“Nova,” Ben corrects quietly.
”—walked in here,“ Marcus continues, “we’ve had fights break out over nothing. Lydia and Kade nearly went for each other’s throats on patrol yesterday.”
“Isolated incident,” I counter.
“Fourth this week.” Marcus uncrosses his arms, palms up—a gesture of concern rather than challenge. “I’m not questioning your judgment, Alpha. Just saying the pack needs reassurance. Clear direction.”
Ben shifts his weight slightly but stays silent.
“I’m handling it,” I say. Final, flat.
Marcus’s mouth thins. His scent says he wants to push further, but he holds the line. Barely.
The silence stretches, taut as a trip wire.
The door swings open without warning.
Kari steps in, shoulders squared, movements precise. Her face is carved from ice, but her scent wraps around her like smoke from a controlled burn.
Her eyes scan the room, cataloging faces, positions, alliances forming in real time. When she speaks, her voice carries without effort.
“Are we discussing security protocols? Good. I’ll save you time.” She stays near the door, doesn’t seek permission. “Why is that foreign wolf and his sidekick still inside our perimeter?”
My jaw tightens. “He brought intel—“
“Intel that we can’t verify,” she cuts in. “From a realm most of us have never heard of.”
Marcus straightens, interest piqued. “What realm?”
“Ask him,” Kari says, her focus locked on me. “Ask why a stranger with no pack ties gets full access while the rest of us run blind patrols.”
“We’re not blind,” I counter, keeping my voice level.
“No? What exactly is Ansel mapping when he wanders off alone?” Her gaze flicks to Ben. “Have you checked his routes? Or are we assuming he’s just getting fresh air?”
Ben’s expression doesn’t change, but his scent shifts—sharp, alert.
Callum steps forward. “Dane cleared their access.”
“Dane clears a lot these days,” Kari says. The air seems to be sucked out of the room. She turns back to me, and something in her eyes shifts. Gets colder. More precise. “While we’re cataloging risks, let’s discuss Nova.”
There it is. The name hangs between us like a challenge.
“What exactly does she know that we don’t?” Kari asks. “How much say does she have in patrol patterns? Border rotations? Your time?”
The room goes still. No one speaks. No one jumps to Nova’s defense.
“Careful,” I warn, my voice dropping an octave.
Kari doesn’t back down. “We’re hemorrhaging control. You’re making calls based on what? Her magic? Her scent?” She steps closer, voice lowered. “Your wolf’s reaction to her?”
It takes everything I have not to snarl. Not to grab her by the throat and force submission. Instead, I plant my feet and let my presence fill the room—Alpha energy, no quarter given.
“Nova’s intel is solid,” I say, each word carved from stone. “Rafe’s presence is tactical. And none of you will question either again.” I sweep my gaze across every face, marking the divide: those who hold my gaze and those who look away.
“We patrol in pairs from now on,” I continue. “Ben runs point on the eastern ridge. Marcus takes north with Callum. Ben, you make up the roster for the rest before you head out. Every report comes directly to me. No exceptions.”
Kari’s mouth thins, but she doesn’t push further. She’s made her point.
