This can’t wait until—
It has to.Conall cut him off.I can barely string thoughts together.And I need to figure out what I’m going to tell them about Nadine.
You’re not thinking of protecting her.It wasn’t a question.
Conall met his twin’s gaze directly.I don’t know what I’m thinking right now.
That was a lie.
His thoughts, muddled as they were by the tranquilizer, kept circling back to the contradictory impressions of Nadine Torrance: the hatred in her eyes, the precision of her movements, the way she’d saved him despite her accusations, the connection that had flared between them against their will.
How could fate be so cruel as to connect him to someone who despised everything that mattered to him?
The pack was his life, his family, his purpose.He and Quinton had built their entire identities around serving and protecting Sunburst.
Now he was bonded to a woman who saw his pack as murderers, who looked at him with suspicion and rage.
He and Quinton had never needed anyone else, never wanted the complication of mate bonds.
And now, when he least expected or wanted it, the universe had thrown him a mate who was possibly more hostile to the bond than he was.
She left you alive,Quinton observed, securing a bandage on Conall’s shoulder.And gave you the counteragent.If she truly believed you were working against other packs, why help you?
A valid question, and one that had been nagging at Conall since he’d regained enough clarity to think.
Maybe she wants answers more than she wants me dead.
Or maybe there’s more going on than we know.Quinton secured the bandage with practiced efficiency.Either way, you need to tell the alphas everything.
I will.Tomorrow.Conall leaned back against the couch cushions, exhaustion tugging at him.I promise.
Quinton studied him for a long moment.
I’ll get you water and something to eat,he said finally, standing.You need to flush that tranquilizer out of your system.
Conall nodded, grateful for the momentary solitude as Quinton returned to the kitchen.He closed his eyes, trying to center himself, to find the calm focus that had always come so naturally.
Instead, his senses filled again with the phantom scent of mountain snow and wild honey.
When Quinton returned in a few moments with water and a plate of food, Conall forced himself to sit up straight, to project more strength than he felt.
You realize what this means, right?Quinton asked quietly, setting the plate down.If there really is a traitor in the pack… And if someone is targeting both you and Torrance’s daughter…
It means we really are missing pieces of a much larger puzzle,Conall finished, taking the water with a slightly trembling hand.And someone doesn’t want us putting them together.
Quinton paced a few steps, his agitation breaking through his usually calmer demeanor.I still can’t believe Gregory Torrance had a daughter he kept hidden all these years.And now she shows up right when we’re dealing with Chimera and the assets?He shook his head.That can’t be a coincidence.
Conall ran a hand through his hair, wincing as the movement pulled at his injured shoulder.Nothing about this feels like coincidence.The timing, the attack, her accusations about the pack…
Quinton nodded, settling into the armchair across from the couch.The position gave him a clear view of both Conall and the apartment door—a protective stance Conall would have taken himself if their roles were reversed.
We’ll figure it out,Quinton said with quiet certainty.Like always.
The simple declaration eased the tightness in Conall’s chest.
Whatever dangers lurked in the shadows beyond their territory, one fundamental truth remained unchanged: the twins faced everything as a unit, two parts of a whole.
Yeah,Conall agreed, finding comfort in their lifelong pattern.
