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He pulled a plate from behind his back with a knowing grin.
“This still doesn’t mean you’re my favorite,” I said as I reached for it.
“Bullshit.” He flashed me his winning smile.
Leighton had been in my squad for a year and quickly became one of my favorite officers—not that I’d ever admit it.
Silas nudged Leighton and asked, “Where’s my cake?”
“Sorry, I already risked my fingers diving into that animal pit. Plus, I’m trying to score some brownie points with my squad leader,” he said shamelessly.
Every pack ran their Enforcer units as they saw fit. Alpha Wynn and Alaric valued the chain of command. It kept a tight order among the Enforcers and allowed everyone to feel responsible for each other’s successes or failures, making us a well-oiled machine when it came to battle. At the top was Alaric, our Head Enforcer and commander. Just below him were our two lieutenants, Valor and Silas, to whom the four squad leaders—Ivan, Calder, Jagger, and me—reported. The other Enforcers were officers divided into each of the squads.
Each lieutenant was responsible for two squad leaders and the Enforcers under them. I was directly under Silas.
“You don’t want any brownie points with your lieutenant?” Silas asked in mock offense.
“Why bark up a tree that bears no fruit?” he joked.
Everyone knew Silas was the least likely to play favorites.
I shoved Leighton playfully. “Hey, what are you trying to say?”
“That you’re soft,” Silas said with a chuckle.
“Who’s soft?” Shiloh asked, walking toward the group.
Ivan watched her from afar. Leighton noticed and moved closer to Shiloh.
“Is Ivan bothering you?” he asked.
“Nothing I can’t handle,” she replied with a shrug.
Silas studied her. “If he’s getting a little overbearing, let us know.”
“Please, that bear is all fluff.” She raised a brow at Leighton. “I’m starting to think most of you are.”
“Don’t start,” Leighton warned.
She gave him a foxlike smile. “Did you ask them?”
“Ask us what?” I inquired.
“I was getting to that.” Leighton faced me and Silas. “I wanted to put in a request to go with Shiloh to retrieve the other witches. If I get your approval, it will smooth things over with Alaric and Wynn.”
I looked between the two of them. “You know I have to ask. Why should we send you? Technically, this would be a mission for one of the Hand.”
“I’m the best fit for this job. I understand the Alpha would readily send Ivan or Jagger, but they don’t know the nuances of witches like I do.”
Shiloh nodded in agreement. “My coven would be more open to Leighton’s presence. At least until they can establish trust with the wolves of this pack.”
Silas exchanged a look with me, one I knew too well.
He was wondering what made Leighton special to the witches—to Shiloh.
And so was I.
“Why?” Silas asked, not one to beat around the bush.
