BETA

P A R T || N I N E T E E N

| D A R R E N

"Alpha, there haven't been any rogues sighted for the past week. We'd more than likely need to expand the patrol rounds by another 20 miles or so." Nik reported, staring at the same map of our lands I was. The yellowed paper was chipped at the edges but still intact enough to roll across my dad's old mahogany desk.

Well, that was good news in it's own way. The further the remaining of Jared's rogues were from us, the better. I rubbed my chin, watching Nik's finger trace a wide arch around the pack grounds.

"That's the question then, should we broaden the route just to catch these bastards? Is it worth it at that point? We're stretched thin as it is." Devin added from where he was wearing a circle into the floor boards from his pacing.

The man was built like a brick house, almost as tall as me with dark skin and coiled hair he kept short. He'd stepped into the position of my Third only a month ago, but the decision had been a good one. Devin has proved himself to be dependable with a fierce love for our pack.

"I could run the new route myself," Zev spoke up. It wasn't so much an offer as a statement of fact. He stood leaned against the wall.

We were still working on getting the electricity fully up and running on the second floor. Most of the light in the room was coming from the window letting the afternoon sun in. 

No one argued that he couldn't. That would have been a waste of breath.

"For how long? You and Kaleb aren't staying." Nik pointed out, crossing his arms.

"We need a more long-term solution," Devin sighed. "Just because we haven't crossed a rogue doesn't mean they aren't there, but hunting every last one down is probably higher than it should be on our priority list."

"You're not wrong. We're still settling in here and making it home but—" Nik began, I cut him off.

"Every last rogue who was there that day deserves to die," I growled, Nik and Devin shifted their gaze, lowering them slightly. "And, if possible, I'd love to make that happen. But I'm also not willing to risk any more of my pack's lives so soon after they were uprooted." I let out a breath. The wolf in me paced with the need to hunt down all threats to I urge pack and eliminate them.

"I'll run the border." Zev said again. "And kill whatever's left of Jared's whelps. Be happy to."

"Kaleb—" I start, but the big bastard cuts me off.

"Has Josh with him during the day. If I have to run during the night, then your mate can be there then too. I trust you both."

"He's not a babysitter." I groused, even though I would trust him to do the same if roles were reversed.

"Good thing Kaleb isn't a baby." Zev grinned, though it was more like a baring of teeth.

Nik and Devin shifted uncomfortably, eyeing Zev with a deserved amount of wariness.

I ran a hand down my face. "Alright, Zev you'll be taking the new route at night." I conceded. The big man just nodded, leaving the room without another word to go track down his mate. I really wish I could do the same.

Instead, I continue briefing through the ins and outs of keeping the pack safe with Nikolas and Devin. For the next two hours my concentration is centered solely on all things pack related.

We spent at least 30 minutes making sure there would be enough wolves to spare from patrol to join the hunt at the end of the week. We were stretched thin, if we had our former numbers...

I didn't let myself follow that thought and threw myself at the next issue instead. That issue being finding Samira's replacement.

'I can feel your gears grinding.' Josh gripes through our bond. 'What the hell are ya'll even talking about? Castration?' He complains.