Ben falls into step beside me, close enough for backup, far enough for maneuverability. His gaze sweeps the treeline, cataloging details I already noted.
“Signature’s fading,” Ben says. “But the unstable zones are spreading. Three new spots since yesterday.”
I map that information against what I saw inside the collapse. “She said it would accelerate.”
“You believe her.”
I keep walking, scanning the underbrush, listening for sounds that don’t belong.
“She was right about the instability pattern. Right about Faelan. Right about the anchor points.”
Ben doesn’t respond immediately. When he does, his voice is measured. “The pack’s unsteady. They need certainty.”
“They need results.”
“They need their Alpha functioning.” Ben’s eyes flick to my arm. Blood has soaked through my sleeve, spreading dark across the jacket. “And not compromised.”
I stop walking. Not because he’s crossed a line, but because he hasn’t. He’s assessing tactical vulnerabilities. Same as I would.
“I’m clear-headed.”
“You’re bleeding out while Nova sleeps it off.” Ben keeps his voice neutral. “That doesn’t look like protocol.”
“Protocol went out the window when she identified the signature threat.”
“And you followed her into it.” Ben’s eyes stay on the perimeter, not on me. “The pack needs to know why.”
I go still. .
Ben’s mouth twitches—not quite a smile. “You told us she followed the signature and it opened under her. But you never said how you found her.” His gaze flicks to me briefly. “Either you tracked her for miles through impossible terrain or you were already there when she fell.”
I cross my arms. Damn observant bastard.
“It was tactical,” I say, voice clipped. “We can’t afford to lose the only person who understands these portals.”
Ben doesn’t respond immediately. Just watches the treeline, giving me the silence to fill.
I don’t.
“Tactical,” he repeats finally. “Good. Because we need an Alpha who makes decisions with his head, not his—“ He stops himself. “Just keep it that way.”
The unspoken accusation hangs between us. If the bond’s compromised my judgment. If I’d choose her over the pack.
“I know what I’m doing, Ben.”
“Sure.” He shifts his stance. “Because we can handle a lot of shit, but an Alpha with divided loyalties isn’t one of them.”
He’s right. And it stings because he’s the last person who should have to remind me what divided loyalty costs.
I resume walking, pushing away the image of Nova’s body going slack in my arms. The weight of her against my chest. The terror that came with it.
“What I feel is irrelevant. What she knows isn’t.” My voice comes out harder than intended. “She’s the only one who’s touched that energy and survived. That makes her an asset.”
Ben doesn’t argue. He’s made his point clear: The pack is watching. And whatever’s happening between Nova and me isn’t as private as I’d like to believe.
We complete the patrol in silence. No breaches. No signatures. No immediate threats. The forest breathes around us, indifferent to our presence.
When we reach the main cabin, Ben peels off without comment. No goodbyes. No reassurance. Just a nod and three strides toward the barracks.
