102 - Kennedy


    "We can use the arena to gather everyone," Luna suggested firmly. "No offense, Finn, but we have to keep a close eye on all your followers. We don''t know who might be working with Amy."


    Finn gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable. “No offense taken, Luna. They''ll understand too."


    Be stepped forward, weaving his way around Ryker and me. "Can I ask you something?" His tone was sharp, curious. “Why are you addressing her as Luna?”


    Finn let out a scoffingugh, folding his arms across his chest. He remained kneeling on the ground, deliberately keeping himself in a submissive posture to show he was cooperating. "She is a Luna. Didn''t you notice? Since you''re her gamma, I assumed you''d know the basics."


    Be growled low in his throat, ready to step forward, but I caught him by the waistband of his shorts. “Be, please," I whispered, trying to calm the tension. “I want to get home, but first we have to figure out where Amy is and what she''s nning. Now that I know all those attacks and crazy things happeningtely are her doing, we have to take care of the people she''s hurt. We need to find out who''s truly loyal to her and maybe to her dad, whoever he is—and bring them both in for trial."


    Be''s anger red visibly, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. His gaze shifted erratically between Finn and me, like he and his wolf couldn''t agree on where to focus. His dark red hair only added to his fierce, intimidating presence.


    "What about this bastard?" Be''s voice was rough with fury. "He ordered your capture—and probably nned to kill you once he had Ryker. What about him?"


    I took a step closer, careful not to lose Ryker''s hand resting protectively around my waist. My bare hands found their way to his upper arms, feeling aforting warmth radiate between us. It wasn''t the electric spark of mate tingles, but a steady, soothing heat that flowed back and forth.


    His dark blue eyes locked onto mine, wary and unyielding. He wouldn''t let this go easily; he didn''t trust me the way Ryker did. Between them, Josh and Ryker would be the voices of reason-Josh with his calm logic, and Ryker with his unwavering focus on me. "He can stand trial if you think it''s necessary," I said quietly. "But the people who''ve been following him for a year should be able to speak for him. They were all deceived and used by Amy in some way. He''s the only reason Dirk didn''t do more than this..." I gestured toward my battered face. Ryker''s grip tightened around me. "That has to count for something."


    "It''s the only reason he''s still alive, Kennedy,” Finn sneered, stepping away from me and my calm resolve.


    I released Ryker''s arm gently. He needed time to process everything, and I hoped he would be okay. I knew he''d me himself for letting me get taken right under his nose, especially after I ignored his order to stay home. I had to find a way to make him understand the fault was entirely mine. I insisted on going, fully aware he would follow. I wandered too far from the group and wasn''t paying enough attention. I''d grown toofortable, assuming the warriors around me would always protect me. After being captured in Silver Crescent, I carried weapons constantly, but here, at the packhouse, I''d becent. I hadn''t left the packhouse for a long time and didn''t even keep a knife on me. If I''d had something sharp, Ryker could have found me faster—I might have been able to cut the ropes holding me.


    "Kennedy!" a voice called out from deeper in the camp, breaking the heavy silence and drawing everyone''s attention.


    Relief flooded me as Greta rushed over, nearly knocking me backward into Ryker''s chest.


    "Oof!" I stumbled slightly, catching myself.


    "Oh! Sorry! Are you okay?" she asked, concern etched across her face as she stepped back to examine me.


    I nodded, managing a small smile. "Your mindlink was the craziest and best timed thing I''ve ever heard. They must have been trying to split us into smaller groups..."