Friday, Midnight
Gerard had a smile on his face as he parked the van at the Zaffil Industrial Park gates. The park had gone out of business six years earlier and Alpha Zina had bought the eight acres of land and everything on it. It was mostly undeveloped land that now had some trees growing on it. Though no prey lived in it, the trees served as a reminder to Zina's army of their Were heritage.
"There! I see them." Alexis pointed to the group of vehicles parked next to the northeastern building. A few Weres stood around conversing.
"How is the girl?" Not that Gerard cared, but if something happened to the prey, his Alpha would make good on her threat of murdering him. He had no desire to die over prey.
"Sleeping like a baby. Stop worrying, Wolf, it's all good," sneered Mya. "Now, I have places to be. Send my regards to your Alpha."
"Running away? Typical. You are a scaredy cat. Well, good luck," he growled, annoyed at her impudence. He got out and so did the rest of his unit. Alexis was the last to exit and picked up the prey's limp form.
"Let's go." Taking the lead, Gerard entered the code to the locked security gate and went to the room where his Alpha held court.
Inside, the bright lights momentarily blinded him, but that was part of the plan. It allowed any occupant time to mount a defense against intruders.
He smirked. Ever since the failed coup thirteen years ago, Gerard had wanted his Alpha to fulfill her dream of ruling. He was obsessed with making this a reality. He knew she cared nothing about him and he was fine with that. He was not a handsome man. What he lacked in looks, he made up in skill and prowess as a hunter.
It wasn't just his Alpha's threat that had driven him to catch his prey. Pride and vanity had reared their heads after the first failed attempt at snatching the girl. Never, before that day, had he failed at a hunt. Ever. To make it worse, he'd been bested by that runt, Donil Silentshadow. His men had teased and mocked him mercilessly about his failure.
His thoughts became feral as he thought of tearing into those who had made fun of him. His eyes shifted to wolf amber. He ignored Devin's hiss of surprise. Some days he really hated skittish felines, especially Devin who was barely an adult at the age of twenty-one.
Gerard pushed open the double doors and confidently went to the raised platform. Behind him, his men and the rest of Zina's followers entered and spread out, filling the room. He stopped two feet from it and dropped to one knee, head bowed. He knew his men did the same.
He heard his Alpha's footfalls outside the room in the adjacent hallway. The sound was music to his ears. She walked with purpose - neither too heavy, nor too dainty. Her fragrant scent, the one that was uniquely hers, called forth memories of his mountain home in the spring. So full of life, yet strong as the spring breeze that heralds the change of seasons.
Not that he would ever say that to her face. Not if he wanted to continue living, that is. She didn't tolerate any male's lust unless she invoked it and she strongly dissuaded her Betas from becoming overly fond of her. If she thought you were unmanageable, you either died or were reassigned depending on her need of your skills. He wanted neither so he kept his mouth shut.
Zina entered with force, her Alpha power flung outward like a whip, sending everyone not already kneeling to their knees in obeisance.
"I am Alpha!" Her growl reverberated aloud and through the mental link she shared with her army.
Someone shuffled and he felt his Alpha tighten her hold over the room until it felt like the air was trying to suffocate them. If she did not stop, none of them would live to see her rule.
"I am Alpha!" Finally, she released her grip.
All around him, Gerard heard the weaker Weres collapse, weeping to the floor. An angry Alpha was not someone you wanted to be near. An Alpha's power was strong enough to kill without any physical violence.
"Rise!" Her words were calm but filled with anticipation. "Gerard, report!"
He stood, his eyes firmly on his leader. "My Alpha, we have the girl. Alexis." Passively he watched the man walk up to the dais and unceremoniously drop the prey at his Alpha's feet.
"Good. Very good. You, there. Yes, you, Boy!" She pointed at a startled Devin. "Fetch some rope and a chair."
"Yes, yes, ma'am!" Devin stammered and ran from the room. He returned promptly and with much bowing, put the items in front of her.
Gerard stood still as he watched. He would not move until given leave to do so. He didn't have to wait long.
"Gerard, bind her. I want the rest of you to get out. It's time to enjoy my new chew toy."
The assembled Weres snickered as they left. He ignored them as he tied the prey's limp form to the oak chair.
"You go too, Gerard."
Surprised, he threw her a questioning glance but his Alpha had eyes only for the unconscious girl. "My Alpha?"
Her head snapped up. "Get…out! Now!" she roared.
"Yes, my Alpha." The words grated, but he kept his tone polite. He bowed and quit the room, unhappy at being excluded from the questioning.
"Wow, even Gerard is stuck out here like the rest of us," Devin quipped.
He lashed out with a fist and the blow sent the youth crashing to his knees.
"Hey! What was that for?" Devin whined.
"For being an idiot. You'll learn, Kitty Cat, that if you want to live, you don't mouth off. Got it?"
"Yeah, yeah, Gerard, I got it. Sheesh." The younger male rubbed his sore jaw. "Next time, don't hit me. Just tell me to be quiet."
"There won't be a next time if I have to repeat myself." Gerard was pleased to see Devin pale. "Our Alpha wishes privacy and she shall have it. Everyone disperse and begin patrols. The Le Croix wolves will be headed this way. We need to be prepared. Well? What are you staring at? Get going!"
He watched the stragglers scramble in different directions and laughed. This was going to be a great game. He whistled an old tune as his men fell in behind him. There were a few preparations still left to be made before the arrival of the Le Croix family.