“She’s at the top of their list. Theodore called her a ‘priority capture.’ If they think they can use her to send a message or leverage her against me, they will.”
“Damn it.” Zach dragged a hand through his hair. “We can’t let that happen. She’s been through enough already.”
“That’s why we need to act now,” Grayson pointed out. “Before they make their move.”
Ryder crossed his arms. “What exactly are you proposing? Because if you think we can handle this on our own, you’re delusional. The most wealthy supes and their money are backing them. We’ve got a few patrols and a handful of fighters.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Zach muttered.
“You know I’m right,” Ryder replied. “We’re not equipped for this kind of fight.”
Grayson stopped pacing and turned to face them. “I know that. But we can’t just sit back and wait for them to destroy everything. If we’re going to stop this, we need to be smart. Strategic.”
“Strategic how?” Ryder asked. “Because from where I’m standing, it sounds like you’re asking us to throw ourselves at a problem we can’t solve.”
“I’m asking you to trust me,” Grayson shot back. “I’ve dealt with operations like this before. I know how they think, how they move. If we hit them where it hurts, we can slow them down. Maybe even stop them.”
“And if we can’t?” Zach asked, his voice quieter but no less pointed.
“Then we hold the line. We use black ops to protect Bellefleur and everyone in it.”
Ryder shook his head. “That’s not a plan; that’s suicide.”
“It’s reality,” Grayson countered. “If we don’t act, they’ll take what they want, and there won’t be anything left to save.”
Ryder exchanged a glance with Zach before turning back to Grayson. “What are you suggesting, then? Because this isn’t just about protecting Cora. This is about the entire town. If Theodore’s people are moving in, we’re all targets.”
Grayson took a deep breath, forcing himself to think clearly despite the frustration festering under his skin. “We need reinforcements. People who know how to handle operations like this. More troops from black ops who have seen the ugly side of this mess.”
Zach raised an eyebrow. “You mean like you?”
“Like me,” Grayson confirmed. “But more of them. People I trust. People who’ve been in the trenches and know what it takes to dismantle a network like Theodore’s.”
“Recalling our men is risky,” Ryder commented. “Bellefleur’s always operated under the radar. If we start stuffing black ops operatives into town, it could draw even more attention.”
“I’m not talking about parading them down Main Street,” Grayson replied. “They’d be covert, just like the work I’vebeen doing. No one would even know they’re here unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
Ryder exhaled sharply. “You really think you can pull this off? That you can bring in reinforcements without blowing the town’s cover?”
“I don’t think,” Grayson said. “I know.”
“And what happens if Theodore catches wind of this?” Zach questioned. “He’s not stupid, Grayson. If he realizes we’re bringing in more people, he’ll escalate.”
“Then we’ll deal with it,” Grayson replied. “I’d rather fight him on our terms than let him pick the time and place.”
Ryder studied him for a long moment. Finally, he nodded. “All right. Make your calls. But you’d better be damn sure about the people you bring in. If this goes sideways, it’s on you.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Zach snorted. “Well, this should be interesting. Let me know when the cavalry shows up.”
“You’ll be the first to know,” Grayson promised.
“We’ll tighten patrols in the meantime. Double the shifts near the borders and the main roads. If anyone so much as sneezes wrong, I want to know about it.”
***
A few days later, Grayson leaned against the railing of the pack’s clubhouse with his eyes fixed on the horizon. Early morning mist clung to the trees, blurring the edges of Bellefleur’s outskirts. His thoughts raced, weighted with the tension that had gripped him since his return from CedarHallow. He heard the sound of boots crunching against gravel and whipped around.
