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“Damn it,” Stefan groaned. “Somebody knowssomething, I’m sure.”
“That’s what we’ve been trying to figure out,” I added. “Rose and me.”
Stefan glanced curiously between us while his nostrils flared. Was he… smelling the air? It seemed an odd thing to do, even for a wolf. Especially for a wolf his age.
A low growl rumbled in my chest. Rose grabbed my hand beneath the table, putting me at ease with the simplest pressure.
“My girls did a lot of research, so I gave him access,” she explained. “And we have Donovan to thank, too. We’re all working together.”
Whatever heat had boiled in Stefan’s gaze diminished. He nodded. “Well-spoken, Rose. A great sentiment to remember.” He looked at Donovan. “What do we do now?”
“Fortify defenses. Stay guarded. I think we should protect Matéo as well.”
Arguments rose around the table. Lucius and Stefan seemed to be opposed to extra protective measures for me while Sasha, Rose, and Adam were for it.
I sat back.
This wasn’t my fight.
“Just a fucking minute,” Lucius growled. “You expect me to spare my men to keep him safe? What about you?”
Donovan showed no emotion as he replied, “You can keep us both safe. He’ll stay at the inn until he can—untilwecan figure out precisely what danger awaits him with Domingo and his clan of feisty fang fuckers.”
“It’s just—” Lucius huffed with frustration. “The inn itself is neutral. That’s more than enough protection, isn’t it?”
“What about Nina?”
Lucius paled. His throat clenched with a strained gulp. “WhataboutNina, Alpha?”
“She’s at the inn, is she not?” The alpha reasoned. “And Charlotte. And Sasha. Rose, too.” He gestured to the woman next to me. “Is she not deserving of protection as well?”
Sasha beamed with pride while Rose mirrored the expression. Seeing the two of them look so triumphant made me happy.
And seeing Rose so pleased did even more than just make me happy.
“I know there’s some fae staying at the inn,” Donovan went on. “Which means they can grant us more information for fair trade.” He looked affectionately at Sasha. “Right, precious?”
“Yes, Donnie,” she whispered. “I’m sure Bruise wouldn’t be opposed to helping us again.”
“It’s settled.” He stood up. And despite the opposition teeming from Stefan, the grumpy uncle stood, too. “We should send them off before dusk dares to approach. We’ve had so many problems with that in the past. Right, uncle?”
Stefan nodded curtly. “Correct.”
“Settled.” Donovan looked at Lucius, causing the guard to stand a little straighter. “I want three of your best men down at the inn. Rotate shifts. Just like here, I want reports every hour on the hour, understand?”
“Yes, Alpha.”
And that was it. The alpha had spoken. Much like it would be with my father, the rest of the pack followed, intent on obeying orders. And not blindly. Not out of fear.
But out of love and respect.
Out ofloyalty.
And for a moment, it felt like I was part of that.
Chapter 12 - Rose
I hugged my sister one more time. “You’re a peach.”
