"The Alpha King trusts them completely," Giana continued. "Which makes them perfect targets. When they're found dead during their diplomatic mission, it will look like rival packs were responsible."The cold calculation in her voice made my blood run cold. She wasn't just planning our deaths—she was
I returned to the forest meeting site the next night, my determination overriding any concern for personal safety. Kane would follow—I knew him well enough to predict that much—but I couldn't let his emotional withdrawal stop me from gathering the evidence we desperately needed.The night was darker
"How?" I asked, the word escaping before I could stop it.Giana's smile turned sharp and victorious. "Fear is such a useful emotion. All it takes is the right pressure, the right reminders of past trauma. Kane's parents died because they got too emotionally involved in their cause. Now he's terrifie
I couldn't wait any longer. The evidence we'd gathered was too important to sit on while Kane wrestled with his demons and Raymond sank deeper into magical conditioning. People were going to die if I didn't act.I confronted Giana the next morning in the pack library, a location I chose deliberately
Three days later, I returned to the forest clearing with Kane trailing behind at his characteristic professional distance. The pattern of meetings we'd discovered suggested tonight might yield more concrete evidence, and despite the deterioration of our partnership, I needed his tactical expertise.
"This is current intelligence," I said, studying the timestamps with growing alarm. "Look at these messages—they're from yesterday. Someone is still actively coordinating with enemy forces."Kane examined the device over my shoulder, his training evident in how quickly he navigated the interface. "T