The Pack's Luna: The Pack Series Book 4 novel Chapter 405

Piper

Henry wasn’t happy that I was called out into the field so quickly, but this is the job, one that is the compromise that we made to maintain my dream of being an elite fighter while still being his Luna. I’m not thrilled that Zach is already so injured that he had to come in for recovery, but I am excited that I’m getting my first opportunity to get real-life experience with the Alpha Squad.

“Hellfire, let me get you caught up. The rest of you, get dinner going. We’re going to be sleeping outside for the foreseeable future.”

I glance at Wendy. Her father made a point to ask me to check on her and make sure she’s doing okay. From what I can tell, she’s doing great. I’m sure she’s feeling a little out of her comfort zone, but Hacker seems like he’s keeping a close eye on her.

I follow Raptor away from the group, giving them space to prepare dinner. I’m thankful I ate before coming, because the food doesn’t look appetizing. Not that it would stop me from wanting to do this, but I have a better understanding of why the elite squads power down real food when they get it.

Raptor fills me in on how their afternoon went and that they are no closer to finding Stellan.

“So, nothing?” I ask him.

“That river was a deathtrap that looks like a babbling brook. Believe me, it’s been a day.”

“I understand. What can I do?”

“You know Stellan’s scent, right? You were in court when he was on trial.”

“Yeah, I know his scent.”

“Good. I know it too. I’m going to send you with Venom and Intrigue tomorrow. I need you to be point for trying to find his scent. They are the experienced Alpha Squad members. You will follow their lead and their command, but if you catch his scent, I need you to let them and me know right away.”

“Got it, I can do that.”

“We’re going to stay on this side of the river. The current pulled us three miles downstream today and I didn’t catch his scent at all. Then we went two miles upstream before trying to make our way back and I didn’t catch his scent there either.”

“I didn’t get the impression that Stellan was overly strong. A current like what you’re talking about would have swept him away,” I say.

“That’s what Cipher said and I agree, which is why we’re staying on this side of the river. Hacker and Sphinx will be monitoring your progress and letting you know if they see anything on the infrared radars.”

“Awesome.”

We walk back to the fire and I introduce myself to Intrigue. I sot of met Venom in court, but I’ve never met Intrigue. She’s built like a body builder, shorter than I am, but all muscle. She’s not an Alpha, but I’m not sure I’d want to go against her in a fight. As of today, I’m not sure I could defeat her.

After saying hello to her, I nod at Venom.

“Nice to see you again, Hellfire.”

“You too,” I say, then turn to Megan. “Yo, Siren.”

“Yo yourself, Hellfire. Welcome to the party.” “I wouldn’t miss it,” I say, then turn to Wendy.

“Hey Sphinx.”

She looks at me and sighs. “How many of them asked you to check on me?”

I grin and shrug. “All of them.”

She sighs again.

“Hey, having a loving, caring family is nothing to be aggravated about. Some people don’t have anyone who cares about them, Sphinx. Having an abundance of people who care about you, especially since you’re still underage, is a privilege,” Hacker tells her.

She shrugs. “I guess.”

“Don’t guess, Sphinx. Trust me, if I died out here, the only people who would care are the people here. No one in my family would care. Actually, my father would probably think the Moon Goddess did him a favor by getting rid of me,” Megan tells her.

“Yeah, I still don’t get that,” she says.

“That’s because you were raised with people who love and respect you, Sphinx. And that’s why Hacker says you shouldn’t discount it. Look at what happened when Hacker reminded Cipher that he has a mate back home. He surged forward, pushing harder than he had before to make sure he made it home to her. That’s important,” Raptor says.

When she looks like she wishes the ground would open up and swallow her, I throw her a bone. “So, what’s this I hear about you being the eyes that saved Cipher?” I ask her.

She shrugs. “I didn’t really do anything.”

Everyone stops and looks at her. Then Raptor looks at Hacker. “Are you going to tell her, or am I?”

Hacker sighs. “Wendy, I couldn’t see. I was focused on swimming. You were my eyes. You were the one who told me where to go, how far away Cipher was, and you made sure that our paths connected. Without you doing that, Cipher would have been swept downstream and in the state he was in, it’s very likely that he would have drowned. Stop discounting what you do and your role in this mission. Own it, become confident with it, and accept that we are a team. Every one of us brings something valuable to this squad. That includes you, regardless of you being underage and lacking training. You played a key role in saving Cipher today.”

Wendy blushes and nods.

“Now that we have that settled, what do you all do at night when you’re sleeping out in the wilderness?” I ask.

“We tell ghost stories,” Venom says, with a mischievous grin.

“Yeah, except yours are stupid,” Intrigue says, grinning at me.

“Mine aren’t stupid,” he growls.

“Yeah, they are,” Raptor says.

“Fine, we’ll let Hellfire tell us a ghost story.”

“I don’t know any ghost stories,” I say.

“What about you, Siren?” Venom asks her. “Nope.” “Well, then, it’s time the two of you become good at making up stories,” Intrigue says.

For the next couple of hours, while Hacker and Sphinx work in the van, the rest of us make up ghost stories. I have to admit, Raptor is really good at making up scary stories and Intrigue is as well. Megan’s aren’t terrible, but Venom’s are, as they said, pretty stupid. I’m not sure mine are any better, but I made up one about the ghost that lives in the river, and it made everyone glance at the river we’re sleeping beside more than once.

“Alright, we’re set,” Hacker says as he and Wendy step out of the van.

“I’m still going to set up watches,” Raptor says, looking at his watch. “Two-hour increments so everyone gets six hours of sleep.”

“You guys had a rough day. I’m happy to take first shift so you can go down,” I say.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify