Page 26 of My Ruthless Alpha

Even if I was often busy with pack matters before, it had been no secret how close the two always had been. She meant the world to Faye, and because of that, it was important that I at least tried to help get her out of that other pack.

Of course, if I weren’t careful, we’d run the risk of causing more problems, but for Faye and Sydney, I had to do something. It would all be worth it if Faye could have some peace of mind.

I had the feeling it was something she had very little of while in Colton’s pack, and if I could help ease her worries, then I was damn well going to try.

Regardless of the outcome, I still wanted Faye to know I would do whatever it took to make her happy and comfortable in my home. One day, I wanted her to consider it our home and not just a temporary place for her to stay.

Faye was fairly anxious for the following hours while she waited for a reply. She did her best to show up emotionally for Margo, but I could tell it was weighing on her.

After the little one grew tired of playing outside, we went in, and Faye kept her occupied with a movie in the living room while she gently stroked her dark hair. Not long after, she fell asleep, but even while Faye tried to keep herself focused on the TV, I caught her checking her phone more and more, growing more frustrated each time.

I started dinner and silently hoped Sydney would get back to her soon so Faye could relax.

Finally, a notification came from her phone, and I could’ve sworn Faye shot right up from her seat.

Immediately, she checked the message and came over to where I was, brows furrowed while she reached it.

“What did she say?” I asked lightly, pulling my attention away from the food for a moment to give her my focus.

“She said…she’s afraid to leave on her own, given the tension in the pack right now. I can’t say I blame her,” she murmured, sounding understanding yet disappointed at the thought before reading more while her brows furrowed with that new look of devastation. “And as I feared…he already announced to the others that I was his chosen mate and Luna, and I embarrassed him by leaving. She says he’s determined to find me and won’t stop until I make up for it.”

When her eyes met mine again, a brand-new rage filled my chest at the notion. At the thought of anyone trying to claim her, let alone a man she clearly didn’t want.

There was no way in hell I’d let him even attempt it.

It took every ounce of strength I had to school my emotions and keep from lashing out. I knew losing my cool was pointless since he wasn’t even there to face the brunt of it.

A moment later, another notification pinged, and Faye continued to read, “Apparently, there are also rumors going around that Colton might be linked to…a gang?”

My brows furrowed at that while I moved the cooking meat and vegetables around the frying pan. “A gang…he must’ve had that connection before he took over the pack. Old friends, maybe?”

“Possibly…she’s worried he might have those extra numbers at his disposal. If she were to be caught, there was a high chance she’d lead Colton to me and Margo,” she continued, looking more distressed as she ran her fingers through her hair absently. She sighed. “She’s right…I hate that she’s right. I just wanted to know she’s safe and away from there. Even now, she’s thinking about us, not her own situation…”

“She’s aware of the risks…since she’s still in the pack, she knows what’s happening and what could happen. That’s good, but you’re right. We need to get her out of there,” I reaffirmed her.

Even with my agreement, Faye looked even more anxious as she met my gaze, eyes big and threatened by emotions. “What do we do then? I can’t just leave her there. Not after everything she’s already done for me.”

“It’s all right. We’ll come up with something,” I added, reaching out to put a soothing hand against her arm. I softly stroked my thumb back and forth against her skin and felt an immediate rush of affection move through me—a pleasant zing of warmth through my palm. “We won’t leave her behind, okay?”

While it seemed to take a moment for her to believe me, Faye relaxed slightly at the reassurance and nodded. “How?”

As Sydney pointed out through text, Colton’s possible connection to this apparent gang could be a problem. If theywere nearby, he could use them alongside his wolves to try and track her down if he felt like it.

With Faye having escaped him already, it was highly likely that his pride and ego had been hit, and I wouldn’t put it past someone like him to retaliate on her best friend.

If Sydney took the leap of faith and fled, she could be tracked down before ever making it here if she wasn't careful. That, of course, wasn’t an option.

After considering it for a moment, I leaned against the counter and tried to figure out the best and most effective way for us to help without endangering her or the rest of us.

Even if I had decent numbers of my own and a group of alpha friends to back me up if I needed it, I didn’t want Colton being led to my territory. I didn’t want to bring that onto my people if I didn’t have to. This meant that we somehow had to get Sydney out of there without drawing a direct link to my pack grounds.

It was delicate, and we couldn’t just act recklessly to get her out.

After a moment, Faye met my gaze again, looking determined and fearful. “What if I just go and meet her?”

My inner wolf immediately bristled at the idea, and I shook my head. “No way…that’s too risky for both of you.”

“But if I meet her, then she won’t be alone, and I can be her backup,” she added, sounding more like she was grasping at straws instead of coming up with a bullet-proof plan.

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