Chapter 243
Dominic’s POV
The Eastern District warehouse loomed before us, its steel exterior gleaming dully under the security lights. The air was thick with tension and the metallic scent of fear. Through the windshield, I could see four figures sitting on the concrete floor inside, their wrists bound with silver cuffs that glinted coldly in the harsh fluorescent lighting. The silver would prevent them from shifting and weaken their werewolf abilities – a necessary precaution when dealing with potential assassins.
1 exited the Maybach first, extending my hand to Rebecca as she followed. Her eyes met mine, a silent question passing between us. her a subtle nod, silently communicating that I was ready for what came next.
Rivera approached us immediately, his posture rigid with respect. Blood stained the sleeve of his tactical suit, evidence of the earlier confrontation.
I gave
“They won’t talk, Alpha,” he reported, his voice low and controlled. “We’ve tried standard interrogation techniques, but they’re well- trained. Probably mercenaries hired specifically for this operation.”
Rebecca’s fingers tightened around mine, her scent shifting subtly with determination and anger. I understood her feelings completely. These men had been part of a plan that threatened not just us, but potentially our son as well.
“It’s time they started talking,” I said, my voice hardening as I met Rivera’s gaze. “Keep the recording equipment running. Whatever happens next needs to be documented for the Council.”
The captured werewolves watched our approach with varying expressions Fear was useful.
one defiant, two wary, and the fourth openly fearful. Good.
I stopped a few feet from them, squared my shoulders, and slowly released the full force of my Alpha presence. It wasn’t a physical thing that humans could see, but every werewolf in the room felt it instantly. The air itself seemed to grow heavier, pressing down on the captives. Even Rivera and Johnson, standing at attention behind them, had to fight the instinct to lower their heads in submission.
The effect on our prisoners was immediate. All four hunched forward as if struck by physical blows. The most fearful one actually whimpered, his body trembling visibly.
“Who sent you?” I asked, my voice deceptively soft but laced with unmistakable threat.
Silence stretched between us, but I could hear their accelerated heartbeats, smell the sharpening tang of their fear. The defiant one – a stocky werewolf with a military–style haircut – attempted to meet my eyes but failed, his gaze dropping to the floor.
“You have one more chance to answer voluntarily,” I warned, taking another step forward.
When no answer came, I nodded to Rebecca, silently asking her to step back. She retreated a few paces, understanding what would come next. I approached the defiant one, allowing my partial shift to begin. My fingers elongated, nails hardening into razor–sharp claws. With deliberate slowness, I grabbed his shoulder, digging my claws into the muscle just enough to break the skin.
He grunted in pain but maintained his silence.
I leaned closer, bringing my mouth near his ear. “I can make this last for hours,” I whispered. “Or you can tell me what I need to know, and your death will be quick.”
His pulse jumped at the word “death,” confirming he understood the gravity of his situation. Still, he resisted. With a sigh that held no
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Chapter 243
real regret, I drove my claws deeper, piercing muscle and scraping bone. His scream echoed through the warehouse, bouncing off the
metal walls.
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The fear–scent from the other captives intensified dramatically. The youngest of them – barely more than a boy, really broke first.
The Collins family!” he gasped out, his voice high with terror. “It was Ronald and Caroline Collins! Please, don’t hurt me anymore!”
I withdrew my bloodied claws from the first captive, who slumped forward, panting with pain. Turning my attention to the one who had spoken. I kept my expression cold and impassive.
“Tell me everything,” I commanded, my Alpha influence crushing down upon him with renewed force.
The young werewolf trembled violently under the weight of my Alpha presence. I could almost see it myself – a heavy, invisible force that made breathing difficult for anyone in its path.
“They wanted us to eliminate the entire Sterling leadership,” he stammered, sweat beading on his forehead. “They planned it for weeks – tracking your movements.”
His next words made my blood run cold, and I felt Rebecca’s reaction through our bond before I even saw her move.
“They wanted us to hit the mansion too. Take out everyone, including… including your son.”
Rebecca lunged forward, her foot connecting with the speaker’s chest, sending him sprawling backward onto the concrete floor.
“My SON?!” she snarled, her teeth visibly sharpening as partial shift overtook her. “You were going to harm my CHILD?”
The young werewolf cowered, raising his cuffed hands defensively. “I–I was just following orders! Please! I never would have hurt a pup!”
I placed my hand on Rebecca’s shoulder, firm but gentle. Though my own fury ran deep – a cold, controlled rage that matched her explosive anger ·
we needed information more than vengeance at this moment.
–
She stepped back, her chest heaving with barely contained fury. I squeezed her shoulder once before turning back to the fallen werewolf.
“Where are Ronald and Caroline now?” I demanded.
The young werewolf glanced nervously at his companions before answering. “They have a safe house at the northern edge of their territory. It’s heavily guarded – at least twenty Delta–level warriors.”
“Show me on the map,” I ordered, as Rivera stepped forward with a tablet displaying their territorial boundaries.
a luxury estate that had changed ownership several With shaking hands, the captive pointed to a location near our northern border times in recent years. I recognized the area; we’d driven past it during one of our territory patrols.
“How many entrances?” I asked.
“Four. Main gate, service entrance in the back, and two emergency exits on the east and west sides. All guarded.”
I nodded, already analyzing possibilities and risks.
Rivera, who had been typing notes into his phone, looked up. “What should we do with them, Alpha?”
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Chapter 243
My gaze swept over the four captives, my expression unreadable. “Keep them secure and under guard. We’ll deal with them after we handle Collins.”
I turned to Rebecca, my eyes conveying the urgency of the situation. “We need to talk..
We moved to a quieter corner of the warehouse, our voices low to prevent the captives from overhearing. The acrid scent of fear and blood lingered in the air, making my nose wrinkle.
“They were going to attack Lucas,” Rebecca said, unable to keep the tremor from her voice. Her phone was already in her hand, our son’s face on the screen making my own protective instincts flare.
“I know,” I replied, my jaw tightening. “But Sofia and Diana got him to safety. He’s protected.”
“We need to end this, Dominic,” she said, looking up at me with determination. “Tonight. We can’t live with this threat hanging over our family.”
I nodded, my eyes darkening. “Agreed. But the safe house will be heavily fortified. A direct assault would cost lives – our lives.”
Rebecca glanced back at the captives, and I could almost see the wheels turning in her mind. “What if we don’t assault it directly?” she suggested, lowering her voice further. “What if we use their own men against them?”
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “I’m listening.”
