The civilians behind us, unarmed and defenseless, wore expressions of utter despair. The faces of my pack members weren’t much better. Time had run out to organize any kind of defense, and frustration boiled over among the group.
“Hunter, are you trying to get everyone killed?” one of the warriors snapped, his voice laced with anger.
“And you, Artemis,” another growled, “why did you have to go back for that stupid egg? Are you out of your mind?”
Artemis clung to the white egg in her arms, shrinking behind Hunter as tears streamed down her face. “I—I just thought it was so helpless. It’s still a life, isn’t it?”
Joy, our Beta, let out a bitter laugh. “A life? What about the lives of everyone in this town? Do you realize your little stunt could get them all killed?”
Artemis fell silent, her fingers tightening around Hunter’s arm as she sobbed. Hunter immediately stepped in front of her, shielding her from the accusing stares. “Enough!” he barked, his alpha tone reverberating through the room. “Artemis was just being compassionate. What’s wrong with that?”
He turned to me, his tone dripping with disdain. “Besides, Savannah’s here. She’s got enough power and resources to protect us all. What’s the big deal?”
The others exchanged uneasy glances, their frustration now directed at me. “Luna,” one of them said, “we trusted you to lead us, but this… this isn’t leadership. You’re letting emotions cloud your judgment. Are we just supposed to watch these people die?”
I bowed my head, guilt twisting in my chest. “You’re right,” I admitted. “I let my feelings get in the way. That was my mistake.”
Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a small, intricate device. “This is a temporary barrier generator. It’ll hold off the rogues for seven days. We’ll use that time to regroup and come up with a plan.”
Hunter scoffed, his hand still resting on Artemis’s shoulder. “You’re all overreacting,” he said, his voice dripping with condescension. “It’s just a rogue attack. In seven days, they’ll be gone. You’re all acting like cowards.”
Joy glared at him, but there was no time to argue. The immediate threat was still looming. We made our way to an inn in the town, where the grateful civilians insisted on giving us the best rooms, refusing to take any payment.
“We saved their lives,” Hunter said with a shrug, his arm still around Artemis. “They owe us. Besides, we deserve it after all that.”
He turned to the innkeeper, his tone commanding. “Bring us your best dishes, and make sure my room has the finest accommodations.”
The others exchanged looks of disgust, but before anyone could speak, Joy’s communicator buzzed. Her face paled as she read the message. “Luna,” she said, her voice tight, “the pack just relayed intel. This rogue attack isn’t normal. They think it could last up to forty-nine days. Our barrier won’t hold that long.”
Hunter rolled his eyes. “Relax. Savannah will figure something out. Or we’ll just fight our way out. You’re all acting like we’re doomed.”
I placed a calming hand on Joy’s shoulder and pulled out my own communicator, sending a message to the pack. “It’s fine. I’ve already requested reinforcements. They’ll help us evacuate the town.”
Hunter grinned, turning to Artemis. “See? I told you it would be fine. Once we get back to the pack, I’ll talk to the Alpha and make sure you can stay with us.”
The two of them disappeared upstairs, leaving the rest of us in stunned silence. Joy turned to me, her voice low. “Luna, if it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t be in this mess. We wouldn’t have had to call for reinforcements.”
I smiled faintly. “Tell me, Joy, what’s the punishment for harboring a rogue creature in the pack?”
“Expulsion,” she said without hesitation. “And imprisonment in the pack dungeon.”
I nodded. It took her a moment, but then her eyes widened as she realized what I was implying. The egg Artemis had been so desperate to save wasn’t just an ordinary egg. It was something dangerous, something tied to the rogues.
I’d known it the moment I saw it. But Hunter had been so eager to defend Artemis, to praise her “compassion.” If he wanted to take responsibility for her choices, I wasn’t going to stop him.
Though I had to wonder—when the consequences came crashing down, would he still be so willing to protect her? The pack dungeon was no place for the weak. I doubted even Hunter could endure what awaited him there.
