Fangs and Roses

Chapter Thirty-Six: Wrestling with Angels

Alexander Lykos

The silence in the room was deafening as I packed my bag with the essentials I would need for a *solo* scout mission to Blackwater. It was dangerous and reckless, but I could not sit here and wait while Sapphire was trapped with that monster once again... I needed to make good on my promise to her. The only ones who knew about my plan were my parents as I had come to them with the request that they look after Shadow Mountain in my stead, and to guide Angel in case I don't make it back.

Damien had only developed a serum that would incapacitate a Lycan, not kill it... I did not want to risk anymore of my pack when we are in the dark of what is happening at Blackwater... no more unnecessary deaths.

My hands trembled as I picked up a piece of paper that laid next to my bag, sighing as I read the list of names for the hundredth time, I had promised their families that I would find out what happened to them and bring them home... whether dead or alive.

I looked around my study one last time before swinging the bag over my shoulder, I walked over to open the door when it swung open, barely missing my face.

"Did you really think that we would not find out?"

I sighed as I met the angry eyes of Jared and Angel. They both stood in front of me, jaws clench and as my eyes trailed down to their hands, my heart sank as I noticed a bag in each of their hands.

"How did you both find out?"

"Xander, I have spent all my life observing our parents. Don't you think that I would notice something was off when I asked them how you were doing?"

"I can't ask you--"

"Then don't, because we are not asking. Xander, I have already lost a brother, I am not going to let one more go in to enemy territory like a sacrificial lamb."

Angel stepped forward, raising her hand to rest it against my face.

"Sapphire might be your mate, but she is our family too... we would do anything for her."

I gave her a soft smile, gently placing her hand back at her side.

"You are right, Jared. We don't know what is waiting for us at Blackwater, and that is why I am going in alone to scout... no one else has to die. The information gathered from the scout mission will give us what we need to prepare an attack. Jared, I can't risk something happening to you, Chloe--"

"Chloe understands the risk and accept any consequence from my decision. In fact, I could barely persuade her to stay here and heal, so my being here on my own is already the best case scenario."

"And what about me, Xander? I don't have a mate or children, so what is preventing me from going?"

It was my turn to raise a hand to cup her cheek.