Page 68 of Bullied Pregnant Mate

“The area is still thick with patrols, okay? We are still a bit spooked about everything that went down before, and we can’t take any chances.”

“Did you find any clues?” I ask. “Any sign of the other wolves?”

“No, that’s why I called you back. The area seems to be secure. I may have a mission for you, though, in the future.”

“Oh?” I ask, terrified and eager at the same time.

If he’s going to trust me with a mission, that means he accepts me into the top circle and obviously doesn’t suspect anything. On the other hand, I’m not a good fighter, and I am keeping important information from him.

“I’m going to need to infiltrate Silverton,” Bae says. “You might end up on a mission like Kyle did—convincing the other pack you are with them and bringing intel back to me. I desperately need information—on the Ancient Ones, Kelta’s intentions, Decker’s defenses, and the wolves he’s got locked upover there. This incident with wolves attacking Alisa right here in your backyard also has me on edge.”

My heart leaps into my throat, and my chest tightens so much I can hardly breathe. I actually struggle to draw my next breath. Black spots dance in front of my eyes.

“Hey, it’s okay,” Bae says, patting me on the shoulder. “We’ll give you some training and conditioning first. You won’t be going in cold. But you’re the best man for the job. You have ties there, you were part of their town for a couple of years. I’m pretty sure you could get Sam to take you in—and you might even be able to get him back to our side.”

“He was very close with Lena,” I say, trying not to choke.

“She misses him badly,” Bae agrees. “Just one more reason to get in there and find out what’s really going on.”

I nod, trying to think of something to say. I can’t believe he’s thinking of giving me this mission when I already have a guaranteed way in.

If I told him that right now, what would happen? Would he be happy to have a way in, or would he literally bite my head off for betraying him?

“Don’t worry about it right now,” Bae says. “It’s not happening anytime soon. I just want you to think about it, okay?”

“Sure,” I answer. “I can do that.”

“The only other thing I want you to know is that the patrols are ongoing. I’ll want you back out there soon, but you’ll see the others running their routes pretty close to the house.”

“Okay,” I say, nodding. “No problem.”

“How was your holiday with Alisa?” he asks, the serious look giving way to a smile. “It must have been like a honeymoon for you.”

“It sure was,” I say, grinning back. “We had a great time.”

“Excellent,” he says. “It sounds like your marriage is off to a good start.”

I just nod, starting to feel awkward. I’m not sure how long I can keep my secrets if he’s going to stand here and be so nice to me.

“Anything else you’d like to tell me?” Bae asks, giving me a searching look.

“Nope,” I say, shaking my head. “Nothing.”

“Okay, then. I’ll be in touch.”

I watch him walk away and get in his truck. He gives me a wave as he pulls out to the road. I return it, trying to look calm, even as I’m struggling to stand still.

The second his headlights disappear, I turn and run for the east wing. When I reach the end of the house, I tear off my clothes and shift.

I’m too wired to go back into the house just yet—but I can also feel a disturbance in the night.

No, no. Not this, not now.

As I take to the forest, there is no denying it. My brother’s scent is in the air, as if he’s been waiting for me.

For the first time, I really consider the idea that they are playing me. Now that Bae has directly asked me to infiltrate them, I wonder if Decker thought of it first, and that’s exactly why Brad is here.

His scent is familiar enough that it could be true, but not completely the same. That tracks if he’s my half-brother, and I didn’t pay enough attention to the other wolf to really notice if he’s my father. Up close, the scent will be unmistakable.

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