«Boss, we found something!» Roxy and Nate heard from the other room.
They both startled and reached the door, crossing the few steps separating them from the rest of the pack.
«Yes?» Nate asked.
«Oh, Alpha,» the man murmured, lowering his eyes for a moment.
After regaining their cool, the wolves started explaining the situation.
«Miss Clayton and the pups have been brought to Mayford. There's a group of abandoned buildings in the outskirts. It was supposed to become a warehouse, but no one spent money on maintenance, so it doesn't look well now. There's a chance that the Mayford pack keeps some of their jobs there.»
«If it's uninhabited, it's a good place for such an operation,» Nate realised. «Still, how can you tell there's something there? If it looks as bad as you described, how can there be some operations there?»
«We're not sure, Alpha. However, reloading the tapes of last week, we can see many cars going in and out of the abandoned quarters. As if they were preparing for something... Our guess is that they've set the place for a kidnapping. No one would be able to follow Lara Clayton's scent till there, for there's a chemical industry not far from the buildings. The scents are all mixed up, making it impossible to discern anything.»
«So, wolves would have failed either way,» Nate mumbled. «Using human strategies is really the only way.»
«We started using human strategies when you created the company, Alpha,» the man pointed out. He even shrugged, as if it wasn't such a shame for a wolf to behave like a weak human.
His pack had gotten used to the benefits of a human company. And they knew it all was thanks to Nate's ideas and capability to accept compromises.
They liked the reputation, the shining events, and the money. Was there any other reason to hate human tactics?
«Prepare the vehicles. We're going there now,» Nate said. «Also, call everyone here first. Those remaining need to keep our base safe. This might be just another trap.»
«Another?»
«Just like the issues with bond prices this afternoon. It was just a trap to keep me distracted,» he revealed. «Kidnapping my mate might be a way to hit me, but it could also be another trick. Keep your eyes open, and continue monitoring the situation. Call if you find anything.»
«Yes, Alpha!»
The tech team continued with their work while Roxy followed Nate to the car parking. She was a little nervous, for she had never before gone on a mission like that.
Nathaniel Woods was a peaceful person, all in all. The few times he had to take action, he always went with a group of few powerful wolves. It was the first time he moved like in a... like in a war.
That realisation made Roxy shiver. Were they going to war? After all they've done to keep the peace? Oh, but she couldn't say she didn't understand the reasons.
Kidnapping the Alpha's family was a dirty move, and it would have weakened the pack if things went out of control.
«Call Samantha,» Nate repeated, waking her up from her daze.
«Yes, Alpha!» she exclaimed, dialling the number.
She tried calling a couple of times, but the she-wolf didn't reply. She wrote a couple of messages, but they had no time to go fetch her at home.
«We'll have to do without her,» she sighed. It was a pity, for Samantha was the second most powerful wolf in the pack. Not many knew it, but she could beat any wolf there, except for Nate. And the latter was more a matter of fraternal respect than real strength disadvantage: Samantha would never challenge Nate, so there was no point in comparing their capabilities.
It wasn't public knowledge, and even Roxy didn't know the exact extent of it. She knew the bare minimum needed to manage the pack as a substitute for the Alpha female.
During the journey, Roxy was too busy to communicate with the other groups and execute Alpha Nate's orders to think about Samantha. As they got closer to Mayford, her mind became calmer and more lucid.
It was because Nate was calming down as well, and he was preparing for action. The pack's mood would be greatly influenced by the Alpha at all times, but when they were in action - hunting - it would be even more compelling than usual. A good Alpha knew how much his mental strength was relevant to the pack, and he would manage his emotions when required.
That was one of those moments. His mate's life depended on how well he could push back fear and anxiety.
«The buildings are complex, and we don't know where Lara is yet,» he said at some point. «We can either wait for a signal or go exploring. In both cases, we have to synchronise before starting.»
«Yes, Alpha!» Roxy said. Those two words she repeated a lot in those few hours. Somehow, when Nate assumed the command, it was so natural to listen to him.
«There must be more than an entrance if this is a base. At least three... We should infiltrate through the easiest one and reach Lara and the pups faster.»
He passed a hand through his hair, lost in thought.
«It's impossible to erase our presence: there are too many of us. The only choice is to annul their advantage by being faster. Time is of the essence. Am I clear?»
Roxy nodded, wondering if she was required to be fast as well. She knew nothing about what it meant to work in a group.
«You will stay in the car. Lara and the kids might need support or care, so you'll talk with them if there's any need.»
She sighed, relieved she was actually there for something she could manage with her capabilities.
«Do not turn the engines off. We might need to flee in a hurry, even though I'm not expecting it. However, one is never too careful.»
Oh, it has been long since the last time their Alpha strategised. Roxy and the driver exchanged a meaningful look.
Nate was back to his old, reliable self.
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