Page 15 of Faith and Fury

My body feels heavy. I lean against the door, fighting the urge to get closer.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jaxon says suddenly.

“It’s okay,” Micah says, somewhat strained. “I … feel it too.”

Caleb takes a deep breath. “It’s only natural your alphas are a little excited. As long as you remember,” his tone darkens, “that this is a strictly temporary arrangement.”

“Our alphas?” Jaxon laughs. “Come on, man.”

“I’ll admit, it’s a … unique situation. But let’s not lose sight of what we’re doing here.”

What are they doing here? And if they’re all so uptight about my being at the den, they could’ve just shipped me off to be someone else’s problem. I didn’t ask for their charity.

“Fuck,” Jaxon blurts out. “I just realized something.”

His packmates are quiet, waiting.

“Faith.” My heart skips a beat. “She might be able to help us out. Maybe she could—”

“Absolutely not.” Caleb’s voice is hard.

“She was with the ringleaders every goddamn day. She probably heard stuff. Saw stuff.”

Maybe I did. Maybe I didn’t. Depends on what they’re trying to do with that information—another botched rescue that sends the ringleaders even deeper underground? No fucking thank you.

“I think Caleb is right,” Micah says tentatively. “Faith is vulnerable right now. Just talking to her about her time in the arena could be dangerous.”

Defiance boils up inside of me. Vulnerable my ass.

I storm across the room, opening up the A3 notepad Micah left on the dresser.

This is probably a bad idea. The RDF have fucked things up before. There’s every chance they’ll fuck things up again. But judging on the way these alphas are talking, we have the same goal. Find the ringleaders. Save the rogues.

Except, I actually know what the hell I’m doing.

I burst out of the bedroom door, notepad in hand. Caleb, Jaxon, and Micah all spring up at the sight of me.

“Faith,” Caleb says, cautiously. “Did we wake you?”

Gritting my teeth, I show them the notepad.

Micah’s eyes widen. Jaxon’s lips part. Caleb stiffens. They’re quiet for so long, I almost worry they don’t understand what I’ve written.

I’LL HELP YOU, the page reads.

IF YOU HELP ME SAVE FANG.

Chapter Ten

Jaxon

So … she has a mate.

Maybe it should’ve been obvious. Faith doesn’t behave like other ferals. Her violent outbursts come and go, more like a trauma response than a constant state of being.

Which means hasn’t been fighting us for the sake of it. Her inner omega is simply at panic stations, knowing we left her mate behind.

The news should come as a relief, and yet, all three of us seem more on edge than ever.

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