“I’m worried about them, about Kaylee,” I finally admit. Now that the floodgates have opened, I tell David about all my fears and worries, including how I don’t want to see Kaylee leave now that she’s been given a chance to be herself outside that oppressive pack. David is silent through all this, letting me rant and get the frustrations and thoughts off my mind until silence again settles over the room.
“Kaylee isn’t being herself here,” David finally says with a sigh, catching me off guard. “Yes, she was trained to take the beta role and has expected it since she was a pup, but the Goddess chose her to be fated to Lucas, to become a pack leader with him. Her taking back Oak Fur with Lucas is what she is meant to do—all we can do is support her and be there for her.”
Silence settles once more. I want to argue with him and say that Kaylee belongs here with us, but I know my mate is right deep down. Kaylee was chosen to be a leader, not someone who takes orders from another wolf.
“So what do we do now? Everything feels like it’s slipping out of my control, and I’m trying to keep a brave face on for the pack, for our pups,” I say, resting my head against David’s chest and listening to his steady heartbeat.
“We keep doing what we’re doing. We call Amos and explain the situation we just had, and we tell him that in seven days’ time, we’ll be leaving to kill Ramos and Marilyn and take Oak Fur back,” David answers, holding me tighter to him.
“I guess I’ll call our Council Representative then,” I sigh, climbing from David’s lap and moving to sit at my desk. David follows, sitting across from me as I pick up my office phone, dial Amos’ number, and put the call on speaker.
“You’ve reached Council Member Amos. May I know who’s calling?” Amos greets.
“Hi Amos, it’s Amelia. We have an update on our situation with Oak Fur,” I answer. David smiles at me reassuringly.
“Amelia, hi. Have your plans to take back Oak Fur changed?” Amos asks, sounding more alert.
“They have,” I answer. I then recount today’s events and inform him that we’ve learned Ramos and his allies have moved their ambush closer. Amos curses, furious to know that Ramos is still not abiding by the rules set forth by the Council.
He should have declared his intentions to the Council weeks ago. He should have stated why he wanted to go to war with Ivory Fangs, and the Council would have reviewed his declaration. If they approved of it, they would not interfere. We would not have been warned, and Ramos could have attacked us without any worry.
If we hadn’t gotten lucky learning Devon was a spy sent by him, the Council and I would not have known about the attack so early. We wouldn’t have been able to plan and train our wolvesat all. Ramos was sloppy, thinking he was above the law, and it would be his downfall.
“Do you know if Blood Oath is helping him yet?” David chimes in once Amos has accepted our change in plans, wishing us good luck. The line grows silent after David’s question before Amos sighs.
“As far as our reconnaissance team knows, no. Nathaniel Cross is not involved with his daughter and son-in-law’s plans,” he answers, and relief washes through me. If Nathaniel Cross were part of Ramos’ allied forces, it would leave us in a difficult position.
“I can tell you, though, that the Council is keeping an eye on him and gathering more evidence to take him down. Focus on your battle ahead and put thoughts of Blood Oath aside for now,” Amos states.
I look at David, a smile on my face, and see him smiling back at me. It seems we won’t have to worry about Blood Oath after all. Kaylee and Lucas can take out Ramos and Marilyn and focus on taking control of Oak Fur and restructuring it once all the fighting is over.
“Anyway, I have work to finish. If you need anything in the future, don’t hesitate to call me.” With that, Amos bids his farewell and the call ends.
David places the phone back on the receiver before reaching across the desk and taking my hands in his.
“Everything is going to be fine, love,” he says, his eyes full of excitement. “Lucas linked me during our call, saying ourintruders are awake, and a very pissed-off Kaylee is ready to rip them to shreds. Why don’t we meet our pups and help interrogate these intruders of ours?”
I smile, agreeing instantly with my mate’s suggestion. I want to know why these wolves thought they could just sneak into my pack, attack my members, and get away alive.
55
Kaylee
Staring at Lucas blocking my way to the dungeons, I take deep breaths, trying to calm down. I had woken up twenty minutes ago with a small headache, only to realize it was my packmates freaking out about an attack that had happened thirty minutes ago. Not only that, but it was also revealed that this attack happened practically behind my house while I slept.
I tried linking Lucas, Amelia, and David. Hell, I linked absolutely everyone in the top ranks and got no answer while I threw on a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. I was about to leave the cottage when the door opened, and Lucas walked in, his gray eyes finding mine. I guess he realized I must be aware of the fight because he instantly led me to the sofa and explained in detail what had happened.
I left the cottage and climbed into my truck without saying anything else. Lucas asked me where I was going. I told him toget in and come with me or wait at home. My mate reluctantly climbed into the truck with me, and I drove straight to the dungeons.
I kill the engine and jump out of the truck, ready to stride right in and tear those wretched wolves to shreds for attacking my packmates.
“Kaylee, you need to calm down,” Lucas says, intercepting me and holding both of my shoulders.
“Calm down? You expect me to be calm knowing that bastard sent men here, and they attacked us?” I demand, trying to find a way to push past my mate and barge into the dungeons.
I’m tired of being calm. Tired of planning an attack. It’s starting to feel like every time I close my eyes, something bad will happen—that the wolves I care about will get injured, all because of Ramos.
“I know you’re angry, scared, and upset. I can feel it through the bond. But going in there before Aunt Amelia and Uncle David can interrogate them is wrong. We need to wait, and you need to be calm to fulfill your beta duties.” His voice is low, his hands pulling me flush against him.
