All nineteen soldiers were deep in conversation, offering their suggestions and opinions while Baglor listened to them all. However, as soon as she walked in, the hall fell silent, and Baglor looked up to see her. Their eyes met, and for a brief second, it felt like they were the only ones in the world.
"Detective Kia Ling," Baglor said in a powerful voice and a joyful tone like he was announcing her arrival with pleasure. "Glad of you to join us."
She nodded slightly and followed Dimitri to the right side of the table. The other wolves stared at her as she stood next to Dimitri. They kept staring until Baglor cleared his throat. Immediately, they returned their attention to him.
"As I said before, the Cyprianis have strength in numbers. But their ranks are filled with epsilons. We should be able to tear through them with ease. The real problem is Shang Cipriani."
"And his Zeta," Vincenzo chimed in. "He led the attack on us at the Wayne mansion. Tough bastard he is."
"And let's not forget that bitch who led the strike at the docks," Another member of the gang said.
"They have proven to be quite formidable and effective with their sneak attacks. But the time has come for us to stamp them out," Baglor declared. "They have taken residence at Rodian mansion. This would prove to be their demise," Baglor said. He looked up to Dimitri and called upon him to speak.
"Thank you," Dimitri started and bowed lightly. "A few of the boys and I did a brief recon mission. They have a few guys patrolling the parameter. About five at the gate. Sixteen within the grounds patrolling in teams of twos. I don't have an estimate of how many people are within. But they seem lackadaisical and weak. I can't be sure but from the way they moved and the aura they exuded, all the guards at the mansion are humans and epsilons."
"So, things haven't changed since they took over the mission," Vincenzo said. "I say we strike right away."
Kia, who had been listening while struggling with the fact that she was witnessing the planning of a crime, felt the urge to speak. The urge kept on growing even as she struggled against it.
"Kia," Baglor said. "You want to say something?"
"Uhm…" She said, looking up to find that everyone was staring at her. "No I don't. I am not sure I'm supposed to be here at all."
"I wasn't asking if you wanted to say something or not. You clearly want to say something. Spit it out."
"What makes you so sure?"
He looked at her angrily. Questioning him in front of his men wasn't boding well with him at all. She saw the faces of his soldiers turn to him, watching for his reaction.
"Don't try my patience," he said in a soft voice that held a clear, viperous tone.
Kia sighed. "I think it's a trap."
A loud laughter erupted. Kia suddenly felt embarrassed. She looked at their laughing faces and took note of those who weren't laughing before looking down in shame. The laughter stopped suddenly.
"Why?" Baglor asked his face in a straight frown of thought.
"I don't know. Just that, we at the precinct, have been looking into the Cyprianis for a while now and they have never established a base of operations. In fact, this is the first time I am hearing of this Shang. They don't seem to have a structure. Most of their guys are for hire."
"Epsilons," Dimitri commented.
"What's that?"
"Low level wolves. Halflings rather than full changelings."
"Like the hobbit?"
"No, like, Vajesh. Dimitri said. "They aren't full wolves."
"Neither are you."
"Get to the point girl," Vincenzo said in anger.
"Sorry. As I was saying, the Cyprianis are nomadic in operation. All the guys I have arrested in relation to them are usually guns for hire selling their services. They are nothing like you guys. That's one of the first things I learned out there on the streets. So, with that said, why would they suddenly change? It makes no sense."
"Maybe they are jealous," Vincenzo suggested. "They are trying to usurp us. It only makes sense that they would want to be like us."
"True. But wanting to defeat you and wanting to be like you are two different things. They haven't showing any signs of trying to be like you guys. This sign seems too obvious or sudden. It is also costly. I don't think they bought the mansion. Probably rented it which is quite expensive. Or maybe they didn't pay a dime and just moved in. But even though, what of the thugs they have walking around, they probably pay them daily. That isn't in line with the business model of the Cyprianis."
"She is talking as an outsider," Vincenzo said. "Shang has wolves loyal to him. It isn't just money and business. This is war."
"Maybe," Kia said. "But there are traps in war and this stinks of a trap."
"I won't argue with a tiny thing like you. You aren't even meant to be here." Looking away from her, he said, "I say we strike tonight. It's the night of the new moon. Their Epsilons would be weak due to their lack of experience and training. They would be practically human. Once we eliminate the epsilons, we would take care of Shang, his Zeta and the whore that hangs around him. We would be rid of the Cyprianis curse by tomorrow if Selene wills it."
Silence fell upon the room. All heads turned to Baglor. It was time for him to call the shot.
He stared at the map, one arm folded, the other hand stroking his chin in thought.
"We must strike at the Cyprianis and we shall."
Kia bowed her head in shame while Vincenzo smiled victoriously.
"However, we can't afford to simply dismiss Kia's comment," Baglor added, and her head rose while Vincenzo's smile vanished. "Therefore, this attack requires some level of strategy. Vincenzo, how many gammas do we have?"
"Seven," Vincenzo replied, visibly annoyed.
"Epsilons?"
"Twelve."
"Excellent. The gammas and epsilons will go in first. If it's a trap, we would be able to rush in and save them rather than being trapped. And if they die, well, we can bear the loss of a few gammas. The gammas and epsilons will form the vanguard. We would follow close behind. Any questions?"
Everyone kept mute.
"Good. We…"
"Apologies, Sire," Vincenzo said, smiling mischievously.
"Yes."
"The detective is a new wolf. A full wolf but new nonetheless. That makes her a gamma. I forgot to count her when you asked for the head count of our gammas. However, by your decree, she is to be part of the vanguard, right."
"What?" Dimitri exclaimed. "She hasn't being trained at all."
"Comport yourself boy," Vincenzo said angrily. "Your Alpha has decreed and that is final."
Baglor stared at Kia. She could see that he didn't want to send her into the jaws of death. Behind his eyes were thoughts and what seemed to be care. Not love, but care.
"Of course," he said softly. Dimitri, prepare her as much as you can. You will be leading the charge and will be responsible for her safety.
"But, Sir," said Vincenzo. "I was hoping to lead the charge. As your loyal Zeta, it is only right. Dimitri has only just become a Beta. He lacks the experience or leadership skills necessary to launch an attack."
"How would he gain experience and skill if we don't give him a chance?" Baglor said. He would do fine. Besides, I need you here guarding the fort with the few men we leave behind."
"But…" Vincenzo tried to protest.
"This meeting is over. We leave at midnight."
Kia raised her hand. "Uhm… Just a minute," she said.
"The Alpha has declared this meeting over. No further deliberation is allowed," Vincenzo, whom Kia was now beginning to see as a sycophant, said angrily."
"Yeah. I got that. But I have to say this. I'm a cop. So this whole idea of me joining in on an attack. Not gonna happen."
"It wasn't a suggestion, detective," Baglor said. "It's an order from me, your alpha."
She had hoped that he would jump on the opportunity to get her out of the mission. But he seemed his pride as an alpha was bigger than she thought.
"Hold on. You guys don't expect me to actually join you in a gang fight. My offer was clear, I'm a dirty cop offering dirty cop services. Dirty cops don't join you in killing your rivals. At best, we arrest them."
"The parameters of our relationship changed when you turned. Now you are a wolf and wolves don't disobey their alphas."
"I'm also a cop and cops don't go around shooting people with their criminal buddies."
"Then perhaps it is time you decide what the fuck you are," Vicenzo said. "Wolf or cop?"
With twenty-one Bargaratti eyes trained on her, Kia's confidence wavered. She had to choose. She could choose cop, but that would mean failing her mission. The captain was sure to rip her a new one. He would blame her for messing up and suggest that the mission failed because she refused to step down. On the other hand, joining a gang fight was sure to land her in jail. There were fine lines when it came to being an undercover cop. Committing a crime was one line a cop must never cross.
She wanted to say cop, but the word "Wolf" tumbled out of her mouth.
After signing away her right to back out, Kia started to justify her decision in her head. She lied to herself that she could enter the Radian mansion without actually joining in on the attack. If she didn't fire a single shot, she could claim to be a witness. It would be a tough sell to any jury of any kind, but it was her best shot.
"Good," Baglor said, turned around and left.
Kia remained where she was, too shocked to move. She couldn't make sense of what had happened, couldn't make sense of what she had just agreed to.
"Wrong choice," Dimitri said softly in her ear, waking her up from her trance of staring blankly. "Follow me."
Kia's leg moved in tandem to his. But her mind was far away.
"What have I gotten myself into?" she kept wondering as they walked down a flight of stairs into the subsurface level of the Bargaratti mansion.