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Mate.
Vale continues, “She's pregnant with the future heir. We should be thinking about her safety.”
Darian's expression tightens. “The patrols are already assigned to the trip. I'm suggesting we delay it, not leave the pack unprotected.”
“Of course,” Vale says. “But every additional investigation requires wolves, and those wolves could be protecting our own territory.” I look down at the report again. Selena is pregnant. Her Lycan is redirecting more of her energy toward our pup. And every day, I find myself thinking about what could happen if I'm not there when she needs me.
Vale's voice softens. “I raised Selena as though she were my own, Alpha. I remember her parents. I only want what's best for her and the future of my grandpups.” I look at him. He has known Selena since she was young. He was there long before I became her mate. And right now, he's saying the same thing I've been thinking. Keep her safe. Keep our pup safe.
My Lycan presses against me. Darian is trying to protect our mate, pup, and the pack. He wouldn’t do anything that would place his own family in danger.
“I know.”
I look at Darian. “How many wolves would you need for the investigation?”
“Enough to check the route properly.”
“And how long?”
“I can't tell you until we know what we're looking at.”
I lean back. The trip has been made before. Nothing has happened. We don't need to send a large number of warriors into human territory when Selena is becoming more vulnerable here. “The trip will go ahead as usual,” I say.
Darian looks at me. “Rylan.”
“We'll keep the normal arrangements. We don't need to send so many guards. Nothing has happened on the previous trips, so it should be fine.”
He doesn't look convinced. “I still think...”
“I've heard you.” The words come out sharper than I intend. Darian goes quiet. I look back at the report. “We need most of our warriors here right now.”
Vale lowers his head. “A sensible decision, Alpha.”
My Lycan remains uneasy. We should listen to him.
“I did.”
You heard him.
I close the report. “The decision is made.”
After Darian leaves, I mindlink Joshua.
“Gamma Joshua, I want you and Gamma Female Jasmin to go to Selena's office. Stay with her while she's learning.”
“Both of us, Alpha?”
“Yes.”
“Understood.” My Lycan stirs.
She isn't going to like that.
“She'll be safer.”
She already has Arlene and Darian.
“And now she'll have Joshua and Jasmin.” I return to the reports on my desk.
