19 - Ben


    ra was far more upset that I made sure she got home safely before swiftly taking Chance and leaving, than she was about the fact that I was leaving at all. Honestly, I''m not shocked by her reaction. We''ve both kept our distance throughout the day. I''m nowhere near high enough in the pack hierarchy to be a meaningful mate to her, and Kennedy''s face still shes through my mind every time I''m near ra for too long. It''s as if my subconscious refuses to let me forget my first love. My head aches from the tension, and with so much to do, I shove Chance into the SUV and drive off without looking back.


    The ride home is quiet, the weight of unspoken thoughts hanging in the air between us. Once we pull into the driveway, Chance quickly heads off to check in with Jason and Tommy, working on a new patrol n that now includes searching for drugs, potions, herbs, and anything else suspicious lurking around. The tension is palpable.


    I step into the Alpha''s office where Jer and Rayna are hunched over a stack of books, deep in research. "Have you found anything?" I ask, my voice low but urgent.


    Jer looks up, weariness etched into his features. "The only thing we''re certain about is that these drugs aren''t a new problem.....” Rayna starts.


    "But no one''s ever been caught," Jer finishes grimly.


    I nce at Rayna, my future Luna, bracing myself for the argument I know ising. Jason has seemed distracted every time he''s apanied me to ck w, and I haven''t had the chance to watch him here. Meanwhile, Jer has been acting like this whole situation isn''t as serious as it is. With Rayna''s arrival, Kennedy''s departure, the underground attacks on multiple packs, and now Rayna''s pregnancy our future-it''s no wonder none of us are ourselves. We don''t need more stress.


    "I''m not staying in the packhouse," Rayna says sharply, cutting me off before I can finish.


    "No, you''re not," I repeat, my voice steady but firm. “But ra''s mom was attacked and hospitalized yesterday..." The words hang in the air.


    "What?!" Rayna gasps, her eyes wide-but she''s not looking at me. She''s staring at Jer. Great. We''re both screwed. Jer hadn''t told her, probably trying to shield her from more worry, but now she''s going to be even more furious when none of us let her out of our sight or out of the packhouse.


    "I won''t be confined to the house,” she snaps. "I''ve dealt with situations like this before, following my brother around. People try to kill him all the time." She waves me off, but inside, my stomach twists painfully. That''s what Kennedy''s been enduring? Being targeted and attacked every day?


    Jer raises his hand, calling for a pause. “Let''s table this for now." We need to find a solid reason to keep her here, where she''ll be safe. Hopefully, we''lle up with an excuse that satisfies her soon. “Dad agrees with you and Luna Sam—the weather has to be the work of witches. They''ve done this before, usually casting a spell around theirnds that creates a mist, disorienting anyone who''s unexpected or unwee. The snow isn''t sticking this time, but it happens every time you travel between the three packs, Ben." He finally meets my gaze, and I see the exhaustion in his eyes. I''ve been away too long this time. He needs more support. I''m going to have to talk to Jason about stepping up.


    "They could be aiding whoever is moving the drugs or the ingredients for them. You said you found a workshop?"


    "Something like that," I reply. "It was barebones, but stocked with plenty of ingredients. ra and I divided what we found so all our healers can work on it together. That''s where I''m headed next."


    "I''ming with you," Rayna deres.


    "No, Luna, please..." I begin, but she cuts me off.


    "I''m not the Luna yet, Ben. Stop trying to butter me up. I trained in the hospital, remember? I can help with the things you found, and if I go, I''ll be supervised. It''s a win-win, apromise."


    I take a step toward her, opening my mouth to argue, but she speaks again before I


    can.


    "Keep in mind, Kennedy told me all the ways to sneak out of the packhouse undetected...and I can suppress my aura and scent. Either let me help willingly, or I''ll force my presence in other ways—and no one has time for those games." She raises her eyebrows at me, daring me to argue. Jer looks utterly useless, like a guppy pping its gills in front of her.


    I swallow hard, knowing this fight is far from over.