Only Her- ON HOLD

Chapter 48.

Noah's POV

"We have to be prepared for them to hit us on each side of the border." Eli said gruffly, his voice hoarse..

"I don't know if I agree. He knows he's outnumbered. He'll have to make a strong move to break through and he can only do that by hitting us at our weakest point all at once." Ronan replied.

"He's a patient bastard. He'll wait as long as he has to to find the perfect spot." Eli replied.

"We know he's been scouting our borders for months now. He knows where we patrol and when. We need to double up and change our patterns. And Ronan's crew and Lunar will need to fill in the gaps. He'll make a move where his scouts have been spotted. And he'll want Dani back or dead. He won't care which now." I gritted my teeth as I spoke. She hadn't woken up yet. And he would see no point in taking her if he made it that far. He'd just end her life right then.

They all agreed, Sienna pointing to the map just behind the main house. "What about setting up the fall-back here? This way we're hidden but if they make it in to main land, Dani and all others inside are still protected."

Eli grunted. "And full lockdown inside will need protection, and more than normal. I think that's a good plan. Ronan, half your crew at the border where we've seen his scouts, and half in the fall back. Lunar you can stagger in between with our enforcers."

We all agreed and I immediately turned to leave. I needed to get back to Dani.

"Noah, wait." I heard Eli call.

I stopped and turned to face him just outside the doorway of the war room.

"I know you want to get back to Dani, but I want to take you down to speak to Theo first." Eli said quietly.

I scoffed and crossed my arms. "I have nothing to say to him."

Eli sighed and ran his hand down the back of his neck to relieve the tension. "I've tried keeping you out of it. I have, but he's refusing to speak until he sees you. He could have valuable information for your father's plan. We have to get through to him. Now's the time to rise over your emotions son. Do what needs to be done for the pack first. He'll pay for his part in this too."

My lip curled back but I finally nodded reluctantly. "Fine." I said and followed him out of the main house out to the back building used for cells.

We entered through a keypad secured door and passed the guard inside who was seated outside of a secondary door, secured by a lock and key. He opened it and let us through and we walked down a long dimly lit hallway, lined with cells. It smelled musty and of unwashed filth, but above all else, I could already pick up on my brother's scent. We made our way to the very end of the hall and I stopped to see Theo. He was sitting on the edge of the cot, his head in his hands

He heard us stop at his door and his head slowly came up. His eyes widened to see me standing in front of him and he jumped to his feet.

"I didn't think you'd come." He said, his voice cracking as he spoke.

I didn't speak. I just crossed my arms and leaned back against the wall, looking at him with a hard stare.

"Ok boy. Now talk." Eli commanded.

Theo sighed and sat back down slowly, running his hands through his hair before finally turning to look at us. His eyes locked on mine and I could see the exhaustion in his face. He'd been worn out long before he came here.