Chapter 011: Web of Lies

Ava's POV 

Early morning mist hung on the ground as I headed for the training grounds. Although the chilly air hurt my cheeks, it was not at all like the shiver that had crept into my bones since discovering Riley's body. The whole pack was on edge after his murder, and the rumors of a traitor among us had only become louder.

"The real traitor is already among you," the message eluded me from memory. Riley's death and everything else that had transpired came from someone we trusted. Still, who? And before we learned the truth, how much harm would they cause?

Jackson was dueling some of the younger wolves as I arrived at the training areas. His motions were frantic, and his wrath propelled every hit. Riley had been his closest friend, like a brother; his irritation and anguish were obvious.

He stopped when he saw me observing and dabbed at his brow to clear sweat. "You're up early," he replied, his voice hoarse.

Walking nearer, I said, "I needed some air." "And I wanted to see how you were managing."

Jackson's eyes locked with mine, and I briefly felt the tiredness in them. "I'm fine," he said too rapidly. "Everyone has to be kept constantly on alert. Though Blackthorn's next action is yet unknown, it will be shortly."

I nodded, staring at the young wolves under instruction close by. "You are right. Still, we also have to identify the person behind this. There is someone within the pack providing him information. Riley's passing indicates much."

When Riley's name came up, he stiffened. "I'm aware. I will take care of it.

I sighed, annoyed crawling under my flesh. "You keep repeating that, but we cannot continue to react to assaults and hope we will be lucky. Jackson, we really need a strategy. an actual one."

His jaw clenched, then his face relaxed, and for a minute I sensed vulnerability flickering in there. "I'm trying my best, Ava. But it's difficult to know who to believe with the pack on edge and the traitor still lurking in the shadows."

And faith was there once more. One item that seems to be quite scarce these days. Even amongst us. "Then we need to do something different," I murmured, a different idea starting to grow in my head. "We have to bring the traitor forward."

Jackson's brow wriggled. "what are you thinking?"

"A trap," I said, speaking steadily. "We watch who attempts to act on bogus knowledge we feed. The one that grabs the bait will be our traitor.

He hesitated, obviously balancing the hazards. "And should Blackthorn learn about it? He might assault once more before we are ready.

"That's a risk we'll have to take," I responded with much conviction. " Otherwise, we are only waiting for the next strike to land. And we might not be blessed enough to make it through it.

Jackson's eyes locked mine and I could sense the turmoil there. Then, though, he nodded gently. "Alright. Let us create a trap".

As we started talking about the specifics, the stress relaxed somewhat in my chest. We decided to create a narrative about a supply run to a remote site far from the typical pack boundary. Should the traitor take action, they would be revealed. Though not perfect, it was the greatest opportunity we had.

The following several days went in a haze of getting ready. We kept the pack on high alert, exercised more intensely, and gently shared the supply run rumor. We could only wait and watch, praying our trap would succeed.

Jackson convened a conference the night before the expected run. When I got to his office, some of the senior wolves were already gathered with sad faces.

Jackson looked at me across the room. His voice calm, "the scouts spotted movement near the rendezvous point," he continued. "Looks like someone grabbed the hook."

A murmur of mixed relief and fear swept throughout the room. If someone were there, our trap would operate as expected. That implied, though, that whomever was providing Blackthorn with intelligence had acted swiftly. Too rapidly.

Jackson's face grew firm. We go in the morning. We will deal with whoever turns up.

I nodded, the weight of what we were about to undertake slumping over me. This was it. Our opportunity to expose the truth and at last end the uncertainty ripping the pack apart.

We headed quickly and discreetly over the deep woodland the next morning before daylight. The air was charged with expectancy, and my pulse pulsed in sync with the subdued rustle of leaves below. Jackson urged the troop to disperse and surround the clearing where the fictitious supply run was scheduled to occur.

I bent down behind a bush, peering between the trees with quiet puffs of breathing. As I saw a figure appear far away, their motions deliberate yet wary, my pulse surged. Their features were tough to see, but as they approached I identified sandy blond hair.

My breath seized in my throat. Riley? < It is not possible. He died.

But as the man approached, the connection confirmed and I knew, with a sinking heart, I was gazing at someone who looked just like Riley. This alone was not him. Evan, his younger brother, was involved.

Evan Riley, who had left the pack years ago and had not seen again. He was doing what right now here?

Jackson must have seen him too as he came out of the thicket with incredulity in his voice. Evean? Why are you here?

Evan stopped, his look a mix of shame and bewilderment as he turned to meet Jackson. "I—I didn't expect to see you here," he stuttered.

Jackson insisted, "answer the question," moving forward a step. " What are you doing here?"

Evan paused then sunk in his shoulders. With a trembling voice, he said, "I came back because of Riley." "He informed me something hazardous was happening in the pack. But he died before he could go over everything."

The words floated thick in the air, and Jackson's eyes flashed with suffering. "Riley contacted you?" he questioned, his voice harsh.

Evan gestured. "He believed someone was organizing something really large. He called me saying he needed my assistance as he had no idea who to believe." His eyes then turned to mine. "He was scheduled to see me the night he passed."

As I considered his remarks, a chill crept down my spine. Riley's death might not have been a coincidence if he had suspicions since then.

Jackson tightened his jaw. His tone was critical, "Why didn't you come forward sooner?" he questioned. "You might have helped us identify the person behind this."

Evan's voice quivering, he said, "I was scared." "I thought... maybe whoever did this wouldn't follow after me too if I stayed away." Still, I later learned about the supply run. I considered if it was a trap for me.

My head fl upew. Riley may have been close to revealing the identity of the traitor if he had sensed a scheme. And should his death be a warning, we were dealing with someone considerably more deadly than we had known.

"We have to return to the packhouse," Jackson replied, his tone sharp. "We have to find out who it is before someone strikes once if someone is targeting anyone who gets near to the truth."

But just as we were about to go, the trees let out a tremendous crack and then the sound of racing feet. My heart jumping into my throat, I whirled around as a man barreled out of the forest at us.

One of our own scouts, he was panting fiercely and had a pale, terrified face. " Alpha," he breathed, stammering forward. "The packhouse has had... an attack."

Jackson's eyes became wide with panic. "What happened?" he asked?

Men of Blackthorn: The scout said, his voice breaking: "They are inside the borders." "They're aiming at the twins."

My blood ran cold, and the planet appeared to slink underfoot. Lily & Caleb. My kids. in jeopardy once more.

Jackson curled his fingers around my arm, his hold strong and consistent. "We have to move," he whispered, his voice echoing the rapid pounding of my heart with haste. " Now."

We launched out into the trees, adrenaline driving us faster than I could have imagined without another word. My head ran with worst-case situations, each step moving us closer to the packhouse and toward whatever was ahead.

I saw the anarchy developing as we pushed through the tree line: wolves fighting in the open courtyard, snarls and growls all around. My eyes strayed to the packhouse doors and I saw Blackthorn's soldiers pushing their way in.

Terror and rage shot through me, and I sprinted for the door. 'Lily! Caleb!" I yelled, terror fresh in my voice.

Jackson was close behind me, his angry eyes flashing. "I'll deal with the intruders," he snipped. "Finding the twins."

I had no hesitation. Sensing something right, I hurried inside and negotiated the known hallways. When I arrived at the twins' room, I opened the door to discover them curled together in a corner with pale, fearful tiny faces.