Chapter 50

I sat there, the weight of my problems feeling a little lighter with every bite of pancake Darcy took from my fork. The tension from the previous night’s chaos at The Vultures’ clubhouse seemed a world away. Here, in this moment, surrounded by my pack, I found a sense of peace.

Pietro’s voice broke through my thoughts. “Axel, do you need help with your rat problem?” he asked, his tone serious.

I paused, a forkful of pancake hovering in the air. “I need to check in with Torch, the chapter president, but yes, help would be appreciated,” I admitted. The Iron Serpents had proven to be more than just a nuisance. They were a threat that needed to be dealt with swiftly and decisively.

Pietro nodded, his dark eyes steady. “Now that we are becoming a pack, you have my back,” he said, his accent thickening with his resolve. “I will not let this motorcycle club threaten our family.”

Family. The word resonated with me, a reminder of the bond we were all forming—a bond that was quickly becoming as strong as any blood tie. I shared a look with Pietro, gratitude and respect passing between us.

“The club that declared war on us is starting to mess with our line of business,” I explained, setting the fork down. “They’re power hungry, and they’ll likely try to expand their drug route into your territory next.”

Pietro’s expression hardened. “That will never happen,” he stated firmly, “regardless of whether Torch accepts my help or not. The Bratva will crush them before they even think about it.”

His words were a vow, a promise of protection not just for me, but for all of us. I felt a surge of loyalty toward him, a deepening of the camaraderie that had been growing since we first met.

“Thank you, Pietro,” I said, meaning it. “Your support means a lot to me—to us.”

Darcy, sitting beside me, reached out to squeeze my hand, her touch grounding me. I glanced at her, offering a reassuring smile before turning my attention back to Pietro.

“We need to strategize,” I continued, leaning back in my chair. “I have a meeting with Torch later today to discuss our next move. I’d like you to join us.”

Pietro inclined his head in agreement. “Of course. We should also consider bringing Harlen into the fold. His… particular set of skills could prove useful in dealing with the Iron Serpents.”

I arched an eyebrow at Pietro, curious. “Why Harlen, though? What’s so special about him? No offense.” I asked, my gaze flicking to the man in question. Harlen was quiet, observant, and there was a stillness to him that seemed almost predatory.

Pietro chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that filled the room. “Harlen has a reputation in the city,” he said, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. “He’s ruthless against people like us.”

Jin’s eyes widened, and he let out a low whistle. “Holy shit, you’re the fucking Reaper,” he said, looking at Harlen with a new level of respect—or was it fear?

Harlen took a bite of his breakfast, chewing calmly as if Jin hadn’t just unveiled his alter ego. “I do quite like that name,” he admitted, his voice as smooth as silk.

Darcy tilted her head in confusion. “The Reaper?” she echoed, her blue eyes searching for clarification.

Jin was practically buzzing with excitement now. “Yeah! Harlen here is practically a legend. He’s got a rep for cleaning up the streets, taking out the trash without leaving a trace. No bodies, no evidence, just… poof.”

I watched Harlen, impressed despite myself. His expression hadn’t changed, but there was a certain pride in his posture. It was subtle, but it was there.

Pietro placed a hand on Harlen’s shoulder, a gesture of possessiveness and pride. “He cremates them in his funeral home,” he said, his tone almost affectionate. “No one ever suspects the mortician.”

I let out a low chuckle, shaking my head in disbelief. “That’s… damn, that’s impressive,” I conceded. I looked at Harlen, a new understanding dawning. “Would it be okay with you if I let Torch know?”

Harlen shrugged, the picture of nonchalance. “If you trust him, I’m okay with it,” he said, his tone casual, but his words carried weight.

Trust. It was a currency that wasn’t easily earned in our world, but it seemed we were all learning to trade in it with each other. I nodded, appreciating Harlen’s willingness to put his trust in me. “I’ll make sure he understands the value of having you on our side.”

As we continued to discuss our plan of action, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unity growing between Pietro and me. Despite our different backgrounds—him raised in the brutal world of the Bratva, and me in the brotherhood of The Vultures—we were finding common ground. We were two alphas, ready to defend our pack against any threat, working together toward a common goal.

The conversation flowed naturally from there, with Jin and Harlen chiming in with their own insights and suggestions. Darcy listened intently, her sharp mind absorbing every detail. I realized then that this was what a pack was supposed to be—a group of individuals, each with their own strengths, coming together to protect and support one another.

With a final nod to Pietro, I stood from the table, carefully putting Darcy in Jin’s lap, ready to set our plan into motion. “Let’s get to work,” I said, the determination in my voice mirrored by the resolve in Pietro’s eyes. Together, we would ensure the safety and survival of our pack, no matter the cost.