The Alphas Sister (Complete)

Chapter Twenty-Four: Into the Unknown

I woke to an empty bed, hand groping the cool sheets—Electra gone. Frowning, I grumbled, missing her warmth, the tingles that'd lulled me to sleep. A rustle came from her wardrobe, fabric sliding. "What're you doing?" I called, voice rough, still half-asleep.

She stepped out—green sweater loose, brown hair tousled—bag slung over her shoulder. "Packing. Wanna be sure I've got everything." She shrugged, disappearing back into the narrow closet, hangers clinking.

I rolled out of bed, leg twinging faintly—Cade's gash a dull memory now—and padded over, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed. My wrapped hand flexed, stiff but functional, as I watched her stuff jeans and a jacket into a duffel. "You know we're only camping one night, right?" I chuckled, teasing.

She kept packing, frown creasing her brow. "Just wanna be prepared." Her voice was tight, focused—nerves peeking through.

I studied her—quick hands, determined set to her jaw—until she zipped the bag. "Alright, done," she said, finally meeting my eyes. "Aren't you getting ready?"

I grinned, stepping closer. "I'll wear yesterday's stuff—one night, no big deal." I pulled her into a hug, her wildflower scent washing over me, tingles sparking soft. "When we get back, I've got something to show you."

She wrapped her arms around me, pressing close. "You can't just say that—now I'll be guessing 'til we're home." She sighed, mock-annoyed, breath warm against my chest.

I kissed her head, lips lingering in her hair. "It's worth the wait." Another kiss, then I let go, grabbing my shirt and jeans off the floor. Her scent clung to the fabric—faint wildflowers, her—and I hummed, content, tugging it on. Boots next, laces tight.

She grabbed my hand—tingles flaring, steady—and hefted her bag. We headed outside, morning sun slanting through the pines, air crisp with dew. The meeting spot—a clearing by the pack house's gravel lot—buzzed quiet. Electra dropped my hand, darting to her parents. Mr. Harris stood broad, grey-white hair glinting, Elena beside him, her dark bun neat again.

I strode to the escorts—Matt and Riley, packs slung over their shoulders. "Hey, Matt—didn't expect you on this," I said, shaking his hand. I nodded at Riley—lean, dark-eyed, a border regular.

"Hey, Kyan!" Matt grinned, clapping my shoulder. "They asked for volunteers—I jumped in. I figured you and Electra'd be mates—you were always drawn together" His eyes flicked to her, warm.

I rubbed my neck, sheepish. "I guess we were..." That pull—airport glances, forest runs—had been there, rule or not.

Mr. Harris called us over, voice booming. "Alright—quick mission." He stood tall, ex-alpha weight in every word, handing a folded map to Riley. "Cabin's marked here—in no-man's-land. It's five hours at a fast pace, no stops. You'll have to camp overnight—you won't make it back before dark." His hazel eyes swept us—me, Electra, Matt, Riley. "Be baack tomorrow. Take no risks."

We hoisted our packs—bedrolls, two small tents, water—and started off. Electra's hand found mine, tingles grounding me as we left pack lands, crossing the sage-scented border into the wild stretch—50 kilometres of pine and peril.

First two hours dragged—silent, tense. Boots crunched needles, wind hissed through branches, but no rogue howls broke the quiet. Odd—after those bastards breached our land so many times, I'd expected teeth by now. Even my solo run out here had been empty. Too still.

We traded small talk as pines thickened—Matt joking about Riley's snoring, Electra asking if grapes grew wild here. Laughter faded near a clearing—grass patchy, air heavier. "We're close now," Riley muttered, map crinkling. "Less than an hour to go."

Electra's grip tightened, anxiety humming through our bond. I slid my arm around her shoulders, her head tucking into me. "You alright?" I asked, voice low, concern sharp.

She nodded, snuggling closer—wildflowers against my side. "Yeah... just want to see it. The last piece of my past." Her voice wavered, soft but firm.

"Won't be long," I said, scanning ahead. Matt and Riley halted, heads swivelling. "Hey, Kyan?" Matt called, arms crossed, tension in his stance. "We've got a problem."

We caught up, pine sap thick in the air. "What's wrong?" I asked, peering past them.

Matt sighed, jaw tight. "Pack border—fresh, strong. Ain't on the map." Riley frowned at the paper, tracing lines.

"Neighbour expansion?" I asked—our allies wouldn't mind a quick crossing.

"Nah," Matt said, sniffing deep. "Smells different—new, not one of ours."

"Shit," I muttered, mind racing. Electra's cabin was beyond this line—close, but now dicey. I turned to her, letting her go, eyes locking. "Your call, Electra. Head back, or push on?"

She scanned the trees, green eyes steady despite the nerves. "We're almost there. We'll be in and out quick, before they notice." She stepped forward, resolute. "Let's go."

My little rebel—I grinned, proud, but wary.

Twenty minutes deeper, rustling snapped us alert—twigs cracking, leaves shifting, all around. Matt sniffed, tense. "Not rogues—pack wolves." His instincts flared, scanning.

"Everyone, knees," I ordered, dropping fast—beta tone sharp, showing submission, not threat. Electra knelt beside me, Matt and Riley following, dirt cool under us.

Ten figures emerged—camo gear, rifles slung, boots silent on pine needles. A tall one—broad, buzz-cut, scars crisscrossing his jaw—stepped forward, voice gravelly. "What're you doing on our land?" Aggression rolled off him, gun steady.

I straightened slightly, beta calm kicking in. "Sorry for intruding. We're just visiting a cabin here—then we're gone." My voice stayed even, hand on Electra's shoulder—tingles faint, grounding.

"You knew this was our land," he shot back, accusation biting.

"There's no record of your claim," I said, diplomatic but firm. "We didn't mean to disturb you."

They circled closer, rifles glinting—too close. One loomed behind Electra, his shadow falling over her. "Back off," I growled, low and feral, hackles rising—mate instinct flaring.

Buzz-cut smirked, stepping from the trees—boots scuffed, camo frayed. "Pack rules—you're trespassing. Why let you go?" His tone taunted, eyes narrowing.

Electra shifted, voice small but clear. "Please... I just want see where my mother left me—as a baby, years ago. Then we'll leave."

He paused, intrigued. "What d'you mean, 'your mother'? That cabin's been gone for years." His scarred brow arched.

The guy behind us edged nearer—too near. My temper snapped—I lunged up, growling, ready to rip him off her. Something stung my neck—sharp, cold. I clawed at it—a dart, silver-tipped—drowsiness flooded fast, limbs heavy.

"Kyan!" Electra's cry pierced the haze, desperate.

I swayed, vision blurring—pine trunks tilting, her face fading.

Darkness swallowed me.