Page 29 of Huntress and the Thorn Court
“I’m not.” Even I heard the lie when my voice cracked. No way could I tell him the truth, that less than twenty-four hours ago, I’d been doing the naked tango with his boss.
Adam opened the door without knocking. Gideon’s brow pinched briefly when we entered but showed no other sign of distress. My heart leapt upon seeing him. He looked utterly divine sitting like the master of the universe behind his desk in his charcoal business suit that draped over his body in a way that accented his hard muscles. I had to fight to remain still. My hands twitched. My feet argued remaining glued to the floor. I had a strong flight instinct.
“It’s like you thought,” Adam began snapping me away from my internal conundrum. “One of the hunters explained the situation but it was obviously a lie.”
“Alright,” Gideon drew out. His gaze was on Adam but kept bouncing to me. I could see the question in his expression. Why was I there?
“There’s more.” Adam stepped back giving me the floor.
I took a deep breath. My hands were clammy, but I fought the urge to rub them on my pants. I would not show signs I was bothered. “They have someone on the inside feeding them information about what’s happening here.”
“What?” Gideon’s brow furrowed and his face contorted with confusion.
“He knew I’d been attacked,” I explained.
“He never said that,” Adam spoke up. I glared at him. I thought we settled this in the car. Why had he insisted I be present if he was just going to undermine me?
“Not in those words.”
“Then in what words?” Gideon asked. So I told him. “That does sound suspicious but I’m with Adam. It might not be what you think.”
“It’s not a coincidence, Gideon.”
“You think the hunters are in on this uprising?” he asked.
I shook my head. “I believe it’s just this one unit.”
Gideon leaned back in his seat, the metal groaned as he did. “And how do you propose I handle it?”
“The proper way would be to send a correspondence to my father letting him know he has a suspected traitor in his midst.”
“But you don’t think I should do that.”
I shook my head again. “The leader of the unit, Reed, comes from the second highest ranking family in the clan. They want to lead. Without me there, my father is vulnerable. His hands are tied. He can’t move against the family’s eldest son without causing waves, waves that he can’t afford right now. Not to mention it’d be admitting that you have an uprising on your hands.”
“If you’re suggesting I send you home—”
“Not at all,” I halted him. For him to release me would weaken his position not only among the wolves but the preternatural community without a valid reason why. “We need tangible proof, eyes on him. You can’t send wolves because they’d end up like the kids tonight or worse.”
“Then who?”
“My second. I’ve not once doubted his loyalty. In the meantime, I’d suggest sending my father a declaration. For every wolf unjustly harmed, you’ll begin tacking time on to my sentence.”
His brow furrowed. “How would that work? If this family wants to rule, then wouldn’t they want you out of the way? Perhaps they’re even pressing for you to die here. Adding time might help them.”
My eyes flicked to Adam. He’d seen the affection Reed had tried to bestow on me and I didn’t doubt that he heard the whispered conversation too.
Taking pity on me, Adam broke in drawing the Alpha’s attention. “The boy covets her.” Gideon’s attention returned to me in an instant. His eyes flashed amber so swiftly I thought I might have imagined it. “He wants to rule thelegitimateway.”
Gideon eyed me for a moment before bending over his desk writing something out. After a moment he handed it to Adam who took it without question. “See that it’s delivered to the Order.”
When Adam turned to leave, I attempted to follow him, but Gideon called out. “Isabel stay for a moment.”
If Adam suspected, his face revealed nothing as I stood watching him close the door behind him. The room fell quiet, almost deafening.
“Are you fucking him?” he demanded in a low voice that I barely heard.
With my shoulders back and my head held high, I turned to face the Alpha. I knew what he meant but not who, so I played on his words. “I’m currently not fucking anyone.”
