Page 46 of Fat Betrayed Mate
"How so?"
"Because this isn't just about eliminating shifters," James says. "This is personal. Wright wants his daughter back."
"Which makes Fiona and Maisie primary targets," Nic concludes. "We need to increase their security immediately."
"Without alerting them," I add quickly. "If Fiona learns her father is behind this—"
"She'll run," James finishes.
"And Wright will follow," Nic says. "Putting them in more danger."
We spend another hour covering security protocols and strategic responses, but my mind keeps circling back to Maisie's bright eyes and Fiona's spiked anxiety. Two people I'd die to protect, both walking around with targets they don't even know exist.
"Thomas," Nic says as we wrap up. "Thank you for telling us."
"Should have done it sooner."
"Maybe," James agrees. "But you're telling us now. That's what matters."
As they gather the intelligence photos, I remain seated, staring at the scattered papers. Somewhere out there, Edward Wright is planning his next move, and every day brings him closer to the two people I can't bear to lose.
Six years ago, I pushed Fiona away to protect her from her father. Now, that same threat has followed her home, and the only way to keep her safe might be to tell her the truth I've been hiding.
Even if it destroys whatever fragile trust we've rebuilt.
Even if she never forgives me for the choices I made.
Chapter 11 - Fiona
The coffee in my hands has gone cold, but I keep gripping the mug like an anchor. Through Luna and Nic's kitchen window, I watch pack members hurrying between buildings with the purposeful urgency that's become our new normal. Check-ins every four hours. Mandatory buddy system for anyone leaving the main compound. Children confined to designated safe areas.
We're living under siege, and it's only getting worse.
"You look like you haven't slept in days," Luna observes, settling across from me with her own steaming mug.
"Hard to sleep when your four-year-old is having nightmares about the ‘bad people’ coming,” I reply, which is true enough, though hardly the whole story.
The real reason I can't sleep is Maisie's temperature spiking every night, her eyes flashing amber in the darkness, the way she tosses and turns while dreaming of running on four legs. Her pre-shift symptoms are accelerating, and there's nothing I can do to stop them.
"She's resilient," Luna says gently. "Kids are more adaptable than we give them credit for."
"Are they?" I set down my mug, meeting her concerned gaze. "Because some things shouldn't have to be adapted to. Some things are just... wrong."
"You mean the hunters?"
"I mean all of it." The words come out more bitter than I intended. "The constant fear, the feeling like you're always looking over your shoulder, never being able to trust that the people who are supposed to protect you actually will."
Luna's expression shifts, becoming more focused. "That sounds personal."
I almost laugh at the understatement. Everything about this situation is personal, in ways Luna can't begin to imagine.
"My father," I say carefully, testing the waters. "He wasn't... kind. To my mother. To me."
"Nic mentioned your family had complications."
"That's one word for it." I wrap my hands around the mug again, needing something to hold onto. "He never hit us, if that's what you're thinking. He was too smart for that. But he had other ways of making sure we knew our place."
"What kind of ways?"
