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Darian reads farther down the document. “If Vale dies, every pact tied to him is lifted.”

My Lycan pushes forward. Kill him.

"After Selena."

Darian glances at me. “Your Lycan?”

“He has a suggestion.”

“I think I know what it is.”

I set the blood pact aside. “Human territory. Check everything around that trip.”

Darian returns to the computer, and it doesn't take long. Vale's communications appear among the recovered files, including several messages encouraging me not to cancel the planned trip after the earlier attack.

“He wanted you to continue with the trip,” Darian says.

“I remember.”

His eyes move farther down the screen. “He was going to suggest you send me.”

“You volunteered before he got the chance.”

“Yeah.” Darian scrolls through the remaining messages before frowning. “Joshua and Michael aren't mentioned anywhere.”

I search with him, but neither male appears. There isn't a single reference to Michael's family either.

“Because Vale didn't know they were coming.”

Darian looks at me, and I remember the bet that put all three of them on that trip. Darian and Joshua insisted something felt wrong. Michael wanted to prove me right badly enough to volunteer too and bring his entire family along.

“He planned for me,” Darian says.

“Only you.”

His jaw tightens. “Joshua and Michael walked into a trap that wasn't meant for them.”

Seven warriors died. Joshua was abducted. Michael is still unconscious in the hospital, and Darian nearly died with them.

“You were the target.”

“And I survived.”

“Which probably wasn't part of his plan.”

“Good.”

Darian keeps searching, and the next files bring up communications between Vale and Ronan. I move closer as references to the Beta position appear alongside plans for getting Ronan close enough to me to take over after I'm gone.

“They were still working together,” Darian says.

“Until when?”

He scrolls, then suddenly stops. “Here. Everything changes after this.”

I look at the date.

Selena's pregnancy.