Jaded Hearts
Chapter 77

Matt

“How do you know the tracker worked, Lex?” I asked.

The sun was starting to come up, and we were still down in the basement without a single sign that our pack was on the way.

“I don’t f*****g know, but I did everything he told me to do with it, and I trust him. He’s coming. They all are.”

“I trust him too. I’m just asking a question.”

Alexi had been in a piss-poor mood since I’d dislocated his shoulder, and he made sure we knew it. We had popped it back in place, but it was still sore and swollen, and he was not happy.

“Alexi, stop being an a*****e. What other option did we have? Honestly.” Xander asked.

“Maybe telling me what’s going on rather than acting like I’m a child and making the decision for me. You think I don’t notice how you three treat me? Like I’m fragile or weak just because I can’t shift anymore. I’m a f*****g Beta wolf, and you guys of all people should respect that.”

“If I thought you were weak, do you really think I would have given you such a high position in our pack or the company? Get your head out of your a*s, Alexi. No one treats you any differently, but you are more human than wolf. You’re more vulnerable, and you f*****g know it. Matt’s a god damned Alpha, but he’s not going around demanding anyone treat him any differently. We all know who we are, and we have our roles to play. Do your part and shut the hell up.”

Alexi sunk down in the corner, rotating his arm and wincing the entire time. There was probably more that he wanted to say, but he decided against it. Xander was right, and he knew it. I wanted to try and say something to lighten the mood, but I was interrupted by the locks on the door clicking.

“Showtime,” I whispered.

Alexi and Xander nodded their heads and plastered on their most annoyed and irritated faces. When Lancaster reached the bottom of the stairs, he wore a huge smile.

“Good morning. I hope you all slept well because today is a very big day.”

He waited for one of us to respond or take the bait he was dangling in front of us, but instead, all he got were “go f**k yourself” vibes.

“Hmm, I was expecting more curiously and excitement, but never mind. I’ll just tell you.”

“We really don’t care, cotton. Just kill us already. Being trapped down here for days with these two is torture enough. I’m ready for you to just take me out,” I said.

“Days? You haven’t even been here a full twenty-four hours. Are your cohorts really that insufferable?”

“You have no idea. At least at home, we have plenty of space to avoid each other. But this ‘captured and held together’ business is bullshit. I’d rather a wolfsbane enema to be honest.”

Alexi began to laugh in the corner, drawing our attention his way. “You think it’s been a walk in the park being down here with you? Listen up, cotton—”

“My name is Lancaster! Lancaster Edwards! The next one of you to call me cotton will die, I promise you,” he boomed.

“Yeah, sure. Anyway … the pretty boy over there has been complaining ever since he woke up about his nails, or his skin, or his perfect hair. Who wants to listen to a grown man b***h about the humidity and what it does for his hair?”

Lancaster then looked at me and smiled. “Are you not a fan of fresh ocean air? I replace that it helps me keep my youthful glow.”

Alexi squinted at him and replied, “I don’t see that, at all.”

Lancaster scowled, then made a visible effort to regain his composure. We were pissing him off, and it was hard not to crack a smile at his reactions.

“Well, it’s your lucky day because you’ll never have to deal with each other again. Tonight, you will all die.”

“Thank god!” Alexi said dramatically.

Once again, I looked over at Alexi, but it was so hard to hide the smirk on my face. I didn’t know if he was acting or not, and I didn’t care. He was perfect.

“Mongrels. Try not to kill each other before nightfall. I want to see each one of you take your final breath. Only then will justice be served.”

He stormed up the stairs as I leaned back against the wall and shut my eyes. “We’ve really screwed his head up. Poor guy….”

“You two are idiots, that’s for sure. And apparently, Lex has an issue with your personal care routine, Matt.”

“Apparently. We’re learning so much about each other. We should do this more often,” I replied with a laugh.

“I’ll pass. Dislocated shoulders are great and all, but I’d rather be home with my pint-sized wife and kids.”

“You can’t ever tell bean I called her that. Nothing we say leaves this room or comes up ever again. Those are the rules,” I told him.

“Boring!”

* * *

Tyson

It was times like these where I missed my loner lifestyle. We were at a small private airport outside of Oceanside, California, and Kade and I were arguing with the women as to why they needed to stay on the plane or at a nearby hotel. They refused to let us leave without them, and the entire flight was a long and useless negotiation.

“Enough! You three are not going. We have two of the best teams of warriors Blue Moon has to offer here. Everything is under control. We’ve booked a hotel suite for you to wait in until we’re done—end of discussion!”

“We’re not children, Kade, and we’re just as capable as you are of making these decisions,” Morgan replied.

“You’re not children, but if you were just as capable, then you would be acting Alpha, not me. Go to the hotel and wait, and don’t even think about leaving until we get there. Do you understand me?”

“Why even let us come if you won’t let us help?” Taylor asked.

“Because I knew you ladies wouldn’t let us leave without you after what happened the last time. And if the guys are hurt, Alaia can heal them. It wouldn’t be right to just bring her and not you and Morgan. Now, back to my question: do all three of you understand me?”

“Yes!” They shouted out in unison.

Morgan was clearly pissed, but she loved him more than anything, so she stepped close and wrapped her arms around him.

“Once Xander’s back, and you’re no longer Alpha, I’m going to make you pay for yelling at us.”

“Don’t be like that, sugar bear. I’m just doing my job. We have to keep you three safe. How can we rescue the guys if we’re not one hundred percent focused? If you’re in any kind of danger, I can’t think of anything but getting you out of harm’s way.

If you came, I wouldn’t be a warrior. I’d be a guy looking out for his love, Xander and Alexi would be husbands trying to protect their wife, Matt would be a man keeping his fiancé alive long enough to finally say ‘I do,’ and Tyson would be a man shielding his little cousin and his partner. We love you too much to lose you. You have to understand that.”

“I understand, and I love you too. But you’re still going to pay.”

She turned to me and smiled. “Keep him alive for me, will you?”

“I’ll do my best,” I replied.

“Okay, girls, let’s get to the hotel and crack open the minibar. I’m going to need a ton of alcohol to keep calm while we wait.” Morgan and Alaia both headed to the car and climbed in the back, but Taylor stood firmly in place.

“Sunshine? Are you alright?”

“I need you both. Not one or the other, both. Come back and bring him with you. Promise me.”

I couldn’t promise that. We had no idea what we were heading into, and it was likely that a few of us weren’t going to make it home alive. But she needed this, and I would give her anything she needed.

“I promise, gorgeous. We may be a little banged up, but I’ll make sure we both make it back.”

* * *

Kade

“Okay, everyone, listen closely. As you already know, we’re here to rescue our Alpha, Head Advisor, and Gamma. We’re pretty sure there will be vamps in the building, so be prepared for them.

“Tyson and I will lead team A, and Henry and Terrance will cover team B. Team A will be heading straight for the basement, where the guys are likely being held. Team B, keep us covered, both inside and out. We get in, get them out, and get home.

“If anyone’s injured, we have our Luna close by to patch you up, but don’t go in thinking you’re invincible. She can only do so much. Any questions?”

“No, Beta!”

“These guys thought they could take our brothers from us; show them what happens when they f**k with Blue Moon.”

“Yes, Beta!”

“Alright, it’s go time!”

Tyson looked over with a sly smile. “That was an action movie speech you just gave. You know the scene right before the big battle when the president or general or whoever is rallying the troops? That’s what that was. It almost gave me chills.”

This guy was an idiot.

“If it works in the movies, it’ll work for us. Now let’s go get our boys and get home. Morgan and I have got some making up to do.”

* * *

From the outside looking in, you would never suspect that this house was overrun with vamps and kidnapped werewolves. It just looked like the typical rich prick’s cliffside beach house. And there were too many humans around, so we were going to have to make this operation as discreet as possible.

“The transmitter’s on the west side of the house. The blueprints show a string of small windows at ground level on that side that is likely to the basement, so that’s where I’d suggest we start,” Tyson said.

I nodded my head and signaled the other team to move out. When the five soldiers behind Tyson and me were ready, we started around the house and found the transmitter nestled between two small rocks. It was smart of them to leave it out here just in case they were searched again inside. Tyson placed it in his pocket as we silently moved towards the row of windows.

“Watch our backs,” I whispered before ducking down and looking inside.

There was little to no light, so I pulled out my flashlight and shined it into the dingy window.

It was a huge space, and it wasn’t easy to see, but I eventually found them. There they were, all three of my friends sitting on the ground with their hands chained behind their backs. None of them reacted to the light hitting their faces, so I really hoped they were just asleep and not sedated. There was no way I was hauling their heavy asses out of here.

Tyson lightly tapped the butt of his flashlight against the glass, causing Matt to stir. When he did it again, Matt’s eyes shot open and landed on our faces. His hands began moving behind his back, and soon, he was unchained and working on Xander.

Tyson shook his head. “They just happen to have keys to the chains and locks with them?”

“We’re like a strange version of the Boy Scouts. We’re always prepared,” I answered with a shrug.

We went to try and maneuver the window out of place, and as soon as it came free, there was a massive explosion that sent the team flying backwards with dirt, glass, and huge chunks of stone raining down on us.

It took a few minutes for me to shake off the disorientation and recognize what had happened. Someone had blown up the building with the guys inside.

My friends, my packmates, my brothers were all likely dead. I was too late.