CHAPTER TWELVE: THE SECOND INFILTRATION 

The plan was simple in theory, terrifying in execution.

Daren and I would stage a scene near Moontide's border. His "guards" would be escorting me as a prisoner. Moontide's patrol would "ambush" us. I'd be "recaptured."

Then I'd be on my own.

We stood in the forest an hour before dawn, three of Daren's most trusted fighters with us. Elena had given me a final check-up and hidden another listening device in the hem of my jacket.

"Remember," Daren said, going over the plan one last time. "You're broken. You've been tortured, forced to give up information. You're desperate to warn Moontide about my attack plans. Stay emotional, stay scared."

"I won't have to fake that part," I muttered.

He pulled me aside, away from the others. In the pre-dawn darkness, his face was all shadows and sharp angles.

"Last chance to back out," he said quietly.

"I'm not backing out."

"Kane will hurt you. When he questions you, he won't be gentle."

"I know."

"And if he realizes you're feeding him false information—"

"He won't." I placed my hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat strong and steady. "I can do this, Daren. Trust me."

"I do trust you. That's what scares me." He pulled me into a fierce kiss. "Be safe. Be smart. And come back to me."

"I will."

We moved into position. I knelt on the ground, hands bound behind my back, looking appropriately disheveled. Daren stood over me with two of his fighters, playing the part of my captor.

Right on schedule, we heard movement in the forest. Moontide's morning patrol.

"Now," Daren whispered.

Everything happened fast.

Moontide's wolves burst from the trees. Daren's fighters "fought back" but deliberately lost. I screamed and struggled as the Moontide warriors "rescued" me.

One of them—I recognized him as Marcus, the same guard who'd found me the first time—cut my bonds.

"Are you hurt?" he asked.

"They were taking me north," I gasped. "To their base. I need... I need to see Alpha Kane. I have to warn him."

"Warn him about what?"

"The Human Alpha. He's planning an attack. He made me tell him everything about our defenses." Tears streamed down my face—real ones, born from genuine fear. "Please. I have to warn the Alpha before it's too late."

Marcus exchanged glances with the other warriors. "Come on. We'll take you to him."

They escorted me through the forest toward Moontide's compound. With every step, my heart pounded harder.

This was it. No turning back now.

We entered through the main gates. Wolves stopped and stared as we passed. Whispers followed in our wake.

"Isn't that the omega who turned traitor?"

"Why is she back?"

"She should be killed on sight."

Marcus took me straight to the pack house, up the stairs, to Kane's office. He knocked sharply.

"Enter."

Kane was at his desk, Ryker standing beside him. Both of them turned when I was pushed into the room.

Ryker's eyes widened. "Shahira?"

"Alpha," Marcus said. "We found her at the eastern border. She claims the Human Alpha's forces were transporting her north. She says she has urgent information."

Kane's expression was cold, calculating. "Leave us."

Marcus bowed and left, closing the door behind him.

The silence stretched. Kane and Ryker both stared at me while I stood there, trying to look broken and desperate.

"Well?" Kane finally said. "Speak."

"He's going to attack," I blurted out. "Daren Methlock. He's gathering his forces in the northern dead lands. He's planning to strike at Moontide within the week."

"How do you know this?"

"Because he captured me after I ran. He kept me prisoner, tortured me for information about Moontide's defenses." I let my voice shake. "I told him everything. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I tried to resist but he—"

"Enough," Kane cut me off. "What specifically did you tell him?"

I recited the false information Daren and I had prepared. Patrol schedules that were outdated. Weak points in the defenses that had been reinforced. Numbers of warriors that were inflated.

All information designed to make Moontide feel secure while actually leaving them vulnerable.

Kane listened without interruption. When I finished, he leaned back in his chair.

"Interesting. Very interesting." His eyes bored into mine. "Tell me, Shahira. Why should I believe you? Why should I think you're not working for him?"

"Because he tortured me!" I let desperation fill my voice. "Because I hate him for what he did to me. Because despite everything, Moontide is still my home and I don't want to see it destroyed."

"And yet you ran from here. You planted a listening device in my dining hall."

So they'd found it. Not surprising.

"I was confused," I said. "Angry. I thought... I thought I wanted revenge. But then I saw what he really is. A monster. He enjoys causing pain. He's going to kill everyone in Moontide, and I can't..." I let myself cry. "I can't let that happen. Not even to people who hate me."

Ryker moved closer, his expression unreadable. "Father, maybe she's telling the truth."

"Or maybe she's an excellent liar." Kane stood and walked around the desk. "There's one way to find out."

He grabbed my throat, his grip like iron, and slammed me against the wall. I gasped, clawing at his hand.

"If you're lying to me," he said softly, "I will make your death last weeks. Do you understand?"

"I'm not lying," I choked out.

He released me and I collapsed to the floor, coughing.

"We'll see. Marcus!" he called out.

Marcus entered immediately.

"Take her to the cells. Post guards. No one speaks to her without my permission." Kane looked down at me. "If your information proves true, you might live. If it's false..." He smiled. "Well. You can imagine what happens then."

Marcus hauled me to my feet and dragged me out of the office. Ryker watched me go, something complicated in his expression.

Down we went, into the basement levels I'd never seen before. The cells were cold, dark, and smelled of fear and pain.

Marcus pushed me into one and locked the door.

"For what it's worth," he said quietly, "I hope you're telling the truth. I don't want to watch another wolf die down here."

He left, and I was alone in the darkness.

I sank onto the cold floor and tried to calm my racing heart. Phase one was complete. I was inside Moontide's inner sanctum, where the highest-level conversations would happen.

The listening device in my jacket was active. Everything said near me would be transmitted back to Daren.

Now I just had to survive long enough to gather the intelligence we needed.

And pray that Daren's plan worked.

Because if it didn't, I really would die down here in the dark.

Alone.