Torn

Chapter 33✓

Xander

We get out of the vehicle and walk around to gather with the rest of the warriors. Quinn quickly debriefs them on the plan once the guns and ammo begin to be distributed between the men and the few women that we have with us. I grab my weapons; two matte black pistols, an extra clip of bullets and a wicked looking blade, strapping them into the waistline of my pants, and a strap I have on both calves. I watch as Quinn and the betas begin to do the same and focus on calming my beating heart. Once everyone is settled, we head out.

"Listen up!" I shout, getting everyone's attention. "Alpha Quinn and I need you all to know just how grateful we are to have you standing by our side with us today. We have two incredibly strong packs here, and once we rescue our Luna; we will be one, we will be the strongest pack in North America. So, I ask of you, not to do this mission for your Alphas, but to do this for your Luna. Do this for the future of your pack. We recognize your lives are on the line and your Alphas do not take this for granted."

"Stand united. Stand strong. We are one." Quinn finishes for me, his voice strong and full of authority.

No words could ever express the gratitude we have for the strength and loyalty of our members. Every person in front of us tilts their heads, exposing their necks as a sign of submission and loyalty. Pride blooms in my chest as I watch my people bow, knowing that they would lay down their lives for me, just as I would for them.

Quinn and I nod our heads in return, showing our respect to the pack. I turn and look at the deep forest surrounding us and the pressure I feel in my chest expands. The anxiety that has been building momentarily overwhelms me, and I need to make sure that my pack doesn't see the weakness I am showing. I take a few steps away from the warriors and focus on the darkness between the trees, giving myself just one single moment to focus on my breathing and mind space before we must leave.

A hand clasps onto my shoulder and I look back to see Quinn staring at me with concern. The warmth of his hand seeps through my shirt, and he gives my shoulder a light squeeze. He nods at me, and I notice his brows are furrowed deeply. I'm sure he's feeling pretty similar to how I am, I realize. This is the girl we have both desired and fallen for, the girl we have loved since childhood. We needed this to go flawlessly.

I take a deep breath and nod to Quinn. I know we cannot prolong this a moment longer. Every moment we dwell here is another moment Carter remains unsafe. This anxiety and building pressure within my chest will not ease until she is safely back in my arms. My wolf will not be able to rest until he feels her warmth and our scent is entwined with hers.

"Move out!" I yell as Quinn and I begin to walk into the dense underbrush.

I can't help the feral smile that spreads across my face as the rhythmic pounding of marching footsteps falls in line behind me. Those fuckers have no idea what is coming for them. I will make them regret the day they were born for taking my Carter from me. This is going to be fun.

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The closer we get to the lab, the quieter and swifter our movements become. When we are within sight of the crumbling building, I clench my hand into a fist and hold it up above my head in a signal to halt our progression.

I turn back to look at the betas and Quinn. "We need to separate into three groups. Quinn, take Liam and some warriors and take the front, I'll take my beta, Cole, along with some of my own warriors and we will take the rear. The rest of you will spread out among the trees and keep watch. No one leaves here without our say-so. Do you understand?" I look my wolves in the eyes and wait for their sign of submission.

A soft chorus goes through the warriors. "Yes, Alpha."

"Split up," I command.

I watch as the men and women I dictated as Team Three, begin to slowly stalk their way through the trees. Once they have chosen their spot for surveillance, they made sure they are unseen. It is impressive how well they can blend into the scenery. If I had not been watching them maneuver through the trees, I would have never known they were there, to begin with.

When the warriors are completely in place throughout the trees, I look over to Quinn and nod, letting him know that now was the time for us to move.

My beta, ten warriors and I begin to move to the left, towards the rear side of the building. While Quinn and his beta, along with another ten warriors move to the right, towards the front.

We are completely silent as we make our way to the backside of the building. My eyes lock onto the only door along the wall and the two bulky men that are currently standing guard. In both of their hands, they hold heavy assault rifles.

They're armed, be careful. I mind-link the rest of the pack.

A loud screech pulls my attention to the guards to see a white van speeding towards the back of the building, before slamming on the breaks and skidding to a stop before the back door. Dust floats up through the air and begins to settle slowly around the vehicle.

Quinn, hold up. Something is going on back here. I have a bad feeling about this. I tell him through the link.

What's going on, Xander? It's quiet at the front. We don't have any guards. It could be a trap? I can hear the tension in his voice.

I send the images of what is going on to him through the link and my eyes flicker back and forth between the still unmoving guards, to the vehicle. The van door slams open, and the man Liam showed us from the science magazine jumps out before stalking over to the building's rear entrance.

He's here. That scientist dude. He just got out of the van and is now heading into the building. She has to be here! I am practically shouting through the link to Quinn at this point.

We are heading in through the front, keep an eye on the back for the scientist. I'll link through when I know more. Be safe, Xander.

Before I can respond the scientist comes flying out of the backdoor carrying a wooden crate in his arms. He loads the crate before turning back and grabbing a few more boxes to put into the back of the van. The scientist again walks back into the building before dragging someone out behind him and I stop breathing completely as my blood run turns to ice.

I didn't know how I would react, all these years later. I've thought through how I would handle seeing him again, through tears, anger, pain. This mother fucker has my brother and I'm paralyzed.

I watch with wide eyes as that bastard drags my brother towards the van before shoving him in the back with the crates. Cole places his hand on my shoulder, but I can't look at him. I can't tear my eyes from my twin who was just thrown around by a human.

The van door slams shut, and I snap my head back and look at Cole. Fire blazes in my betas eyes and I knew he was furious. My breath is ragged, and my heart feels like it is going to explode in my chest from how hard it is beating.

"Get my girl, Cole. Get her out, safe." My voice is nothing more than a guttural growl.

"Yes, Alpha." He nods.

I take a deep breath and allow my wolf to take full control, my clothes and weapons drop to the ground, forgotten with a heavy thud. My plans for a swift and easy in-and-out mission have been thrown out the window. Guns and knives won't be satisfying enough.

I have fully shifted before I even have a chance to feel it, and when my wolfs mind and mine become one, my beast is flying through the trees. He is silent in his movements, every move he makes is calculated. My wolf has never been more thrilled about the thought of the kill. His low growl in my mind promises blood and I'm starved for it. This ends now. A feral, toothy grin spreads along his snout.

I smile and laugh darkly. Let's do this, big guy.