Augustin’s POV
The arrest teams split up outside the polo grounds. Matthew’s team divided into two groups, Matthew, Kieran, Elton, and Ulysses in one: Quinn and Madders in the other. The Delta teams split into six groups. My team abandoned the limousine in favor of a van, starting with the Vasquez family
We followed their car in our van, then cut them off on a side street, Kellan got out, looking annoyed. I stepped out as well.
“What the hell?” he began, but his words died in his throat when he saw me.
Alpha Kellan Vasquez, you’re under arrest for treason against the crown, I announced formally.
His eyes widened. “This is ridiculous! On what charges?”
“Conspiracy, treason, attempted murder,” I listed calmly. “Your brothers are being arrested as we speak.”
The color drained from his face. “You can’t do this,” he protested weakly.
“I already am,” I replied, signaling for the Deltas to secure him. Fenris stirred within me, wanting to emerge and tear into the traitor, but I kept him contained. There would be time for that later if necessary.
Our next stop was Bruce Ford’s residence. We found him and his mate at home, preparing for dinner. The shock on their faces when we burst in was almost comical.
Alpha Bruce Ford, you’re under arrest for treason against the crown,” I declared.
“This is outrageous!” he spluttered. “On whose authority?”
“Mine,” I said simply. “The Alpha King.”
His mate began to cry. “Bruce, what have you done?”
He turned to her, anger flashing in his eyes. “Shut up, woman!”
We cuffed them both with silver, ignoring their protests. The arrest happened so quickly they had no time to resist or call for help. I remained silent, saving my questions for the formal interrogation later.
As we loaded Bruce and his mate into the van, I called Kieran.
“How’s it going on your end?” I asked when he answered.
“Smooth as silk,” he replied, his voice tinged with satisfaction. “No one’s resisting. They’re too shocked.”
‘We’ve got quite a few,” I said. “We’re taking them to the Elder Council prison. I replaced the guards a few days ago.”
“Smart,” Kieran commented. “We’ll meet you there with our haul.”
I ended the call, feeling a surge of satisfaction. Things were proceeding even better than expected.
Bruce was still protesting in the back of the van. “You have no right! The Elder Council will hear about this!”
‘I’m counting on it,” I said coldly.
He continued ranting until he spotted Kellan already in the van. His face paled dramatically as he realized the game was up.
“Not so talkative now, are you?” Adryx taunted, shoving him further into the van. Bruce’s mate was sobbing quietly.
Adryx sat in the back with the prisoners while I closed the rear doors and took the passenger seat. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction at how
smoothly the arrests were going.
“Sometimes if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself, Bryloch commented as he started the van.
I couldn’t agree more. Fenris wanted to come out and fight, but none of our suspects had done anything to provoke that level of savagery. Not yet, anyways
We picked up Qiana and her mate next, followed by Brynn and her mate. The van was getting crowded, so we headed to the Elder Council prison to drop off our first batch.
“What’s happening, Bryloch?” Qiana asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Bryloch didn’t answer, his disappointment in his family member evident in his silence.
“Adryx?” Brynn called, her voice pleading.
“Don’t speak to me,” Adryx growled. “How could you betray our family name like this?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she protested weakly.
‘Save it,” Adryx snapped. “Your game is over.” He turned to her mate. “And you, did you know what she was involved in?”
The man looked confused. “What? No, I-
“Ask your mate,” Adryx suggested coldly.
The van fell silent after that.
When we arrived at the prison, we moved quickly. We didn’t want to waste time or give other suspects a chance to hear about the arrests and flee.
Delta Gino, one of my most trusted men, was overseeing the prison guards. Vance was helping him. I hadn’t wanted Vance there, but Elton had insisted his son could be trusted. I’d instructed Delta Gino to keep an eye on him just in case.
We placed our prisoners in separate cells throughout the Elder Council prison, then headed back out to continue the arrests.
When we arrived at Rolf Tackett’s house, we found him loading suitcases into his car.
‘Going somewhere?” I asked, stepping out of the van.
The look of terror on his face told me everything I needed to know, Someone had warned him about the arrests,
‘I–I was just- he stammered.
“Save it,” I cut him off. “Rolf Tackett, you’re under arrest for treason against the crown.”
I’m innocent!” he protested, backing away.
“You can tell that to the interrogator,” I suggested. “Bryloch, secure him.”
Bryloch approached with silver handcuffs, and Rolf’s shoulders slumped in defeat.
We loaded him into the van, arrested two more people from our list, then headed toward Charles’s hotel.
When we arrived at Charles’s hotel, there was chaos out front. Matthew’s van was already there, which surprised me since Charles wasn’t on Matthew’s list.
“What are you doing here?” I asked as Matthew approached me. “Charles is on my list.
“We had to come quickly,” Matthew explained. “My Delta reported that Charles was trying to flee. Someone tipped him off.”
That was concerning but not entirely unexpected. “Did you get everyone on your list?” I asked.
Chapter 283
All except Caspian, Matthew reported grimly. “He managed to escape. We’ve put out an alert for him.”
I nodded, understanding the frustration of a target slipping away. “Where’s Charles now? And where are Kieran and Elton?”
Matthew pointed toward the hotel reception. “Charles is inside, making a scene. He lowered his voice. “Kieran and Elton went in through the emergency ext at the back. My Delta will open it from inside to let them in. Charles is focused on us, so he won’t see them coming from behind.”
It was a solid plan. I waited, scanning the area for any signs of trouble.
A few minutes later, Kieran and Elton emerged, dragging a handcuffed Charles between them.
“I demand to be taken before the Elder Council!” Charles was shouting. “I won’t say anything until then!”
He had clearly been roughed up a bit, likely by Kieran, who looked furious. A bruise was forming on Charles’s cheek, and his lip was split.
“We got him, Elton announced proudly, and I understood his excitement. His daughter had been involved with Charles’s organization, perhaps unwillingly.
I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face. I felt immense relief. We’d done it. Maybe not the solution, but definitely a breakthrough. I couldn’t wait to move forward with the rest of our plan.
Chapter Comments
