Elena’s POV
After my tense exchange with Liam, he refused to divulge the full extent of Briar’s situation, but he committed to helping uncover her true identity. That promise was all I could ask for at this point.
I understood that exposure to werewolves remained the only catalyst for awakening her dormant wolf. This reality presented our most pressing challenge.
The urgency of surrounding her with our kind while she remained confined to that military base consud my thoughts. We needed to act swiftly, yet strategically.
The hunters undoubtedly possessed thods to detect werewolf presence in their vicinity. One wrong move could expose everything.
Liam’s sincerity in wanting to help her seed genuine enough. However, his hunter status demanded my constant vigilance. This could easily be an elaborate trap designed to ensnare . Moving forward required extre caution, and attempting this alone would be suicide.
Every step of this operation needed witnesses. Soone had to know my exact whereabouts at all tis. If Liam decided to betray , I wouldn’t go down without backup.
People often underestimated my intelligence, but anyone familiar with my reputation knew better than to threaten or my family. That path led straight to their grave.
If only I had possessed this wisdom twenty-two years ago.
Returning to the packhouse, I climbed to my room and nearly leaped from my skin when the lights revealed Caleb waiting in the darkness.
"Where have you been? I tried calling, mind linking, everything imaginable." His voice carried sharp irritation.
"I left my phone behind and blocked the mind link. I needed a walk to sort through my thoughts." The lie rolled off my tongue smoothly.
"Why did you redirect the south patrol to the north border?" His interrogation continued.
"I received reports of disturbances in that area." Another careful deflection.
"Nothing happened there. The reports were clean." His eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"My apologies. I must have been mistaken." I kept my expression neutral.
"What ga are you playing?" He stepped closer, his Alpha instincts flaring.
"It’s past midnight, Caleb. I’m going to bed." I moved toward the bathroom, hoping to end this confrontation.
"Mom. I pray you understand the consequences of whatever you’re planning." He blocked my path, his stance threatening.
"Let clarify sothing. I don’t report to you, and despite your title, I remain your mother and Luna. You will not dictate my actions. Are we clear?" My voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
"Crystal clear." He backed down, though reluctance colored his tone.
"Excellent. Now leave my room." I held his gaze until he surrendered.
Caleb lingered for several heartbeats, clearly sensing my deception, but he eventually retreated without another word.
After my shower and bedti routine, I discovered twelve missed calls from Damien waiting on my phone. I imdiately returned his call.
"Hello." His voice was tight with concern.
"Sorry, I was showering." I settled onto the bed.
"Explain what’s happening. We swore never to hide anything from each other." Damien’s tone brooked no argunt.
"I wasn’t planning to keep this secret. I intended to call tomorrow, assuming you’d be occupied or asleep." I chose my words carefully.
"I’m listening." He waited.
"Soone sent information about Briar. I t with him, and apparently he’s close to her. They call her Dawn now, but he claims she’s in danger. He wants my help extracting her from her current situation. He didn’t reveal much during our first eting, but we’re arranging another encounter after your return. I made that condition non-negotiable. He knows she’s my daughter and half werewolf. He’s promised to assist us." The words tumbled out rapidly.
"Are you certain this isn’t a trap?" Suspicion laced his question.
"The sa thought occurred to . But his concern seems genuine. He’s in love with her." I tried to convince myself as much as him.
"He wants to rescue her. How does he possess this knowledge? Their commanders wouldn’t broadcast her werewolf heritage to random soldiers." Damien’s logic cut straight to the heart of my concerns.
"Apparently she’s been searching for her birth parents but kept hitting dead ends. Every ti she approached a breakthrough, obstacles appeared and evidence vanished. Their trainer promised to help investigate, but nothing materialized. That trainer worries . Liam’s expression darkened when he ntioned him. I suspect he’s the source of her suffering." My maternal instincts scread warnings.
"You’re not eting him alone again." His command was absolute.
"I wasn’t alone this ti. Maya maintained mind link contact throughout. She had orders to alert Caleb if things went wrong. I’m not reckless, Damien. I have four other children depending on now. If it were just Caleb, he could manage independently. The others need alive." My defensive response revealed my own fears.
"I know. I’ll return imdiately. We’ll et this contact together." His protective nature surfaced completely.
"Good. I hope the council doesn’t punish you severely for this investigation." I shifted the conversation away from my risky behavior.
"They won’t. I was sent to gather intelligence. The scene matches Caleb’s previous discovery. Everyone was corralled into the eting hall and slaughtered. n, won, children." His voice hardened with rage.
"We must locate these monsters and end their reign of terror." My own fury matched his intensity.
"Absolutely. I need to go. We’ll talk tomorrow." He prepared to disconnect.
"Stay safe out there." I whispered my fears into the phone.
After ending the call, I positioned myself on the bed facing the window where the full moon dominated the night sky. Questions about Briar consud my thoughts.
Was she gazing at the sa moon right now?
Despite her human upbringing, every werewolf possessed an innate connection to their true nature. She had to sense her difference from the other soldiers surrounding her.
The revelation that she’d been raised on that military base without real parents ignited my maternal rage. They couldn’t even grant her childhood. From the mont they stole her, she’d been molded into a weapon.
She’d never experienced the fundantal joys every child deserved. Love, support, compassion, safety. They’d given her only training and discipline. This injustice had to end. She needed to understand what family truly ant.
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