An Idol for the Omega

Chapter 28: Trap

Braden

Seodulleo. Hurry back. Seodulleo.

The tensions of the others barely filtered through my mind. Jae actually communicated using the pack link, specifically sending me his thoughts! I wanted to charge out of this van and race back, to shower him with kisses.

I bounced in my spot in the back of the van as we slowly traveled along the road. We're driving slower than the speed limit, for an easy pace for the warriors surrounding us hidden in the woods. They won't wear out and will be able to sense danger before we drive right into it.

The hope on everyone's mind is that a horse just got lose and injured in the woods, or traveling outside of their farmland. The Luna already checked his messages at the clinic, but none of the farmers called about an animal injury. The fear is that this is all a trick.

Our route takes us away from town and we make our way outside of the pack territory. The view doesn't change, the road traversing through tree packed woods and the occasional open field. The Cascades looming up over us off in the distance.

Seeing them reminds me that the Beta and the others are gone right now, somewhere in the mountain range. We know they're not alone but being aided by the Dark Rains pack whose territory lies on the other side of the mountains from us. We won't have to go that far, our access point for the van to travel towards where the horse was scented should be coming up. I also remind myself that we're still within range to communicate with the pack, if need be.

Soon, the van is turning off the main highway, onto a maintenance road. The driver, an older unmated warrior named Mason, carefully navigates the bumpy, dirt road. We should be able to take this almost to the point where the patrol members believe the injured animal is. The Luna is seated up in the passenger seat and him and the Alpha converse in all seriousness, going over the plan upon arrival.

The shifted warriors are traveling closer now, jogging along the side of the of the van or evident within the trees. No updates over our pack link means nothing suspicious so far. As we continue along all of us in the van, aside from the Luna, unconsciously breathe deeper, waiting for the scent of blood to hit. It starts as a faint whiff and quickly turns into a much stronger odor. No other unfamiliar scents are in the air.

I crane my neck to view out the windshield around the Alpha, pressed up towards the front. There is nothing visible, but the stench of stagnant blood is becoming intense.

To the west. Warrior Jenna alerts us. Turning our heads in that direction, I can make her dark brown wolf pointing the way into the trees.

Alright. Jenna and Bruce, take your groups first, the Alpha orders. We'll grab what Alec needs and head there.

Half of our group take off into the trees and I follow the Alpha out of the van. Alpha Christopher stays close to the Luna's side as the rest of the warriors gather around. Tanner and Patrick shift and I pass them some clothes. They'll help carry the supplies the Luna needs as well as act as his personal guards along with Mason and myself.

I'm not as much of a fighter as the other warriors here, only allowed along to help out the Luna since I'm familiar with his vet tools, but I can defend myself against an attacker and will protect Luna Alec with my life. There isn't much to carry, just a couple of bags and soon the Alpha leads the rest of us off away from the road.

Now, along with the strong animal and blood smell, we can follow the scent trail of the others. Aside from the trees and dirt, I don't smell anything else. I stick close to the Luna's side as we slowly make our way through the dense trees. The warriors spread out protectively all around the vet. The sound of paws and the crunch of feet over the ground is the only sound.