SHE'S HEARTLESS

AUTHOR’S POV 

"Look around you," Kaiden said.

Roderick frowned.

"Alpha?"

"Look at the people standing here."

The warrior glanced toward the Haven residents, then back at him.

"We are all tired," Kaiden continued. "We have lost our territory. We have lost our homes. Some of you have lost family members. We are not in a position to demand that another settlement abandon its rules because we are uncomfortable following them."

"With respect, Alpha—"

"No."

The single word silenced him.

Kaiden stepped closer.

"We came here because our people need shelter. These people have offered it. We will not repay their hospitality by threatening their guards or insulting their leader."

Roderick's jaw tightened.

"Then we are supposed to accept anything they demand?"

"We will accept reasonable conditions that allow our people to survive."

"And if they use our weakness against us?"

Kaiden glanced toward Elena.

She stood near the doorway, watching the exchange without interfering.

There was no triumph on her face. No visible pleasure at hearing him defend her rules.

She was simply waiting to see whether he would honor the agreement he had come to negotiate.

Kaiden turned back to his warriors.

"Then we will address that problem if it arises. Until then, you will follow Haven's rules."

Roderick looked as though he wanted to argue further.

Kaiden's voice dropped.

"That is an order."

The warrior lowered his head.

"Yes, Alpha."

The others followed his lead, though several still looked resentful.

Kaiden watched them disperse.

He had silenced them, but he could feel their disappointment. They had expected him to defend their pride, to demand better treatment, and to remind Haven that Blackthorn was still a powerful pack.

Instead, he had told them to accept their circumstances.

It was the correct decision.

That did not make it painless.

He turned toward Elena.

She met his gaze.

"Thank you for handling that," she said.

The words were polite, almost formal.

Kaiden found himself wishing she had criticized him instead.

"You could have explained your conditions to my warriors before announcing them."

"I did explain them. Your people were present when the rules were given."

"They are frightened and exhausted."

"So are mine."

He had no answer.

Elena picked up a clipboard from the table beside the entrance.

"I will show you where your people will stay."

She started walking.

Kaiden followed.

They crossed the central yard and passed the infirmary, where Lydia was directing two volunteers as they carried a wounded man toward a bed. Beyond it stood a row of repaired buildings separated from the main residential area by a low wooden barrier.

The structures were older and more damaged than the buildings near the center of Haven. Several windows had been covered with boards, and one roof was still missing part of its outer layer.

Kaiden stopped.

"These buildings?"

"Yes."

"They are barely habitable."

"They have been repaired enough to provide shelter. Your people will need to help finish the work."

He looked toward the nearest building.

There were several rooms inside, but some of the floors were uneven, and the walls showed signs of water damage. It was not the kind of accommodation he would once have accepted for even the lowest-ranking members of his pack.

He turned toward Elena.

"You expect my people to sleep here?"

"I expect them to sleep somewhere protected from the weather."

"There must be better rooms available."

"Those rooms are occupied."

"Then move some of the residents into these buildings. We have injured warriors who need proper accommodation."

Elena's expression cooled.

"The injured who require medical care are already being treated in the infirmary. Those who need a place to rest will be accommodated according to their condition, not their former rank."

Kaiden stared at her.

He never knew she could be this heartless.