Chapter 79: Walking a Tightrope Anna’s POV

As the Crescent Grove pack gathered for the morning meeting, the dining hall was filled with soft whispers. An undertone of uneasiness rippled through the room, and anxiety hung thick in the air. I glanced at the faces around me as I sat quietly at the long table’s edge. As usual, Lucas sat to my right, his face stoic, but I could see a slight tightening of his jaw when Darius walked in.

Darius said, "Good morning, everyone," in a powerful voice that demanded instant attention. He walked with effortless assurance, his keen eyes darting across the room before briefly focusing on Lucas. "We need to talk about some urgent issues."

The whispers ceased, and the pack members leaned closer, their attention fixed totally on the Alpha.

With a serious tone, Darius began, "Rogue activity has increased near our southern borders. Last night, two scouts reported seeing rogues, but they vanished before they could face them."

A tremor of dread swept across the room. I looked at Lucas, who remained motionless, his face a mask of calm. However, I was aware of the subtle tension in him. His fingers lightly tapped the table, and I could see the strain beneath his calm exterior.

Darius went on, his eyes returning to Lucas. "Caleb, I would appreciate your opinion, given your experience. How would you respond in this kind of circumstance, and how would you handle it?"

My stomach constricted. Lucas’s experience? He had hardly spoken to the group about his background. Why did Darius want to know what he thought?

Lucas’s expression was contemplative as he leaned back in his chair. He spoke calmly, "Unless they are desperate or well-organized, rogues tend to avoid direct confrontation. I would establish a rotation of scouts to keep an eye out for any unusual activity and step up patrols near the southern border. However, without understanding the full scope of the threat, it’s difficult to say more."

Darius’s eyes narrowed slightly as he nodded slowly. "Good advice," he responded, though it seemed like he was carefully considering what Lucas had said. "We'll put those measures into effect right away."

As the discussion continued, Darius assigned tasks to various pack members and described patrol schedules. I remained silent, my mind racing. Darius’s attention on Lucas seemed purposeful, not just inquisitive.

As the meeting came to a close, Darius approached us, his eyes still on Lucas. "Would you mind staying behind for a bit, Caleb? I want to talk further about your recommendations."

Lucas paused, gave me a quick look, and then nodded. "Alpha, of course."

I excused myself from my seat and forced a courteous smile. My mind was racing with questions as I walked out of the hall, my heart thumping. What did Darius hope to discover?

Later that day, Lucas found me near the pack’s training area. His normally reserved demeanor was tinged with irritation, and he appeared exhausted.

"What did he want?" I asked, maintaining a steady tone.

Lucas ran a hand through his hair and groaned. "He was interested in learning more about my... encounters with outlaws. Where I’ve faced them, and what strategies I’ve observed."

"What did you tell him?"

Lucas’s tone was sharp as he answered, "Enough to satisfy his curiosity. Not enough, though, to reveal anything."

I took a moment to study him, noticing the strain in his posture. I muttered, "He’s suspicious of you."

Lucas’s jaw tensed as he nodded. "He’s an intelligent Alpha. He knows we’re hiding something."

A shiver went through my body. "Do you think he’ll try to expose us?"

Lucas paused, looking into my eyes. "Not yet. But Anna, we can’t stay here for long. The longer we are here, the more questions he’ll ask."

His words weighed heavily on my chest, and I bit my lip. "Leaving too soon will look just as suspicious."

"I understand," Lucas said. "We must play this cautiously."

For the first time, I didn’t feel the need to argue with him. He was right. Darius had a keen sense of danger, and one wrong move could endanger us both.

"Anna," Lucas remarked abruptly, his tone softer now. "I need your trust in this."

Startled by the vulnerability in his voice, I turned to face him. After everything I had gone through, trust didn’t come easily. But something had changed between us, and as I held his gaze, I realized it was different this time.

"I do," I murmured.

His surprise was barely noticeable, but I caught it. We stood in silence for a moment, the quiet heavy with unspoken thoughts.

Later that night, I lay in the small bed in our shared cabin, my mind racing. It felt as though we were walking a tightrope. One slip-up, and it could all fall apart.

The moonlight cast a faint glow on Lucas’s silhouette as he sat near the window. Since our earlier conversation, he hadn’t said much, but I could sense the tension still in him.

I murmured softly, "We’ll figure this out," surprised by how confident I sounded.

His face was unreadable as he glanced back at me. "We have no other option."

I nodded, the weight of our situation pressing down on me. It was a risk to trust Lucas, but for the first time, I was ready to do so.