Ignite | ✔

22

Smokescreen

HADEN

     Zara's fleeting smile echoed in my mind, a tantalizing mixture of challenge and uncertainty that left me chuckling with an odd sense of excitement. My eyes drifted south as I watched her walk away. She was a tempest, unpredictable and fiercely independent, and I found myself captivated by her spirit.

'Conner, get the rogue Rebecca upstairs,' I mindlinked him, please.

'Sounds like you're finally taking my advice,' he smartly said and I didn't have to be looking at him to see the smirk on his face, 'even has you learning some manners. Good for you, Almighty Alpha.'

'Just get it done, you ass,' I grumbled.

As she walked out the door, a weight settled over me. Her cryptic parting had left more questions than answers, and I couldn't help but wonder where we stood. I wanted us to be on a good path, not just for the sake of us but for the safety and the future of this pack. Before anything else, the pack deserved a Luna.

My musings were abruptly interrupted by the loud ringing of my phone. Glancing at the caller ID, and seeing Bryon's name flash across the screen, I picked it up with a smirk on my lips.     

"Missed it here already, Chambers?"

"Brightwood is under attack!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with urgency. My playful mood snapped away as he continued, "The Rogue King and his men... they breached their lands about half an hour ago. Ryland waited until the very last second to call for help, and I can't ignore it. They're one of my closest allies. They're outnumbered and struggling to fend the bastards off. I need every bit of help I can get."

"You already had me at Rogue King," I growled out, "I'll meet you on your borders in five."

My chest tightened as I hung up the phone and rushed outside, issuing a loud order for men to meet me in front of the pack house immediately. The Rogue King would meet his end tonight, I vowed as a snarl came across my lips. It was time to end all the chaos and discord among the packs. Vengeance bubbled inside me as I stood on the front steps of the house, watching men flood in at the urgency of my mind link. James found his place beside me and the men in front of us buzzed with tension as I briefed them on the situation.

"Listen up. Brightwood is under attack from the Rogue King," growls and protests rang in the air as I continued, "They aren't far from here and they are an ally of the Redwoods – which means they are an ally to us. I appreciate all of you for your help. Let's go kill this son of a bitch." Waves of agreement strung out as I shifted to my wolf and led us all to the Redwoods Pack.

Together, we pushed forward, the sight of the full moon taking its turn in the sky and the faint wind caressing my fur. It didn't take long for us to get to the Redwoods border and shortly after, we all ran towards the chaos. The sound of battle reached my ears long before we reached the outskirts of the Brightwood territory. The sight of red smoke billowed on the horizon, a grim indicator of the violence that had unfolded.

We arrived united, meeting the scene of destruction with hard eyes. With a sharp nod at Bryon, I watched him lead his men in one direction and I charged in another.

The air was thick with sweat, blood, and death, the true remnants of combat. The sounds of gnashing teeth, angry snarls, and painful shouts filled the air. Bryon wasn't lying. The Rogue King had brought war with him, and had we not shown up with our men, they would have been outnumbered until the end. The Brightwood Pack was desperately trying to hold their ground, I realized as I leaped at one of them and tore him to pieces. His rogue army seemed endless, their sheer numbers threatening to overwhelm our allies.