Page 69 of Alpha Hunt

“Iamserious. You’re not going with.” He drops his hand, which is good because I’m about to shake it off.

“But why the hell not? He’s my mate, dammit!”

“That’s exactly why you can’t be there. You’ve already shown that you can’t think clearly when it comes to this male. I won’t have you compromising our team because you can’t keep your head straight.”

“I’ll keep it straight,” I mutter. I can’t believe he’s doing this.

“I can’t take that chance, Casey.”

I stare at Jagger in disbelief, my face burning with anger as I try to process his words. He can’t mean this. He can’t actually expect me to sit back and do nothing while my mate is out there, very likely in danger.

“Jagger, please,” I say, my voice tight with barely controlled emotion. “I need to be out there. I need to help find him. You’ll need me anyway, my bond—”

But Jagger just shakes his head, his expression unyielding. “I’m sorry, Casey, but I can’t let you do that. You’re too close to this. Your judgment is clouded.”

I clench my fists at my sides, frustration and anger surging through me.

How can he not understand?

How can he expect me to just sit here and wait, not knowing what’s happening out there?

“I can handle it,” I insist, my voice rising despite my best efforts to keep it under control. “I’m not some fragile little thing who needs to be protected. I’m a trained fighter, just like the rest of you.”

But Jagger is already shaking his head again, his jaw set in that stubborn way of his. “It’s not about your abilities, Casey. It’s about your objectivity. And right now, you don’t have any.”

I open my mouth to argue, but he cuts me off with a sharp look. “This isn’t up for debate. You’re staying here, and that’s final.”

I feel like screaming, like punching something, like shifting into my wolf form and running until my lungs burn and my legs give out. But I know it won’t do any good. Jagger has made up his mind, and there’s no changing it.

So, instead, I bite my tongue and give a terse nod. It almost kills me to trail behind Jagger back to the command room, saying nothing.

I’m still silent as Jagger and the others gear up, trying not to grind my teeth. They move with well-honed efficiency, checking their weapons and strapping on their tactical vests. Gage is loading his gun, his eyes focused and intense. Callum is fastening his jacket, his expression grim. Tarkin is already by the door, his posture one of tense readiness, no sign of his usual lighthearted nature.

“Don’t worry, Stone. We’ll get your boy back,” he says as he catches me watching them.

“He’s not my boy,” I grumble.

So what is he, then? My man? My mate? These concepts feel so foreign to me, and yet my chest aches at the thought of never getting a chance to explore what this means.

The wolf has chosen.

I have to trust her.

Jagger turns to me, his gaze serious. “Casey, while we’re gone, I need you to monitor the comms. If anyone calls in with information, I want you to relay it to me immediately.”

I nod, my jaw clenched tight.

“And keep an eye on the security feeds. If anything looks out of the ordinary, don’t hesitate to sound the alarm.”

“Got it,” I manage to say, my voice sounding strained even to my own ears.

Jagger studies me for a moment as if he’s trying to gauge my state of mind. “We’ll find them, Casey. Just sit tight and let us handle this.”

I don’t respond, knowing that if I open my mouth, I might say something I’ll regret. Jagger seems to take my silence as acquiescence because he nods and turns to join the others.

I watch as they file out of the room, their footsteps echoing in the sudden stillness. The door closes behind them with a soft click, and I’m left alone, the weight of my own helplessness pressing down on me like a physical force. I stand there, my hands clenched at my sides.

This is bullshit!

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