me.”
“I told you. You gotta have a bit more faith. Or maybe it’s because you’re not an alpha.” He took another drag of his cigarette, then dropped it and crushed it with his boot. “These scientists know what they’re doing. The general said they were in it from the start, so they know all there is to know about how Hayes is able to shift.”
“Who says it’s something that can be replicated?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?” Thompson sounded irritated now.
“Because we’re not dealing with science here, but with magic.”
“Magic?” Thompson scoffed. “There’s no such thing as magic. It’s just some kind of trick, a medicine of some kind.”
“How can you talk about shifting and then deny magic is real? Look, I don’t care if you call me a beta traitor, but Lidon Hayes is a legend. My grandfather knew his grandfather, and he told me he was the most powerful man he’d ever met from the most legendary pack ever. Powerful in the old ways. And according to the legends, Lidon inherited his power. It skipped a generation with his dad and went straight to him. He’s the real thing, what was called the True Alpha in the old ways.”
“The True Alpha? What kind of BS is that? Seriously, Kennedy, you need to have your head examined…and so does your grandfather. Those are just stupid rumors circulating among betas and omegas because they’re jealous of the power us alphas have.”
Kennedy was quiet for a beat, then said, “My grandfather is an alpha, Thompson, and so is my father. Make fun of it all you want, but I will tell you this. If and when the day comes Lidon Hayes gives a command, don’t be surprised if a lot of people will obey, including people you’d never have expected it from. The old ways are awakening, Thompson, and no general or army can stop that.”
Lidon couldn’t sleep. Bray, Palani, and Sivney had left hours ago, and he didn’t expect them back, but his alpha was restless. He sent Enar to bed to make sure Vieno would sleep, but he stayed in the living room himself. Only minutes later, Kean came in with Ruari on his heels, carrying a sleeping Jax.
“Can’t sleep either?” Kean asked Lidon.
“No.”
Kean had just installed himself and his mate on the couch, when Lev came in, pushing Naran in his wheelchair. They’d opted to spend the night in a guest room in Jawon’s House, not wanting to leave the ranch for their own pack until Sivney had returned. Both their faces were tight, and Lidon’s stomach twisted. Something was wrong. They all felt it.
“Let’s wait for news together,” Lidon said softly. What else could he offer?
Lev helped Naran into the love seat, then crawled up himself, nestling against the alpha. They sat quiet, no one talking, the silence heavy and oppressing. Then Kean gasped, and Ruari cried out. “Bray!”
Lidon closed his eyes. He felt Palani, scared but still okay.
“Bray…” Kean sobbed. “Something’s wrong with Bray.”
Lidon opened his eyes again. “I know. But he’s still alive, right?”
Kean hesitated, then looked at Ruari and nodded.
“Sivney’s terrified,” Lev whispered. “But he’s okay.”
They barely spoke in the hours they waited, except to confirm all three men were still alive. A few hours in, Enar and Vieno joined them, both unable to sleep. The emotions they picked up from Palani and Sivney stabilized, and Lidon reasoned they were on their way back. But what had happened to Bray?
Morning had barely broken when the gate sounded the alarm that Palani and Sivney were back…without Bray. Lidon dashed outside, where Palani and Sivney were just shifting. One look at the exhausted faces of the two men made his stomach sink.
Lidon stopped the man rushing past him. “Sean, assemble both packs.”
Sean’s eyes went over the two men, and he paled, undoubtedly noticing Bray was missing, but he nodded nevertheless. “Yes, alpha.”
Vieno came running with two blankets, and Palani and Sivney gratefully accepted them. “Let’s go inside,” Lidon said.
“I’ll make some food,” Vieno said.
They gathered in the kitchen, all tight faces. “Where’s…where’s Bray?” Ruari asked. “What happened to him?”
“We ran into trouble,” Palani said. “He’s alive as far as we know, but he’s been captured by Armitage.”
All color drained from Ruari’s face, and he swayed. Kean wrapped his arms around him and steadied him. “Come on, baby, let’s sit down.” The beta found a chair, then pulled Ruari onto his lap.
“I’ll take care of the babies,” Sven said and took both Jax and Hakon with him, earning him