Page 12 of Sienna Rossi: Beyond Shattered Trust

“I’m sorry!” I apologise, but she laughs.

“It’s quite all right. You look happy,” she observes.

“I am,” I admit just as Skyla walks out of one of the rooms, her endless legs clad in leather pants, paired with a lace top, and she’s wearing six-inch heels, looking every ounce the queen she is.

“What’s the news?” she asks.

“Did you know Uncle Leo was here?” I ask her.

“I just heard from Royce,” she says, slipping her hands into her back pockets. “Why?”

“Thank you,” I say as I walk over to her and hug her around the waist, taking her by surprise.

She laughs softly. “So Leo put that head to some use,” she remarks, giving me a squeeze.

“Thanks to you and Azura,” I say, moving back.

“It’s a domino effect; Azura puts one head to use, and that knocks-”

“Skyla!” I gasp, blushing. I do not need to know about their sex life!

She smirks. “Ok, fine! But both Zu and I are team Jaysi.” She winks at me before her smirk fades. “You got this, no matter how futile it will feel.”

I nod. “I’ll fix it,” I promise.

“I know you will. So, when do you leave?”

“I’m not sure… I should ask him. Oh, I don’t even know why I didn’t ask-”

My Schattensicht buzzes silently against my skin.

The mission brief has arrived.

I open the message, my stomach fluttering with nerves.

I just got my answer.

Two days. In two days, I’ll be on my way.

I’m coming, Jayce, to fix what I destroyed.

A Calculated Attack

Jayce

“What do they mean, they’re sending a team?”

I turn to see Uncle Alejandro standing near one of the narrow tables. We’re currently in the mess hall, his attention fixed on the paper in his hands. It’s a message from the Communication Outpost. We’re far too close to the dome to have any kind of connection to the outside world here. The energy from the dome interferes with any satellite connection. There are no phones or internet out here. Uncle Alejandro travels to the Communication Outpost every few days, when he can, to speak to Aunty Kiara, but it’s harder for ordinary wolves to do that. Most of those stationed here are unmated.

We’re isolated from the rest of the world.

The Communication Outpost is hundreds of miles from here. But it’s the closest it can be without the dome affecting its signal. And it’s our only means of communication out here.

Uncle Alejandro scans the paper, his brow deepening as his breath mists in front of him. The dim light from the lamps reflects against the fog that seeps through the cracks in the timber walls. The large fur coat he’s wearing only makes him appear larger and more intimidating to the wolves around him.

The messenger appears tense as he waits in case there’s a reply to take back.

Uncle Alejandro sighs, shaking his head. “This is no fucking place for a woman,” he grumbles.