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58

Kaylee

Looking across the table at Inda, Hale, and Zach, I note that they look less haggard than they did yesterday. Inda even seems curious about the boardroom, albeit a little fearful of everyone here.

“So let me get this straight,” Lucas growls in frustration, causing Inda to flinch. He sends her an apologetic smile before leaning back in his seat and running his fingers through his hair. “Canine Sun was promised a portion of Ivory Fangs’ wolves when they attacked us?”

“Not only that, but each man would have his choice of the she-wolves to use as an incubator for his pups?” David chimes in, his jaw clenched so tightly I can see the muscles popping. I still find this part hard to believe, but then again, Jordan was deranged enough to force me into heat to impregnate me with his pup and mark me as his.

“That’s correct,” Zach answers, reaching for one of the scones on the table. I chuckle, pushing the butter closer to the wolf, who thanks me enthusiastically.

“Your food is amazing,” he groans, Hale giving him a sharp growl. Zach looks at his brother-in-law with confusion as he takes a big bite of the scone. I suppress my laughter as best as I can before noticing Inda sitting there quietly.

“Are you okay?” I ask, watching her flinch again.

“I...I am not used to this kindness,” she admits, her voice quivering. My heart breaks for her, and I wonder just what sort of hell these wolves have faced to instantly turn to our side for good food.

“Well, if you three are willing to help us out, we’re willing to take you in,” Amelia says with a smile, pushing some blueberry muffins toward her. Inda hesitates but eventually reaches for a muffin and shrinks back into her chair. Hale watches as she munches on it, a small smile on his face.

“We were wondering if we would be fighting alongside you?” Zach asks, one hand holding his fourth scone, the other a mug of coffee. He eyes my apple juice, and I growl lightly at him, pulling the bottle closer to me.

“Anything but the apple scones and the apple juice is fair game. If you try to take them, we do not hold the pregnant Kaylee accountable for her actions,” Kurt warns with laughter, making me roll my eyes. Lucas takes this as his cue to push the plate of apple cinnamon scones to me, and I happily accept them.

“So, here’s what’s going to happen,” Amelia says from beside me, her eyes on my scones in mild amusement. “We’re planning to leave for Oak Fur in three days. From there, we plan to attack at night,” she continues, looking surprised when I hand her a scone. She takes it with a soft thank you.

“Why are you telling us this?” Hale asks, his eyes darting between Amelia and me.

“Because my men were told to meet us at the rendezvous point there to bring Cleo to you. The catch is we would like your help in attacking Oak Fur,” Amelia answers, taking a bite of the scone. I see slight hesitation in the family of three.

“Would we be taking the front lines?” Zach asks, fiddling with his coffee mug.

“No. We need you three to keep us informed of what your packmates are doing and to let us know if they’re coming to bring aid to Ramos,” I answer this time, nodding to Alexander.

The screen comes to life again with the chat between the alphas allied with Ramos. Hale lets out a low whistle while I work on deciphering the code they’re using.

“So that’s how you all know about the attack,” Inda voices from her seat, her eyes moving as fast as mine are. Suddenly, she stands from her seat, a snarl ripping past her throat, surprising me.

“Those bastards!” she screeches, causing everyone but me to grow tense. I see what she sees, and my own snarl rips through my throat.

“What happened?” Alexander asks, his head swiveling between Inda and me.

“Alpha Rodrick and Luna Stella of Canine Sun are stating that these three have died sneaking into our borders, so they’re adopting Cleo at the next full moon,” Kurt answers, fists clenched.

“Good thing that’s two weeks from now. My men will save her long before we allow that to happen,” Amelia states, looking to Hale, Zach, and Inda. “Are you willing to help us keep Canine Sun at bay when we attack Ramos and Marilyn?” she asks, watching the three wolves who had been placed in just as difficult a situation as Devon had been.

“We are,” Inda answers, turning to look at Amelia. “But we ask that your men assassinate Roderick and Stella when they save Cleo.”

***

Sitting on the steps of the packhouse, I watch as Inda sits with the omegas, helping them sort out the vegetables that had been brought from the greenhouses. She seems so at peace knowing we’re helping her family escape an Alpha and Luna just as cruel as Ramos and Marilyn.

“Do you think we can trust what they said about Rodrick’s cousin?” Amelia asks beside me, sipping a soda she’d grabbed from the kitchen.

“I think we can. I’ve met Hudson Sunserf of Canine Sun once. He was replaced as Rodrick’s beta a few years ago before my parents’ deaths because he advocated for his pack to receive better treatment. That pissed Rodrick off,” I answer with a shrug, getting a look of intrigue from Amelia.

“My dad kept me in the loop on other packs’ beta news so that I would be prepared for my training,” I answer before she can ask, taking a handful of popcorn from the bowl between us. “Do you think everyone will be ready in three days’ time?” I ask, watching as a few Growling Heart wolves play fight with the pups who run around.

Titus had to return to his pack this morning due to an incident back home but promised to meet us on the road in three days. Daisy stayed to help train our warriors together and is in the middle of sparring with Evette while a group of female pups watches on in amazement.

Everyone knows a fight is coming and is preparing for it. They’re preparing to defend Ivory Fangs if something happens while we’re away and ready to give their all—including their lives—for the pack we’ve grown together.

“I believe they will be.”

I sigh at Amelia’s answer but decide not to comment any further. All we can do now is enjoy what little peace we have until the day comes for us to leave for Oak Fur.