Page 51 of Conall (The Sunburst Pack #3)

Dylan’s growing alarm crashed through their bond as Eliot’s accusations struck legitimate concerns she’d been trying to ignore. The timing of security breaches, patterns of compromised operations, details suggesting someone with inside knowledge had been working against pack interests.

But Eliot’s focus remained fixed on Quinton with an intensity suggesting personal animosity.

You want to know what I think? Eliot continued, moving closer despite Dylan’s obvious disapproval. I think the Stewart twins have been playing both sides from the beginning. Creating chaos, then positioning themselves as the solution. Classic manipulation tactics.

You’re wrong, Dylan said flatly, but Quinton sensed doubt beginning to creep into her thoughts. Not about him specifically, but about the larger situation.

Am I? Eliot’s smile widened as he sensed the crack in her certainty.

Then explain why our communications went dark immediately after sharing sensitive information with Sunburst. Explain why pack members who questioned certain decisions suddenly found themselves reassigned.

Explain why the people offering to solve our problems benefit most from their existence.

The accusations were skillfully constructed, taking legitimate security concerns and twisting them into conspiracy theories painting the Sunburst Pack as master manipulators.

But underneath the analysis, Quinton sensed something more personal—Eliot’s obvious resentment toward Dylan’s reliance on outside expertise.

He’s been undermining her authority for months. Using security concerns to challenge her leadership .

Her recognition of the same pattern, her growing awareness that Eliot’s concerns had less to do with pack safety and more to do with his own ambitions, raced through their connection.

What exactly are you proposing? she asked, though her tone suggested she suspected the answer wouldn’t be reasonable.

I’m proposing we handle our security issues internally, without outside interference, Eliot replied. Starting with a thorough investigation of everyone who’s had access to sensitive information. Including our visitors.

The threat was unmistakable—not professional scrutiny, but a hostile interrogation assuming guilt rather than seeking truth. Around them, other pack members had begun gathering, drawn by raised voices and tension radiating from the confrontation.

Quinton noted their expressions with growing concern. Some showed loyalty to their alpha, but others carried uncertainty suggesting Eliot’s campaign of doubt had been more effective than Dylan realized.

A pack divided against itself—another vulnerability Gregory would have exploited.

The investigation can wait, Dylan said firmly. Right now, we need to focus on identifying any Chimera assets before they can be activated.

Assets like him? Eliot gestured toward Quinton with obvious hostility. Convenient timing, don’t you think? Shows up just as we’re dealing with security breaches, carrying intelligence that paints everyone else as threats while positioning himself as indispensable.

The accusation was so far from reality that Quinton almost laughed.

He’d come to help a fellow pack deal with legitimate threats, only to find himself caught between an unwanted mate bond and a political conflict having nothing to do with external enemies.

Dylan’s growing distress flooded their connection as Eliot’s verbal barrage attempted to force her to choose between trusting outside intelligence and maintaining unity within her pack.

Eliot, she said, confine your concerns to appropriate channels. We have bigger problems than—

Do we? Eliot interrupted, his defiance now open rather than disguised. Because from where I’m standing, it looks like our biggest problem is right here.

The challenge was direct, unmistakable—not just questioning Dylan’s judgment, but openly defying her authority in front of pack members already wavering in their loyalty.

Quinton ran through all the options in his mind.

Dylan could back down, accept Eliot’s implied authority over security matters, and maintain surface unity at the cost of her position. Or she could assert her alpha prerogatives and risk open rebellion.

Neither option was good. Both carried risks that could destroy the pack from within.

Unless there’s a third alternative .

A mate bond, even newly formed and complicated by mistaken identity, could make Dylan and Quinton more effective together than either could be alone.

With Quinton by her side, Dylan could overcome any threat to her pack.

Whatever Eliot had been planning, whatever advantages he thought he possessed, he was about to face the combined strength of an alpha and her mate working in perfect coordination.

Just let him try to undermine that .