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It wasn’t what he wanted to hear.

Fuck.

The waiting was always the worst.

Or maybe it was the not knowing what the fuck they were going to come into when they reached the valley on the other side. Pack legend referred to the place as The Slaughter Bowl, for the number of shifters who’d died there during the battle to control those lands. To this day it remained unclaimed and unmonitored because of the remoteness of the place, despite its proximity to several prominent shifter communities.

Which made it the worst and best place for illegal activities.

From the trafficker’s standpoint, The Slaughter Bowl was surrounded on both sides by mountains, with Deadman’s Pass being the only way in or out from the western side of the bowl. On the east, there was a far more accessible road that connected to a single lane blacktop. The allies coming in from that side would have a much easier time reaching the bowl. Unfortunately, they were also much further away and not likely to arrive until way too late to do more than help with the cleanup.

What made the pass a challenge was how high up it was in relation to the valley below it, not to mention that it was narrow and the road wasn’t a road at all. It was crumbling dirt currently covered with snow. If the chain wrapped tires and 4-wheel drive weren’t up to the task, they’d be screwed, as would the vehicles behind them, when they caused a logjam and left themselves sitting ducks.

The other road was dirt too, but it was level and didn’t have edges that were constantly being eroded by water and wind. Rusty whispered a prayer, echoed by the wolves around him, before falling silent again.

On a good night, The Slaughter Bowl was still an hour and twenty minutes outside of pack lands. The skies had been threatening them with a storm since before lunch. If it held out longer to let them get in and out of the pass, he truly would appreciate it. If it bypassed them completely, even better.

They were just approaching the final curve before the incline leading up to the pass when Cage’s phone pinged several times in rapid succession.

“Yes! We have confirmation. Two tents, surrounded by six semis and an RV. I’d bet good money that’s their command center. We have additional backup coming as well. The elk have mobilized. Foxes have too. Deer are coordinating with the elk. Swans are up in arms. We all know how many missing they have. The High Council has been notified and they’re sending official units to the site. We might not make it home today at this rate, but it’s gonna be worth it.”

“Hell yeah!” Roark said as cheers drowned out the music.

This was the opportunity they’d been waiting for. If the High Council was willing to send a team, then they would officially be taking over the investigation. Not that the wolves of Comet Lake would ease their patrols any. Their territory was secure because they were vigilant. They valued their freedom too much to ever stop.

“What do you see back there?” Baz asked.

Rusty glanced behind him and the winding road revealed far more vehicles than the ones they’d left the compound with.

“More than nine vehicles,” I replied.

“We will get them this time,” Brooks declared, his voice harsher than Rusty had heard it in a long time.

“You’re damn right we will,” Flame growled.

“Ridge is going to be miffed about being left behind,” Wild said. “Perhaps I’ll get to pluck out an eyeball or two to take home to him as a trophy.”

Cor started cracking up behind the wheel. Brooks snickered too. There was a story there Rusty hadn’t heard yet. Next time they were working side by side in one of the garage bays, he’d ask. Here wasn’t the time or the place.

The command center just recalled everyone. Charlie is on the way over to stay with the pups.

Logan’s voice in his head cut through the laughter that had filled the vehicle following their bloodthirsty owl’s words.

Cage just informed us that we might not be home today. The High Council has stepped in. I’m sure you’ll learn more about all the moving parts involved when you get to the command center.

Already getting dressed. I let Roark know too.

“Ridge was his team’s communication specialist,” Brooks muttered beneath his breath. “Messages are going to start flying tonight. Might be time to bring a third operator on board.”

Buttons beeped as Brooks texted, the climb growing steeper once again as lightning illuminated the sky, momentarily blinding them. The final test of the vehicles’ horsepower and endurance was upon them. Rusty was proud that he’d been able to keep up with the conversation in his head as well as the one around him.

“I doubt he went back to sleep,” Wild said.

“Tell him to get his ass to the tower. I’ll have it all arranged by the time he arrives.”

Wild’s mental connection with Ridge meant Brooks could put the wheels in motion while the rest of them held their breath. Rusty turned, unable to see through the windshield anyway. He watched the vehicles behind theirs. Once they made it through the pass, they’d be visible, especially with the increased frequency of lightning strikes. There would be no stopping or slowing down. If they couldn’t surround the traffickers quickly enough, or the other vehicles didn’t make it through the pass, Brooks would need time to direct the resources they did have.

“Almost there. Almost there.”