Knight Rescue (Rise of the Wolf Nation Book 1)

by Sydney Addae

  “This is my fault,” Ricardo said.

  “Therefore, you will lead with the solution. Admit your mistake, share your plans for a brighter future and lead. No Alpha is perfect, we’re still human. As long as your pack knows you have their best interest at heart, and you’re working to make life better for them, they’ll forgive mistakes.”

  The other Alphas clapped Ricardo on the shoulder in a show of solidarity, while pledging their support.

  “What’s going on?” Lucian asked as he strode across the floor, his gaze flicked from Silas to Ricardo and then to the other Alphas.

  Raven followed and stopped next to Silas. “Greetings La Patron, would you care for refreshments?”

  Silas smiled and touched her shoulder to send healing energy through her. He could tell she wasn’t feeling well.

  “Oh,” she jerked and smiled up at him. “Thank you, Sir.”

  “What?” Lucian spun around, looking at her.

  “Nothing, I just feel better, that’s all.” She looked at Silas and the others. “I’ll bring refreshments.” She left the room.

  Lucian watched her back for a few seconds and then looked at Ricardo. “Are you alright? I got a message you were sick.”

  Ricardo patted Lucian’s shoulder with a genuine smile that reached his eyes. “La Patron, Alphas, Angus, Hawke, my brother’s pup, Lucian. The sweet one who left is his litter-mate, Raven. Plus two more, Duke and Tasha.” He looked at Lucian. “I decided to stop using the drug, the side-effects are brutal, knocked me over.” He nodded toward Silas. “La Patron healed me, I’m better now and working on antidote for everyone to stop taking the drug.”

  Lucian glance at Silas and back at his Uncle. “Really?” He touched his Uncle’s cheek and stared into his eyes. “No more drugs, you are out of that business?”

  Ricardo nodded. “The pack is out of that business. I’ll allow them to take the drug a few more days until La Patron’s lab sends the antidote.” He looked at Silas who nodded.

  Lucian hugged his Uncle. The Alpha’s eyes watered as he accepted the embrace and clapped Lucian on his back a few times. “We will be a pack again, my brother wanted it and I want it.”

  “Gracias,” Lucian said looking at Silas.

  Raven entered with a tray with drinks. Another pack member followed with two platters of meat.

  Hawke took a platter of meat, placed it on the table and started eating. Angus joined him.

  “Have you spoken to Duke or Tasha about this?” Lucian asked his Uncle.

  “They left when I told them I was off the drug. I haven’t seen them since.” He shrugged. “Franz will be banned from pack lands and properties. No more drugs, I will make the announcement in two days.”

  Lucian nodded. “Good, I never liked him.”

  Silas smiled at the exchange. “Alphas from the other countries visited me today,” he told the other Alphas. They all turned and looked at him. “They will be competing against you tomorrow.”

  “Good,” Pedro said. “Our packs need to see us fight for them.”

  Silas appreciated the sentiment and hoped it gave the Honduran Alphas an edge. He looked at Hawke and Angus. “Franz and other full-bloods are coming. He does not leave this place until we know the ingredients of the drug and his intentions.”

  Hawke nodded, stood and walked outside. Angus walked over and stood behind Ricardo.

  “Incoming,” Silas told the other Alphas. “No bloodshed.”

  Ricardo tensed.

  Lucian looked toward the door, frowning. Conversation stopped as Franz, Tasha, Duke and at least 20 pack members entered the room.

  “Shit,” Raven muttered and crossed her arms.

  Silas bit back a grin and watched Franz cross the room with utter confidence and stand in front of Ricardo. “I heard you were ill, my friend and came to check on you.”

  “I didn’t take the drug today, just to see what would happen. It wasn’t good. Whatever that is, it’s poison for us,” Ricardo said.

  Franz glanced at Silas and then at Ricardo. “It’s not poison, we’ve discussed the side-effects and are working on corrections. You know that, agreed to it.”

  Ricardo nodded. “In ignorance and greed, I agreed. Sold out my pack. It was wrong. I made a bad decision and hurt a lot of people. I’m working with La Patron and the other Alphas to correct my mistake.” He looked at the pack members who walked in with Franz. “In a few days, La Patron will provide an antidote to this drug that will set you free from its influence without the side-effects I went through today.” He glanced back at Silas. “Believe me, if it weren’t for him, I would still be going through withdrawal. It felt as if my wolf was dying which would kill me.” He took a deep breath. “Once the solution arrives, you’ll have a choice. Get off the drug or leave the pack. There will be a zero-drug tolerance policy in this pack.”

  Franz’ jaw tightened. “Just like that? You terminate five years of business like this? Without talking to me first? Without sharing information that could fix the problem? This is how you treat me?”

  Tasha walked forward, took Franz’ hand while staring at her Uncle and kissed the back of it. “Don’t worry about him. As soon as they leave, he’ll be begging you for a hit.”

  “You’re pathetic,” Raven said.

  Tasha moved toward her.

  “Don’t.” That one word from Lucian stopped Tasha in her tracks. “You don’t have to be addicted to the drug Tasha. You can break free, shift again, run in the woods.”

  “I don’t want to shift or any of that. Some of us like being the baddest wolves in town,” she sneered.

  “Really?” Angus said stepping to the side of Ricardo. “Show me how bad you are.” He looked at the other full bloods with her. “All of you, show us how tough you are,” Angus challenged.

  “I don’t have to show you shit,” Tasha snapped.

  “Yes, you do,” Silas said and triggered their aggressive natures. One by one they became more feral, snapping and making threatening moves.

  Angus smiled at Silas. “May I?”

  “Yes, but we promised Ricardo no loss of life,” Silas said watching a relieved Ricardo take a step back along with the other Alphas as Angus walked in front of them all.

  “So this is the power you get from the drug?” Angus asked looking at the 20 standing in front of him. “La Patron will you seal the room so they can’t run away?”

  Silas sealed the room with a chuckle as Angus charged into the group with blazing tornado-like fury. Fists flying, feet kicking, pack members flew through the air, hit the side of the bubble and slid to the ground. Tasha jumped in yelling and was hit by an airborne pack member. They both landed on the floor several feet away. Duke and a couple others landed a few punches which unleashed Angus fury. He didn’t shift to his next level but he hit harder and moved faster. His last hit knocked Franz on his ass sliding across the floor. When they all lay groaning on the floor. Angus shifted to his two-footed beast, howled and then to his third and largest beast.

  The room went completely silent.

  “Show off,” Hawke said.

  Silas laughed.

  Angus morphed to human and walked off. “You don’t need drugs, you need to learn to fight.”

  The Alphas surrounded Angus with questions regarding the fight and his various beasts.

  Raven stepped closer to Silas. “My brother can do that.”

  Silas looked down at her. “Lucian has a two-footed beast. No one else does. It’s one of the reasons no one messes with him or any of us.” She bit her lip. “Is it common in the States?”

  “Alphas mostly. Angus is my litter-mate,” Silas said.

  “Oh, I see. Hawke?”

  “He shifts bigger than anyone I’ve ever seen, it’s best not to ever threaten his mate or make him angry,” Silas said wryly.

  Hawke picked up Franz and walked out the room while the others were still on the floor trying to get up. Silas and Angus spoke to the pack but offered no assistance to those who disres
pected their Alpha. If Tasha had been a member of his pack he would discipline her as publicly as she’d behaved. But it wasn’t his call.

  Franz stumbled back inside 10 minutes later and sat on the floor. He looked as if he’d had one glass of liquor too many to drink. Tasha noticed him and sat by his side, holding his hand with a defiant look.

  Hawke returned, took a seat and grabbed another plate of food. “I sent the drug ingredients to Passen. I’d guessed most of them, now Passen has everything to counter it. Won’t take long, he was almost there anyway. He said he’d overnight it as soon as he capsulized them.”

  “And Franz’ plans for all this?” Silas asked.

  “He’d worked in General McNeill’s office during the time Tyrese was sent on that mission in Lyrill, and learned about full-bloods. He’s grabbed every bit of research he could find and infected himself with one of the Liege’s serums. It didn’t kill him, gave him extra abilities and he wanted more. A part of him wanted to help the pack, another part wanted to belong but felt he needed to bring something to the table no matter what. He suspected the drug was harmful and really wants to fix it. Franz’s unstable, though. His thoughts flit all over the place. It took a while to get just that bit of information. One thing for sure, he loves the bitch. She was uppermost in his thoughts, almost to an obsessive level. He wants to heal her very badly,” Hawke said.

  Silas stood in the middle of the room.

  Ricardo’s pack surrounded him asking questions regarding the new direction their pack would take.

  The other Alphas continued talking to Angus. Lucian, Raven and Duke stood in a corner talking.

  “Jasmine?”

  “Silas what are you doing up this time of morning?”

  He explained what happened.

  “Busy day.”

  “Just five more to go,” he said as he signaled to Angus and Hawke it was time to leave.

  “I’ll keep the light on for you.”

  “As long as the light is next to a place I can sink into you, that’s perfect.” She laughed as he intended.

  “Good luck on the challenges later today, everyone,” Silas said and walked out.

  GENERAL CRALL CALLED during a late breakfast. Silas wasn’t surprised the Joint Chiefs would have Crall contact him since he refused to talk to them directly.

  “Good morning, Sir,” Crall said in an upbeat voice. “I understand you’re in Honduras.”

  Silas sat back in his chair and pushed away the empty plate. “Yes. I’m here as the Goddess’ Emissary.”

  “Really?” Crall asked seriously. “This isn’t a finger to the Joint Chiefs?”

  “I don’t have that kind of time to spend days here dealing with an out of control pack. There are easier, more comfortable ways to aggravate those assholes. What did they do to you when you returned with my Knights?”

  “Asked questions, wanted to know how I knew where to go, who was involved, your take or anger level, that kind of thing. I can only speak of what I know which is very little. I did tell them you sent me there, which shocked them into silence. They thought you believed whatever they told you. Came as a shock you have a poker face.”

  “Hmm.” Silas wasn’t interested in them at the moment. Crall would be perfect in Mexico. “How much longer until you retire?”

  “I reach 30 years next year, Sir. I can retire then.”

  “Don’t reenlist, I’ll need you for another assignment. Seems I’ve been derelict on my duties to the Goddess and have recently been reminded I have more to do. I want you involved with that, Miller too. Look for other full-bloods to rise in position, let me know who you recommend and I’ll call in some favors to have them moved up.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “What did they want you to say or do?” Silas asked to get it over with.

  Each day the Honduran full-bloods operated more and more like a pack. Hector and Pedro sent word that they were having portable bleachers delivered to the park this morning so members could sit and watch the fights. They would leave security to watch the place. Angus left to set up the two fighting rings and make sure everything was in order. Concerned about security, Hawke went out looking for items he could put together to assist in handling the crowd. They had a lot on their plates today and little time to deal with the Pentagon.

  “Apologize for General Lee who acted alone, without their knowledge or approval.”

  Silas snorted.

  Crall chuckled. “They know I can smell a lie, that’s probably why the Admiral I spoke with wasn’t involved and was genuinely upset. Not all of them knew what was happening, I’d bet it was just one other. I can look into it if you’d like. At this point, you hold all the cards. They want the Knights back.”

  Silas wasn’t sure which direction he wanted to go. To expand into Canada and later Mexico he’d need his Knights and some KnightForce. Eventually, he might allow a small group to serve but they would never have the full battalion as before.

  “Go ahead, expose the traitor and let me know who it is. What happened to Lee?”

  “He was formally charged the same morning I left. Shipped back to the States shortly after. He’s being held in DC. From what I’ve heard the Admiral and General questioned him for several hours trying to get a name of who helped him, he never told. He pleaded guilty and awaits trial.”

  “When you discover who helped him, I want him exposed publicly. He doesn’t deserve that kind of loyalty,” Silas said.

  “Agreed. I’ll let you know what I discover and tell the Admiral we spoke and you’re still angry?”

  “Yep, still pissed they didn’t know what was going on in their own house. Also tell them I refused to discuss what I’m doing here, let them stew a bit. Also, I’m shutting down communications until I return to the States. That should give you a break.”

  “Thank you, Sir. Much appreciated. If you need me for anything, I’m here. Good luck with your mission.” Crall signed off.

  Silas wondered how anything got done with all the backroom deals and buck-passing. If any group needed an Alpha, it was the US Military.

  “Silas, we have a problem,” Angus said. “Solo’s gang was attacked and left him in the middle of the street bleeding out.”

  “Is there a doctor? Someone to look him over?” Silas strode into the bedroom to dress and find Solo.

  “Not for full-bloods,” Angus sounded confused. “How are they surviving? I’ll contact one of the Alphas, see what they can do.”

  “If any of them have a doctor, someone who helps their packs heal, I want to meet them today,” Silas said disgusted by the lack of basic necessities in the area.

  “On it,” Angus said.

  SILAS DRESSED AND LEFT the hotel with Umi after securing their floor. He arrived at a run-down building at the edge of town surrounded by other buildings in similar states. That pack members lived in such conditions pissed him off. He’d need to have Jackie and Quinn look into the costs of providing a hospital and school for pack members in this area.

  Solo lay on a bed in the back room. Angus knelt next to him with his hand on his shoulder. Silas had been feeding him energy to help heal the pup.

  “What happened?” Silas barked to the other young men standing out front.

  They started talking at once. Silas managed to gather the gist of what they were saying. “The gang member he competed against last night did this?”

  Angus stood and sighed. “Yeah. The guy was jealous and embarrassed for losing to someone he considered inferior.” Angus stroked his goatee. “I also picked up the gangs have been on the sidelines so far, but they plan to change that today. Something’s going to happen at the fight this afternoon. Solo and these guys don’t know exactly what, but they overheard the other gang talking about it. The Red Wolves are leading it.”

  “I’m getting tired of them. If the three who used the explosives show up I will hold them and pass judgment.”

  “Good. What about Solo? He still wants to compete today.” Angus looked down
at the healing pup.

  “Let him. I’ll work on him a bit before we leave.” Silas moved next to the bed. “Solo, how are you feeling?”

  Solo looked up at Silas. “Mucho better, Gracias.” Strain surrounded his eyes as he tried to sit. Silas placed his hand on the pup’s shoulder and sent healing energy into him. Solo’s eyes widened as he stared into Silas’ eyes.

  In this young man, Silas saw himself when he was much younger. No guidance, no pack, just a desperate desire to survive. Solo had heart, strength and if properly molded would make a strong leader one day. Once the pain cleared from Solo’s eyes, Silas removed his hand with the full realization he’d given the pup a little extra juice to fight today.

  “Better?” he asked as he stepped back.

  “Mucho.” Solo held Silas’ gaze until he left the room and searched for Angus.

  “La Patron?” Solo called.

  Silas turned and waited.

  “Is that what Alpha’s do? Help? Heal? Protect?”

  “That’s a part of what we do, Solo. The gifts from the Goddess are to help the pack survive, grow stronger and healing is just one. Preparing for the future is another that is important.” He wanted to be sure the pup understood the responsibility.

  Solo nodded. “Si. Thank you.” He turned and walked back inside.

  Angus and Silas entered the car and headed for the park

  SILAS AND ANGUS MET Hawke at the park tinkering at the far edge with several pieces of pipes and wires. The bleachers and fighting rings were in place. Silas threw an opaque bubble around the area, much larger than the previous night and secured it.

  “What about the doctors?” Silas asked Angus.

  “Two, one with Pedro, the other will come with Hector.”

  “Have all the Alphas checked in?” Silas wasn’t sure Franz would back off and leave Ricardo alone.

  “Yes, wished them all luck this morning,” Angus said.

  “Did you tell Hawke about the gangs?”

  “Just told him. He wants to handle walking the grounds with a few pack members and deal with the gangs if they show up. Each Alpha promised five men to assist with security. That’s 25 plus Hawke, should be good.”