The Lost Pack (Paige) novel Chapter 171

** Ryder’s POV **

By the time Callen and I reach the main hall of Midnight Pack to meet with Josh, the sun is already high in the sky as it approaches midday.

The building itself is impressive, an old converted war hospital, all stone alcoves and brick, they don’t build them like this anymore. It’s solid and sturdy, standing here for well over a century without crumbling, and Josh, Alpha of Midnight, fits it perfectly.

He’s waiting for us near the long table in the centre of a room near the front of the building. He looks calm but observant. His hair is cropped close, his sleeves rolled up, and there’s the faintest glint of humour in his eyes that doesn’t quite reach the rest of his face.

“Ryder, Callen.” He steps forward, offering his hand in greeting. “Glad to see you both on your feet after last night. We heard… interesting reports.”

I clasp his hand firmly. “Appreciate the concern.”

He doesn’t let go immediately. “My enforcers that I had stationed at Phoenix when the attack hit… they mentioned a…” his gaze flicks between us “..blast of light.

Lit up half the damn valley, apparently. Care to explain that?”

Callen’s expression doesn’t even twitch. I’ll give him creditfor that. He just shrugs like he’s been asked about the weather. “We think it was the hunters testing out a new kind of weapon,” he says smoothly. “Whatever it was, it didn’t do much. Knocked us off our feet, sure, but it fizzled fast. My guess is their prototype was a solid fail and gave us the perfect opportunity to get the hell out of there.”

Josh hums, the sound tow and thoughtful. “Convenient.”

“Not for them,” Callen replies easily.

I hold his gaze and add, “We’ve dealt with these bastards long enough to know they’re always experimenting. Gas, darts, flash rounds… hell, they’ve even developed a new toxin. It wouldn’t surprise me if this was just another failed trick.”

Josh studies me for a moment longer, the weight of an Alpha’s intuition heavy in the silence. Finally, he nods once. “You could be right.”

It’s the kind of answer that means he doesn’t believe us, but he won’t press it. Not yet.

“Either way,” he continues, gesturing for us to sit, “I’m glad it wasn’t worse. My men said the blast came from the centre of your camp. You’re lucky it didn’t level the whole damn thing.”

Callen sinks into the chair beside me, stretching his legs out under the table. “Luck’s not usually our strong suit,” he mutters.I shoot him a look that says ‘behave, and then turn my attention back to Josh. “You’ve already done more than enough for us, opening your territory like this. I won’t forget that.”

Josh waves a hand dismissively. “It’s time we looked after our own, Ryder. You’d have done the same if it were my people under siege.”

He’s right; I would have. But that doesn’t mean I trust the calm tone of his voice. Alphas never help without assessing what they might be able to get in return. That’s just nature.

Still, I incline my head slightly. “You’ll have our gratitude regardless.”

For a moment, the only sounds are distant chatter and the faint creak of wood as the pack members move about the building. Someone carries a tray of coffee across the room; the smell alone gives me the energy to focus.

Josh leans back in his chair, folding his arms. “Tell me how I can help you get your people home.”

That’s the opening I need.

“We need to send a large scouting party,” I say. “Eyes on the territory before anyone sets foot there. I don’t want to walk into another ambush. Once we know the perimeter’s clear, we’ll need to sweep every building, every inch of the woods. We need to be sure the hunters haven’t left any surprises behind.”Josh nods slowly. “Check for traps, and toxins too. I’ve heard they’ve gotten creative lately.”

“Exactly. I want to avoid casualties before we even start rebuilding.”

“We’ll also need weapons… long range. The hunters are using snipers now. We’ve seen the damage they can do.

We don’t stand a chance if they take us out before we can even get near them,” Callen adds.

Josh’s brows lift. “You’re asking me to arm your pack?”

His expression hardens. “The hunters are escalating. Every month their numbers grow, so we can’t just sit on our hands anymore. I’m going to reach out to other packs I have contact with, see if they can send support.”

Callen mutters, “They’ll probably just wait for us to handle it and then take credit after.”

Josh’s laugh is short, bitter. “That sounds about right, and a week ago, I’d have agreed with them to stay out of this, but your Luna is a force to be reckoned with, and she convinced me that it’s time to work together on this. It’s sad, but it’s true, unfortunately. It’s still worth a mention though; you never know, some might surprise us. It’s time that we all stopped being arrogant and united to put an end to this once and for all”

For a moment, the weight of leadership sits heavy between us, the kind only alphas understand. The kind that never leaves your shoulders, even when you’re sitting down.”Ryder,” Josh says quietly, “you’ve got people here who need more than orders. If you want my advice, keep them close when you go back. Fear’s a dangerous thing in a pack. It spreads faster than infection.”

nod, because he’s right. Fear is already sinking its claws into my people.

“Thank you, l’ll keep that in mind,” I say.

Josh studies me a beat longer, then stands. “Good. Then I’ll get my marksmen assembled and briefed. You should head out while it’s still daylight.”

He offers his hand again, and I take it. His grip is strong and confident, but not overbearing. Still, there’s a pulse of dominance there, a quiet reminder that we’re both Alphas, both dangerous, both aware of the fine line between ally and rival.

“Thank you,” I say sincerely. “For your support, and for trusting us enough to send your people.”

“Trust is earned, Ryder,” Josh says with a faint smile, “But I’m giving you the chance to earn it.”

He leaves it at that, turning toward the hallway that leads to his office. Callen and I step out into the cool air a moment later, the weight of the conversation settling between us.

For a while, neither of us speaks. We can hear the faint sound of training from somewhere deeper in thecompound, wolves sparring, laughter, the thud of bodies hitting dirt. Life continues as normal here. It’s strange how normal feels foreign now.