"Chapter 42: Ayla

"Who ordered you?" I commanded.

Denny shook his head."We don't know"his name,he replied nervously."Wealways just call him Boss.

"Okay, Denny," I said with a small smile."But you've seen him, haven't you?"

1Just once," he replied."But it was dark.There was a big group of us. Maybe thirtyor forty rogues. They did some kind of刀ritua

"Did the ritual mention someone namedDominis?" Theo commanded.

Denny nodded."Yes."

"It was the command","I stated.

11."1

confirmed.

"How can you tell?" Kingston asked.

"Theo commanded information about theDominis family. He wouldn't have beenable to answer if I hadn't been

commanding him,"I explained."Denny,do you know why they commanded you toattack us? Why do they want to organizethe rogues against the Greytooth andSablemane packs?"

"I... I don't know about Sablemane, but…"He swallowed hesitantly. He was scared.

"It's okay, Denny," I said calmly."We

won't hurt you. We just need your help. If"you can give it to us.

I could feel Theo's and Kingston's eyes

boring into me. This isn't how either ofthem had expected this conversation to go,but I didn't care. This man wasn't defiant.He was reluctant to answer me, but he

wasn't fighting my commands either.Icould feel it. He was scared.

"Denny, were you one of the rogues thathurt people in Bonnerville?" I ordered.""Did you kill any of our pack members?

"No," he rushed honestly."I only damagedproperty. I avoided the people. That's howI was caught. I was running from the bigfight, and an officer grabbed me. But I"swear, I didn't hurt anyone.

I nodded."Okay." Ilooked at Theo.'Can Italk to you outside?'I linked him.

He nodded and I stood, motioning forKingston to follow. We left the cell andreturned to the investigation room.

"I want to offer him a place in the pack,"I

stated once we were away from theguards.

"What?" Kingston exclaimed. Theo

sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose."Ayla," Kingston said,"A wolf who hasbeen a rogue as long as he has wouldn'tknow what to do in a pack."

"Then we teach him," I replied.

"You saw him in there, Theo. He's scared,Inot angry.

"He doesn't seem like the same rogue 1interviewed in Bonnerville, no," Theoconceded."But it could just be an act,babe. He could be playing us. He's hadover a week to get his story together, andyou haven't put much pressure on him."

"I know that," I said."That's why I want tooffer to bring him into the pack. But Iwant to swear him in."

Theo chuckled.

"That's reckless, Ayla," Kingston said.

"Not if she is the Blessed One," Theoreplied.

"There was a passage in Harry's journal,"Iexplained."He theorized that anyonesworn to the Blessed One's pack wouldhave an unusually strong devotion to herand the pack."

"Essentially, they would be incapable ofbetraying us," Theo clarified.

"You really want to trust her safety to atheory?"

"It's a strong theory," I added.

"We've found supporting evidence. AndRandy confirmed it was one of the wearPak's concerns with the Blessed One'ssuspected abilities."

Kingston crossed his arms."I still think川it's too much of a risk."

"Then I guess it's a good thing Im notoffering him to join Sablemane,"Isnapped.

Kingston backed off. I felt a little guiltyfor the jab, but he was babying me again.

Theo held my shoulders."Look, Ayla, Itrust you and your judgment. We can'tguarantee him a fast or easy transition.But if you think doing this will help us,then that's what we'll do."

I took his hands."Thank you." I turned toKingston."Do you have a picture orsomething of Grogan you could showhim? It may help."

Kingston pulled out his phone."I have agrainy capture from a surveillance camera,but it may work.

"Good.”

We returned to the cell and I sat backdown in front of our prisoner.

"Okay, Denny," I said," I have a proposalfor you.I

He looked up at me nervously.

Twould like for you to tell us everythingyou know about the rogue groups and thisBoss," I continued."If you can do that, wewould be willing to make you a memberof our pack.'"

Denny's widened and his mouth fell open."But. I.I don't. Why?"

"We need information," I said with ashrug."And I'd rather not waste timetrying to fight it out you. We all

understand your position here, being arogue. They typically don't survive thislong within pack territory." Denny

flinched."Just a stated fact, not a threat."Iassured him."Either way, I'm not surewhat else to offer a rogue. So, unless youhave a different request, that's what is onthe table."

Denny looked between the three of us.“Iwould never be accepted."

"If you help save and protect our Luna,you will be," Theo told him.

"You're a rogue because of someone else'sactions,"I said gently."We won't hold"that against you.

"Do you know why they are doing all ofthis?" Theo asked.

"They're looking for someone," Denny

said."They never actually told us who, butwe started to hear stories about a BlessedOne throughout the camps. It was all somenonsense about some family taking overall the packs and conquering the world or"something.

I snorted.

Theo rested his hands on my shouldersfrom behind me."They want her."

"And I will swear to you right now,Denny," I said firmly,"I have no intention

of taking over any other pack, let alone theworld. So, if you are willing to tell uswhat you know about these groups,including your friend in the other cell,you'll have a place here."

"I don't know much," he insisted."What if"the information is useless?

"As long as you tell us what you doknow,"I said,"then the deal stands."

"And if I say no?"

"We still need the information," Theo saidgravely."We still have to command you toverify what you say is the truth. If youfight it, it won't end well for you."

Denny thought for a long while, but I waspatient. I hoped he would see that this wasmore than a mercy to him. We didn't needto offer him anything. But I wanted to.

Finally,he took a deep breath.

"Okay.""