To Seduce a Mortal |18+✔

Book 8⌇21. Tactics

Chapter 21 ∣  Tactics

-Evicka

After everything that had happened since the moment Lucca refused to execute Maverick at the request of the Alpha King, I wasn't about to let us slip further down in this war.

We ran, heading into the forest once we'd received a tip from a neighboring coven's assassin at where the whereabouts were of Alpha Hendrix. My eyes narrowed, gritting my teeth together at the mere memory of Rainier betraying us all.

For what?

His mate.

A werewolf at that.

I couldn't imagine what would have happened if someone in our family had been mated to one of those disgusting creatures. He manipulated Rainier into turning his back on everything...

I saved his life. I protected him when no one else would.

The shift in my eyes reflected the moonlight off the black rose irises, knowing Killian was around us, Zak, and his twin rangers right behind me.

What pissed me off more, was that Lucca thought so little of me. That I wasn't as strong as I used to be, Maverick having siphoned my blood magic long ago. I didn't need it to be strong or to protect my family and the vampire species, along with the hunters that remained aligned with us.

The problem is...

...Lucca hadn't shown me the vast number of letters that had come in within the past few months. Covens were torn apart, hunted down by packs leaving their lands and territories. They were carrying out orders by this mysterious wolf that led them all. Four covens were slaughtered in Washington and the trend seemed to be working its way south. Maverick had told us of where Alpha Hendrix resided, learning of how he came to lead that pack was rather intriguing. They were no longer there when we went searching, though they didn't stray far after all.

I glanced back over my shoulder, my long white hair whipping to the side as I eyed Clover. She had her Oneida strapped to her back, but after Zak had outfitted her with silenced pistols, she'd be able to shoot any of the wolves we came across from afar. Murdering them would just draw unwanted attention, drawing out the whole pack would put our position at risk, and I was just here for their Alpha.

I could smell them, which meant that any Thetas who were out scouring the perimeter of this area would surely catch our scent. Halting on a nearby tree branch, I sighed, kneeling down on my right knee, and glancing out through the trees. Ryker and Clover had stopped on either side of me, their silence is eerie as they waited for a command.

It took a lot...to trust them. With what happened with Enock and Kadessa, I wasn't so quick to trust hunters of their abilities. It could turn deadly in a split second. They never showed any ill-will toward my family and for that, I was grateful. Rainier flashed to my mind, knowing I couldn't predict the reasons why someone would betray another.

Out of the corner of my eye, Zak rested on the tree opposite where we were stationed, his white irises seeing what I had noticed. About a mile out, there was a large bonfire. What looked to be games, a feast, and a celebration taking place.

Celebrating what, exactly...I had no idea. What bothered me, was the three young teenagers who couldn't have been much older than thirteen or fourteen who had strayed away from the merriment and ventured off on their own.

"Which one of you are going to follow me?" I asked cautiously and low, observing the teenagers pushing and shoving each other. Their laughter carried out, their senses dulled and not picking upon us.

Ryker and Clover eyed one another before his sister stated, "I'll go up close."

"Killian," I whispered, knowing full well even though I couldn't sense him, he could hear and see everything that was playing out, "Loop around and track down Alpha Hendrix and Rainier," Zak tensed at his friend's name being spoken, "Lure the target away."