Rejection Denied

Nixon

Orion caused this shit.

My packhouse is in disarray. The majority of my people are packed into the medical wing disabled. They can’t move their bodies, but they can still communicate with us. Alpha Jared and his champion are being monitored as well. They were both hit by a lot of darts, and they are not alert like the others.

It has been two days, and Cay is still being treated for his injuries. Whatever Orion used affected his wolf as well. So, he isn’t healing as fast as he could. You would think paralysis would eliminate the pain. But my brother is feeling every bit of it.

Broken fingers and toes. A black eye and scratches are running down his arms and legs. And a small puncture wound to the chest. Orion and his goons tortured him to prove that he was indeed a blood guard and bound to me.

My pack and my brother are vital to me. But their ailments are out of my control. Alpha Victor is a master herbalist, so he’s assisting the doctors. The only thing I can take the lead in is finding my mate. Orion already dug his grave for what he did to my pack, but now I’m going ensure he’s destroyed, with nothing to bury.

I need my mate back here safe and sound. When Cay asked for her, I didn’t dare tell him what happened. He believes Aviry is also paralyzed, which isn’t a lie. But I convinced him to get better first before he sees her.

“Nixon.” Alpha Kane pulled me from my thoughts. “Now that all of the warriors have arrived. Xavier is briefing them on the situation. We were able to capture a few of Orion’s people. They won’t give us any answers. So as alphas, we need to come up with a plan together.”

I nodded and walked over to the table. “We get both Aviry and Denver back. And then we kill Orion on sight.” Placing my hands on the table, I looked over at Alpha Sam and Kane. “That is my plan. Feel free to add to it. But those are the two main objectives.”

Sam chuckled. “I agree. But we have to find them first.” He pointed to an area on a map. “The trackers think they went further south. Plenty of woods and a shit ton of hiding places. It would be a lot easier to find Aviry if she was marked by her mate or mates in y’alls case.”

“Well, I’m fucking sorry for making this even harder for us.” I walked away from the table and went to the bar. “We should send teams,” I added. “Spread out our men to search the—”

“No,” Kane interjected. “If Orion is there, those are his woods. It’s too big of a risk to wander the entire forest. We need the exact location, and then we need to plan a proper way to execute the rescue. Orion could be holding Denver and Aviry hostage, ready to kill—”

I growled. “It is the truth, Nixon. We have no idea what he plans to do with them.” I poured myself a shot of whiskey and tossed it back. “We will save Aviry and Denver. But let’s get them here alive, Nixon.”

“Fine.” I huffed, wiping my mouth. “We should send some scouts to at least survey the area. I’ll have Nate look into satellite images of the forest. Maybe he can find a cabin or a small pack village.” Buzz Buzz My phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out and looked at the caller Id.

Shit.

“I...I need to take this.” I walked past my companions and left the meeting room. “Hello, Dad,” I said with the phone to my ear.

“NIXON!” He shouted. I pulled the phone back. “WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED!?”

“Dad, we were attacked and—”

“I got your damn voicemail, son!” There was a static sound. Then why did he—

“Get…kill…son of a bitch…missing…I know…”

“You’re breaking up. I can’t—”

“I’ll be there soon!” The phone clicked and disconnected. I slid down the wall and covered my eyes.

“My dad is going to kill me.” I sighed.

“Bailey.” I mind linked my general. “When a fuming bald man crashes through the gate. Steer clear and let him be if you value your life. Let the scouts and warriors know. Also, have someone prepare a gravesite for me.”

I ask myself for the millionth time, how the hell did this happen. Once again, I caused so much pain by trusting Orion. Someone I knew for all of two minutes.

Those two bitches, Jordan and Shelby, were in on this attack. Jordan was devasted that Orion left her ass behind. But she is staying loyal to her mate, with the hope that he’ll come back for her. Shelby talked after a few days without food.

She was only able to tell me how Cay was captured. After the second competition, she followed Aviry into the woods. After discovering Cay and Aviry together. She sold the information to Jordan, who then told Orion. In return, she wanted Aviry to be disqualified and auctioned off to Orion, who “promised” to avenge Don. Little did she know, I would never do that shit, and Orion had other plans.

After getting nowhere with Jordan, I decided to talk to Kasey. She was so fucking distraught and afraid by what happened she locked herself in her room. She blames herself for her father’s actions, but Kasey is a sweetheart. Even though we won’t be together. I still care for her.

After Kasey informed me of her mate, I felt relieved. I wanted to leave Kasey. I was so tired of fighting the mate bond with Aviry. I want a do-over, and I want my mate bond with Aviry to work. But it might be too late. She’s in danger, and it’s all my fault.

“Nixon.” The door of the office was pushed open. I looked up at Alpha Kane. “Tsk, stop crying.” He kneeled down and placed a hand on my shoulder.

“We are all responsible for what happened. Stop beating yourself up. That will not bring Aviry back, and it will not avenge this wretchedness. Now alpha up and get your ass back in here. And that is a command from the alpha leader.” He held his ha nd out, and I took it.

“I heard your father’s on his way.” Sam chuckled as we entered the office. “Red roses or black?”

“Fuck! Can’t this piece of shit go any faster?” I slammed my hand on the steering wheel. And pressed harder on the gas. “Bex, try Gail again on the satellite phone.”

“Yes, sir.” Bexley pulled out the bulky black phone and rolled the window down.

This is a mess. I listened to Nixon’s voicemail a dozen times; I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. To be told that they were attacked infuriated me. And my anger only grew once I heard that my son was in the hospital and Aviry had been kidnapped.

I immediately jumped in the car and went to pick up Bex from the gym. After being kicked out from his previous pack, I took him under my wing. He’s not a bad kid; he just needed direction. So, he’s now mentoring and training my fighters.

“He’s still not answering.” I looked over at Bexley. “Do you want me to try again?”

“No. Don’t waste the minutes.” I turned right down the dirt road of the packhouse. “This is a fucking mess, Bex. As soon as we get there, I want you to assist the warriors. Tell them everything you know about Orion and his pack.”

When I told Bex about the attack. He immediately paled when I said Orion’s name. He told me all he could about his mysterious former alpha. Although Bex was Orion’s gamma, his duties mainly were consisted of household chores. Brad, the beta, is the only one Orion trusts. But Bex does know the location of the packhouse.

“I’ll try to locate Gail again. We’ll need all the help we can get.”

He cleared his throat. “So why is Gail so important in this. This is a werewolf business. Hunters shouldn’t be involved.”

“Well, they are.” I sighed. “According to Nixon Aviry and the hunter’s leader Denver was taken too. This isn’t just some random kidnapping. Orion knows who and what they are. I knew this would happen eventually.”

Bexley inhaled sharply. “Wait, what do you mean?”

I released a heavy sigh. “It’s a long story.” I turned left off the exit. “But I suppose it’s time to tell that story.”