Page 68 of Forced Alpha Bride
“Yeah, but you aren’t. Neither are our friends. Our whole bunch is made up of misfits from every end of Wolfshade. None of you has a reason to favor the Creek.”
“I really don’t,” Austin agrees. “Last night was the first time I’ve ever even seen it. The place is peaceful, man. Very small, only a few buildings. The town is fortified up close, so it can be easily defended. It looks like all their efforts go towards making sure no one can get in. I can’t see people that poor extending their resources to attack.”
“And where would they even get the explosives or the manpower?” I consider.
“Well, to be fair, they’re heavy on the agriculture. A lot of fertilizers can be made into bombs. Manpower for an attack like that would be pretty impossible for them, though.”
“Hmm,” I mutter, swirling another wheel of dough. “I don’t like any of this at all. I know you aren’t biased, but the council will assume you are just because you’re my friend.”
“Yep,” Austin agrees, taking a sip of coffee. “What are you going to do?”
“No fucking clue. I’m not about to bring the might of Gryphon Eyrie down on the heads of a bunch of innocent farmers, but I also can’t risk a small group of zealous assassins getting in here and hurting any more members of my pack. My duty is to the Eyrie.”
“Damn straight,” Austin says, sipping his coffee.
“That’s it? That’s all you’ve got to say?”
“I’m not alpha, man,” Austin chuckles. “It’s not a job I’d ever want. This is your show, brother. We got you here, now it’s up to you to do your thing.”
I flip the last pancake onto the plate and sit down, rubbing my temples.
I was hoping to get some clear information that would set me on the right path, but now I’m worse off than before.
There’s a movement at the kitchen door, and I jump before I realize it’s Winnie.
How the hell did she sneak up on me like that? She could have gone straight out the front door!
As I watch her walk into the kitchen, it strikes me to the core that she didn’t run.
She had the chance to go… but she came in here instead.
“Morning, Damon,” she says, holding up her hands. “Can we take these off now?”
“Sure,” I answer, finding the key and uncuffing her. “Let me get you some pancakes.”
“I remember you,” Winnie says, turning to Austin.
“I’m honored to be in your presence, Luna,” he says, bowing his head.
“You could have shown me that kind of respect last time we met,” she points out, cutting off a slice of pancake with her fork and shoving it into her mouth.
“I’ll just say good morning, then,” he replies, smiling.
“Good morning to you, too,” she says, taking a sip of coffee.
“So, Winnie, we were just talking about—” I begin.
“I know,” she says. “I overheard everything. I agree, Damon. This is a twisted situation.”
“I feel like I should go,” Austin says, standing up. “I’ll find our guys and catch up with the other scouts. I really don’t like how they disappeared and still haven’t checked in.”
“I agree,” I say. “Get on it. The council will want me in soon, and I’ll have to make a decision.”
Austin gives me a short salute and goes out the back door. I watch Winnie as she cuts more slices off her pancake and slowly brings them to her mouth, licking syrup off her lips.
Don’t get distracted now. Focus on the safety of the pack and worry about your sex life later.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Winnie says.
