STAY OUT OF MY LANE, DICK!

AUTHOR’S POV

stood near the northern building, speaking with Rowan. He had changed his torn shirt, but the exhaustion on his face remained. His shoulder was bandaged beneath the clean fabric, and he held himself with the rigid posture of someone determined not to show how much pain he was in.

Elena adjusted the strap of her toolkit.

"To inspect the water system."

"Why?"

She stared at him.

"Because the water has stopped flowing."

"And you intend to go alone?"

"I said I'm inspecting it, not climbing the mountain by myself."

"That doesn't answer my question."

Elena sighed.

"I am going with a small team. We need to identify the damage and repair it before our stored water runs out."

Kaiden glanced toward the mountains.

"Where is the damaged section?"

"Possibly near the lower ravine."

His expression changed.

"The path near the ravine is unstable."

She stiffened.

"You've seen it?"

"No. Rowan mentioned it when we arrived. He said part of the slope had collapsed."

"Then you understand why we need to inspect it."

"I understand why you need the water restored. I don't understand why the leader of this settlement is volunteering to walk into a dangerous area when she has people who can do the job."

Elena felt irritation rise.

"Because I know the system better than they do."

"Then tell them what to look for."

"And if they need help making a decision?"

"Then they can return and ask you."

She looked at him in disbelief.

"By the time they return, the damage could be worse. We don't have the luxury of sending people back and forth because you're uncomfortable with the idea of me doing my work."

Kaiden's jaw tightened.

"This isn't about my comfort."

"Then what is it about?"

He hesitated.

For a moment, his gaze dropped to the toolkit in her hand.

"I don't want you getting hurt."

The words caught her off guard.

She had expected him to argue about authority or insist that she should remain in the settlement while others handled the dangerous work.

She had not expected concern.

For one foolish second, the old bond stirred with something almost resembling warmth.

Elena crushed the feeling before it could settle.

"You don't get to decide what risks I take."

"I'm not trying to decide for you."

"Then stop questioning every decision I make."

Kaiden exhaled sharply.

"Elena, I am trying to help."

"Then help by making sure your people follow the rationing instructions until the water is restored."

She turned away.

He caught up with her before she reached the gate.

"At least take more guards."

"I have a team."

"Take more."

"No."

His eyes narrowed.

"Why do you have to make everything an argument?"

Elena stopped walking.

For several seconds, she simply stared at him.

Then she laughed once, without humor.

"Because you keep speaking to me as though you have the right to overrule me."

"I am not trying to overrule you."

"You told me where I should go, what work I should do, and how I should organize my people. You arrived here yesterday, Kaiden. You have not even learned how this settlement operates, yet you already seem convinced that you know better than I do."

His expression hardened.

"I have spent my entire life leading a pack."

"And I have spent the last several months keeping these people alive."

The words silenced him.

Elena stepped closer, her voice low but firm.

"You may have led a larger pack. You may have had more warriors, more resources, and a territory that people feared. But none of that makes you the authority here."

She held his gaze.

"If you want to help, then help. But I will not spend my time arguing with you every time I make a decision."

Before he could answer, Garrick approached with two hunters carrying repair equipment.

"We're ready," he announced.

Elena nodded.

"Good. Let's go."

She walked past Kaiden without another word.

She expected him to remain behind.

Instead, a moment later, she heard his footsteps following the group.

Elena turned.

"What are you doing?"

"Coming with you."

"No."

"I know enough about the terrain to recognize a dangerous slope, and my warriors have experience reinforcing damaged structures. I can be useful."

"You can be useful by helping Rowan organize your people."

"Rowan can manage them for an hour."

"And you can barely manage to go five minutes without questioning my decisions."

Garrick suddenly became very interested in adjusting the strap of his equipment.

Kaiden's eyes narrowed.

"Do you intend to argue with me until the water system repairs itself?"

"No. I intend to leave before you waste any more of my time."

She turned and continued toward the mountain path.

This time, Kaiden followed without another word.

Elena decided that if he wanted to make himself useful, she would let him. She did not have the time or energy to fight him every step of the way.

But she made a mental note to speak with Rowan later.

Kaiden needed to understand that Haven was not Blackthorn, and she was not a woman who would change her mind simply because an Alpha followed her into the mountains.

Even if that Alpha was the man the Moon had once chosen for her.