Page 133 of A Warrior's Fate

“Imperial spies—they’re trying to take over.”

Isla bit down on her tongue, wanting to explain all of it. She wasn’t a spy, not their enemy.

“Can you connect me?” Isla asked.

A look between the card and her face again. Reluctance, fear, and a touch of animosity took to the woman’s eyes, but she agreed. Though, despite Isla’s lineage, Io’s Pack Hall remained off-limits, unreachable from a facility like this one.

Isla took a glance at the clock—well-past seven—and quickly ran through where everyone would be.

Sebastian was her best bet.

Isla gave the woman the number of her brother’s townhouse, and after fiddling with some buttons on the switchboard, she returned with an outstretched hand. Isla counted out the money she’d brought with her, comparing it to the rates on the board, and handed it over. There was enough for ten minutes. She’d need to talk fast.

With the paper in her hands, the woman sifted through it again before pointing to the line of doors set up beside the small table with the couple. “Booth number three. When the light turns red. You have five minutes.”

Isla jerked her head. “Five?”

“You’re calling Io. The rate is higher. Take your complaints up with your alpha.” Payment in possession, any warmth in the woman’s persona had completely iced over. “I’ll knock on your last minute.”

Isla gaped, so close to protesting, matching the glower being shot her way, but then shut her mouth. She wasn’t going to get anywhere with it.

The door to the room made it seem larger than it ended up being, with a stool, desk, and telephone set up that took up most of the space. Isla perched herself on the chair, sore muscles barking in protest, her eyes roving over the pen and blank pad of paper in front of her. A bulb just above the phone flashed a bright red.

Isla scrambled to pick it up and was immediately greeted by a steady ringing. Each toll with no response was like a punch to the stomach.

“Come on, Seb,” she murmured under her breath, bouncing her knee and biting a nail between her teeth. She hadn’t even thought to ask if her money was wasted if the person on the other line didn’t pick up. Given the woman’s disposition, Isla knew what she’d likely say, but this time, Isla didn’t think she’d be able to play as nicely herself.

The ringing cut out. Silence followed.

Isla prepared herself for a battle, rolling up her sleeves—but then came a voice.

“Hello,” the person drawled. “You’ve reached Sebastian.”

Isla wasn’t sure if she wanted to laugh or cry. She rested her head in her hand, a grin gracing her lips so wide that it hurt her cheeks. “Seb.”

“Pudge?” She didn’t think she’d ever been so excited to hear the nickname. His tone rang with excitement that heightened at her next confirmation. “Holy shit.”

“That’s Isla?”

Isla’s breath caught at the second voice. A few moments passed before she heard it again, closer, but still distant. “You couldn’t make it a week as a warrior without calling us?”

Adrien’s jab had her eyes fluttering to stop them from stinging.

Isla laughed. Normally, she’d have a retort ready to go, but all she could muster was, “I guess not.”

“How the fuck do I make this louder so you don’t have to be on top of me?” She heard Sebastian mutter to their friend.

Heaviness took to her heart.

Her family. She hadn’t realized how much she missed them. How much she missed home, familiarity, and not being looked at like a scourge.

“To what do we owe the pleasure of you remembering we exist?” Sebastian asked.

Isla’s heart stammered a beat. “You—you haven’t heard?”

“Heard what?” Sebastian snickered. “You’re not about to tell us you’re mated, are you? Because that’s a lot to drop over the phone. Wait, how are you even—”

“Kai’s being challenged,” she cut him off, keen on the limited time and that she’d need to fill them in more than she’d anticipated. They went quiet, and each second that ticked by felt like hours. “The call for it came last night during the rogue attacks.”

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