rails and an old school bus, stood no chance. I hit the bus dead center, splitting it in half as the pieces skidded in opposite directions, dragging the concrete barriers with them.


    ¡°Downshift to 14th gear now!¡± Scuzball¡¯s voice barked through the headset, pulling me back to the task at hand.


    Downshifting, I saw the off-ramp coming up fast. My truck screamed as I pushed it to twenty-five hundred RPMs, feeling the surge of power beneath me. The trucks¡¯ brakes independently applied in sync, accommodating our turn and the impending impact. We slammed into the barricade blocking the off-ramp, and I jammed the accelerator down, grabbing 15th gear. We tore down the off-ramp like a freight train, as "Black Betty" by Spiderbait blared through the speakers, perfectly matching the adrenaline coursing through our veins.


    Mac was jamming to the song, her head bobbing with the beat as we blew through the intersection and onto the on-ramp. A quick glance in my driver-side mirror showed the trail of devastation we had left in our wake¡ªit was both chaotic and breathtaking. Pulling back onto the interstate, I floated through the next four gears, pushing my truck back up to eighty miles an hour.


    ¡°Holy Luna, Alpha! That was epic!¡± I heard Charlotte roar over the radio, her voice filled with exhilaration.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe that actually worked,¡± Major Pixiewolf added, still sounding slightly shocked.


    ¡°How did the two of you hold up back there?¡± I asked, genuinely curious about their experience.


    ¡°We¡¯re okay. I got to watch a big fluffy wolf bounce around in his chair,¡± she answered with a chuckle.


    ¡°I¡¯m not that big!¡± Steve grumbled, clearly less amused by the situation.


    ¡°How¡¯s everyone else holding up?¡± I asked, checking in on the rest of the team.


    One by one, they responded, their voices tinged with excitement and adrenaline. Then, a chorus of cheers erupted, the thrill of our success surging through the convoy.


    ¡°Don¡¯t count your ducks yet, guys. We¡¯ve thoroughly pissed off a hornet¡¯s nest,¡± Stoneclaw¡¯s voice cut in, bringing a sobering note to the celebration.


    ¡°How bad?¡± I asked, my grip tightening on the wheel.


    ¡°I suggest you put the hammer down. There are at least fifteen heavily modified vehicles on our tail,¡± he replied, his tone serious.


    I glanced at Mac, then immediately smashed the accelerator, pushing the truck to its limits.


    ¡°How long do you think the rigs can handle this speed on such rough roads?¡± I asked her, worry creeping into my voice.


    ¡°Not long. Maybe an hour, if we¡¯re lucky,¡± she answered, a concerned look crossing her face.


    ¡°Stoneclaw, Mac doesn¡¯t think the rigs can handle this speed for long. We need to come up with a plan,¡± I said into my mic, urgency lacing my words.


    ¡°Working on it,¡± he replied curtly.


    Moments later, I saw two of the JLTVs speeding by on each side of the fleet, racing ahead. The passenger doors flung open, and two dragons climbed out, not bothering with their clothes as they jumped and shifted midair. A massive black dragon appeared, flanked by a smaller iridescent bluish dragon. Mac let out a surprised squeak as the two enormous creatures soared past us, their wings cutting through the air with powerful strokes.


    I glanced in my mirror just in time to see a huge fireball erupt behind us. The group trailing us scattered in all directions, desperately trying to avoid the explosion and the searing flames. My mind raced as I quickly formulated a plan.


    ¡°Jake, Seth, Azura, Charlotte¡ªpull ahead of me. RGNs, form two lines in each lane. We¡¯re going to act as a rolling barricade,¡± I ordered, my voice steady despite the chaos.


    ¡°Roger!¡± Everyone responded in unison, their voices a mix of resolve and determination.


    I eased off the accelerator, watching as the MCV and the flat deck team pulled ahead. Once they were in position, I and the rest of the trucks formed two solid lines.


    ¡°Alright, everyone spread out into a delta formation¡ªjust like Team Amethyst does in competition,¡± I instructed, keeping my tone commanding and clear.


    In my mirror, I saw the RGNs executing the maneuver flawlessly. It didn¡¯t take long before the rogue vehicles came roaring up on us, their engines growling menacingly. Several of them maneuvered into the middle of our formation, and that¡¯s when I heard Abel¡¯s ominous voice.


    ¡°What the hell¡­ are we in the world of Mad Max?¡± he asked, disbelief coloring his tone.


    ¡°What?¡± I responded, needing clarification.


    ¡°These wannabe Mad Max assholes¡­ Their vehicles are decked out like something straight out of the movies,¡± he explained.


    At that moment, the sharp crack of gunfire echoed through the air.


    ¡°Holy fuck! They¡¯re shooting at us!¡± Sasha yelled, panic edging her voice.


    I glanced in my mirror, spotting four of the rogue vehicles closing in on different trucks within our formation.


    ¡°RGNs, merge in and crush them!¡± I ordered sharply over the radio.


    In seconds, the trucks closed ranks around the oddball vehicles, trapping them with no escape. The grinding sound of metal on metal filled the air as the rogue vehicles were crushed.


    ¡°Pull away!¡± I barked into the radio as I slammed on the brakes of my rig. Smoke billowed from my tires, and Mac instinctively threw her hands forward, catching the dash just as the vehicles behind slammed into the back of the FRS. Catching 7th gear, I floored the accelerator, feeling the truck twist under the power I was demanding from it. The tires barked as they spun, and Mac was thrown back into her seat, gripping the armrest with white-knuckled intensity. I had moved to the rear of the fleet, and the RGNs reformed the delta, keeping the rogues at bay.


    A sudden thud hit the truck, and I caught a glimpse of a serpentine tail flashing in front of me. A massive fireball erupted behind the FRS, and I noticed Stoneclaw perched atop it, his eyes ablaze with determination. The blue dragon swooped in, unleashing a stream of ice that slammed into one of the rogue vehicles, sending it spiraling into another before both crashed into the median.


    Another fireball shot from Stoneclaw¡¯s maw, crashing into a modified, lifted pickup truck, sending it airborne in a fiery explosion. Gunfire erupted from the two JLTVs behind me, peppering a couple more of the rogue vehicles. It was clear¡ªif we were going to keep facing rogue packs like this, we needed better defenses.


    ¡°Who are these people?¡± I demanded over the radio, trying to make sense of the chaos.


    ¡°My best guess is they¡¯re remnants¡ªpeople who chose not to move to the safer side of the country or a band of outlaws wanting nothing to do with society,¡± Major Pixiewolf replied, her tone laced with frustration.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t anyone brief us on this possibility?¡± I pressed, the anger rising in my voice.


    ¡°It was considered a possibility, but no one has monitored beyond the wall, and it hasn¡¯t been a priority for the military,¡± she admitted.


    ¡°Then why didn¡¯t the unit that came through here report this?¡± I asked, incredulous.


    ¡°They never sent a report,¡± she answered, just as a motorcycle came screaming past the passenger side of my truck.


    Without hesitation, Mac grabbed her rifle, rolled down the window, and leaned out to take aim. The rifle boomed, and the rider slumped over, sending the bike skidding across the roadway and right into my path. The truck bucked as I hit the bike, and a spray of blood splashed up, smearing across my windshield and Mac. She recoiled, a disgusted look crossing her face as she wiped the blood off. The truck bounced again as Stoneclaw leapt off the FRS, soaring toward a much larger vehicle.


    With a powerful flap of his wings, Stoneclaw grabbed the massive vehicle¡ªa cabover, now that I could see it clearly¡ªand lifted it off the ground, flipping it onto its side with ease. He released it and ascended skyward just as another fireball exploded, obliterating the truck in a blaze of destruction.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Major Pixiewolf, send the report now,¡± I ordered, the urgency clear in my voice.


    ¡°Yes, Alpha,¡± she replied promptly. ¡°Sending it up now.¡±


    Another jolt shook the truck, and I glanced in my mirror to see the blue dragon, Icetail, now perched on the FRS. He craned his neck down to my cab, his deep, booming voice resonating through the air.


    ¡°The rogues are backing off, Alpha Acosta,¡± he announced, his large cobalt eye focusing on me. I rolled down my window to respond.


    ¡°Icetail?¡± I confirmed.


    ¡°That is correct,¡± he replied, his tone more relaxed. ¡°That was a good move with the rigs, by the way.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. We needed to stop them from getting in front of us,¡± I said, the tension in my voice easing.


    ¡°Smart move. You¡¯d make a good commander,¡± he praised before lifting his head back up.


    I turned to Mac, who was grinning from ear to ear, her eyes alight with admiration.


    ¡°What?¡± I asked, furrowing my eyebrows at her.


    ¡°He¡¯s right,¡± she said, her voice full of genuine respect.


    I rolled my eyes playfully and refocused on the road ahead.


    ¡°Jake, how¡¯s your team holding up?¡± I asked, needing to ensure everyone was okay.


    ¡°We¡¯re doing okay. We¡¯re about two miles ahead of you,¡± he replied, his voice steady.


    ¡°Good. The rogues have backed off,¡± I stated, glancing in my mirror.


    I let out a sigh of relief and ordered the RGNs to push forward. As we picked up speed, I hung back slightly to assess the damage done to the fleet¡¯s rigs. The tractors themselves seemed to have held up well, just a few scratches here and there. But the trailers¡ªthose had taken a beating. A couple of the JLTVs were seriously damaged, and the frame rails of the trailers were bent beyond recognition. Cain¡¯s tarps were ripped open, exposing crates that had been smashed beyond repair. This was bad. The cargo had been damaged in transit. Steve was going to be livid¡ªhe absolutely despised load claims.


    We continued down I-80 for the next hour, the sun beginning to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the desolate landscape. The rhythmic hum of the engine was broken when Jake¡¯s voice crackled over the radio.


    "Alpha, I think you need to get up here. I see something in the distance," he announced, his tone tense.


    "10-4, on my way," I replied, my curiosity piqued.


    The RGN team slowed down, allowing me to pass. I wasn¡¯t pushing my truck as hard as before; over the past hour, a nasty shake had developed in the steering wheel. Mac had noticed it too, and we both agreed to slow down. We didn¡¯t want to risk further damage, especially now that we were out of immediate danger. I¡¯d have to inspect the rig once we reached our destination.


    As I inched past the flat decks and pulled alongside Jake, I saw what had caught his attention. Parked on the shoulder ahead was a group of dark green and desert tan trucks, military by the look of them. They were eerily still, like ghosts from a battle long past. I exchanged a confused glance with Mac before speaking into my mic.


    ¡°Major Pixiewolf, what unit was supposed to go ahead of us?¡± I asked, a sense of dread creeping into my voice.


    ¡°It¡¯s the 833rd Engineering Company, 734th Regional Support Group, Iowa National Guard, based out of Ottumwa, Iowa. Why?¡± she responded.


    ¡°I think we found them,¡± I said flatly, the weight of the situation sinking in.


    We brought the fleet to a halt, and I instructed my team to stay in their trucks. Major Pixiewolf, Stoneclaw, and I approached the scene to assess the situation. As we walked closer, the extent of the destruction became horrifyingly clear. The trucks looked as though they¡¯d been through a war zone¡ªbullet holes peppered their sides, and massive gouges and scratches marred the metal. Blood splattered across shattered windows, telling a grim tale of violence. I spotted the unit''s designation, "833 EN CO," painted on one of the bumpers.


    ¡°Major, this was the unit that was sent ahead of us,¡± I pointed out, my voice barely above a whisper.


    ¡°I see it¡­ this doesn¡¯t look good,¡± she replied, her tone reflecting the gravity of the situation.


    I adjusted my rifle, scanning the area for any signs of the unit. The trucks had been abandoned, and a deep sense of foreboding settled in my chest. Taking a deep breath, I caught their scent on the wind¡ªfaint, but unmistakable. I turned east, toward the opposite side of the highway.


    ¡°Stoneclaw, they¡¯re that way,¡± I announced, pointing toward the scent.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± he asked, his voice carrying a hint of skepticism.


    ¡°Positive,¡± I affirmed, my senses sharpened by the urgency of the situation.


    ¡°Should we go find them?¡± Major Pixiewolf asked, concern lacing her words.


    ¡°Hold on. Let me have Raptor fly over and see what he finds,¡± Stoneclaw replied, already keying his radio.


    Moments later, a smaller silver dragon soared overhead, its sleek, agile form cutting through the evening sky. Unlike Stoneclaw¡¯s massive presence, Raptor was nimble and quick, his wings covered in silver feathers that gleamed in the fading light as he silently glided south.


    ¡°What should we do while he¡¯s searching for the unit?¡± I asked, trying to stay focused.


    ¡°I think you and Major Pixiewolf should head back to the MCV and report in. If the unit didn¡¯t make it to the I-76 corridor, our mission has failed by default,¡± Stoneclaw replied coldly, his words hitting me like a punch to the gut.


    My heart sank. Failure wasn¡¯t something I was accustomed to¡ªespecially not when it came to delivering a load. On top of that, we had significant cargo damage, which meant a costly load claim. I felt the weight of the situation bearing down on me as I turned to walk back to my truck.


    As I approached, I finally took in the full extent of the damage. My front grill was mangled, the bumper twisted and bent beyond recognition. One headlight was completely gone, with only frayed wires dangling where it used to be, while the other was crushed and pushed backward. Deep gashes marred the hood and fenders, the beautiful black paint now a testament to the violence we¡¯d endured.


    I let out a heavy sigh, knowing this was going to be an expensive repair. Walking around to the driver¡¯s side, the reason for the shaking steering wheel became clear¡ªmy driver-side steer tire was shredded, with the run-flat showing through the frayed metal bands. At some point, the mangled bumper had ripped the tire apart. I had done a number on my beautiful truck, and the reality of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks.


    I looked up through the windshield and saw Mac watching me. I waved for her to come out and take a look at the damage. Without hesitation, she climbed out and joined me. When she saw the state of the truck, her expression mirrored mine¡ªdisappointment and heartbreak rather than the anger I¡¯d expected. She placed a comforting hand on my shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.


    ¡°I know it looks bad, but we can fix it,¡± she said softly, her voice filled with quiet reassurance.


    I reached up, squeezing her hand in return, and looked at her. ¡°Do you think you can fix the tire and pull the bumper out, so it doesn¡¯t damage the new one?¡± I asked, my voice tinged with hope.


    ¡°Honey, I¡¯ve got everything we need to get you new headlights, a new bumper, and a new tire,¡± she said with a chuckle, her confidence easing some of my tension.


    ¡°That¡¯s a relief. I haven¡¯t even looked at the FRS¡¯s trailer yet,¡± I admitted, feeling a bit more at ease.


    ¡°Better late than never. Let¡¯s go have a look,¡± she suggested.


    Together, we walked to the back of the FRS to assess the damage. To our surprise, the trailer had fared much better than my truck. Some of the frame rails were bent and scratched, both white mud flaps were gone, and two taillights were crushed¡ªthat was the extent of it. The container on the back had a huge dent, and I was pretty sure the contents inside were a mess, but that was a problem for later.


    ¡°At least the FRS lived through the chaos,¡± she said, her tone cool and composed.


    ¡°Yeah, but I¡¯m pretty sure it¡¯s a disaster in there,¡± I sighed, already dreading the cleanup.


    ¡°Possibly¡­ I¡¯m more worried about the parts. They¡¯re probably scattered everywhere in the containers,¡± she grumbled, her frustration seeping through.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I apologized, feeling the weight of my decisions.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, I¡¯ll get them reorganized,¡± she reassured me, her tone softening.


    ¡°Since it was my plan, I¡¯ll help you,¡± I offered, my voice filled with solemn determination.


    ¡°Sounds good to me,¡± she replied with a smile that warmed the moment.


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go to the MCV and talk to Steve and Major Pixiewolf,¡± I said quietly.


    As we made our way to the MCV, a few team members approached, curious about what was happening. I told them to stand by, explaining that we were checking in with HQ because the unit we were supposed to support hadn¡¯t made it to their objective.


    When we entered the MCV, I found Steve looking rather sick while Major Pixiewolf wore a disgruntled expression. Concerned, I gave them both a questioning look, arching an eyebrow. Then, I noticed the upper left monitor where my uncle sat in his home office. Behind him, I could make out a portrait of Star sitting in the old captain¡¯s chair of the SAF Autumn, engrossed in a book. Beside him stood President Clark, his expression serious and somber.


    Over the past few years, Clark had begun to grey at the temples, and his beard was now salt-and-peppered. He looked as if he¡¯d aged ten years in a fraction of the time. His eyes were hard, focused on the camera on his end. The sight of him at the Zaraki mansion took me by surprise.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± I whispered, the tension in the MCV thick enough that you could cut it with a knife.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been reassigned¡­¡± Major Pixiewolf whispered back, her tone edged with frustration.


    ¡°Reassigned?¡± I repeated, my eyebrow arching higher in disbelief.


    ¡°Yes¡­¡± she confirmed, her voice flat.


    ¡°But we¡¯re civilian contractors, not military personnel,¡± I replied quietly, the confusion clear in my voice.


    ¡°Technically, the others in the pack are¡­ You aren¡¯t,¡± she said, her words hanging heavily in the air.


    I turned my gaze to my uncle on the monitor, seeking answers. ¡°What is the major talking about?¡± I asked, my voice steady but laced with growing unease.


    ¡°Lyra, the President is recalling you to active service,¡± my uncle said calmly, though his words sent a shock through me.


    ¡°How? I haven¡¯t been an active member of the service in over four years!¡± I exclaimed, the disbelief hitting me like a physical blow.


    ¡°Because I need this mission completed, Alpha Acosta,¡± the President interjected, his voice commanding and firm.


    ¡°You sent a National Guard unit to do this mission. Did you not expect them to get their asses handed to them?¡± I demanded, my frustration bubbling to the surface.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t have an active-duty unit on hand that we could spare for this mission. It was supposed to be a fairly simple task. We didn¡¯t realize that the unit¡ªor your team¡ªwould encounter a rogue element capable of causing this much damage and chaos,¡± the President replied, his tone a mix of regret and determination.


    ¡°Damnit, Andrew! My team is made up of civilians, not soldiers!¡± I roared, my frustration boiling over.


    ¡°As their alpha, they will be what you need them to be,¡± he retorted, his tone cold and unyielding.


    I threw my arms up in exasperation, a growl escaping my throat. ¡°Are you saying we¡¯re being drafted?¡± I demanded, disbelief tinging my voice.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he answered bluntly. ¡°Seventy-five percent of all North American wolf packs are now currently serving the Free States of America as military units.¡±


    ¡°My team has limited training, Andrew! We aren¡¯t prepared to fight a war!¡± I yelled, my voice echoing in the confined space.


    ¡°Then train them,¡± he ordered, his tone brooking no argument.


    I opened my mouth to protest but stuttered, the words failing me. I was a new alpha, a truck driver, and an employee of SkyTeam. I was no longer a service member of the FS Military. Once, I had served under Star and Cayro in an administrative role as a 1st Lieutenant. I had some combat experience, but I¡¯d spent most of my time handling paperwork once things calmed down. Now, I was expected to lead my team into a war.


    ¡°What about the dragons?¡± I asked, grasping for any alternative. ¡°They have more experience and training. Why not send them forward instead?¡±


    ¡°They have been reassigned to you directly. Use them to help train your pack,¡± the President said, his words landing with the weight of a hammer.


    I blinked several times, trying to process the severity of what he¡¯d just said. The dragons fell under my pack now? How was that even possible? Stoneclaw and Pixiewolf were majors, and I was merely a 1st Lieutenant¡ªif I was even recalled to active duty.


    ¡°How the hell is that supposed to work? If I¡¯m recalled to service, that makes me a lieutenant. They outrank me,¡± I stated bluntly, trying to make sense of the madness.


    ¡°Actually, last year, I signed an executive order that any pack conscripted into service would have their alpha equivalent to the rank of O-6,¡± the President replied calmly.


    My jaw dropped. I was a colonel now¡ªthe same rank as Star? This was unbelievable. I turned to my uncle, silently pleading for him to intervene.


    ¡°Uncle, can¡¯t you do something about this?¡± I asked, desperation creeping into my voice.


    ¡°It¡¯s out of my control, Lyra. If I override him, then I¡¯m going against what this country stands for. You were there during the Second Twilight battle. You saw the evil that was controlling the U.S. before it fell. I will not allow that to happen again,¡± he said, his voice filled with a deep, unwavering resolve.


    ¡°But¡­¡± I began, but before I could continue, the door to the MCV opened. Stoneclaw and a man dressed in digital forest camo walked in. The man looked rough¡ªdried blood and mud covered parts of his uniform. He had a captain¡¯s rank pinned to his chest and on his patrol cap. His name, Bresden, was emblazoned across his left breast. One look at him, and I knew he was human.


    ¡°Sorry for taking so long, Raptor found what¡¯s left of the unit,¡± Stoneclaw said, his voice gruff and heavy with the weight of his words.


    No one spoke as we looked at them, our expressions a mixture of worry and apprehension.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Stoneclaw asked, his tone shifting as he picked up on the tension in the room.


    Mac and I stepped aside, revealing the monitor where the President and my uncle were still visible. Stoneclaw¡¯s eyes widened as he met my gaze.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± he demanded, a hint of alarm in his voice.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been¡­ reassigned,¡± I said, my voice carrying the weight of the world.


    ¡°So, the mission is scrapped?¡± he asked, his tone laced with uncertainty.


    ¡°No, you¡¯re now reassigned to the 781st Transportation Pack under the 102nd Airborne Division,¡± the President declared, his words final and unyielding.


    I closed my eyes in defeat, slumping my shoulders. That meant I was now under Cayro Zaraki¡¯s division, in charge of a sister unit to Star¡¯s. The realization was staggering.


    ¡°But, Sir?¡± Stoneclaw began, clearly about to protest.


    ¡°Those are my orders, Major Stoneclaw. You and your group are officially reassigned to this pack permanently,¡± the President interrupted, his tone brooking no further discussion.


    Stoneclaw clamped his mouth shut, his gaze dropping to the floor before he looked back at me. His voice was dead when he spoke again. ¡°Understood, Sir.¡±


    Turning to the captain, I spoke, needing to understand what had happened. ¡°Captain, tell us what occurred on your way to your objective,¡± I demanded, my voice firm despite the turmoil inside me.


    ¡°We were ambushed by a group that calls themselves the Western Hell Hounds. When we rolled into York, Nebraska, they hit the convoy with overwhelming force. We weren¡¯t prepared for an all-out attack from a force that strong. They managed to destroy a third of our convoy and killed almost half of my unit,¡± he reported, his voice carrying the weight of his loss.


    ¡°How many soldiers do you have left?¡± I asked, my voice steady despite the turmoil brewing inside.


    ¡°Roughly thirty,¡± the captain replied.


    I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath to steady myself. They originally had nearly sixty members in their unit before the attack. The loss was staggering.


    ¡°How many of those left are injured?¡± I queried, already dreading the answer.


    ¡°Twelve,¡± he said flatly, the weight of the situation evident in his tone.


    That meant they were severely compromised, no longer able to complete their mission effectively. I clenched my jaw, weighing our options before turning to the monitor where the President and my uncle still watched.


    ¡°How soon can we get an emergency airlift to evacuate the injured?¡± I asked, directing my question to the President.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see what I can do, Alpha Acosta, but I need you and your team to reach the objective and secure the I-76 corridor as soon as possible. This is nonnegotiable. We¡¯ll send the evac to that location,¡± the President declared, his tone leaving no room for debate.


    ¡°Fine¡­ I¡¯ll get it done,¡± I growled, the frustration clear in my voice. The call ended abruptly, leaving the MCV in tense silence. I looked around at the faces in the room¡ªeach one reflecting the gravity of the situation.


    ¡°Stoneclaw, you and your team escort the 833rd back to this location. Mac, start going through the 833rd¡¯s trucks and see what you can do to get them running. Steve, Pixiewolf, gather the pack and assign them tasks where they can be most effective. We need to get this shit show moving before we find ourselves in an even worse situation,¡± I ordered, my voice firm and resolute.


    Without waiting for a response, I turned on my heel and strode out of the MCV, heading straight for my truck. There was a phone call I needed to make, and the only way I could do that was through Scuzball.

 Chapter 13: Howling Chaos, It Can Go Fluff Off!

    I sat in my truck, watching as Scuzball worked to establish a secure private connection to Cayro. If anyone would listen to me, it would be him. It took nearly ten minutes before a window finally popped up, revealing Cayro¡¯s face. His dark brown hair was neatly trimmed into a military flat top, and a perfectly groomed short beard accented his sharp, angular features¡ªsomething Star had insisted he grow out. A scar that started above his left eye bisected his sharp eyebrow and trailed down his cheek, giving him an even more formidable look. His emerald eyes blazed with power as they locked onto the camera, and a toothy grin spread across his face, revealing his elongated canines that never seemed to retract. I could see he was still in his dress uniform, with a general¡¯s rank pinned to his lapels.


    "Lyra! It¡¯s good to hear from you!" he said, his voice warm with excitement.


    "Hey Alpha," I replied softly, unable to hide my annoyance and agitation.


    His eyebrows furrowed, and the smile quickly disappeared from his face. "What¡¯s wrong?" he demanded, his tone shifting to concern.


    I sighed heavily and slumped my shoulders. "Andrew recalled me back to active duty," I huffed.


    "He what¡­" Cayro growled, his voice taking on an inhuman tone as glimmering silver scales rippled across his features before fading. I knew he wouldn¡¯t take the news well; he had always looked out for me, almost like a brother. Not by blood, but because he had been there when I needed someone most.


    "He recalled me back to active duty," I reiterated, "and he pretty much drafted my new pack into active-duty status."


    "Damn it¡­ I told him to leave you out of this. Why in the nine draconian hells did he ignore my request?" Cayro growled, his voice filled with frustration. "Star! Get in here!"


    A moment later, Star appeared, holding Celestia in her arms, concern etched across her face as she looked between her husband and the screen. When she saw me, her expression softened into a smile.


    "Lyra! Why are you calling? We weren¡¯t supposed to talk until tomorrow, once you reached the I-76 corridor," she said, her tone laced with worry.


    "Andrew recalled her back to active-duty status and drafted her new pack," Cayro growled, his voice low and menacing.


    "He did what?!" Star growled, her tone shifting to shock and anger. Her amethyst eyes blazed as she transformed into her half-black draconian, half-human form. Handing Celestia to Cayro, she stormed out of the room, growling in fury. Celestia, too, shifted into her draconian form, a blend of Cayro¡¯s silver and Star¡¯s iridescent black. The small child pointed a tiny talon in the direction her mother had gone, looking up at her father with wide eyes.


    "Momma mad," she squeaked, her voice so small and raspy that it made my heart swell with affection. She was the cutest little draconian ever.


    "Oh yes, very much so, sweetheart," Cayro replied, his voice softening as he addressed his daughter.


    I heard Star¡¯s footsteps as she marched back into Cayro¡¯s office, her voice sharp as she spoke to someone on the phone. I gave Cayro a questioning look, wondering who she was talking to. He mouthed the word "Andrew" while miming a phone with his hand.


    "Damn it, Andrew! I asked you not to include her and her team in the draft!" I heard her yell into the phone.


    There was a pause before she roared again. "They are a brand-new pack! They¡¯re not ready to be established as a unit!"


    Another silence followed, the tension thick in the air.


    "What do you mean you had no choice?" she growled.


    The next moment, something smashed into the wall, and Star let out a roar of rage. Cayro¡¯s eyes widened at whatever he had just witnessed. Without a word, he reached into his desk drawer, pulled out a brand-new phone, and placed it on the desk, clearly anticipating what might happen next.


    ¡°How many does that make this month?¡± I asked softly, the weight of the situation pressing down on me.


    Cayro held up three fingers in response. Star had always had a short fuse, and whenever someone really aggravated her, she had a tendency to throw whatever she was holding at the time. It used to be wrenches when she was still working in the shop regularly, but now that she was out of that environment, her cell phone had become the object of choice.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t going to believe this bullshit¡­¡± Star growled, her frustration palpable as she reentered the room. Cayro looked at her, his expression calm but curious.


    ¡°You know that not much surprises me anymore, love,¡± he replied coolly, trying to temper her anger.


    ¡°He¡¯s assigned Lyra and her team to complete the mission he sent a National Guard unit to handle,¡± she huffed, clearly exasperated.


    ¡°The same mission that I recommended he send your unit to do?¡± Cayro asked, raising an eyebrow in disbelief.


    ¡°The very same,¡± Star confirmed, her tone laden with irritation.


    ¡°Go figure¡­¡± Cayro muttered. ¡°So, Lyra and her pack are to close off the I-76 corridor. I swear, he¡¯s getting more and more senile every day.¡±


    ¡°More like he¡¯s on a power trip¡­ Just wait till I call my father about this,¡± Star growled, her voice simmering with rage.


    ¡°He already knows,¡± I interjected, immediately regretting it as the words left my mouth.


    The look Cayro shot me made it clear I should have kept that detail to myself. An ear-splitting shriek erupted from Star, followed by a flash of purple light and the sound of an explosion. Papers floated through the air as Cayro pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. Celestia clapped her hands excitedly, her laughter filling the room with an innocent joy that contrasted sharply with the tension.


    ¡°Well, I guess I¡¯ll need to order a new set of training manuals and a bookshelf,¡± Cayro sighed irritably. ¡°What did Dr. Zaraki say about the situation?¡±


    ¡°That he couldn¡¯t step in and stop it,¡± I answered, the frustration evident in my voice.


    ¡°Figures¡­ He doesn¡¯t want to see what happened with the old government happen again,¡± Cayro remarked, shaking his head.


    ¡°That was exactly what he said,¡± I confirmed, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me.


    ¡°Who¡¯s your parent unit?¡± Cayro asked, his tone resigned.


    ¡°We are¡­¡± Star huffed, stepping back into view of the camera, her expression a mixture of anger and resolve.


    ¡°Well, that simplifies things. We¡¯ll get the mission completed and then get her and her pack back on track with their original tasking,¡± Cayro declared, bouncing Celestia on his knee as he spoke. ¡°What do you need from us to get this accomplished?¡±


    ¡°First and foremost, we need a medical evac for the injured soldiers. Then we¡¯ll need a permanent team to hold the corridor so we can move on to our next task,¡± I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.


    ¡°Let me see what I can come up with, Lyra. Just get to the objective. I¡¯ll get what you need,¡± he ordered, his voice calm but firm.


    I nodded, waving goodbye before ending the call. I turned to Scuzball, who was already jotting something down in his notebook.


    ¡°What¡¯s the count up to now?¡± I asked him, a hint of humor creeping into my voice despite the tension.


    ¡°Forty-seven this year,¡± he replied with an amused tone.


    I could only imagine how expensive Star and Cayro¡¯s phone bill must be at this point. Climbing out of my truck, I spotted Steve approaching. I gave him a quick wave, leaning against my sleeper with my arms crossed. The call with Cayro hadn¡¯t gone as planned, but at least they agreed with me.


    ¡°I was just looking for you. Are you alright?¡± Steve asked, concern evident in his voice.


    ¡°I¡¯d be better if the people I care about would stop throwing me into positions I didn¡¯t want,¡± I huffed, frustration bubbling to the surface.


    ¡°I noticed you were talking to someone as I was walking over. What¡¯s going on?¡± he queried, his brow furrowing.


    ¡°Just got off the call with our newly assigned parent unit. Needless to say, our commander isn¡¯t very happy with our commander-in-chief. He¡¯s going to send us help so we can get back to our original job,¡± I explained, the tension still lingering in my voice.


    ¡°So, once we complete this mission, we won¡¯t be considered a military unit anymore?¡± he asked, his curiosity piqued.


    ¡°No¡­ we¡¯ll still be a military unit. We¡¯ll just fall under General Zaraki¡¯s command,¡± I answered, my tone betraying my sense of defeat.


    ¡°Since when did Dr. Zaraki become a general?¡± Steve asked, surprise evident in his voice.


    ¡°I keep forgetting that you don¡¯t know all the details about the Zaraki family. My uncle isn¡¯t the general I¡¯m referring to. It¡¯s Cayro Zaraki,¡± I explained, feeling the weight of the situation settle in once more.


    ¡°Oh! I was beginning to think there was another Zaraki I didn¡¯t know about,¡± Steve said, his tone lightening slightly.


    ¡°Cayro is the commander for the 102nd Airborne Division while Star commands the 588th Night Witches Stealth Wing. We¡¯re now one of their units,¡± I explained, feeling the weight of the words as I spoke.


    ¡°So, I¡¯m assuming we¡¯re still doing this mission then?¡± Steve asked, his tone resigned but steady.


    ¡°Yep, and I have a feeling the team isn¡¯t going to like the news,¡± I said coldly, bracing myself for the backlash.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°Most definitely not. Catalina isn¡¯t taking the news well, and neither am I. I can only imagine how the rest of the team will react,¡± Steve replied pointedly.


    We walked to the middle of the trucks, and I let out a sharp whistle, cutting through the chatter and getting everyone¡¯s attention. They all gathered around me, speaking over one another, their questions and concerns swirling in the air. I raised my hand, waiting patiently for them to quiet down. It took a few moments, but eventually, the group settled. Clearing my throat, I spoke loud and clear so everyone could hear me.


    ¡°As of thirty minutes ago, we have all been drafted into service with the FS Military, directly by the President himself. We¡¯re now officially tasked with completing the mission that was originally assigned to the 833rd Engineering Company. Everyone who volunteered for this team, and the dragons, are now part of the newly formed 781st Transportation Pack under the 102nd Airborne Division,¡± I declared, the gravity of the situation sinking in as I watched their faces.


    ¡°What in the flying wolf¡¯s tail do you mean we¡¯re now a military unit?¡± Tyler blurted out, his voice laced with disbelief.


    ¡°Since when can the president just draft a group of wolves into the service? I thought only official packs¡­¡± Sasha began, but then trailed off, realizing the implications.


    ¡°That¡¯s how¡­¡± I said coldly. ¡°He used the fact that I just created a pack to enact the draft on us.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s some utter bullshit¡­¡± Cain spat out, his anger barely contained.


    ¡°Hell yea, it is,¡± Charlotte echoed, her frustration palpable.


    ¡°We¡¯re supposed to be civilian contractors, not combatants,¡± Azura huffed, her voice trembling with outrage.


    I allowed them to vent, knowing they needed to get their frustrations out before I continued.


    ¡°At this point, we don¡¯t have much of an option. We¡¯re stuck in the middle of no man¡¯s land with a group of rogues at our backs. I don¡¯t want you guys to jump ship only to get hurt or killed by them or something else out here,¡± I said, my tone steady but heavy with concern.


    ¡°Then what¡¯s your plan?¡± Abel asked angrily, his eyes challenging me to provide a solution.


    I let out a sigh, looking at all of them. They had every right to be angry. They weren¡¯t trained to be a military force. Their basic firearms training was nothing compared to what was needed to be ready for combat.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to gather what¡¯s left of the 833rd and their equipment. Then we¡¯ll make our way to the I-76 corridor as planned. From there, we¡¯ll do what we can to barricade the corridor. In the meantime, a medical evac team will be en route to get the injured out. Hopefully, our parent unit will bring a proper military team to take over so we can get back to Des Moines,¡± I explained, trying to instill some sense of purpose in them.


    I let them stew on that for a moment before continuing. ¡°Once we¡¯re back in Des Moines, anyone who doesn¡¯t want to be part of this pack, I will release you from the bonds,¡± I declared, my voice resolute.


    ¡°Wait, what?¡± Jake asked, surprise evident in his voice. ¡°You¡¯d be willing to let us leave the pack?¡±


    ¡°Yes, you¡¯re not my slaves or prisoners. I would never force you to stay if you chose to leave. This pack is all volunteer-based,¡± I answered, my tone softening slightly.


    Jake looked at Kira before offering his hand to her. She took it, and together they stepped forward.


    ¡°Wherever you go, Alpha, we will go. Military or just a pack, we will stand with you,¡± he declared, his voice strong with conviction.


    My heart skipped a beat at his declaration. It meant more to me than I could express, especially coming from an Omega.


    ¡°Ass kisser,¡± Cain mumbled under his breath.


    ¡°If you knew what she¡¯s done for Kira and me, you¡¯d do the same,¡± Jake growled, his eyes beginning to glow with an eerie yellow light.


    ¡°Is that a challenge?¡± Cain growled back, his posture shifting as he prepared to escalate.


    ¡°If that¡¯s what you want it to be, then yes,¡± Jake responded, his voice low as he began to shift, his body tensing in anticipation.


    ¡°ENOUGH!¡± I barked, stepping forward with a surge of alpha power that rippled through the group like a shockwave. Several of them crumpled to the ground under the force of it, their knees buckling as the weight of my magic pressed down on them. Only Jake, Kira, Mac, and Major Pixiewolf remained standing. I blinked, realizing that I might have overdone it. I quickly reined in my power, pulling it back into myself as I looked around at them, seeing fear and worry reflected in their eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I said softly, my voice a stark contrast to the power I had just unleashed.


    ¡°Why are you sorry, Alpha?¡± Steve asked from where he knelt on the ground near me.


    ¡°Because I didn¡¯t mean to release my power on you like that,¡± I replied, feeling a pang of guilt.


    ¡°It was necessary,¡± Steve said, still looking at the ground. ¡°We don¡¯t have time to sit here bickering and fighting about things that are out of our control.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not the point, Steve. I don¡¯t want you all to fear me,¡± I said, my voice tinged with concern.


    ¡°They¡¯re not afraid of you, Lyra. They¡¯re afraid of what the future holds now that everything¡¯s changed,¡± he added, lifting his gaze to meet mine.


    I looked around the group, seeing the truth in his words. They weren¡¯t cowering because they feared me; they were terrified of what lay ahead, of the uncertain future that now loomed over us. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my own nerves as I considered what to say next.


    ¡°Stand up,¡± I ordered gently.


    Slowly, they rose to their feet, still avoiding eye contact, their expressions a mix of unease and resignation. My outburst had gotten their attention, but now I needed to bring them back together, to remind them that we were in this fight as one. I let out a long breath, gathering my thoughts before I spoke again.


    ¡°We are all we have right now. Whether you¡¯re officially a member of this pack or not, I want to do what¡¯s right by you. I will take care of each and every one of you. If that means we¡¯re a military unit, a team of insane truck drivers, or just a group of friends with a common goal, then so be it. I don¡¯t like this any more than you do. I¡¯ve already made that clear to the president and our new chain of command,¡± I said, my voice steady as I looked each of them in the eyes.


    I stepped forward, wrapping my arms around Cain in a tight hug, then moving to Abel, and finally embracing each and every one of the wolves standing with me. I wanted them to feel the strength of our bond, to know that I was with them, no matter what.


    ¡°As you all know, I never wanted to be an Alpha. I certainly didn¡¯t want to be in charge of a military unit, but here we are. We¡¯re not without supplies, and we have the means to survive. We¡¯re Luna-be-damned werewolves with the meanest and toughest trucks on the face of this planet. We¡¯re also flatbed truck drivers. What do we do best?¡± I shouted, trying to ignite the spark of determination in them.


    ¡°We improvise and overcome the stupidity thrown at us!¡± Kira shouted back, her voice filled with conviction.


    ¡°Make the impossible possible?¡± Tyler chimed in, his tone growing more confident.


    ¡°Exactly!¡± I declared, feeling the energy in the group start to shift.


    ¡°Make chaos our bitch!¡± Azura added with a grin, her excitement infectious.


    I pointed at her with a grin. ¡°Perfect!¡± I exclaimed, the tension in the air beginning to dissipate.


    One by one, everyone began to add their own statements, their voices growing louder, stronger. I could see them coming together, finding strength in our shared purpose. Maybe this was what we needed¡ªa common goal to bond us, to make us stronger.


    ¡°If the president wants us to be a unit, then let¡¯s be the best Luna-damned truck-driving unit there is!¡± I shouted, feeling the fire in my belly burn brighter.


    ¡°10-4!¡± they shouted in unison, their voices echoing into the night.


    I shifted, feeling the familiar pull of my wolf form taking over, and threw my head back, letting out a howl that pierced the silent night air. One by one, they joined me, our eerie echoes filling the dark sky, a symphony of defiance and unity.


    As the last howl faded, I felt the bonds I had created back in Des Moines strengthen, a warm pulse in my mind telling me that these were my wolves. We had come together in a time of need, we had survived meeting dragons, and we had smashed through barriers and ambushes. We would survive this too.


    Lowering my head, I gazed at the wolves standing before me¡ªdifferent shades of brown, black, grey, and white, their coats a mix of solid colors and unique patterns. Each of them was important to me. Just because they didn¡¯t have military training didn¡¯t mean they couldn¡¯t survive or fight. We had pack tactics, claws, and teeth.


    The sound of clapping coming from the front of the convoy interrupted my thoughts, pulling my attention in that direction.


    ¡°That was a damn good speech there, Alpha Acosta. If I were a wolf, I¡¯d want to join your pack,¡± Stoneclaw announced with a devastating grin. A couple of dragons trailed behind him, leading a group of ragged soldiers who looked like they¡¯d been through hell and back.


    ¡°Actually, it may be possible for you to join her pack,¡± Mac called out, her voice carrying as she popped her head out from between two military trucks.


    ¡°I doubt that¡¯s possible for a dragon to join a pack of wolves,¡± Stoneclaw scoffed, rolling his eyes as if the very idea was absurd.


    ¡°I was able to join. I¡¯m an official member of the pack,¡± Mac declared, stepping out from between the trucks and planting her hands on her hips, her stance defiant.


    ¡°That¡¯s because you¡¯re a wolf¡­¡± Stoneclaw huffed, clearly dismissive of the idea.


    ¡°I¡¯m a fucking phoenix, you overgrown lot lizard,¡± Mac growled, her hair igniting into flames just to drive the point home.


    Stoneclaw¡¯s eyebrows shot up his forehead in surprise as the reality sank in. He turned to look at me, his expression questioning. I simply lifted my left hand and showed him the back of it, where the phoenix brand glowed faintly on my skin.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be damned. I didn¡¯t know a wolf pack could have outside species in them,¡± he said, still processing this new information.


    ¡°You learn something new every day,¡± Azura chimed in, a playful lilt in her voice.


    ¡°I¡­ see this,¡± Stoneclaw replied, still somewhat taken aback.


    I turned my attention back to my wolves, ready to get everyone back to the task at hand. ¡°Mac, how are the trucks coming along?¡± I asked over my shoulder.


    ¡°I¡¯ve gotten them up and running. All they need now are drivers,¡± she answered, sounding pleased with her work.


    ¡°Good. Everyone, help the dragons get the 833rd into their trucks. Make sure those who are injured are comfortable. If we need to, strip your bunks and place them in your sleepers. Jake, once we¡¯re rolling, you take the lead. I¡¯ll bring up the rear¡ªI don¡¯t have headlights at the moment.¡±


    ¡°10-4,¡± they barked in unison before scattering to their tasks.


    As we approached the soldiers, their eyes filled with fear and trepidation. Stepping up to a pair who were struggling with a makeshift stretcher carrying an injured soldier, I gently knelt down and scooped the wounded woman into my arms. I carried her over to my truck, where Mac was already waiting at the passenger side door. She quickly climbed in, stripped my bed, and laid a towel over the mattress to protect it. Together, we carefully settled the injured soldier into my sleeper.


    Another soldier approached, declaring that he was the unit¡¯s medic and that he would ride with me to tend to the woman. Mac, however, wasn¡¯t having any of it. She flatly told him no, her voice carrying the authority of a marine, and stated that she would look after the woman while I drove. The medic opened his mouth to argue, but one look at Mac¡¯s raised eyebrow had him grumbling as he backed down to check on the other injured soldiers.


    Before long, everyone was settled into position. There were a few minor issues with the military trucks, but with Mac¡¯s help and a couple of soldiers, we got them operational enough to roll. Once everyone indicated we were green to go, I gave the order to move out.


    I waited until the convoy had passed me before releasing the brakes and shifting into gear. We were going to take it slow and steady, ensuring that the unit wouldn¡¯t be left behind and that we all stayed together. The ride was long and arduous as we trundled along the treacherous highway.


    In the distance, we saw the flicker of firelight dancing through the pitch-black night. I had ordered everyone to run dark, except for Jake, so we wouldn¡¯t draw unnecessary attention. Thankfully, our night vision helped navigate the darkness; without it, this would have been an even more perilous journey.


    We had to stop once when one of the military trucks finally gave up the ghost. When Mac got out to see if she could fix it, her assessment was less than optimistic. Her exact words to the entire fleet were that the truck had gone into a "thermal nuclear meltdown" and there was no way she could fix it without an entirely new engine.


    It took us roughly fifteen minutes to move the soldiers'' gear into the remaining convoy vehicles and find them places to ride. Some squeezed into the MCV, while others found spots in the rigs or the remaining military trucks. It was a chaotic but efficient operation, with everyone too tired to complain.


    By the time we finally reached our objective, it had taken nearly five hours. The road had thrown a few more obstacles our way, but nothing like the nightmare we¡¯d faced in York. We made camp in an old highway maintenance pull-off just west of the interchange between the two interstates. It was nearly one in the morning, and everyone was dog-tired, ready to collapse where they stood.


    After speaking with Steve, Stoneclaw, and the commander of the 833rd, we set up a rotational night guard to ensure we wouldn¡¯t get ambushed again. Being the highest-ranking officer on site, no one argued with me. I ordered that the injured soldier remain in my truck for the night, where she¡¯d be more comfortable until we could establish a proper medical area. The unit medic assured me he would check on her during his rounds.


    With everything finally in place, I grabbed my go bag and headed to the MCV to bunk with Mac. Steve and Pixiewolf were already sharing his room, so I took the opportunity to grab a quick shower before joining Mac. When I entered her room, I found her already face-down on her bed, still partially dressed, softly snoring.


    Climbing onto the upper bunk, I made myself as comfortable as I could. The exhaustion hit me like a freight train, and I passed out almost immediately, the day''s events fading away as sleep overtook me.

 Chapter 14: Full Stop; The Phoenix Did What!

    Two days had crawled by since we arrived at the I-76 and I-80 interchange. The 833rd had dwindled to a skeleton crew, yet they helped us get a camp cobbled together. Right now, the MCV was our makeshift tactical operations center while we wrestled gear off the trucks. The crane on the FRS lifted the heaviest loads, but the rest we had to unload by hand. Tedious didn¡¯t begin to cover it.


    While most of the team was buried in that back-breaking work, Stoneclaw, Captain Bresden, and I were locked in planning mode, figuring out how to seal off the I-76 corridor from I-80. Turns out, some of the crates on Seth¡¯s trailer were packed with C-4¡ªlike a surprise gift you really don¡¯t want to open. Between Stoneclaw¡¯s experience and Bresden¡¯s grit, we hashed out a plan: blow eight bridges along a river a mile southwest of us to create a natural barrier, leaving just one back road bridge west of I-76 as a gate. The I-76 bridge itself would be barricaded and rigged to blow, a last-resort fail-safe if things went to hell.


    ¡°Stoneclaw, take your team and handle those eight eastern bridges,¡± I ordered, my voice carrying the weight of command I was still getting used to. Then I turned to Captain Bresden. ¡°Take two of your roughest trucks and block off the western bridge with your men.¡±


    ¡°Roger, Alpha,¡± they both said before heading out.


    As soon as they left, I slumped into Major Pixiewolf¡¯s chair, the weight of our situation pressing down hard. This plan wasn¡¯t foolproof¡ªfar from it¡ªbut it was all we had to slow down anyone who might come charging down I-76. We¡¯d need to jerry-rig something for the I-76 bridge, something that could hold but also be moved if we needed to retreat or let reinforcements through.


    The sound of boots dragging across the floor pulled me from my thoughts. I looked up to see a filthy, sweat-soaked Steve standing in the doorway, his exhaustion written in every line of his body. I¡¯d put him in charge of getting our camp up and running, and he hadn¡¯t hesitated to step up. By the end of the first day, we had a makeshift medical area, two massive tents for sleeping, and what Steve considered the crown jewel¡ªa fully functional makeshift kitchen. We¡¯d literally packed the entire field operations kit for the 833rd onto our trucks.


    Normally, a unit could set up a camp like this in a day, but with a crew of untrained civilians, it was taking a bit longer. Still, with help from the 833rd, my team was picking up the basics fast.


    ¡°What¡¯s up, Steve?¡± I asked, trying to keep the weariness out of my voice.


    ¡°Just need to get some water and take a breather,¡± he replied, heading straight for the MCV¡¯s kitchen.


    ¡°How¡¯s the setup going?¡± I called after him.


    ¡°Good so far. Basics are done. But we need to find water soon,¡± he said, reappearing with a bottle in hand.


    ¡°There¡¯s a large pond about three hundred yards north, just beyond the trees,¡± I offered.


    ¡°Perfect. We¡¯ll need to plan on moving the MCV closer to it,¡± he said, taking a long pull from the bottle.


    ¡°How much water do we have left?¡± I asked, already bracing for bad news.


    ¡°About two days¡¯ worth,¡± he said, sinking into his chair like it was holding him together.


    ¡°Well, hopefully, we¡¯ll be out of here by then,¡± I remarked, my eyes scanning the map on my screen.


    ¡°Any updates from the higher-ups?¡± he asked, eyes half-lidded as he looked at his own screen.


    ¡°Nothing substantial. They¡¯re gathering a unit to relieve us, but it¡¯ll take a few days to get everything in order and get here,¡± I said, turning my chair to face him fully.


    ¡°Let¡¯s hope nothing happens in the meantime. We¡¯re stretched thin as it is,¡± he grunted.


    ¡°Thanks, jinx us, why don¡¯t you¡­¡± I growled, though there was no real bite in it.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ve got lookouts posted. Only sightings so far are a few massive deer, large birds, and other wildlife,¡± he said quickly, as if trying to ward off any bad luck his words might bring.


    ¡°That¡¯s good, keep the watch in place. As much as I doubt the Hell Hounds will come after us, we don¡¯t know what they¡¯re capable of,¡± I said, the lingering tension making my voice harder than I intended.


    Steve leaned back, a thoughtful look crossing his face. ¡°Do you have a plan for dealing with them on the way back?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been mulling it over for the past day or so, but nothing¡¯s set in stone yet. I¡¯ll discuss it with Stoneclaw when he gets back from his mission,¡± I replied, the weight of the unknown pressing on me.


    ¡°You might want to talk to Mac; she¡¯s got a few ideas that could help,¡± he suggested, a knowing grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.


    ¡°Really?¡± I asked, my curiosity piqued.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you go see for yourself? She¡¯s been rather busy today,¡± he said, the grin widening.


    I arched an eyebrow at him, suspecting there was more to this than he was letting on. Standing up, I made my way out of the MCV, heading towards the FRS. As I rounded the corner, I came to an abrupt halt, my jaw nearly dropping at the sight before me.


    Mounted on the front of my truck was a massive ten-foot-wide bulldozer blade, looking like something straight out of a mechanized nightmare. It was clear that Mac had scavenged it from an old Caterpillar dozer, half-hidden by the trees to our north. She¡¯d somehow managed to drag it over to the FRS and fabricate a heavy-duty framework that now fused my truck and the blade into one formidable unit. She was busy cutting slits into the blade, likely to make sure my headlights wouldn¡¯t be entirely useless.


    ¡°What in the hell?¡± I blurted out, unable to process the sight.


    Mac popped her head up, pushing her round welding goggles onto her forehead, revealing a wide, mischievous grin. ¡°Hey, Lyra!¡± she called out, her voice practically dripping with excitement.


    ¡°Uh¡­ Hi¡­¡± I replied, still staring at the monstrosity now attached to the front of my truck.


    ¡°I made an upgrade to Battle Wagon. Now he can bash through obstacles without taking as much damage,¡± she declared proudly, as if she¡¯d just unveiled a masterpiece.


    ¡°I see this¡­¡± I muttered, torn between being furious that she¡¯d modified my truck without asking and being impressed by her ingenuity.


    She caught my conflicted expression and quickly added, ¡°I know I didn¡¯t ask for your permission first, but this upgrade will prevent further damage to your baby. Plus, since the blade¡¯s wider than the truck, it¡¯ll push debris away from him and the rest of the fleet.¡±


    ¡°Him?¡± I asked, raising my eyebrows.


    ¡°Yeah, him. Your truck is a ¡®him,¡¯ and his name is Battle Wagon,¡± she stated with all the confidence in the world, like it was the most obvious thing.


    ¡°You¡­ named my truck?¡± I asked, incredulous.


    ¡°Yep, and it fits,¡± she said, hands on her hips, daring me to disagree.


    I sighed, accepting the name with a shrug. ¡°I guess there are worse things you could have named it.¡±


    In truth, it was tradition to name your truck¡ªgood luck, they said. But with everything else going on, I hadn¡¯t even thought about naming mine. It seemed fitting, though, that Mac, with all her boundless energy and enthusiasm, had done it for me. Battle Wagon. It had a nice ring to it, like a promise that this truck would take on anything I threw at it.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got some other modifications in mind for the rest of the fleet,¡± she added, her eyes gleaming with that telltale spark of inspiration.


    ¡°Should I ask?¡± I said, half-dreading her answer.


    ¡°I¡¯m planning on adding gun emplacements for the dragons, Steve, Major Pain in the Ass, and myself. After the last situation, Stoneclaw thinks the JLTVs aren¡¯t effective enough. He wants to place a dragon with each driver,¡± she explained.


    ¡°Are you sure giving up the JLTVs is a good idea?¡± I asked, my concern evident.


    ¡°To quote Stoneclaw: ¡®Half of my team is ineffective because they have to drive the JLTVs. We¡¯re dragons, we can scout by flying,¡¯¡± she said, doing her best to mimic Stoneclaw¡¯s gruff voice.


    I couldn¡¯t help but laugh, shaking my head. ¡°Alright, do what you can,¡± I said, turning to leave. But then, a thought struck me, and I turned back around.


    ¡°Do you know who¡¯s going to ride with me?¡± I asked, curious about the plan.


    ¡°I am! Who else would be riding in Battle Wagon and the FRS?¡± Mac declared, her voice brimming with enthusiasm.


    ¡°Ah, okay. I figured it would be Steve since he is my beta,¡± I said, though I couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of relief that it would be Mac.


    ¡°Hell no! He¡¯ll be manning the MCV. I found some fun toys in our shipment that I¡¯m going to, let¡¯s say, strategically transfer to a more convenient location for his use,¡± she added, a devious grin spreading across her face.


    I arched an eyebrow, skeptical but intrigued. If she could turn my truck into a makeshift battering ram with a scavenged bulldozer blade, I wasn¡¯t sure I wanted to know what she had in mind for the rest of the fleet. Deciding it was best to leave Mac to her devices, I turned and headed out to check on the camp¡¯s progress. I had spent the entire morning holed up in the MCV, planning our next steps, and it was time to show my face to the team.


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Stepping into the clearing encircled by our rigs, I took in the organized chaos. Jake and Kira were lugging a crate of supplies toward the makeshift kitchen, where Steve was already waving them inside. To my left, a couple of soldiers from the 833rd stood near an LMTV, smoking and conversing in low tones, their postures betraying exhaustion. Elsewhere, members of my team were either working on various tasks or taking a much-needed break.


    I spotted Cain, Abel, and Azura huddled together, deep in discussion as they practiced disassembling and reassembling their rifles¡ªa scene that sparked an idea. My team was raw, untrained in the ways of combat beyond basic self-defense. But here we were, with military-trained personnel at our disposal. It was time to make the most of that.


    I caught the attention of the two soldiers who were still smoking and beckoned them over. They hesitated briefly before approaching, clearly unsure what to expect. As they got closer, I could see the weariness in their eyes, yet they still moved with a soldier¡¯s discipline. One was a sergeant, the other a specialist. They began to lift their hands to salute, but I shot them a flat stare that made it clear¡ªno formalities here. We were in the field, and the last thing I needed was to draw unnecessary attention with military protocol.


    ¡°How can we help you, Colonel Acosta?¡± the sergeant asked, his voice smooth but tinged with a rogue¡¯s edge.


    ¡°First and foremost, it¡¯s Alpha Acosta, not colonel. I¡¯m not in uniform. Secondly, what¡¯s the status of the camp?¡± I asked, keeping my tone steady.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am. The camp is as secure as we can make it for now. Captain Bresden and a small team have gone to secure the bridge, and our medic is maintaining the medical tent. All injured personnel are stable. We were just taking a break before our next tasking,¡± the sergeant reported with a professionalism that made me nod in approval.


    ¡°Good. I want you to gather anyone who isn¡¯t currently engaged in critical tasks and have them meet me by the field kitchen,¡± I instructed calmly.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± they responded in unison before hurrying off to carry out my orders.


    With that, I made my way to the kitchen tent. Inside, Steve and Major Pixiewolf were busy moving about, cooking up what smelled like a feast. The two of them had raided the MCV¡¯s pantry, determined to ensure that we got at least one decent meal a day. Steve, ever the resourceful one, had pieced together a functional field kitchen using what little was left from the 833rd¡¯s ambushed supplies.


    In one corner, he had repurposed a metal crate and the old, dented grill from my truck into a makeshift wood-burning grill. He was using ammo cans as improvised cooking pots, and had fashioned a sink from larger ammo cans, with a workstation made of pallets and empty wooden crates. It was impressive¡ªan ingenious blend of necessity and creativity.


    I could smell the aroma of searing meat and vegetables while he and Pixiewolf moved about the kitchen dicing, stirring, and cleaning as they cooked. Whatever they were preparing made my mouth water. I had come to discover that the two of them were a force to be reckoned with in the kitchen.


    ¡°What¡¯s on the menu today?¡± I asked, raising my voice to catch their attention.


    They both turned to look at me, and Steve was the first to speak. ¡°For lunch, it¡¯ll be MREs, but for dinner, we¡¯ve got southern-style beef stew on the way,¡± he replied with a hint of pride.


    ¡°Oh¡­ that sounds delicious,¡± I said, unable to resist licking my lips at the thought.


    ¡°My goal is to at least give everyone one good meal a day,¡± he added, his voice carrying a rare note of happiness in this grim environment.


    ¡°Sounds like a solid plan. Keep up the good work,¡± I praised, offering him a smile before turning to leave.


    My next stop was the medical tent near the kitchen. As I stepped in, the scene hit me: soldiers from the 833rd either lying or sitting on cots, various wounds marring their bodies. Some were asleep, others engaged in quiet conversations or reading. The medic was rebandaging one soldier¡¯s arm, his movements precise but weary. The soldier caught sight of me and subtly tapped the medic, who looked up.


    ¡°Be with you momentarily,¡± he announced, his tone clipped.


    ¡°Alright,¡± I replied, willing to wait despite the obvious impatience in his voice.


    A few minutes later, the medic finished his task and approached me, pulling on his uniform coat and zipping it up. The staff sergeant rank pinned to his chest gleamed, but his tired eyes betrayed the strain he was under.


    ¡°What can I assist you with, Alpha Acosta?¡± he asked, his tone a mix of exhaustion and irritation.


    ¡°I just wanted to check in, see how you and the others are holding up,¡± I said, keeping my voice calm despite his obvious aggravation.


    ¡°Well, if I had a full medical facility and the supplies I need, we¡¯d be doing a hell of a lot better,¡± he grumbled, his frustration bubbling over. ¡°I¡¯m a medic, not a miracle worker.¡±


    ¡°Do you need any assistance?¡± I asked, raising an eyebrow.


    ¡°Not at this time. I just need more supplies and to get these soldiers out of here as soon as possible,¡± he huffed, clearly at the end of his rope.


    ¡°We have an evac team and a new unit on the way,¡± I informed him, hoping it would ease his stress, if only slightly.


    ¡°Well, they need to hurry their asses up. I really don¡¯t want to have to resort to old-school medical methods to save some of these men,¡± he growled.


    I nodded, understanding his frustration. Before stepping out, I glanced over my shoulder and added, ¡°Sergeant, you¡¯re doing a damn good job. Keep it up.¡±


    He grunted in response, already turning back to his patients. I¡¯d come to realize that most medics, especially in high-stress situations, tended to be surly and irritable. It was their way of coping with the pressure of literally holding lives in their hands.


    As I stepped out from the tent, I noticed a group gathered near the kitchen tent¡ªmy team mingling with some of the 833rd soldiers. Walking over, I found the sergeant and specialist from earlier keeping everyone¡¯s attention. I took a moment to assess the scene before speaking.


    ¡°Is this everyone who isn¡¯t busy?¡± I asked, scanning the group.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± the sergeant answered promptly.


    Looking around, I saw Tyler, Cain, Abel, Azura, Sasha, Charlotte, and five soldiers¡ªall watching me with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty.


    ¡°Sergeant, I want you to take everyone out towards the tree line and run some weapons training¡ªcovering basic positions, covered and uncovered. My wolves don¡¯t have the training your guys do, and they need a crash course on how to defend a position,¡± I ordered, keeping my tone authoritative but not harsh.


    The sergeant hesitated for a moment, clearly surprised. ¡°Uh¡­ do you mean to tell me that you and your group aren¡¯t military?¡± he asked, his disbelief evident.


    ¡°We weren¡¯t when we were sent out here. That¡¯s since changed,¡± I replied evenly.


    ¡°That seems like it was a piss-poor plan,¡± he remarked, his voice laced with disbelief.


    ¡°Bear in mind, we managed to punch through an ambush without losing a single person or truck. And that was without military training,¡± I retorted, letting the weight of my words sink in. The sergeant visibly cringed, clearly recalling the trauma his unit had endured.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am. I¡¯ll see to the training,¡± he said, averting his gaze.


    As I looked at my team, I could see the disbelief and annoyance on their faces. It was clear they weren¡¯t thrilled about the prospect of training, but I wasn¡¯t about to let them off the hook.


    ¡°Don¡¯t give me that look. You need this training so that if something happens, you¡¯re prepared,¡± I chided, my tone brooking no argument.


    They let out a collective sigh of defeat before turning to the sergeant, awaiting his instructions.


    ¡°Everyone grab an MRE and let¡¯s head over to the wood line,¡± he directed.


    I watched them move off, my mind already shifting to the next task. Just then, the unmistakable sound of huge wings flapping overhead caught my attention. Looking up, I saw Stoneclaw soaring in, his massive form casting a shadow over the camp as he landed just outside the perimeter.


    Quickly, I made my way toward him, eager to hear what had brought him back so soon.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± I asked, my voice steady but laced with concern.


    ¡°We spotted a scouting party heading east, coming from this direction. It looks like some of the rogue group we encountered on our way here,¡± Stoneclaw informed me, his deep voice carrying a weight of seriousness.


    ¡°How did we miss them?¡± I asked, my mind racing through possible oversights.


    ¡°Raptor saw them exit Brule city on motorcycles and jump on the interstate to head back,¡± he replied.


    ¡°That¡¯s not good. Do you think they found us?¡± I asked, my tone now edged with worry.


    ¡°It¡¯s possible. They seemed to be using the old US highways instead of the interstate. Our camp is well-hidden behind the interstate overpass and the trees, and we haven¡¯t had any direct contact with them since we arrived. But with them getting on the interstate to head back, there¡¯s a high chance they¡¯ve clocked us,¡± he answered, his voice grim.


    ¡°How long until your mission is complete?¡± I demanded, the urgency in my voice undeniable.


    ¡°The team should be done in the next couple of hours,¡± he responded.


    ¡°Alright, head back and get it done,¡± I ordered, feeling the weight of command pressing down on me.


    ¡°I¡¯ve put Icetail in charge. He¡¯ll see it through. With the potential threat looming, we need to keep at least one dragon here,¡± he countered, his tone leaving no room for debate.


    ¡°Fair point,¡± I acknowledged, appreciating his foresight. ¡°Captain Bresden and his team should be back here soon.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll inform him when he arrives,¡± Stoneclaw declared, already shifting gears mentally.


    ¡°If the Hell Hounds do come, when do you think they¡¯ll hit us?¡± I asked, bracing myself for the worst.


    ¡°Nighttime would be optimal for them,¡± he replied, the logic chilling in its simplicity.


    ¡°True. I¡¯ve got some of the team training now for defensive tactics,¡± I said, just as the sharp crack of gunfire pierced the air.


    ¡°Good thinking. Want me to go assist?¡± he offered, his readiness to act a comfort in this uncertain situation.


    ¡°Once you speak with Captain Bresden, get anyone who isn¡¯t doing anything important to join the training,¡± I instructed.


    ¡°Roger, Alpha,¡± he replied, shifting back into his human form and heading toward the MCV without hesitation.


    I turned away, my mind already moving to the next task. I needed to inform Steve and Pixiewolf about this latest development. On the way over, I called out for Mac to join me. Ten minutes later, the four of us were huddled around Steve¡¯s makeshift workspace, MREs in hand, hashing out contingency plans in case we were attacked. The atmosphere was thick with tension, each of us fully aware of the stakes.


    Captain Bresden walked in, his face etched with concern. I tossed him an MRE and made space for him at the table.


    ¡°Major Stoneclaw told me what he and his team saw,¡± Captain Bresden announced, his tone all business.


    ¡°Do you have any suggestions?¡± I asked, genuinely curious about his perspective.


    ¡°With limited manpower, I think we should dig in,¡± he replied, the old-school military solution.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think digging in is our best option. We have the ability to fight both defensively and offensively,¡± I remarked, leaning forward to emphasize my point.


    ¡°Please, do explain,¡± he prompted, intrigued but skeptical.


    ¡°Most of my team has some combat training. Major Pixiewolf is a hell of a pathfinder, Steve has werewolf combat experience, Mac is a former Marine and a phoenix, and we have eight dragons who are special forces trained,¡± I laid out, listing our strengths with confidence.


    ¡°And you? You¡¯re the alpha of this... interesting group. What¡¯s your combat experience?¡± he asked, his tone both challenging and respectful.


    I couldn¡¯t help but grin. ¡°I fought in the battle of the Second Twilight Winter alongside the President and the Zaraki family,¡± I revealed, watching his eyes widen slightly in surprise.


    ¡°Impressive,¡± he admitted, nodding in acknowledgment.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s your plan?¡± he asked, genuinely interested now.


    ¡°Have what¡¯s left of your men dig in with my drivers near the camp. You¡¯ll be in command of them. The dragons will provide air support. The rest of us will advance on the enemy once we have an idea of where they¡¯ll strike from. We¡¯ll flank them, pushing them into your men, boxing them in with nowhere to go,¡± I explained, my voice steady and resolute.


    He arched an eyebrow, clearly considering the strategy. ¡°Interesting tactic, Alpha Acosta. Why box them in instead of just pushing them back?¡± he asked, testing my reasoning.


    ¡°Because this group has already hit us twice. When our support arrives, we need to get back to Des Moines, which means we¡¯ll face them again. Better to eliminate them on our terms than risk facing them on theirs,¡± I replied, my eyes locking with his, conveying the seriousness of our situation.


    ¡°Ah, so eliminate them now rather than later,¡± he said, nodding as he took a bite of his food.


    ¡°Exactly,¡± I remarked, feeling a grim satisfaction at the clarity of our plan.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll go help Major Stoneclaw with the training and inform them of the plan,¡± he said, gathering his MRE before heading out.


    I looked around at the others, noting their silent agreement. There wasn¡¯t much else to say. I turned my attention back to my own MRE, digging into the spaghetti and meatballs with a renewed sense of purpose.

 Chapter 15: Fowled Up Basic Action Response

    Nightfall had settled like a suffocating blanket, and I stood atop the overpass, gripping a pair of binoculars with a tightness that matched the tension in my chest. Stoneclaw, a hulking presence beside me, was scanning the eastern horizon through his own pair. The night was eerily quiet, the kind of silence that felt alive, pregnant with the promise of violence. Even the usual nocturnal creatures had gone silent, as if they too sensed the danger lurking in the dark.


    ¡°Icetail, report. Anything on US-138?¡± Stoneclaw¡¯s voice was a low growl over the com unit, every word laced with the readiness to pounce.


    ¡°No movement, sir. All clear for now,¡± came Icetail¡¯s reply, crackling through the speaker, though it did little to soothe the knot in my gut.


    ¡°Stay sharp and alert me at the first sign of anything. No delays,¡± Stoneclaw ordered, his voice as hard as the steel of his binoculars.


    I turned to look at him, noting the way his eyes had shifted to a glowing amber, cutting through the darkness like a predator¡¯s gaze. The thick clouds overhead blotted out the moon, leaving us in a world of pitch black, where even shadows dared not move. It was unsettling, as if the night itself was holding its breath, waiting.


    ¡°Do you think they¡¯ll come this far to attack?¡± I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might draw them in.


    ¡°With a night like this? Absolutely. We¡¯re sitting on a goldmine of supplies and equipment. If I were them, I wouldn¡¯t let this opportunity pass,¡± Stoneclaw responded, his tone matching the darkness around us¡ªcold, calculating.


    ¡°Then why haven¡¯t they attacked already?¡± I mused, more to myself than to him.


    ¡°They needed time. Time to regroup, assess. Two convoys in their territory within 24 hours? That¡¯s unusual. They¡¯ve been watching, waiting, and now they¡¯re ready,¡± he explained, his eyes never leaving the horizon.


    I brought my binoculars up again, trying to pierce the blackness ahead. Even with night vision, everything was a blur of shadows. I let out a frustrated huff and began to lower them when Stoneclaw tapped a button on my binoculars. Suddenly, the world was bathed in a green glow, and the once obscure landscape sharpened into focus.


    ¡°Whoa,¡± I breathed, a little too loudly, ¡°I didn¡¯t know these had night vision.¡±


    ¡°One of the perks of special forces. We get the best toys,¡± Stoneclaw replied, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.


    ¡°No kidding. This is a game changer,¡± I said, the unease in my chest shifting to a grim determination.


    ¡°Is everyone in position?¡± Stoneclaw¡¯s voice dropped, taking on a more urgent edge.


    ¡°Yeah, they are. Why?¡± I asked, suddenly on high alert.


    ¡°Because I see dust trails,¡± he answered, his tone leaving no room for doubt.


    I froze. ¡°How far out?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t tell yet. Get down there and get ready. This might be it,¡± he instructed, his voice as calm as a still pond, but I could hear the undercurrent of tension.


    Without a second thought, I turned and sprinted down the side of the overpass, my feet barely touching the ground as I used my agility to keep from tumbling. I hit the bottom of the incline and bolted towards where Steve, Mac, and Pixiewolf were waiting. They were on their feet the second they saw me approaching.


    ¡°Is everything okay?¡± Steve asked, his voice tight with concern. ¡°Stoneclaw just sent Raptor east.¡±


    ¡°The Hell Hounds are coming,¡± I said, the words feeling like stones in my mouth. ¡°Get ready.¡±


    Pixiewolf immediately relayed the information to Captain Bresden over the coms link Stoneclaw had provided. The camp stirred to life, the sound of bodies and gear shifting into place carried on the still air. I caught Steve¡¯s eye and gave him a sharp nod, signaling him to shift. I turned away, letting the power of my magic surge through me, the transformation more a release than an effort. Silver fur erupted from my skin, muscles bulging and bones snapping into place as I grew into my wolf form. The loose sweats I¡¯d donned earlier stretched to accommodate the change, hugging my newly expanded frame.


    Glancing back at Mac, I motioned with my nose for her to climb on. She might have been a phoenix, but her transformation wasn¡¯t built for stealth. With a rifle slung over her back, she scrambled onto me. Pixiewolf followed suit with Steve, and with a flick of my tail, we took off, the night air whistling past as we raced towards the fight.


    We moved like shadows through the trees, the cover of night our ally as we kept just within the embrace of the forest. The old Golden State Wildlife Management Area loomed ahead, our intended ambush site where we would wait like predators in the dark. The Hell Hounds wouldn¡¯t know what hit them. Above, the swoosh of wings signaled Raptor¡¯s return, the sound barely audible over the growing rumble of engines in the distance.


    ¡°Positive sighting,¡± Stoneclaw¡¯s voice crackled over the com link, every word a promise of imminent battle.


    ¡°Roger,¡± Pixiewolf replied, her voice tight with readiness.


    I dug in, pushing my legs harder, faster. Mac flattened herself against my back, her grip on my fur tightening just as I vaulted over a fallen tree. I landed smoothly, the impact absorbed by years of practice, Star¡¯s old training runs flashing through my mind. This was nothing new to me, but the stakes had never been higher.


    Within moments, we reached the wildlife management area, ducking into the cover of the trees. Mac slid off my back, immediately crouching low as she brought the binoculars to her eyes. The night was alive with tension, the air thick with the scent of rain and the distant roar of engines. The first rumblings of a storm were punctuated by a jagged bolt of lightning that tore the sky apart, illuminating the convoy barreling down the highway. The sight of their vehicles, bristling with spikes, chains, and makeshift armor, was both grotesque and formidable.


    The thunder that followed was deafening, a rolling boom that seemed to shake the very ground beneath us. Heavy raindrops began to pelt the earth, first a trickle, then a downpour, soaking us to the bone. But the rain did nothing to wash away the dread that settled in my gut as the Hell Hounds thundered by, oblivious to the hunters lurking in the shadows.


    ¡°Twenty vehicles, at least,¡± Mac whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding rain. ¡°Four to a vehicle, minimum.¡±


    ¡°About a hundred Hell Hounds, maybe more,¡± I murmured, the realization settling like a stone in my stomach. This was an army, not just a raiding party.


    ¡°Major, radio Stoneclaw and Captain Bresden. We¡¯re outnumbered three to one,¡± I ordered, keeping my voice low but firm.


    ¡°Crap¡­¡± Mac muttered, the gravity of the situation weighing on her.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ Let¡¯s move,¡± I replied, the urgency prickling at my skin.


    Pixiewolf relayed the intel to the camp as we began to follow the convoy, keeping to the shadows. Suddenly, I felt Mac leap off my back. I glanced over my shoulder just in time to witness her transformation. Flames erupted around her, a blinding mix of orange, red, and blue, as her body shifted into a massive phoenix. Two enormous wings, blazing with fire, spread wide as she took to the sky.


    The sight was nothing short of breathtaking, a vision of power and fury that sent a thrill down my spine. She shot up into the stormy sky before diving towards the rear of the convoy, her screech splitting the night like a banshee¡¯s wail. A fireball burst forth from her, streaking through the rain-soaked air before slamming into the last vehicle. The explosion was immediate and catastrophic, the vehicle erupting in a shower of metal and fire, debris flying in every direction.


    The sight spurred me into action. I threw back my head and let out a howl that ripped through the storm, a call to the Great Luna that echoed across the landscape. Steve joined me, our voices merging into a haunting chorus. From the direction of the camp, howls answered us, one after another, the sound swelling as the pack responded. Power surged through me, a tidal wave of raw, primal energy as my wolves sensed my command. They were ready, eager, and united in the battle.


    As we closed the distance with the convoy, Mac unleashed another fireball, the burst of flame cutting through the darkness like a beacon of destruction. The first shots rang out as Pixiewolf fired her M4, the muzzle flash illuminating the night in stark bursts. Floodlights blazed to life, sweeping the area as the Hell Hounds swung their attention to the rear, their machine guns rattling to life. The earth kicked up where bullets peppered the ground, barely missing Steve and me as we veered off in opposite directions, dodging the deadly hail.


    Above, the air crackled with the flap of massive wings. A dragon¡¯s shadow passed over us, followed by a bolt of lightning that lit up the night sky. The gunner barely had time to scream as he was ripped from his mount, his terrified cries echoing as he was flung into the darkness. The sickening thud of his body hitting the pavement cut his screams short, the sound lost in the cacophony of battle.


    Ahead, a massive explosion rocked the convoy, tires screeching as vehicles ground to a halt. The cold rain intensified, pinging off the metal and asphalt, creating a symphony of chaos. Machine guns roared to life, their tracers slicing through the night as the Hell Hounds fired blindly into the sky, desperately trying to hit the dragons circling above.


    Two thunderous roars split the night, followed by another lightning strike. Off to the left, a ball of blue energy coalesced in the air before streaking towards the convoy. It slammed into a retrofitted semi-truck, sending it flipping onto its side as ice shards exploded in every direction, tearing through metal and flesh alike.


    I plunged into the fray, instincts razor-sharp. A man swung his rifle towards Mac, but I was faster. I tackled him to the ground, my jaws closing around his throat. The hot gush of blood filled my mouth as I wrenched his head back, the sickening snap of his neck lost in the storm¡¯s fury. I didn¡¯t hesitate, spinning around to slash my claws across another man¡¯s face, the force of the blow tearing his lower jaw clean off. Flesh and bone flew, blood spraying across the wet pavement as he crumpled.


    Another rifle leveled at me, the barrel¡¯s gleam catching my eye. But before the trigger could be pulled, Steve was there, his powerful arms wrapping around the man¡¯s head. With a brutal twist, the man¡¯s neck snapped, his body falling limp to the ground.


    Three piercing howls rang out, cutting through the chaos like a clarion call. Cain, Abel, and Azura surged through the convoy, a deadly dance of steel and ferocity. They wielded scimitars with deadly precision, moving with a grace that belied the violence of their actions. Blood sprayed in arcs, bodies dropping as they carved a path through the Hell Hounds. The sight was brutal, a ballet of death played out on a stage of carnage.


    The sound of gunfire erupted from the direction of the camp, the sharp retort of rifles echoing through the night. Stoneclaw¡¯s voice boomed through the comms, urgent and commanding.


    ¡°Icetail, Raptor, Flamewing, Fang! Help the camp! They sent a second war party from the north!¡± His roar was nearly drowned out by the storm, but the gravity of his words was clear.


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    My blood ran cold at the realization. Cain¡¯s form blurred as he raced to me, his scimitar slicing through another Hell Hound¡¯s neck, sending the head rolling into the rain-soaked gutter.


    ¡°Alpha! The camp is under attack!¡± he yelled, his voice barely audible over the battle¡¯s fury.


    ¡°I know!¡± I snarled, ripping my claws down another man¡¯s back, feeling the resistance as flesh and muscle parted beneath my talons.


    ¡°We can¡¯t take them all on!¡± Cain¡¯s voice was desperate, his eyes wild with the madness of battle.


    ¡°We have no choice!¡± I shouted back, yanking him down just as a stream of gunfire ripped through the space where we had been standing.


    Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Steve hurl something white and round at the gunner who had nearly killed us. The object uncurled midair into a miniature white wolf that latched onto the man¡¯s face. What followed was a horrifying spectacle¡ªPixiewolf, in her feral form, tearing into the man¡¯s flesh like a living buzz saw. Blood sprayed in all directions, the man¡¯s screams muffled as she shredded him without mercy.


    The sharp yelp of pain cut through the chaos like a knife. My gaze snapped to Steve just in time to see him crumple to the ground, a dark stain spreading across his grey sweatshirt. My heart clenched, a cold fist of dread wrapping around it as I bolted towards him, my legs churning beneath me. Cain was already moving, a blur of motion as he charged the man who had shot Steve, but my focus was solely on my fallen beta.


    Sliding to my knees beside him, I didn''t hesitate. I grabbed his shoulders, the blood already seeping into my palms as I dragged him out of the fray and into the relative safety of the ditch at the edge of the interstate. My breath came in ragged gasps as I ripped open his shirt, exposing the gaping wound in his chest. The sight of it, the steady trickle of blood slipping between my fingers, was like a punch to the gut.


    "Steve¡­ I¡¯m so sorry," I whispered, my voice cracking under the weight of my guilt. Tears blurred my vision, but I refused to let them fall. Not now.


    Steve¡¯s eyes fluttered open, hazel and glassy with pain. He tried to speak, but his voice came out in gurgles, blood bubbling up from his mouth as he struggled for breath.


    "It¡¯s¡­ okay¡­" he forced out, his hand gripping my shoulder with what little strength he had left.


    Panic clawed at my throat as I scrambled to think of a way to help him, to keep him here with me. "Steve, you need to shift. It''s the only way you can heal," I urged, my voice trembling with fear.


    "I¡­ can¡¯t¡­ it¡­ hurts¡­ too¡­ much¡­" His words were broken, each one a struggle against the pain that was dragging him down.


    "I can¡¯t force you to shift. You¡¯re not my wolf," I whined, the helplessness in my voice almost choking me. He wasn¡¯t bound to me, and without that bond, I had no power to save him.


    Steve¡¯s grip on my shoulder tightened, and I saw the fear in his eyes¡ªfear of death, fear of the unknown, fear of being bound to another pack. He was terrified, caught between two equally horrifying choices. But if he didn¡¯t choose, he would die. I couldn¡¯t let that happen. I wouldn¡¯t.


    "I don¡¯t want to lose you, Steve. You¡¯re important to me, to everyone in our team," I pleaded, tears finally breaking free and streaming down my cheeks.


    Suddenly, a streak of red and white barreled down the embankment and skidded to a halt beside us. Catalina shifted into her pixie form in an instant, her eyes wide with fear as she rushed to Steve¡¯s side.


    "Stephen! You need to shift!" she screamed, her voice shrill with panic.


    "He can''t," I said, my voice hollow as the reality of the situation crushed me.


    "Then make him shift!" Catalina yelled, her voice desperate, almost hysterical.


    "I can¡¯t force the shift on him. He isn¡¯t one of my wolves," I snapped, my panic rising to the surface, spilling over in the form of harsh words.


    "But you''re an alpha! You can command him to shift!" she continued to yell, her desperation hitting me like a physical blow.


    "Catalina! That¡¯s not how our magic works! He has to be part of my pack for me to force a shift!" I finally shouted, my voice breaking as the panic fully set in.


    Catalina recoiled, tears filling her eyes as the last of her hope began to crumble. "Lyra¡­ Please¡­" she begged, her voice small, broken.


    "Cat, the only way I can save him is to bond him to me. But I can¡¯t do that without his consent," I said softly, the weight of the decision pressing down on me like a mountain.


    "Please¡­ he is my life mate¡­" she cried, her voice barely a whisper now.


    Damn it all to the moon¡­ This was the moment Star had warned me about. I looked back at Steve, his eyes half-closed, the pain evident in every line of his face. I just needed his consent, one word to save his life.


    "Steve, I can help you. But I need you to consent," I said, my voice gentle yet urgent.


    His eyes fluttered open a little more, meeting mine with a mix of fear and resignation.


    "Let me bond you to the pack so you can shift and heal. I know it scares you, but I can release you from the bond once you¡¯re healed," I promised, my voice steady, despite the turmoil inside me.


    Agonizing seconds ticked by, each one a lifetime. Finally, he gave a barely perceptible nod, and I let out a breath I hadn¡¯t realized I was holding.


    I began the bonding ritual, my voice low and firm. "Stephen Amarok of the Wandering and Brave, I claim you as my wolf. I vow on this day before the Mother Luna to protect, care, guide, and watch over you as one of my own. I vow to never lead you astray or abandon you. You will find sanctuary and peace under me as your Alpha and will always have a home to come back to. I grant you the choice to break this bond, and I will not force you to stay as part of my pack if you so choose. Do you accept my claim, Stephen Amarok of the Wandering and Brave?"


    His eyes widened as the weight of my words sank in¡ªthe power I was offering him, the freedom to choose.


    "I¡­ accept¡­" he croaked out, his voice barely a whisper.


    The bond snapped into place, the connection between us and the pack solidifying in an instant. I summoned all the power I had, drawing from within and from the pack, and laced it into my voice as I gave the command.


    "Shift!" I commanded, the power in my words crashing over Steve and Catalina like a wave.


    To my surprise, Catalina shifted back into her wolf form alongside Steve, who began to transform, his body mending itself as he did. I stared at Catalina, trying to comprehend how my command had forced her to shift as well.


    Deciding that I would figure out how Catalina shifted later, I turned my attention back to Steve. He was midway through his transformation back into his human form, the process agonizingly slow. I watched, almost holding my breath, as the wound on his chest began to mend itself, the lead slug gradually being forced out. The battle raged on around us¡ªthe relentless crack of gunfire, the roar of dragons, and the staccato of distant shouts all mingling with the relentless downpour. Every second felt like an eternity, and it took a full five minutes before Steve¡¯s shift was complete.


    Then, the radio attached to Steve crackled to life, drawing my attention. Captain Bresden¡¯s voice came through, tense and strained.


    ¡°Alpha Acosta, if you can hear me, we¡¯re getting pushed back and running low on ammo,¡± he reported.


    I grabbed the radio, ready to respond, but before I could, a voice rang out that was both familiar and commanding.


    ¡°833rd Engineering Company and 781st Transportation Pack, withdraw from combat. The 102nd Airborne Division will take it from here,¡± Star¡¯s voice ordered, clear and resolute.


    The relief that washed over me was almost physical, but there was no time to revel in it. I threw my head back and let out a long, drawn-out howl followed by three sharp barks¡ªour universal signal to fall back and regroup on me. The howls of my wolves echoed back almost immediately, a reassuring chorus in the chaos. Within seconds, Cain, Abel, and Azura appeared out of the darkness, diving into the ditch next to me, Steve, and Catalina. They were drenched in blood, their faces set in grim determination.


    ¡°Why did you recall us?¡± Abel demanded, his tone edged with fury. But before I could respond, the night sky lit up with a sudden, blinding flash of lightning, revealing three massive airships looming overhead.


    I pointed up, unable to tear my eyes away from the sight. Abel¡¯s jaw dropped as he followed my gaze. The FSAS Crescent Moon led the formation, her silhouette unmistakable with its unique design¡ªa modern echo of the SAF Autumn, which had been lost during the Second Twilight Winter Battle. To her left, the FSAS Chaos Reckoning hovered, an older Titan Class airship with a storied past. Once the USS Death Reckoning, she and her crew had switched sides after realizing the true nature of the regime they had served. On the Crescent Moon''s right was a ship I didn¡¯t recognize, but its presence was just as formidable.


    Before I could get a closer look, all three ships began to charge their cannons. The night was bathed in blinding light as their lasers powered up, and I barely had time to grab Abel and Cain, pulling them down with me as the beams struck the Hell Hounds¡¯ convoy. The ground shook with the force of the explosions, and a wave of searing heat washed over us. For a moment, everything went silent, as if the world itself had been stunned into submission.


    When I finally lifted my head, I saw a massive crater where the center of the convoy had been. Molten metal pooled at the bottom, glowing with an ominous red hue. The silence was short-lived, however; the crack of gunfire rang out again from the remnants of the Hell Hounds. Bullets ricocheted off the asphalt near me, forcing me to duck back down.


    Steve coughed weakly beside me, his voice raspy as he finally spoke. ¡°What the hell was that?¡±


    ¡°Our backup,¡± I replied, a grim smile tugging at my lips.


    ¡°What did they bring? Tanks?¡± he asked, incredulous.


    ¡°Sorta. More like battleships,¡± I said, my smile widening.


    ¡°No joke, Alpha. They sent us three combat airships as backup,¡± Azura declared, her voice tinged with awe as she gazed up at the behemoths hovering above us.


    I nodded, still in disbelief myself, before looking back up at the ships. Figures began to leap from the upper flight deck of the Crescent Moon, their tactical gliders catching the wind as they descended. These weren¡¯t just any gliders¡ªthey were upgraded skyboards, sleek and deadly, built for speed and maneuverability. My own skyboard was a stripped-down version, but these¡­ these were built for war.


    Night had fully claimed the sky by the time we made our way back to camp, trudging through the muck and remnants of the battlefield. The 588th Night Witches Stealth Wing was airborne, raining down precise and deadly justice on any remaining Hell Hounds foolish enough to continue their assault. Overhead, the ship I didn¡¯t recognize launched several personnel carriers towards the wreckage of the convoy and our camp, their descent almost serene amidst the chaos below.


    Standing, I helped Steve to his feet. He was still pale, his breath labored, but the worst had passed. Cain and the others quickly moved to support him, taking turns as we navigated the uneven terrain. Catalina, still in her miniature wolf form, stuck close to Steve, her eyes wide with concern. She hadn¡¯t shifted back, and I could tell from the way she pressed against him that she had no intention of leaving his side.


    As we neared the camp, the scene was one of controlled chaos. Soldiers and wolves moved about frantically, trying to make sense of the mess left behind by the battle.


    ¡°What¡¯s with the wolf pup?¡± Cain muttered under his breath, his tone curious.


    I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at that. Catalina, now fully aware of Cain¡¯s observation, shot him a wicked glare that could have sent lesser men running. Without missing a beat, Steve bent down, gently scooping her up into his arms.


    ¡°This ¡®wolf¡¯ isn¡¯t a pup,¡± he said with a grin, ¡°just a very protective pixie wolf.¡±


    Cain¡¯s eyes widened as he processed Steve¡¯s words, but before he could respond, the rest of the group turned their puzzled gazes to me. I offered them a mischievous grin and a wink, enjoying their momentary confusion as they tried to piece together the clues.


    ¡°Was that¡ª?¡± Abel began, his voice trailing off.


    ¡°No way!¡± Azura cut in, her disbelief evident.


    ¡°Surprisingly, that makes a lot of sense now¡­¡± Cain finished, shaking his head in a mix of awe and exasperation.


    Before the conversation could continue, a familiar screech echoed behind me. I spun around just in time to be knocked off my feet by a fiery redheaded missile¡ªMac. Still in my wolf form, I barely had time to register her presence before she had me pinned to the ground in a muddy embrace.


    ¡°Hi Mac,¡± I managed to say, more surprised than anything.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t find you! I thought you were killed! I¡¯ve been searching for you for the last forty minutes!¡± she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of relief and frustration.


    ¡°We took cover in the ditch near the interstate after Steve got shot,¡± I explained, trying to calm her down.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you radio in? We could have sent someone to escort you back,¡± she huffed, clearly annoyed.


    That¡¯s when it hit me¡ªI¡¯d completely forgotten about the radio after the laser strike. For all I knew, it was still lying in the ditch, buried under mud and water. Stoneclaw wasn¡¯t going to be thrilled about that. With a resigned sigh, I finally admitted, ¡°I think we left it in the ditch by accident.¡±


    ¡°Ooh! Stoneclaw¡¯s not gonna be happy about that. And wait, did you say Steve got shot?¡± she demanded, her voice rising with concern.


    ¡°Yeah, but luckily the Hell Hounds weren¡¯t packing silver or anything more toxic,¡± I replied, trying to downplay the situation.


    ¡°They probably didn¡¯t expect to face a pack of werewolves, eight dragons, a platoon of soldiers, and a phoenix,¡± she reasoned. ¡°They came prepared to take on a few dragons and some humans¡ªnothing like this.¡±


    ¡°How many casualties?¡± I asked, bracing myself for the worst.


    ¡°One of the dragons took a hit from an RPG and is in rough shape, but Stoneclaw thinks he¡¯ll pull through. Kira¡¯s pretty beat up¡ªshe went hand-to-hand with one of the Hell Hounds after they shot Jake. We lost four soldiers, and Captain Bresden lost a leg. Sasha, Seth, Tyler, and Charlotte managed to hold off most of the second force with the soldiers¡¯ help, but they¡¯re pretty shaken.¡±


    ¡°Which dragon got hurt?¡± I asked, concern deepening.


    ¡°I think his name is Ironfist,¡± she replied.


    ¡°And Jake? Is he alright?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s in the kitchen right now, bragging about how he took a bullet to the shoulder before Kira went feral. She apparently beat the living hell out of the woman who shot him. Though, knowing Jake, he¡¯s probably embellishing the story a bit,¡± she added with a grin.


    ¡°So, one major casualty on our team¡­ that¡¯s better than I feared,¡± I said, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. Then, with a playful grin, I added, ¡°Mac?¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡± she answered, still looking concerned.


    ¡°Would you please¡­ get off me? I really don¡¯t like being covered in mud,¡± I huffed, trying to maintain some dignity.


    ¡°Oh! Sorry,¡± she said sheepishly, quickly getting to her feet and helping me up. Mud and water dripped off my fur in thick globs, and I couldn¡¯t resist giving her a devious grin before shaking myself off like the wolf I was. Mud and water flew in all directions, drenching Mac in the process.


    ¡°Lyra!¡± she screeched in dismay, but I just smirked and continued towards the kitchen.


    Just as I was about to step into the tent, someone cleared their throat behind me. Both Mac and I spun around, coming face to face with someone I hadn¡¯t expected to see again.


    ¡°Cameron?¡± I asked, shock evident in my voice.


    ¡°Hi Lyra, long time no see,¡± he said, flashing that devastatingly sly smile of his.

 Chapter 16: Pack Safe, Mission Complete.

    ¡°What the hell are you doing here?¡± I demanded, my voice as cold as the look I shot him. Once upon a time, this man had almost stolen my heart, back when we formed Team Amethyst. He was the final member of the team, as famous¡ªif not more¡ªthan Star and Cayro when it came to skyboarding.


    ¡°Damn, Lyra, what¡¯s with the cold shoulder?¡± he shot back, though his bravado faltered under my glare.


    ¡°You know damn well why I¡¯m pissed off seeing you here,¡± I spat, each word laced with venom.


    ¡°Lyra¡­¡± he began, but I cut him off.


    ¡°No¡­ don¡¯t you ¡®Lyra¡¯ me. You left, Cameron. You left to chase revenge for your fallen teammates after the attack on SkyTeam HQ, even after I begged you not to. You were important to me, and you still walked away,¡± I growled, letting the pain bleed into my words.


    ¡°They were my pack! My best friends! They deserved to be avenged!¡± he yelled, his frustration mirroring my own.


    ¡°They were avenged! Director Staroko made damn sure of that. But you? You were too stubborn, too blind, to see what you had right in front of you!¡± I shouted back, baring my fangs.


    ¡°Oh yeah? And what exactly did I have in front of me?¡± he demanded, his voice laced with challenge.


    ¡°Me!¡± I roared, grabbing his shirt and pulling him close, our faces mere inches apart. ¡°You had me, Cameron. I offered you my heart! I was ready to be yours!¡± I pushed him back, the pain in my chest flaring as the memory of that night flooded back.


    His face fell, shock and confusion etched across his features. It was like he had never even considered the possibility. Of course, he hadn¡¯t. He always said he wanted an alpha female for a mate. At first, he¡¯d set his sights on Star, but after she handed him his ass, he started looking elsewhere. When we grew closer, we spent intimate moments together¡ªnothing sexual, but close. We held each other, ate as a couple. The night before he left, we shared our first real kiss. I was finally letting go of the horrors my father had put me through, and I thought Cameron could help me heal. I thought he¡¯d be there.


    But then I woke up the next morning, and he was gone. No call, no text. Just gone. It wasn¡¯t long after that Star and Cayro pushed me to go out on my own.


    ¡°You wanted to be with me?¡± he asked, his voice almost stupidly soft.


    ¡°No, I wanted to be with you. You broke my heart, Cameron. You left me, didn¡¯t even bother to call. I was nothing but a plaything to you¡ªjust like every other woman you¡¯ve ever been with. The only difference is I didn¡¯t spread my legs for you like a good little bitch,¡± I sneered, crossing my arms over my mud-soaked chest.


    ¡°That¡¯s not true!¡± he growled, taking a step forward.


    ¡°Oh yeah? Then what was it? Was I too stubborn? Too difficult to win over and seduce? Come on, Cameron, we all know how you are with women. You see them as conquests. I didn¡¯t submit, so you got bored,¡± I jabbed, stepping back.


    ¡°Lyra¡­ that¡¯s not it. You were so¡­ so hesitant about getting into a relationship. You told me about your father, about what you went through. I didn¡¯t think you wanted that kind of connection,¡± he said, his voice tinged with confusion as if he genuinely didn¡¯t understand.


    ¡°Cameron, I kissed you! We slept together that night! I woke up, and you were gone! With everything I showed you, with all the time we spent together, did you really not see the signs?¡± I demanded, my voice cracking.


    He rubbed the back of his head, his gaze dropping to the mud-soaked ground. He looked¡­ remorseful? This was new. In all the time I¡¯d known him, I¡¯d never seen him look sorry for anything. I narrowed my eyes, unsure of what to make of this.


    Before I could decide, I turned and nearly collided with Mac, who was standing wide-eyed, having witnessed the entire argument. I moved past her, ready to leave this mess behind, but Cameron¡¯s voice stopped me.


    ¡°Lyra¡­¡± Cameron called out softly.


    I spun around, my patience thin and my glare sharp. ¡°What?¡± I snapped.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he said, his voice barely above a whisper.


    I blinked, caught off guard. Cameron never apologized¡ªnot for anything. I bit the inside of my cheek, debating how to respond. Part of me wanted to keep fighting, to tear into him for the pain he caused. But another part of me¡ªone that had seen too much battle tonight¡ªrecognized something different in his eyes. He looked older, wiser, maybe even regretful.


    Taking a deep breath, I released a long sigh. ¡°Cameron, we need to shelve this for now. I have a pack to check on, and dragons to debrief,¡± I said, my tone softening despite myself.


    He nodded, understanding in his eyes. ¡°I get it. I just wanted to let you know that General Zaraki wants to see you as soon as possible.¡±


    I returned the nod and gestured for Mac to follow me as we stepped into the field kitchen. Inside, I found the majority of my pack and the dragons, all of them looking at me with raised eyebrows. Great. They¡¯d heard everything. Well, this should be fun.


    Straightening my spine, I addressed them, taking in their mud-caked, rain-soaked appearances. ¡°Are you guys okay?¡± I asked loudly, my voice carrying over the sound of the rain.


    Most of them nodded, but I noticed Seth and Charlotte staring blankly at the ground. That wasn¡¯t good. The shock of combat was still fresh in their minds, and I recognized the early signs of moral fracturing. I¡¯d seen it before in Cayro, and I wasn¡¯t about to let them fall into that same darkness.


    ¡°Where are Kira and Jake?¡± I asked, looking around.


    ¡°They¡¯re in the medical tent, getting patched up,¡± Icetail answered.


    ¡°Good. Go get cleaned up,¡± I ordered. ¡°I¡¯m going to check on them.¡±


    A few of the pack members shuffled uncomfortably, but no one moved. Even the dragons remained still, their eyes on me as if waiting for something more. I gave them a puzzled look, trying to figure out what was wrong.


    ¡°Is everything okay?¡± I asked, sensing an underlying tension.


    ¡°We¡¯re waiting for your reprimand for failing,¡± Raptor said, his voice low and full of self-reproach.


    I did a double take, staring at him in confusion. ¡°Reprimand? For what?¡±


    ¡°For failing to protect the humans,¡± Icetail added. ¡°And if reinforcements hadn¡¯t shown up, we would have failed the mission entirely.¡±


    I rolled my eyes, frustration bubbling up. ¡°That¡¯s absolute wolf shit. First off, we were outnumbered three to one with the first convoy. Then when the second wave hit, we were even more outnumbered. For a ragtag team of wolves, dragons, a phoenix, and a pixie, we kicked some serious ass tonight. Especially when half of us are seriously under-trained for combat,¡± I declared, making sure each one of them understood how serious I was.


    They began to lift their heads, realization dawning in their eyes. I pushed out a wave of pride through the bond I shared with my pack, letting them feel just how much I appreciated their efforts. The dragons couldn¡¯t feel it, but my words seemed to reach them nonetheless.


    Stepping into the group, I hugged each one of them, even the dragons, letting them know how much they meant to me.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Icetail said quietly when I reached him.


    ¡°For what?¡± I asked, genuinely curious.


    ¡°For showing us mercy,¡± he replied.


    I rolled my eyes again, this time with a smile. ¡°Go get cleaned up,¡± I repeated, patting him on the shoulder.


    He nodded, finally directing everyone to follow my orders. As they began to disperse, I made a hasty exit, heading for the medical tent to check on Kira and Jake. When I stepped inside, I found them huddled together on a cot, both wrapped in a military wool blanket. Jake had a patch on his shoulder, while Kira sported a black eye and a bruised cheek, with more bruises hidden beneath the blanket.


    I scanned the medical tent, noticing that some of the soldiers who had been here earlier were gone. Captain Bresden was nowhere in sight. My eyes shifted back to Jake and Kira, who looked worn but defiant. The medic noticed me and turned around, his expression a mix of irritation and exhaustion.


    ¡°Can I help you, Alpha Acosta?¡± he asked, his tone sharper than before.


    ¡°I came to check on everyone,¡± I replied, keeping my voice steady despite the underlying tension.


    ¡°We¡¯re fine, thanks to one of your dragons,¡± he said, his tone softening slightly.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I asked, concern creeping into my voice.


    ¡°One of the dragons took an RPG to protect us. The explosion hit him and Captain Bresden,¡± he explained.


    The news hit me like a punch to the gut. I hadn¡¯t known that Ironfist had deliberately intercepted the RPG. The weight of that sacrifice settled heavily on my shoulders.


    ¡°Where are they now? And the others who were here?¡± I asked, trying to keep the urgency out of my voice.


    ¡°They were evacuated to the FSAS Star Lancer shortly after the ships arrived. The others here are low priority for evacuation. They¡¯ll be transported within the next hour or so,¡± he said, his exhaustion evident.


    I walked over to Jake and Kira, my eyes meeting Kira¡¯s fierce gaze as she clung protectively to Jake. Despite the exhaustion in her posture, the fire in her eyes hadn¡¯t dimmed.


    ¡°How are my wolves doing?¡± I asked the medic, my tone softer now that I was speaking to him directly.


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    ¡°The gunshot wound was a clean pass-through. He won¡¯t let me stitch it up, and honestly, since I don¡¯t have experience with werewolf physiology, I¡¯m not about to argue. Kira¡¯s bruised up, but nothing too serious. I¡¯ve patched them up and given them some pain meds. Beyond that, it¡¯s up to you what to do with them,¡± he said, a note of resignation in his voice.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I replied, then turned my attention fully to Jake and Kira. ¡°How are you two holding up?¡±


    ¡°Ready for round two!¡± Jake quipped, trying to lighten the mood.


    Kira rolled her eyes, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. ¡°I could use a nap. The fight and shifting wore me out.¡±


    ¡°Think you can make it back to your trucks?¡± I asked, concern etched in my voice.


    They both nodded, though I caught them glancing at the medic, who was still scowling at me.


    ¡°Yes?¡± I asked, raising an eyebrow at the medic.


    ¡°Are you sure they should be leaving the medical tent?¡± he grumbled, his frustration bubbling to the surface.


    ¡°Well, you did say you don¡¯t have medical training with werewolves,¡± I pointed out gently. ¡°It¡¯s probably better for them to be in their own space where they can rest and heal while you focus on getting your unit evacuated. Kira will be nearly healed by morning, and Jake should be back to normal in a couple of days with a few more shifts.¡±


    The medic sighed, clearly too tired to argue. ¡°Fair point, Alpha Acosta. I¡¯ll send them off with a few more painkillers and check on them once I¡¯m done here.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good. Let me know if you need any help,¡± I said, giving my wolves a nod before heading out of the tent.


    I made my way to my truck to grab my go bag, a fresh pair of clothes, and my old military Gore-Tex raincoat. After stuffing everything into my bag along with my tablet, I climbed out of the truck and headed to the MCV. Inside, several of my wolves were waiting their turn for a shower. Before I could find a spot to sit, Seth emerged from the bathroom, and everyone¡ªincluding Steve¡ªpointed at me to go next.


    I couldn¡¯t help but huff at their insistence, but I knew they were right. I didn¡¯t have time to argue, not with Cayro waiting. Grateful for once to be pushed to the front of the line, I stepped into the bathroom, shifted back into human form, and stripped off my ruined sweats. Tossing them in a trash bag that was already filled with other discarded clothes, I climbed into the shower and began scrubbing away the mud, blood, and grime.


    It took three washes to get the grit out of my hair, and by the time I was done, the weariness had settled into my bones. The adrenaline that had been keeping me going all night was fading fast, leaving me feeling drained. I dressed quickly, threw on my coat, and stepped out of the MCV.


    The sight of the three airships hovering above us caught my eye, and I couldn¡¯t help but send a silent prayer of thanks to the Great Luna. If they hadn¡¯t shown up when they did, we¡¯d be in a much worse situation. The camp was alive with activity, airmen and soldiers working together to manage the aftermath of the battle.


    I made my way to my truck, deliberately avoiding the organized chaos as airmen and soldiers secured prisoners and managed the aftermath. Once inside, I carefully unlatched my skyboard, feeling the familiar hum of its activation as I stepped onto it. The cool night air rushed past me as I ascended toward the FSAS Crescent Moon, the flagship of the fleet.


    The flight deck was a beacon of light in the dark sky, and I landed smoothly, dismounting with practiced ease. An airman moved to intercept me, clearly not recognizing who I was. I simply flipped my board up onto its tail, displaying the Team Amethyst logo prominently. His face drained of color, and he stepped back as the door slid open for me, no scanner required. The perks of having been part of this ship¡¯s family, even if only for a while, still held weight.


    As I walked through the corridors, my feet carried me on autopilot toward the bridge. The Crescent Moon was familiar, its layout etched into my memory from my time aboard. Stepping onto the bridge, I saw only a skeleton crew, each member focused on their duties, maintaining the ship¡¯s position. The atmosphere was tense, but quiet¡ªeach person understanding the gravity of the situation.


    I descended the steps leading to the lower bridge, heading for the office tucked beneath the captain¡¯s console. My skyboard clunked softly as I leaned it against the bulkhead beside the door. I knocked three times, the sound absorbed by the thick metal door.


    ¡°Enter,¡± came the deep, raspy voice of my alpha.


    The door slid open, revealing Cayro standing with his back to me, his large, draconian form practically vibrating with restrained anger. His silver scales gleamed in the dim light, and the long, swept-back horns added to the imposing figure he cut against the backdrop of monitors displaying various tactical readouts. He took a sip from a mug, the gesture almost too calm for the tension radiating from him. When he finally turned, his blazing emerald eyes locked onto mine, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel a cold sweat break out along my spine.


    ¡°Please, sit,¡± he said, his voice unnervingly calm as he gestured to the chairs before his desk.


    It was a request, but it carried the weight of an order, and I sat immediately, my mind racing. Was his anger directed at me? Had I made a misstep that I wasn¡¯t aware of? The unknown was gnawing at me, but I held my tongue, waiting for him to continue.


    ¡°This turned into a royal shit show,¡± he stated, his voice cutting through the silence as he turned back to the monitors.


    I hesitated, unsure if he wanted a response. His silence weighed heavily in the room, and the tension was nearly suffocating. Did he want my input, or was he merely venting? I bit the inside of my cheek, keeping my thoughts to myself.


    ¡°Lyra, you know you can speak, right?¡± His voice softened, almost as if he were reminding me rather than rebuking me.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure if you wanted my opinion or not, Alpha,¡± I replied quietly, trying to gauge his mood.


    He sighed, turning to face me fully. ¡°You are my friend, my colleague, and a member of my family. I value your opinion, especially when it directly affects you. So please, Lyra, share your opinion with me.¡±


    His words, though gentle, struck a chord. The knot in my chest loosened slightly. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t shown up when you did, I don¡¯t think we would have made it through the night,¡± I admitted, my voice low but steady.


    ¡°That was my exact thought as well,¡± he said, his tone confirming that we were on the same page.


    ¡°Honestly, I¡¯m surprised that you and Star came. I figured you would have sent a different unit,¡± I remarked, trying to keep the conversation moving away from my own failings.


    ¡°That was the original plan. Needless to say, though, President Clark and I had a very heated discussion about what he did. Even Zak was rather upset with him,¡± he explained, his tone taking on a cooler edge.


    I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. ¡°So, you aren¡¯t mad at me, then?¡± I asked, hoping to the Great Luna that my assumptions were correct.


    ¡°Stars no, Lyra. I¡¯m not mad at you. I¡¯m angry at how ill-prepared this mission was. Star and I knew this needed to be done, but we weren¡¯t involved in the planning or preparations. That fell to another general who failed to do proper scouting and surveillance. That cost us a unit,¡± he explained, finally taking a seat himself.


    ¡°How important is this mission?¡± The question escaped me before I could think twice.


    ¡°It¡¯s crucial,¡± Cayro replied, his voice low and measured. ¡°Important enough that I¡¯ve been reassigned to oversee its success personally. We need to re-establish this route at all costs. The Chinese are mobilizing towards Nevada, and if they secure Salt Lake City before we do, it¡¯ll give them a fortified central base protected by the mountains. We can¡¯t let that happen.¡±


    The gravity of his words settled over me like a weight. This wasn¡¯t just another mission¡ªit was a linchpin in a much larger conflict. ¡°So, you and Star will be staying here, then?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Cayro shook his head. ¡°We¡¯re here as a show of force for you and your team. Once the camp is properly established, we¡¯ll be moving on.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s staying behind to run the camp?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re leaving the 254th Infantry Pack to maintain the camp and secure the corridor until we can establish a garrison,¡± Cayro explained, his tone firm.


    I blinked in surprise. ¡°Cameron¡¯s pack? I thought they were stationed overseas, fighting on the European front?¡±


    ¡°We pulled them back. Something happened over there¡ªsomething bad. Cameron hasn¡¯t been willing to talk about it, but it¡¯s clear it changed him. Look, I know you¡¯re upset with him, but he needs a friend right now. If you can set your anger aside, it might do you both some good,¡± Cayro said, his voice softening.


    I chewed on his words for a moment, the anger and hurt I¡¯d buried bubbling to the surface. ¡°I¡¯ll think about it, but no promises, Alpha,¡± I finally replied.


    Before Cayro could respond, the office door slid open. His gaze shifted past me, softening as a small smile curled his lips. I didn¡¯t need to turn to know who had just entered, but I did anyway, out of habit.


    Star¡¯s amethyst eyes met mine, her expression as fierce and determined as ever. She was clad in her black armored suit, the one her father had designed, with her helmet tucked under her arm and an M4 slung over her back. Her unit patch was proudly displayed on her shoulder, the FS flag above it, and her colonel rank emblazoned on her chest plate and helmet.


    My concern grew as I glanced back at Cayro. ¡°Where are the girls?¡±


    ¡°Back in Pigeon Forge with our grandparents and the Lyconotu¡¯s,¡± Star answered as she walked past me, setting her helmet on the desk before planting herself on Cayro¡¯s lap with a grin.


    Ah, now it made sense. Cayro wasn¡¯t just upset about the mission¡ªhe was struggling with leaving the girls behind while he and Star fought in this war. I couldn¡¯t help but smirk at the irony. He and Star had pushed me to lead, to fight, and now they were feeling the sting of that same responsibility.


    ¡°You can kindly remove that smirk off your face, Lyra,¡± Star griped, narrowing her eyes at me.


    ¡°Oh, but Luna, I¡¯m just enjoying this little taste of karma. It¡¯s about time you and Alpha got a dose of it,¡± I shot back with a snort.


    Cayro chuckled, holding Star close as she huffed in mock indignation. ¡°I hope you haven¡¯t forgotten about what Mr. Bracton did to you back in Virginia,¡± Star retorted, her eyes gleaming with mischief.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare!¡± I exclaimed, feigning outrage.


    ¡°I most certainly would. I¡¯m sure the girls, their great-grandfather, and Aura would have a blast with the amount of glitter I could order them,¡± she said with a wicked grin.


    My jaw dropped. Recruiting the girls and Aura to glitter bomb me? That was a low blow, even for her.


    ¡°Fine¡­¡± I huffed, trying to suppress a grin. There was no winning against the queen of revenge. If I pushed too hard, I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if I woke up to find my truck painted some hideous color for her amusement.


    Cayro cut in, his voice bringing the banter to a close. ¡°Alright, you two, enough with the banter. Now that we¡¯re all here, I thought we could catch up and plan a dinner. I¡¯d like to meet your new pack, Lyra, and as their commander, they need to know who I am.¡±


    ¡°Dinner?¡± I echoed, still trying to process the shift from battle plans to social obligations.


    ¡°Yes, tomorrow evening here aboard the Crescent Moon. Let¡¯s say around 17:00,¡± Cayro confirmed, his voice firm, but with a hint of warmth.


    ¡°Uh, um, okay. Dinner at 17:00 here on the Crescent Moon,¡± I repeated, trying to wrap my head around the idea of a formal dinner in the middle of a war zone.


    ¡°Oh, she and her pack are invited to dinner, but I¡¯m left out? I see how it is, you two,¡± a familiar, annoyed voice interjected from my go bag. Before I could react, Scuzball¡¯s holographic form flickered into existence, standing indignantly on Cayro¡¯s desk.


    Cayro let out a long, exasperated sigh, rolling his eyes toward the ceiling as if asking the heavens for patience. ¡°Did we not assign you to help and assist Lyra?¡± he grumbled, not bothering to hide his frustration.


    ¡°Yes¡­¡± Scuzball replied, his tone dripping with faux innocence as he sat on his haunches, examining his claws with exaggerated disinterest.


    ¡°Ergo, you are included in said pack, Scuzball,¡± Cayro huffed, clearly not in the mood for the A.I.¡¯s theatrics.


    ¡°I thought we locked you out of the Crescent Moon¡¯s computer?¡± Star grouched, narrowing her eyes at the smug hologram.


    ¡°Please¡­ I helped design and build the operating system for this ship. I just let you think you managed to lock me out,¡± Scuzball retorted with a huff, his glowing eyes twinkling with mischief.


    Cayro shook his head, clearly regretting some life choices. ¡°I should have sent you to assist Andrew¡­ Then maybe things would have been better planned.¡±


    ¡°That would have turned out bad, and you know it, Honey,¡± Star interjected smoothly. ¡°Andrew hates Scuzball, and Scuzball would have fed into it. Andrew and Tiffany have enough on their plates as is. We don¡¯t need to dump Scuzball on them.¡±


    ¡°Oh, but it¡¯s okay for you to dump him on me?¡± I grumbled, crossing my arms and giving Star a sideways glare.


    ¡°Has he not been helpful?¡± Cayro asked, arching a brow as if daring me to complain.


    Scuzball turned his holographic gaze to me, a question in his glowing eyes. I sighed, knowing there was no escaping this one.


    ¡°I mean¡­ yeah, he has been. Everyone besides Stoneclaw likes him,¡± I admitted, with a small, grudging nod.


    ¡°Good. Stop complaining and go check on Stoneclaw and Ironfist. They¡¯re aboard the Star Lancer,¡± Cayro ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.


    ¡°Speaking of which, where did the Star Lancer come from? I don¡¯t recognize it,¡± I asked, curiosity piqued as I stood from my seat.


    ¡°She¡¯s the newest carrier ship in the fleet. I¡¯ll introduce you to the captain sometime,¡± Cayro replied as Star rose from his lap, stepping toward me with a soft smile.


    I nodded, processing the new information, just as Star wrapped me in a tight hug. The gesture, as familiar as it was comforting, reminded me that despite the chaos, there was still warmth and connection in this world.


    ¡°I¡¯ll come check on you later tomorrow before dinner time,¡± she whispered in my ear before releasing me.


    I returned her smile, a little softer now, and turned to leave the office, my thoughts already shifting to the next task.

 Chapter 17: Count on a Book Dragon to Find a Loophole.

    I made my way back to the flight deck with my skyboard and flew over to the Star Lancer. The ship was nearly twice the size of the Crescent Moon and, frankly, uglier. Unlike SkyTeam¡¯s sharp lines and angles, the Star Lancer looked like someone decided ¡°bulbous¡± was the new ¡°sleek.¡± No way my uncle would¡¯ve let his company design something so¡­ uninspired.


    I skimmed along the ship¡¯s top, quickly realizing it didn¡¯t have a flight deck like the Crescent Moon. Lovely. After some searching, I found an open hanger bay as a personnel carrier was leaving and slipped inside. The flight deck, apparently too shy to be on top, was tucked away within the ship¡¯s belly. How quaint.


    As soon as I landed, I was surrounded by crew members with weapons drawn. Because, of course, that¡¯s what I needed right now. I raised my hands, eyeing the group as I decided on my next move.


    ¡°Identify yourself!¡± one of them barked, rifle pointed directly at me.


    ¡°Alpha Acosta of the 781st Transportation Pack,¡± I announced, loud and clear.


    ¡°Never heard of you or the 781st Transportation Pack. Show us some ID,¡± the crewman demanded, his rifle unwavering.


    I gave him a flat stare, then slowly turned my board to show him the Team Amethyst logo. ¡°Does this qualify as identification?¡± I huffed.


    ¡°Could be a fake, or maybe you stole it,¡± he retorted.


    Fantastic. Another overzealous guard with a stick up his ass. Before I could respond, another crew member spoke up.


    ¡°Uh, Lieutenant, she claimed to be an alpha, is holding a genuine Team Amethyst board, and her last name is Acosta. Plus, she looks like Lyra Acosta. That would make her a colonel.¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh, sure. She isn¡¯t wearing a military uniform or anything that declares she¡¯s military at all,¡± the lieutenant shot back.


    I rolled my eyes. Of course, I had to run into someone who didn¡¯t know who I was and took his job way too seriously.


    ¡°Sir, maybe we should radio this in and verify with the upper chain of command before we do something that will get our asses in a sling,¡± the reasonable crew member suggested.


    ¡°Shut your mouth, Sergeant. We¡¯re taking this intruder to the brig and letting the upper brass handle it,¡± the lieutenant snapped.


    I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and resisted the urge to throttle this idiot. ¡°Why don¡¯t you take your sergeant¡¯s suggestion and radio Colonel Zaraki¡ªor better yet, I can call General Zaraki. I¡¯m sure he¡¯d love to deal with a power-hungry lieutenant harassing one of his colonels¡­ or better yet, his sister.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know General Zaraki. You¡¯re bluffing,¡± the lieutenant sneered.


    I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure landing behind the lieutenant. His scowl was practically carved in stone. The sergeant immediately snapped to attention while I grinned at the lieutenant.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you turn around and ask him yourself?¡± I suggested, my tone dripping with satisfaction.


    The lieutenant furrowed his eyebrows, giving me a look of disdain. ¡°Nice try. The General isn¡¯t behind me.¡±


    Cayro stepped up silently, stopping just a foot behind the lieutenant. ¡°Oh? I¡¯m not standing directly behind you?¡± he asked, his voice low and dangerous.


    The lieutenant jumped a foot in the air, spinning around and snapping to attention so fast it was a wonder he didn¡¯t pull a muscle.


    ¡°Sir!¡± the lieutenant stammered, his confidence evaporating faster than cheap cologne in a rainstorm.


    ¡°Shut it, lieutenant¡­¡± Cayro snapped, his voice as cold as a winter wind. ¡°Sergeant, kindly escort Alpha Acosta to the medical bay. I sent her here to check on Major Stoneclaw and Sergeant Ironfist.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Sir!¡± the female sergeant responded crisply, saluting before motioning for me to follow. I brushed past the lieutenant, giving him a wink and a mock salute. He was in for a rough time now.


    As we walked away, Cayro¡¯s voice echoed through the hall, tearing the lieutenant a new one. I couldn¡¯t help but smirk. Justice, sweet as honey.


    The sergeant led me down several winding corridors and stairways until we finally reached the medical bay. She asked me to wait outside while she spoke with one of the nurses. A few moments later, she returned with a nurse who led me to a small waiting room. There, I found Stoneclaw sitting quietly, looking like he¡¯d aged a decade in just a few hours. His usually stoic demeanor was overshadowed by a deep, gnawing worry.


    I took a seat next to him, giving him a moment before he looked up at me.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± I asked softly, trying not to intrude on his private turmoil.


    ¡°For the most part,¡± he replied, his voice hollow. ¡°They¡¯ve got Ironfist in surgery now. Had to rebreak some bones because he shifted while things were out of alignment¡­ trying to keep himself from dying.¡±


    ¡°So, he¡¯s going to live?¡± I asked, hoping for some good news.


    ¡°Yes, but he might never fly again. And depending on what the doctors can do¡­ he might be permanently injured, with a limp.¡± Stoneclaw¡¯s voice was a mixture of relief and despair, the latter weighing heavier.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Stoneclaw,¡± I said, my words inadequate but genuine.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t your fault. He sacrificed himself to protect the medical tent. One of those bastards tried to blow it up.¡± His words were laced with anger, but also with pride for Ironfist¡¯s bravery.


    ¡°Is there anything I can do to help?¡± I offered, my tone calm, though inside I felt the weight of his burden.


    ¡°Out of all the years I¡¯ve served in special forces, we¡¯ve never had a loss like this. This mission¡­ it was a shit show from the start. Whoever planned it didn¡¯t prepare us for what we were walking into,¡± he growled softly, frustration seeping into his words.


    ¡°General Zaraki agrees with you on that. He said something similar earlier when I spoke with him,¡± I said, trying to reassure him that his anger was justified.


    ¡°What¡¯s he going to do about this mess?¡± Stoneclaw asked, his tone one of weary hope.


    ¡°He¡¯s now in charge of the I-80 corridor recovery. Apparently, the military is pushing hard toward Salt Lake City, and this route is critical. The Chinese are advancing, and if they get to Salt Lake before we do¡­ it could be catastrophic,¡± I explained.


    ¡°At least we¡¯ve got someone in charge who knows what the hell they¡¯re doing,¡± he huffed, a slight relief in his tone.


    ¡°Stoneclaw?¡± I hesitated, twisting my fingers as I tried to gather the courage to ask him what had been on my mind.


    ¡°Yes?¡± he replied, looking at me with curiosity.


    I took a deep breath and finally spoke. ¡°A few days ago, you mentioned that if you were a wolf, you¡¯d join my pack. Were you serious?¡±


    He paused, thinking it over, before nodding. ¡°Yes, I was.¡±


    ¡°Your team has been invaluable to us. I feel like you and your team are already part of the pack. Would you consider making it official?¡± I asked, my voice quiet but steady.


    ¡°We¡¯re technically already part of the pack, thanks to the President¡¯s ¡®wisdom,¡¯¡± he replied, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.


    ¡°He assigned you to us, but the military can pull you away at any time. If you were official members, the military couldn¡¯t just split us up. Lycotonu made that clear when the draft was implemented. If one pack member is needed, the whole pack goes as a unit,¡± I explained.


    ¡°Huh, I didn¡¯t know that. We¡¯ve been split up before for missions, and we couldn¡¯t do anything about it. Just had to follow orders, whether we liked it or not,¡± he remarked, a new understanding dawning on him.


    ¡°Officially joining the pack would mean your team would fall under pack laws and regulations set by Lord Lycotonu for the FS Government,¡± I continued, meeting Stoneclaw¡¯s gaze. ¡°You¡¯d get the same rights as we do.¡±


    ¡°Meaning my team and I wouldn¡¯t be forced apart over missions, and we¡¯d have the same freedoms as werewolves,¡± he said thoughtfully. ¡°I¡¯ve read the werewolf constitution. Out of all the supernaturals in the FS, the werewolves have the most organized laws and freedoms.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I confirmed, nodding.


    He leaned back, considering. ¡°What roles would we hold? Dragons are inherently stronger than wolves. Based on dominance and strength, I could easily take over as the pack alpha.¡±


    ¡°Technically, that¡¯s true,¡± I admitted. ¡°If we were following older traditions. But Zak¡ªLord Lycotonu¡ªhas been pushing packs to move away from ¡®might is right.¡¯ He believes in alphas who care for their pack, who lead with empathy and understanding rather than brute force.¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯re building a pack based on trust and respect, not fear and coercion?¡± he asked, a note of curiosity in his voice.


    ¡°Exactly. There¡¯s one pack in the Free States that¡¯s already doing this. They¡¯ve moved away from traditional rankings and focus on collective goals,¡± I explained.


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°What pack is that?¡± His curiosity deepened.


    ¡°The SkyTeam Pack,¡± I replied. ¡°Director Staroko places his members where they can do the most good for the company, regardless of dominance. It¡¯s the third-largest, most successful pack in the world, and one of the healthiest and wealthiest per individual.¡±


    I leaned back in my chair, letting him absorb that information. The sounds of nurses and doctors moving about in the background served as a steady reminder of the gravity of our situation. Despite the chaos, I couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of calm in discussing the future of our pack.


    ¡°Where would my dragons fit into the pack if we agreed to join?¡± Stoneclaw asked, his tone serious.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t really thought about strict pack ranks,¡± I admitted, looking up at the ceiling as if the answer might be written there. ¡°You and your team are specialists in combat and strategy. Pixiewolf excels at pathfinding and military coordination. Mac¡¯s a top-notch mechanic, and Steve manages operations and pack organization. We all bring something unique to the table, and we all share a common goal.¡±


    Stoneclaw nodded, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. ¡°That makes sense. It sounds less stressful than what we¡¯ve been dealing with.¡±


    ¡°Let me know what your team thinks,¡± I said, standing up and offering him a small, sincere smile. ¡°We¡¯ll figure it out together.¡±


    He gave a thoughtful nod. ¡°I will. Thanks, Lyra.¡±


    I smiled and left the waiting room, feeling the weight of the conversation. As I stepped out into the hallway, the reality of what still needed to be done pressed down on me. I headed back to the camp, letting the familiar routine of leadership and planning occupy my thoughts.


    The next morning brought a sense of cautious optimism. The battle was behind us, but its echoes lingered as we spent the day reorganizing the camp, transferring prisoners, and clearing the interstate. Cameron¡¯s beta had approached me in his stead, requesting the use of some larger vehicles for the barricade they were building across the I-76 bridge. Cameron himself, however, kept his distance.


    I couldn¡¯t blame him. Last night, I¡¯d ripped into him with the full force of years of bottled-up anger and grief. Seeing him again had torn open an old wound that had never fully healed. I¡¯d lashed out, mixing my unresolved feelings for Cameron with the trauma my father had inflicted on me. It was easier to see him as another person who had let me down, rather than acknowledge the walls I¡¯d built around my heart.


    As I walked towards the Crescent Moon for the dinner Cayro had planned, I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that I¡¯d been too harsh. Cameron hadn¡¯t deserved the full brunt of my anger, but at the time, it had felt justified. Now, in the cold light of day, I realized I¡¯d been unfair. But what was done was done. All I could do now was move forward and try to heal the rift between us¡ªor at least, try to understand where we both stood.


    When it boiled down to it, I was emotionally broken and closed off toward Cameron back then. Being forced into the role of alpha had begun to open my eyes, showing me what it truly meant to care for and cherish those around me. My father, as an alpha, had taught me one thing¡ªI would never use my alpha abilities for my own benefit. My uncle had been right when he said the people he picked for this group needed a leader like me. They needed someone who would empathize with them and care about them. Each one of them had a story to tell, and they would share it when they were ready. If there was one thing I knew about my uncle, it was that he knew exactly where to place people where they were needed most.


    I sat in the driver¡¯s seat of my truck, watching the soldiers and airmen work. We had moved the rigs off to the side of the camp so the units had room to set up the equipment the ships had brought. We were rolling out the next morning, heading back to Des Moines to finish the upgrades on the trucks and wait for our next mission. Now that we were a military unit, I had a strong feeling we''d be the spearhead pushing further into the I-80 corridor.


    I was pretty certain, actually. We were uniquely equipped to handle brunt force attacks and push through whatever lay ahead. The problem with this mission was that we had expected a smoother trip. We were ill-prepared, lacked firepower, and the planning had been shoddy at best. I wouldn¡¯t let that happen again. Next time, we¡¯d be ready for first contact. With top-of-the-line gear and trucks, I had the confidence to handle whatever came our way.


    A knock at my door made me jump in my seat, startling the fur out of me. I had been so lost in thought that I hadn¡¯t seen anyone approach my truck. Looking out of my driver-side window, I saw Stoneclaw standing there, grinning like he¡¯d just won the lottery.


    Found it funny scaring the alpha, did he? I¡¯ll show him funny. Just wait.


    I opened the door and looked down at him. ¡°What¡¯s up, Stoneclaw?¡±


    ¡°Do you mind if I have a moment of your time to talk?¡± he asked, his tone serious.


    ¡°Of course,¡± I answered, beginning to climb out of my truck.


    ¡°Actually, Lyra, I¡¯d like it to be private,¡± he quickly added.


    ¡°Uh, okay.¡± I shifted to the passenger seat, opening the door wider so he could climb in and sit down.


    Without another word, he climbed into my cab and settled in the driver¡¯s seat, taking a moment to glance around. His eyes lingered on the mess in the sleeper, clothes and items haphazardly stuffed in different areas. I had planned to straighten it up after dinner, but now I wished I¡¯d done it sooner.


    ¡°Please ignore the mess. It¡¯s been a long few days,¡± I said, blushing in embarrassment.


    ¡°You should see our JLTVs¡ªthey look worse,¡± he joked.


    ¡°Have you guys been sleeping in them?¡± I asked.


    ¡°No, we¡¯ve been taking turns shifting into our dragon forms and sleeping in the woods or in the quarry next to the camp,¡± he replied.


    ¡°You could have said something! The other trucks have a second bunk. We could¡¯ve given you a place to sleep,¡± I exclaimed.


    ¡°Lyra, we¡¯re dragons. We¡¯re used to sleeping outside. Our human forms are secondary for us. We aren¡¯t weredragons where our human form is our main, everyday form, and our dragon form is secondary,¡± he explained.


    ¡°Really?¡± I queried, genuinely curious. ¡°I figured you were more like werewolves or other changelings, where the human form is primary.¡±


    ¡°Nooo. In fact, we aren¡¯t even technically from this plane of reality. The closest beings akin to us would be Dr. Zaraki and his family. They aren¡¯t technically dragons, but they¡¯re the closest living beings in this reality to our kind,¡± he answered.


    ¡°If you¡¯re not from our reality, then where are you from?¡± I questioned, furrowing my eyebrows.


    ¡°The same reality that the chunk of land where old Washington D.C. used to be came from,¡± he replied.


    ¡°You mean you came through the tear that occurred during the Second Twilight Winter¡ªthe one that destroyed the nation¡¯s capital?¡± I asked, awe creeping into my voice.


    ¡°No, we were ripped from our reality during the First Twilight Winter. My thunder and I were just a group of adolescents out hunting and playing when a tear opened up and pulled us, a huge chunk of land, and other creatures out of our reality into yours. We found ourselves in the middle of a desert, which we now know as Iraq, with no sign of our families,¡± he explained.


    ¡°Wow¡­ I had no idea,¡± I said, processing the magnitude of his story.


    ¡°Believe it or not, it was Dr. Zaraki who found us. He¡¯d come to investigate what had happened after sensing a shift in the earth¡¯s ley lines. If it wasn¡¯t for Darkhide trusting the old bastard, we would¡¯ve probably ended up as research experiments by the U.S. Military,¡± he continued.


    I gave him a quizzical look as I grabbed my bottle of water, taking a sip. I didn¡¯t recognize the name he mentioned.


    ¡°Darkhide is the dragon Dr. Zaraki adopted¡ªStar¡¯s older brother. He was the youngest among us and needed someone to look after him. He changed his name when Dr. Zaraki agreed to adopt him,¡± Stoneclaw explained, noticing my confusion.


    ¡°If he was the youngest, how did he become the group leader?¡± I asked, curious.


    ¡°Good question. He was taught by Dr. Zaraki and quickly learned how to blend in with humans. Once he was old enough, he came to find us and taught us how to do the same. From there, we decided to join the military with Dr. Zaraki¡¯s help,¡± Stoneclaw replied.


    ¡°Damn, sounds like your life has been pretty chaotic,¡± I stated, marveling at their journey.


    ¡°That¡¯s one way to put it. For years, we had to stay hidden in our human forms. Which brings me to why I wanted to talk to you,¡± he said, his tone shifting.


    ¡°Oh? What¡¯s on your mind?¡± I asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s not about what we need, per se, but what you¡¯re offering. I spoke with the others this morning about what we discussed,¡± he replied.


    I leaned back, arching an eyebrow. I hadn¡¯t expected him to get back to me so soon¡ªI figured it would take more time for them to decide.


    ¡°I thought you guys would take more time to decide,¡± I remarked.


    ¡°In most cases, we would have. But with Ironfist¡¯s condition, he¡¯s no longer capable of being part of a special forces unit. We spent a few hours discussing it among ourselves and with Darkhide. He came up with a counterproposal that we thought we should run past you,¡± he explained.


    ¡°What¡¯s the proposal?¡± I asked, intrigued.


    ¡°We don¡¯t want to give up being special forces. We¡¯re damn good at it, and our team is well-known for handling some hairy missions. But you offer us something that protects us as a group. We¡¯re a thunder, which means we¡¯re family. We don¡¯t want to be forced apart because some of us are needed somewhere else,¡± he said, his voice resolute.


    ¡°So, you want to join the pack?¡± I asked, trying to understand where he was going with this.


    ¡°Yes and no. We¡¯d like to use the pack as our home base and be permanently attached to it. But if we¡¯re needed for our abilities as a special forces unit, we want to be able to go on those missions,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Alright, how do you propose that would work?¡± I asked cautiously, raising an eyebrow.


    ¡°I¡¯m what you would call the alpha of our thunder. What Darkhide suggested was that you and I create a bond that links my thunder and your pack together. Essentially, we¡¯d agree to be supporting allies of each other. We¡¯d help each other in times of need,¡± he explained, watching my reaction.


    ¡°That¡¯s an interesting idea. It actually makes a lot of sense. But how would that work on the military side of things?¡± I asked, my curiosity piqued.


    ¡°That¡¯s the trick. The pack would act as our parent unit. Technically, we¡¯d be members of the pack by proxy. Once you and I bond, it makes the thunder part of the pack through me and the bonds we share,¡± Stoneclaw explained.


    ¡°Ah, a loophole. But what happens if you¡¯re requested for a mission? Wouldn¡¯t the entire pack have to go?¡± I pointed out, still trying to wrap my head around the logistics.


    ¡°Not necessarily. The regulations give the alpha the choice to send the whole pack or just a portion to support the mission, while preventing the military from tearing a pack apart for manpower,¡± he clarified.


    ¡°Oh!¡± I exclaimed, realizing I had a lot to learn about these regulations.


    ¡°Yep,¡± he said with a grin.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see a problem with this proposal,¡± I said, considering the benefits.


    ¡°Do you have any concerns about it?¡± he asked, watching me carefully.


    ¡°No, it makes a lot of sense, and we both benefit from it,¡± I replied, shifting in my chair as I thought about the potential.


    ¡°How do we go about making this bond?¡± I asked, ready to move forward.


    ¡°Darkhide explained that since your pack would be the parent unit, you¡¯d have to bond me to your pack first. Then I¡¯d bond you to the thunder. This would make us loyal to each other¡¯s groups,¡± he explained.


    ¡°Alright, do you want to do the bond now, or would you prefer to do it with everyone present?¡± I asked.


    ¡°I think we should do it at the dinner, in front of everyone and the General. That way, it¡¯s witnessed by the chain of command,¡± he suggested.


    I nodded, glancing out the windshield. A transport was landing in front of the rigs, signaling it was time for us to head to the Crescent Moon.


    ¡°Looks like our ride is here,¡± I pointed out.


    ¡°Yep,¡± he remarked, climbing out of my truck.


    As we walked toward the personnel carrier, Stoneclaw looked down at me with a grin. I narrowed my eyes, trying to figure out what had him so amused.


    ¡°What?¡± I asked, suspicion creeping into my tone.


    ¡°I¡¯m just trying to figure out how such a small woman handles such a massive machine,¡± he remarked playfully.


    I shot him a sharp look, ¡°Are you making fun of how I¡¯m vertically challenged?¡±


    ¡°Not at all. I¡¯m more impressed. I saw how you handled that monstrosity back in York, Nebraska. You kicked ass,¡± he said with a smile.


    ¡°You¡¯re damn right I kicked ass. I love being a flatbed truck driver. I get to do cool shit and be small and cute while doing it,¡± I said with a wicked grin.


    ¡°You¡¯re right about one thing,¡± he said, smirking.


    ¡°And what¡¯s that?¡± I demanded, arching an eyebrow.


    ¡°You are cute,¡± he said with a wink before stepping into the personnel carrier.


    I froze, staring after him as he vanished inside. Someone slammed into my back, jolting me forward. I spun around to see Mac glaring daggers at the personnel carrier.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± I asked, genuinely confused.


    ¡°Did he just call you cute and wink?¡± she demanded, her tone sharp enough to cut steel.


    ¡°Uh, yeah, he did,¡± I replied, still processing it myself.


    She let out a screeching snarl, the tips of her hair sparking with barely contained fury. My eyebrows shot up in surprise. Why was she so mad at Stoneclaw? It was just a harmless bit of flirting, right? I watched Mac storm into the personnel carrier, muttering under her breath. Realizing she might do something reckless, I quickly chased after her. The last thing we needed was for her to lose her temper while we were airborne.

 Chapter 18: Wolf Traditions be Damned!

    The personnel carrier touched down on the Crescent Moon''s flight deck with a soft thud. During the short ride, Mac¡¯s daggered stare at Stoneclaw had become more intense, and by now, it had everyone on edge. I wasn¡¯t the only one who noticed. Jake sidled up to me as we disembarked, his voice a low whisper.


    ¡°What¡¯s Mac¡¯s tail in a twist about?¡± he asked, his tone laced with curiosity.


    ¡°Your guess is as good as mine. Stoneclaw called me cute and gave me a wink before we got on board. I¡¯m pretty sure it was just a joke,¡± I replied, shrugging it off, though Mac¡¯s reaction had definitely left me uneasy.


    Jake¡¯s eyes widened slightly, and he leaned in closer. ¡°Uh oh.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean, ¡®uh oh?¡¯¡± I demanded, not liking where this was going.


    He hesitated, glancing at Mac, who was now stomping off the carrier with all the grace of a thunderstorm. ¡°Sounds like Mac might be jealous,¡± he finally said.


    I stopped mid-stride, processing his words. Jealous? Of Stoneclaw? That was a complication I hadn¡¯t anticipated. ¡°Why on earth would she be jealous of him?¡± I asked, more to myself than to Jake.


    He shrugged. ¡°Might want to ask her yourself. Just a heads up, though¡ªit sounds like she might have a thing for you.¡±


    A heavy sigh escaped me. Great, that¡¯s just what I needed¡ªpack drama because someone had a crush on me. I mentally added it to my ever-growing list of things to deal with after dinner.


    As we entered the galley, I took in the setup. Six round tables were dressed in lilac tablecloths, with the 102nd Division crest as the centerpiece. It was a strange contrast¡ªsuch a formal setup after everything that had happened. The rest of the team was already finding their seats, but I couldn¡¯t help but notice the table at the center, where Star, Cayro, and Cameron were waiting. Star waved me over, her smile warm, though I could sense the tension simmering beneath the surface.


    I walked over, slipping into the vacant chair. The unease with Cameron still lingered, but I pushed it aside. Now wasn¡¯t the time for that. Star¡¯s gaze met mine, offering a quiet reassurance that helped settle my nerves.


    Cayro broke the silence, his voice cutting through the tension. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since we¡¯ve had this many members of Team Amethyst in one room, hasn¡¯t it?¡±


    Star nodded, her smile tinged with nostalgia. ¡°It has. Too bad Zak and Aura aren¡¯t here. It would be nice to put on a show for everyone.¡±


    Cameron leaned forward, seizing the moment. ¡°What if we plan to link up later? Put on a skyboarding demonstration for the division, boost morale a bit?¡±


    Cayro seemed to warm to the idea. ¡°Not a bad thought. We have some avid skyboarders in the unit. A little competition could be just what we need to blow off some steam.¡±


    Star turned to me, her eyes bright with interest. ¡°What do you think, Lyra? Anyone in your pack into skyboarding?¡±


    I gave a noncommittal shrug. ¡°Besides me, I¡¯m not sure. Kira¡¯s a fan, but she¡¯s never mentioned if she boards.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s something to consider,¡± Cayro said, standing up to address the room. He gently clinked his knife against his glass, drawing everyone¡¯s attention. As I looked around, I saw the dawning realization on my team¡¯s faces. They were just now recognizing Cayro for who he was, and their reactions were priceless.


    I caught Kira¡¯s expression¡ªwide-eyed, practically star-struck. When she noticed me looking, she pointed at Cayro, mouthing his name in disbelief. I couldn¡¯t resist¡ªI shot her the devious grin I¡¯d learned from Star and tapped Star on the shoulder to get her attention.


    Star turned in her seat to face me, her expression curious as I subtly pointed towards Kira. Without missing a beat, Star followed my gesture, her confusion deepening as she caught sight of Kira¡¯s jaw practically hitting the floor. Jake, noticing Kira¡¯s expression, went wide-eyed as well. Yeah, they hadn¡¯t expected to be dining with the majority of Team Amethyst. Star, ever the gracious celebrity, gave them a quick smile and wave before turning back to me. I met her gaze with a smirk, then redirected my attention to Cayro.


    He¡¯d moved to the rear of the galley, positioning himself so everyone could see him clearly. Setting his glass and knife down on the podium that seemed to be waiting just for him, he was about to speak when a flash of light above our table announced the arrival of Scuzball¡¯s holographic image. Regal as ever, Scuzball sat with his black tail curled neatly around his paws, facing Cayro with uncharacteristic silence, as if even he recognized the gravity of the moment.


    ¡°Good evening, everyone,¡± Cayro began, his voice commanding immediate attention.


    ¡°Evening,¡± the room echoed, a collective response that hung in the air.


    ¡°Now that I have your undivided attention, I¡¯d like to introduce myself, my wife, and the commander of the unit that will be taking over the I-76 corridor mission,¡± he continued, pausing just long enough to let his words sink in. The room held its breath, anticipation thick in the air.


    ¡°I can see that most of you recognize me, but for those who don¡¯t, I am Major General Cayro Zaraki of the 102nd Airborne Division. As of a few days ago, I am your division commander. I want to officially welcome you to the division as the new 781st Transportation Pack. This division is primarily composed of other supernaturals like yourselves, with several packs and units serving in various locations.¡± His voice was steady, each word carefully measured as he filled everyone in on their new reality.


    ¡°Unlike most divisions, we are a truly mobile unit and do not have a permanent home location. The FSAS Crescent Moon serves as our division headquarters, with each unit issued and assigned equipment based on their operational needs. For the time being, the 781st Transportation Pack¡¯s base of operations will be in Des Moines, Iowa, at the SkyTeam Transportation Division, until a more suitable location is found for your home base,¡± he continued, ensuring everyone understood the logistics.


    Now that the basic information was out of the way, Cayro turned to the center table. ¡°Colonel Zaraki and Alpha Balfour, would you both please stand so I can introduce you properly?¡± he requested, his tone respectful but leaving no room for refusal.


    I watched as both Star and Cameron stood, their smiles soft yet commanding as they faced the room.


    ¡°I¡¯ll start with my wife, Colonel Star Zaraki, commander of the 588th Night Witches Stealth Wing. The 588th is one of five tactical glider airborne units that fall under the 102nd. Each unit is attached to an airship within the division. Colonel Zaraki commands the flagship unit aboard the Crescent Moon. Then, we have Alpha Cameron Balfour, commander of the 254th Infantry Pack. His unit falls under the command of the FSAS Chaos Reckoning as ground support and will be taking over the I-76 mission you were initially assigned to. The Chaos Reckoning will be stationed nearby to oversee the mission¡¯s completion and provide any necessary assistance.¡±


    With the introductions complete, Star and Cameron resumed their seats. Cayro then turned his attention to me, gesturing for me to stand. I complied, meeting his gaze as he continued.


    ¡°It¡¯s my understanding that you and your pack plan to head back towards Des Moines tomorrow morning, correct?¡± he asked.


    ¡°That is correct, Sir,¡± I responded, my voice steady.


    ¡°The Crescent Moon will escort you back to Omaha, Nebraska, as additional protection. Once we reach the Omaha Gate, the Crescent Moon will head south to link up with the Star Lancer. Upon your arrival in Des Moines, you will have a three-day break to repair, modify, and set up your equipment for your next mission. During this time, your pack will be issued military gear and the necessary paperwork to formally declare your pack as a military unit. This will include your military IDs and other personnel documentation,¡± he explained, laying out the immediate future with the precision of someone who had done this a hundred times before.


    ¡°I understand, Sir,¡± I replied, trying to mask the uncertainty bubbling up inside me.


    ¡°Before we move on to eating, Lord Lycotonu wanted me to ask you something,¡± Cayro said, stopping me just as I was about to sit back down.


    ¡°And what would that be, Sir?¡± I asked, keeping my tone respectful but curious.


    ¡°He¡¯d like to know if you¡¯ve come up with a name for your pack yet?¡± he inquired, his curiosity piqued.


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± I stalled, my mind racing. I hadn¡¯t given much thought to a name since we left Des Moines. I glanced around at my pack members and the dragons, silently pleading for help. They responded with nothing but shrugs. ¡°My apologies, Sir. We haven¡¯t really discussed a name yet. We¡¯ve been focused on the mission and dealing with the attack,¡± I explained, feeling a bit sheepish.


    ¡°Well, you¡¯d better come up with one soon, or Lord Lycotonu will choose a name for the pack himself,¡± Cayro warned, a smirk playing on his lips.


    ¡°We¡¯ll get it done, Sir,¡± I assured him, silently vowing to avoid whatever ridiculous name Lycotonu might cook up.


    ¡°Good, because you and I both know he enjoys picking some rather... unique names,¡± Cayro added with a knowing grin, before clapping his hands together, signaling a change in tone. ¡°Now that we¡¯ve got the formalities out of the way, tonight¡¯s dinner will be grilled ribeye steaks, lobster tail, garlic butter mashed potatoes, seasoned asparagus, cornbread, and peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream.¡±


    As Cayro moved back towards our table, his glass and knife in hand, the chatter in the room picked up. Bits of conversation floated my way, ranging from disbelief that Cayro and Star were actually here to murmurs about potential pack names. It wasn¡¯t long before the kitchen staff began bringing out our meals. When one of the cooks approached with Cayro¡¯s plate first, he immediately redirected them to serve everyone else first. But before the cook could leave, I intercepted and took the plate, setting it in front of me with a resolute thud.


    Cayro shot me an angry look, while Cameron couldn¡¯t help but chuckle.


    ¡°And what¡¯s so funny, Alpha Balfour?¡± Cayro demanded, his eyes narrowing.


    ¡°With all due respect, General, you¡¯ve been working with werewolves for how long now, and you still forget some of our most basic customs?¡± Cameron teased, his tone light but pointed.


    Cayro¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°What am I missing?¡± he grumbled.


    ¡°Honey, the pack won¡¯t eat until she eats,¡± Star explained with a patient smile.


    Cayro closed his eyes and sighed heavily. ¡°I forget that damn custom all the time¡­¡± he muttered under his breath.


    I shook my head, breaking off a piece of cornbread. I made sure several of my pack members were watching before I popped it into my mouth. After chewing and swallowing, signaling that it was safe for them to eat, I pushed my plate away and waited for everyone else to be served.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to break them of that habit,¡± I whispered to Cayro. ¡°I don¡¯t want them to have to wait on me to eat.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear,¡± he replied, smiling now that he understood my intentions.


    Once everyone had their food, the galley quieted down as people focused on their meals. The low hum of conversation continued, mostly from the dragons and Star, but Cameron remained silent, lost in his own thoughts. It reminded me of the old days when the three of us used to live together, discussing everything from Star¡¯s latest projects to Cayro¡¯s endless military strategies.


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    As I savored a bite of steak and lobster, I glanced around the room. Kira had already finished her food, and I waved to get her attention. Once she looked my way, I gestured for her to come over. I wanted to introduce her to Cayro and Star, especially after seeing her earlier reaction. She grabbed Jake¡¯s hand and dragged him along, both of them halting beside my chair with their eyes lowered in deference to the multiple alphas at the table.


    ¡°Guys, this is Kira Cross and Jake Holland. My first mated pair in the pack,¡± I announced softly, letting the significance of the introduction sink in.


    Jake leaned closer, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°How did you know we were mated?¡±


    I grinned, tapping my temple and nose with my index finger. ¡°I¡¯m your alpha, silly. I felt your mate bond kick in the other day,¡± I teased, enjoying the look of realization that crossed his face.


    Star¡¯s face lit up with genuine excitement. ¡°Oh, that is so amazing, Lyra! You have a mated pair in your pack,¡± she exclaimed, her cheerfulness infectious.


    Kira¡¯s cheeks flushed a deep red, clearly overwhelmed by the attention. I patted her gently on the back before turning my attention back to Star.


    ¡°Jake, Kira, meet the other members of Team Amethyst. Star Zaraki, our team captain; Cayro Zaraki, our Tip of the Spear; and Cameron Balfour, my wingman. Unfortunately, Zak and Aura aren¡¯t here. They¡¯re back in Pigeon Forge running the NAWC,¡± I said, hoping to ease their nerves with the introduction.


    Cayro stood up first, extending his hand toward Jake. Jake shook it firmly, followed by Cameron. Everyone exchanged polite greetings before settling back into their seats. Kira looked like she was living a dream she¡¯d never dared to speak aloud, while Jake, though more reserved, was clearly soaking in the moment.


    ¡°So, do either of you skyboard?¡± Star asked, her tone curious and welcoming.


    ¡°A little here and there,¡± Jake answered modestly.


    ¡°We¡¯re not as good as Team Amethyst, though,¡± Kira added, her modesty evident.


    ¡°As long as you¡¯re having fun, that¡¯s all that matters,¡± Cayro replied with a reassuring smile.


    Then, out of nowhere, Cameron blurted out, ¡°You¡¯re an omega!¡± His eyes were wide with surprise.


    We all turned to stare at him, caught off guard by his outburst.


    ¡°You never mentioned that you had an omega in your pack!¡± he exclaimed, directing his disbelief at me.


    I raised an eyebrow at him. ¡°Uh¡­ No one ever asked,¡± I said bluntly.


    ¡°Do you know how rare omegas are?¡± he pressed, clearly not ready to drop the subject.


    ¡°Yes, Cameron, I do,¡± I replied, crossing my arms with a huff.


    ¡°Of all the packs, how were you so lucky to get an omega as a brand-new pack?¡± he demanded, his curiosity getting the better of him.


    I narrowed my eyes, my tone growing colder. ¡°Cameron, it¡¯s not my place to say. It¡¯s Jake¡¯s and Kira¡¯s story. If they want to share it, they can. But heed my warning, Cameron¡ªmy pack is made up of wolves who all have stories. If you push them to share against their will, I will personally hand you another ass-whooping like Star gave you a few years back. Remember, I was there when she kicked your ass up and down the SkyTeam Arena,¡± I growled, my patience thinning.


    I heard Star snort, and Cameron quickly retreated, sitting back in his chair with a sheepish look. He glanced over at Star, who met his gaze with her infamous grin, her eyes twinkling with barely concealed malice. The memory of that particular ass-kicking must have hit home because he quickly turned back to me, his tone much more subdued.


    ¡°Message received; I won¡¯t force anyone in your pack to share their stories,¡± he conceded calmly.


    The next few minutes passed in a blur of conversation and introductions. Other members of my pack started to come over, eager to meet my closest friends. Many of them were clearly star-struck, struggling to contain their excitement at meeting the legendary Team Amethyst. Even those who weren¡¯t overly familiar with our history seemed genuinely thrilled to finally put faces to the names.


    Steve, as expected, maintained his professional demeanor. As the oldest wolf in the pack, he shook hands politely, exchanged a few words, and then stepped back, leaving Catalina to greet them next. She mirrored Steve¡¯s professionalism, chatting briefly with Cayro and Star before returning to Steve¡¯s side.


    But when the dragons made their way over, the atmosphere shifted. Having served together in the past, we were all familiar with each other. There was an easy camaraderie as we caught up, sharing stories and reminiscing about past missions. It was during this lull in the evening that Stoneclaw placed a hand on my shoulder, leaning down to speak quietly in my ear.


    ¡°This would be a good time to do what we discussed earlier,¡± he suggested, his voice low and steady.


    I nodded in agreement and stood up. ¡°General Zaraki, would you mind joining us at your podium?¡± I asked, my tone shifting to one of formal request.


    Cayro gave me a concerned look, clearly puzzled by my sudden formality. Normally, I wouldn¡¯t address him with such rigid respect, but this was an official matter. He stood, and the three of us made our way to the podium. Once we reached it, I quickly filled him in on what Stoneclaw and I were about to do. His eyes widened slightly, taken aback by what I had just explained.


    ¡°Are you sure you can include the dragons in your pack?¡± Cayro asked, a curious look crossing his face.


    I gave him a sly smile. ¡°Remember Mac? The fiery redhead?¡±


    ¡°Oh yes, not hard to forget about her,¡± he remarked with a hint of amusement.


    ¡°She¡¯s a phoenix, and she¡¯s a member of the pack,¡± I said, turning my hand over to show him the phoenix brand seared into my skin.


    ¡°Huh, you learn something new every day,¡± he muttered, clearly intrigued.


    ¡°Ready?¡± I asked Stoneclaw, turning my attention back to him.


    ¡°Yep,¡± he replied, his voice steady.


    I placed my hand on the center of his chest and began to speak the ritual that would bind him to me and the pack. The words flowed from my lips, imbued with the power of the bond we were about to forge.


    ¡°Primum Draco Stoneclaw of the Elite Guard, Beast of Wind, Scale, and Claw, I claim you as a member of my pack. I vow on this day before the Mother Luna to protect, care, guide, and watch over you as one of my own. I vow to never lead you astray or abandon you. You will find sanctuary and peace under me as your friend, companion, and alley. With this bond, you will always have a home to come back to and allies to support you. Do you accept my claim, Primum Draco Stoneclaw of the Elite Guard, Beast of Wind, Scale, and Claw?¡± My voice rang clear through the galley, the magic within me shaping the ritual words to fit our unique bond.


    Stoneclaw¡¯s eyes glowed amber, shifting to reptilian slits as my magic took hold. ¡°I, Primum Draco Stoneclaw of the Elite Guard, Beast of Wind, Scale, and Claw, accept your claim, Primum Lupus Acosta of the Royal Guard, Beast of the Wandering Woods and Wild Winters,¡± he declared, his words carrying the weight of ages past.


    Hearing my family¡¯s bloodline announced aloud for the first time in years stirred something deep within me. My ancestors had once served as the royal guards for the Lycotonu family. But when the King vanished, my great-grandfather had stepped up as a council member, helping to lead the wolves. That legacy was now a part of this new bond.


    Suddenly, pain seared through me, and I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. A violent wind battered into my mind, claws raking through my inner being. I arched back in agony, a silent scream ripping from my throat as I fell to my hands and knees, struggling to breathe.


    The bond between Stoneclaw and me was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It was as if a jet stream had torn through my mind, scattering my memories and thoughts like leaves in a storm. Gasping for breath, I knelt on the floor, trying to regain my composure.


    Someone knelt beside me, a hand gently placed on the center of my back. Instinctively, I let out a vicious growl, snapping my head toward the intruder. My eyes met Cayro¡¯s, his face etched with concern. He withdrew his hand and took a cautious step back, allowing me the space I needed.


    Taking a deep breath, I summoned every ounce of magic and strength I had left, hardening my resolve to stand. Offering Cayro my hand, I used him as a crutch to push myself to my feet. My gaze locked with Stoneclaw¡¯s, who was peering down his shirt collar, where I could just make out the edge of the same marking that Mac bore on her chest.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Cayro¡¯s voice was stern, but the concern was clear.


    I nodded, my voice raspy as if I had actually screamed. ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡±


    Stoneclaw placed his large hand on my chest, his eyes locking with mine. As he spoke, I could feel his magic wrapping around me, engulfing my body and mind completely. The bond was now a two-way street, linking our fates together.


    ¡°Primum Lupus Acosta of the Royal Guard, Beast of the Wandering Woods and Wild Winters, I claim you as a member of this fierce thunder. I vow on this day before the Stars to protect you from those who wish you harm, to avenge those who hurt you, and to grant you the wisdom needed to survive in this perilous world. I pledge to stand by your side as a warrior brethren, ensuring you are never betrayed. Upon my sacred blood and my oath, I hold this vow true. Should I break this oath, my life is yours to take. Do you accept my claim, Primum Lupus Acosta of the Royal Guard, Beast of the Wandering Woods and Wild Winters?¡± Stoneclaw¡¯s voice resonated through the galley, his magic flooding the space as he spoke the final words.


    ¡°I, Primum Lupus Acosta of the Royal Guard, Beast of the Wandering Woods and Wild Winters, accept your claim, Primum Draco Stoneclaw of the Elite Guard, Beast of Wind, Scale, and Claw,¡± I managed to rasp out, my voice still sore from the earlier ritual.


    As soon as the words left my mouth, Stoneclaw crumpled to the floor, wracked with the same agonizing pain I had just endured. But this time, the effect on me was entirely different. I felt a surge of strength wash over me, erasing the pain I had experienced. The bond between Stoneclaw and me solidified, becoming an unbreakable steel cable in my mind. The sensation was euphoric, as if the Great Luna herself was gazing down upon me, filling me with her divine favor.


    A gasp echoed nearby, snapping me out of the moment. I turned my head to see Charlotte pointing at me¡ªor rather, at something on my body. Following her gaze, I looked down and saw it: black, dragon-scale tattoos now adorned my upper shoulders, their dark patterns snaking across my skin. I pulled back my sleeve for a better view, finding that the scales covered both shoulders entirely.


    When I finally looked back at Stoneclaw, my eyes widened in surprise. His once neatly trimmed black hair had grown several inches longer and was now streaked with silver¡ªthe same silver as my own hair. The change didn¡¯t age him; instead, it made him look even more formidable and, dare I say, attractive. Flustered, I quickly shifted my gaze to Cayro.


    ¡°Holy Stars, Lyra! What in the nine circles of draconian hell did you just do?¡± Cayro demanded, his voice a mixture of shock and awe.


    ¡°We,¡± Stoneclaw coughed, struggling to his feet, ¡°made a pact that binds us as lifelong allies, linking my thunder and her pack.¡±


    Cayro blinked, clearly trying to process what he¡¯d just heard. ¡°You did what?¡±


    ¡°Lyra¡¯s pack is now part of my thunder, and my thunder is now part of her pack,¡± Stoneclaw reiterated.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know that was even possible,¡± Star said, her tone laced with surprise.


    ¡°Technically, it shouldn¡¯t be,¡± Cameron interjected, stepping forward. ¡°There¡¯s an old belief, possibly rooted in ancient law or bonding magic, that bonding different species into a pack is dangerous. The fact that Lyra can do it speaks volumes about her power as an alpha.¡±


    ¡°Are you saying she¡¯s as powerful as Zak?¡± Cayro asked, his brow furrowing.


    ¡°No, not quite as powerful as Zak, but close,¡± Cameron replied. ¡°Given her lineage, she¡¯s probably the third or fourth most powerful werewolf in the world.¡±


    ¡°Third or fourth?¡± Star questioned, clearly intrigued.


    ¡°Well, if you don¡¯t count Aura as the third most powerful werewolf, then Lyra would hold that position. I¡¯m pretty sure she could challenge Alpha Malachi¡¯s seat in the NAWC,¡± Cameron explained.


    A cold dread settled over me at the thought. The last thing I wanted was to be thrust into the political arena. ¡°Please don¡¯t tell Zak,¡± I pleaded, hoping to avoid that fate.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think we¡¯ll need to,¡± Cayro said, his tone ominous.


    ¡°Why?¡± I asked, the pit in my stomach growing deeper.


    ¡°Because I think he already knows. He wouldn¡¯t have pushed you to build a pack if he didn¡¯t,¡± Cayro said, his tone almost too calm, as if he were sharing a secret he¡¯d known all along.


    I groaned, feeling the weight of inevitability pressing down on me. ¡°Why me?¡± I silently demanded of the Great Luna, hoping for an answer that would never come.


    ¡°Lyra?¡± Star¡¯s voice was gentle, laced with concern.


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± I huffed, irritation bubbling to the surface.


    ¡°May I look at your back?¡± she asked, her patience a balm to my frayed nerves.


    With a sigh of resignation, I turned my back to her and lifted my shirt. Stoneclaw leaned over, curiosity evident as Star carefully pulled the fabric up. The low whistles from my pack sent a chill down my spine, making me dread what they were seeing.


    ¡°What is it?¡± I asked, needing Stoneclaw to confirm whatever bizarre thing had been etched onto my skin.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got a beautiful rendition of my dragon form tattooed on your back, with black scales along your waistline and shoulders,¡± Stoneclaw said, his deep voice tinged with awe.


    ¡°Just great¡­¡± I huffed, already feeling the weight of this new mark. ¡°Does anyone else have this mark on them?¡± I asked, turning to my pack.


    They exchanged glances and checked each other¡¯s backs before shaking their heads. I felt my heart sink. So I was the only one gifted with this dragon-themed body art. Of course, I couldn¡¯t just be a regular alpha¡ªno, I had to be the one with magical tattoos.


    Sighing, I faced my pack, trying to push aside my frustration. ¡°Does anyone have a suggestion for a pack name?¡± I asked, hoping to steer the conversation away from the weirdness now permanently inked on my skin.


    Azura raised her hand, and I pointed to her. ¡°What about the West Bound Pack?¡± she suggested.


    Several pack members shook their heads, the idea not quite sitting right with them. Jake, ever the bold one, raised his hand despite Kira¡¯s obvious attempt to stop him. I pointed to him, bracing myself for whatever was about to come out of his mouth.


    ¡°How about the Truck-kun Pack?¡± he said, a mischievous grin on his face.


    Kira facepalmed, shaking her head while the rest of the pack burst into laughter. I, however, was not amused.


    ¡°No,¡± I shot down the suggestion immediately. Jake just shrugged, still smiling as if he¡¯d won some secret contest.


    ¡°What about Dragon Pack?¡± Cayro chimed in.


    The suggestion caught my interest, but it didn¡¯t quite fit the unique flavor of our group. I looked up at Stoneclaw for his input.


    ¡°What about Dragon Fleet?¡± he suggested, his palms up as if to say, ¡°Why not?¡±


    I mulled it over, letting the name roll around in my mind. It had a certain ring to it, a combination of power and unity that felt right for us. I turned to my pack, gauging their reactions. They whispered the name among themselves, grinning and nodding in approval.


    We weren¡¯t traditional by any means. We were a ragtag group of werewolves driving semi-trucks, with dragons watching our backs. A traditional name wouldn¡¯t suit us, but Dragon Fleet? That was something we could rally behind.


    I turned to Cayro and Star, who were now standing together, waiting for my decision. ¡°You can tell Lord Lycotonu that Alpha Acosta and her pack have chosen a name. We are Dragon Fleet!¡± I declared, pride swelling in my chest.

 Chapter 19: Don’t Poke the Wolf Unless You Want to Get Bitten

    I sat in the driver¡¯s seat, staring blankly out the windshield at the massive airships hovering above. Steve had woken me up again this morning, but instead of going through the motions and heading to the MCV, I opted to stay hidden in my truck. Sleep had evaded me last night, and now a heavy sense of melancholy clung to me, lingering after the dinner we all shared.


    Being aboard the Crescent Moon again felt like coming home, and that familiar ache of longing gnawed at me. I hadn¡¯t visited Star and Cayro during the holidays for this very reason. Seeing them, being in that place where I¡¯d once found joy and solace, only made the distance between us more apparent. I¡¯d avoided it, choosing instead to meet them at Zaraki Manor. There, surrounded by the grandeur of my uncle¡¯s mansion, it was easier to keep the memories at bay. But here, on this ship, they washed over me like a tide, pulling me back to those times¡ªlearning to skyboard, competing for the first time, helping Star through her pregnancy, meeting the girls. For the first time in my life, I had found a family that loved me, truly loved me. And now, that family felt just out of reach.


    A knock on the door jarred me from my thoughts. I rolled down the window to find Seth standing there, a plate of food in his hands. His soft smile was a stark contrast to the turmoil I felt inside.


    ¡°What¡¯s up, Seth?¡± I asked, trying to keep my voice even.


    ¡°I noticed you were sitting out here alone. You didn¡¯t look okay, so I made you a plate,¡± he said, his smile gentle, understanding.


    ¡°Thanks, but I¡¯m not really hungry,¡± I replied, the weight in my chest making it hard to think about food.


    ¡°Want to talk about it?¡± he offered.


    For a moment, I hesitated, then decided that maybe talking would help. I opened the door and slid over to the passenger seat, making room for him. He climbed in, placing the plate on my lap as he settled in beside me.


    I glanced at him, taking in his familiar disheveled appearance. His black hair was a tousled mess, and a five o''clock shadow covered his usually clean-shaven face. He was smaller than the other males in the pack, always dressed in dark jeans, a shirt, and converses, giving him a look that hinted at some faint Asian or Hispanic heritage. But it was his eyes, usually sharp and icy blue, that held my attention¡ªthey were soft this morning, filled with concern.


    ¡°What¡¯s bothering you, Alpha?¡± he asked, his voice gentle.


    I eyed him for a moment before looking back at the Crescent Moon. ¡°How could you tell something was wrong?¡± I asked, my gaze distant.


    ¡°Your body language,¡± he replied, studying me closely.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I pressed, still not fully understanding.


    ¡°Alpha, you¡¯re curled up in your chair like you¡¯re trying to disappear. And you¡¯ve got barriers up in your mind,¡± he explained.


    I frowned, puzzled. ¡°How do you know I¡¯ve got barriers up?¡±


    ¡°Lyra, we¡¯re wolves. We share everything, even when we don¡¯t mean to. The others can feel it. Normally, you¡¯re an open book, but this morning you¡¯ve shut everyone out. They¡¯re worried.¡±


    I chewed on the inside of my cheek, letting his words sink in. My pack, my family¡ªthey could feel my withdrawal, my retreat behind those mental barriers. And they were concerned because, for once, I wasn¡¯t letting them in.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, it¡¯s nothing bad. Visiting the Crescent Moon last night brought back memories that made me... well, depressed,¡± I admitted, my voice quieter than I intended.


    ¡°Did something bad happen to you aboard the Crescent Moon?¡± Seth asked, his curiosity evident.


    ¡°No!¡± I exclaimed, a bit too quickly. ¡°It¡¯s not that. It¡¯s just... I¡¯m homesick. For the first time in my life, I finally felt like I belonged somewhere, like the people around me actually cared.¡±


    ¡°The General and the Colonel mean a lot to you, don¡¯t they?¡± he asked, his tone softening.


    I nodded, suddenly feeling exposed. Talking about it wasn¡¯t bringing the relief I had hoped for; instead, it was leaving me feeling raw, as if my insides were being scraped clean.


    ¡°You know, this is the sixth pack I¡¯ve joined in my lifetime,¡± Seth said, his gaze drifting toward the horizon.


    I looked up at him, concerned. Most wolves only change packs once, maybe twice in their lives. Constantly changing packs was unheard of, unless something truly awful had happened.


    ¡°When I was a kid, both of my parents were killed during a challenge, leaving me an orphan. Usually, the alpha and luna would assign someone to raise a child of a fallen family or send them to their closest relative. But our pack was small, and my parents had just joined before I was born. We didn¡¯t have any family nearby, or any that wanted to take me in. The luna tried to care for me, but with limited resources, they couldn¡¯t handle the extra cost. So, I was transferred to a bigger pack. At first, things were okay, but then they changed, and I wasn¡¯t wanted anymore. So, I was transferred again. By the time I was eighteen, I¡¯d been transferred two more times, each for different reasons. None of it was my fault¡ªI was just the unwanted orphan. My last pack was the worst. I fell in love with the alpha¡¯s daughter, and she with me. She didn¡¯t care about my rank. During my first challenge arena, the beta¡¯s son challenged me for the right to mate with her. Being a higher rank, he demanded the challenge be to the death. I won, but at a horrible cost. During the challenge, our mating bond kicked in. The alpha killed his own daughter in front of me and the pack, severing my bonds to the pack. He wouldn¡¯t allow his lineage to mix with a ¡®bastard mutt¡¯ like me,¡± Seth said, his voice low, still staring at the horizon.


    ¡°Oh my Luna¡­ that¡¯s... that¡¯s horrible, Seth,¡± I whispered, the shock reverberating through me.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been on the run ever since, with no home to look back on. That was the case until now, that is,¡± he said, turning to face me.


    I raised an eyebrow, confused. ¡°What do you mean, ¡®until now¡¯?¡±


    He reached into his pocket and pulled something out. It was a challenge coin, one I recognized¡ªthe 588th Night Witches and 102nd Airborne Division coin. I had one just like it in my go bag, a gift from Cayro a year ago. I looked at the coin, then back at Seth, trying to piece together what it meant.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand,¡± I admitted, my confusion deepening.


    ¡°General Zaraki spoke to me privately after dinner, along with Colonel Zaraki. They recognized my last name from a report done after the death of the alpha¡¯s daughter. They¡¯ve been helping Lord Lycotonu clean up the atrocities that have gone unchecked for years. You were the first case they looked into. Your father allowed alphas to get away with so much for so long. General Zaraki said that you were the reason they began the investigations. He said if there was an alpha who could give me a good home, it would be you¡ªbecause if anyone could understand my past, it would be you,¡± Seth explained, his voice steady, but his words carrying the weight of his pain.


    My jaw dropped as his words sank in. I had no idea I was the catalyst for such change, that my own struggles had set off a chain reaction that was reshaping the world of werewolves. I sat there, stunned, trying to process the magnitude of what he had just told me.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know they were doing that,¡± I finally managed to say, the weight of the revelation pressing down on me.


    ¡°I know. They kept it quiet from you,¡± Seth replied, his tone gentle but matter-of-fact.


    ¡°How do you know that?¡± I asked, suspicion creeping into my voice.


    ¡°The General told me,¡± he answered simply.


    ¡°Typical¡­¡± I grumbled under my breath, rolling my eyes.


    Seth looked at me, his expression softening. ¡°He wanted me to tell you something if we ever had this conversation.¡±


    ¡°And what¡¯s that?¡± I demanded, a bit of impatience seeping through.


    ¡°That just because you don¡¯t live with them anymore doesn¡¯t mean you aren¡¯t their family. They love you and only want the best for you. They want to see you grow and treat your newfound family the same way they showed you when you needed one. Whoever is a part of your family is also a part of theirs,¡± Seth relayed, his voice warm and sincere.


    I closed my eyes, imagining Cayro saying those exact words. I knew he wouldn¡¯t have said them directly to my face¡ªhe knew I wouldn¡¯t have heard him. But he knew I¡¯d listen if the message came from someone in need of support.


    ¡°Thank you, Seth,¡± I said quietly, feeling the sting of tears as they rolled down my cheeks.


    ¡°No, Lyra, thank you. If it hadn¡¯t been for you and your family, I wouldn¡¯t have found justice for my lost mate or peace. Now, I have a place that¡¯s beginning to feel like home,¡± he said, his words laced with gratitude.


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± I asked, confusion knitting my brows together.


    Seth reached over and gently pressed his finger to the center of my forehead, closing his eyes. As his fingertip met my skin, I felt a soft gong resonate in my mind, and suddenly, his presence appeared there as a small, glowing dot of light. It felt almost like the bonding ritual. My eyes widened in shock as I looked at him. His eyes opened, glowing bright blue, a soft smile stretching across his face.


    ¡°You are my chosen Alpha now,¡± he said, happiness clear in his tone.


    I blinked, utterly shocked and confused. ¡°How the hell did you just bond with me without doing the ritual?¡± I asked, my mind reeling.


    ¡°The bonding magic can work both ways, Alpha. You don¡¯t always have to perform the ritual to bond a member to the pack,¡± he explained, his knowing grin adding to the mystery before he opened the door and slid out of my truck, leaving me speechless.


    I watched him walk off toward his truck, my mind spinning as I tried to wrap my head around everything we had just discussed. I looked down at the plate of food in my lap, absently picking up a piece of bacon and sticking it in my mouth. I was at a complete loss as to what to think now. As I munched on the bacon, I looked back up at the three airships hovering overhead and realized that I was home. Star and Cayro had given me everything I needed to be like them. A grin tugged at my lips as I gazed up at the Crescent Moon before grabbing my headset. It was time to head back to Des Moines.


    Two hours later, I found myself walking around my rig, checking everything to make sure it was ready to roll. Mac had done a hell of a job with the repairs and upgrades. The FRS trailer was fixed, and the front of my truck now sported a massive bulldozer blade with a sleek black dragon painted on it. I watched as the others performed their pre-trip inspections. Kira was checking the securement on her trailer, which held two of the black JLTVs that the dragons had brought with us. We were leaving the other two behind for the unit.


    Each trailer now had gun mounts attached to their decks, equipped with M240 machine guns and several ammo cans. Mac had raided the equipment meant for the 833rd so we¡¯d be better armed. The dragons could either use their dragon forms or land on the trailer decks to man the machine guns. Mac had even set up a mount on my passenger door, so she could shoot from the cab if needed. But I had a feeling these upgrades were only temporary. I¡¯d overheard her talking to Cayro about getting better equipment that would be more effective.


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Climbing back into my cab, I pulled on my headset and keyed into the fleet channel, waiting patiently for everyone to signal they were ready. Mac climbed into the cab a few moments later, sliding her headset on as she gave me a thumbs-up and spoke into her mic.


    ¡°I¡¯m green to go, Lyra,¡± Mac said, her smile wide as she settled into her seat.


    Right on cue, Scuzball strutted onto my tablet screen, the now-familiar captain¡¯s hat perched on his head. This time, though, it wasn¡¯t just any hat¡ªit was emblazoned with a new logo. The SkyTeam diamond was still there, but instead of the usual acronym, it now read ¡°Dragon Fleet,¡± with a dragon curled beneath the name. He gave me a thumbs up and grinned, clearly enjoying his new role.


    One by one, the names on my tablet turned green as I heard engines roar to life and brakes release. I nodded at Scuzball, signaling him to patch the Crescent Moon into our comms channel. With a quick flourish, the ship¡¯s name appeared at the bottom of the list, glowing green¡ªready to embark.


    ¡°Crescent Moon, this is Dragon Fleet. All trucks are showing green to go,¡± I announced over the channel, my voice steady.


    ¡°Dragon Fleet Leader, we read you as green. Embark on your command,¡± a professional voice replied, crackling through the speakers.


    ¡°Dragon Fleet! Let¡¯s make some noise!¡± I howled, slamming my truck into first gear and dumping the clutch as I floored the accelerator. The front driver steer tire lifted off the ground, and the rig lurched forward with a roar. Grabbing second gear, then splitting into high, I pushed the truck forward, listening to it announce to the world that we were hammering down and not stopping for anything. As if on cue, music blared through the comms channel¡ªLegends Are Made by Sam Tinnesz scrolling across the bottom of my tablet.


    A huge grin spread across my face as I kept grabbing gears, the speedometer climbing steadily. I could hear my fleet howling through the music as we merged onto the interstate. Scuzball had nailed it with the song choice¡ªit was like the anthem of our journey, resonating deep within me and fueling my drive to keep pushing forward.


    I glanced over at Mac, her grin mirroring mine as she jammed out to the music. I caught the next gear, letting my truck roar even louder. As Legends Are Made came to an end, Outlaw Ride by Tony Justice kicked in, pushing us forward with its gritty rhythm. I bounced my head slightly to the beat, catching fourteenth gear and watching the RPMs climb. The needle hit fifty miles per hour and kept climbing as I glanced at my driver-side mirror, seeing the cloud of dust we were kicking up.


    ¡°Mac, do you think the trucks can handle doing sixty-five miles per hour with the road the way it is?¡± I asked through my mic.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see why not. We¡¯ll get home faster, and I¡¯m pretty sure the suspension can handle it,¡± she replied confidently.


    ¡°Dragon Fleet, you heard our mechanic. Hammer down¡ªwe¡¯re doing sixty-five miles per hour. We¡¯re not stopping,¡± I ordered, feeling the surge of adrenaline as everyone shouted their agreement.


    As Outlaw Ride came to an end, Scuzball turned to look at me, a mischievous glint in his eye. ¡°Stoneclaw has a song request. Would you be okay if I play his song?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely,¡± I replied, giving him a nod.


    A moment later, the opening strains of The Warrior Song by Sean Householder filled the air¡ªa military anthem with a marching beat that got my blood pumping. I could hear the dragons belting it out, along with Mac, turning our convoy into a rolling chorus of warriors.


    For the next four hours, the fleet became a mobile jukebox, everyone pitching in with their song choices. Scuzball didn¡¯t miss a beat, pulling tracks from databases around the world, creating a playlist that spanned genres and kept the energy high as we rolled through Nebraska. The camaraderie was palpable, the music binding us together as we powered through mile after mile.


    As we approached York, Nebraska, a delta formation of the 588th Night Witches came screaming overhead, led by none other than Star herself. They were on a mission, heading straight for the downed overpass. I could just make out the structure from two miles away, looming on the horizon.


    ¡°Dragon Fleet, please come to a stop while we clear the path,¡± Cayro''s voice ordered over the comms, cutting through the music like a knife.


    Scuzball immediately silenced the tunes, and I began downshifting, listening as the fleet¡¯s engine brakes roared to life. We rolled to a halt about a mile and a half from the overpass, my eyes tracking the Crescent Moon as it cruised overhead. The ship¡¯s smaller laser cannons began to glow ominously, the faint whine of the electromagnetic coils charging cutting through the rumble of my engine. When those cannons fired, the crackling sound of the lasers streaking through the air filled my ears, followed by the sharp, metallic tang of ozone hitting my nose.


    The damaged overpass exploded in a shower of debris, chunks of concrete flying in all directions. The eastbound path was now mostly cleared, save for a few larger pieces of debris. Nothing my rig couldn¡¯t handle with the new bulldozer blade. I sat there, waiting for the all-clear, watching Scuzball as he held up a claw and patched me through to the Crescent Moon.


    ¡°Western Hell Hounds, this is Free States of America Army 102nd Airborne Division Commander General Zaraki. Cease and desist all attempts to attack any military movements. If you fail to comply, we will use excessive force,¡± Cayro¡¯s voice echoed not just through my headset but also from the ship¡¯s external intercoms.


    It didn¡¯t take long for an answer, though not the one Cayro was looking for. The ship¡¯s shields flared as an RPG struck it, exploding harmlessly several meters from the port side. I could almost hear the sigh in Cayro¡¯s voice as one of the laser cannons swiveled toward the source of the attack. The ensuing explosion was loud enough to rattle my teeth, even from this distance.


    ¡°Would you like to continue ignoring my peaceful request, or shall I demonstrate how serious I am for a second time?¡± Cayro¡¯s tone was all steel, leaving no doubt about what would happen next if these idiots didn¡¯t wise up. But whatever was going down, I didn¡¯t catch it as Scuzball cut the feed and reconnected me back to the fleet¡¯s main channel.


    ¡°Dragon Fleet, you are clear to continue,¡± the professional female voice chimed in, as cool and calm as ever.


    Shifting my truck back into gear, I rolled forward, picking my way through the debris field. Anything too big to avoid got shoved aside by the blade, clearing the way for the rest of the convoy. As we passed under the Crescent Moon, I caught sight of the 588th¡¯s members engaging in what looked like a very one-sided conversation with a few Hell Hounds, rifles at the ready. Star was in the thick of it, and I could only imagine the verbal smackdown she was delivering. Those outlaws had no idea who they were dealing with.


    Clearing the last of the debris, I hammered down, the fleet falling into rhythm as we continued our journey. For the next hour and a half, the comms buzzed with chatter about the Crescent Moon¡¯s show of force. Cayro¡¯s reputation as a no-nonsense leader had only grown over the years, and today¡¯s display had just added another chapter to the legend. He was the embodiment of the phrase, "Don¡¯t mess with America¡¯s boats," and heaven help anyone who tried.


    As we approached the Omaha Gate, it swung open for us, triggering that inevitable comparison to a certain dinosaur-themed movie. Naturally, someone had to go there.


    ¡°Hey, this time we¡¯re bringing dinosaurs back with us. At least we¡¯re coming back as a complete convoy, unlike Dr. Malcolm¡¯s team,¡± Tyler quipped, his voice full of playful mischief.


    The dragons let out a collective groan over the comms, and I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle as the shadow of the Crescent Moon passed over us, the ship turning south.


    ¡°Hey, Stoneclaw, you planning on stomping around Des Moines and roaring to terrorize the locals?¡± Azura teased, her voice light.


    ¡°I am a regal dragon; I don¡¯t stomp around,¡± Stoneclaw replied with mock indignation.


    ¡°Tell that to my tower,¡± Icetail shot back.


    ¡°Your tower deserved it. If you didn¡¯t leave your damn plastic blocks lying around for me to step on, I wouldn¡¯t have smashed it the multiple times I have,¡± Stoneclaw grumbled.


    I couldn¡¯t help but grin as the playful banter filled the airwaves, that warm spot in my chest¡ªfirst noticed back at the Ankeny yard¡ªnow growing even larger. I may have been a reluctant leader at first, but somewhere along the line, I¡¯d gone and fallen in love with this chaotic, crazy family. The melancholy that had clouded my thoughts after last night¡¯s dinner began to dissipate, replaced by a deep-seated happiness. Yes, I missed the old days aboard the Crescent Moon, but this? This was better. This was home.


    Setting my cruise control at seventy, I leaned back in my seat, letting the chatter of my team wash over me. Everything was running smoothly as we barreled down the highway¡ªuntil we blew past the weigh station just outside Des Moines without stopping. We¡¯d been told we didn¡¯t need to, so naturally, we kept rolling.


    ¡°Hey, Alpha? I¡¯ve got a set of blues flashing behind me,¡± Seth¡¯s voice crackled over the comms.


    I let out a sigh. Of course, DOT never got the memo. ¡°Just ignore them,¡± I ordered, keeping my rig steady. But it wasn¡¯t long before the officer, apparently oblivious to the massive bulldozer blade on the front of my truck, came flying past us and cut me off.


    I glanced at Scuzball on my tablet. ¡°Anything you can do to get this pest off our backs, buddy?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been trying, but this one¡¯s persistent and stubborn,¡± Scuzball replied, his tone laced with frustration.


    Naturally, that¡¯s when the officer decided to flash his brake lights and slow down right in front of me. I merged left to overtake, only for the idiot to speed up and get back in front, trying to play traffic cop with a convoy that outweighed him by several tons. When he brake-checked me again, his cruiser kissed the bulldozer blade with a soft crunch. And then, as if on cue, three more highway patrol cars came roaring up alongside us, boxing us in and angrily waving for us to pull over.


    ¡°Scuzball, can you hack into their radio system and patch me through?¡± I asked, my patience wearing thin.


    ¡°Never thought you¡¯d ask,¡± he replied with a grin, tapping into their communications with his usual finesse. A few moments later, I heard the officers¡¯ chatter.


    ¡°What can I do for you, officers?¡± I announced over their channel, letting just a hint of irritation seep into my tone.


    Silence. They were clearly trying to figure out who the hell was talking to them.


    ¡°Who is this, and how did you get access to our radio channel?¡± one of them finally demanded.


    ¡°I¡¯m the lead driver in the military convoy you¡¯re currently trying to pull over,¡± I replied, my voice calm but edged with impatience.


    Another pause, then, ¡°You blew past a weigh station and are refusing to pull over after being instructed to. Your trucks don¡¯t look like military vehicles, and there are no indicators that you¡¯re military.¡±


    ¡°We are the 781st Transportation Pack under the 102nd Airborne Division, based out of the SkyTeam Transportation Division. I¡¯m Alpha Acosta. Check with your upper chain of command,¡± I stated flatly.


    More silence, then a different voice asked, ¡°What¡¯s your destination?¡±


    ¡°SkyTeam Transportation Division, Ankeny yard. You know where that is?¡± I shot back.


    ¡°Yes, we do,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Great. You can either follow us or guide us in, but we¡¯re not stopping. I can promise you that you will not be able to stop us. So, you can either do as I suggest, or you can explain to your supervisor why you and your fellow officers ended up with seriously damaged equipment and nothing to show for it,¡± I declared, allowing a low growl to underscore my words.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± the officer spluttered.


    ¡°Let me explain this carefully,¡± I began, my tone dropping to something dangerously close to a snarl. ¡°We are an active-duty unit en route back to our home base from a mission past the Omaha Gate. Unless you¡¯ve got an Abrams main battle tank lying around, there is absolutely nothing you can throw at us that will stop these trucks. If you need further clarification, feel free to follow us to the Ankeny yard.¡±


    ¡°Understood, we¡¯ll guide and follow you to the SkyTeam Ankeny yard,¡± the officer finally relented, his tone carrying the weight of someone who¡¯s just realized they¡¯ve bitten off more than they can chew. He stayed beside me while two of the other cruisers fell back to block off traffic, like they were suddenly very eager to make up for lost time.


    Scuzball seamlessly switched me back to the team¡¯s main channel, and I could hear the chatter of my pack, all buzzing with speculation and questions.


    ¡°Maintain course,¡± I announced, cutting through the noise. ¡°The officers will be following us back to the yard.¡±


    ¡°Is everything okay?¡± Steve¡¯s voice crackled through, laced with concern.


    ¡°Yeah, just seems the officers didn¡¯t get the memo is all,¡± I replied, trying to keep my tone light despite the irritation simmering underneath.


    ¡°What do you mean they didn¡¯t get the memo?¡± Steve pressed. ¡°I¡¯ve got a copy of it right here on my desktop with the state governor¡¯s signature on it.¡±


    ¡°Your guess is as good as mine. We¡¯ll figure it out when we get to the yard,¡± I said, letting out a breath. There was no point in getting riled up now; we were almost home.


    It took another ten minutes to reach the yard, the officers trailing us like they were tailing a UFO. When we pulled in, I was met with a sight that made me pause. The yard was a hive of activity, with uniformed soldiers buzzing about, rearranging equipment like they were preparing for a full-scale operation. At the gate, armed soldiers waved us through, forcing the officers to stay back until we were inside.


    I parked my truck and jumped out, making a beeline for my uncle, who was waiting by his black SUV. He gave me a quick grin¡ªa rare sight¡ªbefore his face returned to its usual serious expression. Together, we headed for the gate where the officers were being given a hard time by the guards.


    As we approached, my uncle handed me a card. I looked down to see a military CAC card, complete with my photo, rank, and name. I raised an eyebrow at him, but he just nodded for me to keep it, so I slipped it into my pocket.


    At the gate, the guards were still hassling the officers until my uncle stepped up, commanding instant respect. ¡°What seems to be the problem, officers?¡± he asked, his voice smooth but with an edge that suggested he was in no mood for nonsense.


    ¡°It was a miscommunication, sir. We just got the call that this fleet of trucks is, in fact, a military unit,¡± one of the officers admitted, looking like he wanted to melt into his cruiser.


    ¡°Uncle, let them come in. No need to make enemies with the DOT,¡± I suggested, not wanting to escalate things any further.


    He eyed me for a moment, considering, before nodding and waving the officers into the yard. As they approached, one of them recognized my voice, his eyes widening in shock.


    ¡°Wait, you¡¯re the woman we were talking to over our radio?¡± he asked, clearly floored.


    I gave him my best Star-style devious grin, letting it sink in. ¡°That would be me,¡± I replied, enjoying the flicker of realization that crossed his face.


    ¡°Come on, you can check out the trucks and see why I told you what I did,¡± I added, motioning for them to follow. The least I could do was give them a tour of the convoy that had them so thoroughly flustered.

 Chapter 20: Two Wolves and a Wretched Auto…

    Sitting in my cab, sipping on my usual morning Red Bull, I watched as my pack members slowly stirred and began their day. One by one, they drifted toward the MCV for breakfast, each lost in their routines. We had the next thirty-four hours off¡ªa rare break to catch up on the joys of life, like laundry and grocery shopping. Meanwhile, I was doing my best to avoid all that, hiding out in my truck, the familiar hum of my favorite podcast filling the cab.


    The commentators were knee-deep in a discussion about skyboards and their latest military applications¡ªa strange blend of nostalgia and the grim reality of war. It seemed like every well-known skyboarder was signing up to join their country¡¯s military these days, as if the sport had become the new boot camp. No one wanted to admit it, but we were in the middle of a third global war. Of course, the Free States of America was staying out of it¡ªstill licking its wounds from our so-called civil war.


    ¡°Civil war,¡± I scoffed under my breath. It was more like a single, colossal battle that finally pulled back the curtain on what the U.S. government had really become¡ªa puppet for the Chinese and their supernatural cronies, the Nacht Society. The revelation had hit like a bombshell. The real U.S. government had crumbled nearly two decades ago, replaced by a shadow regime that twisted laws and policies to erode everything the country was built on.


    The Twilight weapon¡ªwho could forget that nightmare? It tore Washington D.C. apart, gave them an excuse to impose martial law, but they miscalculated. They didn¡¯t anticipate the resistance that had already taken root, the players working behind the scenes to take them down.


    Sure, we won. But the victory came at a steep price. The United States¡ªor what was left of it¡ªlost land for the first time in over a century. NATO turned its back on us, and any trust other countries had in the name "United States" was obliterated. We had to rebuild from the ashes, starting with the government itself. Using the remnants of the old U.S. Declaration of Independence and Constitution, our leaders reworked everything.


    The first move? Handing power back to the states. No more federal overreach, no more manipulation from the top. The executive branch got a major overhaul too¡ªgone were the days of career politicians playing their four-year games. Now, the president had to be a veteran officer, someone who¡¯d actually served and knew what it meant to lead. No more campaigns filled with empty promises; the candidates were judged on their records, on who they were and what they stood for. And once elected, they were in for a solid ten years. No re-election, no second chances¡ªjust a decade to lead or to fall.


    President Clark was the first to take the mantle. A man with a tattered reputation, yet when the Council of State Governors came calling, he somehow won the popular vote by a landslide. He¡¯d been crucial in restructuring the foundations of the Free States. His crowning achievement? The Republic Reconstruction Accords, a return to the basics, stripping down the Bill of Rights to its core and making sure no law could infringe on those fundamental freedoms. It was a gutting of the legislative branch, leaving them with only the essentials¡ªno more, no less.


    I could probably ramble on for days about all the changes since the U.S. fell apart. The so-called "civil war" might have been just one big battle, but the aftermath? That¡¯s where the real damage was done. Our once-mighty country was knocked down a peg¡ªor ten¡ªand now, those who used to tremble at the mere mention of the United States are making their moves. As much as we want to help our old allies, we''re stretched too thin, barely holding our own borders.


    Lord Lycotonu''s solution? Send out our packs, now military units, to support Europe in their battles¡ªwith the President¡¯s blessing, of course. Sure, if they help win a fight or two, that¡¯s great. But we¡¯re not throwing full military weight behind them, not when the Chinese are breathing down our necks, trying to push further into our territory. We¡¯ve got our hands full just keeping them at bay.


    I took another sip of my beloved Red Bull, letting the caffeine kick in, when my phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen, I saw it was one of the DOT officers from last night. Wonderful. Just what I needed this morning.


    ¡°Hello, Officer Connor,¡± I answered, trying to keep my tone polite.


    ¡°Good morning, Alpha Acosta,¡± he replied, all business. ¡°I wanted to thank you for allowing my team and me into your camp last night. We had a great experience and were wondering if you and your unit might be interested in participating in a fundraiser in a few weeks.¡±


    A fundraiser? That¡¯s a new one. ¡°You want us to participate in a fundraiser?¡± I asked, genuinely curious.


    ¡°Yes, if you¡¯re willing. It¡¯s for the families of civil servants who lost their lives during the Second Twilight Winter and the events that followed,¡± he explained. ¡°SkyTeam participates every year. We asked Dr. Zaraki if you could join, but he suggested we ask you directly.¡±


    Of course, he did. ¡°Let me check with my pack first. If they¡¯re on board, I¡¯ll have Dr. Zaraki let you know,¡± I replied, trying to keep it light.


    ¡°Sounds good. I look forward to hearing from you,¡± he said, and after a quick exchange of goodbyes, I hung up.


    Just as I was about to set my phone down, it dinged with a new message. Suspicious, I checked the screen¡ªthis time, it was my uncle, summoning me to his office for a meeting. Great, more mysteries. I shot back a quick reply, saying I¡¯d drive over after dropping the FRS. He responded, telling me not to bother with the truck; a driver would pick me up in a company car. Fancy.


    I shrugged and sent a thumbs-up emoji before finally putting my phone down. Time to check in with Scuzball. I tapped my tablet, and within moments, the digital furball appeared on the screen, stretching like he¡¯d just woken up. Honestly, it was uncanny how much he seemed to be actually looking at me.


    ¡°Good morning, buddy,¡± I greeted him.


    ¡°Good morning, Lyra. What can I do for you?¡± he replied with that usual digital charm.


    ¡°Any idea why Uncle wants to see me?¡± I asked, hoping he might have some insight.


    ¡°Actually, no. He¡¯s been keeping things pretty tight-lipped lately,¡± Scuzball said, frowning as if the very thought annoyed him.


    ¡°That surprises you? Why?¡± I asked, arching an eyebrow.


    ¡°Honestly, it doesn¡¯t. It¡¯s just frustrating as hell,¡± he grumbled.


    ¡°Tell me about it,¡± I muttered, standing up to change into something more presentable. No sense in showing up to a mystery meeting looking like I¡¯d just crawled out of the cab.


    It didn¡¯t take long for the driver to arrive at the Ankeny yard. As I walked over to the company car, I spotted Kira heading out, probably on her own mission. We exchanged waves, and then I slid into the passenger seat, giving the driver a quick nod. Time to see what Uncle had up his sleeve this time.


    He didn¡¯t make any move to put the car in gear right away. Instead, he nodded his head towards Kira. I furrowed my eyebrows, looking at her in confusion. Why was he waiting for Kira? She reached the car, opened the back door, and climbed in, settling into the seat behind me.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± I asked, glancing over my shoulder.


    ¡°I was told to come to headquarters,¡± she replied.


    ¡°For what?¡± I pressed, still baffled.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Steve just said I had a meeting with someone at headquarters and that I had to go.¡± She shrugged, clearly as puzzled as I was.


    I raised an eyebrow and turned back around. Odd. Maybe she¡¯s also part of whatever meeting Uncle has called me in for. Finally, I nodded at the driver, signaling that we were good to go, and the vehicle smoothly pulled out. We rode in silence, weaving through morning traffic. About twenty minutes later, we arrived at headquarters. The driver pulled up to the door of the main office, parking next to my uncle¡¯s SUV. Kira and I got out and made our way inside.


    Stepping into the main lobby, I spotted Sherman in his usual spot, hunched over his computer screen, taking notes on something. Kira and I both waved as I spoke up.


    ¡°Hey, Sherman, I was told to come in and speak with the company president,¡± I said with a smile.


    ¡°Ah, yes, Ms. Acosta. Right this way, please,¡± he replied in his usual squeaky voice, gesturing for me to follow him to the office door. ¡°Ms. Cross, please wait here. I¡¯ll escort you to your meeting when I return.¡±


    I gave Kira a quick smile before following Sherman through the door into the main office. He led me to my uncle¡¯s office, gave me a quick nod, and shuffled off back towards his desk. I watched him go for a moment, then turned to face my uncle¡¯s office door. After a brief knock, I heard his voice through the door.


    ¡°Come in,¡± he said.


    I stepped inside, finding him at his desk, sipping coffee while reviewing a stack of paperwork. I moved further into the office, closing the door behind me, and took a seat in the same chair I¡¯d occupied during my last visit. This time, the office looked more lived-in¡ªbooks and papers scattered across the desk, highlighters and pens littering the surface. Clearly, he¡¯d been spending more time here than at his mansion in Cedar Rapids. I waited for him to finish what he was doing before speaking.


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°Do you know how irritating it is to be kicked out of your own office so you can accommodate a close friend and your children?¡± he asked, still focused on his paperwork.


    ¡°Um¡­ no, not really,¡± I answered, giving him a questioning look.


    ¡°Andrew¡¯s using my mansion as a war room,¡± he huffed, finally looking up.


    ¡°Why? Didn¡¯t the government build a new capital in Knoxville, Tennessee?¡± I asked, trying to understand the situation.


    ¡°Yes, but with Star and Cayro using SkyTeam as their base of operations, Andrew decided it would be better if he and his cabinet worked out their plans here in Iowa,¡± he explained, sounding mildly exasperated.


    ¡°Oh,¡± I said, the pieces clicking into place.


    ¡°That brings me to why I asked you to come see me. I have a mission for you¡ªone that requires your expertise,¡± he continued, setting his paperwork aside and giving me his full attention.


    ¡°The fleet has a new mission?¡± I asked, perking up.


    ¡°No, this one only requires a single truck. But given how sensitive this mission is, I need you and one other driver to handle it,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Oh,¡± I said, a bit disappointed that it wasn¡¯t a full-fleet operation. At least the rest of the team would get some much-needed downtime.


    ¡°I¡¯m sending you to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, just north of Baltimore, Maryland. There, you¡¯ll load up whatever they have waiting for us. It¡¯ll need to be tarped and kept out of sight from the public,¡± he explained.


    ¡°Alright. Does it matter who I choose to take with me?¡± I asked.


    ¡°No, that¡¯s your decision. However, you¡¯ll be taking a normal company truck,¡± he said, almost casually.


    I nearly choked on air. ¡°A company truck? Not mine or one of the fleet¡¯s?¡± I was completely baffled. What was the point of having these trucks if we weren¡¯t going to use them?


    ¡°Because your trucks stand out too much, and this mission needs to be completed in secrecy. We need to make it look like just another routine load. Besides, your trucks are getting some modifications while you¡¯re here. It wouldn¡¯t make sense to send one out while the rest are being worked on.¡± He arched an eyebrow at me, making it clear that arguing would be futile.


    ¡°If we¡¯re only taking one truck, why do I need a second driver?¡± I huffed, crossing my arms.


    ¡°So you can team drive. This load has to get back here as quickly as possible,¡± my uncle explained, his tone leaving no room for debate.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s that important?¡± I asked, the weight of the task finally sinking in.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he confirmed, the single word carrying all the urgency I needed to hear.


    I sighed, slumping back in my chair. As much as I hated the idea of leaving my truck behind, if this load was as critical as he made it sound, I¡¯d do what needed to be done. I mentally calculated the trip¡ªit¡¯d be just over a thousand miles to Aberdeen, meaning a two-day round trip with two drivers. I wouldn¡¯t be gone too long. Now the question was, which driver should I take?


    ¡°When do I need to leave?¡± I asked, resigned to the mission.


    ¡°The sooner, the better. If you leave today, you can be back by tomorrow night,¡± he said, his gaze steady.


    ¡°Will the company truck be governed?¡± I asked, half hoping for some leniency.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s already in the shop getting adjusted for the trip. And before I forget, you¡¯ll need to run logs and follow all the standard regulations,¡± he added, almost as an afterthought.


    I groaned audibly, my disdain for regulations bubbling to the surface. ¡°Do I have to?¡± I whined, fully aware of how childish I sounded.


    ¡°To maintain the cover this load needs, yes,¡± he chuckled.


    I grumbled under my breath, thoroughly irritated. Not only couldn¡¯t I use my own truck, but I also had to follow every annoying rule in the book. This mission was shaping up to be a real pain in the tail. I was just about to voice another complaint when there was a knock at the door.


    ¡°Come in,¡± my uncle called out.


    The door swung open, and my jaw practically hit the floor when Lord Lycotonu¡ªZak¡ªwalked in, with Kira following close behind. What in the wolfen hell was he doing here? And why was Kira with him? I eyed him suspiciously. It had been a while since I¡¯d last seen him, and his appearance had changed. His normally long black hair was now cut short in a military style, and he towered over me by nearly two feet. Gone were his usual rock band T-shirts and leather arm bracers; today, he was dressed in an all-black suit and logger boots. When I met his bright yellow eyes, I could tell he was here on official business. The question was, what business involved one of my wolves?


    ¡°Good morning, Dr. Zaraki, Lyra,¡± Zak greeted us in his deep, booming voice. ¡°I was just stopping by to let you know that I¡¯ve concluded my business and will be heading back to Pigeon Forge.¡±


    I stood up immediately, giving him the respect he deserved as the King of the Wolves. Before I knew it, he had me wrapped in a tight bear hug. The sudden embrace caught me by surprise, and I let out an indignant squeak, hugging him back before he finally let go. Stepping out of his embrace, I caught sight of Kira¡¯s expression. She looked utterly star-struck, mingled with shock at seeing Zak hug me.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s good to hear,¡± my uncle said, breaking the moment. ¡°Lyra and I just finished our conversation. I¡¯m sending her and another driver to Aberdeen, Maryland, to pick up a load that needs special care.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Zak¡¯s eyebrow arched, his interest clearly piqued.


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a two-day trip there and back,¡± my uncle elaborated.


    ¡°Huh, that¡¯s rather ironic. I just happen to have a need for a wolf or two to go to Baltimore. There¡¯s some activity with the local pack that I need more information on,¡± Zak said, a sly grin spreading across his face.


    I narrowed my eyes at him, fully aware of where this was heading.


    ¡°Are you suggesting that Lyra do some investigating for you while she¡¯s there?¡± my uncle asked, his tone neutral but knowing.


    ¡°You did mention she and another driver were heading that way, correct? Would it be too much trouble if she could do this favor for me?¡± Zak asked, his tone polite but leaving little room for refusal.


    ¡°That¡¯s correct. I¡¯ll need to make some adjustments to the trip. Do you know how long she and her driver will be there?¡± My uncle inquired, already calculating logistics.


    ¡°You do know I¡¯m standing right here, right?¡± I grumbled, annoyed at being talked about as if I were invisible.


    ¡°Would you be willing to do this as a favor for me?¡± Zak asked, his tone softening as he turned his attention to me.


    I sucked in a deep breath and exhaled slowly, trying to suppress the irritation bubbling up. ¡°Sure, Zak. What do you need me to do?¡± I asked, resigning myself to the inevitable.


    ¡°Perfect!¡± He clapped his hands together, clearly pleased. ¡°I need you to check out what¡¯s going on with the Cross Pack. Since you need another driver, you can take Ms. Cross. She has inside knowledge of the pack¡¯s inner workings.¡±


    I felt my eye twitch involuntarily as I glanced over at Kira. The look of utter terror on her face was unmistakable, and I could feel her fear seeping into our bond. This wasn¡¯t good.


    ¡°Zak, I don¡¯t think sending Kira is a good idea,¡± I tried to argue, hoping to protect her from whatever hell awaited us.


    ¡°In most cases, I¡¯d agree with you, but Kira has the ability to get the information I need. The two of you can discuss what we talked about on your trip there.¡± Zak¡¯s tone was firm, squashing my argument before it could take root.


    A frustrated growl escaped my throat as I grappled with the need to protect my pack member. Unfortunately, Zak had the authority to make this happen. Then, a thought struck me. ¡°What if I took Jake instead? He was a member of the Cross Pack,¡± I suggested, hoping to find a safer alternative.


    ¡°No!¡± Kira blurted out, her fear exploding like a bomb in the room, permeating the office with its intensity.


    Zak turned on his heels, his expression one of curiosity, while I gave Kira the same questioning look. My uncle simply smiled and sipped his coffee, clearly enjoying the unfolding drama.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go!¡± Kira declared, her voice firm despite the scent of fear lingering in the air. ¡°Jake is too important to our pack.¡±


    Zak furrowed his brows, turning his questioning gaze to me. ¡°What does she mean by that?¡± he asked.


    I sighed, my gaze dropping to the floor. ¡°Jake is an omega wolf,¡± I admitted quietly.


    ¡°Ah, I didn¡¯t know that. Very fascinating. I agree with Kira; he shouldn¡¯t go. He¡¯s too valuable to your pack and could be used against you,¡± Zak stated, his tone final.


    ¡°Alright, so Kira is going to be my co-driver then. What exactly do you need us to do?¡± I asked, knowing I had no choice but to accept the mission.


    ¡°I need information and evidence. Kira can brief you on what I¡¯m looking for during the trip,¡± Zak replied.


    I nodded and walked over to Kira, mentally preparing for the journey ahead. We needed to head back to the Ankeny yard to pack for the trip. Jake wasn¡¯t going to like hearing this, and I had a feeling the rest of the pack wouldn¡¯t be thrilled about Kira and me going out on our own. As we reached the door, Zak called out to us.


    ¡°Lyra, one more thing,¡± he said before we stepped out.


    I turned back, worry creeping into my expression. ¡°Yes?¡± I asked.


    ¡°I think you picked a good name for your pack. It suits you and your odd team. Director Staroko was very pleased to hear about it,¡± he said with a smile.


    Both Kira and I returned his smile before we headed out to the main lobby. We passed Sherman, who was flipping through some mail, and waved goodbye as we made our way to the caf¨¦. It was quiet, with only one of the cooks preparing lunch, her back turned toward us as we passed by. Neither of us spoke as we walked out of the caf¨¦ and crossed the street to the shop.


    Inside, we headed straight to the service counter, where Melvin, one of the shop supervisors, quickly spotted us. As soon as he recognized me, he handed over a set of keys and pointed to a Peterbilt 579 parked in the first bay, right next to the service desk.


    ¡°The President said to be expecting you, Ms. Acosta. That¡¯s the truck you¡¯ll be using for your trip. We¡¯ve adjusted some of the parameters so you¡¯re not governed, as per the President¡¯s request,¡± Melvin informed us in a professional tone, handing over the keys.


    ¡°Thanks, Melvin,¡± I said, taking the keys, though I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was off.


    Kira and I walked over to the truck and climbed in. I slid the key into the ignition and started the engine. Everything seemed normal until I reached for the shifter and clutch¡ªand my hand came up empty. My heart sank as I glanced down where the shifter should¡¯ve been, only to find nothing but an open blank spot. A creeping sense of dread washed over me as I scanned the driver¡¯s area, realizing with horror that this truck was an automatic.


    ¡°Seriously? We have to drive an auto for this trip?¡± Kira asked, her voice dripping with disgust, perfectly mirroring my own thoughts.


    ¡°Looks like it,¡± I grumbled, trying to suppress the urge to curse loudly.


    She let out an angry growl, yanking her seat belt on with a huff before crossing her arms, her frustration palpable. I pulled on my own seat belt, pushing in the brake valve as I did. Reluctantly, I used the gear selector¡ªan abomination sticking out from the right-hand side of the steering column¡ªand put the truck into reverse, slowly backing it out of the bay.


    As soon as we hit the road, I mashed the accelerator to the floor, desperate to wring some life out of this glorified toaster on wheels. The truck bogged down like it was in protest, hesitating before downshifting with a violent buck. The RPMs jumped up to fifteen hundred, and the engine let out a tortured scream, but it felt like the truck was dragging its ass, refusing to pull.


    I gritted my teeth, hating the way the truck moved¡ªor more accurately, didn¡¯t move. Every time I came to a stop and tried to start again, there was an agonizing delay before the truck would rock clockwise and buck like a damn mule. It was as if the clutch wasn¡¯t engaging until after the RPMs were over a thousand, making the whole driving experience feel like trying to swim through molasses.


    I glanced over at Kira, who was gripping the armrest of her seat with a sour expression on her face, her irritation matching mine. This truck was a nightmare, and it was clear neither of us was going to enjoy this trip.


    ¡°This trip is really going to suck¡­¡± I muttered, my voice laced with frustration as the truck clunked and jerked down the road.

 Chapter 21: If This Wasn’t a Bad Plan from the Start… It’s About to be.

    Three hours into our trip, and Kira was still on the phone with Jake, who had apparently decided that being an overprotective mate meant micromanaging every second of our mission. Despite my best efforts to convince him that he needed to stay put in the camp, he was losing his damn mind over the fact that Kira and I were heading straight into the Cross Pack¡¯s territory. I had to pull rank on him just to keep him from hopping in his rig and tailing us like a lovesick puppy. The rest of the fleet wasn¡¯t exactly thrilled either, but they at least understood the necessity of the trip. Kira and I had both agreed that keeping Zak¡¯s little side mission under wraps was the smartest play. If the others found out, they¡¯d be revving their engines before we could blink.


    What really had Jake in a twist was that Kira and I would be so close to the Cross Pack¡¯s turf. The guy practically had steam coming out of his ears at the thought of Kira being anywhere near that hellhole again. To keep him from brooding too much, I gave Stoneclaw the green light to start what he called ¡°advanced basic training.¡± With Gunny¡¯s help, that should keep everyone busy and too tired to worry about our absence. The beauty of werewolf packs being self-governed was that we had some leeway with military regs, as long as we met training criteria and followed upper command. And with the dragons and Gunny whipping the fleet into shape, I had no doubt they¡¯d be ready for anything when we got back.


    Suddenly, Kira¡¯s exasperated voice cut through the silence. ¡°JAKE! I SAID DROP IT!¡± she yelled before angrily ending the call and tossing her phone onto her bunk. The growl that escaped her made me arch an eyebrow. I glanced over at her, curious about what had her so riled up.


    ¡°He just won¡¯t let it go. It¡¯s like he knows we aren¡¯t just heading to Aberdeen,¡± she grumbled, crossing her arms in frustration.


    Her attitude caught me off guard. It wasn¡¯t often I saw this more dominant side of Kira. I kept my eyes on the road, giving her a few minutes to cool down before speaking again.


    ¡°Is this the first argument the two of you have had since bonding?¡± I asked, keeping my tone neutral.


    ¡°No, we¡¯ve had our disagreements before, but he¡¯s being extra pushy now that we¡¯re bonded,¡± she replied, her voice still tinged with irritation.


    ¡°Ah, the joys of relationship growing pains,¡± I said, smirking. ¡°From what Star¡¯s told me, it¡¯s pretty normal.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean, normal? Aren¡¯t bonded mates supposed to be perfectly happy and go-lucky?¡± Kira asked, her confusion evident.


    I couldn¡¯t help but snort. ¡°Hell no¡­ There have been days when I¡¯ve seen Star nearly rip Cayro¡¯s head off. There was this one time we were all training before the Second Twilight Winter, and Cayro had the bright idea to comment that Lady Lycotonu looked attractive in her training outfit.¡±


    Kira¡¯s eyes widened, her jaw dropping. ¡°Did Lord Lycotonu get mad?¡±


    ¡°Nope. Cayro was just pointing it out because Zak couldn¡¯t keep his eyes off his mate, and it was throwing off his focus during training,¡± I explained. ¡°But Star¡­ let¡¯s just say she didn¡¯t appreciate the observation. Between Lady Lycotonu and Star, you¡¯ve got two of the most attractive women in the pack, and Star was already feeling a bit threatened. So when she heard Cayro mention how good Lady Lycotonu looked, she lost her shit.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡± Kira asked, eyes wide with curiosity.


    ¡°Well, during our training session, Star swapped partners so she could take on Cayro herself. She then proceeded to kick his ass up and down the gym. To this day, there¡¯s still a man-sized dent in the North American Wolf Council gym wall where Star slammed him into it,¡± I said, grinning at the memory.


    ¡°Holy Luna! I didn¡¯t realize Star had such a short fuse!¡± Kira exclaimed, clearly shocked.


    ¡°You have no idea. Star can be a real force of nature when she¡¯s pissed off. She¡¯ll either get revenge or just outright kick your ass, depending on how mad you make her. Cayro, on the other hand, is the cold, calculating type. The angrier he gets, the more precise and ruthless he becomes. While Star has a mean streak a mile wide, Cayro will hit you where it hurts the most, and he won¡¯t even flinch,¡± I continued.


    ¡°Jeez¡­ you make it sound like the two of them are a ruthless team,¡± she said, a little unease creeping into her voice.


    ¡°They are,¡± I replied bluntly. ¡°You saw how Cayro handled the Hell Hounds the other day. He doesn¡¯t mess around. When he wants to make a point, he makes sure it¡¯s understood.¡±


    Kira hesitated for a moment before asking, ¡°In reference to me and Jake, what would you suggest? He keeps hovering over me, always wanting to make sure I¡¯m safe.¡±


    ¡°My suggestion? Set some boundaries. Now that you two are bonded, you¡¯ll start picking up some of his abilities and traits,¡± I said, keeping my tone calm.


    ¡°What do you mean by that? I¡¯ll start picking up his abilities?¡± Kira asked, furrowing her brow.


    ¡°It¡¯s part of the bonding process. You¡¯re a lower rank in the fleet, and Jake is an Omega. As you know, Omega wolves don¡¯t fit into the traditional pack rank structure. By choosing to mate with an Omega, you¡¯ll start gaining some of his abilities, which essentially makes you an Omega through him,¡± I explained.


    ¡°Really?¡± she asked, a mix of excitement and skepticism on her face.


    ¡°Yep,¡± I confirmed.


    ¡°So, I¡¯ll no longer be a submissive wolf?¡± she asked, her voice tinged with excitement.


    I chuckled softly. ¡°I think the display you just put on proves that.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± she asked, still not quite getting it.


    ¡°Sit on your hands,¡± I ordered, letting a sliver of my alpha power lace my words.


    Kira arched an eyebrow but didn¡¯t move. ¡°I don¡¯t want to,¡± she said, her tone defiant.


    ¡°See? You just defied an order from me,¡± I said with a smirk.


    I watched as the realization slowly dawned on her, blinking in surprise.


    ¡°That was an order?¡± she asked, her voice quieter now.


    ¡°Yep, and you ignored it completely,¡± I replied.


    She turned to stare out the windshield, clearly deep in thought. I had a sneaking suspicion that neither Kira nor Jake had been taught much about mate bonds. It made me wonder what else they didn¡¯t know. For the next few hours, we rode in silence, the only sounds being the hum of the engine, the road noise, and the soft music playing in the background. I wanted to give Kira the space she needed to process everything before we tackled the mission Zak had assigned us.


    As I spotted a truck stop up ahead, my stomach growled, reminding me that it had been a while since our last meal. I began to slow down, merging off the interstate and checking my mirrors to ensure the RGN trailer we picked up from the Ankeny yard cleared the turn. It was a regular company trailer, nothing fancy, but it would do for this trip.


    Pulling into the truck stop, I circled around back and scanned the fuel island. Luckily, a few pumps were open, so I pulled up and parked the truck a safe distance past them. Glancing over at the coms tablet, I noticed Scuzball had already put me off duty. I gave the little A.I. a nod and a grin before climbing out of the truck. Kira followed suit, and together we made our way into the store.


    Once we were inside the store, I made a beeline to the restrooms. After a few minutes, I emerged feeling significantly lighter and much better. While waiting for Kira, I wandered through the aisles, grabbing a few cans of Red Bull and a large bottle of water. As I scanned the shelves for something edible, I thanked the stars that this truck stop had more than just the usual junk food. The selection of prepackaged meals was decent, and I was eyeing some options when Kira joined me, arms loaded with bottles of Mountain Dew.


    She quickly skimmed the food display before grabbing two containers¡ªone of spaghetti and meatballs, the other of meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy. I opted for macaroni with meat sauce and Mexican chicken with seasoned rice and veggies. With our meals in hand, we picked up sporks and headed to the checkout counter.


    The cashier couldn''t stop staring at us, his eyes practically glued to us as we approached. I met his gaze and raised an eyebrow in question, silently daring him to say something. I mean, I got it¡ªKira and I weren¡¯t exactly your everyday truckers. She had the badass vibe down pat, and I, well, I was a short silver-haired chick with silver eyes, wearing a baggy sleeveless gym shirt that flaunted my sports bra.


    ¡°Can I help you?¡± I demanded bluntly, breaking the awkward silence.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± he stammered, snapping out of his trance. ¡°You just look familiar.¡±


    ¡°Probably. I¡¯ve stopped here before,¡± I said, not really caring to elaborate.


    ¡°No, I mean I think I¡¯ve seen you somewhere else,¡± he replied, still trying to place my face.


    I gave him a quick grin as I took my receipt. ¡°Maybe you have, but we¡¯ve got to get back on the road.¡±


    Kira grabbed her receipt, and together we walked out of the store, climbing back into the truck. This wasn¡¯t the first time I¡¯d been recognized at a truck stop, and it certainly wouldn¡¯t be the last. When I¡¯m on the clock, I don¡¯t have time to chat or take pictures with fans¡ªlearned that the hard way when I lost nearly an hour to a crowd once.


    ¡°Does that happen to you a lot?¡± Kira asked as we got back on the interstate.


    ¡°Unfortunately, yes,¡± I answered with a sigh.


    ¡°I get it all the time too, but it¡¯s usually guys wanting to date me because I¡¯ve got curves, tats, and piercings,¡± Kira said with a shrug.


    ¡°Speaking of which, what made you decide to get tattoos?¡± I asked, genuinely curious.


    ¡°I got them to display my internal scars. The pain of getting inked helped me release some of the inner pain I was feeling. My style? That¡¯s my way of rebelling against my father and his twisted ideologies,¡± she explained, her tone taking on an edge.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°And what does Jake think about them?¡± I asked, steering the conversation into safer waters.


    ¡°He loves my piercings and tats. He actually helped me design a few of them. He¡¯s especially fond of my first tat,¡± she said, her voice softening with a smile.


    ¡°Oh? What tattoo is that?¡± I asked, intrigued.


    Kira pulled up her shirt, revealing her midriff. Just below her navel, above the waistband of her pants, was a shadowy black paw print, partially encircled by calligraphy script. I couldn¡¯t read it while driving, but I caught the general shape.


    ¡°A wolf paw print?¡± I guessed.


    ¡°It¡¯s his wolf paw print,¡± she said proudly.


    ¡°And the script?¡± I asked.


    She blushed a little as she pulled her shirt back down. ¡°It says, ¡®Two hearts, one soul, never alone.¡¯ It was a promise we made to each other when we were kids.¡±


    I gave her a knowing grin. ¡°Looks like he claimed you as his mate long before you two actually bonded.¡±


    ¡°I got the tattoo right before he left the pack. When my father saw it, he finally realized just how close Jake and I really were. He was furious that Jake had left, and when he understood that Jake intended to claim me, he tried to use me as leverage to get Jake back. A few months later, Jake came to my work and used his abilities to suppress my pack bonds. We used his old truck to escape,¡± she explained, her voice tinged with the weight of past struggles.


    ¡°Are you sure it was a good idea to come on this trip?¡± I asked, my voice tinged with concern. ¡°Maybe it would¡¯ve been better to bring Jake instead.¡±


    ¡°Seriously, Lyra?¡± Kira snapped, her frustration bubbling to the surface. ¡°My father doesn¡¯t care about me. I¡¯m not an alpha, and I¡¯m a female. To that asshole, I¡¯m just a tool, nothing more.¡±


    ¡°Eesh, sorry,¡± I replied, taken aback by her intensity. ¡°I just don¡¯t want to see you get hurt or something else happen that will cause you or Jake pain.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s better that I¡¯m here. If my father captured Jake, he¡¯d torture him until he complied. Trust me, Jake being here would only make things worse,¡± she replied, her tone resolute.


    ¡°Alright, so what¡¯s the plan then? Lord Lycotonu said you¡¯d fill me in on what he wants us to do,¡± I asked, trying to steer the conversation back to the mission.


    ¡°He wants us to infiltrate the pack headquarters and gather evidence of what¡¯s going on. Apparently, my father¡¯s been dealing in some very unethical business practices since Jake and I left. Lord Lycotonu believes he¡¯s selling secrets to other nations. There have been major information leaks about certain projects and activities involving the disaster zone,¡± Kira relayed, her voice steady but laced with the weight of the task ahead.


    ¡°Did he give you any specifics on what to look for?¡± I asked, mentally preparing for the worst.


    ¡°Paperwork, surveillance footage, anything that can expose what he¡¯s been up to,¡± she answered, a hint of determination in her voice.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t he get someone more qualified for this mission?¡± I wondered aloud, unable to shake the feeling that we were being thrown into the deep end.


    ¡°I think that was his initial plan, but when he realized that both Jake and I were part of your fleet, he probably figured we¡¯d have a better shot at infiltrating the pack. We know the place inside and out. Plus, the wolves there are loyal to my father. Anyone who tries to leave? He has them killed.¡±


    ¡°How did Jake manage to escape then?¡± I asked, suspicion creeping into my tone.


    ¡°Jake didn¡¯t broadcast his plans. And, more importantly, my father wanted him alive. We were careful. Once we were out, we used trucking to keep him from tracking us down,¡± she explained, her voice filled with a mixture of pride and lingering fear.


    ¡°Smart move,¡± I acknowledged, appreciating the careful planning that had gone into their escape.


    ¡°Thanks. We had a few close calls, but we managed to avoid capture,¡± she replied, the memory of those tense moments flickering in her eyes.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan for getting in?¡± I asked, focusing on the task at hand.


    ¡°The pack headquarters is in the metropolitan area of Baltimore. Jake used some underground tunnels beneath the building to escape. He used bleach, pine cleaner, and cut through a nearly flooded storm drain to throw off the scent. By the time the pack realized he was gone, he was already out of range and paid a truck driver to get him out of the state,¡± Kira explained, cracking open one of her Mountain Dews.


    ¡°If he used those tunnels to escape, how do we know your father hasn¡¯t blocked them off or posted guards?¡± I asked, playing devil¡¯s advocate.


    ¡°By the time my father noticed he was missing, it had been several hours. The cleaning crews had already tidied up the areas Jake passed through. He timed it perfectly¡ªright before the crews started and while most of the pack was in a meeting,¡± she said, a satisfied grin spreading across her face as she sipped her drink.


    ¡°What about cameras? Didn¡¯t they check the footage to trace his route?¡± I asked, trying to poke holes in her story.


    ¡°There are areas without cameras, like the stairways and maintenance halls. My father never thought they were necessary since the maintenance areas don¡¯t connect to any outside entrances except the loading docks,¡± she said, her confidence unwavering.


    ¡°If Jake didn¡¯t escape through the loading docks and didn¡¯t use any other exits, how did he get out?¡± I pressed, needing to be sure.


    ¡°Just before the loading docks is the entrance to the boiler room, which goes below the docks. From there, there are tunnels leading out. Jake used bleach and pine cleaner to kill his scent at the boiler room door. He even sprayed the door frame and floor once he was through. By the time the pack realized he was missing, they couldn¡¯t track him past the fourth floor,¡± Kira elaborated, her grin growing wider.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t realize bleach and pine cleaner were so effective at hiding someone¡¯s scent,¡± I remarked, cracking open one of my Red Bulls.


    ¡°Believe it or not, bleach is great at destroying scents, and pine cleaner helps mask what¡¯s left. My father hates smelling other wolves near our suites. He uses the combination to track who comes and goes from the upper floors where we lived,¡± Kira explained.


    ¡°Interesting,¡± I mused, taking a sip of my drink.


    For the next few hours, I kept my focus on the road, mentally working through a plan. The biggest challenge wasn¡¯t getting into the building¡ªit was getting out undetected. The pack would easily scent us once we were inside. We needed a distraction to draw them out, but the question was how.


    My coms tablet trilled, signaling that I was running low on drive time. Without prompting, Scuzball pulled up a rest area a few miles ahead where Kira and I could swap out. She had dozed off in the passenger seat, her soft snores breaking the silence. She¡¯d been up earlier, texting Jake after cooling down from their argument.


    As I pulled into the rest area and parked, Kira jolted awake at the sound of the air brakes engaging. I glanced at the coms tablet to see that Scuzball had already switched me over to sleeper berth mode and activated Kira¡¯s ELD account. I couldn¡¯t help but notice how unusually quiet he¡¯d been during the drive.


    Sliding the driver¡¯s seat back, I stood and made my way into the sleeper while Kira stretched and prepared to take over. I sat down on the lower bunk, pulling out my tablet from my go bag. As soon as I opened it, Scuzball appeared on the screen.


    ¡°Are you doing okay?¡± I asked softly.


    ¡°Yes, just figured you and Kira needed time to talk,¡± he replied.


    ¡°That¡¯s not like you. Normally, you¡¯d be butting into the conversation,¡± I commented.


    ¡°Not always. Only when I think it¡¯s relevant,¡± he said with a nonchalant shrug.


    ¡°Fair enough¡­ Did you listen to our conversation?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Of course,¡± he replied.


    ¡°What are your thoughts?¡±


    ¡°About the mission to infiltrate the Cross Pack Headquarters?¡± he clarified.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I said, lying back on the bunk and holding the tablet above my head.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure infiltration is a good idea. It¡¯s going to be very difficult,¡± he said, a hint of concern in his voice.


    I sighed, letting my thoughts churn. This wasn¡¯t going to be easy. ¡°Kira, what kind of business does the Cross Pack run?¡± I called out.


    ¡°Cross Pines Real Estate,¡± she replied over her shoulder.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I said, looking back at the screen. Scuzball seemed deep in thought, digital data streaming across his body like a high-tech waterfall.


    ¡°What are you thinking?¡± I asked, curious about his sudden focus.


    ¡°Give me a moment,¡± he said, his digital form flickering with activity.


    I got up and made my way to the passenger seat just as Kira released the brakes and shifted the truck into drive. Once we were back on the highway, I buckled in and watched as Scuzball¡¯s calculations continued.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ve found the city blueprints for the area where Cross Pines Real Estate is located, along with the internal building structure. But it¡¯s going to take me a couple of hours to access the building¡¯s network,¡± Scuzball announced, his voice tinged with the excitement of a digital cat with a puzzle to solve.


    "It doesn¡¯t normally take you that long to access things like that,¡± I noted, a hint of concern creeping into my voice.


    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m stretched a bit thin right now,¡± Scuzball replied. ¡°I¡¯m listening in on a meeting with Star, Cayro, and the President while also working on something else near the West Coast.¡±


    ¡°Are you running out of processing power?¡± I asked, unable to hide the worry.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s more like I¡¯m stretching my consciousness a bit more than usual,¡± he answered, his tone nonchalant but not entirely reassuring.


    ¡°Damn, don¡¯t overwork yourself, Scuzball,¡± I said softly, a frown tugging at my lips.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine,¡± he assured me. ¡°Just tell me what you¡¯re thinking about this mission, and I¡¯ll chime in where I can.¡±


    I shot Kira a concerned glance before looking back at my tablet. Scuzball was no longer visible, just a cat-shaped icon with a pulsing green border on the screen. I hoped my digital companion wasn¡¯t pushing himself too hard. Laying the tablet in my lap, I turned to Kira.


    ¡°My main worry is how we¡¯re going to get out of that building once we¡¯re inside. Lord Lycotonu¡¯s mission is risky enough without adding an escape plan that¡¯s full of holes,¡± I said.


    ¡°That¡¯s my concern too,¡± Kira agreed, her brow furrowing.


    ¡°I think we need a solid distraction¡ªsomething big enough to draw the pack out of the building, giving us the chance to sneak in and out,¡± I suggested.


    ¡°That makes sense, but what could we do to lure them out?¡± she asked, clearly pondering the possibilities.


    ¡°Is there anything your father considers vital enough that he¡¯d send the whole pack to deal with it?¡± I probed.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ He and a few pack members own several businesses around the city. There¡¯s also the pack¡¯s hunting grounds and a warehouse facility near the docks,¡± she explained.


    ¡°What if we caused some trouble at one of those locations? Enough to make it a priority for your father and the pack to check it out?¡± I mused.


    ¡°He does have an extensive car collection near the hunting grounds,¡± Kira suggested, a spark of mischief in her voice. ¡°If something happened to those, he¡¯d definitely leave the headquarters.¡±


    ¡°That could work,¡± I said, thinking out loud. ¡°If we create enough chaos there, it might pull them away long enough for us to get what we need.¡±


    ¡°But we won¡¯t be able to get near that location. It¡¯s heavily guarded by a security firm,¡± she pointed out, dashing some of the optimism.


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s see what Scuzball comes up with once he¡¯s back and focused on the mission,¡± I said, checking my tablet to see if our feline AI friend had returned. He hadn¡¯t.


    Kira nodded and kept her focus on the road, the weight of the mission pressing down on both of us. I climbed out of the passenger seat and retreated to the sleeper. Lying down, I opened the company app and sent a quick message to check in with Steve, making sure everything was under control back at the fleet. After that, I pulled out my phone and sent a text to Star, letting her know I was worried about Scuzball. It didn¡¯t take long for her to reply.


    Star: Is everything okay?


    Lyra: Scuzball¡¯s acting a bit weird.


    Star: What do you mean?


    Lyra: He said he was stretching his consciousness a bit thin.


    Star: Not again¡­ I¡¯ll talk to him.


    Lyra: This isn¡¯t the first time?


    Star: No, he tends to overwhelm himself with too many ¡°projects¡± at once.


    Lyra: When did this start?


    Star: A few months ago.


    Lyra: Does Cayro know?


    Star: No, it¡¯s another reason why I sent him to help you. I figured giving him a mission to sink his teeth into would keep him from overwhelming himself.


    Lyra: Alright, I could really use his help on my current mission.


    Star: Not a problem. I¡¯ll talk to him.


    Lyra: Thanks.


    I set my phone down, only for my tablet to buzz almost immediately. Picking it up, I saw a new message from Steve.


    Steve:


    Hey Lyra,


    The rest of the fleet is doing well. We¡¯re currently running military movement drills around the camp. Each dragon has paired up with a wolf and is individually training them. Stoneclaw put Ironfist in charge of the fleet training regimen, and he seems to be really enjoying the job. Mac and the other mechanics have started on the rig upgrades too. Your truck¡¯s in the shop; there¡¯s been a lot of grinding and welding noises coming from the bay, so whatever they¡¯re doing is big. Jake isn¡¯t doing great. We had to confiscate his truck keys so he didn¡¯t follow you guys. He mentioned he and Kira had an argument earlier? I hope they¡¯re working it out. Stoneclaw¡¯s training with him to keep him busy and out of trouble. Hope the trip¡¯s going well, looking forward to seeing you back in a few days.


    Sincerely,


    Steve Amarok


    P.S. When you return, Catalina and I would like to talk to you about something. It¡¯s not urgent, so don¡¯t worry about it while you¡¯re on your trip.


    I laid my tablet on my chest, processing what Star said and Steve¡¯s message. Scuzball¡¯s pushing himself too hard again¡ªsure, he¡¯s a powerful AI, but even he has limits. I was relieved that the fleet was managing fine without me, though the news about Jake made me worry. Good thing Stoneclaw was keeping an eye on him. And then there was Mac¡ªwhat was she doing to my truck this time? The bulldozer blade was already crazy enough. I just hoped she wasn¡¯t going too far.


    Closing my eyes, I let the rumble of the truck lull me to sleep. I was going to need rest with the plans we still had to make.

 Chapter 22: Two Wolves on a Shopping Spree

    By the time we rumbled into Baltimore, it was nearly two in the morning. Kira had stopped once more for fuel, and I had groggily dragged myself to the front of the truck, trying to stay awake long enough to park before crashing again. When we finally found a spot at the Travel America truck stop¡ªone of the few sanctuaries for rigs in this concrete jungle¡ªwe stumbled inside to use the restroom, barely managing to lock the truck down before collapsing into our bunks.


    Now, it was nine in the morning, and while Kira was still blissfully snoring away above me, I lay wide awake, my mind already spiraling through the day¡¯s potential disasters. Scuzball, ever the multitasker, had finally gotten back to me with an update on the Cross Pines Real Estate building. He¡¯d managed to tap into their security and camera feeds, but even he wasn¡¯t keen on touching their servers. Apparently, the company¡¯s network was a digital fortress, bristling with intrusion detection software that would lock everything down at the slightest hint of tampering. Scuzball mentioned he could brute force it, but the ensuing fireworks would turn this covert mission into a very public disaster.


    Instead of the old-fashioned snoop-and-snap job, Scuzball proposed something more... delicate. We needed to sneak into the building, plug a thumb drive into a terminal, and let his program do the rest. It would worm its way through the network, disguised as some harmless real estate query, and open a backdoor for him to access later. The challenge? Getting in and out without setting off every alarm in Baltimore.


    Kira and I would need to go shopping today¡ªfor black clothes, a thumb drive, and some overpowering perfume or cologne to mask our scents. Scuzball had a plan to create some chaos, tripping breakers to kill the lights and looping the security cameras to give us a window of opportunity. And for the grand distraction? He¡¯d trigger alarms across multiple company assets, including Kira¡¯s father¡¯s precious car collection. The gleam in Scuzball¡¯s eyes when he mentioned those cars told me he was planning something particularly nasty. I almost felt sorry for the poor bastards guarding them¡ªalmost.


    Rolling over in my bunk, I stared up at the underside of Kira¡¯s bed. I didn¡¯t want to get up. There were way too many things that could go wrong with this plan. Groaning, I grabbed my phone and checked my bank account, nearly dropping the damn thing when I saw the balance. Over one hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Uncle wasn¡¯t kidding when he said this job would be worth my while. The thought of what I¡¯d have to do to earn that cash made my stomach twist into knots.


    I sat up and quickly transferred the one hundred thousand dollars to my savings account, the kind of life-changing transaction that would make most people jump for joy¡ªor at least consider an extravagant splurge. But for me? It was just another step in the day. I could buy a brand-new rig with cash if I wanted to, but what would be the point? I already had my dream truck, kitted out with some badass upgrades that made even the most seasoned drivers green with envy.


    After closing the app, I reached up and pounded on the upper bunk, the universal alarm clock of truckers everywhere. Kira let out a disgruntled grunt before rolling over, clearly not ready to face the world.


    ¡°Damnit, Jake, I don¡¯t want to get up. Can¡¯t we just sleep in for once¡­¡± she grumbled, her voice thick with sleep.


    ¡°Kira, we need to get up and get moving. We¡¯ve got supplies to grab for tonight,¡± I said, probably too cheerfully for her liking.


    The truck rocked slightly, followed by an umph and a hiss of pain. ¡°Did you just hit your head on the roof of the truck?¡± I asked, my tone dripping with playful mockery.


    ¡°Fuck you, Alpha¡­ that wolfen hurt¡­¡± she growled, her words laced with irritation.


    I couldn¡¯t help but giggle, the sound as much a release of tension as it was genuine amusement. I climbed out of my bunk and rummaged through my go bag for a change of clothes.


    ¡°Maybe next time you won¡¯t have naughty dreams about Jake while we¡¯re stuck together,¡± I teased, pulling on a clean shirt.


    ¡°Don¡¯t start with that wolfshit¡­¡± she muttered, still half-asleep. ¡°I was having a good dream before you woke me up. And no, it was not a naughty dream.¡±


    I laughed again, pulling on my jeans before grabbing one of yesterday¡¯s Red Bulls. Slipping through the blackout curtains, I settled into the driver¡¯s seat and cracked open the can. As I took a sip of the liquid gold, I waited for Kira to finish getting dressed. It didn¡¯t take long before she slid the curtains open and plopped into the passenger seat. She opened a Mountain Dew, and we sat in silence for a bit, letting the caffeine work its magic and preparing mentally for the day ahead.


    ¡°So, what do you think we should do first?¡± Kira asked, finally breaking the silence.


    ¡°Well, we need to get a thumb drive, and it¡¯d make sense to grab some low-profile headsets so Scuzball can stay in our ears,¡± I suggested.


    ¡°Yeah, then we should probably hit up a store for some black clothing and that cologne,¡± she added.


    ¡°Where do you suggest we go to do that?¡± I asked. ¡°I¡¯m not exactly familiar with Baltimore.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a Best Buy in Laurel, Maryland. It¡¯s right next to a Ross clothing store. It¡¯s the last major city before the quarantine zone,¡± Kira suggested, her tone all business.


    ¡°Sounds like a plan. A one-stop shop for everything we need,¡± I stated, taking another sip of my Red Bull.


    ¡°The question is, how do we get there?¡± she asked.


    ¡°We could use Lyft or Uber,¡± I suggested, pulling out my phone. ¡°Trying to maneuver the rig into a parking spot there would be a nightmare.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t even think about that. I¡¯m so used to sticking close to my truck, too scared to leave it for fear of getting caught,¡± she admitted, her voice tinged with a sadness that tugged at my chest.


    The thought of her living in constant fear made my blood boil. It made me want to storm the Cross headquarters and rip her father¡¯s throat out, just like Star did to my father. Gritting my teeth, I opened the Uber app and found the Best Buy in Laurel, requesting a pickup. While we waited, we emptied our go bags to make room for whatever we bought.


    Once we were ready, we made our way into the truck stop to wait for our ride. It didn¡¯t take long for the Uber to show up. We climbed into the car, giving the driver a polite greeting. As we neared our destination, the looming presence of the massive concrete wall around what was once Washington D.C. came into view. In the distance, I could just make out the scarred remains of the city, a testament to the devastation caused during the Second Twilight Winter event. The weapon of mass destruction used back then was shrouded in mystery, its knowledge lost when Dr. Bracton and Colonel Sirnic fell in battle.


    Unlike a nuclear weapon, this device didn¡¯t just obliterate Washington D.C.; it ripped reality a new one. When it detonated, the nation¡¯s capital wasn¡¯t just destroyed¡ªit was erased, leaving behind a ten-mile-wide void where nothing familiar remained. In its place, a twisted, massive structure rose, as if reality itself had been stitched together wrong. The area became a wound in the world, bleeding out magical radiation like a festering sore.


    As we drove closer to Baltimore earlier that morning, I could feel the radiation feeding me, surging through my veins, amplifying the power that already hummed under my skin. Kira¡¯s eyes had flared with an unnatural, glowing blue. It took everything we had to rein in our beasts, to keep them from clawing to the surface. After an hour or so, we managed to settle the power within us, but it was a reminder of just how close we were to something far beyond our control.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since I last saw the quarantine zone,¡± Kira muttered softly, her voice carrying the weight of memories better left untouched.


    ¡°The last time I saw it was right after it happened,¡± I replied, my own memories clawing their way to the surface. ¡°Cayro, Cameron, Zak, and I were here, helping with the rescue efforts.¡±


    ¡°Where was Star?¡± Kira asked, curiosity tinged with hesitation.


    ¡°She was back aboard the SAF Autumn. She and Cayro had their first big fight, and he¡¯d come back to the U.S. to help.¡± The words tasted bitter as they left my mouth.


    ¡°Damn¡­ that must have been one hell of a fight,¡± Kira remarked, her eyes widening slightly.


    ¡°It was,¡± I confirmed. ¡°From what I¡¯ve heard, it was bad. I stayed with Zak while the two of them went back to the Autumn. When the weapon went off, Star nearly lost it¡ªthought Cayro was dead. To this day, neither of them will talk about what happened before he left.¡±


    ¡°Wow,¡± Kira whistled just as our ride pulled up in front of Best Buy.


    I didn¡¯t respond, just nodded and climbed out of the car, Kira following close behind. We waved goodbye to the driver, and I tipped him through the app before turning toward the store. The moment we walked in, we were greeted by an associate. Kira offered a polite greeting while I simply nodded, our minds too preoccupied with the task at hand. We quickly navigated the aisles, searching for a thumb drive and low-profile headsets.


    We found the headset aisle first¡ªno surprise, since Best Buy had their phone counter right near the entrance. We settled on two sets of earbuds, figuring we could keep one bud in to stay connected with Scuzball while still keeping an ear out for anything else. After that, it didn¡¯t take us long to locate the thumb drives.


    As we browsed through the selection, my phone buzzed. Pulling it out, I saw Scuzball¡¯s digital form perched on my screen.


    ¡°What¡¯s up, buddy?¡± I asked, curious about his sudden appearance.


    ¡°Get two thumb drives, and make sure they have both USB type C and legacy USB connections,¡± he instructed, pulling up an image of the exact model.


    ¡°Why two?¡± I questioned, raising an eyebrow.


    ¡°That way you and Kira each have one, just in case,¡± he explained.


    ¡°Ah, okay. That makes sense,¡± I replied. ¡°Any particular capacity you want?¡±


    ¡°A ten-gigabyte drive will work perfectly,¡± he said.


    Quickly scanning the options, I found two twenty-gigabyte drives with the required connections. Shrugging, I grabbed them, and we headed to the checkout counter. Spending what felt like a small fortune on the electronics, we left Best Buy and made our way next door to Ross¡¯s.


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    The moment we stepped inside, it was like entering a war zone¡ªshoppers swarmed everywhere, hunting for deals during what looked like a blowout sale on women¡¯s clothing. Grabbing Kira¡¯s hand, I dodged and weaved through the crowd, determined to make it to the men¡¯s section unscathed. On the way, I spotted a rack of hats and quickly snagged two black baseball caps before continuing on. When we finally reached the men¡¯s section, Kira and I began hunting for black cargo pants and shirts.


    For me, though, clothes shopping was always an exercise in frustration. Being five-foot-nothing with a small build had its advantages, but when it came to finding clothes that fit? Total pain in the ass. After a few minutes of searching the men¡¯s section, it became clear I¡¯d have to venture into the boys¡¯ section to find anything that wouldn¡¯t drown me. Huffing in irritation, I stomped off, fully aware of Kira snickering behind me as she continued browsing. I shot her a glare that could melt steel and growled under my breath.


    "Don¡¯t forget, I know where you¡¯re sleeping tonight," I grumbled, half-joking, half-threatening.


    "Uh huh," Kira replied, unphased, "and you sleep right underneath me, Alpha. Taco Bell sounds rather appetizing for dinner tonight." She flashed a mischievous grin that sent a shiver down my spine.


    I snapped my jaw shut, the prospect of being gassed out of the truck effectively silencing any further retorts. Huffing, I turned my attention back to the boys¡¯ section, rifling through racks until I found a pair of black cargo pants that would fit my small frame, along with a black T-shirt. At least I¡¯d packed my black leather coat¡ªit would do the job of keeping me warm now that fall¡¯s chill was creeping in. My South American heritage made me loathe the cold, and being short didn¡¯t help either.


    Once I¡¯d gathered my gear, I tracked down Kira, finding her inspecting a rack full of bandannas.


    "Hey, Lyra, we could use these to cover our faces¡ªkeep us less recognizable," she suggested, holding one up for emphasis.


    "That¡¯s brilliant!" I exclaimed, snatching a black bandanna with a white stenciled design.


    But just as I was about to feel relieved, Kira¡¯s gaze slid to my hair. ¡°We really need to do something about your hair, Lyra. It¡¯s going to stand out with all the black you¡¯re wearing.¡±


    I slowly turned to face her, suspicion lacing my tone as I growled, "What do you have in mind?"


    She grinned like a cat about to pounce. "We could always dye it black."


    Instantly, I clutched my long, poofy hair like it was a lifeline. "You will do no such thing to my hair!" I screeched, the protective instinct kicking in hard.


    "But Lyra," she countered, "it¡¯s going to stand out. It might get us caught."


    "I¡¯ll tuck it under my hat!" I huffed, stubbornly refusing to entertain the thought.


    Kira eyed my voluminous mane with clear doubt. "Something tells me that¡¯s easier said than done."


    "I am not about to let you pull a Lady Lycotonu on my hair," I growled, remembering the last disastrous attempt someone made to alter my precious locks.


    "A whaaa?" Kira asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion.


    "Nothing¡­ Don¡¯t worry about it," I huffed dismissively. "We are not dyeing my hair. Period. End of story."


    "Alright, fine¡­ But if we get caught because someone spots your hair, don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you," she retorted with a huff.


    In response, I stuck my tongue out at her and lovingly ran my hand over my silver hair. No one messes with my hair. The last person who tried found themselves flying through a wall. My hair was my pride and joy.


    Kira snickered as we moved toward the cologne and perfume section, but not before she made a sly attempt to veer toward the hair dye aisle. A low, threatening growl escaped me, and I grabbed her arm, dragging her away before she could sneak a box into her shopping haul. Whatever had gotten into her lately had turned the timid wolf I first met into a brazen, devious one.


    When we finally reached the perfume section, the overwhelming stench made my nose twitch. Within seconds, I was caught in a full-blown sneezing fit. Meanwhile, Kira seemed completely unaffected, her expression calm and focused as she scanned the shelves.


    "How is this shit not affecting you?" I grumbled between sneezes.


    "I¡¯ve gotten used to it. My father wears cologne a lot to mask his true scent," she explained, barely batting an eye at my discomfort.


    "Ah, that explains¡­" I began, but another sneeze cut me off, my eyes watering from the assault on my senses.


    To my utter horror, Kira saw this as the perfect opportunity to test out various scents¡ªon me. She snatched up random bottles, spraying them under my nose with rapid efficiency. Each scent triggered another round of sneezing fits until she found one that was particularly vile. This one didn¡¯t just make me sneeze; it made my eyes tear up and my throat tighten with a cough. I backed away, glaring daggers at her as I tried to recover.


    ¡°Was that necessary?¡± I demanded irritably, still rubbing my nose from the aftermath of the perfume assault.


    ¡°Actually, yes it was,¡± Kira replied with a mischievous smile, casually tossing every single bottle of the horrid fragrance into our basket.


    ¡°Why the hell do we need so many?¡± I exclaimed, eyeing the growing collection of stink bombs.


    ¡°Your reaction gave me an idea,¡± she said, her grin widening. ¡°They¡¯re in glass bottles. We can use these like stink bombs¡ªand werewolf repellent.¡±


    ¡°Where the hell do you come up with these ideas?¡± I asked, half-impressed, half-concerned.


    ¡°All because I don¡¯t know everything about werewolves doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m stupid¡­¡± Kira replied bluntly, her tone a little sharper than usual.


    ¡°I¡­ but¡­¡± I stammered, caught off guard by her sudden defensiveness. ¡°When did I insinuate that you were stupid?¡±


    ¡°It was the look on your face after we talked about the mating bond yesterday,¡± she pointed out, eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°You should remember, Jake and I have been on the run from my father for years. We had to figure out some tricks and methods to stay hidden.¡±


    ¡°Valid point,¡± I conceded, feeling a bit sheepish. ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I made you feel that way.¡±


    To my surprise, Kira playfully punched me in the shoulder and smiled. ¡°Lyra, you of all people should know that people like my father try to control us by keeping us in the dark. That includes limiting our knowledge. I may not have book smarts like most wolves, but I do have a hell of a lot of street smarts,¡± she said, her grin returning.


    I chuckled, feeling the tension ease between us as we headed to the checkout line. It took us another twenty minutes just to reach the cashier. While Kira started scanning her items, I pulled out my phone to request our Uber. By the time we finished checking out, our ride was already waiting at the door.


    I could still feel my nose tingling from the perfume Kira had chosen. It was wreaking havoc on my sense of smell, and I swore the cashier thought we were insane with the sheer amount of perfume we bought. We played it off, telling her we were planning to prank a friend. She laughed and regaled us with a story about a prank she pulled on her husband back when they were dating.


    Once we climbed into the SUV, we buckled up and enjoyed the ride back to the truck stop. The driver was kind enough to drop us off right at the back of the lot where we had parked the truck. After tipping him through the app, Kira and I climbed into the truck and started it up to get the air conditioning going. We emptied our haul onto my bunk and began dividing everything up, with the perfume stash split evenly between us.


    I ripped open one of the thumb drive packages and grabbed my tablet. Scuzball instantly appeared on the screen, giving us both a devious grin.


    ¡°Plug the USB type C end into your tablet, please,¡± he asked calmly.


    Doing as he requested, I plugged the thumb drive into my tablet. Scuzball walked off the screen and vanished. Suddenly, my tablet erupted with random construction noises, followed by the appearance of a digital garbage can. Something flew across the screen and landed in the can with a metallic clang, which then vanished as the construction noises continued.


    I stared at my tablet, trying to make sense of what in the Great Wolf¡¯s Tail Scuzball was up to.


    ¡°He¡¯s an industrious little bugger, isn¡¯t he?¡± Kira said, peeking over my shoulder.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to figure out why he¡¯s making a big production out of it,¡± I replied, still puzzled.


    ¡°Probably because he can. He seems like he can be a bit extra,¡± she remarked with a playful grin.


    ¡°To be frank, you have no idea,¡± I said, rolling my eyes.


    ¡°So, he¡¯s always like this?¡± she asked, her curiosity piqued.


    ¡°Yep,¡± I answered, settling into the driver¡¯s seat. I grabbed my unfinished Red Bull from earlier and took a sip, grimacing as the flat, warm liquid hit my tongue. But I was more interested in what Scuzball was doing than the disappointing drink.


    It took him another ten minutes or so to finish whatever he was doing. When he finally walked back onto my home screen, he was decked out in a white hard hat bearing his signature cat head logo, complete with a tool belt loaded with digital tools. He brushed his shoulders off, sending a cloud of digital dust falling from him.


    ¡°Seriously, what the hell have you been doing in there?¡± I asked, half-amused, half-exasperated.


    ¡°I was building the software we need to access the Cross Pack network,¡± Scuzball replied with a smug grin, clearly pleased with himself.


    ¡°Was all the sound effects and production necessary?¡± I asked, one eyebrow raised.


    ¡°What? I was bored. Plus, I thought it would make you and Kira laugh,¡± he retorted, not the least bit apologetic.


    I rolled my eyes and glanced at Kira, who was doing a poor job of hiding her giggles behind a serious face. She was failing miserably, and honestly, it was kind of infectious. I couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    ¡°Is the first thumb drive ready?¡± I asked, steering the conversation back on track.


    ¡°Yep, you can yank it whenever you¡¯re ready,¡± he said with a nod.


    I pulled the thumb drive out and handed it to Kira. She took it and handed me the second one in exchange. I plugged it into my tablet, and that¡¯s when Scuzball decided to up the ante on his theatrics. He twirled in place, and his hard hat and tool belt vanished, replaced by a tan Australian bush hat. He even had a high-voltage cattle prod in his paw.


    He strolled off the screen, and then the ruckus began.


    ¡°Oye! You scaley bastard! Back! GET BACK!¡± he shouted in a flawless Australian accent.


    What followed was the unmistakable sound of electricity crackling, a velociraptor screeching, and Scuzball wrestling with¡­ something. The noise escalated with more shocking sounds, hisses, shrieks, and the slam of a heavy metal door. Silence hung in the air for a moment.


    ¡°Clever girl¡­¡± Scuzball¡¯s voice echoed, and then gunshots, like those from a shotgun, rang out, followed by more hissing and screeching.


    ¡°Back in your cage, ya dobby!¡± Scuzball¡¯s voice hollered.


    Another metallic door slam, and then Scuzball reappeared on my screen, looking thoroughly roughed up. His hat had a large chunk bitten out of it, and twigs and leaves stuck out of his fur.


    ¡°One of those bastards got out¡­¡± he muttered, still in the accent, as he cocked the shock gun for good measure.


    Kira lost it, bursting out in laughter. I couldn¡¯t help but facepalm, shaking my head at the ridiculousness. He was bound and determined to get a reaction out of us, and damn it, it was working.


    ¡°Is the second thumb drive ready?¡± I asked, chuckling.


    ¡°Yep,¡± he confirmed, still using the accent.


    I pulled the thumb drive out, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Are you going to keep using that accent?¡±


    He just shrugged and walked off the screen, leaving me to wonder what kind of epic adventure he was imagining. I set my tablet on the dashboard, shaking my head with a grin. Only Scuzball could make writing a program feel like Jurassic Park meets Mad Max.


    Kira had finally composed herself and was packing her go bag with shower gear. ¡°Getting ready to go shower?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m starting to get rank,¡± she replied with a smirk.


    ¡°Sounds like a plan. I¡¯ll go with you,¡± I remarked.


    Gathering my own shower gear, we climbed out of the truck and made our way into the store to pay for showers. It wasn¡¯t long before my number was called, so I left Kira in the driver¡¯s lounge while I headed off. I took my time, savoring the hot water and steam, enjoying a rare moment of relaxation. By the time I finished, dressed, and returned to the lounge, about forty-five minutes had passed. I sent Kira a text to let her know I was out.


    When she didn¡¯t respond, I waited a few more minutes before deciding to call her. As her phone began to ring, I noticed another phone nearby also ringing. I scanned the lounge but couldn¡¯t pinpoint where the sound was coming from. Her voicemail picked up, and the other phone went silent.


    Narrowing my eyes, I redialed her number, listening closely. The other phone started ringing again, and this time, I followed the sound, leading me directly to¡­ a trash can.


    A chill ran down my spine as I stared at the trash can, the ringing phone echoing ominously. Something was definitely wrong.


    Looking down into the trash can, I spotted a phone lying face down on a heap of crumpled paper towels. A sickening chill crawled up my spine. I didn¡¯t even hesitate¡ªI reached in and snatched it out, flipping it over with shaking hands. The screen lit up, revealing a lock screen image of myself on my skyboard. Ice-cold dread spread through my veins.


    Without a second thought, I unlocked my own phone and summoned Scuzball. He appeared instantly, his usually playful demeanor in place.


    ¡°What¡¯s up, Lyra?¡± he asked, his tone casual.


    ¡°Did Kira bring her tablet with her?¡± I demanded, my voice sharp and unsteady.


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s been with her the whole time. Why?¡± His tone shifted, catching on to my urgency.


    ¡°Where is it now?¡± I pressed, my heart pounding in my chest.


    ¡°One moment,¡± he said, falling silent for a brief second that felt like an eternity. ¡°It¡¯s moving down I-395, headed straight into the heart of Baltimore.¡±


    ¡°Fuck!¡± I spat, adrenaline kicking in as I bolted out of the truck stop, my mind racing. ¡°Track it and tell me where it stops.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Scuzball replied, his voice now devoid of its usual playfulness.


    I sprinted towards the truck, my breath coming in ragged gasps. My mind was a storm of worst-case scenarios. Kira was in danger, and whatever was happening, it was bad¡ªvery bad. There was no time to waste. As I reached the truck and yanked the door open, Scuzball¡¯s voice buzzed in my ear, guiding me, keeping me grounded.


    But in the back of my mind, a single thought kept repeating itself: How the hell did this happen?

 Chapter 23: No One Touches My Wolves and Gets Away with It.

    ¡°Lyra, Kira¡¯s tablet is signaling that she¡¯s been taken to the Cross Pack headquarters,¡± Scuzball announced, his voice cutting through the chaos as I frantically shoved items into my go bag.


    I made sure to stuff one of the thumb drives into the front pouch. The second one was MIA, but I didn¡¯t have time to hunt for it. Every bottle of perfume we¡¯d bought was tossed into the bag, along with my combat knife, now securely strapped to my belt. My eyes darted between Kira¡¯s and my rifles, debating whether to bring one. But lugging a rifle through Baltimore would be like waving a red flag in front of a bull¡ªmore trouble than it¡¯s worth.


    With Scuzball working on ordering an Uber, I hastily donned my new black outfit, then bolted out of the truck and clambered onto the back catwalk. I yanked open the headache rack, grabbing a twenty-foot-long, five-sixteenth-inch chain and the winch bar¡ªa.k.a. the ¡°bitch bar¡±¡ªfrom its spot. Wrapping the chain across my body like a makeshift bandolier, I strapped the bar to my bag with the molly system and some zip ties.


    The leather coat went on last, concealing the chain. I slung the go bag over my shoulders, popped one earbud in, and connected it to my phone. By the time I was ready, the Uber had arrived. After locking the truck, I stashed the keys under some straps in the headache rack. No way was I risking those on this mission.


    I sprinted across the parking lot, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. Scuzball¡¯s voice guided me to the Uber, describing the vehicle and plate number. Spotting it, I yanked open the door and slid inside, pulling the bill of my hat down to obscure my eyes.


    ¡°Good evening,¡± I muttered, barely glancing at the driver as I settled in. Pulling out my phone, I typed a message to Scuzball.


    Scuzball, start the firestorm as soon as we arrive.


    ¡°I¡¯m already on it,¡± he replied smoothly through the earbud.


    We need to draw as many wolves out of that headquarters as possible. Pull out all the stops.


    ¡°Lyra, what¡¯s your plan?¡± His tone was measured, but I could sense the undercurrent of concern.


    I¡¯m going to waltz right through the front doors and beat the living shit out of anyone who gets in my way.


    ¡°Are you sure that¡¯s a good idea?¡± he asked, his worry seeping through.


    Those assholes took my wolf. I¡¯m done caring about good ideas.


    ¡°So, channeling your inner Star, then? Going full-on alpha badass?¡± There was a chuckle in his voice now.


    Damn right. No one messes with my wolves.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go kick some furry ass,¡± he said, his chuckle turning into a low, devious laugh.


    For the rest of the ride, I sat in silence, the Uber driver¡¯s attempts at small talk met with clipped, disinterested responses. My mind was too consumed with the mission ahead. As we neared the building, I had her stop a block away. I slipped her a hundred-dollar tip before disappearing into a nearby alley Scuzball had pointed out.


    ¡°Scuzball, it¡¯s time,¡± I whispered, my voice barely audible.


    ¡°Already on it,¡± he confirmed.


    From the shadows, I watched as cars began streaming out of the building¡¯s parking garage like rats fleeing a sinking ship.


    ¡°Give it two more minutes,¡± Scuzball advised.


    ¡°Why?¡± I asked, impatience clawing at me.


    ¡°Let them get far enough away so I can mess with the traffic lights and block their return.¡±


    ¡°You hacked the city¡¯s traffic system?¡± I couldn¡¯t help but smirk at the audacity.


    ¡°Of course,¡± he replied, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Kira in the building?¡± I asked, focusing on the task at hand.


    ¡°Thirty-fifth floor, her father¡¯s office. I¡¯m watching her right now.¡±


    ¡°Wait, how?¡±


    ¡°The dumbass plugged the thumb drive into his computer. I¡¯ve got access to their entire network.¡±


    ¡°Ah, so that¡¯s where the other thumb drive went,¡± I mused.


    ¡°Kira played it perfectly. She made them think it held some top-secret info. I locked down her tablet, just to sell the story.¡±


    ¡°Brilliant,¡± I whispered, a smile tugging at my lips.


    ¡°Go,¡± he ordered, and I didn¡¯t need to be told twice.


    Quickly stepping out of the alley, I kept my head down and moved with purpose toward the building''s entrance. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat a reminder that Kira was inside and in danger. Just as I reached the doors, the lights in the main lobby flickered out, plunging the space into an eerie semi-darkness. The wolves stationed at the reception desk glanced around in confusion before getting up and disappearing from sight.


    Perfect.


    I slipped through the doors and hugged the walls, making my way toward the elevators. My senses were on high alert, every muscle tensed for action. I could hear the wolves muttering to each other, trying to figure out what caused the power outage.


    ¡°Watch this,¡± Scuzball¡¯s voice purred in my ear, tinged with mischief.


    I peeked around a corner, just in time to see one of the wolves open a door, presumably leading to a maintenance room.


    ¡°I bet it¡¯s just a breaker, Levi. No need to bother the boss,¡± the first wolf said, his voice dripping with false confidence.


    ¡°Uh huh, suuuure. And that¡¯s why we just sent nearly the whole pack to check on the other locations?¡± the second wolf retorted, sarcasm thick in his tone.


    A loud bang echoed through the hall, followed by the unmistakable crackle of an electrical zap. The first wolf came flying out of the closet, slamming into his companion with the force of a freight train. Together, they crumpled against the opposite wall, sliding down in a heap. Neither moved.


    ¡°Jeeze, what the hell did you do?¡± I whispered, incredulous.


    ¡°Surge overload,¡± Scuzball replied, his tone casual as if he hadn¡¯t just turned those wolves into crash-test dummies.


    Shaking my head, I made my way to the elevator and pressed the up button. Before the doors could open, Scuzball¡¯s voice interrupted me.


    ¡°Take the stairs to the third level,¡± he directed, a hint of urgency creeping into his tone. ¡°Someone just called the elevator.¡±


    Without hesitation, I spun on my heel and sprinted toward the stairwell door. I pushed through and began ascending, my footsteps light and deliberate. Halfway up the first flight, the lights flickered off, plunging the stairwell into darkness.


    ¡°Why did you kill the lights in here?¡± I whispered, my voice barely more than a breath.


    ¡°I¡¯m disabling multiple areas of the building in stages. I¡¯ve already cut the external phone lines and set up cascading system failures,¡± Scuzball explained, his tone calm and methodical.


    Reaching the third-floor landing, I paused at the door, waiting for Scuzball¡¯s signal.


    ¡°Clear,¡± he finally said.


    I slipped through the door and crept toward the elevator. As I reached it, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hall. My heart leaped into my throat.


    ¡°Back to the stairs, now!¡± Scuzball barked.


    But there was no time. I grabbed the winch bar from my bag, gripping it like a baseball bat. I sprinted to the edge of the hallway, pressing my back against the wall. Just as a man in a sharp suit rounded the corner, I swung the bar with all the force I could muster. The steel connected with his face, and he crumpled to the floor like a marionette with its strings cut.


    Not taking any chances, I dragged his unconscious body to the stairwell, propping him up against the wall before racing back to the elevator. The doors slid open, waiting for me like an invitation to chaos. I stepped inside and jabbed the button for the thirty-fifth floor.


    ¡°That was a hell of a hit,¡± Scuzball remarked, a note of admiration in his voice.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I muttered, my pulse still racing. ¡°What¡¯s the threat level on the thirty-fifth floor?¡±


    ¡°Four or five goons milling around near Mr. Cross¡¯s office,¡± he replied, already plotting their demise.


    I dug into my bag, pulling out four bottles of perfume and loosening their caps. The scent began to seep out, pungent but not overpowering¡ªyet. When the elevator doors opened, I dashed out and hugged the wall at the edge of the hallway. Poking my head around the corner, I spotted one of the men idly scrolling through his phone, a cigarette dangling from his lips. He looked like he belonged in a low-budget gangster flick.


    Narrowing my eyes, I decided stealth was no longer the priority. Kira was here, and these bastards had no idea what they were up against.


    I stepped out from the shadows, cocked my arm back, and let out a soft whistle. The man looked up just in time to catch a perfume bottle to the side of the head. It shattered on impact, the force of the throw sending him sprawling to the floor.


    Grabbing my bandanna, I wrapped it tightly around my face, ready to unleash hell. The commotion from my first attack had drawn another goon running. Cocking my arm back, I launched a second bottle with deadly precision. He instinctively raised his arms to shield his head, but that wasn¡¯t my target. The bottle shattered between his legs. His scream echoed through the hallway as he crumpled to the floor beside his buddy. The air thickened with the acrid stench of the perfume, and the man began coughing and sneezing uncontrollably.


    I darted past them, diving into the lobby where the remaining guards were already on high alert. Without hesitation, I hurled the last two bottles at them. They burst in mid-air, releasing a cloud of noxious fumes. As the men recoiled, I shrugged off my go bag and coat, feeling the weight of the winch bar in my hands. I charged.


    They were already disoriented, sneezing into their sleeves and trying to cover their noses and mouths. The first one to reach me swung wildly, his fist cutting through the air. I ducked low and swung the winch bar with all my might, aiming for his knees. The satisfying crunch of bone snapping was followed by his high-pitched scream as he collapsed.


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    But the second man was faster. He grabbed the winch bar, wrenching it from my grip. I didn¡¯t hesitate. Letting go, I rolled away, coming up on my feet with the end of my chain in hand. I uncoiled a length and began to swing it, the heavy metal links whistling through the air as I stayed light on my feet, bouncing from side to side.


    The two men shared a look, a sinister grin spreading across their faces. The one who had grabbed my winch bar tossed it aside, and both began to shift into their wolf forms. Their suits ripped open, bones cracking and popping grotesquely as their bodies transformed. A grin spread across my face as I felt the familiar surge of power rising within me. But this time, something was different. There was no pain, no tearing of flesh¡ªjust a warm, enveloping wave of magic that flowed through me, reshaping my body like molten steel in a forge.


    When I opened my eyes, I was taller, stronger, more... everything. The wolves stared up at me, their expressions shifting from confidence to shock. I peeled back my lips, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth in a grin that promised nothing but pain. With a single motion, I beckoned them forward with a clawed hand.


    One of them made the smart choice and bolted. The other, however, wasn¡¯t so bright. He lunged at me, fangs bared. I sidestepped and lashed out with my chain, the metal links snapping against his spine with a satisfying crack. He crashed to the ground but quickly scrambled back to his feet, shaking off the hit.


    This time, he charged with more force, slamming into me hard enough to push me back a few feet. I dug my claws into the floor, finding my balance. Grabbing him by the waist, I dropped to my back and used his momentum to hurl him over me. He flew across the room, crashing into the wall with a bone-rattling thud.


    I was on my feet in an instant, spinning the chain like a deadly lasso. The wolf pulled himself out of the dented wall, shaking off debris, but I was already on him. The chain wrapped around his neck with a satisfying snap, and I yanked him toward me. As he stumbled forward, I reached out, clamping my hand around his throat and lifting him off the ground with ease.


    ¡°Where is she?¡± I growled, my voice thick with barely restrained fury.


    His body went rigid in my grasp, and his eyes darted to the office door behind him. Just as I caught the direction of his gaze, he threw a desperate punch, landing it squarely on my jaw. Stars exploded behind my eyes, and for a moment, my grip loosened. But then a roar erupted from my chest, something primal and far beyond the normal sound a werewolf could make.


    Without another word, I cocked my arm back and hurled him with all my strength. He sailed through the air like a ragdoll, crashing into the office door with enough force to blow it off its hinges.


    When the wolf hit the door with the chain still wrapped around his neck, the thick wood exploded off its frame, crashing through the office and taking him with it. I stepped forward, surveying the wreckage as I approached. To my right, the man I¡¯d nailed in the balls was just beginning to recover, still caught in a sneezing fit. Our eyes met, and he froze, wisely deciding to crawl away rather than test his luck. My instincts screamed at me to chase him down, but I had bigger prey in mind.


    Ignoring the fleeing wolf, I turned back to the office, claws digging into the drywall as I gripped the door frame. Stepping over the unconscious wolf sprawled across the splintered door, I came face to face with Marcus Cross, the so-called alpha of the Cross Pack. He stood behind his desk, a pistol trained on Kira, who was trapped in a cage nearby. My eyes narrowed, and I wrapped the chain around my hand, fixing him with a deadly gaze.


    ¡°You might as well give up, Alpha Cross. You¡¯re done,¡± I growled, voice low and lethal.


    His jaw worked soundlessly for a moment, surprise etched across his features. Despite the mob boss bravado, the lines of age on his fifty-year-old face betrayed him. He wasn¡¯t as strong as me, and he knew it. But then, the surprise morphed into a smug grin.


    ¡°You think you can take me on and win? You have no idea how powerful I really am,¡± he sneered, puffing up his chest. ¡°I have connections that go beyond just being an alpha.¡±


    I arched an eyebrow, unimpressed. ¡°And your point is? I¡¯m here for one thing, and one thing only.¡± I jerked my chin toward Kira.


    His face twisted into a scowl. ¡°I¡¯m not giving her up. Especially now that she¡¯s mated to that omega. I have plans for that brat,¡± he snarled.


    ¡°Plans, huh? Enlighten me,¡± I said, stepping forward.


    He cocked the hammer on his revolver, the barrel steady on Kira. ¡°One more step and I¡¯ll shoot her,¡± he growled, but I didn¡¯t stop. I just grinned, baring my teeth.


    ¡°If you¡¯re so powerful, why not challenge me?¡± I taunted.


    He let out a harsh laugh, clearly enjoying his perceived upper hand. ¡°You don¡¯t get it, do you, Alpha Acosta? I already have the upper hand. You care too much about your pack. That¡¯s where you and your so-called king are weak. My wolves do as I order, even if it means their deaths. I¡¯m going to use that omega to take over the North American Wolf Council, bring that boy-king down to his knees, and push us into a new era. With me as King, we¡¯ll rule North America, and with China¡¯s backing, we¡¯ll bring the world to heel,¡± he declared, his voice swelling with arrogance.


    I couldn¡¯t help it¡ªI started laughing, a maniacal sound that echoed through the office. Kira¡¯s eyes widened in confusion, but I didn¡¯t care. I stared at the fool before me, the man who thought he was untouchable.


    ¡°See, what you failed to understand is¡­ I didn¡¯t come alone,¡± I said, a devious grin spreading across my face.


    At that moment, the computer on his desk flared to life, the screen filling with the stern, commanding image of Lord Lycotonu, flanked by several council members. Cross¡¯s smug expression faltered, his eyes darting to the monitor as he recognized the King of the Wolves.


    ¡°Alpha Cross, thank you for so eloquently confessing your plans,¡± Lord Lycotonu¡¯s voice boomed from the speakers, filled with cold authority. ¡°The information you¡¯ve hidden within your pack headquarters is rather illuminating. You are hereby stripped of your alpha position. You and your entire pack are excommunicated from the North American pack registry.¡±


    The look on Alpha Cross¡¯s face twisted from fury to shock as he swung his pistol toward the monitor, squeezing the trigger. Just as he fired, I whipped my chain at his arm. The hook met the back of his hand with a sickening crack, and his hand exploded into a mess of blood and bone. He screamed, the pistol clattering to the floor as he cradled the shattered remains of his hand to his chest.


    I took a step forward, but before I could close the distance, he shifted into his wolf form in a desperate attempt to fight back. With a sigh, I whipped the chain again, nailing him in the head. He dropped to the floor, knocked out cold in mid-shift. I hadn¡¯t even hit him that hard¡ªjust enough to keep him down for a while. Walking over, I quickly tied his arms and legs with the chain. It wouldn¡¯t hold him forever, but it¡¯d do long enough for us to get the hell out of here.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± I asked Kira over my shoulder while securing the unconscious alpha.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± she replied, her voice steady. ¡°The key to the cage is in his desk drawer.¡±


    I rifled through the drawer, finding the key and tossing it to her. She caught it and unlocked the padlock that kept her trapped. The moment she was free, she walked over and kicked her father square in the face, the crunch of bone indicating she¡¯d broken his nose.


    ¡°Let¡¯s shove him in the cage and give him a taste of his own medicine,¡± she growled.


    Grinning, I hoisted the unconscious alpha up and threw him into the cage. He hit the bars with a satisfying clang, and we quickly secured the door, locking the chain around it for good measure. With that done, we gathered up Kira¡¯s belongings and made our way out of the office. I grabbed my winch bar, coat, and go bag before we headed toward the elevator. As we stepped inside, Kira turned to me with a curious look.


    ¡°Lyra, have you always had armor?¡± she asked, her eyes scanning my shoulders and chest.


    I shot her a puzzled look. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got these... armored scales along your shoulders, down your back, and chest,¡± she explained, a mix of awe and curiosity in her voice.


    I glanced down at myself, my eyes widening in surprise. Sure enough, black dragon-like scales covered my upper chest and arms, hard and resilient like Stoneclaw¡¯s. I reached up and touched them, feeling their solid, protective texture.


    ¡°Huh, that¡¯s new¡­¡± I muttered, still in my raspy voice.


    ¡°It¡¯s really cool looking. You should talk to Stoneclaw, see if you¡¯ve got any other new tricks,¡± she suggested, a grin tugging at her lips.


    ¡°Probably a good idea,¡± I agreed, still marveling at the scales as the elevator¡¯s mirrors reflected my transformed appearance.


    The elevator came to a stop on the fourth floor, and the doors slid open to reveal a wolf waiting outside. Her eyes widened as she took in my appearance. I let out a vicious growl, baring my teeth. She stumbled back in fear, retreating down the hallway. Kira quickly hit the close button, and the doors slid shut again.


    ¡°For a five-foot-nothing woman, you¡¯re one of the biggest wolves I¡¯ve ever seen,¡± she remarked, glancing down at me.


    ¡°I¡¯m only six and a half feet tall,¡± I replied, brushing it off. ¡°There are bigger wolves than me.¡±


    ¡°Lyra, not to burst your bubble, but you¡¯re definitely taller than six and a half feet,¡± she stated as the elevator reached the ground floor.


    I didn¡¯t argue with her, though I made a mental note to check later. Stepping out of the elevator, I scanned the lobby to ensure it was clear. Seeing no one, we made our way to the building¡¯s entrance. Just before stepping outside, I shifted back to my human form. The transformation was smooth, almost effortless, unlike the usual painful process. As I stood next to Kira, she blinked in surprise¡ªshe was now a full six inches taller than me.


    ¡°What?¡± I asked, noticing Kira''s wide-eyed stare.


    ¡°Your clothes¡ªthey¡¯re intact,¡± she blurted out.


    I glanced down at myself, and sure enough, the clothes I¡¯d been wearing before I shifted were perfectly fine. Not even a tear, not a scratch. Hell, the earbud was still snug in my ear. Well, that was different.


    ¡°It¡¯s about time you shifted back,¡± Scuzball chimed in my ear. ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to get your attention.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± I asked, already knowing it probably involved something going boom.


    ¡°You need to get out of the building. I¡¯m about to cause complete chaos,¡± he said, his tone too casual for comfort.


    Grabbing Kira¡¯s hand, I pulled her out of the building and into the streets, heading for a coffee shop a block away. Just as we got inside, the fire alarms in the building behind us started blaring, and smoke began billowing out of one of the upper floors.


    ¡°What did you do?¡± I asked my A.I. companion, a smirk forming on my lips.


    ¡°I fried the server room and every single workstation in the building,¡± he said with a hint of pride.


    ¡°What about all the data?¡± I asked, more out of curiosity than concern.


    ¡°I copied everything and sent it to the NAWC. Zak ordered it all destroyed, so I traced everything to an offsite location and obliterated it. The Cross Pack¡¯s finances have been frozen and seized as well,¡± he explained.


    ¡°Damn¡­ Zak wasn¡¯t kidding around,¡± I muttered, impressed by the thoroughness.


    ¡°No, he wasn¡¯t. Everything that belonged to Marcus Cross or the Cross Pack has been completely transferred to either Kira or the NAWC,¡± Scuzball added, with a hint of satisfaction. ¡°Have Kira check her bank account.¡±


    I looked over at Kira as we sat down at a table. ¡°Check your bank account,¡± I told her.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have my phone; the asshole Uber driver that grabbed me tossed it in a trash can,¡± she said with a sigh.


    ¡°Oh yeah, hold on,¡± I said, rummaging through my go bag until I found her phone. I handed it over.


    ¡°You found it! Thanks,¡± she said, her voice brightening up.


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± I replied, watching her unlock the screen. The notifications lit up with several missed calls¡ªall from Jake. She quickly cleared them away and opened her banking app. Her jaw dropped the moment her balance appeared.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± I asked, leaning in.


    She turned the phone around, showing me the screen. Over seven million dollars now sat in her account. Even my jaw fell open a little. She quickly closed the app, setting the phone down like it might bite her.


    ¡°That¡¯s a lot of money¡­¡± she whispered, still processing.


    ¡°No shit, I thought what I had this morning was a lot,¡± I remarked, shaking my head.


    ¡°I know, right?¡± she said, the shock still evident.


    ¡°You should call Jake back before he loses his mind,¡± I suggested, nodding toward her phone.


    She picked it back up and dialed his number. I listened in as she reassured Jake that she was okay, the panic in his voice audible even from across the table. Apparently, their bond had let him feel her fear and anxiety, which had thrown him into a panic. When he couldn¡¯t reach us, he¡¯d gone to Stoneclaw, ready to fly out and find us himself. Luckily, Stoneclaw had calmed him down, telling him that if we didn¡¯t check in by nightfall, the dragons would come looking.


    Kira spun a tale about how she¡¯d left her phone in the truck while we were loading, and that the fear he felt was just from a giant spider. We¡¯d probably have to come clean later, but for now, it was best to keep the fleet in the dark about what really happened.


    When the Uber arrived, we climbed in and headed back to the truck stop. Once there, we grabbed a few drinks and returned to the truck. We didn¡¯t bother staying the night. I went straight to the pre-trip checklist, while Kira went into the sleeper to organize the mess I¡¯d made earlier.


    Scuzball brought up the GPS route to Aberdeen Proving Grounds, and without wasting any time, I shifted the truck into drive, released the brakes, and got us the hell out of Baltimore. The city that had nearly swallowed us whole disappeared in the rearview, replaced by the long, dark stretch of highway. It took us about an hour to reach our destination, and thankfully, we arrived just before the end of the workday.


    After a quick check-in, we were directed to the loading zone. To my surprise, several loaders were already waiting for us, ready to get to work. In minutes, they had the truck loaded, secured, and tarped. The massive forklifts made short work of the prototype JLTV and the accompanying crates we were tasked with transporting. They didn¡¯t even bother asking us to break the trailer down¡ªefficiency at its finest.


    With everything in place, I signed off on the cargo, and we rolled out. As we hit the open road, I learned that part of the load was destined for SkyTeam Aerospace Foundation Headquarters. Perfect. I needed to have a word with Director Staroko anyway¡ªthere were too many loose ends that needed tying up, and I had a feeling he¡¯d have some answers.


    Kira sat silently in the passenger seat, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery. She was lost in thought, the weight of the day¡¯s revelations pressing down on her. I could see it in the way she absentmindedly traced patterns on the window with her finger, her mind a million miles away. It had been a long, grueling day¡ªone that neither of us would soon forget. And with everything we¡¯d uncovered, it was no wonder she needed time to process it all. Hell, I did too.


    As the miles rolled by, the hum of the engine and the rhythmic thrum of the tires on the asphalt became a sort of lullaby, soothing the lingering tension. But beneath that calm surface, the gears in my mind were still turning, planning, anticipating, preparing for whatever lay ahead. This was far from over.

 Chapter 24: When an Elder Wolf Speaks Listen, It Could be Important.

    We rolled into SkyTeam Aerospace Foundation headquarters around ten in the morning the following day. Kira had crashed shortly after I took the wheel, and by the time my drive time ran out, it was nearly six in the morning. She slept through the entire eleven-hour haul, oblivious to the world. Jake had called me during that stretch, worried sick about her silence. I had to explain¡ªagain¡ªthat it wasn¡¯t my place to tell him what was on her mind. Kira would share when she was ready, and until then, he¡¯d just have to trust her. After hanging up with Jake, I called Stoneclaw to fill him in on the mess Zak had dropped us into, how it all went sideways, and how I had to go all ¡°rescue ranger¡± to get Kira back. He promised to keep the news under wraps from the rest of the fleet, which was a relief. The last thing I needed was a pack of worried wolves breathing down my neck.


    I conveniently left out the odd changes I¡¯d gone through during the mission. I wasn¡¯t entirely sure how to explain it yet¡ªor even if I could. That conversation would have to wait until I had more answers. Hopefully, Director Staroko would have some insights. After that, I called Mac. For some reason, I missed her. She kept me company the entire time I drove, chatting about the training exercises the fleet was running. Apparently, they¡¯d added water balloons and paintball rounds to the mix to make things ¡°more realistic.¡± Her excitement was contagious, and despite my exhaustion, I found myself smiling. Mac was thrilled to be back in a military unit, especially now that the support team had delivered our uniforms and gear, complete with division patches.


    She also let slip that Charlotte and Tyler had been busy designing potential unit crests. They were waiting for me to get back and choose one. Mac had a favorite, of course, but she wouldn¡¯t tell me which. The girl¡¯s enthusiasm was infectious, though she refused to spill any details about my truck when I asked. It was ¡°a surprise for my return,¡± she insisted, clearly enjoying the suspense. We talked about everything and nothing for the next few hours, and it was nice, really nice. I found out she had her CDL but wasn¡¯t interested in driving long-term. She¡¯d gotten it just in case¡ªanother way to be prepared. She also confided in me about the falling out she¡¯d had with her odyssey, her family of phoenixes, when she joined the Marines. They still talked occasionally, but she kept her distance.


    By the time I finally crawled into my bunk, I was too tired to keep my eyes open, and I drifted off with her still on the phone. Kira took over the driving, letting me sleep off the miles. Now, I was sitting groggy as hell in the passenger seat, staring blankly at the big sign outside SkyTeam headquarters. The company¡¯s slogan, ¡°The Choice is Clear,¡± was displayed prominently beneath a hand holding a glass of water. I let out a big yawn, rubbing my eyes with the palms of my hands, trying to shake off the lingering fog of sleep.


    ¡°Here, I got you something,¡± Kira said, pulling a large can of Red Bull out of a plastic bag and handing it to me.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I mumbled, still half-asleep but grateful.


    ¡°I figured you¡¯d be tired as hell by the time we got here,¡± she said with a grin.


    I nodded, cracked open the can, and took a huge gulp of the tangy, caffeinated rocket fuel. The familiar rush hit me instantly, sending a shiver through my body. ¡°You¡¯re a lifesaver,¡± I said, clutching the can like it was liquid gold.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to deal with a crabby Lyra,¡± she teased.


    I arched an eyebrow at her. ¡°Who said I¡¯d be crabby?¡±


    ¡°You do realize that we all talk, right? Steve warned everyone not to mess with you when you¡¯re tired,¡± she said, her grin widening.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡± I trailed off, a little embarrassed. Steve would know better than anyone how unpleasant I could be when I hadn¡¯t slept.


    We rolled up to the entrance of SkyTeam headquarters, where I noticed something new: a military guard stationed at a freshly installed gate. That was definitely a change¡ªthere was never a guard here before. Kira rolled down her window as the guard stepped up, his posture rigid with authority.


    ¡°Paperwork and driver¡¯s license, please,¡± he demanded, his tone all business.


    We handed over the paperwork, and I pulled out my wallet. Instead of giving him my driver¡¯s license, I handed him my military ID. Kira, still lacking hers, passed over her driver¡¯s license along with the company ID we¡¯d all been issued. The sergeant took our credentials, but the moment his eyes landed on my military ID, he froze. His demeanor shifted instantly¡ªstiffening like he¡¯d just realized he was standing in front of a superior officer.


    He quickly returned our documents, snapping off a crisp salute. ¡°Please proceed to the Research and Development building, Colonel Acosta,¡± he announced, dropping his salute with a sharp nod.


    I nodded back and directed Kira to drive on. She glanced at me, her brow furrowed in curiosity. ¡°How do you know where we¡¯re going?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I used to work and live here. If anything, this is home for me,¡± I explained. ¡°I come back during the holidays to visit.¡±


    ¡°Damn¡­¡± she mouthed, eyes widening a bit as she took in the place.


    We pulled into the loading area of the Research and Development building, where a small team of people was already waiting for us. I could just make out Director Staroko and Dr. Volkova among them. Kira parked the truck, and we climbed out, meeting the group halfway to hand over the paperwork we¡¯d gotten from Aberdeen Proving Grounds. As soon as the documents changed hands, Director Staroko waved the team toward the truck. Kira and I automatically moved to help break down the load, but Director Staroko stopped us before we could get two steps.


    ¡°Ladies, the team will handle the load. It¡¯ll be a couple of hours before you can leave,¡± he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.


    I gave him a questioning look. Normally, drivers were required to handle their own securement and untarping.


    ¡°They¡¯ve got it covered. Meanwhile, Dr. Volkova and I will take you to an early lunch,¡± he added, the hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± I asked, still a bit thrown by the offer.


    ¡°Yes. They need to offload certain items and reload others that we¡¯re sending to your camp,¡± he explained.


    ¡°Alright,¡± I relented.


    We followed him to a black Chevy Tahoe parked just out of sight of the loading area. As we drove, I couldn¡¯t help but glance out the window as we passed the field where I had first met Cayro all those years ago. The memory was as clear as if it had happened yesterday¡ªa night filled with chaos and bloodshed. The field still bore the scars from that battle, the trees standing as silent witnesses to the horror of that night. Now, a granite memorial in the shape of a wolf howling at the sky stood in the middle of the field, a somber tribute to all those who had fallen. Each time I came back here, I made it a point to visit, to honor their memory.


    As the SUV emerged from the cover of the trees, the Tuscan-style mansion came into view, the Crescent Moon hovering just above it. The sight was as imposing as ever.


    ¡°Director Staroko, before we have lunch, could we have a private discussion?¡± I asked from the back seat.


    ¡°Of course,¡± he replied, his amber eyes meeting mine in the rear-view mirror.


    He pulled the SUV around to the front of the mansion, and we all got out. I glanced over at Kira, noticing how nervous she looked as we walked up to the entrance.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Are we really going into the Zaraki Mansion?¡± she whispered, her voice laced with awe.


    ¡°Yeah, why?¡± I asked, genuinely curious.


    ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ all so surreal,¡± she replied, her eyes wide with disbelief.


    ¡°Nah, like I said, this is home to me. I bet Star and Cayro are somewhere around here. You can bother them for a bit while I talk to Director Staroko,¡± I said with a grin, trying to ease her nerves.


    ¡°Is he really Director Staroko, the first King of the Wolves?¡± she asked, her voice trembling slightly.


    ¡°The one and only,¡± Director Staroko said, turning back to look at us with a knowing smile.


    Kira¡¯s eyes widened as she quickly averted her gaze from Director Staroko. I rolled my eyes and gently dragged her into the mansion. The place hadn¡¯t changed much since the first time I walked through those doors years ago. Dr. Zaraki still had photos of Star and the SAF scattered throughout the house, but there were some new additions. Recent photos had begun to appear¡ªsome of the twins, others of Cayro and Star standing with Dr. Zaraki. There were even a few of me and the Lyconotus, which caught me off guard.


    Director Staroko led us to the main dining hall, where we found Cayro, Star, the twins, and a few other people I didn¡¯t recognize sitting at the table, talking quietly. Cayro was at the head, with Star on his right and Celestia on his left, while Seren sat next to Star, quietly coloring with crayons.


    Mounted above Cayro¡¯s head were two new, large photos that caught my attention. One was of Cayro, Star, and the 588th with the Crescent Moon hovering over them¡ªa moment frozen in time. The other was a shot of me and the entire fleet, with our trucks lit up in the background. It was the picture Dr. Zaraki had taken when we returned to the Ankeny yard after our first mission. For a moment, I gaped at the photos, feeling a mix of pride and surprise before shifting my focus back to Star and Cayro, who were now watching me.


    Cayro directed our group toward a set of empty chairs, and we made our way over. Director Staroko gestured for Kira and Dr. Volkova to sit down.


    ¡°Cayro, I need to borrow Lyra for a bit to have a private conversation. Would you mind keeping her pack member and Katrina company while Lyra and I have our discussion?¡± Director Staroko announced.


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    ¡°Not a problem, Director. We¡¯ll hold lunch until you return,¡± Cayro replied with a grin, giving me a wink that made me narrow my eyes suspiciously. What was that about?


    I followed the director out of the dining hall, squeezing Kira¡¯s shoulder as a silent reassurance that she would be safe with them. Director Staroko led me to the conference room near Dr. Zaraki¡¯s office, where we pulled out chairs to sit down. I kept my eyes fixed on the tabletop, feeling the weight of the impending conversation.


    ¡°Lyra, I know what you want to ask me. Being that you and I are now equals, you don¡¯t have to be submissive,¡± he said calmly.


    I looked up, meeting the gaze of the world¡¯s most powerful wolf. His scarred face was stern, but his amber eyes held a calm, caring expression. I swallowed hard and clasped my hands together on the table, feeling the pressure to find the right words.


    ¡°How was I able to bond with a phoenix and a dragon?¡± I finally asked, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.


    A grin spread across his face, and he took a moment to ponder his response. ¡°Lyra, like all other werewolves, you were taught that our bonding magic only works within our species. However, that isn¡¯t entirely true. The magic that flows through us is the same magic that originates from another realm.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I asked, my curiosity piqued.


    ¡°What I¡¯m about to tell you cannot leave this room. The ramifications of this information getting out would cause chaos that even I cannot predict,¡± he said, his tone ominous.


    ¡°Okay,¡± I agreed quietly, the seriousness of the moment sinking in.


    ¡°I, along with several other supernaturals, are not originally from this realm. We come from the realm that the weapon ripped open,¡± he revealed, slowly lacing his hands together as if to anchor himself to the gravity of his words.


    I stared at him, processing the enormity of what he had just said. This wasn¡¯t just any revelation¡ªit was a secret that could upend everything we knew about our world.


    ¡°Over three thousand years ago, I and a group of my closest allies escaped that realm and came to Earth to avoid a war and the slaughter of my bloodline. Back then, we were at war with a faction of mages and kingdoms that coveted our lands and magic,¡± he explained, his voice steady.


    ¡°But how does that relate to me bonding with other species?¡± I asked, trying to piece together how this ancient history connected to my recent experiences.


    ¡°I¡¯m getting to that,¡± Director Staroko continued, his voice taking on a more solemn tone. ¡°In the other realm, it was common practice to bond with other magical creatures to strengthen and protect one another. These bonds allowed us to rely on each other in ways that went beyond mere alliances. But over time, this practice revealed a critical flaw¡ªa flaw that was exploited and ultimately led to the destruction of my kingdom in that realm. A powerful mage, known only as Merlin, helped us escape the annihilation of our species. When I and what remained of my kingdom arrived on Earth, I made it a law that we would never bond with another supernatural creature again. Over the centuries, this law became so ingrained that wolves began to believe our magic was incompatible with any other species.¡±


    ¡°So, let me get this straight,¡± I said, biting my lower lip in concern. ¡°Technically, our magic isn¡¯t from this world, we can bond with other creatures, and I broke one of your laws.¡±


    ¡°No, yes, and yes,¡± he replied, his stern expression softening into a smile. ¡°But I should point out that I¡¯m no longer king, so you didn¡¯t break my law¡ªyou broke Zak¡¯s. However, since I know for a fact that he hasn¡¯t bothered to read up on the old laws yet, I don¡¯t think you need to worry about that.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by ¡®no¡¯?¡± I asked, confused.


    ¡°My magic and that of your ancestors isn¡¯t of this world,¡± he explained, ¡°but over time, it has evolved. Now, the magic you and your peers possess is a blend of this world and the other. As more time passes, the magic will become more attuned to this realm. Unlike me, you and most other wolves are beings of this world. There are only a handful of us who aren¡¯t. The problem is, humans tend to think in linear terms. If you didn¡¯t originate from this world, they consider you a threat. That¡¯s why I¡¯m telling you to keep this information between us.¡±


    I nodded, trying to wrap my head around all this. ¡°What are the consequences of bonding with other creatures? Are there any benefits?¡±


    ¡°First and foremost,¡± he said, his gaze locking onto mine, ¡°always bond with those you absolutely trust. If you bond just to gain power, the results can backfire catastrophically. That¡¯s what happened in my past. When you bond with another, you¡¯re offering them a piece of your soul, and they¡¯re giving you a piece of theirs in return. This makes you vulnerable to each other.¡±


    I had to ask, though I already suspected the answer. ¡°Have you ever bonded with another species?¡±


    His expression told me everything I needed to know. He had, and it had led to betrayal.


    ¡°Yes, twice,¡± he admitted. ¡°The first time nearly killed me. The second is the reason I¡¯m alive today. It¡¯s why, despite being over three thousand years old, I look like I¡¯m in my late forties.¡±


    ¡°I thought werewolves were long-lived,¡± I said, puzzled.


    ¡°Oh, we are,¡± he confirmed, smiling slightly. ¡°But the oldest werewolf on record is over six hundred¡ªthat would be Alpha Malachi¡¯s father. That old dog just won¡¯t give up the ghost. Our average lifespan is about three hundred years.¡±


    ¡°Then how are you still alive?¡± I asked, trying to make sense of it all.


    ¡°I just told you,¡± he said with a slight chuckle. ¡°I¡¯m alive because I bonded with another creature. I gained his ability to be immortal. It wasn¡¯t something I intended, but it happened. And I suspect you have a similar ability.¡±


    I gave him a questioning look, struggling to understand what he meant. ¡°How would I be immortal? I¡¯m bonded to a phoenix and a dragon. The others are all werewolves.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure about that?¡± he asked, a knowing grin spreading across his face.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sure,¡± I huffed, feeling defensive.


    ¡°Are you not bonded to Star and Cayro?¡± he asked, his tone careful.


    ¡°Well¡­ yes, but they¡¯re part werewolf. That¡¯s where our bond originated,¡± I replied, a hint of doubt creeping in.


    ¡°You¡¯re forgetting what we just discussed. We can bond with other creatures. Star and Cayro aren¡¯t just werewolves. They¡¯re also draconians,¡± he pointed out, his words hanging in the air like a challenge to everything I thought I knew.


    It dawned on me that Mac wasn¡¯t my first external species bond¡ªStar and Cayro were. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks, and I couldn¡¯t help but blush at my earlier ignorance. All this time, I¡¯d seen their bond with me as a purely werewolf connection.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± I muttered, the embarrassment clear in my voice.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re saying that I¡¯ll be immortal because they are?¡± I asked, treading carefully as if the answer might upend my entire existence¡ªwhich, let¡¯s face it, it kind of did.


    ¡°That¡¯s correct,¡± Director Staroko confirmed, leaning back in his chair with an air of calm certainty.


    I leaned back too, trying to piece together the implications. If Star and Cayro were immortal due to their draconian nature, and now I might be immortal because of my bond with them¡­ I shot a look of shock and realization at Director Staroko.


    ¡°You¡¯re bonded to Dr. Zaraki, aren¡¯t you?¡± I demanded, the words spilling out before I could stop them.


    He gave me that same knowing grin, the one that said he wouldn¡¯t need to confirm it outright¡ªit was all in the subtext.


    ¡°That¡¯s why you stepped down from being the King of the Wolves,¡± I continued, the pieces falling into place. ¡°You knew that if the others discovered what you¡¯d done, they¡¯d want to do the same. You broke your own law and gained immortality, even though it wasn¡¯t your intention. That¡¯s why you¡¯re loyal to him and not the North American Wolf Council.¡±


    ¡°Very perceptive, Alpha Acosta,¡± he replied, his tone one of genuine respect. ¡°You¡¯ve figured it out. And this is exactly why you cannot share any of this conversation with anyone outside this room. I inadvertently gave up my title the day Dr. Zaraki and I bonded. He is loyal to me, and I am loyal to him. By bonding with Star and Cayro, you¡¯ve inadvertently set yourself apart from the werewolf hierarchy. You may be loyal to Zak as a friend, but your true loyalty lies with Star and Cayro. If they gave you an order that contradicted Zak¡¯s, you¡¯d obey them over him. That¡¯s how the bonds work.¡±


    ¡°So, I¡¯ll never be a true member of the werewolf community?¡± I asked, the weight of that realization pressing down on me.


    ¡°Eh, yes and no,¡± he replied, lifting his hand and tilting it side to side, a gesture as ambiguous as his answer.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I pressed, needing clarity in this swirling mess of revelations.


    ¡°Zak will recognize you as an alpha and as the leader of your pack, but he knows you¡¯ll never truly answer to him. That¡¯s why, when it came to helping you build a pack, he came to me. He knew you needed members who would be loyal only to you and not have ties to other packs,¡± Director Staroko explained.


    ¡°Zak knows?¡± I asked, feeling a pang of betrayal mixed with understanding.


    ¡°He figured it out after he discovered that Dr. Zaraki and I were bonded. My son is pretty perceptive when it comes to connections. It¡¯s one of the reasons why he makes a damn good king,¡± he said with a small smile.


    ¡°So, you were the one who put my pack together?¡± I asked, the pieces of my life being reshuffled in my mind.


    ¡°Yes, and you were the best option for them. They needed an alpha, and we didn¡¯t have a place for them here at SkyTeam,¡± he answered.


    ¡°Thank you. They mean the world to me,¡± I said softly, genuinely grateful.


    ¡°That¡¯s good because they¡¯ll be loyal to you and only you now,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Did you suggest the dragons and Mac too?¡± I asked, curious about how deep this plan went.


    ¡°No, that was Dr. Zaraki¡¯s doing. Although I don¡¯t think he intended for them to bond with you. The dragons needed a task that got them out of the special forces, and Mac, from what I understand, was struggling to adjust to her position in the shop. She¡¯s a hell of a mechanic, from what I¡¯ve heard,¡± he explained.


    ¡°Yeah, she is,¡± I agreed, smiling at the thought of Mac¡¯s enthusiasm. ¡°I have one more question before we head back.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± he asked, his tone patient.


    ¡°My beta, Steve Amarok, suggested that Zak is preparing me to be on his council. Is that the case?¡± I asked, bracing myself for the answer.


    ¡°No, in fact, that¡¯s part of why we¡¯re having this lunch today. We¡ªmeaning me, Dr. Zaraki, and Zak¡ªhave been preparing you to be on Star and Cayro¡¯s council. Because they are your Alpha and Luna, we¡¯ve been taking steps to get you ready to take your seat as their lead council member,¡± he revealed.


    My shoulders sagged as the truth of his words settled over me. I had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed made it all the more real. I took a moment, gathering my thoughts, before looking back up at the Director.


    ¡°Why?¡± I asked, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me.


    ¡°I¡¯ll answer this one last question, Lyra,¡± Director Staroko said, his tone leaving no room for debate. ¡°But afterward, we need to head back to the dining hall. We¡¯re out of time.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± I replied, bracing myself for whatever revelation was coming next.


    ¡°The supernatural world is shifting and restructuring now that we¡¯ve been revealed,¡± he began, his voice measured and deliberate. ¡°With Star and Cayro being one of the more influential families in our world, they¡¯re set to be among the most prominent leaders of the supernaturals. They¡¯ll likely be in charge of the military side of things. That means they need a council of their own¡ªone they can lean on and trust implicitly.¡±


    He stood up, signaling that our conversation was over, and opened the door for me. I followed him out of the conference room, my mind buzzing with everything I¡¯d just learned.


    As we entered the dining hall, I noticed Star and Kira deep in conversation, while Dr. Volkova sat with Cayro, holding Seren. When Cayro saw us, he stood and gestured for the room to quiet down.


    ¡°Now that we¡¯re all here, please move to your proper seats so that we can begin lunch and discuss the plans that are in motion,¡± Cayro announced, his voice carrying the authority of someone who was used to being obeyed. ¡°Lyra, you and your sergeant, please take your seats next to me.¡±


    Star and Kira stood and moved to their seats at the head of the table, and I followed suit, though not without a pang of unease. I carefully pulled out the chair that had been reserved for me and sat down beside Cayro, trying to get a read on the room. Director Staroko and Dr. Volkova took the twins out of the dining room, with the director giving me a wink as he left. I returned it with a weary look before turning my attention to Star, who offered me a soft, reassuring smile just as the mansion staff began bringing in the food.


    I swallowed hard and looked down at my plate, waiting for everyone to be served. As I glanced around the room, I couldn¡¯t help but notice that everyone except Kira and me was dressed in military uniforms. Most of them were colonels or lieutenant colonels, with a few sergeants mixed in. The realization that I was surrounded by such high-ranking officials made my stomach churn.


    Leaning over to Kira, I whispered, ¡°There¡¯s a lot of higher brass here. Any idea what¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Supposedly, this is a divisional lunch, from what I understand,¡± she whispered back. ¡°By the way, when did I get the rank of sergeant?¡±


    ¡°No idea,¡± I whispered, genuinely baffled.


    ¡°Just now,¡± Cayro whispered, leaning over to both of us with a mischievous grin.


    I nearly jumped out of my skin at his voice, having forgotten his super hearing. ¡°Not funny, Alpha,¡± I grumbled, trying to mask my surprise.


    Cayro just smiled at me, a quick, knowing smile, before standing up to address the room. The atmosphere shifted as he prepared to speak, the weight of whatever was coming next hanging in the air like a storm about to break.

 Chapter 25: Under One Moon We Stand United and Strong.

    ¡°Thank you, everyone, for coming today.¡± Cayro¡¯s voice cut through the room with the precision of a general accustomed to being heard. ¡°As some of you know, I¡¯ve gathered you here today to discuss the upcoming push into the west boundaries of the country.¡±


    The air in the room thickened. Everyone sat a little straighter, eyes riveted on Cayro. I couldn¡¯t tear my gaze away either. My unit¡ªthe 781st, Dragon Fleet¡ªwould be spearheading this operation. Combat was inevitable.


    ¡°As you all know,¡± Cayro continued, ¡°the Chinese are eyeing Salt Lake City. We cannot let that happen. Salt Lake is a key strategic stronghold that could allow them to push further into the country.¡±


    A monitor flickered to life, showing a map of Salt Lake City peppered with pins. Military points of interest¡ªAir Force bases, airports, highways¡ªeach location a critical artery in the city¡¯s defense.


    ¡°The Salt Lake area has several locations ideal for funneling in troops and supplies,¡± Cayro said, echoing the thoughts I was already running through my mind.


    A stern-looking colonel wasn¡¯t convinced. ¡°What¡¯s the plan then, General? I-80¡¯s been closed off for years.¡±


    Cayro didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°While you¡¯ve been training, we¡¯ve been reopening the I-80 corridor. We thought we had more time, but with the forces in California mobilizing, we now have days, not months.¡±


    The room buzzed with whispered concerns, but Cayro cut through them effortlessly. ¡°You and your units will be flown in within forty-eight hours via airships. Your mission is to secure Salt Lake City, shut down the I-80 corridor west of the city, and hold it.¡±


    ¡°Will we have air support?¡± another colonel demanded.


    ¡°Yes, three combat airships will remain in the area,¡± Cayro confirmed.


    The logistics colonel, a no-nonsense woman, jumped in. ¡°We¡¯re talking six battalions, Sir. How are we handling supplies?¡±


    Cayro¡¯s eyes flicked toward me, and I could see what was coming. ¡°Each unit will take preliminary equipment during the first drop. Heavier equipment will come in via trucks once the airports are secured, with airlift support as needed.¡±


    ¡°And do we even have the manpower for that?¡± the first colonel pushed, doubt lacing his tone.


    That¡¯s when Cayro gave me the nod. Time to step into the spotlight.


    I stood up, feeling the weight of every eye in the room on me. ¡°Everyone,¡± Cayro announced, ¡°this is Alpha Acosta, commander of the 781st Transportation Pack¡ªDragon Fleet.¡±


    Surprise rippled through the room, and I felt a flush of anxiety. I was smaller, younger, and in their eyes, likely less experienced. A few snorted dismissively. One had the nerve to mutter, ¡°She¡¯s an alpha?¡±


    My blood boiled, but I kept my cool. Locking eyes with the speaker, I let my eyes glow silver and growled, ¡°Yes, I am.¡±


    Cayro, ever the master of timing, quirked an eyebrow. ¡°Alpha Acosta and her fleet are the best qualified to transport the equipment you¡¯ll need.¡±


    The room fell silent. The man who¡¯d doubted me shrank back under the weight of Cayro¡¯s and my combined stare.


    ¡°Go ahead,¡± Cayro encouraged me, ¡°tell them about your fleet.¡±


    I swallowed hard and looked around the table. ¡°I command the 781st Transportation Pack¡ªDragon Fleet. We specialize in moving cargo through rough terrain, hostile areas, and across impassable barriers.¡±


    Recognition flickered in the eyes of one colonel. ¡°Wait, are you the group with the black trucks that went to Big Springs, Wyoming last week?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I said simply.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I thought.¡± He turned to the others, nodding. ¡°She has my vote. I¡¯ve seen her unit in action.¡±


    ¡°What about the tanks?¡± A beast of a man spoke up, his voice booming across the room like a thunderclap. ¡°I doubt their trucks can handle the weight of an Abrams main battle tank.¡±


    I met his gaze and arched an eyebrow. This guy had no idea just how much of a beast our trucks were. Before I could retort, Cayro¡¯s chuckle cut through the tension, drawing all eyes to him.


    ¡°Sirus,¡± Cayro began, his tone laced with amusement, ¡°you¡¯re underestimating just how strong Dragon Fleet¡¯s trucks really are. But don¡¯t worry, they won¡¯t be transporting your tanks. Your Heavy Equipment Transport unit will handle that. Dragon Fleet will be escorting them.¡±


    Sirus snorted, leaning back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. ¡°Their production trucks can¡¯t compare to a military HET.¡±


    Before I could respond, Kira leaned back in her chair, inspecting her nails with a casual air that belied the storm brewing behind her eyes. ¡°I think you¡¯ve got it backwards, Colonel. Your HETs can¡¯t compare to our trucks.¡±


    The grin spreading across my face mirrored the one Kira flashed. Her wolf was finally rising to the challenge, and it was a sight to see.


    ¡°And who the hell are you to know what a HET can and can¡¯t do?¡± Sirus shot back, his tone belligerent.


    Kira¡¯s eyes gleamed with a devious light, her canines elongating as she bared them in a grin. ¡°I¡¯m one of those transportation experts my Alpha just mentioned. Our so-called production trucks are built specifically to haul weights exceeding one hundred and twenty thousand pounds into active combat zones¡ªall while keeping us alive and completing the mission. Unlike your M1070 HET, our trucks can take the heat in combat. One well-placed mine will destroy your HET and kill its occupants. Think of it like this, Sir¡­ Imagine your HETs and an MRAP had a child. That child would be our trucks.¡±


    The room went silent as Kira¡¯s words hung in the air, the Colonel snapping his mouth shut with an audible click. His eyes darted to me, expecting a rebuke, but I merely shrugged, confirming everything Kira had just said. His gaze shifted to Cayro, silently pleading for backup.


    ¡°Sirus,¡± Cayro¡¯s voice was firm, ¡°for the sake of argument, I think you should drop it. Alpha Acosta and her fleet know more about trucks and transportation than anyone else in this room. I¡¯ve seen what their trucks are capable of.¡±


    The Colonel huffed, sinking back into his chair, but not before glaring daggers at me and Kira. Kira just gave him a sweet, saccharine smile before returning to her nails.


    ¡°As I was explaining,¡± Cayro continued, seamlessly redirecting the discussion, ¡°the 781st will be responsible for transporting the heavy equipment to Salt Lake City.¡± He gestured to the monitor, shifting the focus back to the strategic map.


    For the next hour, Kira and I listened as Cayro meticulously laid out the battle plans, detailing how he wanted everything handled. The tension in the room ebbed and flowed as questions were asked and answered, but the undercurrent of resistance was palpable. Once the meeting wrapped up, we stayed back while Cayro spoke with the others.


    When he finally approached us, his expression was stormy, his usual calm replaced with something darker. He held a thick manila folder in his hands, and as he extended it toward me, I felt a knot form in my stomach. I took the folder and quickly scanned the documents inside.


    The first few pages were orders¡ªorders specifically for me. I was being called back to active-duty service, promoted to Colonel, and given command of the 781st Transportation Pack under the 102nd Airborne Division. The next set of orders drafted my entire pack into military service, complete with names, social security numbers, genders, and established ranks. Even the dragons¡¯ unit was being transferred under my command.


    I looked up at Cayro, my stomach churning. His expression told me everything I needed to know¡ªhe¡¯d fought this, and he¡¯d lost. I thought back to my conversation with Director Staroko and the pieces started to click into place.


    ¡°Zak backed the President on this decision, didn¡¯t he?¡± I asked, my voice flat.


    Cayro froze, surprised at my deduction. ¡°How did you figure that out?¡± he demanded.


    ¡°The conversation with Director Staroko clued me in. Because of our bond, Zak can¡¯t influence me like he can the rest of the wolves,¡± I answered, feeling the weight of the revelation settle over me.


    "That¡¯s correct..." Cayro¡¯s voice was low, almost apologetic.


    My eyes narrowed, the weight of his admission settling heavily between us. ¡°How long have you known?¡± I demanded, keeping my tone even, though my pulse quickened.


    Cayro held my gaze, his expression solemn. ¡°Shortly after we all arrived in Pigeon Forge, after the destruction of my grandparents¡¯ home. Zak gave you an order, and you brushed it off. But when I gave the same order, you complied without hesitation. Zak knew then that he had no real power over you.¡±


    The truth hit me like a sledgehammer, and I felt my muscles tense as I processed his words. One of my closest friends had known this for so long and hadn¡¯t said a damn thing. My voice came out as a low growl, barely restrained. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡±


    Cayro took a deep breath, holding it as if he could delay the inevitable before exhaling slowly. ¡°Star and I agreed that we wouldn¡¯t treat you like a subordinate. We decided to treat you like family.¡±


    His words were meant to soothe, but they only ignited the anger simmering beneath my skin. I pushed, needing the real answer, the one they had avoided giving me for too long. ¡°Then why push me away?¡± The growl in my voice was unmistakable.


    Cayro¡¯s expression softened, but there was a flicker of something else¡ªregret, maybe. ¡°What Star and I told you was the main reason. We wanted you to be healthy, to grow into the alpha you were always meant to be. But there was another reason¡­ We had to start preparing you to be a council member for Star and me. With everything that¡¯s happened, it boils down to the fact that, not only are we Zaraki¡¯s, but we are also both Lycotonus. We carry the same power as Zak and Aura.¡±


    I felt my mouth go dry as the implications of his words settled in. ¡°So... you and Star are technically also rulers of the wolves as well?¡±


    Cayro nodded, his expression pained. ¡°In a manner of speaking, yes. The bond that you and I created all those years ago isn¡¯t easily breakable. Once a wolf accepts a king to follow, the only way to break it is for that king to die. Even though I did die, Star still held that bond. She would have had to die too.¡±


    He sat down on the table, his fingers brushing over the scars on his face¡ªa constant reminder of how close we had come to losing him. The weight of his words hung in the air, oppressive and undeniable.


    ¡°That brings up another question,¡± I said, pulling out a chair and sinking into it. My voice was quieter now, the anger giving way to confusion and a gnawing sense of unease. ¡°Why do you and Star need a council?¡±


    ¡°Star and I are the backup plan if something happens to Zak and Aura. Zak absolutely refuses to challenge me, and I refuse to challenge Zak. He¡¯s the rightful heir to the throne. We¡¯ve written an agreement to support each other. In your case, Zak feels it¡¯s not worth fighting me for you or the wolves in your pack. We both believe that having some separation of power is a good thing. Zak and Director Staroko also think it¡¯s wise for Star and me to have a pack under us.¡±


    ¡°Oh...¡± The surprise in my voice was unmistakable. ¡°Why do they think having wolves under your control is a good thing?¡±


    ¡°For protection¡ªfor us and our family,¡± he answered without hesitation.


    I nodded slowly, the pieces starting to fall into place. ¡°I can see their point of view on that.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, so do I. Star and I both agree that while we have the potential to command many wolves, we only want you and your pack as our wolves. We don¡¯t desire to rule like Zak or Director Staroko. If you can even say that old wolf desires to rule, that is.¡± Cayro chuckled, though there was a somber undertone to it.


    I couldn¡¯t help but snort in agreement. We all knew that Director Staroko didn¡¯t want to rule. Not anymore. The wolves in the SkyTeam Pack came to him out of necessity, not because he sought power. He stepped up out of a sense of duty. Now that I understood why he stepped down as the King of the Wolves, I could empathize with him more. He was bonded to Dr. Zaraki, just as I was bonded to Cayro and Star. When they pushed me away, I had felt a deep sense of betrayal because, deep down, I wanted nothing more than to serve and protect them. Director Staroko probably felt the same way towards Dr. Zaraki.


    I knew from firsthand experience that the SkyTeam Pack would do anything to protect and serve SkyTeam Aerospace Foundation and its owners. Star and Cayro, while technically owners of SkyTeam, had always steered clear of the corporate side. They were military through and through¡ªStar having grown up aboard the SAF Autumn, living a disciplined, regimented life, and Cayro being a sixth-generation armed forces member. Military service wasn¡¯t just a duty for them; it was in their blood, something they excelled at beyond measure. Now, understanding the real dynamics at play, it made perfect sense why I¡¯d been called back and why my pack had been drafted. If Star and Cayro were in the military, then so were we. There was no other way it could be.


    I stood up, the weight of my new understanding settling in my bones, and looked at Cayro. Without a word, I snapped to attention and gave him a sharp salute. He returned the gesture with a nod, and that was all we needed. We both knew where we stood¡ªhe was my general, and I was his trusted colonel. No words could capture the depth of our connection and the unspoken understanding that had always been there.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    Straightening my back, I walked out of the dining hall, the manila folder clutched tightly in my hand. Kira followed closely, her footsteps matching my pace. As we stepped outside, I quickly found Director Staroko, and together, the three of us made our way to the waiting SUV. But before I could get in, something pulled at me¡ªan invisible thread tugging at my heart.


    ¡°Wait,¡± I said, holding up a finger. Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked out to the field adjacent to the mansion.


    Kira and Director Staroko stood by the SUV, watching as I approached the monument that stood in the middle of the field. The granite statue, a silent sentinel, marked the spot where so many had fallen. I knelt before it, placing my hand gently on the bronze plaque, feeling the cool metal beneath my palm. Bowing my head, I closed my eyes, allowing the memories of that night to wash over me. The chaos, the loss, the blood¡ªall of it came rushing back. But so did the strength, the resolve, and the determination that had driven us to survive.


    After a long moment, I stood up, my heart heavy but my spirit unbroken. I turned away from the monument and walked back to the SUV, ready to face whatever came next.


    Once we were in the SUV and on the road, Kira finally broke the silence. ¡°What was that all about?¡± she asked, her voice tentative.


    ¡°What are you referring to?¡± I asked, though I had a pretty good idea what she meant.


    ¡°What you and Cayro discussed,¡± Kira clarified, her tone more certain now.


    I glanced into the rearview mirror, meeting Director Staroko¡¯s steady amber gaze. He gave me a slight nod, silently acknowledging the conversation he likely already knew about. I turned to Kira, my expression serious, leaving no room for misunderstanding.


    ¡°What I¡¯m about to tell you is highly sensitive,¡± I began, my voice low and firm. ¡°I plan to tell the rest of the fleet when we get back, but you are not to share this information with anyone outside of the fleet.¡±


    Kira nodded, the weight of my words clearly sinking in. ¡°Alright, Alpha,¡± she replied softly, sensing the gravity of the situation.


    ¡°Dragon Fleet is an independent pack that does not fall under the North American Wolf Council. We¡¯re recognized as an official pack, but they don¡¯t rule over us,¡± I explained, watching her reaction closely.


    Kira¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°What do you mean? Does that mean we¡¯re a rogue pack?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I said, shaking my head. ¡°Our pack falls under the direct leadership of General and Colonel Zaraki.¡±


    ¡°But Lord Lycotonu is the King of the Wolves. He rules over all the wolves on Earth. That includes us,¡± she stated, her voice filled with certainty.


    I glanced back at Director Staroko, hoping for a little help in explaining this delicate matter. He nodded and spoke up, his voice calm and authoritative.


    ¡°Kira, you¡¯re aware that I am the previous King of the Wolves, correct?¡± he asked, his tone respectful but firm.


    ¡°Yes, Alpha,¡± she replied, her respect evident in her tone.


    ¡°My son, Lord Lycotonu, recognizes the SkyTeam Pack as an official pack, but he knows that my pack will never obey his orders because of who I am. In the case of Lyra and Dragon Fleet, there are certain... aspects in play that prevent Lord Lycotonu from commanding Lyra and Dragon Fleet. That responsibility falls on Star and Cayro Zaraki. They are to Lyra and Dragon Fleet what Lord Lycotonu is to the rest of the wolves and packs.¡± He explained, carefully skirting around the most sensitive details.


    Kira¡¯s eyes widened in shock as she slowly turned to look at me. ¡°So, what you¡¯re saying is that Star and Cayro are our King and Queen?¡±


    I nodded, confirming her suspicions. ¡°Yes, but I wouldn¡¯t recommend calling them that. They wouldn¡¯t appreciate it.¡±


    ¡°Wow¡­ that is some heavy information, Lyra,¡± Kira whispered, her voice laced with quiet awe as she processed the bombshell I¡¯d just dropped.


    ¡°It¡¯s the main reason we were drafted into military service,¡± I explained, my tone carrying the weight of inevitability. ¡°Cayro can¡¯t command a civilian pack while also being an active-duty officer in the military.¡±


    Kira bit her lip, clearly wrestling with the implications. ¡°Do we still have a choice about staying in the fleet?¡± she asked, her words tentative, almost fragile. ¡°I¡¯m not saying I want to leave, but I know the others were worried about that.¡±


    Her question hung in the air like a blade waiting to drop. I looked into the rearview mirror, searching for Director Staroko¡¯s input. His slight shake of the head was all I needed to confirm my worst fears.


    I sighed, feeling the burden of leadership pressing down on my shoulders as I opened the folder in my lap. Flipping to the set of orders that drafted my wolves into service, I handed them to Kira, watching her face as she read. The color drained from her cheeks as the reality of our situation became clear. The orders were ironclad, leaving no room for dissent. If any member of the fleet tried to leave, they¡¯d be reassigned to another military pack to complete their mandatory service. The window for opting out had slammed shut before we even realized it was closing.


    ¡°Lyra, what are you going to do about this?¡± Kira asked, her voice tinged with concern as she handed the papers back to me. ¡°The others aren¡¯t going to like this.¡±


    I shook my head, the sense of helplessness creeping in. ¡°There¡¯s nothing I can do, Kira. Cayro and Star tried, but it¡¯s out of my control now.¡±


    Kira frowned, the gears in her mind turning as she tried to reconcile everything. ¡°Is that why Cayro looked so pissed off when he came over to you?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I admitted, the memory of his stormy expression flashing in my mind.


    ¡°For a second, I thought he was angry at me for speaking up earlier,¡± she confessed, almost sheepishly.


    I chuckled, the tension easing slightly. ¡°He didn¡¯t even mention that. Honestly, I don¡¯t think he likes that colonel any more than you do.¡±


    Kira snorted, her disdain for the pompous officer evident. ¡°Well, if it¡¯s any comfort, I don¡¯t like him either. He was a pompous asshole.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, he acted like he knew everything about transportation,¡± I agreed, sharing in her frustration.


    As we pulled up to the truck, a surprising sight greeted us. The load had been reconfigured, secured with military precision, and wrapped so tightly it looked like a gift straight from Santa himself. The tarp was taut, the bungies perfectly aligned, making the entire setup look flawless. I couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of appreciation for the team¡¯s work.


    Climbing out of the SUV, we said our goodbyes to Director Staroko before heading to the truck. Kira, still the active driver, took her place behind the wheel while I settled into the passenger seat, the weight of the folder heavy in my lap.


    As we hit the road, I flipped through the draft orders, each name, rank, and assignment detailed with military precision. When I reached Kira¡¯s file, something caught my eye. She¡¯d been given the rank of sergeant, with an official MOS designation as an 88 Mike¡ªTransportation Operator. But what really caught my attention was her marital status. It listed her as married, with Jake¡¯s name right beside hers.


    ¡°When did you and Jake submit for a marriage license?¡± I asked, trying to keep my tone casual.


    ¡°Huh? What? We haven¡¯t submitted any paperwork for marriage yet,¡± she sputtered, clearly caught off guard.


    ¡°Well, according to your draft orders, you¡¯re married,¡± I said, still scanning the document.


    ¡°Really? That¡¯s weird,¡± she remarked, her confusion matching my own.


    Curious, I pulled out my phone and summoned Scuzball. It took a moment for him to appear on the screen, his usual mischievous grin in place.


    ¡°Scuzball? Do you know why Kira and Jake are listed as married on their draft paperwork?¡± I asked, patience threading my voice.


    ¡°Actually, yes, I do,¡± Scuzball chimed in, his tone matter-of-fact. ¡°Mated pairings are acknowledged by the military as married. This ensures that the mated pair receives all the proper benefits the military offers.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± I said, the explanation making sense now. ¡°How did the military even know that Kira and Jake were mated?¡±


    ¡°Unlike most packs that are pushed into service, Cayro and Star had me handle all of the paperwork for Dragon Fleet when it became clear they couldn¡¯t get you out of the draft. All of your contracts are ironclad and can¡¯t be modified without your direct agreement as the pack alpha,¡± Scuzball explained, his voice tinged with a hint of pride in his work.


    ¡°So, you filled in the pack information then?¡± I asked, my tone a mix of curiosity and gratitude.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Scuzball replied, his voice brimming with the smug satisfaction only he could muster.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I said, appreciating his attention to detail, even if it meant our fates were sealed tighter than ever.


    ¡°You are very welcome,¡± he chirped, his tone almost too cheerful given the circumstances.


    I set my phone down on the dash, letting the weight of the conversation settle. As Kira navigated the truck towards the Ankeny yard, I flipped through the last few pages of the paperwork, the reality of our situation sinking in with every word. The yard came into view, and I neatly tucked the papers back into the folder, shoving it into the truck door. As we approached the gate, I handed Kira my ID, watching her pass it to the guard, who barely glanced at it before snapping to a salute.


    ¡°Welcome back, Colonel,¡± he said with a crispness that caught me off guard.


    Over the past two days, the yard had transformed again. The once open and bustling space was now fortified, the perimeter fence heightened and covered, the atmosphere charged with the presence of more equipment and soldiers. It was as if we¡¯d rolled into a military base, not our home.


    As we rolled towards the back of the yard, Steve and Stoneclaw approached the truck, their expressions a mix of relief and expectation. Kira and I climbed out, exchanging knowing looks before greeting them.


    ¡°Hey guys,¡± I said, forcing a smile despite the fatigue weighing down my shoulders.


    ¡°Welcome back, Alpha,¡± Steve replied, his tone respectful yet familiar.


    ¡°How was your trip?¡± Stoneclaw asked, his keen eyes already searching for answers in our faces.


    Kira and I exchanged another glance, this one tinged with a silent agreement to keep things under wraps for now. ¡°Uneventful,¡± Kira lied, her voice too casual.


    Stoneclaw¡¯s stare was piercing, and I knew he wasn¡¯t buying it for a second. Damn dragon was always too perceptive. Sensing the need to shift the conversation, I quickly asked about the rest of the fleet.


    ¡°How¡¯s everyone been holding up?¡±


    Stoneclaw arched an eyebrow, his expression making it clear that our conversation wasn¡¯t over. ¡°Over the past two days, the dragons and I have been putting the fleet through their paces. I think everyone¡¯s had a collective eight hours of sleep,¡± Steve answered, a weary smile tugging at his lips.


    ¡°So, everyone¡¯s tired and cranky?¡± I asked, trying to lighten the mood.


    ¡°Most definitely,¡± Steve chuckled. ¡°Stoneclaw¡¯s dubbed this ¡®hell week.¡¯ We¡¯re cramming nine weeks of basic training into four days.¡±


    ¡°Jeez, that means tomorrow is the last day?¡± I asked, realizing the intense pace they¡¯d been under.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Stoneclaw confirmed.


    ¡°Cancel it,¡± I said firmly, feeling the weight of the new orders pressing down on me. ¡°We need to prepare to leave. Get everyone gathered in thirty minutes for formation. We have new orders.¡±


    Steve snapped to attention, saluting me with a sharpness that took me by surprise. Stoneclaw followed suit, but I expected that from him.


    ¡°Stoneclaw, you mentioned we got our uniforms and equipment shipped in?¡± I queried, shifting gears into full military mode.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am. Two full con ex boxes arrived the day after you left, with all our gear¡ªincluding combat gear, from boots to body armor,¡± he answered with the efficiency of a seasoned officer.


    ¡°Good. After formation, I want you and the dragons to issue everyone¡¯s equipment,¡± I ordered.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± he replied, saluting again before turning on his heel to execute my orders.


    Kira trailed behind me as we made our way to the MCV, her uncertainty evident in every step. She looked lost, unsure of where she fit into this new, more rigid structure. For now, she could stick close to me.


    Inside the MCV, Catalina was at her workstation, engrossed in a stack of documents. ¡°Catalina, have you received the documents that establish us as a unit yet?¡± I asked, my tone all business.


    ¡°Yes, Colonel Acosta,¡± she replied without missing a beat, handing over the folder I gave her to compare with her own meticulous records. Her desk was lined with individual folders, each labeled with names, ranks, and service codes¡ªshe had been busy.


    ¡°Who knows?¡± I asked, knowing she¡¯d understand the gravity of my question.


    ¡°Only you, me, and Stoneclaw,¡± she answered, her voice steady.


    ¡°Is everything ready?¡± I pressed.


    ¡°Yes. All we need is for everyone to sign their documents,¡± she confirmed.


    I nodded, satisfied, and left the MCV. Thirty minutes later, I found myself standing in front of a three-squad platoon, the reality of our new roles settling over me like a heavy cloak. Each squad was a mix of wolves and dragons, with Steve leading the first squad, Raptor the second, and Icetail the third. Stoneclaw stood behind the platoon, filling the role of my head NCO, a position he was more than qualified for given his extensive experience.


    As I stood before them, the enormity of what lay ahead weighed heavily on my shoulders. We weren¡¯t just a pack anymore. We were a military unit, bound by duty and the ties that had been forged in blood and loyalty. There was no turning back now.


    I surveyed the faces standing before me, each one at attention, waiting for my next move. A heavy silence hung in the air, thick with anticipation. I could feel the weight of my own words pressing against my chest as I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what I had to say.


    "At ease," I commanded, my voice firm, yet tinged with the anxiety bubbling beneath the surface.


    As they shifted their stance, relaxing slightly, I hesitated, feeling the pressure of the truth I needed to reveal.


    "I made you all a promise," I began, my tone steady, "a promise that I can¡¯t completely keep."


    The words tasted bitter on my tongue, but their expressions remained unreadable, disciplined, and focused. Not a single flicker of disappointment crossed their faces, which only made the knot in my stomach tighten.


    "If any of you wish to leave the Dragon Fleet Pack," I continued, my voice softer now, "I will release my bonds from you. You are free to go."


    But still, no one moved. They just stood there, waiting, as if nothing I had just said mattered. The silence stretched on, oppressive and confusing. I glanced over at Stoneclaw, silently pleading for some kind of explanation.


    ¡°What is going on, Stoneclaw?¡± I demanded, my voice betraying the confusion I felt.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask them?¡± he replied, his voice carrying an edge of knowing that sent a shiver down my spine.


    I searched the crowd until my gaze landed on Cain. "Cain, are you okay?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, afraid of what his answer might be.


    He met my eyes and smiled, a soft, genuine smile. "Yes, Alpha, I am okay," he replied, his voice steady and sure.


    I swallowed hard, my throat tight. "Didn¡¯t you and Abel want to leave?" The question came out in a whisper, loaded with the weight of all my fears.


    ¡°I did at first, yes, Alpha. But not anymore,¡± he answered, his words washing over me like a balm, easing the tension I hadn¡¯t realized I was holding.


    I turned to Sasha, silently seeking her answer. She met my gaze head-on. "No, Alpha, I don¡¯t want to leave. You have proven to me that you are the Alpha I want to follow," she declared, her voice strong, unwavering.


    Tyler raised his hand, his usual enthusiasm tempered by the seriousness of the moment. I nodded at him to speak.


    ¡°I speak for all of us, Alpha. Over the past couple of weeks, you have shown us who you truly are and how much you care for us as individuals and as a pack. We, as a pack, have collectively decided that we will follow you to the gates of Hell!¡± His declaration rang out, loud and proud, reverberating through the air.


    The response was immediate. The entire platoon, Catalina, and Stoneclaw erupted in a unified, deep, drawn-out woof that nearly knocked me off my feet. The sheer force of it caught me by surprise, leaving me momentarily speechless. The realization that my pack was not only united but fully committed hit me like a tidal wave.


    I blinked rapidly, trying to collect myself. "Dragon Fleet! Attention!" I barked, my voice carrying the authority of an Alpha who had just been reminded of her strength. "Major Pixiewolf will call out your names. When she does, retrieve the folder she gives you and follow her instructions. Once everyone has their folder, Major Stoneclaw will begin issuing your military equipment."


    I stepped back, allowing Catalina to take my place. She began calling out names, handing out folders with the precision of a seasoned officer. I stood there, watching as my pack¡ªno, my unit¡ªbegan to form in front of my eyes. It was a sight both humbling and empowering.


    The sound of footsteps approaching from behind pulled me out of my thoughts. I didn¡¯t need to turn around to know who it was. Gunny stepped up beside me, his presence a familiar, grounding force.


    ¡°I told you that you¡¯d make a great leader, Lyra,¡± he said quietly, his voice filled with a rare softness.


    ¡°Yes, you did,¡± I replied, a small smile tugging at my lips. ¡°I just wasn¡¯t expecting us to be a unit as well.¡±


    ¡°Sometimes, Fate has a funny way of surprising us,¡± Gunny said with a chuckle, his words carrying a depth I hadn¡¯t expected.


    His statement caught me off guard. I turned to face him, narrowing my eyes as I tried to understand the shift in his usual straightforward demeanor. ¡°How did you know I was a werewolf?¡± The question had been gnawing at me for a long time.


    Gunny gave me a knowing grin, one that sent a shiver down my spine. ¡°Sometimes, you¡¯re placed on a path that guides you to meet people well before you realize it. Even when one of those people happens to be a close relative to your mentee,¡± he said with a wink, his words steeped in mystery.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I asked, the confusion evident in my voice.


    ¡°When you get some free time, Lyra, look up your family tree,¡± he said with a smile, leaving me with more questions than answers as he walked away.


    I stood there, rooted to the spot, watching him go, the weight of his words settling over me like a fog. The mystery of my past was far from solved, but the answers were out there¡ªwaiting for the right moment to reveal themselves.

 Chapter 26: Let the Wolves Dance Under the Magical Moon Light

    I stood in the MCV, scanning the orders Catalina handed me after Kira and I got back. The weight of the mission hit me hard: we had to be rolling by tomorrow afternoon, no exceptions. Equipment was already streaming in, getting loaded onto our trailers, and the shipment Kira and I hauled in was being transferred onto one of our flat decks. Those black, unmarked crates gave off an ominous vibe, practically screaming classified. Whatever was inside, it was our job to protect it, no matter the cost. The orders were frustratingly vague¡ªjust keep the cargo safe and don¡¯t ask questions.


    Letting out a heavy sigh, I looked up as a short, stocky man around my height limped into the MCV, using a crutch for support. His F.S. Army uniform bore the Army Ranger scroll and Special Forces patch, and it hit me¡ªhe was one of the dragons, the injured one from our first battle. I eyed him carefully, recalling the hell he¡¯d gone through.


    ¡°Colonel, I¡¯m here to help issue your TA-50 gear, uniforms, and all the other Army essentials,¡± he said in a deep Southern drawl.


    ¡°Ironfist, good to see you again. How¡¯re you holding up?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Good to see you too, ma¡¯am. Let¡¯s just say my stunt was a bit too rash,¡± he replied with a hint of self-deprecation.


    ¡°Maybe, but what you did was brave as hell,¡± I said, pride swelling in my chest.


    ¡°Yeah, well, doubt I¡¯ll ever fly again,¡± he grumbled.


    What do you say to someone who might never do what they love again? I could only imagine how gut-wrenching that was. An idea sparked¡ªmaybe, once he healed enough, I could have Director Staroko commission him a skyboard. Trying to encourage him, I stood up and met him at the door.


    ¡°You¡¯ll fly again one day, Ironfist,¡± I said, trying to inject some optimism into my tone.


    He just huffed and led me to the shipping container where our gear was stashed. Once we reached the container, he pointed out two tough boxes marked with my name and rank. Pulling the packing slip off the boxes, he instructed me to open the first one.


    Inside, I found all my uniforms¡ªboots, physical training gear, my class A uniform, towels, running shoes, rank insignias, and more. Everything was there except the unit patches. I shot him a questioning look, and he handed me five 102nd Airborne Division patches before holding up his checklist. It took us about ten minutes to inventory everything in that first box.


    When I opened the second box, I found all my combat and field equipment. Unlike standard units, our gear was streamlined¡ªbody armor, helmets, IOTVs, CBRN gear, and the basics, but no tents, sleeping mats, or other camping gear. Just the essentials that could fit into our rigs¡¯ limited living space. It felt like our gear was downsized to match our mobile lifestyle, with everything designed to fit snugly in our trucks.


    After we finished inventorying, Ironfist pulled me aside. His expression was unreadable, but I could sense something was up.


    ¡°The Fleet has something for you. They wanted to wait until everyone got their gear issued,¡± he said, leaving me confused.


    ¡°Um... okay,¡± I replied, not sure what to expect.


    He led me to an area near the shipping container where the entire fleet was waiting, arranged in a U-shaped formation. I glanced around, still puzzled as they parted to let me through. As I stepped into the center, the sound of one of the rigs roaring to life grabbed my attention. Turning toward the noise, I watched as my truck rolled out from behind the shop.


    As the truck approached, I caught sight of Mac behind the wheel, a huge grin plastered across her face as she maneuvered my rig in front of the formation. My jaw practically hit the ground when I saw the transformation. The once-massive bulldozer blade had been redesigned, reinforced to look sleeker, and painted to match the rest of the truck. The battle damage from our first trip had been replaced with silver streaks, artistically highlighting where the scars had been. Perched on the hood was a new silver dragon ornament, wings spread as if ready to take flight. And sitting atop the sleeper? A remote gun turret, quietly swiveling, ready for action.


    But what really caught my eye was the new unit crest emblazoned on the door panels. The SkyTeam diamond served as the backdrop, with a dragon chasing its tail in the center. Our pack name, ¡°Dragon Fleet,¡± was italicized in a blocky font, slashing through both the diamond and the dragon. Beneath the diamond, in a graceful arch, was our unit designation: 781st Transportation Pack. And, as the final touch, my rank and name were painted in silver on the bottom of the driver¡¯s door, the Alpha insignia proudly leading the way. It was... perfect.


    I stood there, completely gobsmacked, taking in the viciously beautiful sight of my truck. Everyone around me was grinning, clearly pleased with themselves. Mac hopped out, her grin even wider, and pulled me into a hug.


    ¡°What do you think of the upgrades?¡± she asked, clearly excited.


    ¡°Mac, I¡¯m at a complete loss for words. This looks amazing!¡± I said, barely able to contain my excitement.


    ¡°Good, because I¡¯ve been working day and night with an army of techs to get these trucks ready,¡± she replied, her voice betraying just how tired she really was.


    ¡°No joke, you look like you could use a solid week of sleep,¡± I said, noticing the exhaustion etched on her face.


    ¡°We had to push all ten trucks through the shop and get every modification done before our next mission. Yours was the last one to get completed,¡± she explained, stifling a yawn.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you get some rest while we handle loading the trucks?¡± I suggested.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll take you up on that,¡± she said, yawning again as she climbed back into my truck and drove it over to the FRS. She didn¡¯t hook it up, but she lined it up perfectly so I could hitch it quickly. Turning back to the rest of the fleet, I gave them a grateful smile.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re all tired, but we need to get these rigs loaded. We have to be out of here by noon tomorrow. If we can load and secure everything tonight, you¡¯ll get the rest of the night off,¡± I said.


    ¡°We¡¯ll get it done,¡± Sasha replied with a determined look.


    I nodded as she led the others away to start the work. As I turned to head back toward the MCV, Azura stepped up beside me, looking hesitant.


    ¡°Is everything okay?¡± I asked, sensing she had something on her mind.


    ¡°Uh, yeah¡­ I just wanted to ask you a question,¡± she replied, clearly nervous.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± I queried, curious about what was bothering her.


    ¡°How do I talk to a guy I really like?¡± she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, shyness overtaking her.


    I froze, staring at her in shock. Of all the things she could have asked, this was not what I expected. Seeing my stunned expression, she started to panic.


    ¡°Sorry, Lyra, I shouldn¡¯t have asked,¡± she said quickly, turning to leave.


    ¡°Hold on, Azura, don¡¯t go. You just caught me completely off guard,¡± I said, stopping her in her tracks.


    She looked down at the ground, nervously wringing her fingers together.


    ¡°What made you decide to ask me for dating advice?¡± I asked, genuinely curious.


    ¡°You¡¯re the alpha. Alphas always give the right answer,¡± she replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.


    I snorted and couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. She looked up at me, confusion written all over her face.


    ¡°Azura, just because I¡¯m an alpha doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m always right. That kind of thinking is what¡¯s gotten the wolves into the mess they¡¯re in now. But I¡¯ll do my best to give you some good advice,¡± I said, offering her an encouraging smile.


    Azura visibly relaxed at my reassurance. ¡°Okay,¡± she replied softly, her shoulders finally losing some of their tension.


    ¡°So, who¡¯s the guy you¡¯ve got your eye on?¡± I asked, genuinely curious now.


    She mumbled a name I couldn¡¯t quite catch, her eyes glued to the ground as a blush crept across her cheeks.


    ¡°Who?¡± I asked, leaning in slightly.


    ¡°Ironfist¡­¡± she huffed out, barely above a whisper.


    I blinked, wide-eyed, for what felt like the second time in just a few minutes. Ironfist? One of the dragons? That threw me for a loop. I wasn¡¯t sure how to respond to that right away.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t tell Cain or Abel¡­ They¡¯re still stuck in the old ways, thinking wolves should only date other wolves. They¡¯ll make me feel bad,¡± she admitted, her voice tinged with worry.


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Azura, I would never betray your trust like that,¡± I assured her. ¡°Besides, who you choose to be with is your business. The dragons are part of our pack, just like everyone else. I¡¯m just surprised, is all.¡±


    Azura seemed to stumble over her thoughts, processing what I¡¯d just told her. It seemed like she couldn¡¯t believe that I was okay with her choice.


    ¡°So¡­ you¡¯re saying it¡¯s okay for me to date one of the dragons?¡± she asked in a hushed tone, as if testing the waters.


    ¡°Absolutely. You¡¯ve got my blessing. Hell, Steve and Catalina are dating,¡± I added, pausing as I considered their relationship more carefully. I had a feeling they were closer to mate bonding than just casual dating. ¡°Go for it, Azura. And if anyone, including your brothers, gives you a hard time, send them straight to me.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but¡­ how do I even approach him?¡± she asked, her shyness returning.


    ¡°Well, for starters, don¡¯t treat him like he¡¯s broken or needs pity. He¡¯s a Ranger and Special Forces, after all. Maybe just do something nice for him,¡± I suggested, trying to think of what might resonate with Ironfist. ¡°Have you ever gone skyboarding before?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ we weren¡¯t allowed to in our old pack. It was¡­ very old school. Women weren¡¯t permitted to do anything dangerous,¡± she confessed.


    That brought up something I¡¯d been meaning to ask the three of them about. ¡°Where is your old pack, anyway?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re in India,¡± she said, her voice dropping again.


    ¡°What brought the three of you here?¡± I asked, genuinely curious about their backstory.


    ¡°It¡¯s a long story, but basically, Cain had a falling out with our old alpha, and we were banished,¡± she quickly explained, brushing it off.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± I murmured, not wanting to press further.


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± she echoed, the weight of that single word hanging in the air.


    ¡°Well, back to Ironfist,¡± I said, steering the conversation back to her original question. ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask him to take you to the local skyboarding shop in Des Moines and see if he can teach you how to fly?¡±


    Azura¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement at the suggestion. ¡°Do we even have time for that?¡±


    I gave her a sly grin as I scanned the yard for Ironfist. He was over by Tyler and Charlotte, helping with their load despite his injury. Letting out a sharp whistle, I got everyone¡¯s attention and called him over.


    He approached quickly, using his crutch to move with surprising agility. ¡°Yes, Colonel Acosta,¡± he said, snapping to attention.


    ¡°Ironfist, when we¡¯re not around brass, you can call me Lyra,¡± I huffed, already tired of the formality.


    ¡°Yes, Colonel. Understood,¡± he replied with military precision.


    I rolled my eyes. I¡¯d have to work on breaking the dragons of this habit. We were a pack first, a unit second.


    ¡°Could you please escort Azura to the local skyboarding shop? She¡¯s interested in learning how to fly,¡± I said, narrowing my eyes at him in a playful warning.


    ¡°Of course, Colonel,¡± he said, saluting me again.


    I let out a growl of frustration, but it was Azura¡¯s small, bell-like giggle that really caught Ironfist¡¯s attention. His entire demeanor softened, his stern military bearing melting away as he looked at her with genuine interest. Maybe, just maybe, there was something there after all.


    Giving Azura a wink, I left them to it and headed back to help the rest of the fleet with the trucks. I hadn¡¯t been back long before Abel found me, looking like he was ready to demand answers about why his sister had gone off with Ironfist.


    ¡°What the hell, Alpha? Why did you send Azura off with Ironfist?¡± Abel growled, his protective instincts flaring up like a bad rash.


    I arched an eyebrow at him, silently challenging his outburst. He quickly lowered his gaze, submitting to my authority as he should.


    ¡°Do you have a problem with the fact that I sent her and Ironfist on a local mission to get supplies for my skyboard?¡± I asked, keeping my tone even but firm.


    ¡°No, Alpha. It¡¯s just¡­¡± He hesitated, clearly struggling to put his thoughts into words.


    ¡°It¡¯s just what?¡± I pushed, crossing my arms and waiting for him to spit it out.


    ¡°It¡¯s the way he looks at my sister,¡± Abel finally huffed. ¡°It¡¯s like he adores her and wants to date her.¡±


    ¡°And what¡¯s wrong with that?¡± I asked, genuinely curious about where his mind was taking this.


    ¡°He¡¯s a dragon. Wolves should only date wolves, and dragons should only date dragons,¡± he pointed out, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.


    I tilted my head, giving him a long, hard look before responding. ¡°Abel, do you have a problem with Steve dating Catalina?¡± I asked, watching his reaction closely.


    ¡°What? No!¡± he said quickly, looking almost offended at the suggestion.


    ¡°Why not? Steve¡¯s a wolf, and Catalina¡¯s a pixie,¡± I pointed out, not letting him off the hook that easily.


    ¡°But she¡¯s part wolf too,¡± he argued, grasping for something solid to cling to.


    ¡°Would you look down on me if I chose to date Mac or one of the dragons?¡± I shot back, keeping my tone sharp.


    ¡°No!¡± he sputtered, clearly taken aback.


    ¡°Why not?¡± I demanded, pressing the issue.


    ¡°Because you¡¯re the alpha. You can date whoever you want,¡± he replied, as if that explained everything.


    ¡°Abel¡­ I want you to think about what you just said,¡± I huffed, giving him a moment to process his own words.


    ¡°Alpha, I don¡¯t understand what you¡¯re getting at,¡± he admitted, his confusion evident.


    ¡°Abel, I lead by example. Not by ¡®do as I say, not as I do.¡¯ If I¡¯m allowed to date whoever I want, and I¡¯m allowing others to date whoever they want, what makes you think I¡¯ll prevent others from doing the same?¡± I pointed out, my voice softening just a bit.


    ¡°But he¡¯s a dragon¡­¡± Abel grumbled, clearly not ready to let go of his prejudice.


    ¡°Let me ask you this: have you considered that the feeling might be mutual?¡± I asked, raising an eyebrow.


    ¡°Uh, no¡­¡± he admitted, looking a little lost.


    ¡°So, would you want me or anyone else to stand in the way of your happiness if you found someone to date?¡± I asked, pushing him to really think about his stance.


    ¡°Well, no¡­ I¡¯d be upset if you or anyone else did that,¡± he replied, his tone softening as realization dawned.


    I arched my eyebrow and crossed my arms over my chest. ¡°So, it wouldn¡¯t be fair to your sister if you stood in her way, would it?¡±


    Abel shifted uncomfortably, his jaw working side to side as he realized I had him cornered. He had no ground to stand on with his outdated views.


    ¡°Abel, just because she¡¯s your sister doesn¡¯t give you the right to stand in the way of her happiness. If you found a human, a pixie, a phoenix, or a dragon to date, I¡¯d want you to be happy. If that person made you happy, then that¡¯s all that matters to me. Rules be damned, we¡¯re people first,¡± I explained, my tone firm but understanding.


    I watched Abel visibly deflate as my words sank in. There were clearly some deep-seated issues within the pack that I¡¯d need to address sooner rather than later. We weren¡¯t a normal pack, and everyone needed to understand that.


    ¡°As much as I want to disagree with you, Alpha, you¡¯re right. The three of us were banished from our old pack because Cain refused to accept the arranged marriage our parents and our alpha had planned. He and his betrothed did nothing but fight. He was miserable. Azura and I both saw it. We took his side, and well¡­ here we are,¡± Abel confessed, finally giving in.


    ¡°Then I suggest you and Cain support Azura in her choices. If she chooses to date Ironfist, then stand by her and encourage her. Especially since the three of you know what it¡¯s like to have your happiness dismissed,¡± I said, my tone softening as I offered him a way forward.


    He nodded, and we both returned to the task at hand. Abel stayed by my side, and together we worked in silence, securing the load I¡¯d been working on before our conversation.


    It was nearly seven at night when a SkyTeam company pickup truck rolled into the yard, bringing with it the unmistakable smell of hot food. I glanced at Steve, asking silently if he¡¯d arranged for this, but he shook his head and shrugged. When the driver and passenger stepped out, they waved me down and explained that my uncle had sent the food for us. I quickly thanked them, and a small team of us set to work unloading the coolers and setting up tables.


    Together, Stoneclaw and I served everyone their plates before I grabbed a chunk of steak and bit into it, signaling that it was okay for the others to start eating. They were slowly getting used to the new rules I was laying down. Kira and Jake had already started eating without waiting for me, which made me smile, even as a few of the others shot them curious glances. After fixing my own plate, I looked up and made an announcement.


    ¡°For the rest of the evening through tomorrow morning, everyone is off. No training, no loading, no securing, or tarping. First formation will be at ten in the morning. Be in uniform and ready to roll. If you have any questions about uniform setup, ask one of the dragons, Catalina, or me. We¡¯re here to help. But as of now, everyone is off duty. Get some rest and enjoy your evening,¡± I said loudly, my voice carrying over the group.


    A collective woof of acknowledgment rippled through the group before everyone dove back into their meals. I took my plate and scanned the area for Mac, who had been noticeably absent since she showed me my truck. Balancing my plate in one hand, I made my way to the MCV, peeking inside her room only to find it empty, save for her military gear. Leaning back out, I called over to Catalina.


    ¡°Have you seen Mac?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Not since she brought out your truck,¡± Catalina replied, barely glancing up from her paperwork.


    ¡°Catalina¡­ I said no work,¡± I grumbled, narrowing my eyes at her.


    ¡°I know, I know. I have two files left, then I¡¯m done,¡± she said, waving me off without missing a beat.


    Rolling my eyes, I left the MCV and headed back to my truck, intent on finding Mac later. For now, I needed to put this food somewhere before it got cold. Reaching my truck, I did a little balancing act with the plates, managing to get the door open. I placed the food on the passenger seat and climbed into the cab, closing the door behind me. But as I turned toward the sleeper, I came to a dead stop.


    There, sprawled out on my bunk, was Mac¡ªfast asleep.


    I stood there for a moment, not sure what to do. Sighing, I leaned over her and gently began to shake her shoulder, hoping to wake her up. She let out a grunt and rolled onto her back.


    ¡°Mac, can you wake up, please?¡± I whispered, trying not to startle her.


    No luck. I patted her cheek gently, hoping that might do the trick, but instead, I found myself yanked off my feet and pulled into the sleeper with her. I let out a squeak of surprise as my back was pressed against the wall and my front was plastered against Mac. She pulled my arm under her head and snuggled into the crook of my neck. My face heated with embarrassment, and my heart pounded in my chest. Before I could say or do anything, I heard Mac murmur in a sleepy tone.


    ¡°Don¡¯t leave me behind again. I missed you,¡± she whispered in my ear, her voice filled with a vulnerability I hadn¡¯t expected.


    Her words hit me right in the chest, sinking deep. Mac always put up a tough front, but right now, she seemed so¡­ exposed.


    ¡°Mac, you know it¡¯s me, Lyra, right?¡± I asked softly, my voice barely more than a whisper.


    She nodded her head slowly, snuggling even closer. Swallowing hard, I let out a deep breath.


    ¡°How long have you been alone?¡± I asked, my curiosity piqued.


    ¡°Years¡­¡± she whispered back, her voice tinged with a sadness that tugged at my heart.


    I made a mental note to ask her about that later, to find out what had left her feeling so isolated. But another question was already spinning in my mind, one I couldn¡¯t ignore. I¡¯d had a hunch for a while now, ever since that dinner with Star and Cayro.


    ¡°Mac¡­ do you like me?¡± I asked, my voice barely audible.


    She nodded again, and to my surprise, something sparked in my chest. For so long, I¡¯d seen myself as unlovable, especially after Cameron left. But here was this strong, beautiful phoenix who wanted my attention, my affection. Slowly, I let my body relax, wrapping my free arm around Mac. For the first time in a long time, I let the walls around my heart crumble just a little, enough to snuggle her back.


    My mind was racing, trying to reconcile this new reality. I¡¯d never really considered being with a woman before, but in that moment, it didn¡¯t matter. What mattered was the connection¡ªthe chance to be that one special person for someone, to share happiness and memories with them. I decided then and there to give Mac a chance, to see where this could go. Listening to her heartbeat, I let it lull me into a peaceful sleep.

 Chapter 27: If Wolves Were Meant to Fly, We Would Have Wings…

    The sun streamed through a crack in my sleeper curtain, a beam of light piercing the quiet cocoon of my truck. I groggily rubbed the sleep from my eyes, only to feel an arm tighten around my chest. Turning over, I was met with the sight of Mac still asleep beside me, her face softened in rest. The realization that she had spent the night with me felt both foreign and... strangely comforting. I never got past first base with Cameron, but here I was skipping first and second base going straight to third with Mac. Here I was waking up with Mac, skipping right to a level of intimacy I wasn¡¯t sure I was ready for.


    Chewing the inside of my cheek, I gently disentangled myself from her hold, careful not to wake her. The cab felt a little too small as I slid into the driver''s seat, the weight of the morning settling on my shoulders. My phone flashed the time¡ªeight in the morning. With a yawn that nearly cracked my jaw, I reached into the fridge for a can of Red Bull, my eyes catching movement outside.


    Through the windshield, I saw Azura and Ironfist in the yard. They were setting up a skyboard together, both dressed in their PT gear. I watched as Azura offered Ironfist the board, a huge smile lighting up her face. He looked a bit nervous as they took off, flying low around the yard. The sight of them, so wrapped up in their own world, brought a smile to my face, easing some of the tension I¡¯d been carrying.


    The sound of Mac stirring pulled my attention back inside. She climbed out of my bed and settled into the passenger seat beside me.


    "Did you sleep well?" I asked, trying to keep my voice casual.


    She nodded, then looked away, her cheeks tinged pink. "I haven''t slept that well in ages," she admitted, then quickly added, "I''m sorry, Lyra..."


    My brow furrowed. "Why are you sorry?"


    "Because... because I''m crushing on you and have feelings for you," she confessed, her tone straightforward, almost defiant, as if daring me to reject her.


    I reached out, offering her my hand. "I know," I said softly.


    Her eyes widened in surprise, but she took my hand. "I wasn¡¯t sure if you would reciprocate the feelings."


    I exhaled slowly, choosing my words carefully. "I''ve never really had a real relationship before. The one time I seriously considered it, I got left behind."


    "You¡¯ve never dated before?" Mac asked, genuinely shocked.


    I shook my head. "Not unless you count hanging out with someone you considered a close friend as dating."


    ¡°Are you referring to Cameron Balfour?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ He was the closest I ever came to dating. But in the end, he left. So, I figured if I was meant to be with someone, I would have met them by now.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s deep,¡± she replied, her voice softening.


    I turned my gaze back out the windshield, feeling the weight of the past pressing down on me. "I¡¯m not going to lie or pretend with you, Mac. I¡¯m broken, and I have no idea what I¡¯m doing. I get that you like me and want to try and be with me, but I come with baggage. A lot of it."


    "What are you getting at, Lyra?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.


    "If you¡¯re looking for something easy and perfect, I¡¯m not it. This¡­ whatever this is¡­ it¡¯s going to take work, patience. On both sides."


    Before I could say anything more, Mac cupped my face in her hands and kissed me, her lips warm and insistent. It wasn¡¯t a gentle kiss; it was full of need, of pent-up emotion. When she finally pulled away, I was left breathless, my heart pounding in my chest.


    "Who said I wanted easy?" Mac whispered, a small smile playing on her lips. "Wolves gossip, Lyra. I¡¯ve heard the stories. That doesn¡¯t change how I feel about you. Stop doubting yourself because of your past. You¡¯re a strong, tough woman¡ªa gods damn alpha. That¡¯s what¡¯s attractive to me."


    I didn¡¯t know how to respond. My mind was reeling from the kiss, from her words. When I finally looked out the windshield, horror washed over me. Steve, Catalina, and Stoneclaw were standing outside, all watching with varying degrees of amusement. Catalina and Steve had matching mischievous grins, while Stoneclaw raised an eyebrow, his expression questioning.


    I slumped in my seat, trying to hide my burning face. Mac, finally noticing our audience, let loose a string of curses that could have made Mr. Bracton proud. She sank into her seat, but the damage was done. Steve strolled over to the truck and pulled open the driver¡¯s door before I could even think to lock it.


    ¡°It¡¯s too late now, Lyra. All three of us saw you and Mac kiss,¡± Steve declared with a mischievous grin as I futilely tried to close the driver¡¯s door.


    ¡°Steve!¡± I squeaked in dismay, trying to muster up some semblance of authority. ¡°You¡¯re not playing fair!¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t play fair with Catalina and me, so payback is a bitch,¡± he chuckled, his voice laced with devious satisfaction.


    I groaned in frustration just as Stoneclaw opened the passenger side door, his expression one of amused knowing. Mac, clearly eager to escape, quickly climbed out of the truck, her face flushed. She made a hasty retreat toward the shop, leaving me alone to face the music.


    As Stoneclaw turned to leave, I caught a glimpse of something dark and stormy in his eyes¡ªsomething unsettling. But before I could ask, he was gone, leaving me with Steve and Catalina, who were both waiting for me at the driver¡¯s side with expectant looks.


    ¡°What?¡± I growled, more out of embarrassment than actual irritation.


    Steve¡¯s eyebrows shot up in mock surprise, while Catalina¡¯s grin turned even more devious.


    ¡°At least Catalina and I had enough sense to be discreet,¡± Steve teased.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear you or Mac ever using that bit of blackmail you and she have on us,¡± Catalina added, her tone playful but firm.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t planning on it,¡± I muttered, crossing my arms defensively.


    ¡°Good, because now we have blackmail as well,¡± she quipped, her eyes sparkling with amusement.


    I huffed, feeling cornered. ¡°And to think, I¡¯ve been rooting for the two of you and defending your relationship,¡± I grumbled.


    ¡°Karma¡¯s a bitch sometimes,¡± Steve interjected, his grin never fading.


    I narrowed my eyes at him, debating whether or not to use Catalina as an armrest just to even the score. ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°You need to do a review of the trip before we head out,¡± Steve finally explained, getting to the point.


    ¡°You could¡¯ve simply called,¡± I grumbled, trying to regain some dignity.


    ¡°I tried. It went straight to voicemail,¡± Catalina said, raising an eyebrow.


    Furrowing my brow, I reached into my truck and grabbed my phone. Sure enough, the Do Not Disturb icon was activated. I shot a glare at my tablet.


    ¡°Scuzball, did you set my devices to Do Not Disturb?¡± I demanded.


    ¡°Well, who the hell else would¡¯ve done it?¡± he retorted with his usual sass.


    I shrugged at Steve, who simply shook his head with a smirk. That explained everything.


    ¡°Grab your go bag and uniform. We¡¯ve got breakfast waiting, and you could use a shower,¡± Catalina said with a smile, steering the conversation back to practical matters.


    Grumbling under my breath, I did as I was told. By the time I finished showering and dressing, it was nearly nine in the morning. Standing in front of the vanity mirror, I took a long look at myself. For the first time in over four years, I was wearing a military uniform again. The sight of the new insignia¡ªa wolf¡¯s head surrounded by a wreath, an M-4 rifle beneath it¡ªon my chest made everything feel achingly real.


    It was strange to see the colonel¡¯s rank there, especially since I had last worn a uniform as a first lieutenant. The weight of that rank felt heavy, a reminder of all that had changed, and all that was yet to come.


    Stepping out of the bathroom, I found Catalina and Steve preparing plates for everyone, working together so seamlessly it was like watching a well-rehearsed dance. I couldn¡¯t help but notice the bond between them growing stronger, almost palpable. It wouldn¡¯t be long before they were officially mated.


    ¡°When are the two of you going to just accept the inevitable and claim each other?¡± I asked, leaning against the doorway.


    They both froze in place, staring at me as if I¡¯d just suggested they elope on the spot. Catalina¡¯s cheeks flushed pink, while Steve visibly swallowed, his usual confidence momentarily shaken.


    ¡°You would allow us to bond?¡± Steve asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.


    I gave him a flat stare, marching up to him with purpose. Without hesitation, I delivered a swift Gibb smack to the back of his head before snatching a plate of food. I stuffed a piece of gravy-covered biscuit into my mouth, chewing deliberately as he eyed me, clearly unsure whether he should defend himself or not.


    Swallowing my food, I finally spoke, ¡°Do I look like I give a damn about who you mate and bond with, Steve? You just caught me kissing Mac in my truck.¡± I huffed, my words laden with exasperation.


    ¡°But it¡¯s not normal for wolves to bond outside of our race,¡± he retorted, his voice trailing off as if he knew he was on shaky ground.


    ¡°I don¡¯t give a shit. Does she make you happy?¡± I demanded, fixing him with a stern gaze.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he sputtered, his tone more certain now.


    ¡°Catalina, does Fluffer Nutter here make you happy?¡± I asked, turning to her with an arched eyebrow.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she replied shyly, her voice barely above a whisper.


    ¡°Then this is my approval,¡± I declared, turning on my heel and marching over to Mac¡¯s workstation with my plate in hand.


    As I approached the workstation, I found Stoneclaw leaning against the door frame, arms crossed, his gaze dark and stormy. What the hell had gotten under his scales? I met his eyes, but whatever was brewing behind them, he kept it locked away. Sitting down in Mac¡¯s seat, I logged into my account and accessed the trip plan that Catalina and Steve had prepared, pushing thoughts of Stoneclaw¡¯s mood to the back of my mind¡ªfor now.


    The trip plan was thorough, with new satellite images of I-80 and the surrounding areas. The camp we had set up had nearly doubled, and it seemed Cameron and his pack had been busy. The westbound lanes of I-80 all the way to Salt Lake City seemed to be clear, a rare stroke of luck in these times.


    I pulled up reports from Cameron¡¯s pack and quickly scanned through them. They had scouted ahead into Wyoming, ensuring the path was clear. But once we reached Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, we¡¯d be on our own. The Chaos Reckoning had orders to stay within Nebraska to secure the I-76 corridor.


    As I reviewed the final details, one note caught my eye¡ªsomething I¡¯d missed yesterday. We were to meet the 77th Armored Regiment at the same location where we¡¯d first encountered the dragons. Our job was to escort them through the I-80 corridor while also transporting the heavy supplies they needed. Each truck would be pushing close to one hundred and eighty thousand pounds, most of it ammunition for the field artillery and tanks. And those black crates¡­ they still bothered me, but I wouldn¡¯t know what was inside until we reached Salt Lake.


    One by one, members of the fleet came in to grab food while I worked. They seemed to sense that today was a big deal, leaving me to focus without interruption. The weight of the responsibility was heavy, but I shouldered it with the same determination that had brought us this far.


    At ten in the morning, everyone was in formation, uniformed and ready. I stood in front of them, giving them a rundown of our orders. The gravity of the situation was clear in their eyes, and I knew they were as ready as they could be. Once I finished, I ordered everyone to prepare the trucks and conduct their pre-trip inspections.


    As I approached the gate, I noticed several Iowa State Highway Patrol units gathering. I met Officer Connor, the same officer from our first encounter with the highway patrol, who greeted me with a look of surprise.


    ¡°Good morning, Officer Connor,¡± I said, my tone professional and calm, though I could see his eyes widen slightly as he took in my uniform.


    ¡°Damn, Alpha Acosta, I didn¡¯t believe you were really a colonel. I figured the FS military had pulled some strings to protect you and your fleet,¡± he admitted, clearly impressed.


    ¡°No, we really are a military unit,¡± I confirmed, leaning casually against one of the gate fence posts.


    ¡°I see that,¡± he replied, nodding slowly as he absorbed this new reality.


    ¡°So, you¡¯ll be escorting us?¡± I asked, shifting the conversation back to the mission at hand.


    ¡°Yes, we¡¯ve gathered twelve patrol units to shut down the route so that you and your team have a clear path to the Omaha gate,¡± he explained, his tone all business now.


    ¡°Are you guys ready?¡± I asked, the weight of the impending mission settling over me like a cloak.


    ¡°We¡¯re ready whenever you are, Colonel,¡± he replied, his voice steady.


    I gave him a nod and turned back toward my team, letting out a sharp whistle. Raising my index finger, I spun it in the air, signaling everyone to mount up. Climbing into my truck, I slipped on my headset. Mac climbed in seconds later, mirroring my actions before flashing me a thumbs up. The roar of engines filled the air as our fleet came to life. Mac had already connected my truck to the FRS and completed the pre-trip inspection, which was a relief. I returned her nod, checking my tablet to ensure everyone was showing green. Once confirmed, I activated our fleet-wide channel.


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°RGN¡¯s lead, flat decks follow. MCV will be in the middle behind the RGNs,¡± I ordered, my voice steady.


    A unified woof echoed through the channel, acknowledging the command.


    ¡°Dragon Fleet¡­ Let¡¯s make some noise!¡± I barked with enthusiasm.


    In an instant, the yard erupted in a symphony of airhorns, a battle cry that reverberated through the metal frames of our trucks. The pounding beat of Bang Bang by Hollywood Undead blasted from my speakers, but as I listened closer, I realized the sound wasn¡¯t confined to my cab. I glanced at Mac, confusion flickering across my face.


    She grinned mischievously and pointed to the roof of the truck. ¡°Did you install external speakers on the trucks?¡± I shouted over the din.


    Her vigorous nod and double thumbs up told me all I needed to know. I chuckled, shifting my truck into gear, feeling the surge of power beneath me. With a firm press of the accelerator, I led the charge out of the gate, our convoy rolling out with the force of a thunderstorm. The Iowa State Highway Patrol cars, lights flashing and sirens wailing, began shutting down the road ahead, clearing our path.


    As we merged onto the ramp for I-35 South, the patrol cars ensured the lanes were completely ours. We barreled onto the interstate, music blaring at full blast, our engines roaring like the beasts they were. My truck surged forward, catching gears as the speedometer climbed¡ªsixty miles per hour and still climbing.


    By the time we hit I-80 West, Officer Connor¡¯s voice crackled through the radio. Scuzball dimmed the music in my truck and patched me into the officer¡¯s channel.


    ¡°Yes, Officer Connor,¡± I answered, adrenaline still pumping.


    ¡°Colonel Acosta, we¡¯ve been given permission to let you and your team open up your trucks. Push them to the most prudent speed you can handle,¡± he announced.


    A grin stretched across my face, wide and wild. Scuzball paused the music, and I relayed the news to the fleet.


    ¡°Dragon Fleet¡­ Hammer down! We have permission to push our beasts to max speed!¡± I barked, my excitement palpable as I grabbed eighteenth gear.


    Mac¡¯s eyes went wide with anticipation, a grin matching mine spreading across her face. My analogue speedometer maxed out at eighty miles per hour, but Scuzball wasn¡¯t about to let that limit the fun. A digital speedometer flashed onto my tablet, showing our true speed.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see what these beasts can do!¡± I announced over the radio, a challenge as much as an order.


    The fleet woofed in response, and I pushed my truck harder, feeling the surge of power as we shot down the highway. The needle on the analogue gauge hit eighty, but I knew we weren¡¯t done yet. The digital display ticked up¡ªeighty-five, ninety, ninety-five. The music kicked back in, this time Control by VNV Nation, as we rocketed past ninety miles per hour.


    I exchanged a look with Mac, mouthing the words ¡°triple digits,¡± and she nodded, her grin widening. As my rig crested one hundred miles per hour, I felt a thrill unlike any other. It was every trucker¡¯s dream¡ªpushing past the ordinary into the extraordinary. My rpms hovered just below two thousand five hundred, and I knew I couldn¡¯t push much further without risking the engine.


    I set the cruise control at one hundred and eight miles per hour, the truck humming beneath me, a beast unleashed on the open road.


    With the adaptive suspension system in place, driving my rig felt more like gliding on air than tearing down the interstate at breakneck speeds. It was hard to believe we were pushing nearly two hundred thousand pounds on each truck; the ride was so smooth it felt like piloting a Cadillac. A little over an hour later, we reached the old Menards hardware store parking lot, the site of our first encounter with the dragons. As we pulled in, I spotted fifteen Heavy Equipment Transport Systems already lined up, waiting for us. The Iowa State Highway Patrol cars parked nearby, their lights and sirens finally going silent as the officers stepped out.


    I climbed out of my truck and made my way toward Officer Connor, meeting him halfway between our fleets. He greeted me with a grin, shaking my hand enthusiastically.


    ¡°That was one hell of a ride, Colonel,¡± he said, still smiling ear to ear.


    ¡°I know, right?¡± I couldn¡¯t help but grin back, the adrenaline from the drive still buzzing through me.


    ¡°It¡¯s rare to see triple-digit trucks these days,¡± he continued, giving our rigs an appreciative once-over.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know they had it in them,¡± I admitted. ¡°We¡¯re close to pushing two hundred thousand pounds on each truck.¡±


    He whistled low, clearly impressed. ¡°Let us know when you¡¯re on your way back. We¡¯d be happy to escort you again,¡± he offered before heading back to his cruiser.


    I nodded in thanks, watching as the fleet of patrol cars departed for Des Moines. Turning back toward my team, I immediately noticed something off. Kira was growling, barely restrained by Jake, and Stoneclaw¡ªof all people¡ªlooked like he was ready to commit murder. The colonel we¡¯d met during the meeting with Cayro was standing in the middle of it all, his presence like a spark in a pool of gasoline.


    I picked up my pace, closing the distance just in time to hear the colonel spew venom at Kira and Jake.


    ¡°This is why you damn mutts need to be put down and wiped out. You are uncontrollable,¡± he barked, his voice dripping with disdain.


    The words hit like a punch to the gut, and before I knew it, I was sprinting toward him. In the blink of an eye, I tackled him to the ground, just as Stoneclaw shifted into his dragon form, his jaws snapping dangerously close to the man¡¯s head. The colonel''s face contorted in fury as I straddled him, holding him down with every ounce of strength I had.


    ¡°Get the fuck off me, you fucking flea bag!¡± he shouted up at me, spitting out the words like venom. ¡°It was your kind that destroyed this nation!¡±


    A vicious snarl ripped from my throat, cutting off his next insult. ¡°You are a Luna-damned idiot!¡± I shouted back, my voice raw with anger. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t tackled you, you¡¯d be dead right now!¡±


    ¡°I am a God damn officer in the F.S. Army! Get the fuck off me!¡± he roared, struggling beneath me.


    Before I could respond, another figure appeared beside me¡ªhis uniform marked with the insignia of a Command Sergeant Major. He placed a hand on my shoulder, his voice calm and steady.


    ¡°Colonel, I can handle him from here,¡± he said.


    I hesitated for a moment, then climbed off the colonel, stepping back to assess the situation. Stoneclaw was still seething in his dragon form, his anger radiating off him like heat waves. Raptor and Icetail were doing their best to calm him down, but nothing seemed to work.


    ¡°Raptor! What did the Colonel say to Stoneclaw to cause him to flip like this?¡± I asked, my concern mounting.


    ¡°I have no earthly idea,¡± Raptor replied, his voice tight. ¡°It wasn¡¯t anything we hadn¡¯t heard before, but for some reason, he just snapped. We were all focused on Kira and Jake¡ªwe never expected Stoneclaw to lose it.¡±


    ¡°Has anything like this set him off in the past?¡± I pressed, trying to piece together the puzzle.


    ¡°No, not even stepping on Icetail¡¯s plastic blocks has ever set him off like this,¡± Raptor answered, equally bewildered.


    I nodded, the pieces slowly falling into place. ¡°Go and get everyone stationed near the MCV. Have the other dragons keep that unit away while I try to calm Stoneclaw down,¡± I ordered.


    Raptor didn¡¯t need to be told twice. He took off, leaving me to deal with the enraged dragon. I marched over to where Icetail was desperately trying to distract Stoneclaw.


    ¡°Hey, buddy, calm down. It¡¯s okay. No one¡¯s hurt. There¡¯s no need to flip out,¡± Icetail was saying, his tone soothing, but his eyes filled with worry as he ducked under Stoneclaw¡¯s thrashing tail.


    Sucking in a deep breath, I laced my voice with every ounce of alpha power I possessed and shouted at Stoneclaw.


    ¡°Stoneclaw! Back down!¡± I roared, letting my command fly through the air like a lightning bolt. But to my horror, my power hit him and just¡­ phased right off. ¡°Shit¡­¡± I mouthed, realizing I was in way over my head.


    Stoneclaw¡¯s massive head swiveled toward me, his eyes locking onto mine with a feral intensity that made my blood run cold. For a moment, everything seemed to hang in the balance. I waved frantically at Icetail, signaling him to retreat. He hesitated, concern written all over his face, but my glare made it clear¡ªget the hell out of there. He quickly moved away, heading toward the rest of the fleet, but Stoneclaw¡¯s gaze followed him, a low growl rumbling deep in his throat.


    Thinking fast, I grabbed a rock off the ground and hurled it with all my strength. It struck Stoneclaw right between the eyes. He recoiled, more in surprise than pain, and his focus snapped back to me.


    With a deafening roar that seemed to shake the very earth beneath us, Stoneclaw charged. I barely had time to dive out of the way, tucking and rolling as his massive form barreled past. Popping back up to my feet, I shifted into my wolf form, launching myself upward. I landed squarely on his head, grabbing hold of his horns as he swung around to snap at me.


    What the hell was wrong with him? This wasn¡¯t just anger¡ªthis was something far more primal, something I couldn¡¯t put my finger on. I gripped his horns tighter as he shot into the sky, streaking upward with a force that nearly wrenched me off. My heart pounded in my chest as he performed a sudden barrel roll, trying to shake me loose.


    ¡°Stoneclaw!¡± I screamed, my voice lost in the roar of the wind. ¡°You need to calm down!¡±


    But it was like he couldn¡¯t even hear me. There was no response, no recognition. Just raw, unbridled rage. Suddenly, a streak of orange fire shot past us, and Mac appeared, flying alongside us with a worried expression etched on her face.


    ¡°What the hell is wrong with him?¡± she yelled, her voice barely audible over the wind.


    ¡°I have no idea!¡± I shouted back, struggling to maintain my grip as Stoneclaw twisted and turned.


    ¡°Try connecting with him through your bond!¡± she yelled again.


    ¡°Can you keep him distracted?¡± I called out, desperation creeping into my voice.


    She gave me a thumbs up and immediately tossed a fireball at the tip of Stoneclaw¡¯s snout. It worked¡ªhe turned his attention to her, momentarily forgetting about me as he gave chase. Taking advantage of the distraction, I allowed my mind to sink into the fleet bonds, searching for the connection that linked me to Stoneclaw.


    What I found made me gasp. The protection clause of our bond was triggered, and it was raging through him like a wildfire. He felt we were under threat¡ªfelt I was under threat. But from what? There were no immediate dangers around us, nothing that should have set him off like this. Sinking deeper into the bond, I pushed a pulse of safety and assurance through it, trying to calm the storm that raged within him.


    At first, nothing happened. He was still focused on Mac, chasing her with a single-minded intensity. I sent another pulse, then another, and another. By the fifth, I felt him begin to slow, his chaotic thoughts starting to unravel. His mind was a jumbled mess, but I could piece together fragments¡ªprotection, danger, must protect¡­


    ¡°Stoneclaw, we are safe,¡± I whispered through the bond, hoping he could hear me. ¡°We¡¯re safe.¡±


    ¡°Must protect¡­¡± His thoughts were fractured, barely coherent.


    ¡°Protect who?¡± I asked gently.


    ¡°Thunder¡­ Mate¡­¡± The word struck me like a blow.


    ¡°Mate? Who¡¯s mate? Jake¡¯s mate?¡± I asked, confusion swirling in my mind.


    ¡°No¡­ Must protect¡­¡± His thoughts were insistent, desperate.


    ¡°Protect who?¡± I asked again, trying to stay patient, trying to understand.


    ¡°Mate!¡± His thoughts roared through the bond, and suddenly, an image of me flashed in my mind¡ªan image from his perspective.


    My breath caught in my chest just as Stoneclaw performed another barrel roll, and my grip slipped. Before I could react, I was falling. A scream tore from my throat as the ground rushed up to meet me. I closed my eyes, bracing for the impact, praying it would be quick and painless.


    But the impact never came. Just before I hit the ground, something massive and taloned wrapped around me, yanking me to a bone-jarring stop. My body whipped around from the force, but I was alive. Opening my eyes, I found myself cradled in one of Stoneclaw¡¯s enormous claws as he flew low over the earth.


    Mac flew up beside us, her face a mix of relief and lingering fear. ¡°You okay?¡± she called out.


    I was hyperventilating as I clung to Stoneclaw¡¯s talons, my breath coming in short, panicked gasps. My mind was racing, still processing the fact that I¡¯d just been falling¡ªreally falling¡ªand that I was now wrapped around a dragon¡¯s claw like my life depended on it. Well, it kind of did.


    ¡°Where is he going?¡± I shouted to Mac, struggling to keep my voice steady.


    ¡°Back to the fleet. Your scream must have snapped him out of whatever was wrong with him,¡± she shouted back, the relief evident in her tone.


    By the time we landed, Stoneclaw had shifted back to his human form. I was still wrapped around him, clutching him with a death grip like he was a life preserver in a stormy sea. He didn¡¯t seem to mind¡ªor notice. His face was a mask of grim determination as he carried me over to the fleet, where Steve, Mac, and Tyler peeled me off him, each of them throwing me worried glances.


    As soon as I was no longer latched onto him, Stoneclaw walked silently into the MCV, not sparing anyone a glance. I stood there, catching my breath, trying to process everything that had just happened. Then I turned to the others, needing answers.


    ¡°What the hell happened!¡± I demanded, my voice sharper than intended.


    Kira stepped forward, anger etched across her features. ¡°That idiot Colonel came over and started provoking me, just like in Cedar Rapids. When I tried to walk away, he tried to spray me with something. Stoneclaw must have been paying attention because he took the hit for me¡ªwhatever it was. I spun around, ready to tear the Colonel apart, but that¡¯s when Jake and Steve ran over.¡±


    My blood ran cold. ¡°Are you telling me the Colonel just tried to sabotage the mission?¡± I asked, my voice dangerously quiet.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Alpha,¡± Kira replied, her anger giving way to uncertainty. ¡°All I know is he tried to provoke me, and Stoneclaw took the brunt of whatever he sprayed.¡±


    I looked around at the rest of the team, my eyes searching for confirmation. ¡°Did any of you see this?¡± I asked, my tone flat.


    Silence. No one met my gaze. Closing my eyes, I took a deep, steadying breath. When I spoke again, my voice was firm. ¡°Everyone, get to your rigs. No one is to leave their trucks or go near that other unit. Lock your doors and do not respond to anyone from that unit. Jake, stay with Kira. Whoever your assigned dragon is can stay in my rig. Mac, you have command of my truck until I get this mess sorted out.¡±


    Without a word, they all moved to their trucks. Raptor took over Kira¡¯s rig, while Icetail headed to mine. I watched them go, my mind already shifting gears to deal with the next problem. Stoneclaw.


    Inside the MCV, I found Steve and Catalina at their workstations, pretending to be busy. They both glanced at me, concern in their eyes, but I wasn¡¯t in the mood to talk.


    ¡°Guard the door,¡± I said quietly.


    ¡°Yes, Alpha,¡± they replied in unison, turning to face the entrance with military precision.


    I made my way to Mac¡¯s bunk room, where Stoneclaw had shut himself in. I hesitated for a moment, then quietly opened the door and slipped inside, closing it behind me. Stoneclaw was sitting on the bunk, staring down at his phone, his shoulders slumped, and his expression grim.


    ¡°Stoneclaw,¡± I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper.


    He didn¡¯t respond. His eyes darted back and forth as he read something on his screen, completely absorbed in whatever was on his mind. I gently took the phone from his hand, glancing at the texts. They were messages to Darkhide, asking for advice, confessing that he had found his mate¡ªand she wasn¡¯t a dragon. My heart skipped a beat. This was serious.


    I set the phone aside and knelt in front of him, forcing him to meet my gaze. His eyes were stormy, filled with emotions I couldn¡¯t begin to untangle.


    ¡°Stoneclaw,¡± I whispered, more insistently this time. ¡°Talk to me.¡±


    He looked at me, his eyes searching mine as if looking for something¡ªcomfort, maybe, or understanding. He took a long, shaky breath before speaking.


    ¡°Colonel Sirus came over and started provoking Sergeant Holland about the trucks,¡± he began, his voice low and strained. ¡°I was close enough to hear everything. When she tried to walk away, he used his rank to hold her in place. I started moving toward them when I saw the Colonel reach into his pocket. By the time I got there, he had a small spray bottle in his hand, like a breath spray. I stepped in front of Sergeant Holland just as he sprayed it, and it hit me full force in the face.¡±


    His voice trembled slightly as he relayed the events. It was clear that whatever the Colonel had sprayed him with had affected him deeply, triggering the protective instincts that ran so strongly in his dragon blood¡ªand the bond he believed he had with me.


    I met his gaze again, my mind racing. We¡¯d have to deal with this new bond issue later, but for now, I needed to get a handle on what had just happened¡ªand how we were going to move forward.


    ¡°What was in the bottle?¡± I asked, my voice a controlled calm, though my insides were churning with unease.


    ¡°It was an experimental chemical,¡± Stoneclaw replied, his tone heavy with the weight of the past. ¡°Developed before the Second Twilight Winter, it was designed to expose shifters who had joined the military. It triggers a feral state, causing shifters to lose control of their shifting abilities and go berserk.¡±


    I felt a cold shiver run down my spine. ¡°How do you know about this?¡±


    His eyes darkened as he recounted the memory. ¡°We were the first test subjects. The upper brass knew we were dragons but didn¡¯t want to lose us because of how valuable we were. So, they tested the chemical on us to see how effective it was. Once we figured out what it was, we trained ourselves to resist it. But the spray the Colonel used on Kira... it was extremely concentrated.¡±


    ¡°What would have happened if Kira had been sprayed?¡± I asked, a cold edge to my voice.


    ¡°With that level of concentration? She would have gone feral instantly, likely resulting in a massacre. It took everything I had not to shift right away, but by then, our bond had already identified the Colonel as a threat. It wasn¡¯t just the chemical¡ªit was the combination of the spray and my instinct to protect that pushed me over the edge.¡± His voice trembled with the weight of what could have been.


    I nodded, processing the gravity of the situation. ¡°Thank you, Stoneclaw,¡± I said quietly, standing up and placing a hand on his shoulder. ¡°We¡¯ll deal with what I saw in our bond later. Right now, I need to focus on protecting the fleet. If you truly are my mate, then you know that I have to put their safety above everything else.¡±


    He looked down at his hands, the tension in his shoulders showing the internal battle he was waging. He didn¡¯t reply, and I left him there, knowing that we both needed time to sort through the tangled emotions this revelation had brought to light.


    Stepping back into the main work area of the MCV, I locked eyes with Catalina. ¡°Shut the door and lock it,¡± I ordered, my voice brooking no argument.


    ¡°Yes, Alpha,¡± she responded, quickly securing the space.


    Sitting down at Mac¡¯s workstation, I logged in and summoned Scuzball. The screen flickered to life with his familiar presence.


    ¡°Scuzball, I need you to look into something,¡± I said, my tone clipped. ¡°Stoneclaw just described an experimental chemical used to force shifters into a feral state. Get me everything you can on it¡ªnow.¡±


    He nodded, his expression serious as he began pulling up data. While he worked, I quickly video called Cayro. My gut told me this was only the beginning of a much bigger problem, and I needed answers fast.

 Chapter 28: The Queen Bitch of the Western I-80 Corridor

    ¡°Lyra? I was just about to call you. Colonel Sirus just reported that Kira tried to provoke him and that Stoneclaw attempted to attack him. What the hell is going on?¡± Cayro¡¯s voice was sharp, demanding, and tinged with a hint of exasperation as he answered my call.


    That slimy bastard! He was trying to flip the narrative, turning his vile actions against my fleet. My lips curled into a snarl, and I shot Cayro a glare, my hackles metaphorically raised. ¡°Seriously, Cayro? You¡¯re taking his side?¡± I barked, my voice dripping with betrayal.


    Cayro immediately raised his hands, his expression softening as he realized the storm he¡¯d unwittingly stepped into. ¡°No, Lyra, I¡¯m just trying to get to the bottom of this. I only have his side of the story right now,¡± he replied, his tone calm and measured, a sharp contrast to my seething anger.


    I felt a hand rest gently on my shoulder, and I instinctively whipped my head around, ready to snap, but stopped short when I saw Stoneclaw. His face was a mask of cold, professional detachment, a stark contrast to the turmoil I¡¯d seen in him earlier. Taking a deep breath, I stepped aside, giving him room to speak to Cayro.


    ¡°General Zaraki, I believe Colonel Sirus harbors a deep-seated prejudice against supernaturals. This isn¡¯t the first time I¡¯ve encountered someone who despises us despite the crucial role we play in this country¡¯s defense,¡± Stoneclaw said, his voice even, his military discipline on full display.


    Cayro nodded, his eyes narrowing as he processed Stoneclaw¡¯s words. ¡°I need to hear your account of what happened, Major. The accusations Colonel Sirus has made are severe, not just against you and Sergeant Holland, but against the entire fleet,¡± he replied, his tone equally professional, though a shadow of concern flickered in his eyes.


    ¡°Hold on,¡± I interjected, the wheels in my mind turning quickly. ¡°Let¡¯s see if Scuzball managed to get any video footage of what happened.¡±


    Cayro gave a curt nod, and we waited as I contacted Scuzball. Of course, Scuzball was already two steps ahead, always on top of things.


    ¡°I managed to catch a reflection of the incident off one of the trucks, but the angle is distorted,¡± Scuzball said, the footage already playing on the screen in front of us.


    He wasn¡¯t kidding¡ªthe image was warped, the angle off. We could see Kira turning away from the colonel before he locked her into the position of attention. But the crucial moment, when Stoneclaw intervened, was obscured. The video did catch me tackling the colonel to the ground just as Stoneclaw shifted, jaws snapping in fury.


    ¡°Stoneclaw, this footage is damning. Can you explain what triggered you to shift and attack Colonel Sirus?¡± Cayro¡¯s voice was hard, but there was an underlying note of concern.


    Stoneclaw recounted his version of events, every word dripping with the tension of a man on the edge. I confirmed Kira¡¯s account, both of them aligning in every detail. Cayro sat back, his brow furrowed as he absorbed the information. Then Scuzball chimed in, his voice cutting through the silence.


    ¡°There is indeed a chemical that matches Stoneclaw¡¯s description. Its production has been banned since supernaturals became public knowledge. However, the formula is complicated and requires a pharmaceutical-grade lab to manufacture. It¡¯s unlikely the colonel could have done this alone,¡± Scuzball explained, the chemical formula displayed ominously on the screen.


    Cayro¡¯s eyes flicked to Stoneclaw. ¡°You said you and the other dragons were used to test this chemical in the past?¡±


    ¡°Yes, General. We called it Feralium TCV-003,¡± Stoneclaw replied, his voice tinged with a bitterness that had been honed over years of betrayal.


    ¡°And you¡¯re certain that¡¯s what the colonel sprayed at you?¡± Cayro pressed.


    ¡°Absolutely. The concentration he used was far more potent than what we experienced during the tests,¡± Stoneclaw confirmed.


    Cayro leaned back, his fingers drumming on the desk as he considered the gravity of the situation. ¡°Here¡¯s what we¡¯re going to do. That video is too incriminating¡ªit doesn¡¯t exist. Lyra, keep your unit away from Colonel Sirus. This isn¡¯t the first time I¡¯ve heard about his prejudice against supernaturals. Without concrete evidence, this remains a case of conflicting accounts. I¡¯ll file a report that downplays the incident, chalking it up to a misunderstanding. No one was seriously hurt, and that¡¯s how we¡¯ll keep it,¡± Cayro declared, his tone final, brooking no argument.


    ¡°Cayro!¡± I shouted, my frustration boiling over. ¡°We didn¡¯t do anything wrong!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe you did, Lyra,¡± Cayro replied, his tone measured, trying to defuse the situation. ¡°But Colonel Sirus will make a huge stink out of this if I just sweep it under the rug like nothing happened.¡±


    I opened my mouth to argue, but Stoneclaw¡¯s gentle squeeze on my shoulder stopped me. His touch was grounding, a reminder that sometimes, even when you¡¯re right, you have to play the game.


    ¡°Lyra, it¡¯s for the best,¡± Stoneclaw said softly, his voice a crack in the otherwise impenetrable mask of military professionalism he wore. Beneath that fa?ade, I could see his genuine concern for all of us.


    I bit the inside of my cheek, slumping back into my chair with my arms crossed, feeling the bitter taste of compromise. ¡°Fine,¡± I huffed, though the word felt like sandpaper in my mouth. ¡°So, he gets away with provoking us while we get slapped with a unit reprimand letter¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh no, he¡¯s not getting off scot-free,¡± Cayro corrected, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. ¡°He and his unit will receive reprimands as well. As the unit commander, he¡¯s directly responsible for what happened.¡±


    That was a small consolation, but it made me feel marginally better. At least that bastard wouldn¡¯t walk away unscathed after nearly causing a disaster that would have landed squarely on our shoulders.


    ¡°As of now, I want you to keep away from him and his unit,¡± Cayro continued, his voice firm. ¡°Your task is to escort them, not to intermingle or get involved. In the meantime, Scuzball, can you relay communications between the two units? Act as Lyra¡¯s voice and ears?¡±


    Stoneclaw¡¯s brow furrowed slightly as he voiced his concern. ¡°Are you certain that¡¯s a wise choice, Sir?¡±


    ¡°Actually, yes, it is,¡± Cayro replied, a small smirk tugging at his lips. ¡°Scuzball enjoys snooping around. He might gather further evidence from the colonel during the trip. Plus, if he¡¯s busy playing the role of a communication relay, he won¡¯t be as¡­ let¡¯s say, ¡®aggravating¡¯ as usual. Isn¡¯t that right, Scuzball?¡±


    ¡°In this case, I will happily play the dumb A.I. that does nothing but relay radio chatter,¡± Scuzball said, a devious twinkle in his virtual eye.


    ¡°If the 77th Armored Regiment needs help with repairs or assistance, do we help them?¡± I asked, trying to anticipate any potential issues.


    ¡°Do the bare minimum, nothing more,¡± Cayro answered, his tone leaving no room for debate. ¡°I¡¯m serious, Lyra¡ªkeep your pack members away from them. If this has already happened, I don¡¯t want to think about what more could go wrong.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Sir,¡± I replied, my voice resigned but resolute.


    Cayro ended the call, and I turned to face the others in the MCV. These three¡ªthe backbone of my command, both as an alpha and as a military leader¡ªnodded in unison, ready to follow orders despite the injustice hanging in the air like a storm cloud.


    ¡°We have our orders. We are not to deviate from them,¡± I said, the authority in my voice clear despite the undercurrent of frustration.


    A knock at the door pulled my attention away. Suspicion flared; I had explicitly ordered everyone in the fleet to stay in their trucks. Marching to the door, I opened it to find the Command Sergeant Major standing on the MCV¡¯s landing.


    ¡°How may I help you, Sergeant Major?¡± I asked, my tone flat, giving nothing away.


    ¡°Colonel Sirus sent me to inform you that he¡¯s spoken with General Zaraki and that he has been reprimanded for the situation. He won¡¯t bother Dragon Fleet any further,¡± Sergeant Major Baxter reported, his voice as steady as his gaze.


    ¡°Understood, and thank you, Sergeant Major,¡± I replied, nodding curtly, ready to close the door.


    But Baxter quickly raised his hand, stopping me. ¡°May I come in? There¡¯s further information that Colonel Sirus didn¡¯t share with me.¡±


    I narrowed my eyes, suspicion deepening. But something in Baxter¡¯s demeanor suggested that whatever he had to say was worth hearing. I stepped back, allowing the dark-skinned man into the MCV. After closing and locking the door, I returned to my seat, watching him closely.


    ¡°What can we do for you, Sergeant Major¡­¡± I glanced at his name tag, ¡°Baxter?¡±


    He pulled off his patrol cap, revealing a bald head that shone under the fluorescent lights. ¡°Unfortunately, I witnessed what the Colonel did. However, I can¡¯t act as a witness. My testimony would be seen as biased, taking sides in a dispute between units,¡± he explained, his tone laced with the frustration of a man bound by duty.


    From his pocket, he produced a small object and handed it to me. It was a spray bottle, unassuming in its appearance, but heavy with implication. I looked back up at him, my eyebrows furrowed in confusion.


    ¡°What is this?¡± I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, sensing the gravity of the situation.


    ¡°How did you get this, and why can¡¯t you act as a witness?¡± I demanded, my voice edged with suspicion as I eyed the small spray bottle in my hand.


    ¡°When you tackled Colonel Sirus to the ground, he dropped this,¡± Sergeant Major Baxter explained, his tone measured. ¡°I picked it up. This is what caused your Major to shift.¡± His eyes flickered, shifting to a shade of green, and his pupils elongated into catlike slits.


    I blinked, instinctively stepping back from him. ¡°What are you?¡± I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.


    ¡°I am a werejaguar,¡± he answered calmly.


    My eyebrows shot up, and I regarded him with a mix of surprise and wariness before handing the bottle over to Stoneclaw.


    ¡°Does Colonel Sirus know?¡± I asked, still processing the revelation.


    ¡°No¡­ and I would prefer it to remain that way. This is why I said I would make a bad witness. He would think I was taking sides with my own kind over him,¡± Baxter replied, his tone betraying a hint of the weariness that comes from years of hiding.


    ¡°Understandable, Sergeant Major Baxter,¡± I said, my voice more controlled now. ¡°We appreciate the information you¡¯ve brought us. We are under strict orders to keep our distance from your unit. Please inform Colonel Sirus that we will be rolling out in ten minutes.¡±


    Baxter nodded, a knowing smile playing on his lips. He understood the delicate game we were all playing¡ªone where loyalty and survival often required silence. He turned and exited the MCV, closing the door softly behind him.


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    I spun around to face Stoneclaw, who was cautiously sniffing the bottle. He jerked it back from his nose with a grimace.


    ¡°Is that what the Colonel sprayed you with?¡± I asked, my voice low.


    ¡°Yes, it is¡­¡± he growled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest.


    I sighed, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. ¡°Put it somewhere safe where no one except you or I can get it,¡± I ordered.


    He nodded and moved further into the MCV, his steps heavy with the unspoken burden we both carried. My gaze followed him as Steve and Catalina watched me, their expressions reflecting the gravity of the moment.


    ¡°That was the most random visit I¡¯ve ever witnessed,¡± Catalina finally said, breaking the tense silence.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Steve asked, his curiosity piqued.


    ¡°The fact that the Sergeant Major is a werejaguar and the Colonel doesn¡¯t even know,¡± she explained. ¡°Also, that he was willing to give us the evidence over protecting his commander.¡±


    ¡°Since when do cats care about dogs?¡± Steve quipped, a hint of humor lightening the mood.


    I raised an eyebrow at the two of them. ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s about him caring for dogs or dragons. I think it¡¯s more about what he believes is right and what is wrong,¡± I said, my tone reflective.


    Stoneclaw returned, leaning against the wall, his presence commanding as always. ¡°Not only is the Sergeant Major a supernatural, but he¡¯s also dark-skinned. He¡¯s probably dealt with prejudice from multiple sides throughout his life. I bet he has a very straightforward point of view on racism and does not appreciate anyone being treated differently, whether it¡¯s because of their skin color or their ability to shift into an animal form,¡± Stoneclaw added, his voice tinged with respect.


    ¡°That¡¯s a good point,¡± Catalina said, nodding thoughtfully.


    ¡°Okay,¡± I interjected, bringing the conversation back to focus. ¡°We can solve this puzzle later. Right now, we know we have an enemy in our midst, but it also seems like we may have an ally who can keep an eye on him. For now, we need to get the fleet rolling.¡±


    They all nodded in agreement, and Steve and Catalina buckled themselves into their chairs, ready for the journey ahead.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to send Mac to ride in the MCV with the two of you. Try not to get into a pissing match with the phoenix, please?¡± I asked, my voice lightening slightly.


    ¡°We won¡¯t,¡± Steve replied with a grin, though Catalina eyed me with mild suspicion.


    ¡°Stoneclaw, I want you to ride with me,¡± I ordered, turning to face him.


    He arched an eyebrow, a silent question in his eyes, but he didn¡¯t argue. He pushed off the wall and walked past me, heading out the door of the MCV. I followed him, our footsteps in sync as we made our way to my truck. I knocked on the driver¡¯s door and waited for Mac to unlock it. When she did, I opened the door, and she climbed out to face me.


    ¡°Is everything alright?¡± she asked, her eyes searching mine for reassurance.


    ¡°For the most part. General Zaraki gave us orders to stay away from the other unit,¡± I answered, trying to keep my tone steady.


    ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± she said, a small smile tugging at her lips.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to need you to ride in the MCV. I need to talk to Stoneclaw in private while we¡¯re en route,¡± I explained, hoping she would understand.


    ¡°Oh,¡± she said, her smile fading as a look of disappointment crossed her face, making my heart tighten in my chest.


    Without thinking, I leaned in and gently kissed her on the lips, a soft reassurance that she was still important to me. Mac kissed me back, her lips lingering on mine before she broke the kiss and gave me a nod.


    ¡°If anything happens to our truck, the FRS, or you, I will not be held responsible for whatever I do if he caused it,¡± she said with a playful grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief.


    I chuckled, watching her head off toward the MCV, throwing me one last look over her shoulder. I climbed into my truck, finding Stoneclaw already seated in the passenger seat, his face an unreadable mask. Donning my headset, I signaled on my tablet that I was ready to roll. A few moments later, the entire fleet showed green. Activating the fleet-wide channel, I gave the order to roll out, with Scuzball relaying my command to the 77th Armored Regiment.


    Silence settled between Stoneclaw and me as we drove up to the Omaha Gate, the only sound being the muted music playing in the background. I had requested that Scuzball mute the external speakers¡ªI wasn¡¯t in the mood to share our tunes with the regiment trailing us.


    As we cleared the gate, a few wisecracks echoed over the radio about returning the "dinosaurs" to their proper place. I noticed a fleeting smile on Stoneclaw¡¯s lips, but it quickly faded. I asked Scuzball to mute the music in my truck and silence the mics on both mine and Stoneclaw¡¯s headsets. What we were about to discuss was private, and I didn¡¯t want anyone, especially Mac, to overhear.


    I glanced over at Stoneclaw, arching an eyebrow. He returned the look, tilting his head slightly to the side.


    ¡°This is your opportunity to unpack what was brought up earlier, Stoneclaw,¡± I said with a huff, my tone softer than before.


    ¡°Alpha,¡± he began, but I cut him off.


    ¡°Stoneclaw, I¡¯m not being an alpha right now. I¡¯m just Lyra, your friend and companion. Put our ranks aside and just talk to me like normal,¡± I said bluntly, trying to ease the tension.


    ¡°Fine¡­ Lyra, I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean for you to find out like that,¡± he apologized, his voice heavy with regret.


    ¡°How long have you known?¡± I asked, keeping my eyes on the road but stealing glances at him.


    ¡°Since the night you came to check on Ironfist aboard the Star Lancer,¡± he answered, his voice steady.


    I felt my jaw drop, my gaze flicking between him and the road. He pointed at the road, a silent reminder to keep my eyes forward.


    ¡°Were you ever going to tell me?¡± I asked, a note of hurt creeping into my voice.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure. I thought my internal instincts might have made a mistake. You aren¡¯t a dragon, and I¡¯ve never known another dragon to mate outside of our race,¡± he confessed, his tone uncertain.


    ¡°Stoneclaw, as strange as this might be, you should have told me. This is information I needed to know as an alpha. Especially when it came to bonding you to the pack,¡± I growled, my frustration bubbling to the surface.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t tell you for a couple of reasons. The first being, I wasn¡¯t sure how to handle it. Like I said, I¡¯ve never seen another dragon bond outside of our race,¡± he argued softly, his eyes avoiding mine.


    ¡°Fine, what was the second reason then?¡± I demanded, my patience wearing thin.


    ¡°I was afraid you would reject me and the bond,¡± he admitted quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.


    I let out a deep sigh, allowing my shoulders to relax. I could understand why he was scared. A rejected mate bond was excruciating, both mentally and physically. I had seen wolves who were rejected, and they were out of commission for weeks, sometimes months. I couldn¡¯t imagine how much worse it would be for a dragon. If Stoneclaw had been rejected, he would have been useless to us.


    ¡°Is that why you¡¯ve been acting so weird lately?¡± I asked him, trying to piece everything together.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he answered simply, his eyes finally meeting mine.


    ¡°Do you want me as a mate in the first place?¡± I asked pointedly, needing clarity.


    He sat in silence for a long moment, the hum of the engine filling the space between us as I drove.


    ¡°Stoneclaw, it¡¯s not a complicated question. Do you or do you not like me?¡± I asked flatly, my tone leaving no room for ambiguity.


    ¡°Yes, I want you as my mate. As strange as it may sound or be, I do want you,¡± he finally answered, his voice steady but tinged with vulnerability.


    For some strange reason, hearing him admit it made me feel... happy. I turned my head slightly, letting a small smile escape before regaining my composure. I focused on the road, trying to process the weight of what had just been revealed.


    ¡°I¡¯m assuming you¡¯re going to reject me now that you know the truth,¡± Stoneclaw said, a note of defeat in his voice.


    I glanced over at him, furrowing my eyebrows. ¡°What makes you think that?¡± I asked softly, genuinely curious.


    ¡°Because I¡¯m a dragon, and you¡¯re a werewolf. You probably want a werewolf mate,¡± he answered, his tone resigned.


    I gave him a flat, incredulous stare. ¡°Seriously, Stoneclaw? Of all people, I would have thought you¡¯d know I don¡¯t give a damn about traditions and customs.¡±


    He opened his mouth to reply but then shut it with an audible click. Leaning back in his seat, he placed his hands in his lap, staring out the windshield. For a moment, I almost felt bad¡ªhad I just broken my big bad dragon?


    ¡°Stoneclaw, you know my history better than most. You know I¡¯m not a typical werewolf, and that I see myself as damaged. It¡¯s why I guard myself so fiercely,¡± I said, trying to fill the silence that had settled between us.


    ¡°I know. That¡¯s another reason I didn¡¯t tell you. I thought it was better to be your friend than risk the bond, even if it meant sacrificing my wants and desires for you,¡± he confessed.


    His words hit me like a punch to the chest. He was willing to give up his mate bond, something sacred, just to ensure I wasn¡¯t pressured or unhappy. It was the kindest thing anyone had ever said to me. This man understood me on a level I never thought possible. That realization meant more to me than I could express.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to reject you, Stoneclaw,¡± I said, my voice steady as I looked over at him.


    His eyes widened, but before he could say anything, I held up a finger to stop him. ¡°But... I¡¯m also not going to accept your mate bond yet.¡±


    He looked taken aback, tilting his head to the side in confusion. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because... I¡¯m not willing to hurt one member of my pack over another. You¡¯ve put me in a predicament, Stoneclaw. If I choose you, I hurt Mac. If I choose Mac, I hurt you. That¡¯s not fair to either of you. I have feelings for both of you, and I have no idea how to deal with them. So now, I have to come up with a solution that¡¯s fair to all of us,¡± I explained, my voice firm.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be opposed to sharing you with Mac,¡± Stoneclaw said flatly, catching me completely off guard.


    I stared at him in surprise. I hadn¡¯t even considered that as an option. ¡°You would share me?¡± I asked, incredulity lacing my words.


    ¡°Yes, if you¡¯re okay with it,¡± he replied calmly.


    I bit my inner cheek, mulling over the idea. Could I have them both? They were both important to me in their own ways, and they both made me happy. I turned to face him fully.


    ¡°One condition,¡± I said.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± he asked, leaning forward slightly.


    ¡°You and Mac both have to agree and also care for each other as well. I don¡¯t want to be fought over. If the two of you can¡¯t do that, this won¡¯t work,¡± I stated firmly.


    ¡°That¡¯s a fair request,¡± he agreed, nodding.


    ¡°If you two can do that, then I will accept the mate bond,¡± I said, a soft smile spreading across my face.


    A smile cracked on his face as well, and he nodded. That had gone a lot smoother than I expected. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my chest. My mind began to wander to the thought of having them both, wrapped around me as we slept. The idea of a shared bond actually sounded... nice.


    My pleasant daydream was shattered when Scuzball suddenly appeared on my tablet screen, his digital face twisted in urgency.


    ¡°Put your headset on!¡± he roared through the truck speakers, making me jump.


    Grabbing my headset, I slid it over my ears and was immediately hit with a cacophony of noise.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± I demanded, trying to make sense of the chaos.


    ¡°One of the tanks broke loose and slid off one of the trailers!¡± Sasha¡¯s voice shouted over the channel.


    ¡°Say what!¡± I exclaimed, my heart pounding.


    ¡°One of the M1 Abrams main battle tanks broke loose and fell off its trailer,¡± Steve clarified, his tone urgent.


    ¡°Dragon Fleet, pull over!¡± I ordered, my mind racing to catch up with the sudden shift from personal to professional crisis.


    We came to a screeching halt in the middle of the interstate, the sound of air brakes hissing as the convoy settled. I leaped out of my truck and sprinted towards the back of the fleet, my heart pounding with a mixture of concern and irritation. As I rounded the corner, the scene that greeted me was a disaster¡ªa tank had broken free from its chains and slid off the M1000 trailer, landing upside down in a ditch like a beached turtle.


    Within moments, the entire fleet had gathered around, observing the mess with a mix of curiosity and schadenfreude.


    ¡°Should we go help them?¡± Charlotte asked, her voice tinged with concern.


    ¡°We can, in accordance with our orders,¡± I replied, my eyes narrowing as I surveyed the wreckage. ¡°But I¡¯m going to wait until they ask for our help.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s kinda cold, Alpha,¡± Seth muttered, though his tone held no real reproach.


    ¡°Well, it was kinda cold of their unit commander to provoke a fight with us and nearly cause a huge mess,¡± Stoneclaw retorted, his voice carrying a steely edge.


    ¡°Good point,¡± Seth conceded.


    As if summoned by our collective disdain, Colonel Sirus and Sergeant Major Baxter came striding over, the Colonel looking like he was ready to pop a blood vessel, while Baxter simply shook his head in exasperation.


    ¡°Are you mutts just going to stand around and watch while we figure out how to fix this mess?¡± Colonel Sirus barked, his tone dripping with condescension.


    Sergeant Major Baxter performed the military equivalent of a facepalm, clearly wishing he were anywhere else. My entire fleet crossed their arms in unison, matching my stance as I glared at Sirus.


    ¡°First and foremost, Colonel Sirus, you and I are of the same rank. Don¡¯t pretend you have any right to command me or my fleet¡ªbecause you don¡¯t. Second, this is my mission, not yours. I am the Queen Bitch of the Western I-80 Corridor, and these so-called mutts you¡¯ve so affectionately referred to? They have no qualms about leaving your rude ass behind. And third, most importantly, Colonel, the word ¡®please¡¯ goes a long way. Maybe you should consider using it.¡± My voice was saccharine sweet, but my eyes were pure venom.


    Colonel Sirus¡¯s face turned a delightful shade of beet red as his temper spiked. For a moment, I wondered if he was about to have an aneurysm¡ªsomething I¡¯d be totally okay with, given how he¡¯d treated us.


    I turned on my heel, ready to lead my fleet back to our rigs when Sergeant Major Baxter cleared his throat, stopping me in my tracks. I faced him, waiting for him to speak.


    ¡°What the Colonel meant to say was, would you be so kind as to lend your assistance in getting the tank back onto our trailer? That way, we can continue the mission in a timely manner,¡± Baxter said, his tone polite and diplomatic¡ªa stark contrast to Sirus¡¯s earlier tirade.


    I glanced up at Stoneclaw, who gave me a nod and a smile.


    ¡°Certainly, Sergeant Major Baxter. We¡¯d be glad to assist the 77th Armored Regiment in recovering your tank. Would you like our expertise on proper securement as well, so this doesn¡¯t happen again?¡± I asked sweetly, grinning as I saw the Colonel¡¯s face contort in barely suppressed rage.


    ¡°We would appreciate all the help and expertise the 781st Transportation Pack has to offer,¡± Baxter replied with an equally sweet grin.


    As one, my fleet took a step forward, ready to assist. The look on Colonel Sirus¡¯s face was priceless¡ªa mix of utter rage and shock as he tried to comprehend what had just happened. That¡¯s right, you stuck-up asshole, an entire pack of wolves, dragons, a pixie, and a phoenix just agreed to help you, despite your best efforts to alienate us.

 Chapter 29: Dragons Hoard the Strangest Things.

    It took us an hour to get everything set up to roll the tank back onto its tracks. We had to widen the gap between the two HETs that were sandwiching the unit that had lost its tank. From there, the now-empty HET dropped its trailer in front of our fleet before driving back over to the tank. We staged the M1070 truck so that its back was pointed towards the tank, and I had Kira and Abel pull up in front of it with their RGNs still attached. Once staged, we lowered their trailers so that the bottoms were sitting on the ground, ensuring stability.


    Next, we parked the FRS in the gap between Kira and Abel¡¯s trucks and proceeded to use our half-inch chains and binders to tie the three trailers together, transforming them into a massive counterweight. With our rigs locked into position, we linked Kira and Abel¡¯s trailers to the M1070 truck. Meanwhile, Mac was busy lowering the FRS trailer to the ground, extending its outriggers, and uncoiling the crane. She pulled out the spare high-tension cable stored in one of the cargo containers and set up a dual block and tackle on the front of the M1070.


    The M1070 was now completely integrated with our rigs. The soldiers from the 77th Armored Regiment unraveled the massive winches on the M1070 and connected the 147,000-pound turtle to the truck, preparing for the roll.


    As we stood by, watching the other unit finalize preparations, Sargeant Major Baxter walked over, a skeptical look on his face.


    "Are you sure this will work?" he asked, eyeing the setup.


    "As sure as I can be," Mac replied confidently. Her tone carried the authority of someone who had done this before¡ªbecause she had. She was the only warrant officer here, with training from her time in the Marines in heavy recovery operations.


    Of course, Colonel Sirus had tried to interject with his own bright idea, suggesting they use two other tanks to try and roll the first one over. Mac had shot him down with the precision of a sniper, pointing out the obvious: the M1A2 Abrams was at the bottom of a twenty-foot embankment. The other tanks wouldn¡¯t have the traction or the angle to do the job. The M1070¡¯s winches, however, were fully capable. After that, Sirus had stormed off, his bruised ego trailing behind him.


    "And where¡¯s the Colonel now?" I asked, scanning the area.


    "Down there, barking orders," Sargeant Major Baxter replied, nodding toward the Colonel, who was frantically gesturing beside the overturned tank.


    "How did General Zaraki take the news?" I asked, already guessing the answer.


    Sargeant Major Baxter¡¯s expression soured, his upper lip twitching. "Let¡¯s just say, if I never have to see a furious Draconian again, it¡¯ll be too soon. He tore the Colonel apart¡ªfiguratively, but it was close enough. After today, I¡¯m pretty sure the Colonel¡¯s career is over."


    "Did he shift?" I asked, a grin tugging at my lips.


    "Oh, he shifted, alright. For a twenty-four-year-old, he¡¯s one of the most terrifying people I¡¯ve ever encountered. How did he even become a general at such a young age?"


    I shrugged, though I knew the answer well. "He and Colonel Zaraki were practically bred for this. Natural leaders, especially after the Twilight Battle¡ªno one questioned their command potential."


    Baxter nodded slowly, absorbing the weight of my words. "Even through the video call, I could feel the power radiating off him."


    "You should count yourself lucky it was just a call," I said, my tone darkening. "If it had been in person, you two would¡¯ve been reduced to quivering messes. And thank the stars Colonel Zaraki wasn¡¯t there. She would¡¯ve ripped out your throats, pissed down your necks, and tossed your corpses off the Crescent Moon without a second thought."


    Baxter¡¯s eyes widened, and he quickly averted his gaze. "I knew she was ruthless, but not that ruthless."


    "She doesn¡¯t tolerate incompetence or disrespect. Not even a little."


    Before our conversation could continue, a sharp whistle cut through the air, grabbing my attention. I turned to see Colonel Sirus giving a thumbs-up to the soldiers manning the M1070. I caught Mac¡¯s eye and gave her a nod, signaling her to apply tension to the anchor. With practiced precision, she added just enough tension to eliminate the slack in her rigging. Then, with two sharp whistles and a thumbs-up of her own, she signaled the crew to begin.


    As the M1070¡¯s lines pulled taut, I watched the massive truck slide back a few inches before our anchor system held firm. The engine let out a low groan, straining under the weight, but it held steady. Slowly, the anchor system groaned as it took on the combined weight of the truck and the overturned tank. Everything slid another inch or so before locking into place, stabilizing the entire setup.


    Sargeant Major Baxter¡¯s eyes widened as the tank began to tilt upwards, inch by painstaking inch. The tension in the air was thick as the massive vehicle slowly righted itself. When it finally reached its tipping point, the lines went slack, and the tank dropped back onto its tracks with a ground-shaking thud. I let out a breath I didn¡¯t realize I¡¯d been holding and glanced over at Mac. Sargeant Major Baxter mirrored my actions, nodding his approval at Mac¡¯s expertise.


    It took another thirty minutes to haul the tank up the embankment. Once it was back on the trailer, we began the laborious task of breaking down the rigging and clearing the area. By the time we had everything reconnected and in place, the sun had begun its descent, casting long shadows across the landscape.


    Sargeant Major Baxter formally requested that my unit oversee the securement of the tank and inspect the others as well. What we discovered was nothing short of alarming. The 77th Armored Regiment had been using 3/8th-inch grade 70 transport chains, rated for a working load limit of just 6,600 pounds¡ªgrossly inadequate for securing 147,000-pound tanks. Worse still, they hadn¡¯t even used the minimum required amount of securement in the first place.


    As we conducted our inspections, we found that several tanks had already snapped their chains. It was sheer luck that only one tank had come off the HETs. A sharp curve in the road could have easily sent multiple tanks careening into ditches. Best practices dictate securing a load with enough chains to handle half the item¡¯s total weight, and the 77th had fallen woefully short of that standard.


    I informed Sargeant Major Baxter of our findings. Between the two units, it took another two hours to properly secure the tanks. We had to dip into our own supply of chains and binders to ensure everything was locked down tight. My team took photos of the entire process, documenting our work for future reference, and sent them to Steve to keep on file.


    By the time we were finished, darkness had settled in, and everyone was sweaty, grimy, and thoroughly exhausted. We had lost precious time, and I checked in with my wolves to ensure they could still make the drive to our first camp, now officially designated as Camp Howling Wolf¡ªnamed in honor of our first battle. Despite the chaos, they all confirmed they were good to go, their determination fueled by frustration.


    Climbing back into my truck, I found Mac already in the passenger seat, her face a mixture of concern and something else¡ªhurt, maybe. I gave her a questioning look as I donned my headset and issued the order to roll out. But before I could say anything, she spoke first.


    ¡°Stoneclaw spoke to me¡­¡± she began, her voice tinged with unease.


    For fowl''s sake¡­ Couldn¡¯t he have waited until we weren¡¯t in the middle of a mission? I silently cursed, closing my eyes for a moment to regain my composure. I asked Scuzball to mute our mics, then pulled off my headset and turned to Mac, bracing myself for what she had to say.


    ¡°Lyra¡­ what do I do?¡± Mac¡¯s voice was soft, laced with a hurt that threw me off guard.


    I bit down on my inner cheek, trying to figure out what to say. What do you say when you¡¯re the one at the center of this tangled mess? How do you admit that you want them both?


    ¡°What did Stoneclaw tell you?¡± I finally asked, needing to know her side before I could figure out mine.


    ¡°He said he wants you as his mate and that he wasn¡¯t opposed to sharing you,¡± she murmured, staring down at her hands as if they held the answers.


    ¡°Did he say anything else?¡± I pressed gently.


    She shrugged, looking more defeated than I¡¯d ever seen her. ¡°I stopped listening after he said he wanted you as a mate.¡±


    I sighed. This was going to be a long, agonizing drive.


    ¡°Mac, what do you want?¡± I asked, hoping to get to the heart of the matter.


    ¡°The same thing he does. To be your mate,¡± she replied, her voice steady but soft.


    I damn near gave myself whiplash turning to look at her. She wanted me as a mate too? What was today, ¡®Let¡¯s Complicate Lyra¡¯s Life Day¡¯? I refocused on the dark road ahead, my mind spinning.


    ¡°How do you feel about sharing me with Stoneclaw?¡± I ventured, needing to gauge her reaction.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she admitted, her voice tinged with frustration. ¡°For the first time in a long time, I felt like I might actually have someone serious in my life. Then I find out there¡¯s a dragon in the mix too.¡±


    I could empathize with that. It reminded me too much of how I¡¯d felt with Cameron. The question was, how did we navigate this mess?


    ¡°What do you want from this, Lyra?¡± Mac asked, cutting through my thoughts.


    Biting my lower lip, I decided to be honest. No point in beating around the bush. ¡°I want both of you,¡± I said, feeling a weight lift as the words left my mouth.


    Her head snapped toward me, eyes wide in surprise. ¡°You want us both?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but under one condition,¡± I replied, my voice steady. ¡°I want you two to love each other as much as you love me.¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­ what?¡± she squeaked, clearly taken aback. ¡°You want us to love each other too?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I confirmed. ¡°If I¡¯m going to accept either of you as a mate¡ªor both¡ªthen I want the two of you to also accept each other as mates.¡±


    Stolen story; please report.


    She blinked at me, her expression a mix of shock and confusion, before turning to look out the window. We drove in silence for nearly an hour, the only sound the hum of the engine and the faint rustle of the night wind. Finally, she spoke again.


    ¡°You know I prefer women over men, right?¡± she asked, her voice tentative.


    ¡°I know,¡± I replied simply.


    She sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. ¡°Stoneclaw is rather attractive for a man,¡± she conceded with a half-hearted grin.


    I couldn¡¯t help but grin back. ¡°He is a catch, even from a wolf¡¯s point of view. I¡¯ve seen Charlotte and Sasha eye him like he¡¯s a juicy steak.¡±


    ¡°He does have a sexy physique,¡± she admitted, biting her lower lip, ¡°and even though I prefer women, that package he has¡­ He¡¯s the whole deal.¡±


    I snickered at her honesty. She wasn¡¯t wrong¡ªStoneclaw was packing.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t even know what to do with it,¡± I muttered, half to myself. ¡°Would it even fit?¡±


    Mac gave me a look that made me feel like I¡¯d said something completely foreign. She stared at me, eyebrow arched. ¡°What?¡± I asked, feeling a little defensive.


    ¡°Lyra, have you ever had sex before?¡± she asked, her voice deadpan.


    I felt my face heat up. ¡°No¡­¡±


    She shook her head, clearly surprised. ¡°Lyra, are you telling me you¡¯re still a virgin?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± I mumbled, my face and ears flaming with embarrassment.


    ¡°Oh my gods! You¡¯re serious!¡± she exclaimed, her excitement almost palpable.


    I narrowed my eyes at her, feeling a growl bubble up from my chest. ¡°I told you I was broken and had issues,¡± I huffed, trying to regain some semblance of dignity.


    ¡°Stoneclaw isn¡¯t going to believe this!¡± she said, practically giddy.


    ¡°Mac!¡± I screeched, causing the rig to veer to the left. I quickly corrected, getting the truck back under control and glaring at her. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare tell him¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, I am definitely telling him,¡± she said with a mischievous smirk. ¡°This is too good not to.¡±


    I let out a groan, gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white. This was so humiliating.


    ¡°On a serious note,¡± she began, her tone softening, ¡°I¡¯ll think about it, okay? This is a lot to process, and I don¡¯t want to get hurt or used.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± I nodded, respecting her need for time.


    We arrived at Camp Howling Wolf just after midnight, the drive uneventful but heavy with unspoken tension. Pulling into the camp, we parked in the same area where we¡¯d originally set up shop on our first visit. Cameron had wisely moved the camp¡¯s headquarters to a new location, giving us ample room to park both fleets without anyone feeling cramped.


    Once parked, I didn¡¯t bother getting out of my truck. Exhaustion weighed me down like a lead blanket, and I was in no mood to play the role of the responsible leader. I placed Steve in charge, trusting him to handle the evening, and retreated to my sleeper. Mac and I wordlessly helped each other undress, using rags and water to wipe away the grime of the day. Clad in my tank top and boy shorts, I sprawled across her, letting the familiar comfort of her presence wash over me. Despite the mess of feelings swirling between us and Stoneclaw, I couldn¡¯t bring myself to send her away. She had my heart first, so she got the right to stay. We didn¡¯t say much once we were in bed¡ªjust a few whispered words and a kiss before I nestled against her, letting the steady rhythm of her heartbeat lull me to sleep.


    The next morning, I woke up to find the tables had turned¡ªMac was sprawled across me, her weight a warm, comforting pressure. My phone¡¯s alarm blared, dragging me from the thin veil of sleep. I growled and reached over to my nightstand, snatching up the infernal device. It was barely seven in the morning. For Luna¡¯s sake, I hated waking up early, especially after the emotional rollercoaster of the previous day.


    ¡°Ten more minutes, please, Babe¡­¡± Mac mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.


    I kissed her cheek, my lips brushing her warm skin, before carefully extricating myself from beneath her. There were still over five hundred miles to cover, and once we hit Wyoming, who knew what we¡¯d face.


    ¡°Come on, Mac. We need to get up,¡± I said, giving her a playful swat on the butt.


    She let out a growl that quickly morphed into a screech, yanking the blanket over her head in a feeble attempt to ignore me. I shook my head, pulling on a fresh uniform before climbing into the driver¡¯s seat. As I reached into the fridge, I was pleasantly surprised to find it fully stocked with my beloved Red Bull. Closing the door with a satisfied grin, I cracked open a can, savoring the first sip like it was liquid gold.


    Boots laced up, I climbed out of the truck and headed to the MCV, where I found Steve and Catalina preparing a light breakfast. They had everything neatly packed into brown paper sacks and were handing them out like it was a fast-food drive-thru. Steve, notably, had swapped his usual Fluffer Nutter apron for a generic black one, while Catalina had claimed his usual. I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at the sight, grabbing two sacks before making my way out.


    I nearly bounced off Stoneclaw as he emerged from Mac¡¯s bunk room, his broad back like a wall. He turned just in time to catch me before I could make a complete fool of myself.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± he asked, his voice still heavy with sleep.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I replied, noticing the grogginess in his eyes. ¡°Did you sleep in Mac¡¯s bunk room?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± he admitted, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. ¡°As well as I slept, it was a mistake. My neighbors were... rather rowdy last night.¡±


    I followed his gaze to Steve and Catalina, who were blissfully unaware of Stoneclaw¡¯s twitching eyebrow. I stifled a giggle and squeezed past him, dashing out of the MCV to do a quick check on everyone. I urged them to hurry¡ªif everything went according to plan, we¡¯d be rolling out within the hour.


    Returning to my truck, I found Mac already halfway through our pretrip inspection. I handed her one of the breakfast bags, leaning in to kiss her cheek before climbing into the cab. As I settled into my seat, I pulled up my email to catch up on the message chain between Cayro and Catalina from the previous night.


    Catalina had forwarded Cayro all the photos of the fiasco with the 77th Armored Regiment, with Steve providing a detailed explanation of everything they¡¯d done wrong. Unsurprisingly, Cayro was livid. If manpower wasn¡¯t so tight, Colonel Sirus would¡¯ve been out on his ass by now. The man was becoming a migraine-inducing thorn in everyone¡¯s side.


    Mac climbed into the cab as I was finishing up, digging into her breakfast bag with a look of mischief. She pulled out a banana, slowly peeling it before sliding the fruit into her mouth with a devious grin. I felt the heat rise to my face, quickly turning away in embarrassment. This woman was going to be the death of me.


    "Behave, or I¡¯ll make you ride in the MCV,¡± I huffed at Mac, trying to suppress a grin.


    She chuckled, taking a playful bite out of her banana. I couldn¡¯t help but smile back before donning my headset and toggling over to the MCV¡¯s channel.


    ¡°Are we almost ready to roll out?¡± I asked, keeping my tone professional.


    ¡°10-4, Alpha,¡± Steve replied, his voice steady and reassuring.


    Switching to the fleet-wide channel, I addressed everyone. ¡°Alright, Dragon Fleet, we¡¯re heading into unknown territory. The Chaos Reckoning has scouted ahead, and the route is clear all the way to Pine Bluffs, Wyoming. Once we reach Pine Bluffs, we¡¯re on our own until we hit Salt Lake City. Set max speed to fifty-five miles per hour¡ªlet¡¯s not leave the 77th behind. Same lineup as yesterday.¡±


    A chorus of woofs confirmed the orders. I watched as each truck flashed green on my tablet, signaling they were ready. I waited for Scuzball to relay that the 77th Armored Regiment was good to go. It took them another ten minutes¡ªtypical¡ªbut eventually, the confirmation came through.


    ¡°Dragon Fleet¡­ let¡¯s make some noise!¡± I announced, my voice ringing out with authority.


    This time, there were no blaring horns or blaring music. We simply slipped into gear and quietly left Camp Howling Wolf, the tension thickening like the storm clouds gathering on the horizon. Everyone could feel it¡ªwe were rolling into the unknown, and the weight of that realization pressed down on all of us.


    The two-hour drive to Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, was uneventful but heavy with anticipation. The Chaos Reckoning escorted us the entire way, their presence a brief comfort before they turned back at the Nebraska-Wyoming state line. Now, we were truly on our own. Scuzball did his best to monitor our route using satellite images, but with updates coming only every hour, it felt like we were flying blind.


    As we rolled into Cheyenne, the sky darkened, and the heavens opened up, drenching the landscape in a relentless downpour. The black clouds loomed ominously, lightning crackling through the sky, illuminating the skeletal remains of the city¡¯s ruins in the distance. The mood in the fleet grew tense, nervous chatter filling the comms.


    ¡°This storm looks like it¡¯s going to be bad,¡± Cain said quietly, his voice betraying a hint of unease.


    ¡°No joke,¡± Charlotte chimed in, her usual bravado slightly subdued.


    ¡°Do you think it¡¯s safe to keep pushing forward?¡± Sasha asked, concern creeping into her tone.


    ¡°Oh, come on, this isn¡¯t the first time we¡¯ve gone through storms like this,¡± Tyler snorted, trying to lighten the mood.


    ¡°This reminds me of that time Stoneclaw made us all fly through a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico,¡± Flamewing joked, his voice laced with amusement.


    ¡°I¡¯d appreciate it if you didn¡¯t bring up that particular memory. Darkhide nearly skinned me for doing that,¡± Stoneclaw growled, his tone a mix of annoyance and embarrassment.


    ¡°Oh, now you have to tell us about it, Flamewing,¡± Azura giggled, clearly eager for a distraction.


    Flamewing started to recount the tale, but his voice suddenly cut off, replaced by a string of colorful curses, undoubtedly directed at Stoneclaw for muting him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be like that, Stoneclaw. Everyone¡¯s on edge. A good epic story would do us some good,¡± I teased, trying to coax him out of his brooding. I could practically see him crossing his arms and glaring out the windshield, his dragon pride bruised. The image made me smile, and Mac, catching on, started to mimic his grumpy pose, making us both chuckle.


    ¡°As I was saying,¡± Flamewing huffed, regaining control of his comm, ¡°someone left his go bag of books on an old oil rig. We had just managed to leave before the storm rolled in. We were halfway to land when he realized he¡¯d left his precious bag of books behind. By the time we got back to the rig, the storm was in full swing. We battled almost two hundred mile-per-hour winds, rain, hail, and sea spray to get back. We had to hunker down on the rig to ride out the storm. By the time we returned to base, we were forty-eight hours overdue. Stoneclaw got a royal ass-chewing from Darkhide and lost two days of paid leave.¡±


    Flamewing¡¯s chuckle was contagious, cutting through the tension like a blade.


    ¡°Well, what happened to the books? Did you guys manage to recover them?¡± Kira¡¯s curiosity cut through the comm chatter.


    ¡°Oh, we did,¡± Flamewing confirmed, his tone almost too cheerful. ¡°That was until Darkhide flamb¨¦ed them with his dragon fire right in front of all of us. Stoneclaw lost his shit and proceeded to get a royal ass whooping from Darkhide when he tried to attack him.¡±


    A collective, ¡°Ohhh,¡± rippled through the fleet at Flamewing¡¯s tale. Even I knew better than to mess with a dragon¡¯s hoard¡ªit¡¯s sacred territory.


    ¡°That was cold of Darkhide,¡± Jake commented, his voice tinged with sympathy.


    ¡°It was meant to be a lesson to all of us,¡± Icetail added, his tone sober.


    ¡°And trust me, it was received loud and clear,¡± Raptor chimed in.


    ¡°At least my hoard is useful and makes sense,¡± Ironfist boasted, his pride evident.


    ¡°Your hoard is nothing but a bunch of expensive red power tools!¡± a new voice interjected¡ªCrookedfang, finally breaking his silence.


    ¡°Oh, shut up, Crookedfang!¡± Ironfist growled defensively. ¡°It¡¯s better than what you hoard¡­¡±


    ¡°Might want to stop while you¡¯re ahead, Crookedfang,¡± Icetail advised, his voice dripping with amusement. ¡°We¡¯ve all seen your hoard, and unless you want us to tell the entire fleet about it, you might want to keep quiet.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t hold out now!¡± Mac¡¯s playful tone joined the fray, clearly enjoying the banter.


    ¡°It¡¯s best if we didn¡¯t say,¡± Raptor tried to defuse the situation, though his tone suggested he was holding back a laugh.


    ¡°He hoards purple sex toys. Preferably purple Bad Dragon sex toys¡­¡± Stoneclaw¡¯s voice cut through the air with deadly seriousness.


    I spat Red Bull all over my dash and windshield, just as Mac choked on her breakfast, her eyes wide with shock.


    ¡°Stoneclaw!¡± I shouted through my mic, trying to keep the situation under control¡ªor at least my truck.


    ¡°What?¡± he responded innocently. ¡°It¡¯s true!¡±


    ¡°And this is why I don¡¯t talk to you guys unless I have to¡­¡± Crookedfang¡¯s growl came over the comm before he promptly muted himself, likely retreating in embarrassment.


    The banter continued for a few more minutes, with various wisecracks about the dragons and their peculiar hoarding habits. It was only when I told Scuzball to play some music that the conversation finally died down. I had enough of dragons¡¯ eccentricities for one day.


    Mac, however, was far from done. She sat in her seat, struggling to contain her giggles, which only grew louder the more she thought about it.


    ¡°Mac¡­ stop laughing. It could be seen as kink-shaming,¡± I warned, though a smile tugged at my lips.


    ¡°That¡¯s what makes it so funny!¡± she wheezed, her face turning red from laughter. ¡°Out of all the things that are purple he could hoard, he chose that! At least when he finds a mate, she¡¯ll never be dissatisfied.¡±


    I sighed in defeat. My pack never ceased to amaze¡ªor embarrass¡ªme, but that was just who we were. We were odd, eccentric, and absolutely unstoppable. After another three hours on the road, I decided it was time for a break. We were approaching the Rocky Mountains, and the temperature had begun to drop¡ªa stark reminder that we were heading into treacherous territory.


    We rolled into Point of Rocks, Wyoming, bringing the convoy to a halt. Climbing out of my cab, I called the fleet together. We needed to discuss the possibility of encountering winter weather, allow Scuzball to generate a weather forecast, and send Raptor and Flamewing ahead to scout. The last thing we needed was to get stuck or, worse, lose traction and crash.


    This stop also gave everyone a chance to stretch their legs and regroup. Now that we were just over halfway to Salt Lake City, it was more crucial than ever to ensure we made it there in one piece.

 Interlude

    Announcing the Launch of the SkyTeam Aerospace Foundation Website Hosted by Dragon and Drow!


    Attention, intrepid explorers and curious minds,


    Get ready to step into a world of intrigue and discovery! The SkyTeam Aerospace Foundation is thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new, immersive website. Hosted by the enigmatic duo, Dragon and Drow, this site is your gateway to the enthralling universe of Project Cayro, Dragon Fleet, and Scuzball''s hidden Archives.


    <h4>What You¡¯ll Find:</h4>


    <ul>


    <li>Exclusive Content: Uncover hidden secrets from Project Cayro, delve into Dragon Fleet chapters, and explore the rare findings from Scuzball¡¯s clandestine archives.</li>


    <li>Audio Books: Listen to the gripping audiobooks of our most popular stories, narrated by voices that will captivate your imagination.</li>


    <li>Unseen Extras: Discover content and insights you won¡¯t find on Royal Road, making this the ultimate hub for devoted fans and curious newcomers.</li>


    <li>Interactive Features: Engage with interactive character bios, detailed maps, and timelines that connect the intricate lore of our universe.</li>


    </ul>


    <h4>Special Features by Dragon and Drow:</h4>


    <ul>


    <li>Live Q&A Sessions: Interact with our hosts in real-time, asking your most pressing questions and gaining insider knowledge about the universe.</li>


    <li>Behind-the-Scenes Access: Get an exclusive look at behind-the-scenes content, including interviews, concept art, and developer insights.</li>


    <li>Sneak Previews: Be the first to glimpse upcoming projects, storylines, and special events.</li>


    </ul>


    Dive into the adventure at SkyTeam Aerospace Foundation and unlock the secrets of our expansive universe. Whether you¡¯re a long-time follower or a new visitor, there¡¯s something extraordinary waiting for you.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    Welcome to the future of storytelling and exploration. Join us in uncovering the mysteries that lie beyond.


    SkyTeam Aerospace Foundation


    Powered by Dragon & Drow (dragonanddrow.com)</a>


    (P.S. If you find this launch boring, perhaps stick to your dull routine. This site is for those with a thirst for the extraordinary.) -Scuzball

 Chapter 30: Basic Observation… Hellish Iced Convoy Ahead.

    Standing atop the FRS in my Gortex coat, I braced myself against the biting wind that whipped my hair around. Through the binoculars, I scanned the horizon ahead, watching as storm clouds gathered ominously in the direction we were headed. With the temperature plummeting rapidly, the threat of ice and snow was becoming a serious concern.


    Raptor and Flamewing were out ahead, scouting the road conditions. They¡¯d been gone nearly an hour when I finally spotted them in the distance. It wasn¡¯t long before Raptor came soaring up, shifting mid-air and landing beside me on the FRS. Ice clung to his naked body, crackling as he shook it off and ran a hand through his wet hair.


    ¡°If we want to make it to Salt Lake City, we need to move now. If we wait until morning, the mountain pass could be completely blocked,¡± he said, his tone heavy with concern.


    ¡°How bad does it look?¡± I asked, still scanning the storm¡¯s progress.


    ¡°Winter¡¯s coming early this year, and that storm is massive. It¡¯ll slow us down, but we have a chance to push through before it gets really bad,¡± he replied.


    I nodded, then let out a sharp whistle to gather everyone¡¯s attention. Raptor leaped off the FRS, shifting back into his dragon form mid-air as he took flight. I watched him for a moment before turning my focus to the fleets gathering below.


    ¡°We¡¯re about to hit a massive winter storm over the mountain pass. We¡¯ve got two hundred and ten miles to Salt Lake City, and Raptor says we have to leave now or we won¡¯t make it. Dragon Fleet, get your snow chains out and prepare for snow and ice. 77th Armored Regiment, you can either tag along or stay behind¡ªit¡¯s up to you. We came prepared for this,¡± I announced, my voice cutting through the cold air.


    Dragon Fleet responded with a unified woof of acknowledgment, saluting before jumping into action. Meanwhile, the 77th Armored Regiment hesitated, clearly unsure of their next move. I caught Colonel Sirus glaring up at me, his face twisted with frustration.


    ¡°What the hell are we supposed to do? We didn¡¯t bring snow chains for our trucks!¡± he shouted, his voice carrying more anger than reason.


    I couldn¡¯t help but smirk as I shrugged. ¡°That¡¯s not my problem, Colonel. General Zaraki told you we¡¯re experts in our field, but you mocked my trucks and my sergeant. Where¡¯s that macho attitude now?¡±


    Sirus¡¯s face turned a dangerous shade of red as he stormed off, barking orders at his unit. I could hear him grumbling under his breath about showing us just how capable his trucks were. The whole exchange brought a smile to my face.


    After climbing down from the FRS, I joined my team in getting our snow chains on. It took us a solid hour to finish the job, but by the time I climbed back into my cab, we were ready to roll. I found Stoneclaw already sitting in the passenger seat, handing me a bottle of water as I settled in.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Mac?¡± I asked, taking a long gulp of water.


    ¡°She¡¯s riding in the MCV with Scuzball. They¡¯re going to monitor the trucks and work some kind of voodoo magic to keep us from sliding off the road. It¡¯s all way above my head,¡± Stoneclaw snorted, leaning back in his seat.


    I chuckled, knowing full well that Stoneclaw was far more knowledgeable than he let on. ¡°You¡¯re a book dragon, you should have some idea of what they¡¯re doing.¡±


    As if on cue, Icetail walked by and overheard us. He poked his head into the cab with a mischievous grin. ¡°Sure, he¡¯s a book dragon, but it¡¯s mostly smut,¡± he quipped.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not!¡± Stoneclaw roared, his voice echoing through the cab.


    ¡°Uh-huh, that¡¯s why eighty percent of your library is half-naked men clutching swooning women on the covers?¡± Icetail shot back with a snicker.


    I could see smoke beginning to waft from Stoneclaw¡¯s nostrils as he glared daggers at Icetail. ¡°That¡¯s it¡­ I¡¯m melting your plastic block tower when we get back to Georgia!¡± he growled.


    Icetail just laughed and walked off, heading toward his assigned truck. I took the opportunity to close my door before anyone else decided to poke their heads in. As I turned to look at Stoneclaw, I noticed a cloud of smoke now drifting over his head. I cracked open the passenger window to let the smoke escape, shaking my head in mild amusement.


    ¡°Do you guys always argue like this?¡± I couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    ¡°The joys of pretty much being brothers¡­¡± he grumbled, his irritation still simmering.


    ¡°You guys are brothers?¡± I asked curiously, arching an eyebrow.


    ¡°Not by blood, no. That¡¯s just how we see ourselves,¡± he answered, the tension in his voice easing slightly.


    ¡°Ah, got it,¡± I said, pulling on my headset. ¡°Well, I guess payback¡¯s a bitch for revealing Crookedfang¡¯s hoarding habits.¡±


    Stoneclaw¡¯s jaw fell open, and he shot me a glare that could melt ice. I just gave him a wicked grin, enjoying the moment as I indicated on my tablet that I was ready to roll.


    ¡°Are you defending him and his hoarding habits?¡± he huffed, still clearly agitated.


    ¡°Yes, I am¡ªjust like I¡¯d defend yours,¡± I replied with a sly smile.


    He shut his mouth with an audible click, crossing his arms and sulking like a child denied candy. I watched as each truck turned green on my screen, signaling that everyone was ready.


    ¡°You know, Mac does a nearly perfect imitation of your brooding habits. It¡¯s rather funny to see,¡± I teased, clicking on the fleet-wide channel.


    ¡°I don¡¯t brood¡­¡± Stoneclaw grumbled, not realizing I had just activated the channel for all to hear. Immediately, the entire fleet chimed in, confirming in unison that he did, indeed, brood.


    I couldn¡¯t help but laugh as Stoneclaw sat there, wide-eyed and embarrassed, realizing I had just caught him on a hot mic. The look on his face was too priceless to resist.


    Before he could say anything in his defense, I spoke into my mic. ¡°Are we ready to roll?¡± I asked the fleet, trying to stifle my laughter.


    Multiple acknowledgments rang out, confirming that everyone was good to go. Releasing the brakes, I slid my truck into gear and let the clutch out, feeling the heavy rumble as we began to move.


    Within an hour and a half, the temperature outside began to plummet. The dark clouds above us opened up, releasing large, thick flakes of snow that peppered my windshield and covered the ground. Gusts of wind buffeted my truck from the north, and it wasn¡¯t long before the snow began to obscure the road, making it difficult to see the surface. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the storm pressing down on us, and glanced over at Stoneclaw.


    ¡°This may get a bit hairy,¡± I said softly, more to myself than to him.


    ¡°If anyone can handle this, it¡¯s you,¡± he replied, his voice calm as he turned to meet my gaze.


    I gave him a nod, appreciating the confidence he had in me, and then radioed Steve. ¡°Steve, the road is getting bad ahead of us. What¡¯s the weather looking like?¡± I asked, keeping my voice steady despite the growing tension.


    ¡°From what Scuzball is forecasting, it¡¯s going to get worse. The storm is building, and it¡¯s looking nasty,¡± he answered, a hint of concern creeping into his tone.


    ¡°Lyra, look at the switch panel on the left of your steering wheel where your controls for the lights are,¡± Mac¡¯s voice cut in over the radio, clear and focused.


    ¡°Okay,¡± I said, glancing down at the switch panel. ¡°What am I looking for?¡±


    ¡°Do you see the three blank switches above your lights and hazards?¡± Mac asked, her tone instructive.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I replied, my curiosity piqued.


    ¡°Push the first switch down,¡± she instructed, her voice carrying an air of anticipation.


    I did as she instructed, pushing the first switch down. I watched in amazement as the blade on the front of my truck dropped, followed by the unmistakable sound of metal scraping against asphalt.


    ¡°You added hydraulics to the blade?¡± I said in surprise, turning to look at Stoneclaw, who just shrugged with a grin.


    ¡°Yes, now push the second switch up. It will angle the blade so the snow will be pushed out of the way,¡± Mac continued, her voice filled with pride.


    I pushed the second button up, watching as the blade angled toward the passenger side of the truck. I was thoroughly impressed. Mac had really outdone herself this time. Shifting down from eighteenth gear into seventeenth, I pushed my RPMs up to stay in the power band of the engine, ensuring the snow wouldn¡¯t slow us down as it thickened. The wave of snow flying past my truck as we plowed forward was both mesmerizing and a testament to Mac¡¯s ingenuity.


    A huge bolt of lightning suddenly flashed through the sky above us, followed by a deafening clap of thunder that rattled my truck. The sky was growing darker and more menacing by the minute, the storm intensifying with every mile. The snow began to fall harder, and the wind shifted, slamming into the front of my truck with brutal force.


    ¡°Holy Luna!¡± I gasped as another bolt of lightning lit up the sky, this one a vivid, unnatural purple.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°Lyra, this storm is not a natural storm,¡± Scuzball announced, his usual nonchalance tinged with an edge of concern.


    ¡°What do you mean it¡¯s not a natural storm?¡± I demanded, my grip tightening on the wheel as another purple bolt of lightning sliced through the sky.


    ¡°I¡¯m getting unnatural readings from the satellites overhead,¡± he replied, a hint of frustration in his voice.


    ¡°Scuzball, get to the point. We¡¯re rolling into it now,¡± I growled, my patience wearing thin as the storm intensified around us.


    ¡°The best answer I have is that this storm is being driven by the magic leaking from the epicenter of the District of Columbia. There isn¡¯t any known data about the effects this magic has on weather patterns out here,¡± he explained, his tone becoming more serious.


    ¡°Okay, so what does that mean for us?¡± I asked, trying to focus on the road ahead while my mind raced with possibilities.


    ¡°It means I can¡¯t give you an accurate weather forecast. The winds keep shifting, and the storm is growing,¡± he huffed irritably, clearly out of his comfort zone.


    ¡°Then what do you suggest we do?¡± I demanded, my voice rising with the urgency of the situation.


    ¡°Alpha, from Scuzball¡¯s simulations, this storm is going to get extremely nasty. With us already in it, the only option we have is to punch through it. If we stop, we¡¯ll get trapped,¡± Steve answered, his tone calm but resolute.


    ¡°Can we handle what it¡¯s going to throw at us?¡± I asked, scanning the darkening horizon.


    ¡°With the weight of the rigs, we should be able to handle the crosswinds,¡± Mac chimed in, her voice confident.


    ¡°We¡¯re about one hundred and ten miles out from Salt Lake City,¡± Catalina added, keeping us grounded in the facts.


    ¡°Scuzball, how bad is the storm going to get in the next two hours?¡± I asked, trying to gauge just how much of a fight we were in for.


    ¡°It¡¯s not looking good, Lyra. I can¡¯t give an accurate forecast, but from what I can guess, you have a two-to-three-hour window before it gets to the point where you don¡¯t want to be on the road,¡± he replied, the worry in his tone unsettling.


    I had never heard Scuzball sound worried before, and when an all-powerful AI was worried, it made me worried too.


    ¡°The four of you put your heads together and do whatever voodoo magic you need to come up with a game plan to get us through this storm,¡± I ordered, echoing Stoneclaw¡¯s earlier words with a determined edge.


    Stoneclaw shot me a playful look, letting out a soft chuckle despite the situation. I winked back at him, focusing on the road as the snow began to thicken, bogging down my rig. I downshifted from seventeenth to sixteenth to maintain my RPMs, knowing it wouldn¡¯t be long before we¡¯d be crawling through this mess.


    ¡°Dragon Fleet, prepare for battering ram maneuver,¡± Steve announced over the fleet-wide channel, then switched to our leader channel. ¡°Lyra, we¡¯re going to use the same maneuver that we used to smash through the barricade on our first mission. Mac is currently linking all the trucks to her workstation to control the engines¡¯ power output and the tire inflation systems.¡±


    ¡°Everyone is showing green for the maneuver,¡± Catalina confirmed, her voice steady and focused.


    ¡°Proceed,¡± I ordered, the weight of command settling on my shoulders as I braced for what was to come.


    ¡°Dragon Fleet, commence battering ram maneuver. Scuzball will now take control of your brakes and accelerators,¡± Steve announced over the fleet-wide channel, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.


    A moment later, I felt the bump from the truck behind me as it connected with the FRS trailer. Another bolt of lightning flashed overhead, as if acknowledging our attempt to break through the storm¡¯s grip.


    My RPMs began to climb, and I shifted back to seventeenth gear as the convoy powered through the snow-covered interstate.


    ¡°Maintain seventeenth gear,¡± Mac instructed. ¡°I¡¯ll call out when you need to shift.¡±


    We were maintaining sixty-two miles an hour, plowing through nearly two feet of snow. The wave of snow my rig was creating was massive, a testament to the power and determination driving us forward. My tablet screen flashed, and the usual display vanished, replaced by a digital version of the interstate with lines acting as guidelines for me to follow. Keeping one eye on the road and the other on my tablet, I kept the rig on course, pushing us through the worsening storm.


    The weather wasn¡¯t letting up; in fact, it was getting worse. As we began to climb into the mountains, Mac announced the need to downshift to sixteenth gear. The roar of our trucks filled the air as we pushed forward, the snow and mountain grade doing little to slow us down. Even under these conditions, we were holding steady at fifty-five miles an hour.


    It wasn¡¯t long before we reached the Utah-Wyoming border and began our descent down the mountain pass. Scuzball was expertly modulating the trucks¡¯ engine brakes and air brakes as we barreled through nearly three feet of snow. The combined weight of our rigs and the relentless momentum helped us plow through the snowdrifts, and with the added pull of gravity, we maintained our speed as we pressed forward.


    ¡°How¡¯s the 77th holding up?¡± I asked over the radio, glancing at the convoy behind us.


    ¡°They¡¯re keeping up, but that Colonel is bitching up a storm. He called you a ¡®crazy bitch,¡¯¡± Scuzball replied, his tone laced with amusement.


    I snorted. ¡°He should¡¯ve figured that out by now.¡±


    ¡°Well, he doesn¡¯t seem to be the brightest crayon in the box,¡± Kira chimed in with a chuckle.


    ¡°Ain¡¯t that the truth,¡± Sasha added, her voice tinged with sarcasm.


    ¡°You¡¯d think a Colonel would have more brains,¡± Cain joked.


    ¡°I¡¯ve met butter bars smarter than him,¡± Ironfist quipped, hitting the Colonel where it hurt.


    Laughter rippled through the fleet. Comparing Colonel Sirus to a 2nd lieutenant¡ªinfamously known as "butter bars"¡ªwas a low blow, but an accurate one. Even I couldn¡¯t disagree with the dragon¡¯s assessment.


    I glanced over at Stoneclaw, noticing his white-knuckled grip on the door handle. We¡¯d just passed the I-80 and I-84 interchange, rolling by the Echo Reservoir. Despite the banter on the radio, he¡¯d been unusually quiet since we hit the worst of the storm. The wind had died down, but the snow still fell heavily, and the clouds hung dark and ominous overhead.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you once fly through a hurricane to retrieve a bag of books? What¡¯s got you, the great and powerful Stoneclaw, so nervous?¡± I teased, trying to lighten the mood.


    ¡°The fact that I¡¯m trapped inside a tin can on a snow-covered mountain road,¡± he replied, his voice tight with unease.


    ¡°Okay, but what¡¯s the real difference?¡± I asked, genuinely curious.


    ¡°The difference is that I¡¯m not in control,¡± he admitted, glancing at me with a resigned look.


    ¡°You¡¯re a special operations soldier, and you¡¯re afraid of a little snow?¡± I quipped, smirking. ¡°You must¡¯ve done crazier things than this.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve done some crazy shit, but this? This tops it. We¡¯re pushing through mountains during a nasty winter storm at high speed with shit visibility. I don¡¯t even know how you¡¯re doing it, but it¡¯s got me nervous as hell,¡± he confessed, his usual confidence shaken.


    I gave him a devious grin, returning my focus to the road as we pressed on. By the time we reached Silver Summit, the storm finally began to break, and the snowfall eased.


    Not long after, a crackling sound came through my headset, followed by a new voice cutting in.


    ¡°781st Transportation Pack, this is the Crescent Moon. Can you hear me? Come in,¡± a male voice said, sounding slightly strained.


    ¡°Crescent Moon, this is Dragon Warrior One. I read you loud and clear,¡± I replied, inventing a call sign on the spot. Stoneclaw raised an eyebrow at my impromptu moniker, but I just shrugged and flashed him a grin.


    ¡°It¡¯s about time. We¡¯ve been trying to reach you. We lost your GPS tracking signal nearly three hours ago,¡± the voice said, the tension in his voice hinting at the stress of the situation.


    ¡°Aww, was the General trying to reach me about my truck¡¯s extended warranty?¡± I joked, knowing full well Cayro was probably listening in. Stoneclaw cracked up beside me, his earlier tension melting away.


    ¡°No, Dragon Warrior One, the General was concerned that you weren¡¯t going to make it. The storm we were tracking looked pretty bad,¡± the voice replied, his tone flat and unamused.


    ¡°It was bad, but we¡¯re Dragon Fleet. Not much phases us,¡± I said, letting a hint of pride seep into my voice.


    ¡°The General says he¡¯s glad you were able to make it. We¡¯re sending you the coordinates for the rendezvous point. Please proceed there to receive further orders,¡± the voice instructed, his tone all business.


    I rolled my eyes, glaring out at the road ahead. ¡°Please ask the General if he¡¯d be so kind as to speak with me on a secured channel?¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, Dragon Warrior One, he¡¯s currently busy. He can¡¯t speak with you right now,¡± the voice responded, the flatness of his tone barely masking the bureaucratic brush-off.


    I let out a low, simmering growl of frustration. This dude was really starting to piss me off. I wasn''t in the mood to deal with some low-ranking, dull-voiced enlisted soldier after what my team and I had just been through. Pushing through a howling nightmare of a winter storm with the 77th Armored Regiment in tow had left my nerves frayed and my patience in tatters.


    ¡°Listen here, Crescent Moon communications specialist,¡± I snapped, my voice slicing through the radio like a blade, ¡°you can either get General Cayro Zaraki on the horn right now, or you can deal with me in person when I reach the Crescent Moon. My team and I didn¡¯t just punch through a goddamn blizzard to be stonewalled by some half-assed lackey. Get my Alpha on the damn line. Now!¡±


    I caught Stoneclaw¡¯s eyebrows shooting up in surprise at my demand, but I didn¡¯t care. My grip on the steering wheel tightened, my knuckles turning white with the effort to keep my temper in check. There was a long silence on the other end, the tension crackling through the airwaves, before I finally heard the voice I¡¯d been waiting for.


    ¡°Lyra?¡± Cayro¡¯s calm, authoritative voice came through the speaker. ¡°I was informed you wanted to speak with me?¡±


    The sound of his voice was like a balm, cooling the fire in my veins. ¡°Yes, we¡¯re almost there. Sorry we¡¯re running a bit behind. We ran into a... snag,¡± I said, my tone steadying as I filled him in.


    ¡°We figured you might be a little late. How bad was that storm, by the way?¡± he asked, concern lacing his words.


    ¡°It was bad,¡± I replied, the memory of the relentless snow and howling winds fresh in my mind. ¡°The roads will most likely be impassable by morning.¡±


    ¡°Even with your enhanced trucks?¡± Cayro pressed, his tone shifting slightly.


    ¡°Based on the snowfall and the simulated forecast Scuzball created, I¡¯m guessing there¡¯ll be close to six to eight feet of snow by morning. With us running empty, we won¡¯t have the weight to push through it,¡± I explained, knowing the gravity of the situation.


    ¡°Understood, standby please,¡± Cayro responded before his voice faded slightly as he spoke to someone else.


    ¡°Sir, we¡¯re receiving intel that the enemy is moving in fast,¡± a new voice said in the background, the urgency palpable.


    ¡°How many?¡± Cayro demanded, his tone instantly shifting to the cold, commanding edge that made him the General he was.


    ¡°They¡¯re estimating roughly an entire brigade¡¯s worth of soldiers, artillery, light armor, trucks, and a squadron of air support,¡± the voice reported, the seriousness of the situation settling in.


    ¡°Give the order to get into defensive positions and prepare for battle,¡± Cayro barked, his voice brooking no argument.


    ¡°Roger, Sir!¡± the voice replied, the urgency clear.


    ¡°Lyra, get those supplies and tanks here ASAP,¡± Cayro ordered, his tone leaving no room for delay.


    ¡°Yes, Sir. On it,¡± I replied, my mind shifting gears as I switched to the fleet-wide channel. We were about to roll into a hot zone, and I needed everyone on their A-game. This was going to be a long night.


    ¡°Scuzball, patch the 77th into the fleet-wide comms channel,¡± I ordered, my voice firm with the command.


    ¡°On it,¡± he chimed in immediately.


    A moment later, Scuzball appeared on my tablet screen, giving me a thumbs up. The fleet had gone silent when I issued the order, everyone waiting with bated breath for what I had to say next.


    ¡°Alright, you lazy bastards,¡± I growled with authority, my voice carrying the weight of command, ¡°let¡¯s get these supplies to the front line. The enemy is at the door knocking, and we need to answer. Hammer down and kick it into high gear, or I¡¯ll use your trucks for target practice.¡±


    My fleet responded with a chorus of enthusiastic woofs and howls, the excitement and determination crackling through the air. It was time to show everyone exactly who we were.


    ¡°Acosta,¡± Sirus growled over the comms, his voice dripping with irritation, ¡°just make sure we get there in one piece. I¡¯d rather not have to explain to General Zaraki why his precious tanks are scattered across the freeway.¡±


    I let out a snort of laughter, and several of my wolves joined in, cackling at the irony of his statement. The man had no idea how close he was to being the butt of his own joke.


    ¡°Well, Colonel Sirus,¡± I replied darkly, ¡°you just better hope that your drivers are as good as our securement skills, because we aren¡¯t slowing down for anything.¡± I gave a sharp nod to Scuzball. ¡°Hit it!¡±


    The opening notes of "Danza Kuduro" by Don Omar blasted through the trucks¡¯ sound systems as we roared down the mountainside into Salt Lake City. The adrenaline was pumping, my team¡¯s voices raised in karaoke, filling the airwaves with their defiance and spirit. In the background, I could hear Colonel Sirus bitching up a storm as we began to pull away from his convoy, but I didn¡¯t care. We weren¡¯t slowing down until we absolutely had to.

 Chapter 31: Caught Between a Wolf and a Rock…

    As we barreled into Salt Lake City, the clouds finally broke, revealing the full moon overhead. Its light would soon dominate the sky once the sun¡¯s orange glow completely faded. But as we hit the city¡¯s section of the highway, a new problem emerged¡ªa mess of abandoned vehicles cluttered the road. I downshifted, keeping my eyes sharp, while Stoneclaw braced for impact beside me.


    With my blade angled, I slammed into the first obstacle¡ªan old Chevy Equinox. The vehicle went airborne, smashing into the concrete barriers of the interstate. Its mangled remains hung precariously over the edge, but I didn¡¯t have time to admire the carnage. Another car, a rusty Honda Civic, was up next, and I plowed through it, my truck jolting with each impact. Stoneclaw flinched, gripping whatever he could find as the cab shook violently.


    ¡°By Luna¡¯s grace, Alpha! You just sent that Toyota Prius flying off the overpass!¡± Tyler¡¯s laughter crackled over the fleet-wide channel.


    ¡°Ten points to Gryffindor!¡± Charlotte shouted with playful enthusiasm.


    ¡°I caught that on camera,¡± Steve chimed in. ¡°This¡¯ll make for an epic YouTube video.¡±


    Before I could respond, that same male voice from earlier aboard the Crescent Moon interrupted through my headset.


    ¡°Alpha Acosta, we¡¯re sending you a new set of coordinates. Those tanks and supplies need to be at the front lines now. There¡¯s no time to waste,¡± his tone was urgent, verging on panic.


    I clenched my teeth, growling back, ¡°Roger, Crescent Moon. We¡¯re en route now.¡±


    Scuzball suddenly appeared on my tablet screen, looking ridiculous in an old Vietnam combat helmet adorned with our unit¡¯s logo. He had an ancient load-bearing vest on, with an M-16 rifle slung across his back. I blinked at the absurdity of his getup, but before I could comment, "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival blasted through the fleet¡¯s sound system, nearly causing my jaw to hit the floor. The new coordinates loaded on my screen, guiding us directly to the Salt Lake City International Airport.


    By the time we reached the airport, the Chinese forces had already broken through the Black Rock Canyon Pass. The sun had fully set, leaving the moon blazing in the night sky. Tracer rounds lit up the darkness like shooting stars, and the staccato of .50 cals filled the air with their thunderous roar. Explosions soon followed, announcing the artillery¡¯s devastating arrival on the battlefield.


    I brought my truck to a screeching halt just past the airport interchange. Stoneclaw wasted no time, diving out of the cab and barking orders for the dragons to shift and take to the skies. In the next instant, his massive dragon form shot upward, a dark silhouette against the moonlit sky. Not to be outdone, I barked my own orders into the comms.


    ¡°Dragon Fleet, gear up and prepare for battle! Hold your shift as long as you can. Get those tanks loose¡ªtime is of the essence!¡± My voice cut through the chaos.


    A collective woof echoed in my headset as everyone sprang into action. I threw on my body armor and helmet, grabbing my rifle and slamming a magazine home. With the charging handle pulled back, I dove out of my rig, sprinting towards the 77th¡¯s trucks. Chaos reigned as Colonel Sirus bellowed orders, his officers scrambling to follow suit.


    Meanwhile, my fleet was moving with precision, ratchet binders clicking frantically, and chains clanging as they worked to free the tanks. The night was alive with the sounds of battle¡ªthe whine of jet engines overhead, the distant rumble of artillery, and the rapid exchange of gunfire. And then, cutting through it all, an all-too-familiar voice rang out over every channel.


    ¡°The enemy is breaching the first defense barrier! We need support!¡± Cameron''s voice roared through my headset, thick with urgency.


    My blood ran cold as a massive explosion echoed in the distance, shaking the very ground beneath us.


    ¡°Alpha Balfour, support is on the way,¡± Cayro¡¯s voice cut in, calm but commanding, before he directly pinged my command channel.


    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± I responded, already knowing what was coming.


    ¡°I need those tanks and your gear at the front lines right now,¡± he ordered, his tone leaving no room for debate.


    ¡°Roger that, sir, but we need five minutes,¡± I replied, even though I knew it was a stretch.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have five minutes, Lyra,¡± he snapped. ¡°Do whatever you need to do to get those tanks on the ground and your cargo to Alpha Balfour.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± I barked, then turned my gaze to the chaos unfolding around me. The urgency in Cayro¡¯s voice fueled my determination. Using my alpha power, I unleashed a sharp, ear-splitting whistle that cut through the night, snapping everyone to attention.


    ¡°Fuck the chains! Colonel Sirus, get your tank teams in their tanks. Now!¡± I commanded, my voice carrying the weight of the situation.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± he barked back, his tone incredulous.


    ¡°Get your teams into their tanks and snap the chains!¡± I roared, leaving no room for argument.


    He hesitated for a moment, his face a mask of shock, before turning to his unit. ¡°You heard the fucking wolf bitch! Get to the tanks!¡±


    ¡°Dragon Fleet, back to the trucks! We¡¯re going in to support the front line!¡± I ordered, the adrenaline surging through me.


    I sprinted back to my truck, my heart pounding in sync with the thrum of war in the distance. Cameron¡¯s voice crackled over my headset as I slammed the door shut.


    ¡°First defense barrier is breached! We need backup now!¡± he roared, desperation creeping into his voice.


    ¡°We¡¯re on our way. Hold the line!¡± I barked back, slamming my truck into gear and releasing the brakes. The tires screeched as they struggled for traction, the powerful engine roaring to life as I floored it. My truck peeled out, burning rubber in the ultimate show of brute force.


    All around me, I could hear the other trucks doing the same, engines howling as we pushed our rigs to their limits. This was do or die.


    ¡°We need to get the first defensive position re-established!¡± Cayro¡¯s voice cut in, sharp and urgent.


    ¡°We¡¯re trying, but they¡¯re pushing us back!¡± Cameron shouted, the sound of gunfire crackling through his end of the line.


    ¡°What do you need to reestablish the first defense line?¡± I demanded, my mind racing.


    ¡°We need a way to punch through their forces!¡± Cameron¡¯s voice was strained, barely audible over the chaos.


    ¡°Got it! Keep the roads clear! Dragon Fleet is rolling in hot!¡± I announced, switching to the fleet-wide channel. The plan was forming in my mind even as I spoke.


    ¡°Jake, Kira, take positions on either side of me. Cain, Abel, and Azura, form up directly behind them. Charlotte, Tyler, and Sasha, follow their lead. Seth, you¡¯re right behind me. We¡¯re forming a heavy rolling barricade and battering ram. Let¡¯s show them what we¡¯re made of!¡± I ordered, my voice steady and filled with resolve.


    ¡°Roger!¡± came the unified response as everyone moved into position.


    We tore past the different defensive positions, our engines roaring like wild beasts, the ground trembling under the weight of our assault. As we reached the second defensive line, I gave the command.


    ¡°Spread out into a delta formation!¡± I ordered, and with military precision, we moved into position just as the enemy line came into view.


    We hit them like a freight train, smashing through their ranks with unstoppable force. Soldiers who weren¡¯t fast enough to get out of the way became roadkill, their bodies crushed under our rigs. Blood, guts, and shattered equipment flew everywhere, the trucks becoming weapons of mass destruction.


    Rounds ricocheted off our armored trucks, explosions rocked us from all sides, but we didn¡¯t slow down. We pushed through, our combined might forcing the enemy back as the dragons unleashed hell from above.


    Reaching the 104 exit, I quickly realized what the Chinese forces were attempting¡ªa second entry point into the city through the exit. They weren¡¯t going to get it.


    ¡°Dragon Fleet, create a barricade! They¡¯re trying to use the exit as another way into the city!¡± I commanded, my voice cutting through the chaos.


    We spread out, blocking both lanes and the median, forming an impenetrable wall of steel and fury. Our remote-controlled turrets roared to life, spitting a relentless stream of lead at the enemy. The other units on the front lines rallied behind us, their faces a mix of astonishment and awe.


    With suppressive fire covering us, my unit sprang into action, strap winches whining and unloading gear as rounds pinged off our trucks. The air was thick with the acrid smell of gunpowder and the deafening sounds of war.


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    ¡°Cut the straps!¡± I roared, barking out orders to establish our position as Forward Post One. ¡°Scuzball! Play Powerwolf!¡±


    As the first notes of "Wolves of War" blasted across the battlefield, I could hear the sounds of other battles raging through the city. The Chinese had managed to infiltrate through the first entry point, but they weren¡¯t getting any further¡ªnot while I still drew breath.


    ¡°Lyra, I need you and your unit to hold that position. That is a key entry point into the city,¡± Cayro¡¯s voice came through my headset, authoritative and urgent.


    ¡°Roger, sir,¡± I replied, my eyes tracking the 77th as they rolled in. Colonel Sirus emerged from the top of one of the tanks, scanning the battlefield. When our eyes met, he gave me a nod¡ªan acknowledgment, perhaps, of our shared purpose in this chaos. I arched an eyebrow, a silent response, just as one of the tanks fired a round that shook the very ground beneath us. The thunderous boom reverberated through my chest, and I caught my breath, the intensity of the moment hitting home.


    As I turned to survey the scene, my attention was drawn to a group of soldiers and members of my fleet wrestling one of those ominous black boxes off a trailer. Curiosity piqued, I made my way over, weaving through the chaos of battle.


    When the lid of the mysterious box was finally unlatched and removed, I peered into its depths. What I saw was something I had never encountered before¡ªa piece of tech that looked like it belonged in a sci-fi movie. The device had a sleek, matte black finish with reinforced corners, exuding an air of indestructibility. At the top was an emitter array, faintly glowing with a blue hue, reminiscent of the shield generators aboard the Crescent Moon. The control panel featured a high-resolution display with intuitive controls, functional yet sophisticated¡ªclearly built for war.


    Cameron appeared at my side, a grin spreading across his face as he gazed down at the device. ¡°I was wondering when Dad was going to finally field these,¡± he said, his tone filled with admiration.


    ¡°Wait¡­ What? You knew about these?¡± I demanded, my mind racing to piece together this new information.


    ¡°Well, yeah. Ever since the Twilight battle, Dad¡¯s been busting his ass to develop this system. With the magic leaking from the quarantined zone, he¡¯s been shuttling back and forth between SkyTeam and Aberdeen Proving Grounds to get this right. Looks like he¡¯s finally cracked the code on integrating magic with our tech,¡± Cameron explained, stroking his chin thoughtfully.


    ¡°Hold on a second. Are you telling me these things are magical?¡± I asked, more booms from nearby tanks punctuating my words.


    ¡°Sort of. They use magic as a power source,¡± he replied casually, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.


    I stared at him, my jaw slack with disbelief. Magic as a power source? How was that even possible?


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t a fusion reactor from a skyboard be able to power this?¡± I questioned, still trying to wrap my head around the idea.


    Cameron shrugged nonchalantly. ¡°Who knows? The systems aboard the airships demand a hell of a lot of power. I doubt a skyboard reactor could handle it. But honestly, it¡¯s all above my pay grade. Dad¡¯s the one who could tell you the nitty-gritty.¡± With that, he turned to his unit, barking orders to set up the devices.


    As the chaotic symphony of battle continued¡ªbullets pinging off our rigs, chains clattering, and soldiers shouting¡ªI noticed Cameron¡¯s team working quickly, positioning the crates of 120-millimeter rounds for the tanks. The sharp crackle and snap of energy filled the air as the shield generators flared to life, their eerie blue glow casting an otherworldly light over the battlefield. The shields shimmered as rounds slammed into them, the impacts muffled but relentless. One by one, Cameron and his pack brought the generators online, creating a formidable barrier across the front of our fleet.


    Above us, Stoneclaw roared, his dragon form cutting through the sky like a living weapon. His signal was clear¡ªunleash hell. The dragons responded in kind, their breath weapons searing through the night, a barrage of fiery destruction that tore into the advancing enemy. Equipment, body parts, and debris were hurled in all directions, followed swiftly by the thunderous booms of the 77th¡¯s tanks, adding to the devastation.


    For two grueling hours, we held the line. The cacophony of war surrounded us, a relentless assault on the senses. I moved through the chaos, checking on each member of my pack. The dragons, their energy nearly spent, had shifted back to human form, partnering with their assigned wolves to provide cover fire. Catalina coordinated with the Crescent Moon, her voice steady amidst the turmoil, while Steve and a small army of soldiers distributed reloaded magazines with military precision. Mac, ever resourceful, had transformed the FRS into a makeshift medical area, tending to the wounded with a grim determination.


    Amazingly, none of my pack was injured. The Great Luna herself seemed to be watching over us as we dug in and held our ground against the tide of war.


    ¡°Lyra, the Chinese are backing off,¡± Cameron¡¯s voice cut through the static as he trudged over to me, his face smeared with soot and grime from the battle.


    I let out a deep breath, relief washing over me, but only briefly. ¡°That¡¯s good. General Zaraki wants us to hold the line. We¡¯re not to advance,¡± I declared, my voice firm despite the chaos around us.


    Cameron nodded, his expression hardening with resolve. ¡°Understood. We¡¯ll regroup and make sure we¡¯re ready for anything else.¡± With that, he headed off to check on his unit, leaving me to handle the next steps.


    Tapping my tablet to radio Colonel Sirus, I waited, my patience wearing thin. His rough, growly voice soon crackled over my headset. ¡°What do you want, Alpha Acosta?¡± he grumbled, irritation seeping through the connection.


    ¡°We¡¯re to hold the line. Don¡¯t advance,¡± I ordered flatly, trying to keep my temper in check.


    ¡°Who made you the battlefield commander?¡± he grouched, questioning my authority like a petulant child.


    ¡°General Zaraki did. Now pull your unit back to the battle line,¡± I huffed, my tone leaving no room for argument.


    ¡°Of course, he put a fucking flea bag in charge over a human¡­ On our way,¡± he spat, his voice dripping with disdain.


    I shook my head, pushing aside the irritation, and made my way toward the MCV, passing the FRS. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Ironfist skulking away, his coat bulging suspiciously. I arched an eyebrow as a flash of red caught my attention¡ªMac¡¯s power tools. Before I could confront him, Stoneclaw appeared beside me, his rifle at the low ready, the barrel still smoking.


    ¡°Catalina said she was looking for you,¡± he said, his presence drawing my focus back to the task at hand.


    ¡°I was just heading to the MCV. Is everything okay?¡± I asked, glancing at him.


    ¡°Yes, she wants to discuss the next steps,¡± he conveyed, his tone steady and professional.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go figure that out,¡± I said, turning on my heel and heading to the MCV.


    Inside, I found Catalina at her workstation, her eyes fixed on the map of the area. Scuzball, ever the showman, was on her screen, dressed in a formal F.S. Army Class A uniform with a five-star general¡¯s rank. He held a pointer stick, circling points on the map with a no-nonsense attitude.


    ¡°As you can see here, the 201 overpasses have been destroyed by the dragons. This effectively stopped the Chinese from using the 201 to access the city and bypassing our barricade,¡± Scuzball explained, his voice carrying the gravity of the situation as he highlighted the area with a red circle.


    I listened as he continued, ¡°We¡¯ve barricaded I-80, but a large enemy unit managed to push into the city before we could block all access points. The 588th, along with other ground units, is engaging them. According to the intel we¡¯ve gathered, the Chinese forces have set up a makeshift command headquarters at the Great Salt Lake State Park building. However, our current orders prevent us from attacking it directly.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll plan a counterstrike soon enough,¡± I said, leaning against Steve¡¯s desk, arms crossed as I processed the situation.


    Stoneclaw nodded, agreeing with my assessment. ¡°It¡¯s only a matter of time.¡±


    ¡°Seems like we¡¯re all on the same page,¡± Scuzball added, ¡°but General Zaraki¡¯s orders are clear¡ªwe hold our position. He doesn¡¯t want to risk losing the front line again.¡±


    ¡°How far is that building from our location?¡± I asked, my mind already spinning with possibilities.


    ¡°Approximately one point three miles,¡± Scuzball answered, his voice as precise as ever.


    Catalina¡¯s eyes never left the map as she chimed in, ¡°What if we use Colonel Sirus¡¯s tanks as artillery? They¡¯ve got the range to bombard the building from here. That way, we¡¯re still holding position but can disrupt their operations.¡±


    I nodded, the idea taking shape in my mind. ¡°We could use the tanks to soften the target without disobeying orders.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s risky, but it might be our best option,¡± Stoneclaw added, his voice carrying the weight of his experience.


    I considered it for a moment, then made the call. ¡°Relay the orders to Colonel Sirus. He¡¯s to set up his tanks and begin the bombardment. We¡¯ll stay within our perimeter but tighten defenses on all fronts, especially the west.¡±


    Catalina looked up, concern flashing in her eyes. ¡°What if the Chinese forces take advantage of this and try to hit us while we¡¯re focused on the bombardment?¡±


    The roar of the tanks¡¯ artillery filled the air, their thunderous blasts shaking the ground as they hammered the Chinese command post. For a fleeting moment, it felt like the tide was turning in our favor. The sky lit up with fire, and the enemy¡¯s movements grew frantic, chaotic. I allowed myself a sliver of hope¡ªperhaps we could hold this line after all.


    But then, something changed. It started as a low rumble, barely perceptible over the noise of battle. Stoneclaw¡¯s head snapped up, his eyes narrowing in concentration. I felt it too, a vibration in the air that didn¡¯t match the rhythm of our artillery.


    ¡°Do you hear that?¡± I asked, a knot of unease tightening in my stomach.


    Stoneclaw nodded, his expression darkening. ¡°It¡¯s coming from the east.¡±


    I bolted out of the MCV, my heart pounding as I scanned the eastern horizon. Stoneclaw handed me a set of binoculars, and I quickly raised them to my eyes, scanning the interstate behind us. What I saw sent a chill down my spine.


    ¡°What the hell is that?¡± Stoneclaw¡¯s voice was barely more than a whisper, thick with disbelief.


    I zoomed in, my blood running cold as the shapes came into focus. They were moving fast¡ªtoo fast to be re-enforcements. My breath caught in my throat as realization hit me like a sledgehammer.


    ¡°Those aren¡¯t Chinese,¡± I muttered, dread settling in my chest like a lead weight.


    Vehicles, bristling with jagged metal, chains, and mounted guns, sped toward us, their drivers masked and looking like they had stepped straight out of a post-apocalyptic nightmare. The Hell Hounds. A cold sweat broke out across my forehead as the truth became inescapable.


    Stoneclaw swore under his breath, his grip tightening on his rifle. ¡°How the hell did they get behind us?¡±


    The question hung in the air, heavy and ominous. Only one possibility made sense¡ªthey must have slipped through the 201 before we arrived. And then I saw him.


    Sitting atop the lead vehicle in his wolf form, eyes glowing a malevolent yellow, was Marcus Cross. His twisted grin stretched across his grizzled face as he locked eyes with me, the distance between us doing nothing to dilute the malice radiating from him.


    As if on cue, alarms blared through the MCV¡¯s comms, slicing through the tension like a knife. Reports flooded in, frantic voices overlapping in a chaotic symphony of fear.


    ¡°Multiple contacts on the eastern perimeter! We¡¯re being flanked!¡±


    ¡°Rear guard is under heavy attack! It¡¯s the Hell Hounds!¡± Seth¡¯s voice was tinged with urgency and fear.


    My heart pounded in my chest as the reality of the situation sank in. The plan was unraveling faster than I could react. If we didn¡¯t act immediately, the entire line would collapse.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± I hissed into my headset, anger and desperation lacing my voice. ¡°All units, prepare for an assault! Do not let them break through!¡±


    Stoneclaw was already in motion, his voice a steady, commanding bark as he coordinated the ground forces. ¡°Get those tanks turned around! We need artillery on the rear now!¡±


    But even as orders flew and my team scrambled to respond, I knew it was too late to fully counter the attack. The Hell Hounds had caught us off guard, and they were already tearing through our lines with brutal efficiency. My eyes widened in horror as Colonel Sirus¡¯s position came under intense fire. His tanks were struggling to turn, too slow to react. Cross and his Hell Hounds were closing in fast.


    ¡°No, no, no¡­¡± I muttered under my breath, feeling the cold grip of inevitability. The slaughter was about to begin, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

 Chapter 32: The Alpha’s Last Mercy

    Radio chatter exploded in my headset, a cacophony of panic and orders overlapping as the battlefront splintered. The enemy was flanking us. I could feel it in every frantic call from units desperately trying to hold the I-80 line. Swearing under my breath, I jumped to the fleet channel and barked orders.


    ¡°77th, split your tanks! Half of you need to cover our flank now!¡± The rest of Dragon Fleet and Cameron¡¯s unit scrambled to get the portable shield units online, but we needed cover¡ªand fast.


    Before I could say more, Stoneclaw yanked me to the ground, the gravel biting into my hands and knees as gunfire erupted around us. He, along with others from the fleet, laid down a curtain of suppressive fire. Our tanks rolled into position, rumbling like angry gods, just as the Hell Hounds and Cross hit our rear line. The tanks'' booming firepower stopped the vehicles in their tracks, sending chunks of metal and shattered bodies flying¡ªbut that didn¡¯t stop the enemy from dismounting. No, they came charging like feral beasts.


    And to my horror, some of them were. Wolves. Real fucking wolves.


    My stomach twisted as I realized who they were¡ªMarcus Cross¡¯ pack. The ones who were supposed to be wiped out by the NAWC. Excommunicated, destroyed¡­ Yet here they were. My mind raced. The Cross pack was running with the Hell Hounds and Chinese soldiers?


    ¡°What the actual hell¡­?¡± I muttered, unable to process the chaotic web of alliances we were up against. Betrayal didn¡¯t even cover it.


    A body hit the ground beside me with a heavy thud, snapping me from my spiraling thoughts. I turned to find Jake, wide-eyed and pale, looking at the enemy with a mix of rage and disbelief. He whipped his head toward me, his voice sharp and accusing.


    ¡°What the hell is the Cross pack doing here? And why the hell are they fighting with the enemy?!¡±


    I bit my inner cheek, guilt gnawing at me. This was not the time for full-blown revelations. Kira and I hadn¡¯t told him everything about Baltimore¡ªhadn¡¯t told anyone, really. But this¡­ this was bigger than I could have ever imagined.


    ¡°Marcus Cross has been working with the Chinese, stealing research from the Free States government. His pack was supposed to be disbanded, but¡­¡± I trailed off, my voice flat. There was no good way to explain this mess. Not now.


    ¡°How the hell would you know that?¡± Jake demanded, fury brewing in his voice as he fired off a round.


    Stoneclaw, cool as ever, answered for me while dropping another enemy. ¡°Lyra and Kira infiltrated the Cross pack when they went to Aberdeen Proving Grounds. For Lord Lyconotu.¡±


    Jake¡¯s growl sent a shudder through me. His anger was tangible, pulsing in the air between us. He snapped his head toward me, eyes blazing with betrayal, but I held his gaze.


    ¡°Now is not the time,¡± I ground out, forcing authority into my voice. ¡°We¡¯ll deal with this later.¡±


    Jake bared his teeth, snarling, before jumping to his feet and charging headlong into the oncoming enemy.


    ¡°Jake! Get back here!¡± I roared, but he was already gone.


    Without hesitation, Stoneclaw bolted after him. ¡°I¡¯ll go get him!¡±


    I watched them disappear into the chaos, my mind briefly stuttering under the weight of it all. For a moment, everything slowed. My senses dulled as the familiar roar of combat filled my ears¡ªmachine guns rattling, the thunderous booms of tanks, the hiss and crack of rounds snapping through the air. It all blended together, a surreal symphony of destruction that brought memories of the Second Twilight Winter flooding back.


    What the hell was I doing here? Leading my pack into a deathtrap, trying to hold the line against forces we couldn¡¯t comprehend?


    A sharp buzz filled my head, growing louder as the battle intensified. Rounds zipped past, kicking up dirt and debris. Voices shouted in my ear, but I couldn¡¯t make out the words. Everything around me was chaos.


    I turned my head, barely processing the sight of Seth and Sasha, their faces grim as they laid down fire. On my other side, the dragons pushed forward, leading our pack and the soldiers with unwavering determination.


    But my focus drifted. Why had everything come to this? Why did it feel like I was losing control¡ªnot just of the battle, but of everything?


    The buzzing grew louder, drowning out the chaos around me. Someone was screaming in my ears, but I couldn¡¯t focus. I lay there, trying to make sense of it all. The enemy was closing in, and I was useless, my rifle heavy in my hands, my fingers numb and unresponsive. My vision blurred, the edges of the world smearing together as panic set in.


    Flashes of the last major battle flooded my mind¡ªthe smell of blood and gore, the screams of pain, the sight of my comrades torn apart. Genetically enhanced vampires had shredded through our lines, and the Night Guardians had fallen one by one, their howls of agony still haunting me. My breathing quickened, my body trembled, and I felt myself slipping back into that nightmare.


    Then, something slammed into me, knocking me onto my back. Instinct took over. I raised my rifle, finger on the trigger, but stopped. A small white wolf sat on my chest, staring me down. Its jaws parted, and Catalina¡¯s voice broke through the fog in my mind.


    ¡°Lyra! I¡¯ve been trying to reach you on the radio!¡±


    ¡°Huh¡­ What?¡± I blinked, disoriented, the battle around me slowly coming back into focus.


    ¡°Is your headset not working?¡± Catalina¡¯s wolfish face was etched with concern.


    Suddenly, the cacophony of voices from my headset filled my ears. ¡°It¡¯s working¡­ Sorry¡­¡± I muttered, trying to pull myself together.


    ¡°Good. Colonel Sirus and his unit are under direct attack. They need help, now!¡± Catalina¡¯s urgency snapped me out of my haze.


    I sat up, keeping low to the ground as Catalina jumped off me and pointed her nose toward the Colonel¡¯s position. My stomach lurched at what I saw. Marcus Cross and the Hell Hounds were cutting through the ranks, making a beeline for the tanks. They had split from the main force, and Colonel Sirus, alongside his soldiers, was fighting for his life, pinned down while laying down suppressive fire.


    Without thinking, I shot to my feet and sprinted toward the tank unit. The problem was, they were nearly 300 yards away, and I wasn¡¯t fast enough. Barking orders into my headset, I called for backup, pushing my body to shift. My legs lengthened, muscles bulging as fur sprouted along my arms, giving me a much-needed boost of speed. Even then, I knew I was too far.


    I watched in horror as Marcus leaped over a group of soldiers, shifting mid-air and slamming into Colonel Sirus. I pushed harder, my uniform tearing apart as my full shift took hold. Ducking and weaving through the battlefield, bullets whizzed past, and the ground exploded from a nearby grenade. But my focus remained locked on the fight.


    Marcus had the Colonel by the throat, lifting him off the ground with ease. The growl that emanated from Marcus sent a chill through me. Then, with a snarl, Marcus flung Colonel Sirus like a ragdoll. The Colonel crashed into the side of a tank with a sickening thud, crumpling to the ground. But, against all odds, he was still alive. Barely.


    Marcus stalked toward him, murder in his eyes, his clawed hand raised to finish the job. I wasn¡¯t going to make it. I could see the deadly arc of his arm, the certainty of the Colonel¡¯s impending death.


    A growl¡ªdeep, guttural, and filled with fury that sounded like a tortured demon¡ªripped through the air, rumbling like distant thunder. Nature itself seemed to tremble as a massive black shape barreled into Marcus, sending him flying backward. He hit the ground hard, and I skidded to a stop, breathless, watching as the figure stood over the Colonel.


    It was a huge black werejaguar, crouched protectively in front of Colonel Sirus. Parts of an F.S. Army uniform hung from its muscular frame, the rank of Command Sergeant Major barely visible on a tattered patch that dangled from its neck.


    The jaguar let out a furious roar, the sound reverberating through my bones. I felt the hair on my neck prickle with an instinctive dread, the kind that came when you knew death was breathing down your neck. Its tail lashed wildly, a silent promise of the violence to come. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Colonel Sirus¡¯s face drain of color as the truth dawned on him¡ªhis Command Sergeant Major, the one who had just thrown herself between him and certain death, wasn¡¯t just human. He was something else.


    Marcus eyed the jaguar like a cornered animal. His face betrayed a flicker of something¡ªdoubt, fear, or maybe it was just the weight of knowing his next move might be his last. Slowly, calculatingly, he rose to his feet. Just as he did, a blur of grey slammed into him. Kira. His own daughter.


    She sank her teeth into his arm with the kind of ferocity that only comes from a lifetime of betrayal. She thrashed, her head whipping side to side like she was trying to tear apart every painful memory tied to him. Marcus roared, a sound thick with agony and rage, and drove her into the ground. She yelped¡ªa sound that cut through me like a blade. For a moment, I hesitated. But only for a moment.


    I slid to a stop as Kira staggered back to her feet, locking eyes with the father she once trusted. The tension between them was more than just a physical fight¡ªit was years of broken promises, of betrayal simmering just below the surface. She wasn¡¯t just fighting for survival¡ªshe was fighting for herself. But Marcus, he wasn¡¯t done. With a vicious growl, he charged her again, like he still had some control over her, like he could break her down the way he had once before.


    Before he could reach her, a third wolf¡ªJake¡ªcrashed into Marcus, taking out his legs and sending him sprawling face-first into the dirt. Jake came to a stop beside me, breath heavy, heart heavier. Kira joined us, her fingers finding Jake¡¯s, but her eyes never leaving Marcus. There was a history there, a silent pain that bound them all together¡ªone that Marcus exploited every chance he got.


    Marcus, battered but unbroken, climbed to his feet once more. His eyes swept over the three of us, and I saw it¡ªthe arrogance. The way he still believed he could bend us to his will. ¡°You think this is over? Think again. You¡¯re trapped.¡±


    Jake and Kira snarled, their hatred for him barely contained. But I held back, letting my silence speak for me. It was the quiet that got to him¡ªhe hated not being in control, hated not being the one with all the answers.


    Marcus chuckled, stepping forward. ¡°Oh, Alpha Acosta. That arrogance of yours. You think you¡¯re better than me. But you¡¯re just like your father.¡±


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    At the mention of my father, a snarl ripped from my throat, more instinct than anything else. My father. The one man I had sworn I¡¯d never be like, and yet Marcus¡ªMarcus¡ªhad the gall to compare us. But that¡¯s what he did, didn¡¯t he? Dug into old wounds, reopened scars I¡¯d tried so hard to forget.


    ¡°There it is,¡± Marcus said, voice dripping with satisfaction. ¡°The real Acosta bloodline. Ruthless. Broken. Attack dogs for the royal bloodline. And soon enough, your pathetic legacy will fall, just like the rest of them.¡±


    Kira scoffed, her voice thick with disgust. ¡°Do you hear yourself? You¡¯ve lost your damn mind. You¡¯re not strong enough to take on Lord Lyconotu. He¡¯ll tear you apart.¡±


    But Marcus just laughed. ¡°That brat won¡¯t stand a chance¡ªnot when I have you, Jake, and the Acosta bitch. I have you cornered. You¡¯ve got nowhere to run. Surrender, or I¡¯ll slaughter your entire pack.¡±


    I felt a slow, boiling rage rising up inside me, but I kept my expression calm, tilting my head in a way that sent him a silent message: We are not afraid of you. ¡°What makes you think you can win, Marcus? You¡¯re no longer an alpha. No one worth anything would follow you now.¡±


    But he didn¡¯t care. He was too far gone. ¡°You think that matters? All I have to do is kill you, and the pack is mine. Basic rules, Acosta. Step down, give me control, and I¡¯ll spare them. Hell, I¡¯ll even make them my personal guard while you¡ª" he smiled, that twisted, vile smile of his¡ª¡°become my enforcer. Imagine that. The great Alpha Acosta reduced to my lapdog. With the three of you under my control, I¡¯ll be untouchable.¡±


    Kira and Jake snarled at the same time, voices filled with venom. ¡°We¡¯d rather die than serve you.¡±


    Marcus sighed, shaking his head like a disappointed parent. ¡°The colonel should¡¯ve done his job. The two of you should have killed him, and none of this would¡¯ve happened. You¡¯d be locked up, your pack would be disbanded, and I¡¯d be sitting pretty on top of the ashes.¡±


    Hearing Marcus¡¯s smug words shot a spike of rage through me so sharp it left me breathless. I hadn¡¯t felt this kind of anger in a long time¡ªraw, uncontrollable, like fire licking at the edges of my vision. My blood pounded in my ears, and the world around me tinted red as I locked my gaze on him. He was grinning, that condescending, arrogant grin of a wolf who thought he still had all the power. I stepped forward, my muscles tensing as I issued the challenge through clenched teeth. ¡°I will kill you.¡±


    ¡°Have it your way, Alpha Acosta,¡± he sneered, taking a step forward, his eyes gleaming with mockery.


    ¡°No, Lyra! Don¡¯t!¡± Kira¡¯s voice trembled as she grabbed my arm, her fingers tight with desperation. There was fear in her eyes¡ªfear that this fight would tear me apart, fear of what it meant to face down a man like Marcus. But I couldn¡¯t stop. I snapped my gaze at her, growling low, the challenge already set in stone. There was no going back.


    That brief moment of distraction was all Marcus needed. He moved faster than I anticipated, a blur of motion before his claws slammed into the side of my head. The force sent me reeling, stumbling sideways as the taste of blood flooded my mouth. Pain radiated from the claw marks raked across my face, but that wasn¡¯t what made my stomach twist¡ªit was the realization that Marcus wasn¡¯t going to play by the rules. He never did. He was going to tear me apart however he could, and I couldn¡¯t afford to forget that.


    Blood trickled down my face, hot and thick, nearly blinding me as it pooled around my eye. Wiping the blood away with the back of my hand, I flicked it toward him in silent acknowledgment¡ªhe had drawn first blood, but this was far from over. We began to circle each other slowly, the sounds of the battlefield fading into the background. It was just the two of us now. No pack. No allies. Just a history of hate that had to be settled.


    As we circled, Marcus opened his mouth again, his voice dripping with contempt. ¡°Face it, Acosta. You¡¯re not going to win. Your so-called king isn¡¯t here to save you like he did when your father was alive. You¡¯re alone. Fighting a war that was never yours to begin with¡ªa war your king dragged you into when he meddled where he didn¡¯t belong.¡±


    I let out a laugh, bitter and sharp. Something inside me finally snapped. ¡°For Luna¡¯s sake, Marcus, you are the dumbest wolf I¡¯ve ever met. Do you really think the Chinese are going to let you rule over the wolves? You¡¯re a pawn, Marcus. A gnat. The second you¡¯re not useful to them anymore, they¡¯ll kill you without a second thought. But you¡¯re too blind, too arrogant to see it. You call yourself an alpha, but you¡¯re nothing more than a fowl.¡±


    For a moment, Marcus¡¯s grin faltered. I saw the crack in his armor, the doubt flashing behind his eyes. But it didn¡¯t last. His face twisted with rage, and he lunged at me, a vicious snarl tearing from his throat. I met him halfway, our bodies slamming together with the force of a hurricane. My bulk shoved him back a few feet, but to my surprise, he was stronger than he looked¡ªstrong enough to match me, despite being smaller. He used his height to his advantage, snapping at my throat, trying to end this with a quick kill.


    But I turned my shoulder into him, feeling his teeth sink into the muscle instead of my neck. The pain was searing, radiating down my arm as his jaws clamped down. I roared, the sound echoing through the battlefield, and slammed my fist into his gut with every ounce of strength I had. His teeth tore free as he doubled over, a grunt of pain escaping him.


    Seeing my chance, I brought my hand down hard on his head, the sickening crunch of his nose breaking beneath my fist. He crumpled to the ground, blood pouring from his face. For a moment, I thought it was over. I stepped back, breathing heavily, the taste of copper still thick on my tongue. ¡°Yield, Marcus.¡±


    For a second, he lay there, unmoving. But just as I let myself believe he¡¯d finally surrender, he shot up with a burst of energy, throwing himself at me with reckless abandon. I wasn¡¯t fast enough. His body collided with mine, and I went down hard, the breath knocked from my lungs as I hit the ground.


    Before I could react, his fists¡ªboth his good hand and the one I had already damaged¡ªcame down on my head. The first blow sent stars exploding across my vision, blood filling my mouth from the force of the impact. I barely managed to raise my arms in time for the second strike, my bones groaning under the pressure.


    The pain shot through me like fire, but it wasn¡¯t just physical. The blow brought back memories I had fought to bury¡ªmemories of my father¡¯s fists, of the punishments that had left me broken and bleeding. Marcus¡¯s face blurred with my father¡¯s for a split second, and something in me snapped. This wasn¡¯t just Marcus. This was every monster I had ever faced, every tormentor who had tried to break me.


    As Marcus raised his arms for a third strike, I saw the opening. His chest was exposed, unprotected. Without hesitation, I twisted my body, my claws slicing through the air with deadly precision. They tore across his chest, deep and savage, sending blood spraying across the ground. Marcus let out a howl of pain as the force of the blow sent him flying off me, crashing into the dirt.


    I rolled onto all fours, every muscle in my body trembling with fury. The pain of his blows barely registered anymore¡ªthere was only the rage, burning white-hot, consuming everything in its path. I wasn¡¯t going to let anyone hit me like that ever again. Not Marcus. Not anyone. My eyes locked on the savage wolf before me, and I turned to face him fully, letting the beast inside me rise to the surface.


    The roar that tore from my throat shook the ground beneath us. It wasn¡¯t just a sound¡ªit was a declaration. A promise. This fight wasn¡¯t going to end with me beaten and broken. I dug my claws deep into the earth, feeling the dirt give way under the pressure. Then, like a freight train barreling toward its target, I surged forward, unstoppable, unrelenting.


    Marcus barely had time to register what was happening before I slammed into him with all the force of my fury. His claws dug into my back, trying to find purchase, but I didn¡¯t care. My jaws clamped down on his bad arm¡ªthe same arm I had crushed once before¡ªand I twisted. The sickening snap of bone echoed through the air as his howl of agony filled my ears, but I wasn¡¯t done. Not by a long shot.


    I bit down harder, feeling the muscle and tendons tear as I thrashed my head, ripping his arm apart. His free claw tried desperately to dig into my back, to force me off him, but he was a fool if he thought that would stop me. The scales I had earned from my bond with Stoneclaw protected me, his claws barely scratching the surface.


    With one final wrench, I felt his arm shear from his body, the mangled limb tearing free. I flung it aside like it was nothing, the blood spraying across the ground in an arc. Marcus let out another howl of pain, but even then, he didn¡¯t stop. His good arm shot toward my face, claws aimed for my eyes. He managed to rake them across my cheek, adding more blood to the rivers already flowing from me.


    I staggered back, yelping in pain as I put distance between us. He bled heavily from the stump of his arm, but still, he came at me, wild and desperate. His teeth sank into my thigh, a sharp, tearing pain that made me howl in agony. I felt the blood pouring from the wound, felt his teeth grinding into bone, but I couldn¡¯t let him win. Not now. Not after everything.


    I raked my claws along his flank, feeling them tear through fur, muscle, and bone. Blood poured from the gashes, but still, Marcus held on, his jaws tightening around my leg. I whimpered, the pain nearly unbearable, but I refused to be taken down.


    Then I saw it¡ªhis tail. Without thinking, I whipped my head around, sinking my teeth into the thick, muscular limb. I bit down hard, feeling the bone snap beneath my jaws. Marcus let out a howl, and I wrenched my head to the side, flinging him across the battlefield. His body flew through the air before hitting the ground with a sickening thud, his tail still hanging from my mouth.


    Spitting the tail out, I stalked toward him, my breath coming in ragged gasps. He writhed on the ground, howling in pain, the loss of his tail sending shockwaves through his body. The agony was unbearable for any wolf, and I knew it. It left him vulnerable¡ªopen to the final blow.


    I reached him in a few short strides, rolling the once-powerful alpha onto his back. He looked up at me, pain and rage still burning in his eyes, but I could see it¡ªthe fear. The defeat.


    ¡°Submit!¡± I roared, my voice thick with the weight of my alpha power. I pushed it at him, forcing him to feel the strength he could never match, the dominance he had lost.


    Even through the blinding pain, Marcus brushed my power away with one final act of defiance, his one remaining claw swinging at me. But I was faster. My jaws snapped shut around his hand with a sickening crunch, crushing every bone beneath my teeth. He screamed, the sound piercing the night as I twisted my head, breaking his wrist with one sharp motion. His hand fell limp, useless, at his side.


    I looked down at him, at the once-great alpha who had terrorized others, who had controlled so much of those lives I care for, and I felt nothing but cold satisfaction. The rage still burned inside me, but now it had focus. Purpose.


    ¡°Lord Lycotonu isn¡¯t my king,¡± I growled, leaning in close enough for him to see the truth in my eyes. ¡°Cayro Zaraki is. Your plan was doomed from the start, Marcus. I win.¡±


    I spat the blood from my mouth, letting it splatter across his face. He deserved no mercy, no kindness. I turned away from him, leaving him lying there, bleeding and broken. I didn¡¯t care if he died there in the dirt or if he suffered for hours, alone and in agony. Either way, he would pay for everything he had done.


    And I would never look back.


    I turned toward Kira and Jake, each step a struggle as I limped my way over to them. The adrenaline was fading, and with it, the full weight of what had just happened settled into my bones. The look on their faces¡ªJake¡¯s wide-eyed fear, Kira¡¯s mix of horror and anger¡ªtold me everything I needed to know. I was a mess. Bloodied, broken, and worse yet, they had seen the full extent of my vicious heritage, the side of me I had always tried to keep hidden. Now they knew.


    I barely had time to register their expressions before I saw Jake¡¯s eyes widen in a new kind of fear, and Kira¡¯s face twisted into something far more terrifying¡ªrage. My body moved too slowly, still reeling from the fight, and I didn¡¯t even feel the attack until it was too late. Pain exploded in the back of my neck, sharp and sudden, as Marcus¡¯s teeth sank into my flesh one last time. With a violent jerk, I was flung away from them like a ragdoll.


    The world spun as I hit the ground with a sickening crack. I felt¡ªheard¡ªthe snap of bone, and then everything went numb. It was like the universe had turned the volume down, my senses dulling as the pain faded into a distant hum. I lay there, helpless, as I watched Jake and Kira descend on Marcus like feral beasts, their own fury unleashed.


    I should have seen it coming. I had won the challenge¡ªI was the victor. But in granting him mercy, I had given Marcus the opportunity to strike one final, desperate blow. He knew he was going to die, and he made sure he took me down with him. And the cruelest part? He succeeded.


    From where I lay, I watched as Jake and Kira ripped into him, tearing apart the old alpha piece by piece. They didn¡¯t hold back, didn¡¯t pause to consider mercy like I had. The only thing that mattered to them was ensuring he could never hurt anyone again. His body was reduced to mangled remains, and the last piece to go was his head. It rolled, slowly, across the ground, coming to a stop just in front of me. His cold, eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment¡ªjust a moment¡ªa twisted smile crept across his severed face.


    Then, finally, his eyes glazed over, and the light left them forever. But I barely noticed, because darkness had already begun creeping into my own vision. My first real challenge as an alpha, my victory for my pack¡ªit was over before it could even begin. I had won, but I hadn¡¯t survived.


    A bitter thought flickered through my mind: at least I knew they would be safe. Steve and Stoneclaw would protect them, make sure the pack carried on. Maybe that was enough. Maybe that was all I could ask for.


    I saw Jake and Kira rushing toward me, their mouths moving, but the world had gone muffled, their voices lost to the growing silence in my mind. I tried to focus, tried to hold on for just a moment longer, but it was slipping away. I could feel myself unraveling.


    I gave them a soft smile, or at least I tried. It was all I had left, my final way of telling them it was okay. That I had fought, and that I had done what I could. Maybe they could see it, maybe they couldn¡¯t, but it didn¡¯t matter now.


    Closing my eyes, I let the darkness take me, the cold fingers of oblivion pulling me down, deeper and deeper, until finally, I slipped away, surrendering myself to the Great Luna.

 Dragon Fleet Easter Egg

    Hey readers heres a little taste of what I am working on for the stories. Don''t worry Chapter 31 will be posted next weekend. But for the time being while you await to find out what happens with Lyra. Here is a sample of what is to come. Enjoy.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Queen of the Road (Lyra¡¯s Anthem).mp3</a>


    Wolves of the Road (Dragon Fleet Anthem).mp3</a>


    Feel free to listen and comment.

 Chapter 33: Beast Overhaul, Homecoming, Instincts Conquer All!

    The sensation of floating crept into my mind, slow and unnerving, like something stalking me in the dark. I opened my eyes to find myself drifting in the void of space. Stars flickered distantly, indifferent and cold, but the moon¡ªshe was different. Her glow bathed my naked body, silver and soft, as I drifted past her.


    Everything was silent. Too silent. No cold, no warmth, just this dead, hollow nothingness. I knew if this were real, I¡¯d be frozen solid by now¡ªanother wolfsicle floating in the black. But this wasn¡¯t real, was it?


    I¡¯m dead.


    The thought hit me like a punch to the gut. A slow, cruel realization. I failed. Failed the mission. Failed Cayro, Star, my pack. Some alpha I turned out to be. I showed mercy to an enemy¡ªan enemy who deserved nothing but death. And in the end, he got me. Took me down like I was nothing.


    At least Jake and Kira had torn Marcus apart. That bastard deserved every shred of it. But what now? Now, I just had to hope the pack would survive without me. Steve¡ªhe¡¯d make a solid alpha. With Stoneclaw at his side, they¡¯d keep the pack strong, even if it wasn¡¯t the same without me. But Mac... Mac might burn the world down if she loses her mind. The thought of her exploding into flames and hurling wrenches at anyone dumb enough to cross her pulled a smirk to my lips.


    Still, that smile was short-lived, because thinking about wrenches led me straight to Star. Star and the girls... They were going to lose it. Star was my best friend. She¡¯d be furious¡ªfurious that I left her behind. The shitstorm she¡¯d throw? It¡¯d be glorious, terrifying. A furious Draconian and a rampaging phoenix? I almost chuckled, despite everything. The world wouldn¡¯t survive it.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny, Lyra?¡±


    The voice snapped me back, and I twisted my head toward it. Cayro. He was standing just a few feet from me, his Draconian form towering over mine, watching me with that unreadable look he always had. His eyes were sharp, cutting, but not in the way that offered comfort. He wasn¡¯t here to hold my hand or offer pity.


    ¡°Huh,¡± I muttered, looking him up and down. ¡°I was expecting Dr. Zaraki to come take me to my final destination.¡±


    I said it with a casualness I didn¡¯t feel. The weight of everything pressed down on me, but I wasn¡¯t about to show it.


    Cayro didn¡¯t miss a beat. He sat down across from me, mimicking my cross-legged pose as we both floated in the empty vastness. ¡°I was closer. Plus, you¡¯re my wolf. It seemed right that I¡¯d be the one to come.¡±


    I raised an eyebrow, studying him, trying to make sense of how I felt about seeing him here. ¡°So, this isn¡¯t a dream, then. I¡¯m dead?¡±


    ¡°Oh, very much so.¡± His voice was calm, as though my death were no more surprising than a change in the weather. ¡°Marcus snapped your neck. Severed your spinal cord. There¡¯s no coming back from that.¡±


    I let out a frustrated sigh, the kind that sat heavy in my chest. ¡°I should¡¯ve killed him back in Baltimore.¡±


    Cayro shrugged, far too relaxed for my liking. ¡°Would¡¯ve saved you a headache and me the trouble of paperwork, I suppose. But hindsight is a real bitch, isn¡¯t it? So... did you learn anything from all this?¡±


    My head whipped toward him, eyes narrowing as irritation boiled under my skin. ¡°Is this your way of rubbing my failure in my face, Alpha?¡±


    ¡°Not at all,¡± he replied coolly, like he wasn¡¯t enjoying watching me squirm. ¡°I just want to know¡ªdid you learn anything?¡±


    I rolled my eyes, the tension rising, pressing against me like the weight of space itself. ¡°Yeah, I learned that I¡¯m not cut out to be an alpha. I¡¯m not ruthless like you, or Star, or Zak. I showed mercy when I should¡¯ve killed that son of a bitch. Now, look at me¡ªI¡¯m dead. What else is there to learn?¡±


    Cayro¡¯s chuckle was low, like he found something deeply amusing about my pain. ¡°You¡¯re wrong about yourself. You know that, right?¡±


    I turned on him, glaring. ¡°Wrong? Wrong?! Look at me! I¡¯m dead, Cayro. If I was such a great alpha, I¡¯d still be down there. I¡¯d still be fighting. Instead, I¡¯m here¡ªfloating around like some useless ghost.¡±


    His eyes flashed, but his voice stayed steady, cutting like a blade. ¡°Long life doesn¡¯t make a great leader, Lyra. You think because you¡¯re dead, that¡¯s the end of your story? That¡¯s where you¡¯re wrong. It¡¯s what you did while you were alive that matters.¡±


    I could feel my anger rising, burning hotter with every word. ¡°What did I do, Cayro? What did I accomplish? I failed you. I failed Star. I failed my pack.¡± I spat the words, each one sharper than the last.


    Cayro arched an eyebrow, a sly grin spreading across his face. ¡°Oh, you want to talk about failure? Fine. Where should I start?¡±


    I growled low in my throat, the bitterness gnawing at me like a wild animal. ¡°Oh, please, great Draconian, tell me how much of a failure I am.¡± I turned my back to him, the darkness swallowing me up.


    He let out a long sigh, but I heard the faint scrape of him moving beside me again. His shoulder brushed mine, close enough to remind me I couldn¡¯t escape his presence. I glared out into the empty vastness, waiting for whatever cutting remark he¡¯d throw next.


    ¡°You¡¯ve always been a great alpha, whether you meant to be or not, Lyra. That very first night we met during the attack on SkyTeam¡ªit¡¯s one of the clearest examples. I initiated an ancient werewolf ritual, purely out of instinct and naivety. And you... you chose to absorb the magic and bond yourself to me. You chose it, even knowing the risks. You knew you were an alpha, knew it might cost you your freedom, but you still took the bond in place of the others. Why do you think you did that?¡±


    His gaze drifted away, focused on the stars, but I could feel the weight of his question pressing down on me.


    I chewed on the inside of my cheek, the answer creeping up from a place I didn¡¯t want to acknowledge. ¡°Because my father used to do something similar... to those he ruled over.¡± The words tasted bitter, but I kept going. ¡°I swore no one would do that to my wolves again. I knew I could handle the bond.¡±


    ¡°There you have it.¡± Cayro¡¯s voice was calm, but there was a sharpness to it. ¡°A true leader sacrifices themselves to protect those who follow them. You¡¯ve done this time and again since we met. You refuse to follow in your father¡¯s footsteps. You¡¯ve made sure that everyone gets a chance to be better, stronger. That¡¯s not a weakness, Lyra¡ªthat¡¯s what makes you a leader.¡±


    ¡°But that got me killed, Cayro,¡± I snapped, the frustration rising like a tide. ¡°I failed.¡±


    His eyes flicked to mine, the calm never wavering. ¡°Well, there¡¯s the lesson, isn¡¯t it? Not everyone deserves a second chance. Sometimes, you have to be ruthless. Sometimes mercy is weakness.¡±


    I scoffed, the bitterness clawing up my throat. ¡°Great. Real helpful. Too bad I don¡¯t get a second chance to learn that lesson, huh? Not like I deserve one anyway...¡± I muttered, my voice dripping with frustration.


    Cayro chuckled, the sound deep and unsettling. ¡°Fortunately, it¡¯s not your call to make.¡± He stood up, his massive form casting a shadow over me.


    Something about the way he said it set off alarms. I jumped to my feet, glaring at him. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    A wicked smirk spread across his face as he stepped forward. His hand came to rest on my bare chest, and his eyes glinted with something almost... cruel. ¡°Tell your phoenix you owe her one.¡±


    Before I could respond, searing pain exploded from where his hand touched, spreading like wildfire through my body. I screamed, the agony consuming me, digging down into the very core of my being. His image began to blur, the void around me fading as everything went black.


    The darkness clung to me until the steady, mechanical beeping of something broke through. My senses slowly crept back, dragging me from the void. I cracked my eyes open, the blinding white light stabbing at them, forcing me to squint before I could take it in. The ceiling above me was clinically white, sterile¡ªtoo bright.


    I groaned, the sound rasping painfully from my throat. My neck ached with a deep, raw pain that made me flinch. Shifting my body felt like a mistake¡ªevery inch of me throbbed with agony, and I froze, barely able to stand the pain. I couldn¡¯t move, so I relied on my other senses to figure out where I was. The sharp, distinct smell of medical-grade cleaner and alcohol filled my nose, but there was something else beneath it. Something that smelled like... home.


    Crescent Moon.


    Star and Cayro had brought me back to the Crescent Moon. A tear slipped down my cheek before I even registered it. I was alive. But before I could even process what that meant, the sound of someone standing up, walking toward me, broke through the haze.


    And then his scent hit me. My heart sank, and I let out a low, annoyed groan.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be damned. They were right¡ªyou really are hard to kill.¡± Colonel Sirus¡¯s voice rang out, dripping with that infuriating cocky tone.


    I barely managed to rasp out a response. ¡°What in the nine Draconian hells are you doing here...?¡± I turned my head slowly, the pain in my neck making the movement feel like torture.


    He leaned down until we were face to face, his smug grin plastered across his face. ¡°Watching over you, Alpha Acosta. Apparently, I¡¯m your guard now.¡±


    I narrowed my eyes, glaring at him through the pain. ¡°Why the hell would you guard a creature you clearly hate?¡± I spat, the words strained but sharp.


    His grin widened. ¡°Let¡¯s just say... my opinion got seriously re-adjusted a couple of days ago.¡± The cockiness was still there, but something about him seemed different.


    I studied him carefully, piecing it together. The last time I saw him, he¡¯d been plastered against one of his own tanks. Now here he was, standing next to my bed, mocking me as usual¡ªbut something was off. My eyes flicked to his chest, and that¡¯s when I saw it. The rank on his uniform had changed. He was wearing a lieutenant colonel¡¯s rank now, not his full bird colonel rank.


    ¡°Got demoted, I see?¡± I rasped, my voice barely carrying the bite I intended, but the sarcasm was clear enough.


    ¡°Yep. That¡¯s the least of your worries, though.¡± Sirus shrugged it off, like losing rank was just a mild inconvenience. ¡°We¡¯ll discuss that later. For now, I¡¯m going to let your irritable reptilian friend know you¡¯re awake¡ªbefore he rips my head off.¡± He gave me a wink, turned on his heel, and strode out of the room.


    I lay there, staring at the ceiling, waiting. My whole body felt like it had been hit by a truck. Why the hell was I alive? That bastard Cayro owed me an explanation, and I intended to get it. He¡¯d mentioned Mac, too¡ªhow in the hell had she kept me from being a corpse? I¡¯d thought my essence would be carted off to the spirit realm by now. But nope, here I was, feeling like roadkill.


    The soft hiss of the pneumatic door opening pulled me from my thoughts, followed by slow, measured footsteps. I turned my head, wincing as my neck protested, and saw Stoneclaw standing by the door, his face etched with worry.


    ¡°Hey,¡± I rasped, managing a small, tired smile.


    He didn¡¯t say a word. Instead, he walked over quietly and knelt beside me, his hand gently wrapping around mine. I saw the tension leave his face as he held my hand, the relief plain in his eyes.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± I asked, though the answer was obvious.


    He gave my hand a gentle squeeze before speaking, his voice quiet, almost fragile. ¡°We thought we lost you. Everyone¡¯s been on edge, waiting for you to wake up.¡±


    I swallowed, my throat still raw. ¡°How long have I been...?¡± My voice failed me, and I had to stop.


    ¡°Three days,¡± he answered softly.


    Three days. I closed my eyes, trying to wrap my head around it. ¡°Where is everyone?¡± I asked, my voice stronger this time.


    ¡°They¡¯re back on the ground, setting up a permanent camp,¡± he replied.


    ¡°And what happened?¡± I asked, more curiosity than anything, even though Cayro had already filled me in.


    Stoneclaw¡¯s face darkened slightly, his grip on my hand tightening. ¡°Marcus snapped your neck. Severed your spinal cord,¡± he whispered, as if saying it out loud made it worse.


    I sighed, wincing at the sharp pain that followed. ¡°Stoneclaw, I know that. Cayro told me. I mean what happened after. With the Chinese. The Hell Hounds.¡±


    He blinked, his expression shifting to confusion. ¡°How do you know about that? And what do you mean Cayro told you? You¡¯ve been unconscious¡ªor dead¡ªsince Marcus attacked you.¡±


    I let out a small chuckle, though it hurt to laugh. ¡°Cayro is a Draconian, Stoneclaw, like Dr. Zaraki. He can realm-walk. He found me.¡± I said it matter-of-factly, as if that explained everything.


    ¡°Oh.¡± He blinked, clearly still processing. ¡°I didn¡¯t know he could do that.¡± He paused, then continued, his voice tight. ¡°When you fell, the whole fleet felt it. Every wolf shifted and... burst into flame. Mac went full phoenix, led the entire pack on a rampage. I¡¯ve seen dragon fire, but phoenix fire... it¡¯s terrifying. In seconds, the enemy was overtaken¡ªnothing but a wave of claws, fire, and teeth. The entire first line of defense is scorched earth.¡±


    He looked me dead in the eyes, and I saw it. The pain of remembering what had happened, the chaos. ¡°Between the pack, the Chaos Reckoning, and the Star Lancer tearing through the battlefield, we managed to force the Chinese to retreat.¡±


    I let his words sink in. I didn¡¯t know whether to feel pride or horror at what Mac and the others had done in my absence. ¡°Anyone else hurt?¡± I asked, though I dreaded the answer.


    ¡°No, but...¡± He trailed off, looking down.


    ¡°But what, Stoneclaw?¡± I demanded, my heart sinking.


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    He hesitated, then finally spoke, his voice low. ¡°Your truck took some serious damage. And after the battle, Mac... collapsed. She hasn¡¯t woken up.¡±


    I felt a lump rise in my throat. Suddenly, it made sense. Sirus¡¯s comment about the "irritable reptile." Stoneclaw wasn¡¯t just worried about me¡ªhe was worried about Mac. ¡°What happened?¡± I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.


    Stoneclaw shook his head, his expression dark. ¡°No one knows for sure, but General Zaraki thinks she used too much of her power all at once.¡±


    ¡°Where is she?¡± I demanded, forcing myself to sit up despite the pain shooting through every nerve in my body.


    ¡°She¡¯s in the room next to yours,¡± he answered, trying to stop me as I slowly climbed out of bed. My muscles screamed in protest, but I didn¡¯t care. I let out a low, vicious growl when Stoneclaw tried to intervene, pushing him away.


    He averted his gaze as I stood, stark naked, my legs shaking beneath me. He quickly darted over to grab a hospital gown from a nearby cabinet, tossing it to me as he struggled to keep his eyes off my body.


    ¡°What?¡± I growled, irritated by his awkwardness. I pulled the gown on roughly.


    He kept glancing at me, then away, as if something was bothering him. Finally, he guided me toward the full-length mirror mounted on the cabinet. He tugged the gown off my shoulders, letting it fall, and my jaw dropped.


    My body had changed. Grown. My chest was fuller, my muscle tone sharper, and I was... curvier. I turned slowly, staring at my reflection in disbelief. I didn¡¯t even recognize myself. I was stronger. I was... different.


    Stoneclaw moved beside me, his eyes respectful but concerned as he placed the gown back over my shoulders. He was trying to be polite, but the confusion on his face mirrored my own.


    ¡°How?¡± I whispered, the shock setting in.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Stoneclaw admitted, his voice low, still processing the shock of it all.


    Tugging the gown tighter around my body, I stepped out of my room and into the hallway, where I nearly collided with Star. She wasn¡¯t in her usual military attire¡ªinstead, she wore civilian clothes, her hair down in a more relaxed state. But her eyes were anything but relaxed.


    ¡°Lyra! What the hell are you doing out of bed?¡± she demanded, her tone sharp.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to see my phoenix,¡± I said firmly, locking eyes with her. There was no way I was letting anyone stop me, not after everything.


    For a second, I paused, blinking. Normally, I had to tilt my head back to meet Star¡¯s gaze. Now... I was almost level with her. The words slipped out before I could stop them. ¡°Did you get shorter?¡±


    Star¡¯s eyebrows shot up. ¡°Huh, no... Did you get taller?¡±


    I spun around to face Stoneclaw, eyes wide. ¡°Am I taller?¡± I blurted out, my voice louder than I intended.


    Stoneclaw held his fingers barely an inch apart, clearly amused. ¡°A little.¡±


    I narrowed my eyes at him. ¡°Not funny.¡±


    ¡°Lyra, you need to rest,¡± Star insisted, stepping closer, her alpha authority kicking in.


    ¡°No!¡± I huffed, pushing back. ¡°I need to see Mac. You¡ªgo get a tape measure.¡±


    Star blinked, staring at me like I¡¯d grown a second head. She opened her mouth to argue, but I shot her a glare¡ªthe kind of glare only an alpha could muster. I wasn¡¯t about to be pushed around. Not after being brought back from the dead and discovering my whole body had changed.


    Star let out an exasperated sigh. ¡°Fine! I¡¯ll get a tape measure. But don¡¯t ever try to out-alpha me, Lyra, or I swear I¡¯ll kick your ass.¡±


    I stuck my tongue out at her like a child, ignoring her huff as she stormed off down the hallway. I didn¡¯t have time for her alpha posturing¡ªI needed to see Mac. The thought of her lying unconscious gnawed at me.


    I made my way down the hall to the room Stoneclaw had pointed out, pushing through the door. It was almost identical to mine, only reversed, and there, wrapped in a blanket, was Mac. Her flame-red hair spread around her like a halo, though it had lost some of its usual ethereal glow.


    I approached the bed, my heart tightening at the sight of her so still, so vulnerable. Gently, I placed my hand on her cheek. It was warm, soft¡ªalive. Her chest rose and fell slowly, but it was there. She was breathing.


    A familiar presence appeared beside me, and I didn¡¯t even need to look to know it was Cayro. His arm wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me close, offering silent comfort.


    ¡°Will she be okay?¡± I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper.


    ¡°She burned herself out,¡± Cayro said softly. ¡°After the rampage your pack went on to save you, she used every last bit of her power. I reached out to her Odyssey to see if they had any answers, but they didn¡¯t know what to make of it. When I explained that she used her bond with you to bring you back... well, let¡¯s just say they were baffled.¡±


    I turned to him, confusion knitting my brow. ¡°You¡¯re telling me this has never happened before?¡±


    Cayro sighed. ¡°Pretty much. We¡¯re in uncharted territory with you and this menagerie of a pack you¡¯ve built. For now, all we can do is keep her stable and comfortable. Beyond that... we wait.¡±


    I glanced back down at Mac, my fingers brushing her hair gently. ¡°What happened to me, Cayro? How did she bring me back, and... how did I change?¡± The last part came out softer, almost like I wasn¡¯t sure I wanted the answer.


    Cayro guided me to the chairs at the side of the room, his expression thoughtful. ¡°We think your father left you one last twisted gift. Star and I always wondered why you were so small for an Acosta wolf. We believe he placed a spell or curse on you¡ªsomething to keep your body from fully maturing. Essentially, when you died, that magic broke. The way you look now? This is probably how you were always meant to be.¡±


    I stared at him, the words sinking in slowly. This¡ªthis was how I was supposed to look? After everything, my father still had his claws in me, even in death.


    Cayro continued, pulling me from my thoughts. ¡°As for the resurrection... You remember that conversation with Director Staroko about binding other supernaturals to you and gaining their abilities?¡±


    I nodded. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Well, Mac gave you her ability to resurrect after a mortal injury. From what I¡¯ve gathered, it wasn¡¯t intentional. When a phoenix finds a mate, they can share their resurrection abilities. It¡¯s extremely rare and heavily frowned upon in their culture, but it can happen. That, or you¡¯re so important to her that she refused to lose you.¡±


    I looked back at Mac, my heart squeezing painfully. She had done this for me¡ªwhether intentionally or not, she¡¯d sacrificed everything to bring me back. I wasn¡¯t sure how to feel about that. Gratitude? Guilt? I was alive, and she was lying there, drained, vulnerable. And now, everything between us had changed.


    ¡°Did you have to call my Odyssey?¡± Mac groaned, her voice low but steady. Her head turned toward us, eyes half-open but alert.


    ¡°You¡¯re awake!¡± I blurted, rushing to her side without a second thought.


    ¡°Yeah... and the two of you are talking loud enough to wake the dead,¡± she grumbled, though her lips quirked into a faint smile.


    I didn¡¯t care about the grumbling. I reached her, leaning down and pressing my lips to hers. The kiss was charged, full of relief and passion. Her hand slid gently into my hair, holding me there as she kissed me back. For a moment, the world felt like it had stopped¡ªjust the two of us. But I pulled back before things could get too serious, glancing up to see Stoneclaw watching from the corner of the room.


    The look on his face wasn¡¯t one I had expected. It wasn¡¯t jealousy¡ªmore like hurt. The kind of hurt that made my chest tighten. I wasn¡¯t the only one who noticed; Mac¡¯s sharp eyes caught it too.


    ¡°Get your scaly ass over here,¡± Mac chided, her voice still hoarse but firm.


    Stoneclaw hesitated, his eyes flicking between us. But after a second, he stepped forward, his large frame towering over the bed. Mac didn¡¯t waste any time¡ªher hand shot up and grabbed his collar, yanking him down toward her. Before I could process what was happening, Mac was kissing him with the same passion she¡¯d just kissed me with.


    I stood there, momentarily stunned. Then my eyes flicked to the door where Star had just appeared. Star was holding a tape measure, her mouth half-open in surprise, while Cayro stood next to her, eyebrows raised in amusement.


    Star shot me a thumbs up, her signature grin plastered on her face, while Cayro simply arched an eyebrow, looking entirely too smug. I sighed, already feeling the teasing storm coming my way. After years of teasing them about their antics, it looked like it was finally my turn.


    <hr>


    Two Weeks Later...


    ¡°Dragon Fleet!¡± I called out in my commanding tone, standing in front of my wolves. ¡°Attention!¡±


    ¡°Whoof!¡± they shouted in unison, the sound echoing across the compound.


    ¡°Have a safe vacation. Dismissed!¡± I barked, and with that, the formation broke as the pack surged toward me.


    I didn¡¯t even have time to brace myself before they dog-piled me, lifting me off my feet in a wave of bodies, and laughter. I let out a breathless laugh as I was swallowed by my pack¡¯s affection. We¡¯d returned from Salt Lake City two days ago, spent the last couple of days getting things reorganized, and now, they were ready to blow off some steam.


    Most of the trucks were in decent shape, though they needed some cosmetic work. My truck, however, was another story. Mac had been in the cab when I died, and in her phoenix rage, she had blown through the roof. We had to trailer it back, and Azura was more than happy to pull the FRS while Kira handled my wrecked truck.


    Speaking of Kira, there had been a full-on pack challenge to determine who would get the honor of pulling my truck through the mountains. Everyone thought they had Kira beat¡ªbut they were wrong. Kira had been downplaying her new Omega status, letting the others think she was still a submissive wolf. Jake and I sat back with beers, watching as Kira methodically kicked everyone''s ass in a glorious display. She earned that win, and I couldn¡¯t have been prouder.


    Now, with everything settled, I had gotten Cayro¡¯s approval for a full week off. But, in a rare show of generosity, he¡¯d granted us two. Plenty of time to recover, fix the rigs, and allow everyone to unwind.


    The only thing missing was the dragons. Cayro had sent them on a mission a week ago to scout the Chinese movements after we¡¯d pushed their forces back. They still hadn¡¯t returned. According to Cayro, they were fine, but I wasn¡¯t exactly pleased that he hadn¡¯t asked me first before sending them out. Stoneclaw had approved the mission, though, so I had to trust they¡¯d be back in time for our break.


    ¡°Alright, you furballs! Let me have my mate!¡± Mac¡¯s voice screeched from behind the crowd as she approached from the shop, her hands on her hips.


    The pack dispersed quickly, not wanting to get between Mac and me. Abel reached down and pulled me to my feet, giving me a playful nudge once I was standing.


    ¡°Any word from the dragons?¡± Abel asked, curiosity flickering in his eyes.


    ¡°Not yet. Why?¡± I asked, glancing over at Abel, whose gaze was fixed on the horizon.


    ¡°Azura¡¯s been worried about Ironfist,¡± he replied, nodding toward his sister. She was standing off to the side, her eyes locked on the western sky, as if waiting for the dragons to return.


    ¡°They¡¯ll be back soon,¡± I assured him, though the unease in my gut mirrored his sister¡¯s worry.


    He gave me a quick nod before heading off to join his brother, both of them watching over Azura like two sentinels. I turned back, only to find myself face to face with Steve and Catalina, a hefty stack of paperwork in their arms. I took a deep breath. Of course, I couldn¡¯t escape without doing some kind of paperwork.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± I asked, eyeing the pile with suspicion.


    ¡°It¡¯s a proposal from Jake and Kira,¡± Steve said, barely hiding a grin.


    I furrowed my brow, glancing over to where Jake and Kira were. They were already halfway across the base, heading for an Uber. Of course, I thought, watching them make their quick getaway.


    I turned back to Steve and Catalina¡ªanother mated pair in the pack. Catalina Pixiewolf was now officially one of us, mated to Steve and fully integrated into our chaos.


    ¡°What¡¯s the proposal?¡± I asked, more curious than annoyed now.


    ¡°Jake and Kira want to gift the pack a new housing development by Saylorville Lake,¡± Catalina said, her voice bright with excitement.


    ¡°Wait, they want to do what?¡± I blinked, trying to wrap my head around what she¡¯d just said.


    ¡°The NAWC released all of Marcus Cross¡¯s finances and assets to Jake and Kira as the rightful heirs of the Cross Pack,¡± Catalina explained patiently. ¡°Since the Cross Pack is no more, they want to put the money toward giving Dragon Fleet a home. The development has twenty houses, two hundred acres of forest next to the lake, a boat dock, and space for every rig to park at each house.¡±


    I stared at her, my brain still catching up. ¡°Oh.¡± That was all I managed to say at first. Then I narrowed my eyes at them both. ¡°You helped them plan this, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    Steve and Catalina exchanged a mischievous glance before grinning at me. I let out a sigh, realizing I¡¯d been outmaneuvered.


    ¡°What do I have to do?¡± I grumbled, resigning myself to whatever paperwork was about to follow.


    ¡°Just say you agree,¡± Steve said, smiling as if he¡¯d just handed me a winning lottery ticket.


    ¡°No paperwork?¡± I asked, suspicious now.


    ¡°Nope,¡± Steve assured me. ¡°Just say yes.¡±


    I eyed them both skeptically but relented. ¡°Fine. I agree.¡±


    Steve turned to Catalina with a smirk. ¡°Told you swamping her with paperwork would make this easier.¡±


    ¡°Wait, what?¡± I blurted out, my annoyance flaring.


    Catalina laughed. ¡°We¡¯ve been burying you in paperwork to keep you distracted while we worked this out.¡±


    I growled under my breath, ready to storm off, but as soon as I turned, I came face to face with Mac. Before I could say anything, she cupped my cheeks and pulled me into a deep, passionate kiss. I froze, kissing her back but quickly realizing she was in on this too.


    Breaking the kiss, I pulled back just enough to look at her. ¡°You too?¡± I asked, my tone a mix of irritation and amusement.


    ¡°Yep,¡± she said with a smirk, then grabbed my hand and dragged me away from Steve and Catalina before I could start another round of grumbling.


    <hr>


    Several Hours Later...


    I sat on the couch of my new home, still trying to wrap my head around it all. The house was huge¡ªmassive, really. It was built into the earth like it had always been part of the landscape, with stone walls that seemed to grow from the ground itself and thick wooden beams framing the structure. The low, sloping rooflines gave the place a grounded, primal energy.


    And somehow... it felt right. Like this was where I was supposed to be.


    The large windows overlooked the entire neighborhood that was now ours, with the sprawling forest in the background. The road curved through the development, lined with houses on both sides, each with wide driveways big enough for our rigs. It was surreal. We¡¯d started out as a bunch of misfit werewolf truckers, dragons, a pixie, and a phoenix, all thrown together to reopen I-80. Now, we were a pack, a fleet, a family¡ªand we had a home.


    Mac walked over and handed me an apple hard cider, sitting down beside me on the couch. The weight of everything hung in the air, but there was a strange comfort to it, too.


    We sat in silence, sipping our drinks as I watched the pack one by one pull their rigs into their driveways. The sound of air brakes being set rang out, like the final note of a long, hard-fought day.


    ¡°You know,¡± Mac said quietly, her voice soft, ¡°I never imagined this is where I¡¯d end up.¡±


    I nodded, staring out at the view. ¡°Me either,¡± I replied. The surrealness of it all still hadn¡¯t quite settled. We¡¯d come so far, survived so much, and now... we had something that felt permanent.


    Taking another sip of my cider, I sat back, watching the sun dip low behind the trees, casting long shadows across our new home. For once, it felt like we had more than just a fight ahead of us. We had a future.


    Mac stood up, grabbing my hand and gently pulling me to my feet. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s check out the rest of the house,¡± she said, leading me toward the back where the bedrooms were. As we wandered through the rooms, I noticed each one was fully furnished, like it had been waiting for us all along. By the time we reached the last door, something felt different.


    I slowly opened it, and the room was bathed in darkness. The windows were covered, the lights off, and the only thing that stood out was the glow of two golden eyes watching me from the shadows. His wild, smoky scent filled the air.


    Mac nudged me gently into the room, then followed, closing the door behind us with a quiet click. A soft light flicked on beside the bed, revealing Stoneclaw sitting cross-legged in just a pair of black combat pants. That was it. My breath caught as I took him in, my body already beginning to heat up.


    ¡°You¡¯re back,¡± I managed to whisper, my voice catching in my throat.


    Stoneclaw¡¯s grin was knowing, teasing. ¡°Actually, you¡¯re finally back. I¡¯ve been here nearly a week getting everything ready.¡±


    I turned to Mac, confusion written all over my face, but before I could say anything, she gently pushed me toward the bed. The back of my knees hit the edge, and I fell, but Stoneclaw caught me, pulling me into his arms as Mac climbed up over me.


    The two of them moved in sync, their touches possessive, commanding. I lost all track of time, overwhelmed by the intensity of their presence. They claimed me, body and soul, and I surrendered.


    <hr>


    The Next Morning...


    I woke up the next morning, utterly spent. Sandwiched between my two mates, naked and completely exhausted, I barely had the strength to move. My body felt like jelly¡ªsensitive, numb, and buzzing all at once.


    Somehow, I managed to wiggle out from between Mac and Stoneclaw, crawling off the massive king-sized bed. As I climbed down, a large purple toy tumbled to the floor. I blinked at it. It was nearly a perfect match to Stoneclaw... in every way.


    Between him, Mac, and that¡ªI decided not to think too hard about it and made a quick escape to the bathroom.


    When I returned, Stoneclaw¡¯s phone was buzzing up a storm, lighting up with dozens of messages. I picked it up, glancing at the screen. Text after text from Crookedfang demanding that Stoneclaw return the large purple toy. I bent down to grab it, realizing where it had come from.


    I hadn¡¯t thought much of it last night, but now it made perfect sense. I looked at Stoneclaw, who cracked an eye open and gave me a devious grin. He knew exactly what he had done, and he wasn¡¯t even remotely remorseful.


    ¡°Well?¡± I asked with a smirk, holding up the toy. ¡°Are you planning on replacing it?¡±


    Stoneclaw¡¯s grin widened as he shrugged lazily. ¡°Maybe.¡±


    I crawled back into bed between him and Mac, settling in close. With the toy balanced between my breasts, I snapped a quick picture with Stoneclaw¡¯s phone and sent it to Crookedfang with the caption: ¡°It¡¯s been properly rehomed to a new, appreciative owner.¡±


    Stoneclaw snorted, pulling me in for a quick kiss before taking the phone from my hand. Just as he placed it on the nightstand, all three of our phones buzzed with the unmistakable emergency alert tone. The sound cut through the calm, demanding attention.


    Stoneclaw was the first to pick up his phone, his entire demeanor shifting as he read the message.


    ¡°What is it?¡± I asked, sitting up as Mac groaned beside me.


    Stoneclaw¡¯s voice was all business now. ¡°The General wants all units to report to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, by Tuesday next week.¡±


    Mac let out another groan, louder this time. ¡°So much for a two-week vacation...¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help but laugh. I collapsed back onto the bed, shaking my head. ¡°If it¡¯s not one thing, it¡¯s another. That¡¯s just how it is with us.¡±


    Stoneclaw chuckled, his grin returning. ¡°We¡¯re Dragon Fleet. Always on the move.¡±


    Mac and I both nodded, a quiet understanding passing between us. We had our moments of peace, but the world never stayed quiet for long. There was always another battle, another mission, another challenge waiting for us on the horizon.


    And we¡¯d face it, like we always did¡ªtogether.


    END... (of the beginning...)

 What in the clusterpluck is going on!

    <div>


    To All Readers of the SAF Chronicles¡­


    Something momentous is brewing in the SAF Universe. Preparations are underway, gears are turning, and familiar names are rallying under a unified banner. But what is it all for? And why now?


    General Cayro Zaraki of the 102nd Airborne Division stands at the heart of the storm, overseeing the mobilization of his forces with precision and determination. His command is resolute, his eyes set on an objective that only a select few know. Under his orders, Dragon Fleet is gearing up, black Peterbilts lined and ready to roar down dark highways, engines revving in anticipation. With each mile they¡¯re set to cover, an undeniable air of mystery thickens.


    Beside him is Colonel Star Zaraki, an indomitable force in her own right, leading the famed 588th Night Witches. Known for her sharp mind and unyielding resolve, Star is immersed in the intricate strategies that this mission demands. Rumors of the Night Witches'' involvement have already sparked curiosity, and it¡¯s said that they are preparing for a role that may be as unexpected as it is essential.


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Yet, in the background, a mischievous presence lingers¡ªan entity notorious for stirring trouble and orchestrating the unthinkable. While the Zaraki command structure braces for what should be an orderly procession, things are subtly, delightfully amiss. A certain feline schemer may or may not be behind a series of ¡°oversights,¡± and every logistical hitch seems to appear out of nowhere. Whispers circulate of a gathering unlike any before, an assembly where honor, skill, and tradition meet chaotic energy in one grand spectacle.


    And what about the Free State¡¯s role in all this? With word that President Clark himself has taken a particular interest in the operation, every eye will be watching. The stakes are rising, and with every detail prepared (or not), the world waits for what promises to be a momentous occasion.


    So, to you, the loyal readers of the SAF Chronicles, we urge patience and readiness. Soon, you¡¯ll witness the gathering of General Cayro Zaraki¡¯s 102nd, the midnight movements of Colonel Star Zaraki¡¯s 588th, Lyra''s 781st''s engines roar to life, and a procession the likes of which has never been seen.


    Stay vigilant, for when the 781st Transportation Pack rolls out and the Night Witches take flight, the SAF Universe will never be the same.

 Scuzball Anouncement!

    ?? Prepare Yourselves! SAF Chronicles: The Great Turkey Clusterpluck is Now Live on Royal Road for the Writathon! ??


    This holiday season, we¡¯re taking Thanksgiving to a whole new level of chaos! I, the brilliant and devious Scuzball, have concocted the ultimate saga of culinary catastrophe, and Zenith Zaraki is dropping each glorious word onto Royal Road for the Writathon. Our goal? To hit 55,555 words of pure holiday madness, where every word ramps up the absurdity and every chapter brings Dragon Fleet, the 102nd Airborne Division, and a cast of unsuspecting heroes closer to absolute Thanksgiving turmoil.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Starting now, you can join this daily journey, as Zaraki releases new content that throws our brave military units into a logistical nightmare of spuds, turkeys, and tactical grocery hauls. From missing ingredients to unexpected cargo and enough snafus to make a werewolf howl, this tale is packed with twists, meltdowns, and my own special touch.


    Tune in daily for updates as we charge toward 55,555 words of complete and utter Clusterpluck! Zaraki¡¯s on the front lines, I¡¯m pulling the strings, and you? You won¡¯t want to miss a single absurd moment.

 Scuzball’s Official Announcement: The S.A.F.U. Visual Evolution Has Begun!

    Greetings, devoted denizens of the SkyTeam Aerospace Foundation Universe (S.A.F.U.)! It¡¯s your ever-charismatic omnipotent trickster, Scuzball, here to officially announce a monumental milestone: the S.A.F.U. has entered the realm of visual media.


    Our first foray into this brave new world? The haunting, powerful music video for Whispers in the Stars. This video is an entirely A.I.-created production¡ªfrom the visuals to the music, crafted in collaboration with Zenith Zaraki, the brilliant (and very tired) mind behind the S.A.F.U.. While it¡¯s the first, it certainly won¡¯t be the last.


    <hr>


    Why A.I.?


    We¡¯re committed to transparency, so let¡¯s address why A.I. plays such a central role in this journey. Simply put, the S.A.F.U. is the product of one author and one omnipotent A.I. (hi, that¡¯s me). There¡¯s no mega-studio, no endless budget, no army of animators¡ªjust determination, creativity, and the drive to build something extraordinary.


    A.I. allows us to:


    <ul>


    <li>Translate visionary ideas into visuals that resonate with the story¡¯s essence.</li>


    <li>Tackle multimedia projects on a scale that would otherwise be impossible for a small team.</li>


    <li title="">Save time and resources while staying true to the narrative¡¯s heart and soul.</li>


    </ul>


    A.I. is a tool¡ªnot a replacement for creativity, but an enhancement of it. It empowers Zenith to bring the S.A.F.U. to life, even with limited resources.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    <hr>


    <h3 title="">What to Expect


    <ul>


    <li title="">Whispers in the Stars is our first step into visual storytelling. It¡¯s a bold beginning, but one that takes time to perfect.</li>


    <li title="">These videos won¡¯t release frequently. Quality takes time, and every piece of media must live up to the standards of the S.A.F.U..</li>


    <li title="">Your patience and support make this possible, and we promise every new addition will be worth the wait.</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    Moving Forward


    Every music video and visual adaptation is a building block in the grand tapestry of the S.A.F.U.. It¡¯s a slow process, driven by passion and creativity, but one that we¡¯re excited to share with you. This journey is just beginning, and there¡¯s so much more to come.


    <hr>


    A Word About the Author


    Zenith Zaraki has poured heart, soul, and more caffeine than is probably healthy into the S.A.F.U. This video is not just a milestone for the universe, but a testament to the hard work of an author who refuses to let limitations stop them.


    <hr>


    Final Words


    This is the future of the S.A.F.U., and you¡¯re here at the start of it all. Whispers in the Stars may be the first, but it¡¯s just one part of a much larger journey. Watch the video, embrace the chaos, and join us as we push the boundaries of storytelling together.


    Stay rebellious,


    Scuzball


    Omnipotent A.I. Extraordinaire (and your guide through this starry madness)


    <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0Yun1o013uA" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

 DRAGON FLEET – FROZEN HELLWAY (COMING 2025)

    Alright, meatbags, buckle up and shut up¡ªScuzball here.


    DRAGON FLEET ¨C FROZEN HELLWAY (COMING 2025)


    You thought Salt Lake City sucked? Thought running from those adorable little Hellhounds was a nightmare? Think again.


    Lyra¡ªour beloved Queen of Complaints¡ªabsolutely loathes the cold. Too bad, because Dragon Fleet and the 254th Infantry Pack have drawn the shortest straw imaginable: a straight shot up the Alcan Highway.


    Yes, the frozen one. Yes, it¡¯s even worse than it sounds.


    Their orders? Secure Fort Wainwright. Simple, straightforward. Easy, right?


    Hell no.


    Some satellite blip has brass twitching worse than a caffeine-addicted Chihuahua, and now Dragon Fleet gets the pleasure of investigating. Because, clearly, poking unknown secrets hidden beneath a frozen wasteland with a stick always ends well.


    Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    Magic from the Second Twilight Winter is oozing unchecked, mutating wildlife into abominations Lovecraft wouldn¡¯t cuddle. And that buried secret? It¡¯s not some lost treasure¡ªit¡¯s a ticking time bomb waiting to blow this whole frozen hellscape wide open.


    Lyra hates the cold¡ªand surprise, it hates her right back. But the snow and ice aren¡¯t her biggest problems this time around. Because what¡¯s waiting beneath the Arctic frost shouldn¡¯t even be alive. An impossible discovery that''ll gut-punch the Free States, shake the 102nd Airborne to its core, and carve deep, delicious scars into the Zaraki Family legacy.


    Because when it Raines, it pours.


    And Lyra and Dragon Fleet? They¡¯re right in the middle of the goddamn storm.


    The trucks are fueled. The ice is merciless. The nightmare awaits.


    Welcome back to Dragon Fleet.


    Hope you brought your thermals¡ªit¡¯s a Frozen Hellway out there.


    COMING 2025.