RAMON’S POV

"You sent for me," Blane said, meeting me by my car. The morning light caught the determined set of his jaw, his eyes sharp and ready.

"Yep, I did. We’re going on a mission," I said, my voice low as I opened the driver’s side door.

"Where?"

"Get in the car."

He did as he was told, sliding into the passenger seat just as I also entered the car. The leather seat was cool against my back, a sharp contrast to the heat still simmering in my veins from the previous night.

I hadn’t driven in a while, so I kinda felt weird about having to drive to the destination I was headed. My hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary, knuckles whitening.

"Why are you in such a haste? There’s also some worry in your eyes."

"I’ll tell you, Blane. Just give me a few seconds to drive out."

He finally shut up as I turned the car around and followed through the back exit. The tires crunched over gravel, the engine’s low rumble filling the silence between us. Trees blurred past as I accelerated, the wind whipping through the open window carrying the scent of pine and distant rain.

I had driven half a mile when I finally rewarded his silence.

"We’re going to the borders."

"Which of them?" He asked, turning attentively to me, his body shifting in the seat.

"Silverpaws and ours," I replied, eyes fixed on the road ahead.

His eyes popped. "Do you have a scheduled meeting with Ferins, finally?"

"Nope. I’m certain they don’t know I’d be going there today. But I have to."

"Why?"

"Because the whole pack thinks Sonia is dead. If we’re right, and there’s indeed a spy, they would have gotten to Ferins with the news. You won’t even believe who sent a message after hearing the news."

"Who?"

"Daisy. If she’s heard about it already, then I believe the news has spread far and wide."

"But I heard Ferins’ sons are not fighting on the borders. How do we get to them?"

"Oh they’ll come. When they hear of our presence, they’d do everything to come face to face with me."

"Ramon, are you planning on doing anything reckless?"

"Are you asking as my beta, or my friend?" I asked, a small smile playing on my face despite the tension coiling in my muscles.

"Both."

"Don’t sweat it, Blane. I’m not going to do anything reckless. I just want to tell them that their daughter is alive."

"Alright."

We drove in silence for the rest of the journey. The road stretched long and winding, the forest on either side dense and watchful. My mind raced with possibilities—what Ferins might do, how his sons would react, and the fragile state of Sonia’s recovery. The scent of her still clung to my clothes, a soft floral reminder that kept my wolf restless.

An hour later, we arrived at the border. We stayed in the car and watched from a distance. Both sides were resting. Soon, it would pick up again. The air felt charged, heavy with the promise of violence.

"I can’t believe we haven’t been here in a while," Blane said, his voice breaking the quiet.

"Grateful to Daniel for constantly stopping by to encourage them. At least they know I haven’t forgotten them."

"Of course they do. They get the best of everything. Dare I say they’re pampered better than the rest of us in the pack."

"Well that’s because they risk their life to protect us, Blane."

"I know, just saying." He smiled childishly.

Exactly five minutes into the wait, one of my wolves approached our car.

"They finally notice something’s wrong," Blane said.

I wound down just as he got to the car.

"Alpha Ramon?" Slade’s eyes widened on seeing it was me.

"I was wondering when one of you would notice we had stayed longer than comfortable," I said.

"Well you know how we are, Alpha. We don’t attack unless attacked."

"Good thing, my friend. I see there’s not much action?"

"Yep, everyone’s resting for now. Soon Ferins’ boys would emerge in the dark, and we’d have to return to our fight."

"Thank you for all that you do. We all are safe because of you and your boys."

"And we feel safe and comfortable here because of you, Alpha," his eyes went to Blane. "And you too sometimes, Beta Blane," he teased.

"You bastard!" Blane said in a laughing voice.

"Did you just come to check us?" Slade asked after our laughter subsided.

"Not really. I came to see—"

A car suddenly screeched to a stop behind my car, cutting off my words.

I turned at the same time Slade jumped into combat position.

"Get a hold of yourself, prick. It’s just us, and we’re not here to fight. Except you really want to."

He had to be the spoiled one. The one they called Jed. Alpha Ferins’ sons had arrived. At least, some of them.

Cade walked up to my car just as I opened the doors and stepped out. The air felt thicker here, charged with the scent of rival wolves and tension.

"He’s a pretty boy like Seth, I see," Jed said.

"Shut it, Jed." Cade silenced him.

"I’m not going to beat around the bush. I know you’re here because of your sister."

"He does have some nerves. Maybe we should have let Wolf come. He’s been dying to break his jaw," Jed, who had just been silenced, said.

My body moved, but I felt Blane’s hands holding me back.

"He’s a child. Not worth the attention," he said.

"Hear that, Jed? You’re acting like a child. Quit the act, or I’ll send you back to the car," Cade warned.

The kid grinned, but remained silent. He was truly one to watch out for. Looked like he had inherited the blood thirst of his father.

"What about my sister, Ramon? Heard she’s dead. I’m assuming you came here to tell me it’s all a lie."

For someone who people spoke of with such fear, he seemed less psychopathic in comparison to his other brothers.

Perhaps it was because he was the oldest. I had no idea, but that wasn’t the point of my presence here.

"Yes, you’re right. She’s not dead. She’s very much alive. But you know who isn’t? The man your father sent to my pack."

I took a step forward, despite Blane trying to keep me still.

"Tell Ferins that he started the infiltration. Who knows, I might be tempted to retaliate in a more gruesome way."

Cade turned around, leaving me hanging. He had gotten to his car when he paused.

"I didn’t come here to fight you. I know you want your vengeance or whatever justice you can find, so you won’t be stupid enough to have my sister killed. But it’s in your best interest to be careful with the threats, Ramon. We’re seven, you’re just one."

He opened the door and went into the car, leaving me boiling with anger.

"My regards to Sonia, Alpha Ramon. Tell her it won’t be long anymore. We’ll come for her soon, and the moon goddess helps whoever stands in our way." Jed turned and also went into the car.

"Let it go, Ramon," Blane said, coming to stand behind me.

"They’re pushing it," I whispered through my clenched teeth.

"I know. They just want a reaction from you, that’s all. You can’t give them that. You’ve done what you came here to do. Let’s leave."

I took a deep breath and turned around to leave, when another car from the other side stopped, and a group of wolves stormed out of it.

We all took defence positions, ready for a showdown.