Shit. I thought I’d been careful and stayed alert while those eyes watched me through the night. I was wrong, though. Somehow, the wolf who had been keeping tabs on me managed to sneak in and poison me with wolfsbane. It must be just enough that I wouldn’t be able to notice, but it explains my inability to heal properly and why I can’t shift.
Realizing that I hadn’t been careful enough when spying for Ramos, my head hangs low in shame. I’d been caught; there was no denying this fact. I thought I’d been careful and kept my scent concealed, but someone must have figured out who I was, as only a few days had passed since I came to Ivory Fangs.
“So, how did you know I was a spy?” I ask quietly, shuddering when Lucas lets out a low snarl.
“Lucas figured it out, actually. He recognized your scent from Oak Fur but was unsure if you were a spy. Trying to run away proved that you were indeed one,” the redhead answers honestly. “We guess Ramos sent you, and you’ll be telling us why.”
With that, the conversation ends, and as I am led closer to the packhouse, I begin to accept my fate. They’d suspected me because of my scent, and I’d stupidly proved them right by trying to leave. I should have waited a few more days and tried integrating into the pack before leaving.
I’d been too careless, too impatient, and too rash. Now, my glimpse of freedom is gone.
28
Kaylee
Something feels off, like the calm before a storm. I find myself unable to focus while staring blankly at my computer screen.
Lucas had been stopped by David this morning while the alluring scent of apple strudels had occupied all of my attention. I could tell the two were having a serious conversation, but Lucas took off before I could walk over and join them. Worried, I had dropped my apple strudel onto a plate and left it on an empty table before rushing towards the packhouse exit when David stopped me.
“Lucas has something he needs to do,” David said just as I managed to catch Lucas shifting into his wolf form mid-step and racing off toward the border. David kept me from following after him, telling me that Lucas had a beta duty to perform and that I needed to focus on my own work. He was adamant that I stayed in the packhouse.
Now here I am, sitting in my office worrying about my mate and what could be so urgent that he had to run off without saying a word to me. Deep down, I know this situation involves that wolf, Devon.
“Kaylee.” The door to my office opens, and Ash walks in, a look of discomfort on his face. “We have a situation in the pack, and we need your input,” he adds, giving me an apologetic smile.
Standing from my desk, I walk to the door and ask Ash to lead the way. With a nod, my friend informs me that there’s been a fight by the greenhouses. Amelia and David are busy with a rogue situation in the dungeons, and Kurt has been trying to help, but he doesn’t hold a formal position in the pack like I do.
I felt a bit of a headache coming on, so Ash and I took my truck to the greenhouses. Within a few minutes, I find myself standing between a group of Ivory Fangs wolves and a group of rogues waiting to be initiated into the pack. Kurt stands beside me, a look of anger on his face, as he informs me of the problem—the rogues wanted to change the planting schedule now that the summer harvest is over and we’re ready to plant new crops for winter.
“They aren’t even part of the pack yet, so why should we change the plans?” Jupiter, an omega in charge of the harvest, shouts, visibly frustrated by both Kurt trying to interfere and de-escalate the situation and hostile towards the she-wolf named Carolyn I had met yesterday afternoon.
The auburn-haired she-wolf glares at Jupiter, the irritation clear as day on her face as she stands in front of one of the vegetable garden beds, refusing to let Jupiter and his team have access to it.
“You’re one of the wolves Maya showed around yesterday. An omega, right?” I ask, looking at Carolyn, who nods while ignoring Jupiter’s remarks. The rogue may not be part of the pack yet, but she will be soon, and I’ll deal with her disrespect later.
“Yes, Beta Kaylee. I chose to be an omega and asked specifically to be part of the gardening group since I farmed in my last pack,” Carolyn answers, nodding respectfully to me.
“I see. So what’s the problem with her suggestion?” I ask, turning to Jupiter and holding my hand out so Carolyn stays silent.
“This she-wolf—” Jupiter begins with malice in his voice. I growl, cutting Jupiter off in warning.
“Sorry, Beta. Carolyn suggested we turn one of the beds into a carrot bed to have more root vegetables for winter. But we’d already planned to plant more lettuce, spinach, and broccoli for the pack, as we only have three beds right now,” he continues, head bowed.
I look at the vegetable beds and think. Currently, we have three greenhouses. One is filled with berry bushes, and the second houses a few fruit trees.
“What are we doing with the third greenhouse?” I ask, turning to face Jupiter.
“Nothing yet. We just finished harvesting a few crops planted in it. We usually use it for overflow crops,” Jupiter answers, his voice sounding calmer.
“Well then, here is the new plan. Plant the lettuce and other greens in the third greenhouse. That frees up a vegetable bed to plant root vegetables,” I say, a small smile forming on my lips as I think about how best to get the two groups working together. “Carolyn and her team can be in charge of the root vegetables while learning how to harvest the fruit and berries with your team, Jupiter,” I finish.
Jupiter scowls at this, glaring at the four rogues who seem pleased at this decision. In the end, he agrees to train Carolyn and her three friends properly before turning on his heels and stomping toward the third greenhouse.
I make a mental note to talk with this team separately about their disrespect to Kurt and Carolyn. I know they were born and raised in this pack when it was known as Silver Paw, but that pack no longer exists. They either need to accept that things are done differently now, or they can find a new pack.
“Thank you, Beta Kaylee,” Carolyn says, bringing me from my thoughts. Her eyes are half closed as she grins, and I feel a sense of relief wash off her for a moment.
“Don’t thank me. Your idea is good—we could use more root vegetables before winter sets in.”
