Page 69 of Alpha Reid

Reid traces soothing circles on my back with his fingertips, pressing his cheek to my forehead. “You’re safe here. He can’t hurt you anymore.”

I blink my eyes open, peering up into Reid’s again. “As long as he’s still out there, I don’t think I’ll ever fully feel safe,” I admit.

“Then we’ll get him,” Reid states, not missing a beat. “Put an end to your nightmares once and for all.”

In his eyes, I can see he means it. He truly thinks he can vanquish my monsters for me.

Reid brings a hand around to stroke my cheek with the backs of his fingers. “You know I won’t let anything happen to you, right?” he asks, still holding my gaze. “I’ve been waiting for you my whole life, Serena. It’s my job to keep you safe and that’s what I’m gonna do. Always.”

I believe him, and that’s the scariest part of all- because if Reid stands between me and my monster, who’s going to protecthim? Reid has awakened something in me, made me feel things I never thought were possible. I know it’s cliché, but I’ve never felt this way before. I can’t bear the thought of any harm coming to him.

“I know,” I whisper, snuggling closer into the warmth of his chest.

In the safety of his arms, I fall back asleep… and through the rest of the night, no more nightmares come.

~

When we arrive at the complex the following morning, it’s abuzz with activity. Reinforcements from Denver have arrived, led by Astrid’s brother, Alpha Cole. The arrival of the Denver warriors is the last big step to prepare for the war with the shadow pack- each day it’s getting closer, more real. Because of my role in all this, we control the timeline now, but time is very precarious- stretch it out too long, and the shadow pack could get wise that I’m working as a double agent. If we don’t take enough of it, though, we could miss something and lose our advantage.

There’s a huge whiteboard placed in the center of the field, and as we draw closer, I realize why it’s garnering so much attention. There are several sheets of paper taped to the whiteboard with lists on them- the placements for teams that Gray sorted. The six-pack warriors are figuring out where they belong and splitting into their respective groupings, and while Reid’s distracted by greeting Astrid’s brother and some of the Denver soldiers, I wander over to the board in search of my own name.

I don’t find it. I check the list for Reid’s team, then expand my search to the others, but I’m not listed anywhere. Maybe they didn’t think I was going to fight? I guess we never fully discussed it, but there’s no way I’m sitting this one out. Not when the lives of so many people I love hang in the balance. I won’t be the girl that passes out again when the threat arrives.

After a few minutes, I feel Reid prowl up behind me, his arms coming around my waist as he tucks his chin over my shoulder to view the whiteboard. “What’s wrong?” he asks, sensing my confusion.

“I don’t see my name,” I mumble. “Do you?”

“You’re with me,” Reid supplies, moving to step beside me and offering an encouraging smile. “C’mon, I want you to meet some of our Denver allies.”

He takes my hand and leads me across the field to where most of the other alphas and their mates are gathered, and I immediately recognize Astrid’s brother. He looks similar to her- same caramel skin, full lips, and sharp bone structure. What he’s missing, though, is Astrid’s contagious smile; he seems incredibly focused and serious, brow furrowed, lips set in a tight line.

Reid introduces me to Alpha Cole, his beta Sam and Sam’s mate Shay, and a couple of Cole’s advisors and top warriors. Then, without missing a beat, the guys start talking shop and getting down to business.

“Have you identified a point of attack?” Cole asks, bringing a hand to his chin and looking to the six-pack alphas.

Gray gives a quick nod. “The eastern border would give us the best advantage with slightly higher ground. So that’s where we’ll get them to advance from.”

“How?” Cole questions.

Gray flicks his head in my direction. “Serena will tell them that she’s managed to take down the security on that side only, so they won’t think they have another option. For all we know that’s where they planned on attacking from anyways, we know they’re familiar with that border because they’ve made a drop there for her before.”

Cole’s brows shoot up. “Thisis your inside man?” He darts me a glance before looking to Reid. “Your mate?”

Astrid elbows her brother, winking. “Told you we had an ace up our sleeve.”

“No shit,” he shakes his head and cracks the faintest of smiles. Guess he likes the plan.

“But the system won’t be down?” Cole’s beta Sam speaks up, narrowing his eyes and seeking clarification.

“Oh no, it’ll be down,” Theo laughs.

“But we’ll know they’re coming,” Gray finishes. “We’re basically letting them in the door only to catch them by surprise when we surround and ambush them.”

Cole strokes his chin with a hand, nodding. “I like it. This may just work.”

“It better work,” Brock mumbles, shooting Astrid a glance. “Hope Xavier’s ready for round two, because that fucker isn’t getting out alive this time.”

“No,” Gray agrees, clapping Brock on the shoulder. “He’s not.”

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