Escaping Wildfire
Chapter 23: Cristian

Gema

Nora and I got back to the packhouse, and luckily, no one paid attention to us as we arrived. Alpha Marek had made Nora my maid as a punishment for her and Larkin, but it looked like it was actually turning out to be the best possible thing for all of us as we had banded together against him.

The two of us split up as Nora went to her room to get her charger, and I headed upstairs to my suite. I paced the bedroom as I waited for her, it felt like she took forever to get back. When she finally knocked and walked inside, she had fresh sheets in her arms, most likely to hide the charger and give her a reason to come upstairs.

“Here, she handed me the charger. Go start up your phone, and I’ll change the sheets so it looks like I actually came up here for that.”

I took the charger and went off to the closet. Nora came back as the phone was starting up. “Is it ready?” I nodded and saw a few texts come in from Noah letting me know he loved and missed me. I quickly swiped through them and dialed my brother’s number. Unlike the first time I called, he answered on the first ring.

“Gema?”

“Cristian!” We both sounded relieved to hear the other’s voice.

“I’m so glad you called, with it being so long since the last time, we were all really worried.”

“I’m still safe, Cristian…but I need you guys to help me figure out a plan to get one of my friends out. She’s not safe here.”

“What? You want us to get your friend out...instead of you?”

“I know it sounds crazy, but she’s in danger.”

“Gema…” I could hear the exasperation in his voice, and I looked over at Nora as if asking for help…or for permission really…

“Nora, can I tell him the reason we need you out?” She hesitated but eventually nodded.

“Cristian, just listen, please. My friend, she’s Larkin’s fated mate, and Alpha Marek doesn’t approve of her. He’s been hurting her, and his Beta has threatened her life. If we get her out, Larkin will keep me safe and help me get out next.”

“He can’t even keep his mate safe, how do you think he’ll be able to keep you safe?” His voice was getting louder as his frustration grew.

“Alpha Marek needs me alive to mate with his son, he won’t hurt me as long as I stay in line…and Larkin has been working hard to challenge his father. He’s actually a really strong Alpha.” I didn’t mention that he was currently hurt in the hospital as that would surely make my brother question everything I had just told him.

“Gema, let me talk to the others, then we’ll let you know if there’s anything we can do.”

“Alright, but please don’t take too long. We need to get her out of here fast.”

He took a deep breath. “Have you talked to Mom and Dad again?”

“No, I haven’t seen them since my birthday. As far as I know, they’re still just wasting away in the cells.”

“Alright…” He paused as if wanting to say more, but then he changed the subject instead. “Noah’s been missing you like crazy. With how he’s been acting, if you two aren’t mates, the Moon Goddess is going to have some serious explaining to do.” He chuckled as he said that. It was good to hear him laugh, even if just for a second.

“Is he there? Can I talk to him?”

“No, he and Jordan are both out, we got put on rotation for night patrol, and tonight’s their night.”

I sighed, disappointed at not being able to talk to Noah. I wanted to stay on the line forever…or at least until they came back, but Nora gave me a signal to wrap up the call.

“I have to go now, but text me when you have something for me, and I’ll call back tomorrow. Please Cristian, it’s life or death, we really need her out of here.”

“I hear you, little sis. I’ll get in touch as soon as I can.” His tone sounded defeated, but I trusted him to come through for me.”

Cristian

After Gema hung up, I rushed out to talk to Alpha Kedrick. I mind-linked him, and he asked me to meet him in his office. Even though it was late, he was still working in his office. He’d been working longer days since Olivia’s visit, hoping to get as many wolves trained up for the battle he was planning against Wildfire.

The door was already open when I arrived, so I just walked in.

“So, your sister finally called again?”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“I’m assuming she said something important with you wanting to meet at this hour?”

“Yes, she said her friend is in danger, and she wants us to help replace a way to get her out.” I clenched my fist subconsciously as I spoke.

“That upsets you,” Alpha stated, ever perceptive of my emotions. Instead of saying anything, I just sighed and took a seat in one of the chairs in front of his desk.

“You know, I’ve never known such a hot-headed Beta like you. Beta’s are usually the more level-headed ones that keep us Alpha’s at bay, but Ax and Neo could give each other a run for their money.”

I chuckled at his words because he wasn’t wrong. “My mom is Alpha born. She always says that as the oldest living male on her side of the family, I must have gotten a little more Alpha in me than usual.”

Alpha Kedrick chuckled and leaned back in his chair. “I guess that makes sense, may I ask what happened to your mother’s family?”

She came from the Luna Mezquite pack. They were originally from Mexico but the Alpha at the time, my great-grandfather, and his family moved to the U.S. and many of the pack followed. They set up in California and lived there peacefully for some time. My grandfather eventually took over the pack and had kids of his own.

My mom was only six when Wildfire attacked. She said Alpha Marek killed her brother right in front of her, he was only ten. My mother and her aunt were the only survivors of the attack, and her aunt was originally from Cobalt Falls, so the two of them moved down to Texas with her grandparents after the attack.”

“Luna Mezquite…“Alpha Kendrick said pensively. “Wasn’t that the first pack Wildfire attacked?”

“It was their first.” I nodded, “That asshole Marek had just turned 18 and taken over his pack. Blue Oak was their neighboring pack, so Luna Mezquite never even saw the attack coming.”

Alpha Marek nodded, taking in everything I had just told him.

“So, why are you upset that your sister wants us to help her friend?” He looked up at me as he leaned forward and laced his fingers together on his desk.

“Because, she should want us to get her out first, to help our pack first.”

“I can see why you’d say that, but maybe helping her friend is the best way to help your sister and your pack…it’s a lot easier to try to get just one person out than to get nine out.”

“She said the friend is the Alpha heir’s fated mate, and she’s in danger from Alpha Marek and his Beta.”

“His son's mate? Well, I’ll be damned, that fucker Marek’s more sadistic than I gave him credit for. I thought at least he cared for the mate bond as he accepted his mate, but that goes to show you never know what goes on behind closed doors.” He shook his head in disgust. “And your sister called her a friend? That girl must have a heart of gold to befriend the woman who’s there to take her place…”

“I bet that’s why that asshole hates her, she doesn’t fit in with his ruthless image.”

“Come to think of it, that’s probably why he specifically targeted Cobalt Falls. For your alpha females, he wants strong pups and thinks that can only happen with alphas.” He rubbed at his eyes and face. “Let me talk to Olivia and see if we can come up with something. You get Jordan and Noah caught up on what’s going on and maybe we’ll all have something by tomorrow.”

I nodded knowing I was now dismissed and headed back up to my room. I didn’t want to risk the guys getting in trouble with the mind link, so I would catch them after their shift in the morning to let them know everything that had happened. I sent a quick text to Gema, letting her know I talked to the Alpha and that I would have more information for her by tomorrow.

I went over to my bed and pulled back the covers hoping to get some sleep, but as I kicked off my shoes, I heard a knock at the door. I rushed over and opened the door, thinking maybe it was the Alpha with news, but to my surprise, it was Evie.

“Hey, handsome.” She was wearing a cropped T-shirt with shorts that didn’t leave much to the imagination. She had a nice figure, and while her natural hair color was definitely darker, I had always had a thing for blondes. I could see why my past drunken self had jumped into bed with her.

“I was hoping you might be up to hang out with me tonight?” She twirled a finger through her hair and trailed it down towards her cleavage, making sure I followed her movements. I took a deep breath as I knew I’d regret this in the morning, but right now all I wanted was some stress relief, and if Evie was offering, who was I to say no? “Sure, come on in,” I said against my better judgment, and then I closed the door behind her as I followed.