You’ve got about five seconds to tell me what you’re doing jumping on my tank, kid.” Valchek was covered in heavy duty, battle armor. His assault rifle was pointed directly at me. He pushed the cold metal barrel against my throat.

“I was sent to find you. Valchek, we know each other. It’s been a long time, but we grew up together. Don’t you recognize me?” I asked.

“Five. Four. Three. Two—”

“It’s Carter! Carter Thompson. Please, put the damn gun down,” I said.

He lowered his gun and furrowed his brow. “Daren’s boy? No shit! What in fuck’s name are you doing in the camps? This ain’t a place for someone like you,” he said.

“It’s a long story. My dad never registered us. They caught him a few days ago,” I said.

Valchek glanced anxiously around him. “We can’t exactly talk here. What do you want from me?”

I looked at the other guards, who were smoking cigarettes and shooting the shit. They were underpaid, tired, and looked like they didn’t care about their job whatsoever.

“I have this letter for you,” I said, reaching into my bag. I handed him the envelope. His eyes lit up once he saw the cash.

Laughing, Valchek slipped the envelope into his body armor. “I’ll read the letter later. Whatever plan he has concocted is bound to fail. Your father is a great planner, but the militia has thousands of men ready to arm up and unleash on the gray wolf population. We don’t need any more bad media coverage to start a cultural war around here,” he said.

I turned red with fury. My whole body was trembling. I wanted to act, but I didn’t know how. “Cultural war? What do you truly care about? Is it family? Is it friends? Or do you just have no convictions? Maybe we need a cultural war around here,” I said.

The guards that were smoking turned their attention on us. Valchek’s eyes widened, and he anxiously gave them a thumb’s up sign. He grabbed my shirt and pinned me against the metal tank.

“You’re overstepping your boundaries, kid. You’re young and enthusiastic. I understand that, but I’ve lived a long fucking life. A hard life. I watched all my friends and family disappear. Do you know why I took this job?”

“No,” I admitted. I didn’t. All I knew was that he was the “go-to” guy to help me, in case of an emergency.

“You’re damn right you don’t,” he said. “I’m trying to help you in the only way I know how.”

“And what does that entail? Because right now, I see my people starving, sad, and confused. These camps are hell,” I said.

He leaned his fat head down, near mine. The helmet around his head nearly touched my skull. He lowered his voice. “We all have a role in this revolution,” he whispered.

“Revolution?” I felt a rush of excitement enter my body. “You mean…”

“Keep your voice down. You never know who’s listening,” he said.

Gray wolf shifters roamed around us. They looked like they were on their last legs. I couldn’t see or sense any omegas in the camp. I didn’t know how our people would last, even if the rebels came over the borders again. There just weren’t enough of us left.

“You’re with the rebels?” I whispered.

He nodded. “The Northern Pack Alliance,” he said.

I couldn’t believe my ears. He let go of my shirt and grinned. A cold rush of wind forced me to take a step back. “Fuck. The Northern Pack Alliance? I thought the militias had wiped them all out. The news had a field day with the bombings,” I said.

“You trust the news reports? Who do you think holds their shares, sits on their board of directors, and writes their memos?” he asked.

I didn’t even need to answer. I knew that our government was responsible for our demise, and I was naïve to think the media weren’t beholden to them too. Valchek continued. “We are everywhere. And we have a plan too. Now, put your hands behind your back, and stop talking. You’re under arrest.”

“Wait, what?” As soon as I asked the question, he forced me to turn around. He pushed me against the vehicle and latched the rough handcuffs around my wrists. The guards nearby started to clap. I was the butt of the joke.

“Got another one, boys!” Valchek raised his fist into the air. He received more cheers of admiration.

“Please. Valcheck. What are you doing?” I screamed, but it’s no use. I was already being dragged to a nearby police car.

“Just stay quiet,” he growled. “This is all part of the plan.”

He forced a dark bag over my head. He shoved me into the police car, despite my frantic cries and frustrated kicks. Once I was in the car, I knew I had no say. Valchek was in complete control.

And though he promised me everything was going according to the Northern Pack Alliance plans, I couldn’t help but think of the omega on the other side, and how I might have fucked up.

Maybe he was the mate I had been waiting for. Either way, it was obvious that I’d never get to find out.