Page 24

24

Kaylee

A feeling of unease settles over me as I watch out my office window. Lucas had sent me a link warning me that there was something wrong with a rogue that the Council sent over but gave me no further details. I can’t help but worry that Marilyn sent a spy. I wouldn’t put it past the conniving bitch to pull something like this, especially if it meant learning where Lucas and I are and sending someone to kill us. Hell, I could even see her demanding her father to send a spy here instead and make a fanfare of my death. A death that would cause a war.

“Kaylee?”

Jumping as a hand lands on my shoulder, I turn, ready to punch whoever is grabbing me in the face, when the scent of mint and vanilla wraps around me. My punch is caught in a gentle hand, and I find myself relaxing when I see that it’s Lucas.

“Sorry, Kaylee. I called your name when I came in and tried to get your attention,” Lucas apologizes. The bond hums in contentment, the feeling of being safe wrapping around me.

“No, I should be apologizing. I almost punched you.” I give him a small smile, and he chuckles, kissing my forehead lightly and making me blush. Giving him a warning glare, I pull my hand out of his grasp while trying to calm my beating heart.

“Is your first day of beta training done?” I ask, hoping to change the subject.

“It is,” Lucas answers with a groan, wrapping his arms around my waist. “It was an eventful day,” he adds with a sigh, pulling me closer to his body and breathing in my scent.

I shiver from the pleasurable tingles that run up my arm. Silence settles, and the mate bond hums. I can tell that by holding me, Lucas is calming himself, and I wonder what happened to him today that makes him feel the need to hold me so closely.

“If you meet one of the rogues named Devon, make sure you do it in a crowd,” Lucas mutters into my hair, holding me tighter.

“Why would I need to do that?” I ask. Lucas sighs, his annoyance making me feel even more on edge. As the beta of Ivory Fangs, meeting with pack mates in private is normal—it’s why I have an office. Having Lucas tell me not to meet someone unless I am in a crowd is something that, given my position, I may be unable to do.

“He’s the wolf we feel may be a spy. I don’t want you alone with him.”

His arms tighten around me, his face burying deeper into my hairline. His body shakes, the fear and worry he keeps from me seeping into the bond. I’ve never seen Lucas this worked up, and it worries me.

“Is that what that link earlier was about? What else is going on?” I ask, pulling away and cupping Lucas’ face with my hand. A battle of whether or not to tell me the truth flickers through his eyes. Finally, he lets out a sigh and nuzzles against my hand.

“Yes. That’s why I sent that link earlier as a warning,” Lucas truthfully answers, his gray eyes staring into mine with such intensity that, for a moment, I am lost for what to say.

“The wolf I mentioned is named Devon, and his scent is familiar to me and Uncle David,” he continues. He then explains how the first thing they did for his impromptu beta training was to talk to the wolves the Council sent out and explain our process for initiation, training, and providing living arrangements. Before this meeting, Lucas detected this familiar scent and instantly felt uneasy, immediately warning David and Kurt about it.

From there, Lucas walked around the room, sizing up all the rogues and finding the scent’s owner, and Kurt identified him as Devon.

“Kurt didn’t recognize him, but my uncle did. I think my aunt might recognize him too, and if she does, then the only place Devon can be from is Oak Fur,” Lucas continues.

Lost for words, I find myself pressing closer to him, feeling safe within his arms while I process this new information. Marilyn didn’t send a spy then—Ramos did.

“Have you confronted Devon yet?” I ask.

“No. Uncle David is talking to Aunt Amelia. A few of our spies should be watching him by now,” Lucas answers, pulling away from me.

“How the hell do you know about our spies?” Shocked, I pull away from Lucas again to stare at him wide-eyed, my mouth hanging open. Kurt, David, Amelia, and I promised to tell no one else in the pack about the spies we’d trained. They’re our secret wolves, chosen from a group of skilled omegas who can blend into any scenery and who no one would take a second look at.

“Kurt and David let it slip accidentally when we discussed what to do with Devon,” Lucas shrugs, his eyes full of amusement at my shock. Rolling my eyes, I make a mental note to yell at David and Kurt later for telling Lucas about our spies.

“I promise, Kaylee, I won’t let anyone hurt you or our pup. We’ll find out what Devon has told Ramos and deal with him accordingly.”

The bond hums with Lucas’ promise, his eyes staring into mine as his lips are set into a firm line. I can’t help but feel my mate is telling the truth—Lucas will protect me and our pup no matter what.

“Will you stay with me until we can figure out what to do next?” I blurt out without thinking. Shocked by my own words, my hand clamps over my mouth as Lucas stares at me wide-eyed.

“You...you don’t have to if you—”

“Yes,” Lucas says loudly, cutting off my embarrassed rambling.

“What?” I ask, once again shocked by the turn of events.

“Yes, I will stay with you until we figure out what to do next about this situation.” He chuckles, his left hand caressing my cheek so gently that it makes me shiver. It seems I’ve gained a new roommate in my little cottage.