Chapter 3

After the hostile reception at the funeral, I was afraid someone might come after me. I was on edge day and night.

I'd moved into Bloodclaw territory after Gabriel and I completed our marking ceremony.

For my own safety, I asked Gabriel to post a few Bloodclaw warriors he trusted at his front gate.

Gabriel turned me down.

“Nia, you're an Alpha Female. You can take care of yourself.

“But Sera can't. She's an Omega. I need every available guard with her.”

One evening, I came back from taking care of some things at the training grounds and found the gate open. I went inside to find the house empty. Gabriel wasn't home.

I called him.

“It's late. Where are you?”

Gabriel explained.

“Something happened to Sera. Someone suspects she's the leak. Her car was stopped while she was out, and things got out of hand. They need every hand they can get.

“Just stay home. Don't go out.”

I didn't say anything. I knew he'd chosen Sera again.

After I hung up, I went out into the backyard and found the back gate half open. I'd just reached out to close it when I heard footsteps behind me.

Owen and three people I'd never seen before stood at the back gate. All four carried hunting knives, with handguns tucked into their waistbands.

Owen had lost a lot of weight and looked haggard. The moment he saw me, he snarled, “Beta Gabriel said you gave White Night the route Bloodclaw was taking to the treaty signing.”

Another Bloodclaw wolf said in a low voice, “You know Bloodclaw and White Night have always been enemies.”

I took a step back, putting some distance between us.

“Gabriel? Why would he say I'm the leak?

“I never gave your route to anyone.”

“My brother died because of you! So why hasn't anyone from Black Moon suffered?!”

Owen roared and lunged, thrusting the knife at me.

I sidestepped the first strike, but they all closed in, and I didn't have time to unleash my Alpha aura.

Owen's second strike came too fast. The knife sank into my left leg and ripped down the outside of my thigh.

Then they shoved me against the backyard wall, and pain flared in my lower back, where I'd been injured two weeks earlier.

They were about to finish me off when several Bloodclaw warriors burst through the gate, pinned my attackers down, and dragged them away.

The one who stayed behind was a doctor. He crouched down to check my wounds, talking as he worked.

“We work for Audrey, Bloodclaw's Alpha Female. She sent us to watch over you in secret.

“Beta Gabriel has been spreading word that you're the leak. It's dangerous out there. Alpha Audrey is sending someone to escort you back to Black Moon tonight.”

I nodded and didn't say anything. The doctor patched me up and helped me limp back inside to rest.

Gabriel got the news, but it took him half an hour to show up.

When he came in, I'd just changed my pants and was sitting on the couch. My wound was bandaged and hidden, so he assumed I wasn't hurt and visibly relaxed.

“Nia, I'm so glad you're okay.”

Before I could say anything, his phone rang.

Gabriel answered and exchanged a few words with the caller. Then he said softly, “Sera, don't be scared. I'll be right there.”

He hung up, turned to me, and said evenly, “Sera woke up from a nightmare and can't stop crying. I'm going to go check on her.”

I stopped him. “Gabriel.”

He turned back to me, and I looked him dead in the eye.

“Marcus's brother came here with some warriors. They almost killed me.”

“I know. Don't worry. I'll deal with it as I see fit.”

I continued, “They said you've been telling people I'm the leak.”

Gabriel paused for a second, then answered calmly.

“Why would I say that? They're blinded by hate. You shouldn't believe anything they say.

“I need to go now. Stop being so paranoid.”