Page 34 of Alpha Wolf's Arranged Bride
“I have to make a call,” I say, stepping towards the back doors. “All of this is good news, so simply carry on as we have been, yeah?”
I turn and hurry out the back without waiting for confirmation. My nerves were already strung tight before this. Now they are on fire and screaming.
I type back the response code and wait. Seconds later, my phone rings with an incoming call from a private number.
“This is Shadow—I mean, Rex.”
The person on the other end gives a rough laugh. “Having trouble letting go of your rank, old buddy?”
“Bradley,” I say, grinning. “You still on the squad?”
“Sure am, boss. It hasn’t been the same without you.”
“I’m sure you didn’t use an encrypted line just to tell me that.”
“True enough. It’s Eccles.”
“What about Eccles?” I ask, feeling my blood turning to ice.
“There’s movement over there. It looks like something big is happening.”
“Do you have clearance for this?” I ask, whispering. “Am I officially being brought in?”
“No. Not yet, at least.”
I try to calm my pounding heart. If I were being called in as a Shadow, I’d have to tell them about Scarlett and Jarrod, and that they might be involved.
“So, what’s happening? Weapons, warriors, what?”
“We aren’t sure,” Brad answers. “Only that the alpha has had a ton of people working in the fields to the north of the town.”
“Doing what?”
“Still no clear answer on that. We thought maybe clearing for crops, but it looks more like excavating.”
“Excavating?” I echo, my head reeling with possibilities.
“Digging for something,” Brad says. “There’s also a woman who seems to go everywhere with Alpha Azarian. Did he have a mate when you were undercover there?”
“No, he didn’t, and we aren’t aware of him having one now.”
“It’s strange. She seems to dictate a lot of his actions. She doesn’t smell like a wolf, either.”
“Well, this is all extremely comforting, Brad,” I say, sighing. “Have you got any more good news?”
“Sadly, no,” Brad chuckles. “How’s life as alpha?”
“Not as exciting as being a Shadow, that’s for sure.”
“Did I hear that you got married?”
I freeze in place, suddenly freaked out.
WS would know Scarlett is from Eccles! What is this call really about?
“Brad, it’s a minefield,” I say very carefully, hoping he takes on my hidden meaning.
“Understood,” Brad replies, leaving the subject alone. “We’ll be in touch. The bosses may want you on this, or at least ask you to consult, considering your connections.”
