A/N: Sorry for the delay and for how short this chapter is, I again was having trouble with this jerk's pov again lol. The next two should be faster (and longer) as we return back to Simon, our smol bean who must be protected.  We're almost to the end of part one of this book which is something I did not expect to reach tbh. There's about 4-6 chapters left depending which pov I decide to close it at. I will also be working on the side stories shortly, mainly Dwaine and Grant's as I have most of the plot figured out for them over Cedar's story.  Let me know what you guys think, and thanks for the views, comments,  and votes so far!

Chapter 20

Vince's POV

I had been on edge for months now. Even the slightest thing made me irritable. With no sign of Michael or Simon, I was at my wit's end. Xavier and Lucas had been looking, but I often wondered if they were actually trying.

But I wasn't the only one who was irritable. The patrol betas were getting more and more antsy as the influx of rogues circling our territory was alarming. They were working overtime most days and a lot of times the rogues seemed gutsy enough to get within a few feet from our property line. I could only assume that Michael had some part in all this. And with the frequency of rogues, pack members were getting more cautious and fearful of leaving their houses.

Even Sarah was irritable these days. Despite our big fight, and moving out of our room, she offered to keep her title as Luna for the sake of the pack. After discussing and pleading with her, we agreed that a pack without a Luna would probably fail. She continued to help during pack meetings and keep up the appearance of a happy pair, but as soon as she was alone with me, all the contempt and anger she felt for me was unleashed.

It was frustrating, but at least there seemed to be some sense of normalcy when she would play the part. I wasn't sure how long this could last, but I was going to appreciate every moment of it.

"Vince, we got a problem," Dwaine announced, moving his phone away from his ear as he walked beside me. "The betas found a dead hunter near the northern border this morning."

I stopped in my tracks. "What?"

He listened to the person on the phone for a second before hanging up and putting it away. "Leo. A theta. His mate reported him missing last night after he went for an early run yesterday. Xavier and Sarah are at the scene already."

There was already a large crowd of people when Dwaine and I arrived, mostly nearby neighbors, the betas and Leo's family. I spotted Sarah crouched down hugging Leo's mate, as she sobbed silently into Sarah's shoulders. Their two kids also huddled next to their mom, sobbing. The betas parted to allow for us to see the victim, the neighbors murmuring amongst themselves. Sure enough, in his wolf form was what was left of Leo.

I rarely interacted with most thetas, but when I did participate in hunts frequently, he often received high praise for tackling big game. It had only been a week ago that he had approached me about retiring from the hunting party, something he had put off for a while in the wake of the recent rogues.

There was something very sobering about seeing someone you know, someone you've just seen, dead in front of you. Especially someone so lively suddenly so....dead. And suddenly it reminded me of that crazy nightmare I had. Simon's crumpled form, blood from his punctured neck. Looking at Leo made me question if Simon was out there, dead in the middle of nowhere. It was a thought I didn't want to dwell on.

It took me a while to process, but I noticed the extent and gravity of Leo's injuries. Most rogue attacks were simple, clean kills, a bite to the neck, leg wounds, sometimes the stomach. With Leo, it had looked like he had been attacked and played with by a bear. Puncture wounds littered his entire body, his legs obviously broken, one sticking through his skin. Parts of his skin seemed ripped off, blood staining every inch of his coat. And the most gruesome was where his throat had been, completely torn out, the blood still seeping out onto the grass.

I could only hope his death was swift, and that most of these wounds were done after. He didn't deserve this kind of suffering.

My jaw clenched, trying to remain as calm as possible, but there was no way I could remain calm. This was a declaration of war, no one got away with this.

I nearly jumped when Xavier placed his hand on my shoulder. "This was found on the body."

I turned to see him pass me a small piece of paper. The look on Xavier's face gave me an idea of who this note was from.

I unfolded it, in the same old handwriting he had when he was younger read;

Checkmate,

M.

Resisting the urge to yell, vomit, and punch something at the same time, I crumpled the paper, turning on my heel so fast and stormed off. Xavier and Dwaine followed close behind, as I told the other betas from the Rogue Control to help the grieving family.

I was swearing practically the whole way back to the packhouse, hoping that somehow this was all just some sick joke one of the betas was pulling.

I didn't want to believe it. Michael had made his move. His first move in all these years. Whatever he was planning, it was making me sick to my stomach.

Nearly ripping the door off its hinges to the council room, I grabbed the nearest stack of papers, throwing them to the floor. Dwaine and Xavier froze, as I yelled out my frustrations at what was probably important documents.

"What now?" Dwaine voiced after I plopped down into the chair.

"I don't know," I replied. "But I'm going to make him pay."

Xavier frowned, leaning against the desk. "We should be cautious, Vince. We don't know what he's capable of. He could have hundreds of rogues on his side or even rival packs."

Just as I was about to yell in frustration, the council room phone rang. Neither of us moved, as it rang over and over. Eventually, Xavier caved, reaching for it before handing it to me.

I didn't dare speak first.

"Why hello, brother dearest," the sound of his voice made me nauseous. "I assume you've received my gift."

I didn't respond, don't think I could have. Xavier seemed to catch onto who it was, sitting at the edge of one the seats, Dwaine still leaning by the door.

"Now, I hadn't wished to take things this far, but you've failed me, brother. If only you had protected him like you said you would."

I gulped. "What are you talking about? Where is he?"

"I warned you what would happen if you didn't take care of him," his tone of voice getting darker. "Think of this as a warning. Next time, it won't be just a petty theta."

"That was an innocent person, Michael," I nearly shouted.

Michael scoffed. "I could say the same to you, Vince. All those people you killed were just as innocent."

"Where is he, Michael? Where is Simon?"

"The clearing just north of the RCPP. Meet me there in a week's time, just around noon. If you don't, I'll drop off Simon in worse shape than that pathetic hunter; you won't even recognize him. Make sure you bring an audience, I can't wait for the pack to see how pathetic you really are."

"You have him, don't you? Michael?" The phone went dead. "Michael?"

Insurmountable rage rolled through me. I threw the phone to the ground, wiped everything off the desk closest to me. The five stacks of paper, the lamp, the stationary holder, everything. I was beyond furious, that if my wolf had been stronger, I'd probably shift and destroy everything in my path.

I wanted to destroy Michael, make him pay for all of this shit. I was going to kill him next week if it was the last thing I do. I was going to wipe that stupid smirk off his face, that same condescending one from my nightmare I knew he had over the phone.

But part of me knew that it would be difficult. I could hardly shift anymore. And if Michael was looking for a fight, he might have the upper-hand. But it wasn't going to stop me. Once I saw him, I wouldn't let him get a word out.

"He has him?" Xavier asked, frowning. "Are you certain?"

"Most likely," I spat. "And he wouldn't have if you and Lucas had been watching him!"

Xavier almost snarled back. "We did until you showed up and scared the crap out of him! And for the record, we have been looking every day."

I ran a hand through my hair, fuming silently. Xavier continued, "What exactly did Michael tell you?"

"He'll kill Simon if I don't meet him next week."

"Just to talk? Or a duel?"

I hadn't thought of a duel, but it made some sense. But Michael would be stupid to even try and rip the alpha title from me. But a duel would explain why he wanted an audience. But if it was the alpha title he wanted, I'd make sure he wouldn't get it. I'd rather die than hand it over.

"What do you plan on doing, Vince?"

"Do I really have a choice?" I slammed my hand on the desk. "There's a good chance he'll murder him If I don't show."

Xavier sighed. "Will you be able to fight if it comes down to it?"

I gave him a cold glare. He was lucky only Dwaine was in the room. I couldn't have any of the betas know about my wolf, then I'd really be seen as a weak leader. That's why if I had to fight Michael, I was going to damn well do it.

"Yes," I replied, trying to quell the nerves of the idea of having to undergo a painful shift.