The casual way Ryker defends Kier’s place in our circle warms me. Whether he realizes it or not, Kier has become part of Shadowmist in truth, not just in name.
The bond between us thrums—I can feel his determination to protect me, my gratitude for his support, the electricawareness that never fades no matter how professional we try to keep things in public.
“All right, questions?” Ryker looks around the room.
Silence greets his inquiry, though the tension is thick enough to cut.
Kitara raises her hand.
Ryker grins, nodding at her. “You don’t need to raise a hand, mate.”
“I just thought you should know that I saw something.” She rubs her temples. “Zella is there. But that’s all I saw. They’ve got too much silver around the facility for me to get anything else.”
I stiffen, my resolve hardening.
It’s time to make that bitch pay.
My wolf is in agreement.
“Good. Lithia?”
I nod at my Alpha. “I’ll handle it.”
“Fine. Teams deploy at dawn. Dismissed.”
As the room empties, wolves moving to their various preparations, I find myself alone with the maps and my thoughts. The rescue mission should be my only focus—innocent lives depend on our success. But I can’t shake the feeling that the real danger won’t come from enemy guards or silver weapons.
It’ll come from the explosive dynamic between the three of us, trapped together in close quarters with months of unresolved tension ready to ignite at the worst possible moment.
“Beta.”
I turn to find Dane approaching, his expression carefully neutral. “Brother.”
“Walk with me,” he suggests, gesturing toward the door. “I want to show you something.”
I follow him through the winding corridors of the den, past the common areas where pack members go about theirevening routines. We end up in the weapons room—a cavernous space lined with racks of blades, staffs, and projectile weapons of every description.
“Thought you might want to test some new gear before tomorrow,” Dane says, moving to a rack of particularly wicked-looking knives. “Elias had these specially made.”
I accept the blade he offers, testing its weight and balance. The metal has an unusual sheen to it, darker than normal steel but not quite silver. The handle is wood, inlaid with a beautiful pattern.
“He made it from your cuffs,” Dane explains, watching my reaction.
I make a few practice swings, appreciating the weapon’s balance. “How many do we have?”
“Enough to equip your team.” He pauses, then adds quietly, “And to make sure you come home.”
“I’ll be fine,” I assure him, though we both know the risks involved.
“I know physically.” He moves closer, his pale blue eyes serious. “Lithia, what’s going on between you and Levi?”
The question I’ve been dreading. “Nothing that affects pack business.”
“Bullshit.” His tone is gentle but unyielding. “I’ve watched him hover around you for weeks. Watched you get more and more tense every time he’s near. And don’t think I haven’t noticed how Kier watches it all happen.”
I set down the shadow silver blade, suddenly needing something to do with my hands. “It’s complicated.”
“Uncomplicate it for me.”
