Seeking Pack Redemption Read Online Free

was off-limits.
    Rumors
abounded about the strange decree, rumors aided by the disappearances of
wolves, mostly male ones. Large packs of rogues kept cropping up and breaking
the rules—mainly causing trouble and violence among the humans. Those rogues
didn’t live for long once found. The packs had enforcer groups set up especially
to deal with them. Trent even joined a few for the thrill of the hunt. Everyone
needed to do their part to ensure the out-of-control wolves didn’t draw the
wrong kind of attention—a.k.a. human—to their kind.
    While Trent
enjoyed the dynamics of a group bent on keeping their secret safe through
violence—something he excelled at—he didn’t like the order forcing
him both to leave his home in the woods and to unite his small group of Lycans with an adjoining group. He didn’t like it but
couldn’t deny something was wrong, and whatever it was, it was coming after his
people. The safety of the families under his care mattered more than his pride.
    As an
alpha himself, Trent knew that living under another’s rule sucked, even if he had
nothing but the greatest respect for Nathan, one of the council leaders despite
his youth. But no martial law, or logic, could stop Trent from leaving to look
for his brother when he discovered him missing, although his temporary alpha
tried.
    Nathan sat behind his desk while Trent paced
across from him, instinct warning him he wasn’t going to like what the council
leader had to say.
    “I’ve had people looking into your brother’s
disappearance.”
    “And?”
    “By all indications, he’s gone rogue.”
    “Bullshit,” Trent declared. “David doesn’t have
the backbone to become a lone wolf.”
    “Who says he is? We think he’s joined up with a
group of rogues.”
    Trent couldn’t help his scoffing tone. “I don’t
believe it. My brother wouldn’t harm a fly. He’s not capable of it.”
    Nathan sighed noisily. “What I’m going to tell you
is classified, although you’ve probably heard rumors. The rogues aren’t acting
independently. Hell, they’re not joining these rebel groups because they want
to. Someone is forcing them to act in ways contrary to their beliefs and our
laws.”
    “So what, there’s an alpha out there threatening
them to obey?”
    “Not threatening. Our enemy is using mind control
to fuck with them.”
    A snort escaped him. “Don’t tell me you believe
that! I’ve heard that ridiculous rumor. A vampire supposedly
controlling wolves. What a load of crap.”
    “It’s the truth.”
    “Really? Then why haven’t we had a meeting about
it? Why haven’t you gone public with the knowledge?”
    The alpha drummed his fingers on his desk.
    Trent smirked. “Because it’s not true.”
    “Oh, it’s true all right, but can you imagine
announcing it to the pack at large. Controlling them is hard enough as it is,
even with the Pack Laws. How do you think they’d react if they knew vampires
existed, and that one in particular can control their minds and make them dance
to his tune like marionettes?”
    “I think they’d demote your ass as pack leader and
council member and lock you up in a padded room,” Trent retorted. “I don’t know
what game you and the council are playing, but I’m not falling for this
falsehood. I’m leaving to find my brother, martial law or not.”
    “It’s dangerous out there. You’ll make a perfect
target for the creature seeking to strengthen his ranks.”
    “I’ll take my chances.”
    “Leave, and you’ll be declared rogue,” Nathan
growled. “And be warned, once you step out of those gates, there’s no coming
back.”
    “Then so be it.”
    Family was
more important to Trent than the pack. David, despite his many faults, was all
Trent had left.
    Although Nathan
didn’t come out and publicly declare him rogue as Trent prepared to leave, he
did have a warning posted that any who left, other
than during designated supply runs, could not return to the pack. Once