I left my room and went searching for my men.
Ifound them in a massive library. They were talking quietly, heads together, reviewing what looked like security protocols.
"Naomi?" Kellan looked up immediately. "What's wrong?"
"I need to talk to both of you, now."
They must have heard something in my voice because they were on their feet instantly, moving toward me.
"What happened?" Rowan demanded.
"A guard came into my room." I swallowed, drawing bravery from somewhere deep. "The Alpha that murdered my mother."
Both Alphas went still.
"Are you sure?" Rowan asked carefully.
"I'm sure. I recognized him. His name is Simon. At least—that's what she called him."
"What did he say to you?"
I told them. Everything. About his threat. About my parents.
"We smelled the change, but wanted to be sure. It’s very subtle." Kellan said quietly.
"He said he could smell it.”
The confirmation made it real in a way Simon's words hadn't. I was going to have their baby.
"We need to tell my parents," I said.
"Not yet," Rowan interrupted. "If we tip our hand too early, he'll know you talked. He might make good on his threat with your parents."
"Then what do we do?"
"We move Kira into your room. One of us stays with you at all times. We watch out for Simon. Learn his patterns. Figure out who else is working with him." Rowan's voice was cold, controlled. "And then we handle it from there."
"You're going to kill him."
"Yes," both Alphas said at once.
"Good," I said. And I meant it.
ROWAN
Dinner was torture. Naomi's parents were warm, kind people who clearly adored the daughter they'd lost. They wanted to know everything about her. Her childhood, her dreams, her plans.
And the entire time, I watched Simon. Naomi had frozen in place when he walked into the room, letting me know exactly which one he was. He stood behind Edgar's chair, the perfect bodyguard. Alert. Professional. Trusted. And I wanted to rip his throat out with my bare hands.
Naomi was doing her best to smile, to engage, to pretend everything was fine. But I saw the way her gaze kept drifting to Simon. The way she tensed every time he moved. She was terrified. And that made me furious.
Halfway through the meal, I caught her staring at Simon again. This time, he stared back. A tiny smile playing at his lips. A challenge.
I leaned toward Edgar. "Might I speak with you privately after dinner? You and Leilani both. It's important."
"Of course. Is everything alright?"
"We'll discuss it then."
