5- Ben


    "Well, Mother, as you know, I''ve been tied up getting ready for our guests since I only just found out I''d be involved in this project," I said, trying to sound casual. Good, she''s got some fire in her exactly the kind of spirit I need right now.


    Alpha David chuckled softly, clearly enjoying the exchange. “Alright then, let''s sit down for dinner first, and after that, we can talk about our situation." His tone was light but carried an edge of seriousness beneath theughter.


    The aroma of the dinner was irresistible, though I can''t recall much about the meal itself. ra had me so distracted that I''m not even sure if I actually took a bite. Before I realized it, the tes were being cleared away, and the casual chatter hade to an end.


    "Well,dies and gentlemen," Alpha David announced, rising from his seat, "let''s move to my sitting room. It''s time we discuss why you''ve all been gathered here.” We all stood and followed him through a set of grand doors down a long corridor lined with ornate pirs and ancient paintings-remnants of a time that felt like a medieval castlee to life. Once the doors shut behind us, I noticed Alpha David visibly rx.


    "I apologize for the ceremony and all the fuss," he began, his voice dropping to a serious tone, "but I believe there''s a traitor among us. I can''t be sure these walls aren''t listening."


    Jeremiah immediately spoke up, "Are you certain it''s safe to talk here?"


    Alpha David nodded. “I personally searched this room twice today. I informed my staff beforehand about the meeting in my office, but I changed the locationst minute. I had ra inspect the room—she waste to dinner for that reason. If she says this ce is secure, then it is."


    My mate is clever and cautious, no doubt about it. My only unease is how tightly her bodyguards cling to her. If we''re supposed to be the ''good guys'' here, shouldn''t they give us a bit more space? If I didn''t know better, I''d think those guards were her mates, the way they hover so close.


    “So, Alpha David,” Jeremiah asked, cutting to the chase, “what exactly do you need from us?"


    "You''re here for a training exercise," Alpha David exined, “but it''s more than just practice. This has a real purpose and a serious oue. My daughter will lead this operation. Maggie and I are here only to facilitatemunication."


    That''s the part that frustrates me the most. I wish people would justy all their cards on the table. And I also wish I wasn''t so utterly captivated by my mate, who hasn''t even nced my way since she entered the dining room. My wolf is restless, agitated, and it''s not helping my mood. Jeremiah turned to ra, "What do we need to know? What do you want from us?"


    ra stood, grabbed a map, and spread it out on the coffee table in the center of the sitting area.


    "This is what we''ve gathered so far," she began. "Attacks have urred here, here, and here," she pointed to several spots along the western edge of our territory. "There''s no clear pattern, not even in timing. Our warrior, Austin, was attacked at this location," she indicated another point on the map, "which suggests they might be retracing their steps. It could be coincidence, but my father suspects it''s connected to my transition."


    My heart skipped a beat. She''s in the middle of bing an alpha. No wonder my wolf has been acting so strangely finding my mate is one thing, but now someone thinks she''s vulnerable enough to attack. My protective instincts surged, drowning out everything else. Jeremiah''s safety concerns faded into the background; ra''s well-being was all that mattered.


    ra continued, “I just turned twenty-two, so the pack is in the process of shifting leadership to me. My strength is growing butes in waves, which makes this phase my most vulnerable. And without a mate, I''m still exposed."


    Finally, her gaze flickered toward me, though it was too brief for me to read her thoughts. "On top of that, being female, many of these rogues believe I''m weak because of my gender. That''s probably why the timing of these attacks is no ident. They think I''ll back down, but they''re in for a surprise if they believe that.”


    She paused, then added, "We wanted everyone around us to be aware, just in case help is needed. And we''re hoping your fresh perspective might shed some light on what''s happening."


    My pulse quickened, and I fought the urge to get up and pace, desperate to release the tension building inside me. But I held back, not wanting to draw attention to how deeply this unsettled me. Thest thing I wanted was to exin that she was my mate—especially since she clearly wasn''t going to announce it to anyone. We would need a serious conversation before this night ended.


    The weight of the situation settled heavily over me. Protecting her had be my sole focus, no matter what it took.