Page 70 of Forced Alpha Bride
“No,” Damon says very calmly. “I want to hear reports from these men—in person. Your word is good, Regina, but not as good as theirs. I’d also like to examine this campsite myself and see if I agree with your men.”
“Why?” she demands, losing her cool.
“Because it’s my decision to make, and I won’t commit to a course of action until I know for sure it’s the correct one. So far, all we have is your scouts bringing back different information from mine.”
“Did they have evidence?” Regina asks, showing the flower at Damon’s face.
“This is a clue,” he says. “Not evidence.”
“You didn’t answer my question,” Regina snaps.
“No,” Damon answers. “My people didn’t bring back any evidence—or clues.”
“Then I don’t see why—"
“Damon’s right,” I agree, cutting her off. “We can’t just attack based on this. We don’t want any innocent people to get hurt.”
“I told you already,” Regina utters in a scathing tone. “None of them are innocent.”
“Even the children?” I ask.
“You have no knowledge that there actually are children there,” Regina huffs. “And even if they are, I’m sure they’re criminals, just like their parents.”
“Regina,” I reply, glaring at her, “I refuse to believe such a thing, and I struggle to comprehend thatyouwould believe this. I was present for Austin’s report this morning, and his wordswere compelling. I’d also like to hear your men report on the subject to judge for myself.”
Damon shoots me a grateful look, and I smile back. I’m not ready to jump into his lap and trust him again, but Austin’s words affected me, and Regina’s evidence seems incredibly convenient.
“Fine!” Regina snaps. “I’ll recall all the scouts. Mitchell, you'd better go out and tell the warriors to stand down.”
“Yes, do that,” Damon says. “If I find anyone acting against my orders, my punishment will be swift and painful.”
He gives Regina a hard look as he says this, and I see the faintest flash of a smile on her face.
Something is definitely not right.
“As you command, Alpha,” she says in a forced, almost mocking tone. “Let us assemble our scouts and meet again once they are ready to give their reports to you.”
“I’ll wait right here,” Damon says, striding over to the chairs around the fireplace. “I should talk with all of you, and we’ll have some time while the scouts come in. Don’t you agree?”
“I have to go out the back and tell the warriors to stand down,” Mitchell says.
“I’m going out with him,” Regina says. “And I have to make some calls to bring my people in.”
“Then Ledra, Cora, Norman, and Bryce will keep me company,” Damon says. “We have much to discuss. Will you join us, Winnie?”
Even though I know I should, I’m itching to see Krista all of a sudden, and it’s not just because I’ve been missing my friend.
She might know something about all of this. Behind all the gossip and misinformation, I could find the truth.
“I’m going to see Krista and her mother,” I reply. “I’m long overdue for a visit with my good friend.”
“As you like,” Damon says with a wave of his hand. “Keep me informed.”
“I will,” I reply, turning to go down the hall. Behind me, I hear Mitchell and Regina head for the front door, whispering furiously to each other.
So much deception. I’ve spent my whole life seeing things as black and white, right and wrong. Now I’m drowning in gray, and all truth seems conditional.
When I come to the library door, Krista’s shriek is so loud I’m sure it could be heard at the peak of the spires on the manor roof.
