Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Brothers on a Mission
Cade Fenris entered the car and turned the volume of the radio to its maximum. The loud music blasted through the speakers, filling the entire vehicle with heavy beats and strong guitar riffs. The sound vibrated through the seats, making the windows rattle slightly. He leaned back in the driver’s seat, one hand on the steering wheel, feeling the rhythm pulse through his body.
Every other pack representative going for the Festival of Alphas would probably arrive with a large entourage, trying to look as menacing and powerful as possible. They would bring dozens of warriors, flashy cars, and expensive robes to show off their strength. But Cade didn’t give a fuck about any of that. He was going to Bloodmoon for one mission only—to see that his sister was being treated with dignity. Anything less than that, and he couldn’t promise there wouldn’t be bloodshed.
"Why did you make me come with you if you’re going to try to destroy my ear drums with this loud music?" Seth complained from the passenger seat, covering one ear with his hand.
That was exactly why Cade had picked him. Seth didn’t like noise, and he didn’t like creating it either. He was peaceful and level-headed when others weren’t. The corner of Cade’s lips twitched as he glanced at his younger brother through the corner of his eye.
He reached out and turned the volume down just enough so they could talk without shouting. "Someone’s pouty," he said with a small smile.
Seth let out a loud breath. "To be fair, I’m slightly nervous. I really hope Sonia is okay. You?"
"I hope so too. I don’t know what I’d do if she wasn’t. That’s why I picked you to come with me. You’re more level-headed than the rest of us," Cade admitted, his voice turning serious as he focused on the road ahead.
The car engine hummed steadily beneath them as they drove. The windows were slightly open, letting in the cool evening breeze that carried the scent of pine trees and damp earth. The sun was setting slowly, painting the sky in shades of orange and red, like blood spreading across the horizon.
They drove in silence for a while after that, each lost in their own thoughts.
For Cade, memories of the day Sonia was born kept replaying in his mind. Their previous mother which is Sonia’s birth mother, had been in so much pain, screaming for hours before she finally passed away soon after giving birth. It had cast a great darkness over the entire family. The pack had mourned for weeks. But as Sonia grew older, she started to look so much like their step-mother—the same auburn hair, the same warm hazel eyes, the same gentle smile. Their father, gutted that he couldn’t save his mate, had vowed to protect their sister with everything he had.
That was exactly why it made no sense to Cade that their father would rather protect his pride than do what was necessary to get her back. He knew, they all knew that Fenris wouldn’t survive it if anything happened to Sonia. The thought of her suffering in Ramon’s hands made Cade’s grip tighten on the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white.
Meanwhile, in Seth’s mind, worry gnawed at him like a persistent itch he couldn’t scratch. He had always been the closest to Sonia. Although their father protected her so fiercely that he warned the brothers not to get too close, afraid she would become as brutal as they had been molded to be and lose her innocence, Seth had found every way possible to make sure she was okay.
He took it upon himself to spy on her as much as he could, just to see that she was doing fine. There were also the guards their father paid to keep an eye on her. It was still crazy to him that they all happened to be preoccupied on the exact day Sonia was kidnapped by that insolent Ramon.
He closed his eyes and pictured her face. Just like he reminded their mother of her own mother, Sonia reminded him of theirs. They were so similar in many ways. Well, aside from their fierce side. Their mother had one, but Sonia was all peace. Just like he was. The thought of her being hurt made his chest feel tight.
"What do you think the Festival of Alphas is going to be like this year?" Cade finally broke the silence, his voice cutting through the low hum of the engine.
With his eyes still closed and his head resting against the seat, Seth shrugged. "Who knows? I’ve never particularly enjoyed any of them. It’s all just noise anyway. But seeing that Ramon has a vendetta and pushed so hard to host it, I’m guessing it’s going to be eventful. The kind of mess Jed usually leaves behind."
Cade chuckled. "I didn’t bring him with me for a reason. He would have started a different war from the one we’re already fighting with just one look."
"One very condescending look, followed by the vilest muttering you’ve ever heard."
"He has a lot of growing up to do, that one," Cade said, but his eyes still twinkled with amusement.
He did give the boy a lot of hell because he didn’t want him to grow up with that attitude. But he couldn’t deny that, in private, Jed drew a chuckle or two out of him.
"I forgot just how far the other packs can be," Seth muttered, opening his eyes to look at the passing trees.
"Yeah, the border would have made things easier. Unfortunately, there’s a war ongoing."
"One which we’re losing," Seth said what everyone else whispered.
"I told Father. He’s fully aware of it, but he still refuses to let us step in. There’s only so much one can push for. It’s clear he’s trying to come up with a plan. A plan we’ll know nothing about until he executes it."
"And if it fails?"
"Then we step in. Isn’t that why we’re representing the family today? We have to do our possible best to ensure what is best for Sonia’s safety is done. I hate that she has to bear the brunt of our destruction."
"I hate it too. She’s too sweet for this. I would trade places with her in a heartbeat," Seth said, his voice heavy with emotion.
"Careful what you wish for," Cade replied as he stepped on the brake.
"Of course it’s the Festival of Alphas," Seth whispered under his breath as they saw some wolves fighting in the middle of the road.
It was always a contest with these ones, to see who could come out victorious for a meager sum. In the end, it was mostly just to cause trouble.
"We can’t pass if they keep blocking the road," Seth complained when the fighting wolves showed no signs of clearing out.
"Then we’ll make them."
Cade reversed a little, then stepped hard on the pedal.
As he sped forward, the wolves scattered in different directions, clearing the path with surprised yelps and growls.
They had just passed when they heard a scream from behind: "Those are Alpha Fenris’s sons!"
Once more, Cade smiled.
