Page 140 of Smoke and Lure

“Yes.But why do it while Chanin is away?”

And there was the meat and potatoes on the plate.She stopped moving and set her hands on her hips as she faced him again.Faolan wasn’t asking her anything that others wouldn’t question, including herself.Hell, once Chanin heard about it, she was sure he’d be demanding the answer.

“Because he’s my safety net.”

Faolan leaned into the wall by the door, balancing himself on one of his broad shoulders with his knee closest to the wall slightly bent, and waited.

“If Chanin were around, everyone would assume I’m only daring to do this because if Minsi overtakes me, he, as my mate and the Alpha, will step in.Or that Minsi, in fear of the retribution and consequences Chanin would enact against her, may not go all in.That means no one will have confidence that I really beat her.”

“If you don’t win?”

Well, double hell.She had already considered that a significant possibility when she crafted her plan.Yes, she’d been trained by two of the best she-wolf fighters in the Pack, those whose skills rivaled or exceeded Minsi’s.However, Minsi had years of honing her abilities compared to Morlie.

“That’s not an option.I’m the Alpha’s bitch, and I’ll prove my place beside him today.”

The silence stretched.Faolan stared at her, assessing her with his intense amber wolf eyes as if he could see the heart of her.

Her wolf rose inside of her and assumed a static pose, muzzle relaxed but parallel to the floor, ears in a neutral position, spine straight, and her tail slightly raised, but there was an iron will in her soul, as if Morlie’s wolf dared Faolan to find her lacking.

Morlie’s chest filled with pride.She’d need that same level of confidence when she faced her opponent today.

Faolan gave a sharp nod and straightened himself to his full height again.“Okay.The advice?”

Here it goes.“I know she’s your mate.I can smell Minsi’s scent on you.”

The same scent Morlie had gotten a whiff of yesterday when she was chasing the rabbit in the woods.Minsi had been there, watching her and possibly plotting her demise to take the position beside Chanin.

“Mated.Not claimed.Yet.”

Hearing his declaration solidified Morlie’s decision.A part of Morlie felt for the pair.The same way Morlie’s heart was heavy for all the shifter mated pairs.When they finally claimed each other, unlike what possibly happened when she and Chanin came together multiple times through the night, the act with a born Lupine female had no possibility of producing an heir.However, her grief toward the other female’s womb wouldn’t stop Morlie from taking her down.

Morlie nodded, acknowledging his statement.“I’d hate to take something so precious as a mate from you, but is killing Minsi my only option to get her to recognize my dominance, my leadership in this Pack?”

She realized the entire conversation placed Faolan in a conflicted position.Whatever advice he gave her could be seen as disloyal to his mate.But it was the position Minsi had put them in.

“No.When you have the opportunity to go for her throat, either with your teeth or claws, do it.Draw blood.Don’t hold back.To bring her to heel and make her submit, Minsi must understand you have the right and authority to end her life.However, choosing not to do it is your mercy to grant.”

“Alright.”Morlie took in the Fang leader's words.Feeling edgy, she began to drag her hands down the fabric of her shorts, but she realized her hands weren’t trembling or sweating.A serene calmness enveloped her body like a blanket.

“Hey, Morlie!You asked me to come—” Rudie burst into the door, pulling up short as she almost ran into Faolan’s back.

Faolan didn’t even flinch at the runt of the Pack’s intrusion, just slightly cocked his head in her direction and locked his gaze on Rudie.

However, it was that subtle precision that allowed Morlie to see the deadliness of the Warrior.

“Um...Faolan?”Rudie was dressed in a mini, yellow, light-cotton spring dress with a matching dandelion flower woven into one of her short twists adorning her head.Rudie looked feminine and soft, the joy around the runt rivalling the midafternoon sun that was creating a halo effect around her.Rudie took a few steps away from Faolan, placing herself midway between Morlie and the half-wolf male.

“Everything's fine, Rudie.I had Conri call Faolan and ask him to come.”

“Oh...okay.”Rudie's forehead was bunched, still not appearing sure about the situation.“Are you not happy with Conri?”

“He’s fine.If I have to be guarded, any Fang or security team member doesn’t make a difference.”Morlie paused.“I’m hoping that after today, that won’t be necessary.”

“Whyyy?”Rudie dragged out, as if bracing herself for whatever Morlie would say.

“I’m going to fight Minsi today.”

“What!What?”Rudie rushed in, moving closer to her, concern etched around her eyes.“Why do this now?Has she attempted an attack since Chanin left?Should I radio him?”Rudie gripped the radio in her pocket.

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