"We should send someone along with one of Jeremiah''s men to check on Ma Junior," Tommy suggests thoughtfully. "That way, Junior knows he''s got backup from all sides and is aware of the threat looming over him. Plus, we can get a sense of his team—or if he even has one. It also sends a message to anyone watching that we''re united, and maybe the problem will just fizzle out on its own." It''s unusual to hear Tommy speak with such rity; he''s usually the group''s joker, always deflecting serious moments with humor. His sudden seriousness catches me off guard.


    Ben growls lowly, his voice rough. “You should keep your details with you at all times, not just when you leave the packhouse." His tone is sharp, and I can''t help but tense up. "We know something''s happening here. We just don''t know if the pieces connect—or if we''repletely off track. The only certainty is that someone wants to know what you''re saying behind closed doors."


    “No warrior has noticed anything strange so far,” Dev stands, his expression grim, “but we should see for ourselves." I rise alongside him, feeling the weight of the tension pressing down on me. I need to move, to get out of this suffocating room. My wolf snarls beneath the surface, itching tosh out at Ben and stake her im, but neither of us wants that right now. Ben''s mood has been darker since Rayna''s brother came up—there''s definitely something brewing there.


    "It''s toote to send anyone out tonight,” Jeremiah deres, his voice firm. "Jason, you and Dev will visit Junior tomorrow."


    A chorus of protests erupts immediately, voices ovepping in frustration. Jeremiah''s aura res, a calming wave that quiets his men, and I do the same with mine. “Jason knows the patrol routes, and Dev is good with people. We need to find out what they know and whether they''ve had any trouble-without tipping anyone off."


    Ben''s voice rises, disbelief clear. "What about me?"


    "You''ll join ra''s detail," Jeremiah answers without hesitation.


    Both Ben and I protest at once. "I''ve got Chance and Brayden here with me," I argue, “and Tommy can work with the patrols to gather intel. We don''t have much time-spring ising fast, and the rains will only make everything more chaotic.”


    Jeremiah''s gaze sharpens. "Ben, you''re a beta trained to protect an Alpha, but you don''t have one right now. Mine is avable, with extensive knowledge of the surrounding packs. You two need to team up, figure out why there are listening devices in your house, and who stands to gain the most if ra falls."


    Jax adds casually, "Oh, and she should stay with you tonight."


    Both Ben and I shout in disbelief. "WHAT?!"


    "No way," Ben stammers, his voice tight with refusal.


    "This is perfect," Rayna chimes in with a wild grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief. I had thought she was on my side, but clearly not. "No one would suspect a thing. You two get along the least, and..."


    “Fine!” I cut her off sharply. The whole mate topic is thest thing I want to argue about right now. If Jeremiah''s men are anything like mine, they''ve probably hashed this out among themselves already. "I want to visit Ma Junior tomorrow. It''ll look better if an Alpha and a convoy go-if someone''s watching."


    Jax frowns. "But what about leaving Jeremiah and his men behind? That might look more suspicious than you taking one of the guests to bed. That''s standard operating procedure for you."


    Suddenly, a snarl breaks the conversation, followed by the loud m of a door. Ben''s gone.


    Jax nces at me, eyebrows raised. "What''s got him so riled up, I wonder?"


    I follow Ben out, frustration boiling beneath my skin. They''re all assholes. Neither of us wants to be pushed into this forced bond. We both have too much on our tes right now, and this is no time forplications. Yet the moment I reach my room, I freeze. I can''t stay here-it would be suspicious if I took a guest room. Jax was right; the best option is to stay with Ben. I can''t be anywhere else, not when I know he''s my mate. That would only make everything worse for both of us. And I don''t trust the closeness my wolf would have to him otherwise. Her patience with my refusal to im him is wearing thin.


    Still, I''m uncertain as I knock on his door.


    When he opens it, his scent hits me like a wave-wet, raw, and utterly intoxicating.


    He stands there, dripping, wrapped only in a towel.


    "Nope! Never mind," I mutter, turning to walk away.


    But then, an electric jolt shoots through my arm. Suddenly, I''m yanked backward and plunged into darkness.


    "How does it feel... mate?" His voice is low, teasing, and filled with something dangerous.