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I didn’t like it. Truth be told, I didn’t like any of this, but whoever had any control over the point in history in which they were forced to live out their lives? This mess was our lot and nothing could be done to change that. My philosophy had always been to act with honor and integrity and do my best with the hand I’d been dealt.

Fighting other wolves? That, I knew. That, I could predict. But this? Hunting something none of us had ever seen, something that wiped out elite fighters like they were nothing—that was a whole different kind of battle.

Varek studied us for a long moment, then sighed, shaking his head. “It’s likely too dangerous to take your mates with us.”

The fire popped loudly again between us, sending up sparks, apparently outraged on our mates’ behalf.

Rowan bristled beside me. His entire body went rigid, his muscles coiling for a fight.

I didn’t blame him. My own instincts flared up at the suggestion, a low growl crawling up my throat before I could stop it. The idea of leaving Lia behind, of not being by her side to protect her, made something savage inside me snarl.

“Relax,Alphas.” Varek emphasized the word, chuckling like he enjoyed needling us. “I could clearly scent them on you both. If it makes you feel better, you’re both about as subtle as goddamn wrecking balls.”

Rowan’s blue eyes flashed, his canines lengthening just slightly. “Watch yourself, Dain.”

Varek held up his hands. “I’m just saying—neither of you are in control of your instincts as much as you think you are.”

I let out a quick breath, reining myself in. “This isn’t about our instincts, whatever the fuck you mean by that,” I muttered. “It’s about keeping them safe.”

Varek’s smirk faded. “Exactly.”

I thrust my chin out and tilted my head back. He was right. I hated that he was right.

Lia was human. She was strong, but she wasn’t like us. She didn’t have a wolf’s senses or speed, or more important, a wolf’s ability to heal from wounds that would kill a normal person. If she came with us—if she went into those caves—she wouldn’t stand a chance if one of those things got to her. I wasn’t willing to take that risk.

I exhaled, forcing my voice to sound calm. “Lia stays here. Kendra too. They’ll be safest here. Jax will watch over them both.”

Rowan didn’t look pleased, and bristled at my order, but I could tell he was already thinking the same thing.

Varek grinned. “Smart choice.”

I scowled. “Don’t fucking push it, Dain.”

Varek just laughed again, leaning back on his elbows. “Oh, I like this already. We leave in the morning. Make all the preparations you need tonight.”

I sighed, already dreading the conversation I was about to have with Lia. If I knew her at all, and I did, she wasn’t going to take this well.

CHAPTER15

Lia

The campfire flickered against the trees, casting long, shifting shadows as I crouched behind a stack of wooden crates near the edge of camp, downwind from the Alphas. The scent of burning pine wood filled the air, mingling with the crisp mountain wind, and if I closed my eyes, I could almost pretend I was just out for a late-night walk instead of eavesdropping on my mate and his new war council.

I stayed still, barely breathing, listening.

Varek’s voice carried easily over the crackling fire, that sharp, self-assured drawl of his impossible to miss. “It’s likely too dangerous to take your mates with us.”

Instantly defensive, my fingers clasped around the fabric of my sleeves.

Excuse me?

Rowan and Silas both growled at the suggestion, and some petty, self-satisfied part of me enjoyed that, at least until Silas spoke next.

“Lia stays here. Kendra too. They’ll be safest here. Jax will watch over them both.”

My stomach dropped. I didn’t need to hear anything else. I turned, slipping back into the darkness between the tents, my boots making no sound against the packed dirt.

I had known Silas was overbearing, that he liked to take charge, but I hadn’t expected him to make a decision for me without even asking what I thought about it.