Page 11 of Understanding Fate

Well, not alone. Dante sent Carter on the flight with her to ensure she made it there without any issues. The LLC investigation has started, and from what we’ve heard, it's notlooking like they are going to let the Tahoe incident go without more information, adjudicators, and documentation.

Part of me is glad they aren’t taking this lightly. The kidnapping of female wolves has been too overlooked in our history, and I, for one, like the progressive change this is taking. That being said, Brielle doesn’t belong to Deacon Marlo. She’s Mine.

About half an hour.

The buzzing in my hand pulls me back.

Thirty minutes with no ride? Absolutely not. I’ll have Jess reach out to her old pack to pick her up and get her safely to her hotel. There is no excuse for that kind of oversight from this company.

I may have disliked that Ethan guy, but he never struck me as incompetent. With as much heat as is on both our pack and Brielle, having her sitting alone in an airport is unacceptable.

Cain: Can you message Carter to find out what’s going on? Brielle’s ride never showed up at the airport.

My mind link message goes out as I text her back.

Hang on, Firefly, I’m sending a car.

I’ve tried not using the nickname with her as often because I know it makes her put her guard up, but I don’t want her to forget what she means to me, what she will always mean to me.

Dante: He isn’t responding, but I don’t feel any stress through the bond.

Cain: Can Jess contact Montgomery to have someone pick Bri up and safely take her to her hotel?

I send before leaving my office, headed for his.

Dante: Jess is on duty; I’ll call.

He responds as my phone vibrates again

Don’t worry about it. I’m grabbing an Uber. See you when I get back.

A random Uber isn’t safe enough.

“Yes, thank you so much for reaching out, Lily. Tell Doug that Mr. Stone appreciates the opportunity to clear up these allegations.” Quinn's voice is sweet, but her facial expression shows her irritation. “We will get that over to you as soon as we can. Thanks so much. Bye now.” She finishes, placing the receiver down before rubbing her temples as I approach.

Her eyes close briefly before she opens them, and she has a new determination on her face. She notices me standing there, grabs a Post-it off her desk, and waves it at me.

“Can you bring this to him? It’s the number for the Boston Alpha he asked for. Also, let him know Martin responded.” She doesn’t need to say more for me to understand that it wasn’t good.

“How bad?” I ask, dread filling me.

“He’s going to need to call another council meeting later tonight,” she answers before returning to her email.

“I’m emailing him the documents with my phone call notes. He should have it… now.” Turning her chair, she grabs the Red Bull beside the keyboard and takes a long drink.

Looks like we have a long night ahead of us.

When I walk into the office, Dante’s back is to me. Every screen is lit up with legal documents, camera feeds, and web browsers. I glance at the city, remembering how different the view felt two months ago—before everything changed.

Before I found her.

“I don’t need any more shit news today, Cain, so tell me she texted back, and her ride was there.” He turns in his chair, his face lacking the humor he used to carry.

Looking at him now, I notice the lines that have appeared over the last few months, the dark circles under his eyes. Gone is the kid who took over as our Alpha too young, and before me sits a man who strongly resembles his father instead.

“Wish I could. She says she’s getting an Uber. Anything from Carter yet? It’s not like him to fail to check in,” I say, extending my arm to hand him the yellow Post-it from Quinn. “Montgomery’s number,” I add before falling into the seat.

He dials, leaving the phone on its cradle and the speaker going. It’s just after 8 pm in Boston, so there’s a chance he is no longer in his office.

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