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My Lycan goes still. Oh, shit.

Selena folds her arms. “Darian has been helping me learn the names of the different ranked wolves, Rylan.” I look at the warriors again. Damn Darian for being excellent at his job.

“You could have warned me.”

You could have told the truth.

Selena raises an eyebrow. “So, why are they all women?” I rub a hand over my face. “I don't want other males around you right now.” She stares at me. “Rylan, women are perfectly capable of protecting me. That's not the issue. But assigning only women because you don't want males near me looks a little biased, don't you think?”

My Lycan retreats. That was your second lie.

“I know.”

You are doing terribly. I close my eyes.

Selena shakes her head. “Rylan, what's wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Please talk to me. Whatever it is, we can work through it together.” I look at her. I want to tell her about Elise. About the pup I never knew we lost. About the fear that follows me every time Selena leaves my sight. But the words won't come.

“There's nothing to talk about.”

Selena releases my hand. For a moment, she just looks at me. Then she nods. “When you're ready to talk and work out whatever's in your head, I'll be ready.” She turns and walks away.

“Selena.” She doesn't stop, she keeps walking, not glancing back, not even once.

My Lycan presses against me. Go after her.

“She doesn't want to talk to me.”

Because you keep telling her there's nothing to talk about.

I watch her disappear into her office. “I know.”

Then fix it.

I rub a hand over my face. I want to. I just don't know how to tell her that every time I look at her, I remember someone I couldn't save.

*****

Darian finds me in my office later that afternoon. “We need to talk about the trip to the human territory.” I look up. “What about it?”

“I have a report from some of the patrols. Something didn't look right during their last run into human territory.” He places the report on my desk. I read through it.

“What do you think?”

“I think we should hold off on the trip until we investigate.”

Former Gamma Vale, who has been reviewing the trip arrangements with me, looks up. “Are these the newer patrols?” Darian nods. “Some of them.” Vale gives a small, thoughtful nod. “Then it may be nothing more than suspicion from inexperienced wolves. Human territory can make new patrols nervous.” I look back at the report. He's not wrong. Newer wolves can be spooked easily, especially when they're still learning what is normal outside pack territory.

Darian doesn't argue. “Maybe. But I'd rather investigate and find nothing than send our wolves into something we could have avoided.”

Vale folds his hands. “Alpha, I understand the caution. But postponing the trip means keeping more wolves occupied with an investigation when we need them here.” I look up. “Here?”

“With the Luna.”

My Lycan stirs.