Page 60 of Broken Forced Mate
“What kind of preparation?”
The scope of Mordaunt’s ambitions becomes clear as Raegan walks me through months of careful planning. These aren’t opportunistic raiders. This is a would-be emperor who sees our discovery as the key to building his own dynasty.
“And Mordaunt’s betting that traditional pack structures will make us predictable.” She meets my eyes. “He’s counting on alphas being too protective of their people to use every asset available.”
The pointed observation makes me uncomfortable because she’s right. How many other pack leaders are handicapping themselves by treating skilled females as liabilities rather than advantages?
“There’s more,” Raegan continues. “During the reconnaissance mission, I discovered I can do more than just sense emotions. I can influence them. When we encountered those scouts who were watching us, I was able to project fear into one of them. Made him panic enough to give away his position.” She pauses. “It wasn’t conscious manipulation at first. More like…emotional suggestion that I pushed outward. It wasn’t until I got back here that I realized what I’d done.”
The implications make my wolf whine with excitement. If Raegan can influence enemy emotions during combat, she becomes an asset unlike anything Mordaunt has planned for.
“How much can you influence?”
“I don’t know yet. If our bond would allow me to access my full potential….”
She trails off, but we both know what she means. If we could just work past our emotional shit, this would be a hell of a lot easier.
“We need to test these abilities under controlled conditions,” I decide.
“Agreed. But not tonight.” She gathers the files. “Tonight, we plan defensive strategies based on what we learned.”
Over the next six hours, Raegan’s intelligence proves invaluable for positioning defensive assets and identifying enemy weaknesses. More importantly, working alongside her reveals how naturally we complement each other’s strengths.
She provides strategic analysis while I handle tactical implementation. Her psychic insights guide my conventional planning. When she suggests alternative approaches, I listen instead of dismissing her ideas.
By midnight, we have the framework for a defense that might actually work.
“Mordaunt’s counting on traditional pack responses,” I observe as we review our plans. “Alphas protecting their people by pulling them back to defensive positions.”
“Instead, we’re going to use unconventional assets in unexpected ways.” Raegan traces routes on the map. “Psychic reconnaissance to identify real versus false targets. Female operatives he won’t expect in combat roles. Coordinated strikes instead of defensive posturing.”
“Think it will work?”
“It has to. Because the alternative is watching Mordaunt turn our home into the foundation for his empire.”
We work in comfortable silence after that, refining details and contingency plans. Despite everything between us—the forced marriage, the rejected bond, the walls we’ve built—this feels right. Natural. Like we’re meant to be partners in more than just name.
Around two in the morning, Raegan finally sets down her pen and rubs her eyes.
“We should get some sleep,” she suggests.
“You go ahead. I want to review these supply calculations once more.”
“Wyn.” She doesn’t move from her chair. “We’ve been over those numbers three times already.”
“I know, but—”
"You're avoiding what's between us," she says quietly.
I suck in a breath because she's right, and we both know it.
"After what happened in the armory," she continues, "I thought maybe we'd moved past some of the barriers between us. But you've been keeping your distance ever since."
"It's not that simple."
"I proved I can handle myself in the field. We worked together tonight like actual partners. So, what's the problem?"
I set down the files and really look at her. "The problem is that I don't trust myself around you. Every decision I make gets clouded by what you are to me. Tonight proved we work well as partners, but that doesn't change the fact that I kidnapped you. Forced you into this marriage."
