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“I did.”

“Arlene.”

“I like being here.” Selena closes her eyes for a moment. I look away before she catches me smiling.

“Arlene comes here voluntarily,” Selena says. “Jasmin actually took her maternity leave, and now Rylan has cut it short because he decided I need more protection.”

Joshua rubs a hand over his face. “I'll speak to him.”

“No.” Selena shakes her head. “I appreciate it, Joshua, but this is something Rylan needs to work out with me.” I nod. She's right. A knock sounds at the door.

“Come in,” Selena calls. Michael steps inside with a report in his hand. “Sorry to interrupt, Luna. Gamma Joshua, I have the report you requested.” Joshua stands and takes it. “Thank you.” Michael glances around the office, then looks at me. I can almost see him trying to work out why Joshua and Jasmin are here. Selena notices. “Rylan decided I needed additional protection.” Michael nods slowly.

“Ah.”

Arlene lowers her head. I bite the inside of my cheek. Selena looks at both of us. “Don't either of you dare laugh.” I straighten. “Wouldn't dream of it.” Joshua reads the report while Michael waits. His expression changes. “Darian, have you seen this?” I step beside him and look at the page. “Yes. I brought the concern to Rylan earlier.” Joshua looks up. “What did he say?”

“He decided the trip would go ahead.”

“Why?” I hesitate. “Former Gamma Vale was there. He suggested the newer patrols might have been spooked by human territory and that we should keep more warriors here to protect Selena.” Joshua looks back at the report. “And Rylan agreed?”

“Yes.”

Michael frowns. “I think we should postpone the trip until we know what we're dealing with.” Joshua closes the report. “Then we'll suggest it again.” I look at him. “Joshua, I already spoke to him.”

“And now Michael has brought the report to me.” He turns toward the door. “Come on. Both of you.” We knock on Rylan’s door and he says, “Come in.” Rylan looks up when Joshua, Michael, and I enter his office. His gaze moves from Joshua to Michael, then settles on me. “What is it?” Joshua places the report on his desk. “We'd like to discuss postponing the trip to the human territory.”

Rylan's expression changes. “I already agreed the trip would go ahead.” His gaze snaps to me. “Darian.” A growl rolls through the room. “Did I not make myself clear?” I straighten. “Alpha, I...”

“Submit.” His aura crashes into me. I lower my head and drop to one knee without resistance.

He’s lost it.

“I know. It’s fear for his pup and mate. We must endure.”

I have no intention of challenging him. He needs understanding more than he needs to be challenged.

Rylan steps around his desk. “I gave you my decision. You disagreed, and now you're back in my office with Joshua?” I keep my head lowered. “You think because I listen to you a few times, you can go behind my back when you don't like what I decide and talk to my Gamma?”

“Rylan,” Joshua says. Rylan doesn't look at him. “I trusted you to bring your concerns to me. I heard you. I made a decision. And instead of accepting it, you ran to my Gamma?”

Joshua steps forward. “Darian had nothing to do with this.”

Rylan turns toward him. “Joshua.”

“No. You made me your Gamma for a reason. Michael brought me the report. I asked Darian if he'd seen it, and he told me he'd already discussed it with you. I'm the one who told both of them to follow me here.”

Rylan looks at Michael. Michael nods. “That's right, Alpha. I brought the report to Gamma Joshua.”

Joshua continues, “Darian didn't come to me. He didn't ask me to challenge your decision. I brought him here because this was my decision as your Gamma.”

The pressure lifts. I draw a breath and rise. Rylan looks at me. For a moment, neither of us speaks. Then he turns back to Joshua. “I've already considered the risk.”

Joshua nods. “I understand and respect your decision Alpha, but I still think we should discuss postponing the trip until we investigate. That is my suggestion as your third in command.”

“No.” The answer is immediate.

Michael nods. “If the Alpha says it's safe, I trust the Alpha.” Joshua turns toward him. Michael continues, “I'll even bring my family on the trip.”