"He didn''t specify much—just insisted it had to be face to face."


    I carefully close the book, marking my ce with the ribbon bookmark before setting


    it aside. Her tone doesn''t suggest anything ominous about the summons. Still, after everything that''s unfolded over the past twenty-four hours, I''m uncertain what to anticipate next.


    I rise and make my way down the hall, turning right toward Ryker''s office. The door is slightly open, and I catch the low murmur of his voice, though the words are indistinct. I knock twice and then gently push the door wider, only to be hit by a cloying, artificial cotton candy scent that''s almost sickly sweet.


    "Oh! Alpha! You really shouldn''t tease me like that!" Amy''s voice rings out yfully.


    Red shes before my eyes. I act before I think, my instincts taking over. I''m on her in an instant, grabbing the back of her head and yanking her away from the desk where she''s perched with one leg dangling, her skirt far too short, revealing who knows what. She lets out a startled yelp, calling out to Ryker for help as I force her into a bowing position.


    "Since you don''t seem to grasp basic manners or respond to polite, politically correct requests, I''ll make myself clear in the only way you''ll understand." I twist her around just enough to lean close to her ear, and she cries out again. “Keep your wild, reckless, sl*tty self far away from my mate, or I swear I''ll pull out every strand of your hair one by one and then beat you within an inch of your life—right here, in front of everyone!"


    "ENOUGH!" Ryker''s voice booms sharply, and my gaze snaps to his. His expression is unreadable, but if he sides with her now, I don''t know where that leaves me.


    He opens his mouth to speak but pauses as his eyes ze over, caught by a sudden mindlink.


    “F*CK! I don''t have time for this!" Be storms in, slinging an arm around my shoulders.


    "On it, bossman. Go!" Be urges.


    Ryker points at me. "You, stay with Be and follow his orders. And you," he directs at Amy, who''s now curled up on the floor, sobbing like a victim, "I''ll deal with youter." Then he''s gone in an instant.


    "Be, what''s happening? Where did he go?" I ask, panic rising.


    "If you were meant to know, you''d have the ability to know," Be replies coldly. "The alpha deserves a mate who canmunicate and contribute during times of crisis, not just someone to shield. We already have enough children and elders for that."


    "Amy, shut the f*ck up!" I snap, my voice trembling.


    “Be?” I''m close to tears now. Nothing Amy has ever said has cut this deep before. I think I understand my ce-sort of. I should be out there fighting or at least sending calming messages to the pack, especially if something terrible has happened. I hope Be sees the desperation in my eyes.


    “There was an attack. One of the teens was found seriously injured."


    "How does she know?" I wonder bitterly, feeling hypocritical talking about Amy as if she''s not in the room, but I don''t care.


    Be closes his eyes briefly. “The teen who found her called out to everyone." Then, unexpectedly, he pulls me into a firm embrace.


    Whyfort her? I think bitterly. Stop making her believe she''s important. She''s nothing. The alpha knows it, which is why he hasn''t marked her yet. He''s just biding his time, enjoying himself while he can. He''ll have to reject her eventually. We all know it. It''s time you all epted that.


    A low growl escapes me, and without thinking, I lunge blindly toward Amy''s voice. Be struggles to hold me back as my rage takes over. Tears blur my vision as I punch and scratch at anything within reach until a sob breaks free, and I copse into Be''s arms.


    I vaguely register him lifting me up and carrying me out of the office. My tears slow, reced by a numbing emptiness. Not feeling that''s what I need right now. I''ll bury everything forter.


    I''m nothing. She said it, and strangely, it''s the only truth that fits right now. I don''t belong here, but Ryker can''t let me go. If I weren''t here, the pack would have a Luna who could sense emergencies, who could feel when something was wrong. Someone better.


    Be stops at my bedroom door. "You''re freezing. Let''s get you warmed up, okay?"


    I squirm in his arms until he sets me down gently. "Don''t listen to her. She''s jealous.


    You have something she wants. She''ll say anything to make you feel small."


    "But she''s not wrong, Be," I whisper, unable to meet his eyes. "Go help. Save the pup."


    "I''m not leaving you like this."


    "It''s an order, Be." I step inside and close the door firmly, leaving him stunned on the other side.