Alpha Aiden's Protection Program | ✓

Chapter 38: Mon Chéri

"Do I get one of those?" Jenny pointed to the open crate guns loaded with wooden bullets as fire brewed in her eyes.

I grimaced, unsure about handing her a deadly weapon.

"I don't know-"

"Just," She held up her hand to stop me, "show me how to load and fire and I'll be okay. You're not my target anymore, Tate, whether you believe me or not."

The thing was, I did believe her. The vampires stole as much from her as any of the werewolves. But Jenny has also been constantly tortured with the memory of having her mate kidnapped by the vampires and is reminded of it every time she played spy. She's been a puppet on a string with the promise of her mate being returned while knowing Anvi was as good as dead at the hands of their enemies. 

"Okay," I said watching as her mouth gapped open for a split second before snapping close.

She cleared her throat, nodding, "Yes, that was a good choice." 

I couldn't help the small smile on my lips as I pulled one of the large custom made shotguns out of the crate along with the wooden bullets that have been carved to ensure the tip was deadly sharp.

While the crowd of werewolves moved around us, trying to get every last detail sorted before we leave the castle, for hopefully not the last time, I demonstrated to Jenny how to put the safety on the gun on, ensure she kept the barrel away from herself or anyone on our side before loading. 

The green haired mermaid, who I once considered being my biggest enemy when it came to winning my mate's heart, was now standing here with me as I taught her the safety and practically of the gun. A paradoxical reality to where we began and the absurd situations we have been in, both as enemies and now allies. 

In a seemingly absurd twist of fate, she was my savior and I somehow became her... friend?

Maybe it was my good teacher or her laser focus, but either way after a few minutes, Jenny quickly caught on to the mechanics of operating such a lethal force.

I, myself, had to learn to operate the weapon for this fight. It wasn't the modus operandi of werewolves, not when we have claws and sharp canine teeth. However, it was an efficient method for what we plan to do tonight, especially since we'll be in human form for the most part.

When it was finally midnight, marking the hour countdown to our meeting with the vampires, everyone began filing out of the castle, climbing into a fleet of trucks and buses which carried our precious cargo; blood filled syringes packed in coolers of ice. The largest blood drive I'd ever witnessed.

Two buses of werewolves were going to follow Aiden's vehicle, the other were going to wait about a mile away, not unknown to the vampires, but close enough to reach us when we revealed the secrets of the blood.

As the last pack member walked out the front doors, I stood back as I saw Aiden looking around the castle from his stance in the center of the foyer. 

A wistful glance at his home and the laughter that filled the walls.

When he finally turned and spotted me staring at him, a small smile on his lips.

"Ready to go?" I asked.

He nodded as he stride towards me, "Not quite." Aiden brushed my hair back, his hands smoothing the strays until he caressed my neck, "If we're ambushed-"

"We won't be-" I tried to sooth him, but he shook his head.

"If we are... leave me, okay? Run as fast and as far as you can, I'll hold back whatever danger it is, I just need you to run," His somber tone created fissures in the shield I wore tonight to protect my brave façade. I'd be ignorant to believe tonight didn't come without danger.