Page 354 of Claimed By the Rival Alpha

“It felt wrong to hang around there,” Ryan added. “We didn’t want to run into anyone dangerous.”

“Well, that helps narrow things down,” I said.

“Doesn’t it?” Bryn turned a bright smile at them. “Thanks so much. I can’t even tell you how important this information is to us.”

The Garou wolves couldn’t keep from smiling back at her, and neither could Tavi, Lance, or Dom. Even Oakley and Birchen seemed impressed. When I looked at Bryn, I saw my relief reflected back at me. She’d found a solution to our issue, and she’d even learned the names of not just those three Garou but others. She’d endeared herself to this pack as easily as she had with the Wargs.

“Maybe it would have been better to have you speak to Leo after all,” I muttered. “You would’ve had him eating out of your hand.”

She snorted, then something over my shoulder caught her eye. I turned to see what it was as she said, “I don’t know, Night, I think you were pretty successful.”

Leo and Cat rejoined us. Cat was trying to keep her emotions off her face, but the corners of her mouth curled ever so slightly upward. It told me that I’d gotten through to Leo before either of them said anything.

“Very well,” he said to me. “I spoke to Cat, and we see your logic about working together. I don’t want to put my pack at morerisk. And it’s better to attack the threat head-on than wait for him to move first.”

“So, you’ll help us?” Dom asked.

Cat nodded. “Yes. We’ll put our best people in your hands, and we’ll send those of us who know the area best with you.”

Lance let out a whoop. “I think the odds have shifted back in our favor.”

“You’ve got us on your team, too,” Oakley said. “I can send for reinforcements from my pack. We’re not more than a few hours from Camas territory, and they’ll be eager to help.”

“That’s amazing,” I said, not trying to hide my surprise at his offer. “But it means you’ll have to get involved in this fight.”

“I know. I’ve thought about this ever since you helped us recover from Troy’s attack. The Camas haven’t been involved in a fight in the forty years since I took over as alpha, but that ends today.” The look in his eyes was lethal. “I haven’t felt more ready to take a life in decades.”

His determination was infectious. It spread from him to me and the others nearby. We were united in one goal—to kill the man who’d led to our alliance in the first place.

We spent the night talking and planning and coming up with a new path to get to Troy’s hideout. The next morning, I woke earlier than the others to do some light training. Just enough to get the blood flowing. I would have asked Dom to spar with me, but I’d sent him, Tavi, and Birchen to bring reinforcements from the Camas Pack. They weren’t back yet.

I entered the forest, but before I could begin, the sound of heavy breathing lured me from my spot. It was Lance. He was up training as well. The two of us must have felt the same impulse.

“Hey,” he said, glancing over his shoulder at me. “Couldn’t sleep?”

“Actually, I slept through the night,” I replied. “You couldn’t?”

“No. I tried, but I just lay awake for hours. My mind keeps turning over everything that might go wrong today.”

“I see.”

“I’m surprised you’re not having the same problem,” he said. “There’s a lot riding on tomorrow’s success.”

“True.” I started shadowboxing.

“Then again”—he leaned against a tree trunk—“what else is new? I guess you’re used to it by now.”

I chuckled. “I think the truth is that I’m just ready for all of this to be over.”

“I hear that, but we brought Bryn along. I’m worried about her. Now that she knows she’s my sister, I don’t want to lose her.”

“I understand that. Believe me.”

“I know you do. Though I’ve been aware of her since I was a kid, you know her much better than I do. She trusts you, you trust her. You two are soulmates.”

“Lance, she trusts you, too. Just as much as she trusts Dom and Tavi.”

“I’d like to think she does. Sometimes, I don’t know. We haven’t had a ton of time to talk or get to know each other.”