Page 54 of Broken Forced Mate

The next morning brings another crisis. I’m barely through my first cup of coffee when Theodore appears with a tablet full of concerning intelligence.

“We’ve identified their communication system,” he reports. “Dead drops, coded messages, even some digital encryption we’re still working to crack.”

“What’s the timeline on breaking their codes?”

“Maybe six hours if we’re lucky. Twelve if we’re not.”

Before I can respond, voices carry from the corridor outside my office. I recognize Raegan’s voice immediately, along with Ash and Veva. They’re discussing something with the kind of animated energy that usually means trouble.

“The perimeter sweep would give us real-time positioning data,” Raegan is saying as they pass my door. “Without it, we’re making decisions based on assumptions.”

“It’s too risky,” Veva argues. “They’ll have sensors, patrols, and probably snipers positioned on the high ground.”

“Which is why we go in small. Fast. Get the intelligence and get out before they can respond.”

My wolf goes on high alert at the direction their conversation is taking. Field reconnaissance means putting people in danger—specifically, putting Raegan in danger if she’s involved.

I follow them to the living room, where they’ve spread laptops and tactical maps across every available surface.

“What’s the discussion?” I ask.

“Field reconnaissance,” Raegan replies without looking up from her work. “We need current intelligence on Thornridge positioning before we can finalize any battle plan.”

“Absolutely not.”

She’s not trained for combat operations. She doesn’t understand how quickly things can go wrong out there. It’s not happening.

“I’m sorry, was I asking your permission?”

“You’re not qualified for field operations.”

“I have more intelligence training than half your team.”

“Academic knowledge isn’t the same as field experience.”

She finally looks at me then, and the fury in her eyes is unmistakable. “So I should just sit here quietly while everyone else makes decisions about my future?”

The parallel to last night isn’t lost on me. Once again, I’m trying to control her choices instead of trusting her judgment.

But this is different. This is about keeping her alive.

“This is about risk assessment, Raegan.”

“Whose risk assessment? Yours or the mission’s?”

The question cuts deeper than she probably intended. Because she’s right—my objection isn’t tactical. It’s personal. The thought of Raegan in danger makes rational analysis impossible.

“The mission’s,” I lie.

“Then you won’t mind if I present my proposal to my brother this afternoon.” She closes her laptop and folds her arms. “Since it’s purely about mission effectiveness.”

Ash and Veva look at one another, clearly recognizing the undercurrents in our conversation. They make excuses and disappear, leaving Raegan and me alone.

“This isn’t about last night,” she says once they’re gone, cutting off my angle before I can even voice it.

“Isn’t it?”

“No. It’s about the fact that I have the skills this operation needs, and you’re letting personal feelings interfere with tactical decisions. You’ve always been way too protective of me, Wyn.”