Page 26 of Destined Bear
Sitting across from him at the dining table, I barely resist the urge to change seats so I can sit next to him and inhale his masculine scent.
When did this all change? Was it the threat to the territory? The need for protection?
Six enforcers sit around the table with us, each chattering, but their voices are background noise to me as I stuff down the swell of emotions rising through me. I need to focus on what’s being said and get back to the conversation around the ranch house table. But it’s easier said than done. Members of the council sit among the enforcers, but not as many as usual, as ifEmeric is trying to keep fewer around, just to keep me in the loop.
Or maybe I’m reading too much into this.
Come on, Viv. Get it together!
“…best thing we can do is bring Seline in and interrogate her.”
That catches my attention.
My head swivels toward the speaker, and I vehemently reject the suggestion. “Interrogating Seline will alert everyone in their network. We need to watch and listen instead of confronting. The only reason we overheard anything is because they don’t know we’re suspicious yet.”
Another one of the enforcers growls. “We should go at them with full force. We need to show them what happens when they mess with us.”
There’s back and forth between them, the consensus divided until finally everyone looks at Emeric for his final say. His eyes still bore into me as if he hasn’t heard a word of the discussion.
“Alpha?”
Reluctantly, he tears his eyes away from my face and looks around the round table, taking in every expression individually.
“Seline needs to be found.”
I should have known he was going to say that. There shouldn’t be this weight of crushing disappointment every time he lets me down, and yet…
I start to speak, but he’s not finished.
“But she should be watched, not interrogated. We get eyes on her and nothing else… for now.”
His decision is met with a murmur of approval, me among them. That hadn’t occurred to me.
“If we watch her, we might learn who else is involved. This whole thing feels off to me. Stonecrest’s Alpha, Roman, is usually strategic, but this feels disorganized.”
Once more, his eyes lock on mine. I like the idea, and a small smile toys at the corners of his lips as he recognizes we’re on the same page for the first time in a long while.
“I’ll watch her.” Alessa sits forward.
I smother a grin. Of course she volunteers. Alessa’s always game for anything that requires a bit of danger.
Emeric agrees. “But you’ll need a partner. I want eyes on her all the time, and I want you to have proper backup. Preferably someone by air.”
He looks around at the other enforcers, and Sabo raises his hand. “I’ll go with Alessa.”
The Alpha waits for Alessa to confirm.
Alessa winks suggestively at the crow shifter. “I’ll try not to eat you.”
Sabo balks at the lewd overtone, and I roll my eyes.
“In the meantime,” Emeric continues. “We are to remain on the path. Stay vigilant. Watch for those who complain too much and report back to me immediately. I want updates every day from all of you. I summoned this group because I trust you. Don’t disappoint me.”
I want to laugh at his last sentence. Who do we get to complain to when Emeric disappoints us?
The elders and enforcers stand from their respective chairs, and I move to join them, but Alessa waits for Sabo.
“I want to make a plan with him.” She gestures toward the crow shifter, who suddenly looks like he wishes he could backtrack his offer to join my wayward friend on her quest to watch over Seline.
