The gunshots echoed through the fog like thunder.
Vivian's ears rang as chaos exploded across Pier Seven. Wolves shifted mid-run, claws scraping against the wet wood as Jamo's pack clashed with the attackers emerging from the mist.
Another shot cracked through the air.
A bullet slammed into the railing beside Vivian, splintering wood.
"Get in the boat!" Lucas snapped.
Vivian jerked away from him.
"I'm not leaving them!"
Behind her, Jamo had already shifted halfway. His claws glinted in the dim light as he slammed one of the attackers into the ground.
The man dropped his weapon with a scream.
Jamo's wolves fought beside him, their growls cutting through the fog.
Lucas grabbed Vivian's wrist again.
"You don't understand what's happening!"
"Then explain it!" she shouted.
Lucas glanced toward the pier.
Three more figures were advancing through the mist.
They carried silver rifles.
Lucas swore under his breath.
"Too late."
Before Vivian could react, Lucas shoved her down behind a stack of crates as another shot rang out.
The bullet whistled over their heads.
Vivian's heart pounded violently.
"These aren't rogues," Lucas muttered.
"No kidding."
Lucas peered over the crate.
His eyes narrowed instantly.
"They found me."
Vivian frowned.
"Who did?"
Lucas didn't answer.
Instead, he reached into his coat and pulled out a small black device.
He pressed a button.
Somewhere in the distance, an engine roared to life.
Vivian stared at him.
"You came prepared to run."
Lucas gave her a quick look.
"I came prepared for everything."
Another gunshot echoed.
One of Jamo's wolves cried out.
Vivian's stomach twisted.
She looked toward the fight.
Jamo had shifted fully now.
The massive black wolf moved like a storm through the fog, knocking one attacker off the pier and slamming another into a metal post.
Vivian had seen strong wolves before.
But Jamo was something else.
Lucas followed her gaze.
He studied Jamo for a moment.
Then he nodded slightly.
"Impressive."
Vivian glared at him.
"That's your comment right now?"
Lucas looked back toward the fog.
"He'll survive this."
"How do you know?"
Lucas's voice turned quiet.
"Because they're not here for him."
Vivian froze.
"They're here for you?" she asked.
Lucas didn't answer.
That silence was enough.
Vivian's anger flared.
"You dragged me into this!"
Lucas met her eyes.
"You were already in it."
Another figure emerged from the fog.
This one moved differently.
Slower.
More confident.
He stepped onto the pier like he owned it.
Vivian felt a chill crawl down her spine.
The man wore a dark suit despite the rain and fog.
Silver cufflinks glinted on his wrists.
His expression was calm.
Too calm.
Lucas's entire posture changed.
His jaw tightened.
"Well," Lucas muttered. "That's bad."
Vivian whispered, "Who is that?"
The man stopped about twenty feet away.
His eyes moved between Lucas… and Vivian.
Then he smiled.
"Lucas Black."
His voice was smooth and controlled.
"I was hoping we'd finally meet face to face."
Lucas stepped slightly in front of Vivian.
"Did you follow me personally?"
"I had to," the man replied. "You've been… difficult to catch."
Vivian's pulse raced.
"Lucas…"
Lucas spoke quietly.
"Stay behind me."
The man's eyes shifted toward Vivian.
"Ah."
His smile widened slightly.
"The sister."
Vivian's breath caught.
"You know who I am?"
"Of course."
The man clasped his hands behind his back.
"You're Vivian Black."
Lucas's voice turned sharp.
"Leave her out of this."
The man chuckled.
"That's adorable."
Vivian stepped forward.
"Who are you?"
The man bowed slightly.
"Director Adrian Vale."
Lucas muttered under his breath.
"Of course he introduced himself."
Vivian frowned.
"Director of what?"
Vale's eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Black Unit."
Silence hit like a hammer.
Vivian turned slowly toward Lucas.
"You said"
Lucas cut her off.
"I said I didn't run it."
Vale laughed softly.
"And technically he doesn't."
Vivian's stomach dropped.
"What does that mean?"
Vale stepped closer.
"Lucas built the system."
Lucas's jaw clenched.
"But I perfected it."
Vivian stared at Lucas in disbelief.
"You built it?"
Lucas's voice was low.
"I built a network to track traffickers."
Vale smiled wider.
"And I turned it into the most profitable wolf-capture operation in the world."
Vivian felt sick.
"You hijacked it."
"Such an ugly word," Vale replied calmly.
Lucas's eyes burned with quiet rage.
"You murdered hundreds of wolves."
Vale shrugged.
"Business."
Behind them, Jamo's wolves continued fighting the remaining attackers.
Jamo himself had just thrown a man through a crate.
But his attention shifted toward the conversation happening on the pier.
His golden eyes locked onto Vale.
Lucas noticed.
"Alpha's coming," Lucas muttered.
Vale glanced toward Jamo.
"Ah. The famous Alpha Jamo."
He seemed almost pleased.
"This night keeps getting more interesting."
Vivian stepped closer to Lucas.
"Why didn't you stop him?"
Lucas's expression darkened.
"I tried."
Vale tilted his head.
"He did."
Lucas looked ready to rip someone apart.
"I spent two years destroying your operations."
Vale shrugged.
"And yet here we are."
Jamo finally approached them.
His wolf form towered over the pier.
His golden eyes glowed through the fog.
Vale looked at him with open curiosity.
"So this is the Alpha who's been interfering with my shipments."
Jamo's deep voice rumbled.
"You're the one stealing wolves."
Vale smiled politely.
"Borrowing."
Jamo growled.
Lucas stepped between them.
"This isn't the time."
Jamo's eyes snapped to Lucas.
"You."
Lucas raised his hands slightly.
"Later."
Vale sighed.
"This reunion is touching, but unfortunately…"
He lifted his hand.
Dozens of red laser sights appeared through the fog.
They locked onto Lucas.
Onto Vivian.
Onto Jamo.
Snipers.
Hidden everywhere.
Vale's smile widened.
"I believe this game has reached its final round."
Vivian's heart dropped.
They were completely surrounded.