54

54

(Tyler's POV)

I walked Kate back upstairs to our room so she could take some time to wash up and get ready for the day. I needed to talk with Camerin about the information he managed to get through the night. I was still waiting for the raid of Jaxson’s safe house. Plus, I needed to talk with the team that was following Scott. I was waiting for Kate to ask about her friend’s safety with everything else happening. I felt she’d forgotten, but it would hit her soon.

“How is Kat doing?” Camerin asked. He seemed genuinely concerned.

“She wasn’t ready for all of this to happen at once. I didn’t have the chance to tell her about our society or our way of life. I took things too slowly with her. I should have told her more,” I confessed.

“Well, she knows now. She’s going to have to learn to live with it. It will happen again this is far from over,” Camerin commented, then started his debrief of the night’s activities. “We attacked Jaxson’s safe house. Jaxson was there, but he managed to get away before we arrived. Things got bloody real fast. We lost two. But we managed to find out that Jaxson’s pack is scattered for now. They were crippled by the loss of the first attack. They weren’t expecting us to be as organized as we were.”

“Did the warriors bring back any prisoners with them?” I asked. I would get more information out of them. I would find Jaxson and end this nightmare for Kate.

“There were no survivors.”

“Good.”

“What about the team following the human?” I asked. I knew Kate would ask, and I wanted to have the answers ready for her.

“They followed him and spotted two cars tailing him, but those cars broke off after the battle was over. The human had no idea he was being followed by anyone. For a truck driver, he was oblivious to his surroundings.” Camerin stood and started pacing. “We need to bring the warriors home. This was a foolish trip. Her vision was wrong.”

“Humor me. Leave one car to follow Scott for a couple more days the other two cars can return,” I ordered. Camerin nodded in agreement.

“I also have an update on the fire,” he added. “The firefighters said it looked like an accident. It started in the kitchen by the stove, but they also said it was set up to look like an accident. They’re still investigating to see if they can find out who did it.”

Camerin smirked for the first time that morning. “We need to discuss what’s going on at the packhouse. We’re being invaded.”

I just stared at him. “What are you talking about?”

“The cat.”

“Anything for Luna. Cali the cat is a guest until the house is rebuilt,” I ordered. “Think of her as a pack mascot.” Camerin choked on a laugh just as there was a knock on the door. “Come in,” I called. Celia walked in, sharp and calm as ever. “Thank you for coming, Celia.”

Celia stepped forward, her eyes flicking between Camerin and me before settling on me. “Of course, Alpha. How can I help?”

“I need an update on the packhouse inside and out. Any unusual movement, anyone asking questions about last night, and anything that needs my immediate attention,” I said.

She nodded crisply. “The patrols are reporting no further signs of Jaxson’s warriors near the border. The guards are rotating shifts every four hours as you ordered. No one has gotten too close to the packhouse except the regular staff and a few curious pack members trying to check on Luna.” She hesitated. “She’s earned a lot of respect, you know. Standing up to you in front of everyone… they see her as strong.”

Camerin snorted behind me, but I ignored him. “Good. She is strong stronger than she knows. Anything else?”

Celia shifted her weight. “One thing. There’s been some gossip about the prisoners we brought in last night. Some of the younger warriors are wondering why they are still alive.”

I let out a low growl. “They’ll know when I decide they need to know. I want them broken before I deal with them again. We need every scrap of information they have.”

“Yes, Alpha,” Celia said. “And, about Luna, I know you want her safe, but you might want to prepare her for what she’ll hear. The rumors are already starting, and they won’t stay whispers for long.”

“I know. I’ll handle it.” I rubbed my forehead. Kate wasn’t ready for this part of me yet the part that dealt in blood, threats, and secrets. But she would have to face it eventually.

“Thank you, Celia. Keep me updated on anything you hear at all.” She inclined her head, turned on her heel, and left the room, her footsteps soft on the hardwood.

Camerin waited until she was gone before he spoke again. “Alpha, you know this is only going to get worse before it gets better.”

“I know.” I looked out the window at the treeline. Somewhere out there, Jaxson was waiting, planning his next move. “That’s why we have to be ready for anything. For her sake.”

Camerin gave a single, firm nod. “Always.”

I took a deep breath, forcing down the wolf’s restless energy that clawed at the edge of my control. For Kate, I had to keep it together. For Kate, I’d burn the world if I had to.