“So, who has a plan?” I asked, glancing at the trio.

They exchanged looks for a moment before Steve shrugged. “Catalina thinks the dragons should blow the trucks up. Major Stoneclaw is against it. They're low on high explosives, and the blast might bring the rest of the overpass down, blocking our path completely. We don’t have enough C-4 to clear that kind of rubble,” Steve explained.

Stoneclaw added, “There’s a high probability that the explosion could collapse the rest of the overpass. We should wait until the fires die down and use the JLTVs to drag the trucks out of the way.”

“Wait?” Major Pixiewolf snapped. “And how long will that take? We don’t have time to sit around. We’re sitting ducks out here!”

As their argument heated up, I narrowed my eyes. We didn’t have time for this bickering.

“ENOUGH!” I barked, cutting through the tension as an idea formed.

All eyes turned to me. Stoneclaw began to speak, but I silenced him with a glare, my eyes flashing silver. “I’m the alpha of this group and these trucks. I said enough,” I growled.

Stoneclaw crossed his arms and leaned against the workstation, raising an eyebrow. Our gazes locked in a silent battle of wills, his expression stony. Surprisingly, he looked down and waved a hand in submission, acknowledging my authority. My jaw nearly hit the floor.

“You’re right, Alpha Acosta; this is your mission. I’m here as support. What’s your plan?” he asked, capitulating.

It took me a second to recover from the shock. I turned to Scuzball, the one who would have the information I needed. “Who in the fleet has the heaviest tractor?”

“Uh, you do,” Steve answered from behind me.

I turned to him, a bit surprised. “You know the specs of the trucks?”

“Yes… Your truck was specially designed based on the Peterbilt 389. They’re heavier trucks from the start. With all the modifications, yours is tipping the scales toward fifty thousand pounds.”

“Alright, who has the heaviest trailer?” I asked next.

“Jake does. The FRS trailer and all the parts push it up to around ninety-seven thousand pounds,” Steve replied.

“Scuzball, how tough is my truck?” I asked.

Scuzball sat on the screen, thinking for a moment, likely running calculations. He must have guessed where I was going with this. A digital schematic of my truck appeared on the screen, its parts blown up into individual components.

“Based on your truck’s design, it has a solid half-inch thick, fully tubed, hardened steel frame. It would take a hit from a main battle tank round to seriously damage it. With all the reinforced cross members, I wouldn’t be concerned about frame damage from impact,” he explained.

Yep, he had guessed my plan. The others, however, didn’t seem to catch on yet.

“Your external parts might not fare as well, but there wouldn’t be any significant damage that would prevent you from completing the mission,” he added.

“What is he talking about?” Major Pixiewolf asked.

“I think I know what her plan is,” Stoneclaw said, his tone more serious.

“What do you mean?” Steve asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

“I’m going to smash through the barricade,” I said bluntly.

“That’s a horrible idea!” Major Pixiewolf exclaimed.

“Do you have a better one?” I countered coldly.

Steve raised a valid concern. “What if there are more obstacles than just the trucks?”

He had a point. We couldn’t be sure of what lay ahead, and Scuzball couldn’t get us satellite images. Unless… an idea struck me. I turned to Stoneclaw.

“Can you send one of your dragons out for a reconnaissance flight?” I asked Stoneclaw.

“Sure, let me get Raptor on it.” He keyed his unit’s comm link and spoke into it, calling in Raptor for the task.

While he did that, I turned back to Scuzball. “Can my truck handle the extra weight of the FRS?”

“Theoretically, yes,” Scuzball replied. “But you’ll have only a mile to gather enough speed to hit the MTVs with sufficient force to move them. Once you hit them, you’ll lose momentum. If there are more obstacles, you won’t have enough force to keep going.”

“Would increasing the engine’s output help?” I asked.

“Some, yes.”

I nodded and looked at Steve. “Go get Mac, please,” I ordered.

Steve quickly made his way out of the MCV, returning shortly with Mac in tow. I waved her over to explain my plan.

“What’s up, Lyra?” she asked, curiosity evident in her voice.

“I need you to do whatever you can to increase my truck’s engine output without blowing it up,” I said.

“Why?” she asked, a confused look crossing her face.

“I need to gather as much speed as possible in one mile to smash through the barricade,” I explained.

A wicked grin stretched across her face. She liked this plan.

“This sounds like it’ll be fun. I’ll grab my laptop and start adjusting your engine output,” she remarked.

“Wait, there’s more,” I added, bracing for her reaction. “I’m taking the FRS as the counterweight.”

Her excitement immediately turned to horror and anger. “That’s my baby,” she said in a low tone, clearly displeased.

“I need the weight, and it’s the heaviest trailer we’ve got. The other trailers either have cargo or people in them,” I reasoned.

“But Lyra, the FRS is an asset to the fleet. What if it gets damaged?” she protested, pouting.

“It’s always been a possibility,” I replied, crossing my arms.

She huffed and walked out to work on my truck, muttering under her breath. Just as she left, a tall, slender man with dark brown hair and a prominent nose walked in. Stoneclaw waved him over.

“Everyone, this is Raptor. He’s our recon specialist,” Stoneclaw introduced.

“Afternoon,” Raptor said softly.

“So, what did you see?” Stoneclaw asked.

“The M1085s aren’t the only barricades. The entire mile from the current overpass to the next exit is filled with obstacles. The next overpass is completely destroyed. The only way around it is using the off and on ramps,” Raptor relayed.

“Scuzball, pull up the map,” I requested.

Scuzball promptly displayed the map, zooming in on the location Raptor described. Raptor pointed out where the other barricades were located.

“There’s also a group camped out near the off-ramp with modified vehicles,” he added, indicating an old RV park nearby.

“Great, more trouble,” I huffed.

“That was expected,” Stoneclaw interjected. “Someone had to build the barricade.”

“Well, it looks like my plan won’t work,” I sighed, frustrated.

“What if we neutralized the people who built the barricades?” Major Pixiewolf suggested.

A malicious grin spread across Stoneclaw’s face, making me suspect his earlier joke about destruction wasn’t entirely a joke.

“That would be an ill-advised idea,” Raptor cautioned.

“Why?” Stoneclaw grumbled.

“Because there are only eight of us, and we don’t have the medical capabilities to handle any injuries. We don’t know what this group is capable of, and our job is to protect the fleet, not to start a war,” Raptor explained.

“Fair point, as always, Raptor,” Stoneclaw conceded with a huff.

“Are you telling me eight monstrous dragons can’t handle a group of rogues?” Pixiewolf asked, incredulously.

“Oh, we could handle it, but our priority is protecting the fleet, not picking fights with misfits,” Stoneclaw argued.

Pixiewolf sighed, acknowledging the logic. That’s when Scuzball cleared his throat, drawing our attention.

“Obviously, this group isn’t friendly. They attacked the unit ahead of us. I agree with Raptor and Stoneclaw—if we attack them on their home turf, they’ll have the upper hand. Lyra, your idea is solid, but one truck won’t be enough to punch through their barricades,” Scuzball explained, tapping his chin thoughtfully with a claw.

“What do you mean?” I asked, trying to follow his train of thought.

“If we combine the weight of all ten trucks, we’re looking at close to one million four hundred thousand pounds. Now, if we factor in a speed of sixty miles per hour, which is eighty-eight feet per second squared, we’re generating roughly one hundred and nineteen million eight hundred and fifty-six thousand foot-pounds of force. That’s a lot of momentum to smash through those barricades,” he explained, his voice crisp and analytical.

Everyone in the MCV raised an eyebrow, absorbing the sheer scale of what he was suggesting.

“So, you’re saying we should use the entire fleet as a battering ram?” I asked, intrigued by the audacity of the plan.

“Precisely. Use your truck as the spear tip, and have everyone else push you,” Scuzball replied.

“Not a bad idea,” Stoneclaw agreed, nodding.

“And if they come after us, we’ll deal with them then. They won’t be at their strongest away from their base,” Raptor added.

“I like this plan,” I said, taking charge. “Here’s the new fleet order: I’ll take the lead with the FRS. The RGNs will be right behind me, followed by the MCV, and the flat decks bringing up the rear. The dragons will follow us and guard our backs. If this group decides to chase us, the dragons can engage them.”

“I’ll inform the fleet,” Steve said, getting ready to relay the orders.

“Good. I’m going to talk to Mac and get an estimate on how long it’ll take to boost the output of all the trucks and swap trailers with Jake,” I said, heading for the door of the MCV.

“Roger!” the military personnel acknowledged as I stepped out.

It didn’t take long to find Mac. She was by my truck, laptop plugged into the data port, typing away like her life depended on it. I glanced over her shoulder to see what she was up to. She finally noticed me standing there and turned her head.

“Just about done. Another two minutes, and your truck will gain an extra hundred and forty-two horsepower and around two hundred and thirty-two foot-pounds of torque. That’ll push you over a thousand horsepower and two thousand two hundred foot-pounds of torque,” she said, flashing a grin.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

“How long will it take to do the same for every truck?” I asked.

“Every truck?” she repeated, blinking in surprise.

“Yes, we’re going to need the entire fleet. There’s more than one barricade ahead,” I explained.

“Oh shit… about an hour, I think,” she estimated.

“Alright, get it done as fast as you can,” I urged.

“Will do, Alpha. By the way, I’m riding with you when we do this,” she added, a determined look in her eyes.

“Are you sure?” I asked, taken aback by her resolve.

“Damn right, I’m sure. I’m not letting you use my FRS as a battering ram without me being there to see it,” she declared.

“Alright,” I agreed, nodding. I left her to work on the trucks and went to find Jake.

I found him relaxing in his driver’s seat, with Kira beside him. They were a cute couple now that they were officially together and free from her father’s control. I knocked on his door, getting his attention. He rolled down the window to see what I wanted. Stepping up onto the driver’s step, I came up to his level.

“What’s up, Alpha?” he asked.

“You and I are swapping trailers,” I informed him.

“We are?” he asked, clearly confused.

“Yes. The FRS and my truck are the heaviest combination in the fleet. I’m going to use them as the front of the battering ram we’ll form to smash through the barricades ahead,” I explained.

“We’re going to ram the barricade with the fleet?” he asked in surprise.

“That’s what I just said, isn’t it?” I responded rhetorically.

“Yeah, I just didn’t expect to hear that,” he remarked, shaking his head in disbelief.

“Understandable. Drop your trailer and head over to the MCV. As soon as Mac finishes the upgrade on my truck, I’ll unhook from the MCV and connect to the FRS,” I instructed.

“Upgrade?” Jake asked, looking confused.

“Yep, everyone’s getting it,” I explained.

“Cool!” he exclaimed, clearly excited.

“Once you’re hooked up, gather everyone and meet me by the FRS. I’ll brief everyone on the plan,” I ordered.

He nodded, and I stepped down, heading back to my truck. Jake and Kira got out together and began unhooking the MCV from the FRS. When I reached my truck, I found that Mac had finished her work on my rig and was now moving on to the truck behind me. I opened the door and reached in to pop the emergency air valve for the trailer. The trailer let out a loud hiss as the valve released, and I went to the front to disconnect the airlines and power cord. After that, I pulled the fifth wheel handle to unlock it and lowered the landing gear until it just touched the ground.

Once everything was set, I climbed back into my cab and dumped the rear suspension, allowing the trailer to rest gently on the pavement. I slowly pulled out from under it, pausing briefly to ensure the MCV was stable. Satisfied that it was, I pulled out completely and positioned my truck out of Jake’s way. Once he pulled past me and began backing under the MCV, I maneuvered my truck between the two rows of rigs, executing a smooth parallel maneuver to line up with the FRS. The trailer slid up the ramps and clicked into place as the fifth wheel locked.

After a quick tug test to ensure a proper connection, I got out and hooked up the lines. It wasn’t long before several members of my team began approaching, curious about the plan. I waved them over and asked a couple of them to gather everyone, including the dragons, so I could hold a meeting and brief them on what we were about to do. Before long, everyone had gathered, waiting for me to speak. Mac had opened up the side of the FRS, allowing me to stand on a platform high enough to see the entire group.

“Can you all see me?” I called out loudly.

A chorus of “yeah” and thumbs up from the team signaled that they could. Good, that was what I needed. I took a moment to scan the crowd. The dragons stood at the back, surrounding Major Pixiewolf and Steve. All eyes were on me, waiting for the plan.

“Okay, everyone, we’ve hit our first snag. About a mile ahead of us, there’s a roadblock, and there’s no way around it. Beyond the first barricade, there are more. A group ahead of us has set these up to stop anyone from getting through,” I began, watching as my team listened intently. I started pacing along the FRS platform, hands clasped behind my back.

“Major Stoneclaw and I agree that having the dragons attack the group would be a bad idea due to the lack of medical support. Plus, with the conditions of the old U.S. highways being unknown, we can’t risk taking an alternate route. We need to stay on I-80,” I explained.

“So, what are we going to do then? Go back?” Tyler asked.

“Hell no! We’re flatbed truck drivers. We pull some crazy-ass idea out of our hats and figure shit out,” I announced loudly.

“And what crazy-ass idea do you have in mind?” Abel asked.

“What would you do?” Kira sniped.

“I’d hammer down and hit the damn roadblock,” he retorted.

I gave them all a devilish grin, arching an eyebrow. Abel and I were on the same page.

“Alpha?” Sasha asked, her voice tinged with concern.

“We’re going to do exactly that,” I announced.

“We?” Seth asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

“Yep, one truck isn’t heavy enough to push through the multiple barricades ahead of us,” I explained.

“So, how many of us will it take?” Tyler asked.

“We’re all going to do it. Not just one or two trucks,” I declared, my voice steady, but the weight of the decision hung heavy in the air.

My team stared at me, their expressions a mix of shock and concern. Maybe they were right to look at me that way. I had been through more than most, molded by a life of pain, rebellion, and survival. This crazy plan was something Star would dream up, with Cayro playing the reluctant voice of reason. But there was no one to rein me in now. I gave them a devious grin, masking the nervous energy coursing through me, and continued.

“I’m going to use my truck and the FRS to blast through the barricade. The rest of the fleet will push me through,” I announced, each word landing with a sense of finality.

“Are you nuts?” Azura exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief.

“Damn straight! I’m a flatbed driver and a werewolf. We don’t do things halfway. We figure shit out and make an entrance while we’re at it,” I shot back, trying to inject some levity into the tension, but even I could feel the seriousness beneath the bravado.

“Are you sure this is the best option?” Cain asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

“Are you saying nearly one and a half million pounds of rolling steel and thunder isn’t enough?” I challenged, raising an eyebrow as I crossed my arms.

“Uh, no… but what about possibly destroying your truck, Alpha?” he replied, his eyes searching mine for any sign of doubt.

“It’s the heaviest and strongest truck in the fleet. Even Scuzball thinks it’ll be fine,” I assured him, though the thought of wrecking my rig gnawed at the back of my mind.

“So, we’re going to do what every truck driver dreams of? Run these assholes down?” Jake asked, a spark of excitement flickering in his eyes.

“Yep,” I replied, my voice firm, but my heart pounded in my chest.

“What if you get hurt or killed?” Kira asked, her concern not just for me as an alpha, but as a friend. “The alpha shouldn’t be doing something so dangerous.”

“Listen here… I’m not one of those typical alphas you’ve dealt with. How can I expect you to do something dangerously crazy if I’m not willing to do it myself?” I responded, pacing the platform, my mind racing with the possibilities and risks. “I won’t lead from the back, barking orders while you risk your lives. If anyone’s going to face that danger head-on, it’s going to be me.”

“So, you’re saying you’re willing to get hurt or die instead of using one of us?” Seth asked, his tone somewhere between disbelief and admiration.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. You’re my wolves—whether bound to me or not. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. I will never ask you to do something I’m not willing to do myself,” I declared, meeting each of their eyes, including the dragons’. My words were more than a statement; they were a vow.

My team began exchanging glances, trying to reconcile what they had just heard with everything they’d known about being part of a pack. They were used to the old ways—alphas who treated their wolves as expendable, as tools. But I had vowed I would never be that kind of leader. Not to them, not to anyone.

“I’m in!” Seth announced, breaking the silence, his voice filled with conviction. Several team members looked at him, startled. He was one of the few who hadn’t officially joined the pack, making his declaration all the more significant.

“I’m definitely in!” Jake exclaimed, his loyalty unwavering.

“Jake! This is a dangerous idea…” Kira began, her voice laced with fear.

“When was the last time you met an alpha who actually cares about their wolves? Who’s willing to risk their life instead of sacrificing yours?” Jake asked her, his tone gentle but firm.

“Never,” she muttered, her eyes downcast.

“Exactly. Alpha Acosta does things differently. She’s made it a point to show us she cares, that she’s willing to stand beside us, not above us,” Jake added, his voice growing stronger.

“He’s right,” Sasha said, her voice steady. “Plus, we knew this was going to be dangerous when we signed on. I’m in.”

I took a deep breath, feeling a swell of emotion as I looked at each of them. These weren’t just words; this was a turning point, a moment where we all understood what it truly meant to be a part of this pack—this family.

“Listen, guys, I don’t expect you to do this, but I could really use your help. I’m going to do this with or without you. We have a mission—to support the troops ahead of us. I won’t see my home lost because of someone else’s greed and hatred,” I announced, my voice resolute, but with an undercurrent of vulnerability that I rarely allowed to show.

“You’d really do this alone, without us?” Cain asked, his voice soft, almost incredulous.

“That’s correct, Cain,” Steve confirmed, stepping forward. “She planned to do this alone, if necessary. She wasn’t going to put any of you in harm’s way if you didn’t want to be there.”

“Really?” Tyler asked, his eyes wide with surprise.

“Yes,” Steve replied, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

My team stared at me with raised eyebrows, processing the weight of what I'd just said. It was clear they hadn’t expected that level of commitment—or insanity—from me. But as I watched them, something shifted. One by one, they stepped forward, each silent gesture a pledge to stand with me. My heart swelled with a mix of pride and gratitude, feelings I wasn’t entirely used to.

I glanced over at Steve, the one person I believed might hesitate. We were alike in so many ways—both thrust into roles we hadn’t asked for, both carrying burdens that weren’t entirely our own. Steve could easily lead a pack if he chose to; his experience and strength were undeniable. But he’d always kept his distance from leadership, as if it were a mantle too heavy to bear again.

Yet, here he was, stepping forward with the rest, giving me a nod that spoke volumes. It wasn’t just support—it was trust, something that was rare and precious in our world. I nodded back, my heart thudding in my chest, deeply appreciating what that gesture meant. I then turned my attention to Major Pixiewolf, Stoneclaw, and his team. They were grinning, some with mischief, others with an edge of anticipation. Stoneclaw winked and saluted, a gesture of respect that didn’t go unnoticed.

I turned back to my team, offering a soft, reassuring smile. “Steve’s already given you the new lineup. Once you’re back in your trucks, I want you all to shift into your wolf forms. We can take more damage that way versus staying human,” I commanded, my voice steady. Then I looked at Mac. “I’m guessing it wouldn’t be a good idea if you shifted?”

“No… unless you want to be turned into a bonfire,” she replied with a grin, her eyes gleaming with that familiar spark of mischief.

“Not particularly… maybe you could borrow some body armor from the dragons,” I suggested, glancing at Stoneclaw. He gave me a thumbs up and motioned to one of his dragons, who nodded in return.

“I haven’t worn body armor in a long time. This should be fun,” Mac said, her eagerness almost childlike.

I took one last look at everyone, the adrenaline beginning to pulse through my veins. “Let’s show the world just how badass we are!” I announced, the words coming from somewhere deep within me, igniting the determination in their eyes.

As my team scattered to their trucks, I walked over to Steve, feeling the engines roar to life around us. The sound was both exhilarating and ominous, a reminder of the power we wielded and the dangers we faced. Steve gave me a smile as I approached, a rare softness in his expression.

“Thank you,” I said, my voice carrying more weight than the two simple words.

“No, Lyra, thank you. You’re the first alpha I’ve met who puts their pack above themselves. This might be dangerous, but you’re willing to be at the front of it. My last alpha nearly got me killed when he decided to stay back during a raid on a vampire nest years ago,” he said, his tone heavy with the burden of old wounds.

“Oh…” The word slipped out, my surprise evident. I hadn’t known the full extent of his past.

“I lost my best friend that night,” Steve continued, his voice quieter now. “He sacrificed himself to save me. My old alpha didn’t care—just saw him as a tool that could be replaced. It was the moment I decided I’d never follow another alpha… until now.”

“I wouldn’t do that,” I whispered, the words barely audible over the rumbling engines.

“I know, Lyra. Just… give me time to accept it,” he replied, his voice softer, more vulnerable than I’d ever heard it.

Without thinking, I pulled him into a tight hug. It was spontaneous, but it felt right, necessary even. This wasn’t just about the mission—it was about trust, about rebuilding something that had been shattered long ago. He returned the hug, holding on for just a moment longer before letting go.

I stepped back, watching as he turned to head toward the MCV. He needed time, and I would give it to him—just as I knew he’d have my back when it mattered most. With a deep breath, I turned and walked back to my truck, climbing inside and settling into the driver’s seat. I glanced at my tablet, where Scuzball was already waiting, his digital presence a comfort in its own strange way.

“Ready?” I asked, my voice steadying as the reality of what was about to happen began to sink in.

“Of course… I was born ready,” he proclaimed, his usual confidence shining through.

I chuckled, a small release of tension, before moving into the sleeper. I closed the curtains, getting undressed and pulling on a pair of black extra-large men’s sweatpants and a dark grey t-shirt. The fabric was soft against my skin, a small comfort before the storm. Then, with a deep breath, I let the shift take over, my bones cracking and reshaping, fur sprouting as I transformed into my wolf form. The stretch that followed was pure bliss—a reminder of the raw power that lay beneath my human skin.

A sudden knock on my passenger door jolted me, causing me to hit my head against the roof of the sleeper with a gruff “umph.” I grumbled, my voice deep and raspy in this form.

“Yes?” I growled, a bit of irritation creeping in.

I heard the door creak open, followed by Mac’s voice. “Are you ready?” she asked.

I pulled back the curtains and stuck my large head out, locking eyes with her. Her reaction was immediate—her eyes widened in shock.

“Holy crap! You’re huge!” she exclaimed, her voice a mix of awe and excitement.

I slowly contorted myself into the driver’s seat, feeling every bit of the awkwardness that came with trying to fit my werewolf form into a space clearly not designed for it. I must’ve looked ridiculous—a silver-furred puffball with blazing silver eyes stuffed into a truck cab, like trying to fit a grizzly bear into a sports car. Mac’s laughter filled the cab, and I could hardly blame her; I felt utterly cramped and out of place.

With some effort, I managed to reach between my legs and pull the seat lever. The seat shot back with a force that nearly threw me off balance, slamming to a halt with a jarring thud. I grumbled under my breath as I reached to the left side of the seat, releasing all the air from the seat spring. Finally, I grabbed the seat belt, awkwardly sliding it over my larger frame, and clicked it into place with a sigh of relief.

When I looked over at Mac, she had already climbed in, fully kitted out in black body armor with a combat helmet snug on her head. The transformation from mechanic to soldier was striking—she looked like a total badass. She shot me a grin, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she took in my new form.

“I wasn’t expecting you to be sooo… big,” she said, awe clear in her voice.

“I’m not that big,” I huffed, trying to downplay it, though I knew I was failing miserably.

“You’re a five-foot-nothing skinny chick who weighs what? All of a hundred pounds soaking wet?” she teased, her tone playful.

“Hundred and ten pounds dry,” I grumbled, feeling a bit defensive about it.

“Yet now, you’re a six-foot werewolf who probably tips the scales around two hundred and fifty pounds,” she countered, clearly enjoying herself.

“Six and a half feet tall and two hundred and three pounds,” I corrected, rolling my eyes in mock exasperation.

She chuckled, laying her rifle between our seats before buckling up, her amusement at my expense only making me more determined. As the last click of her seatbelt echoed through the cab, Scuzball cleared his throat, drawing our attention.