Page 100 of The Werewolf’s Wrong Mate

“No accusations,” he said.

Ian’s voice was very quiet. “I didn’t make one.”

“You were about to.”

“I do not need to accuse Malrec to know his office touched the gate.”

Ronan stepped close enough to lower his voice. “And if you say that where the wrong wolf hears it, the council turns this into Alpha interference before I know what was actually done.”

Ian’s jaw tightened and the mark warmed with his anger, but this time, I didn’t flinch. I reached back and touched two fingers to his wrist. I could feel him going hard and bright behind me, and some part of me understood that he was trying to hold a knife by the sharp end.

Ian went completely still.

So did Ronan.

I realized what I had done after I did it.

Wonderful.

New development. My hand had apparently joined the diplomatic service.

Ian looked down at my fingers on his wrist and his anger changed. It didn’t vanish. More like focused. Settled. Became something he could carry without bleeding all over the room. Or garden.

Whatever.

I pulled my hand back.

“Don’t make me regret helping,” I said.

His voice came rough. “I will try not to.”

Ronan watched us for one long second.

Then he turned to Lucien. “Continue.”

Lucien looked at the tablet again. “The gate code was changed under Malrec’s office because Thorne ritual staff requested secondary access for ceremonial preparation.”

“Thorne staff,” Ian said.

“Yes.”

My head turned toward Ronan. “Evelyn’s people.”

Ronan gave me one look, nearly a warning. I had said the thing he didn’t want said out loud.

Good. I was poisoned, not decorative.

“The request was valid,” Ronan said. “Political rites involve both packs.”

“But someone from Evelyn’s side needed access through the gate before the ceremony,” I said.

“Yes.”

“And the gate stayed open.”

“Yes.”

“And the guard is….gone.”