The Challenge (The Pack 2)

Trent peeled his shirt off without hesitation and I glanced away, still not accustomed to the easy nudity the shifters displayed. I caught Anna checking him out and when Trent winked, she flushed, ducking her head.

“Dylan will take the lead. Trent and I will flank you. Payne, you bring up the rear,” Dom ordered, his eyes sweeping over us to make sure we obeyed. I nodded easily, Anna grimaced but nodded, and Payne moved to the rear.

I brushed my hand over Dylan’s arm and asked him in a low voice, “Are you ready?” He nodded jerkily, his hands knotted together and I smiled softly. “You’re brave to do this. I know Monster will be happy to see you.” The mention of Monster cheered him and his hands relaxed. When I turned back, both men had shifted and stood ready. “Let’s go get Monster,” I told Dylan and he started forward. Within seconds, the two wolves had disappeared into the shadows, leaving me, Anna, and Payne to follow Dylan.

We remained silent as we entered Hanley lands, none of us wanting to alert any potential patrols of our presence. Liam had revealed that the Hanley Alpha had been planning this attack since before his son’s death. He’d wanted his grandson back and used the challenge as a way to assess the situation. He hadn’t expected his son to lose though and that fact had made him even more volatile. He’d increased patrols but the Hanley pack’s reduced numbers meant most of them were doing double duty patrolling and they had become careless.

We used that fact to our advantage as we approached their compound from the rear. We skirted a sleeping guard and I felt Dylan tremble. I assumed it was fear until one of the security lights revealed his expression. Anger contorted his face, the sight startling me enough that I hesitated to touch him. I wiggled my fingers, catching his attention, and when he glanced at me, I mouthed, “Monster,” to him. Slowly, his expression eased back into a more relaxed one and I heaved a sigh of relief.

Dom brushed against me, his enormous size bringing him even with my chest. He’d assured me that he could track Monster and Nicky’s scents once we were close enough, and once he had my attention, he trotted off. This way, he pushed through the bond and as Anna followed him, I figured he must have sent it to through the Pack bond as well.

Dylan lumbered after him and I moved quickly to keep up. I hadn’t spotted Trent since he’d shifted but knew he had to be around somewhere. Our goal was to get Monster and Nicky and get out before our presence was noted. It would be hard enough getting the boys back home without having to add running for our lives to the equation.

Loud voices had me glancing around for a place to hide. Payne jerked me toward a building, gesturing for me to crouch down next to some garbage cans. My nose wrinkled at the stench but I remained still as they passed us. Clearly, they didn’t expect us to sneak on to their land because the two men didn’t even glance around.

Once we left the protection of the garbage, Dom chuffed, shaking his head as he attempted to get the scent of garbage out of his nose. He started moving, his head swinging back to check I was still with them as he guided us further into the Hanley compound.

Only a few security lights lit up the area making it difficult for me to see. Payne didn’t seem to have the same problem as he glided silently along while I stumbled after them. Finally, we came to a stop as Dom sniffed one of the buildings. This one, he told us and Payne checked the windows, nodding in confirmation when he came to one in the back.

My heart leapt at the knowledge the boys were actually there and safe and I moved forward to see for myself. When I went to glance through the window though, I saw the door open inside. I ducked my head, my heart thumping as I prayed they hadn’t seen me. If they raised the alarm now, we were screwed.

A door slammed, and we heard someone say, “They’re fine. Don’t know why we have to babysit them though. No one is going to risk coming on to our land.”

“Better than night patrol,” another voice answered. “Wouldn’t want to be Blaine tonight.”

Payne squatted next to me but when he heard them, he slowly stood, making sure he was out of sight of the window. Dylan growled next to me, a low continuous rumble that made me nervous. I laid my hand on his arm, trying to smile soothingly, as I patted his arm. His growling finally ceased, but he remained tense.