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She can understand me in her wolf form. I know that. It doesn’t change how shitty I feel leaving her behind bars.
“I don’t want to leave here by herself,” I mumble under my breath. “She shouldn’t be alone.”
“She won’t be.” I’m not even a little surprised when Duke clears his throat before offering, “I’ll stay here with her.”
“And I’ll stay with you.”
I’m not surprised by Jace’s offer, either.
“I need you to do something else for me.”
“Anything, Alpha.”
“I need you to go back to the pack.”
Jace stiffens. “And leave you alone? No.”
I’d be lying if I said that I thought he’d jump at the chance to get out of the Wolf District. It still doesn’t change how we have to play this.
It was a trap. It’s always been a trap.
But I have Walker’s promise. I’ll be okay—I just need Ryker to know that.
“They took our phones,” I remind him. “Without it, there’s no way I can tell Ryker what kind of mess we’re in.”
No doubt my mate already guesses that I’m in over my head, but neither one of us expected that I’d be forced into agreeing to stay here for twenty-five days without any contact. And my mom? She knows I can take care of myself, but she’s probably worrying a hole in her living room since I haven’t been able to let her know I’m okay. Last either of them heard, the three of us were heading into Western Pack territory. It’s been radio silence since then, and even though it hasn’t been a full day yet, it’s gotta feel like an eternity to my anxious omega mom and my protective alpha mate.
“But, Alpha—”
I hate to do this, but I have no choice.
“You pledged yourself to me. You gave me your loyalty. Believe me when I say this, Jace: I need you to go back. Do you understand? I need you to tell Ryker what’s going on. And I’m not ordering you. Okay? I’m asking you. Please go.”
Jace shudders out a breath. “I will, Alpha.”
Good.
* * *
Theo looks noticeablysurprised when I step out of the holding cells with only one of my guards. Before he can ask, I tell him about Duke’s decision to stay with her.
“What? Oh, no. I don’t think—”
“She’s Mountainside. She belongs to my mate’s pack. I’m responsible for her, and it’s my duty to make sure she’s safe.”
“She’s been in no danger since she stepped over our borders.”
It’s not a lie, and I don’t need my alpha sense of telling when someone is being dishonest to know that. Of course she’s in no danger. Trish immediately chose to give her wolf control so that she could have a barrier against being hurt, and she’s locked up inside of a cage. A pretty cage, sure, but she’s not free to come and go.
“Doesn’t matter. Duke will keep her company.” I pause. “Unless there’s a reason why he can’t?”
Theo opens his mouth, then closes it. “No. I’m sure it won’t be a problem.”
“Good. And Jace is leaving, too. We have a flight tomorrow that I won’t be on, but there’s no reason he can’t make it.”
“Oh. Are you… are you sure?”
I’m positive.
