Page 26 of Wanted By the Cartel

Ten minutes later, I was explaining the situation while Lyrian sat cross-legged on our bed, his hands resting on his growing belly. It was bigger now.

"Reyes has a lunar-blessed sister," he said. "That... changes things."

"How so?"

"The Lunar Harvesters don't discriminate. They'll hunt anyone with the gift, regardless of their connections. His sister isn't safe, even with his protection."

"You think he knows this?"

Lyrian's eyes met mine, glowing softly in the dim light. "I think he's desperate. I can feel it even from here—his fear, how uncertain he feels. He's reaching out the only way he knows how."

I sat beside him, placing my hand over his on his stomach. Our children's magic pulsed in response, strong and vital.

"You want to help him," I realized.

I wasn't on board with that. Not fully, but with the right words, I could be convinced.

"I want to help his sister," Lyrian corrected. "And... it might be the solution to your cartel problems."

I raised an eyebrow. "Explain."

"Instead of fighting the Crimson Fangs, ally with them. Not from a position of weakness, but strength. Offer real protection, not just for his territory, but for his sister. The Nightshade Wolves already have experience protecting a lunar-blessed omega."

The strategic implications unfolded in my mind. "It would strengthen our position, not weaken it. And with their resources..."

"We'd be better equipped to fight the real enemy—the Harvesters."

I pulled him closer, inhaling his scent. "When did you become such a tactician?"

"I've always been one. I had to be, to survive." His hand came up to cup my cheek. He wasn't wrong about that, given the kind of life he had before meeting me. "But now I have something worth fighting for, not just running from. And it's you and our babies."

The council meeting that followed was... interesting. Especially when I had Elena brought in first.

"Mason acted alone," she insisted, her face pale but determined. She was scared of me. She didn't want to show it, but I could smell it.

I studied her, remembering what Lyrian had taught me about reading people's emotions. There were some things I could make use of in this moment.

"I believe you. But your opposition to my recent decisions created an environment where he felt safe betraying us. You should have thought about that before doing the things you did."

She swallowed hard. "What are you going to do?"

"Give you a chance to prove your loyalty. The situation has changed. We're not just protecting my family anymore—we're becoming something bigger."

As the other council members arrived, I laid out the new strategy. Not just an alliance with the Crimson Fangs, but a complete restructuring of how we operated. A lot was going to change.

"The Lunar Harvesters are a threat to all of us," I concluded. "Not just to my mate, but to anyone with lunar-blessed blood. We're going to become their worst nightmare."

"And Reyes?" Romano asked. "You trust him?"

"No. But I trust his love for his sister. Just as you all trust my love for Lyrian."

Understanding dawned on their faces. They'd seen what I was willing to do to protect my mate. Now they'd see what another alpha would do to protect his sister.

"The cartel will change again," I announced. "But not into a mere security force. We're becoming something more powerful—a safe place for those the Harvesters would prey upon, and a weapon against those who would harm our own."

One by one, they nodded. Even Elena and Romano seemed to understand what I felt. There was still going to be opposition, just less than before.

"Viktor, arrange a meeting with Reyes. Neutral ground, full security. And send him a message—tell him his sister is welcome here, under my personal protection."

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