Page 9 of Alpha Wolf's Arranged Bride
“They are isolated,” Celeste points out. “And maybe they have a new alpha, or council, and they’ve decided they want peace.”
I carefully keep my mouth shut because my secret mission was just that—secret. I can’t reveal to my pack the years of recorded suspicious activity that drew the attention of Wolf’s Shadow, or that I spent a year there, attempting to learn about the inner workings of their pack.
Or that I failed and came away with nothing. Nothing but a hole in my heart.
I also find it interesting that Eccles has gone under the radar for the last five years. There were no incidents in the year I lived there, either, and it makes me wonder if they’ve always known they’re under surveillance.
Not a nice thought.
“Rex, have you faded out again?” Galant asks.
“Sorry,” I mutter. “I’m just trying to remember all the information I have on Eccles.”
“I know it must be so challenging for you,” Celeste says. “You’ve been away from the pack pretty much your whole life. This is all so new to you.”
“Yes, it is, and I appreciate your understanding, Celeste,” I reply. “This is nothing like rewilding and fighting fires—or at least, not yet.”
The others chuckle, accepting my cover story without any doubts. As far as my pack knows, I completed a degree in environmental science at college, then immediately took a job traveling the country, giving aid to people in need, preserving and restoring damaged heritage sites, and rescuing endangered species.
My cover had to be a difficult and worthy pursuit, something selfless that kept me from home for long periods of time, something that no one would question. I didn’t mind the environmental warrior guise at all, and it wasn’t far from what I was actually doing.
“We’ll need to wrap this up, anyway,” Celeste says. “They want you there first thing in the morning, and you should get some rest.”
“What?” I ask, shocked. “So soon? I thought I had a few days, at least.”
“No, Rex, that’s why we’re meeting now. To give you all the information we have and discuss our options before the deadline.”
A spooky chill tingles through me in response to her words.
“What if we miss the deadline?” I ask. “Or if we refuse?”
“It would be taken as a great insult,” Dorian answers. “They’d be within their rights to attack, and if history is anything to go by, that is exactly what they’d do.”
“Has this ever been attempted before?” I ask. “Uniting the packs, I mean, by marriage or otherwise?”
“Several times,” Galant answers. “It always ended with a battle, which we usually lost.”
“I hate to say this, Rex,” Celeste says. “But we need this leverage. I strongly believe that even if it is a trap, having one of theirs on our side will ensure our safety like nothing else.”
“Unless they are coming here to spy,” I whisper. “To infiltrate us, get intel on our defenses!”
There is a brief silence as the elders look into each other’s faces with shocked expressions, only to burst out laughing.
“Rex!” Celeste chuckles. “That stuff only happens in the movies. What are the chances of a military-trained, black-ops agent just sitting around in one of our quiet little mountain packs?”
I can’t suppress my own chuckle, and I have to look away, shaking my head. “You’re right, Celeste. That is a silly idea. I’m glad we’ve considered the option of it being a trap, though. I think you’re right, and having one of their members could be excellent leverage. I understand my duty, and I’m ready to undertake it.”
“Thank you for entering into this with grace,” Celeste answers. “I know that you take your duty very seriously, and we appreciate that, but it’s good for you to go into this with an open mind. I mean, best-case scenario, you could be meeting the girl of your dreams!”
I already have.
The thought rings through me, dragging my mind back to that night five years ago. I can taste Scarlett on my tongue, feel her velvety skin under my hands, and I’m drowning in her sweet scent.
I can’t think about that now—or ever again.
It causes me real pain to shut my mind off from the memory and put it behind me. I’ve tried for a very long time to stop thinking about Scarlett, and now I have absolutely no choice.
I need to devote myself to my new wife, for her sake and for the good of both packs. If the alliance has any hope of success, all of us have to fully commit to it.
