Once she was relatively clean they joined Chad, Cody and Blake back in the office, her Alpha’s face full of concern when they arrived. “Are you all right, Cyndi?”
“She’s fine.” Caitrìona waved him off. “Just a little bit of shock, which is to be expected after everything. Now, Chad, go get the girl a stiff drink.”
“Brandy okay?” Cody asked.
“Sure.” Cyndi nodded, sitting on the edge of the desk. “What’s happening about the rogues and where is everyone?”
Chad’s face hardened, his hands fisting at his sides. “We’re teaming up with the other Alphas and going to hunt them down like the dirty mongrels they are. Starting first thing tomorrow. We’re not going to allow them to continue with whatever game they’re playing and we’re not allowing them to hurt one more person. As for where everyone is, well, they’ve all gone home. Quite some time ago, Cyndi. You were working on Jerry for a long time, honey. I guess you didn’t realize that, but you were, and as Caitrìona quite rightly said, you saved his life. You did an amazing job tonight. Cody told us how you took control straight away, jumped over tables to get to them and ordering people around. Damn, I kinda wish I was here to have seen that.”
Cyndi couldn’t stop herself from mumbling, “I wish I’d stayed home.”
Caitrìona shook her head. “No, Cyndi. If you’d stayed home then Jerry wouldn’t be on his way back to his Pack with Mercy, and he wouldn’t be alive to see his pup being born. Quite simply . . . he’d be dead.”
Cyndi’s heart stuttered in her chest as the enormity of that sunk in, her legs shaking and her head spinning. Hell, that wasn’t a burden she wanted to bear. She didn’t want to think of the ramifications that one decision could have on the life of another . . . it was just too deep.
“Don’t think about it,” Caitrìona chuckled. “Life is too hard as it is without going there.”
“Tell me about it,” Cyndi retorted. “I honestly didn’t want to come tonight but Connie talked me into it, as usual.”
“I’m sure Mercy and Jerry will thank the Goddess from now ‘til eternity that you did,” Chad put in as Cody returned with a very large brandy.
Cyndi grabbed it, tossing it back and downing it quickly. “I needed that,” she quipped.
“My men are outside guarding the perimeter so we should be good to go,” Cody told them, his face angry looking as he shook his head. “I still can’t believe this has happened and you know I’m in for tomorrow, Chad. I want to sink my fangs into those fucks for what they did on my patch.”
“I know you do, and of course you’re welcome. We go out at dawn so don’t be late because we won’t wait for you,” Chad replied firmly.
“We won’t be late. Me and the boys will be there bright and early and ready to hunt. Only question I have is . . . is it capture or kill?”
Cyndi gasped as Caitrìona ushered her out of the office. “This isn’t our business, Cyndi.”
“What? They’re talking about killing without even trying to capture them? Isn’t that wrong?” Cyndi had no option but to follow as she was pulled behind Caitrìona, Blake trailing behind them, Chad and Cody still in the office.
“Do you forget what they did to Jerry? With no provocation, and to his mate who is pregnant? They are rogues, Cyndi, and they have no thought for others. They will maim and kill any of us, with no thought for anyone, so I have no problem with them taking any of them out. Sorry, honey, if that offends you. I’m older than you and I’ve seen what rogues can do . . . you’ve never had to live through an out and out rogue attack. I have. Once you’ve seen what I have seen, well, then you come and tell me you have a problem with what Chad decides.”
Blake chimed in too. The normally quiet Beta shocking Cyndi with the venom in his voice. “I agree. I’ve also seen the aftermath of a rogue attack, Cyndi. It was brutal, deadly, and the worst thing I’ve witnessed in my life. They tore people to shreds for no reason, and that included kids and old people. If Chad gives the kill order then I will have no problem with it. None whatsoever. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect the Pack, and that includes you.”
Cyndi pulled to a stop as they reached the front door, turning to face Blake, her voice high-pitched, throat dry as she asked, “They killed kids?”
“Yes, they did,” he snapped back. “Tore them to bits and tossed them around for fun. I can’t get it out of my head and I swore I’d never allow that to happen to my Pack. So, yeah, Cyndi, I’ll kill any rogue that threatens us, no questions asked.”
“Fuck,” she cursed. “I guess I’m a little naïve when it comes to rogues.”
“I’m sorry, but yes, you are.” Blake’s voice softened as he nodded. “They’re not like us. They are brutal, deadly, and they kill just for the fun of it. Look what happened tonight . . . they did that just for the hell of it and to make people fear them. That’s what we’re up against.”
“I admit, when I was working on Jerry, I thought the only reason they’d done it was to instil fear in us. There was no other reason and it was a blitz attack, no purpose to it at all.”
“Exactly,” Blake replied, nodding. “They get off on that, or just for the hell of it.”
Cody and Chad walked down the corridor but Cyndi didn’t ask, and neither said what had been decided. She wasn’t sure whether she wanted to know . . . or not.
“Let’s get you home before Connie goes nuts.” Chad gave her a smirk.
“Yes, please, she’s already texted me, oh I don’t know . . . about a million times.” Cody chuckled. “I’m going to have to call the fire department to douse my phone ‘cause it’s gonna catch fire soon if she doesn’t give up already.”
“That’s Connie for you,” Blake snorted.
“She’s just worried for her friend.” Caitrìona frowned at the men. “It’s been a tough night for everyone concerned. Let’s just get Cyndi home so she can get some much needed rest.”
“Of course, you’re right.” Chad strode to the door, opening it and motioning for Blake to go first. “Make sure the area is secure.”
“It is,” Cody assured them. “I told you, my guys are out there patrolling. They’ve been checking the entire area and it’s clear.”
“Just making sure.” Chad nodded to Blake. “I’m not taking any chances when I have both the Pack’s Healers here.”
Caitrìona patted Cyndi’s back as they waited, Blake was back in a few moments, nodding. “We’re fine. Nothing in the area, Alpha.”
“After you.” Chad held the door as Cyndi followed Blake out and into the waiting SUV, Caitrìona and Chad at her back.
Cody waiting at the door to wave them away. “See you tomorrow.”
“Don’t be late,” Chad reminded him.
“We won’t.”
Cyndi’s stomach churned at the eager look on Cody’s face. The one that normally was friendly and welcoming was now one that was ready and willing to kill. Could she too kill to protect those she loved? She wasn’t sure . . . probably. If it came to it then the truth was she would more than likely do what Cody, Blake, Chad and the rest of the Wolves would do tomorrow . . . kill others to protect the Pack.
Her stomach roiled at the thought and she wondered if she’d make it home before she puked . . . again.