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Oof…

“I take it you don’t like that guy,” Rogue said.

Ace turned back to us, disgust in his eyes. “He thought this place was his,” he said, like that explained everything. “Anyone else here?” Ace asked the guards, as me and Rogue tucked our guns away.

“No, Sir. He was a loner. Didn’t even have many visitors.”

Ace nodded. “Alright. Strouse,” he said, talking to the taller of the two guards with greying hair, and a neatly trimmed beard. “I want half your men in a new location.”

“We have enough security,” I growled.

“For you, maybe, Knox.” Ace gave me a smug smile. “Not for me. And certainly not for her.”

I scowled. “They can stay on the perimeter only.”

They were clearly loyal to him, which boded well for Thistle, but I was barely confident Ace had provisioned for her safety, let alone me and Rogue. I wasn’t giving him more control. That said, if I didn’t take his performance today seriously I would be a fool.

Conquered by Thistle or not, he was still a dangerous Alpha. So I’d give him that, and make sure my security knew to keep an eye.

“Why did you let him go?” Rogue asked, looking back at Ace.

“It was necessary.”

I frowned. “Necessary?”

“Yes,” Ace said. “There’s a party coming up, isn’t there? Best that the rumour gets out.”

“A party?” Rogue asked.

“In the Ring.”

I froze. “So what if there is?”

“Oh. Yeh. That’s the plan.”

“What?” I demanded.

Those were the people we were trying toavoid.

“Hope you have nicer clothes than that, Knox,” Ace said, patting my chest as he strolled by me. “I’m going, and you’re myspecialguest, so you’d better look your best.”

TWENTY-THREE

THISTLE

I settled in after Knox had left, happy to sketch while a TV show ran in the background as Vance and Tanisha bickered about kitchen décor.

After a while, a female alpha entered from the hallway. She had long red hair, a lean frame, and there were what looked like old burn scars across her face. I tried not to stare at them, smiling as she introduced herself as Petal. I had never been around a female alpha before. Her scent was like a rain forest—and I found it calming.

“Oh! I should ask. Is Bunny a nest or a pack mate?” Callum asked me, eyeing the way I held him close.

“Uh…” I glanced down at him. Probably both, but mostly… “He’s pack.”

Vance groaned, digging in his pocket and tossing a bill on the table. Petal scooped it up happily. “Knewit.”

“You’ve seen me around?” I asked.

“When you’re out on the grounds or in the ballroom. We keep an eye on the place when stuff’s tense.”