The Orphaned Queen (By Brandi Ray) novel Chapter 83

Zion’s P.O.V.

While cleaning up the mess in the basement, one of the guards links Christian, letting him know that the shelter has been cleared and is safe. He gives the order to move everyone unable to fight into the shelter quickly and quietly, making sure to get the Queen in first. I know that won’t go down well with her, and I can’t help but shake my head cause I’m sure he’ll get an ear full after this is over. When the basement is clean, Eithan, Christian, and I make our way back up to the main floor of the pack house while discussing our plan of action. Christian lets us know that the guards on border patrol will be changing shifts soon. I nod my understanding as we make it to the kitchen.

We make ourselves something to eat while waiting for the guards that have been on border patrol to come in so we can debrief them on the situation since they’ve been at the border and are unaware of the events that have unfolded in the basement. Once they arrived, they grabbed some food and sat at the table as we started explaining why we had to lock down the pack and then sent everyone to the shelter.

In the middle of debriefing the guards, Sam calls my cell to inform me that the backup convoy was fifteen minutes out. Suddenly, everyone jumps into motion as we get a link from the guards at the front gate, alerting us that rogues were crossing the border and on their way. I tell Eithan to get all the guards to the gate so we can keep them as far away from the pack house and shelter as possible before quickly telling Sam what’s happening. He tells me he will let the backup convoy know before hanging up. We all rush out of the packhouse and down to the front gate with the other guards to see an army of rogues walking down the path led by Max with a creepy smile.

“How has he healed already? He should be seriously injured after Rain hit him with our Jeep.” Ryker growls.

“I don’t know, but we will put him out of his misery this time,” I tell him, and he agrees. I quickly Link Rain, asking her if she’s in the shelter. She says they are locked in. I tell her Max is here and not to open the door for anyone but me.

“It’s nice to see you all healed and here to welcome me home, Zion,” Max says with a menacing sneer as they come to a halt more than seventy feet away from us.

“What do you want, Max?” I ask in anger.

“I came to extend my condolences for the loss of your mate and pups.” He says with a sadistic laugh.

“What’s he talking about?” Eithan links me.

“Maybe he thinks the poisoning was successful,” I respond. “That means whoever was responsible was unaware that they’re fine. Maybe it would be best to go with it.”

“I agree. If they think the Queen is dead, they may not attack for a while. It could give her the time she needs to give birth to the pups and recover.” He says. It’s a good plan, but I’m not sure how she will react to the news.

“You’re not welcome in this pack,” I tell Max, who frowns.

“It’s my pack. I am the Alpha of Blue River Pack!” He screams in anger.

“Not anymore. I striped your mate of her Luna title, and now I strip you of your Alpha title.” I say with a smile. “Alpha Eithan is now in charge of the Blue River Pack.”

“Bullshit! You can’t take my title.” He screams, getting even angrier.

“I am the King of the Southern Werewolf Kingdom. I can do as I please.” I say before he and his rogue army shift and rush toward us. Eithan, Christian, and I shift, followed by the guards as we brace for impact.

Max stops about twenty feet from us as his army continues. I quickly link Eithan to let him know I’ll be going after Max. He understands and tells me that they can handle the army as Max takes off running in the other direction. Ryker and I take off after him, dodging the rogue wolves that try to get in my way, attempting to stop me.

“I think it would be best to keep everyone in the shelter until the bodies have completely burned down. There’s no reason for them to see it. They’ve been scared enough.” Eithan says, and Eithan and I nod in agreement.

“I’ll also order everyone to keep the fact that Rain is still alive quiet for now. I want to give her a break so that she can focus on herself and the pups for a bit.” I say before walking over to the shelter door, linking Rain to open it from the inside. The door constantly unlocks, and Rain rushes out of the door and into my arms. Wrapping my arms around her, I ask if she’s okay. She nods but then pulls away and looks at her hands.

“You’re bleeding!” She says.

“I’m okay. It’s just a scratch.” I try to tell her, but she turns me around quickly, placing her hands on my back, and begins to heal the cuts before looking at Christian and Eithan.

“Is there any more wounded?” She asks them.

“There’s a few, but Doctor Mikka is tending to them,” Eithan tells her.

“We want to go home.” She says as I turn back around to face her.

“We’ll leave as soon as everyone gets settled. I also need to talk to the whole pack before we leave.” I tell her, and she looks at me with a look of confusion.

“Why?” She asks. I know she’s not going to like my answer, but she needs to know, and hopefully, she will understand that this is for her protection.