Page 41 of Alpha Fate

I nod. “Just feeling kind of tired.” It’s true. I may be a shifter, but one night of rest and a couple of meals aren’t nearly enough to get me on my feet again. Those weeks in that cell took their toll.

“Shit! Of course! And here I am, giving you a tough time. You should get some rest.” She stands, holding out a hand to help me up.

I let her pull me to my feet, stifling a yawn. “I think I will. It’s been a busy day.”

“It really has. And it’s barely even midday yet.” Sierra gives me a quick hug. “Sleep well, Savvie. I’m right next door if you need anything.”

“Thanks, Si.” I smile wearily and head for my new bedroom.

As I crawl into the plush bed, I feel my exhausted body start to relax. But my mind continues churning with thoughts of Gage, and Cole, and Rack. And all the others from my pack who are still out there.

Do I have the luxury of letting my heart lead me right now?

I know I need to keep my distance. But I also know, deep down, that it’s only a matter of time before I find my way back to him. No matter how hard I try to fight it.

I just wish I was certain of the right thing to do.

Chapter 14

Gage

I take a seat in Jagger’s office, trying not to let my mind wander to thoughts of Savannah. I do this by looking around the space, which looks different now that Titer’s things have been taken out.

The battered desk is still in place, but Jagger has pushed the worn leather couch to the far side of the room to make space for a long table. I’m seated beside it now, stretching my legs out beneath the smooth beechwood surface.

The silence is awkward as Jagger stands across the room, his hands clasped behind his back, shoulders rigid, feet astride. I’m aware that until recently, there was no love lost between us. However, I sense he’s developed a grudging respect for me lately.

“Did I get here too early?” I ask the question just as the other high-ranking members of the security team filter in. Callum, Casey, Barrett, and Tarkin mill around figuring out seating arrangements. I’m not the only one struggling to get used to things with our new Alpha in the seat of power.

“Shall we get down to business?” Jagger now stands at the head of the table, arms crossed over his broad chest. “Alright, let’s recap Leadmills. I want to go over everything we learned from that op.”

I tune out as the others rehash the entry points we’d used to infiltrate Rack’s compound. My thoughts keep going back to those brief moments with Savannah…her eyes…her lips… that kiss…

“Gage?” Jagger’s voice snaps me back. “You got anything to add?”

I clear my throat, scrambling to refocus. “Yeah, uh, the east tunnel was pretty well concealed. Doubt they expected we’d ever learn about it. But now that we’ve tipped our hand, you can bet Rack’s men will have it sealed off.”

Jagger nods. “No question. So, ingress from the east is burned. We’ll need to scout out other options next time.”

“If there is a next time,” Callum rumbles. He’s always been the cautious one.

“There will be,” Jagger says firmly.

“Is that a good idea right now? We went in hard and fast with the element of surprise on our side, yet we wouldn’t have made it out if we didn’t have help from the inside.”

“Alpen.” Jagger looks at me. So do the others.

“Edirn Alpen. Yes.” I nod. I’m as bemused as everyone else is about the male who stepped in when we needed him. “He helped us out of there.”

“I wonder what that’s about,” Casey muses.

“No idea. Seems he’d had second thoughts about what they were doing in there.” I shrug.

“A traitor in their midst.” Tarkin leans back in his seat.

“Not anymore.” It’s Barrett now. “No way he could’ve gotten out of that shit when we left.”

“He sacrificed himself for us.” I wish I didn’t have to say it, but it needs to be acknowledged. “In any event, the fact that we needed him just shows how unprepared we were – even though we thought we were on top of things. They’re a rag-tag group, but they’re ruthless.”

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