The Pack's Luna: The Pack Series Book 4 novel Chapter 403

Wendy

Other than the day I nearly died, I’m not sure I have ever been so terrified in my life. I knew that Jude was counting on me. I knew that if I didn’t help him, he might die. He put his life in my hands and trusted me to make sure he survived. There was no other choice than to succeed.

When Alpha Squad finally made it back to camp, Raptor was right there at the river’s edge, with his hand on the rope that was keeping Jude tied to life. But Jude wasn’t willing to let Cipher die. I know him well enough to know that he would have done whatever was necessary to make sure he survived. That’s the kind of man Jude is.

Thank the goddess that reminding Cipher that he has a mate back home was all that was needed for him to surge forward and connect with Jude.

I watch on the monitors as Raptor, Venom, and Siren pull the two of them onto shore. Intrigue ran into the van to get the warming blankets while I watched their heat sensors to make sure the rope didn’t snap and I didn’t lose the man who is my brother’s friend as well as my mate hopefully.

When Raptor grabs Cipher, and Venom begins helping Jude out of the water, I grab the second warming blanket from Intrigue and rush to him.

It takes everything in me not to break down when he thanks me and I can hear that he’s alive and well. I press my face to his chest and subconsciously recognize that Venom steps away.

As we walk to the fire that has started to blaze out of control while we were focusing on our team members, Raptor comes over to thank Hacker.

“It’s what we do, Raptor. We look after our own,” Jude says.

It’s so similar to what my family has said a million times in conversations with me, our family, and our packs that I suddenly feel the connection to all these people. When we’re out here, this IS our pack. We protect our own and when we’re on assignment, the squad that we’re assigned to is our own.

I help Jude walk to a place where he can sit by the fire and start warming up.

“Raptor, how’s Cipher?” Siren asks.

Raptor looks at him. Even from here, I can still see him shivering. I don’t have to be my mother or Kennedy to know that that isn’t good.

Raptor pulls out his phone and dials a number.

“Councilman Edward, I think we’re going to need to test our new Delta Squad,” he says.

Even from here, I can see that Zach isn’t happy about it. But in truth, if he was strong enough, he’d be able to argue with Raptor and he can’t. Raptor is right, Cipher needs to shift out, at least for a short period of time.

I can’t hear what Councilman Edward is saying but Raptor looks at Zach.

“Yes, sir. Cipher needs to rotate out for twenty-four hours.”

He listens, then looks at Megan. “No sir. As of right now, Siren is good.”

“Yes, sir. I understand. I agree. While I’d feel more comfortable with Lace, she’s pregnant and so is Nix. That leaves Hellfire.”

Another beat of silence.

“Yes sir, I understand that means I’m taking another newbie into Alpha Squad. However, I truly believe that Cipher will be back in twenty-four hours.”

Again I can’t hear what’s said, but Raptor looks at Megan.

“If we need another change out, I’ll request Javelin.”

A beat, then, “Yes, sir. I take full responsibility, sir.”

Another moment of silence where I can’t hear what’s being said. “Thank you, sir,” he says, then hangs up the phone.

“Okay, Cipher. You’re about to get twenty-four hours of recovery time,” Raptor says.

I know my brother well and I know that he wouldn’t be friends with someone who would be okay with giving up. I may not have spent much time with Zach, but I recognize the frustration of the Alpha coming out in him.

“Are you disappointed?” he asks, not meeting Raptor’s gaze.

Raptor, however, refuses to let him look away. He wraps his hand around his neck and head and forces his head up to make eye contact.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify