“Shit.” Archer runs a hand through his hair. “Did Killian get a name?”
“No. Just that he’s an alpha. Well-dressed. Offering money for information.”
“Could be the one who purchased her. Or the one who put the wires in.”
The mention of those wires makes my wolf snarl. “That’s what I’m thinking. Get the lieutenants together. Meeting room. I want this handled quickly and quietly.”
An hour later, the pack’s inner circle is assembled. Archer, Elias, Silas, Maren and Thom from logistics, and Cassia. I pace at the head of the table, laying out what little we know.
“So basically,” Elias says when I finish, “some mystery asshole is looking for Blue, and we have no idea who he is or what he wants.”
“That about sums it up.”
“We should tell her,” Archer says. “She deserves to know.”
“And say what? ‘Hey, Blue, someone’s asking about you, but we don’t know who or why, so please don’t panic and run off into the woods again’?” I shake my head. “She’s been through enough.”
Elias leans forward. “I agree with Darius. Blue’s finally settling in, finally trusting us. If we tell her now with no real information, she’ll bolt.”
“And if we don’t tell her and she finds out later, she’ll never trust us again,” Archer counters.
Silas signs. Archer translates.
“He says we shouldn’t keep her in the dark for long.”
I look at Silas. Of all of us, he’s formed the deepest bond with Blue. She opened up to him first. Trusted him first.
“I’m not saying we keep her in the dark indefinitely,” I say. “Just until we have something concrete. A name. A face. A reason.”
Maren clears her throat. “If someone’s looking for her, we need to limit trips to town.”
“Agreed. Increased patrols around the perimeter, too.”
“We’ve already sent word to Killian,” Archer says. “His pack will keep their ears open. Let us know if this alpha comes back around.”
“In the meantime, we stay alert. Any unfamiliar scents, any strangers near our territory, I want to know immediately.”
Silas signs again. Archer translates.
“Someone should be with Blue at all times. But without making it obvious that we’re guarding her.”
“I’ll handle that,” Elias says. “She won’t suspect anything if I hang around more.”
I nod, ignoring the twist in my gut. Elias and Blue have grown close, too. I’ve seen them walking together, and I’ve heard her laughter drifting through the trees. Good for her. Good for the pack. Good for everyone except the alpha inside me that wants to growl every time it’s not me who makes her smile.
“We’re agreed,” I say. “Increased security. Limited town trips. Discreet inquiries. And we keep this between us for now.”
Heads nod around the table.
As everyone files out, Cassia hangs back. “There’s something else you should know about Blue.”
My wolf goes on alert. “Is she sick?”
“No. But her heat is coming. Soon.”
“How soon?”
“Soon,”