Chapter 3 - Stephen

Clement’s presence and stupidity aside, being in Incubi isn’t that bad. Even if I almost made an ass of myself by getting too close to Luna Crista’s younger sister. But thankfully, Darren was about to point out my misstep, and I was able to quickly correct it. 

At least I didn’t get on his bad side, or at least that’s what I’m going to believe. He did choose to bring me with his team when Madonie attacked again. 

As we raced to fight, I felt apprehensive. Not about fighting. I’m willing to fight and protect as needed. No, my issue was I knew we were going to face a dozen or so enemies, yet I felt no malice or hate coming from their direction. 

When the Syndicate attacked Bloodmoon two years ago, I knew where they were. I felt their malice and hate for our people. I didn’t feel any of that as Conway’s paw pounded on the ground with the others. 

I was actually relieved when we came to a stop. Apparently, it was just to allow Alpha André a chance to scout ahead. But sitting there didn’t feel right either. 

As much as I didn’t feel malice from the large group ahead of us, I felt some off to the left. Before speaking up about it, Darren called Collin and me to follow him. I didn’t realize his gift was similar to mine. How did he know there was another group of actual enemies? 

As he left it to Collin and me to handle the trio so he could check on Alpha André, I couldn’t hold my questions back. ‘Does Captain Darren have a sensory gift?’ I questioned.  

‘Nope. The Delaney family can cloak their presence. Darren just has gut feelings, and they are rarely wrong. Now let me concentrate, kid.’ Collin answered. 

I fell silent, not sure why we were still standing here waiting. But then the trio of wolves fell to the ground. ‘What… how?’ I questioned as I walked out of where we’d been observing from. 

“Kearney wolves have mental abilities. I was able to overload their minds and knock them out. Now, why did you ask about sensory gifts? Just because Darren led us to them?” Collin questioned after he’d shifted. 

I followed suit, shifting back to human to help carry the Madonie wolves back. “Well, because I’m a sensory wolf. I can detect malice. The larger group we were originally going after, I couldn’t really pick any up, but I felt these three.”  

Collin nodded, grunting as he hauled one of the wolves over his shoulder. “That will be very helpful since it appears Ignazio likes to mix civilians into his battle plans. Grab one of them, and we can drag the third.” 

“What kind of Alpha uses untrained civilians for war.” I frowned, hauling one of the wolves onto my shoulders and grabbing the hind legs of the other as Collin grabbed their front legs.  

“The kind that our Alpha kills. Now let’s get these ones back.” Collin shrugged as he hefted the three wolves back to the transports.  

Once there, we were able to bind them with silver. Everyone else arrived, escorting malnourished civilians to the trucks. I watched, frowning as they were being loaded up. This Alpha is a piece of shit. He doesn’t deserve to be a leader if he treats his people like this. 

My head cocked as I saw a rogue start to climb into the truck of civilians. “Not him.” I quickly stepped forward, grabbing his collar.  

“What’s the meaning of this?” The rogue demanded, snarling at me. 

“You’re no civilian. You’re a rogue. And while you don’t have as much hate as the three we caught, I can smell it on you. You go with the prisoners.” I growled, feeling Conway starting to come forward.  

An Incubi warrior raised his brow at me and looked to Collin behind me. This rogue smelled of envy and anger. It’s a dangerous combination. I don’t know where the innocent citizens are being taken but this rogue doesn’t belong on that truck. 

“Trust him. Sniffing out his kind is why we have the greenhorn with us.” Collin assured. The warrior shrugged and helped me haul the rogue to the other transport to be sent to a cell.  

“Good job, Stephen. Let’s head back and debrief before we hit the hay.” Collin patted my shoulder as we climbed into our transport back to the city. 

I wasn’t surprised that Clement got himself injured, least of all that it was the Beta Heir and, therefore, Miss Zoe’s brother that injured him. I was told he deserved it after trying to attack a civilian without thinking. Fucker deserves whatever he gets.  

I was also surprised when Darren called us for a meeting and said we’d have bright and early training to better our teamwork with the Incubi warriors. We are allies with this pack, so strengthening that through training can only make things better. As long as we have the time to do it, I think it’s a great idea. 

The downside of morning training? It’s morning training. I don’t mind mornings but waking up at the crack of dawn is not my style. But here I am, lining up with everyone else from Bloodmoon in the indoor training grounds Incubi has. It’s a really nice set up on par with back home. 

I was a little distracted and confused as I noticed Miss Zoe was looking at me intently from the platform where she flanked Alpha André. I almost missed what Clement was saying in the link. 

I didn’t get why he’d not want to be chosen to spar with Alpha André. Sure he’d lose, but for a ranked wolf to decide to spar, someone like us either says they wanted a light workout or that they respect us. 

My confusion about why Zoe was watching me went out the window when Clement opened his mouth and inserted his foot so deep I think his toes are poking out his ass. Why the hell is stupid enough to make a homophobic comment!? Apparently Clement. 

I don’t blame Captain Darren or his wolf for wanting to snap Clement’s neck. He insulted an Alpha heir of the pack that we are here to help. Bloodmoon is not a pack that encourages or approves of shit like that. Alpha Logan is going to have Clement’s head mounted on a wall for this.  

Like the rest of my packmates, I was grinning, trying to not laugh as Clement got his ass swiftly handed to him by Alpha André. Hopefully, he’ll be out of commission for a while. I know it’s unlikely, but a guy can dream. Then we don’t have to deal with this stupidity for the remainder of this war. 

As everyone was pairing off, I looked around, trying to find someone from Incubi to spar with, not thinking twice about Alpha André deciding to spar with Captain Darren. Of everyone sent by Bloodmoon, he’s the most likely to keep up with an Alpha heir.  

I blinked, turning around as someone tapped my shoulder. “You’re with me, handsome.” Miss Zoe was smirking at me.  

“Um… okay. I’m not sure this is going to be a very even match.” I pointed out as she grabbed my hand and led the way to an open area.  

“Oh, you think you’re that good?” She arched an eyebrow looking me over like she was weighing and measuring my value. 

“What? Oh no. Not like that. I meant you’re a Beta heir, and I’m nothing. More worried I’ll be a disappointing partner.” I assured, holding my hands up. The last thing I want to do is sound like some cocky shithead like Clement.