And he was right. I hadn’t meant to just plow ahead and make so many assumptions, but I’d been going on autopilot for so many months that I’d just made a plan and forged ahead with it, without once stopping to consider that I could ask for help. Why was I like this? Why did I always feel like I had to do everything myself?
“I’m sorry,” I said again, more subdued. “Is she okay?”
“She’s safe. She misses you, though.”
I gripped Matteo’s phone tighter. “Can you send me a picture?” I didn’t need proof that she was okay; I just wanted to see her sweet face.
“Yeah, hold on.”
I put him on speaker to minimize the phone and open the messages. Then, when one from Alpha came through, I clicked it and couldn’t help but smile.
Alanna was being held by Taco, who was cheesing it up for the camera. She looked fascinated by what Taco was doing, but not quite certain she liked him. Her baby face was so full of reserved judgment toward the bear shifter that I laughed.
“The Clan looks like they’re having fun babysitting,” I said.
His voice lowered, like he didn’t want the others to overhear. “Yeah, she’s charmed most of them. Even a few I wasn’t expecting.”
“Is she sleeping through the nights?” She hadn’t been, even just a few days ago, but things changed with babies so fast.
“No, I think because she misses you. She also seems a bit anxious.”
My heart felt like it took a hit with a sledgehammer. “I know,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “It’s probably because I’m gone.”
“Hey, Piper. It’s going to be okay. I’ll take care of her. You’re not alone anymore. Even if... even if you don’t want me as your mate, you guys will always have a place with my Clan, or at the very least the protection of my Clan.”
“Thanks, Riggs. I’m grateful for that. I am. But I have to end this. I’m so tired of living like this. I also don’t want anything to happen to your or the Clan or anyone from Moonhaven.”
“Yeah, about that.” I could hear the reluctance in his voice to share something with me, and my heart jolted in fear, then picked up speed.
“What?” I demanded.
Riggs sighed. “First, everyone is fine, so please take a breath.”
I did, dragging air into my lungs.
“Second, I think Barrett or a few of his men have been scouting the Clan. We know for sure they’ve been on our property. We found UTV tracks earlier today and the remains of a campfire. We think it was Barrett because the footprints around the fire smelled like a fire elemental, unless he has another one working for him, which is possible.”
My heart was hammering so hard that I felt sick.
“Piper.”
I swallowed. “Yes.”
“We’re protecting her,” he said softly. “I know it’s scary, but my enforcers are good at what they do, and so are my officers. We’ll protect her.”
I nodded automatically, even though he couldn’t see me. “Thank you.”
“Anything. Anytime.”
It really felt like he meant that. And wasn’t he proving that right now?
The Prime came toward me, still holding his phone to his ear. “Hold on a moment, Riggs,” I said, tilting the phone away while giving the Prime my attention.
“I’ve spoken to King Asharien, and he’s been trying to find Barrett, but he hasn’t been able to.”
“Is it because of the thing you told me yesterday?”
He made a vague gesture with his free hand. “Possibly. He could also have a magical null on him—something that mutes his signature.”
