Page 58 of The Wolf's Mate
I don’t need to ask why he hasn’t reach out yet. Rip and his other alphas are proud. But surely he can see any outside help would benefit us, not make us weak. “Is he an actual dragon?” I feel like that’s an important factor in our aid situation.
“When he wants to be, yes.”
I blink. Once. Then twice, waiting for Rip to say he’s kidding and of course he already sought help from an actual fucking dragon.
When he doesn’t say that, I test my power here. “Alpha, I don’t think we should turn away aid.”
“Neither do we,” Maximus speaks up. “We believe it’s time to accept the dragon’s help. I can compose a letter?—”
“No letter,” Rip interrupts, shaking his head. “We can’t risk it getting intercepted. Grant, how many men would you need to take a team to Dragon’s Keep requesting aid?”
The older alpha purses his lips, taking a moment to think. “We don’t have the count of how many rogues Michael has, but we can assume it’s over twenty from the last attack. We also don’t know how many Nephilim are lurking in the forest. To be safe, King Alpha, I would want to take no fewer than twenty men.”
“Twenty men?” I blurt, unable to help myself. “You want to take twenty of our alphas and leave us defenseless?”
To be fair, I don’t think we would be completely defenseless, but I also don’t think it’s smart to lose that many alphas. It would be a prime time for rogues to attack, once they find out we are without half of our protectors.
Through our bond, I feel unease. I turn to Rip, but he’s not looking at me. He clenches his jaw, lost in thought. I know he doesn’t like this any more than I do.
“Twenty alphas is a hefty number, Grant. With so many of our wolves cursed and our omegas more frightened by the day, I don’t know if it’s best to send so many. We may be able to spare a few betas,” he says.
“Is it better to send a few to their slaughter?” Maximus asked. “Because we can expect the full force of the rogues and Nephilim if we’re caught. This is not ideal; we won’t pretend like it is. This journey is too strenuous for many of the betas. They will better serve you here as fighters. But it is of utmost importance that nothing stops us from reaching Dragon’s Keep.”
I’ve been in the pack for a little over a month, give or take a day or two. These men have been engaged in conflict a lot longer and know more than I do. Still, I can’t help but feel like this isn’t the best plan of action. Rip says this is my pack too, and as their Luna, I’m keeping their best interest at heart.
“I don’t think it’s wise to send so many wolves away when we have so many cursed lying in the infirmary,” I say. Maximus tenses. I’m clearly not making the best impression on him. “I do think we need assistance, but I don’t think we need to risk so many of our wolves.”
I expect Rip to back me up. Not because we are mates, but because he sees the flaws in this plan. He clenches his hand on the table so hard, his knuckles turn white. His rigid posture doesn’t ease the doubt creeping in.
“Can you promise me you can get there and back with twenty men at your disposal?” Rip asks, and it feels like hands wrap around my heart. It’s not a good feeling.
Grant nods. “It’s better to be safe, King Alpha. The forest is a dangerous place. Too many enemies lurk in the darkness. We need to stay vigilant.”
“We must remain vigilant here too, protecting those who can’t protect themselves.” My anger threatens to boil over, and I wait for Rip to say something. Anything. But he’s still not fucking looking at me.
“Twenty men and twenty men only?” Rip asks, and the hands on my heart grow tighter.
“Yes, sir. Not a wolf more,” Maximus assures.
“So be it. Pick your men, report to me in the morning, and plan to leave in two days’ time,” Rip says.
All the air from my lungs leaves my body as if he sucker-punched me.
“Of course, King Alpha. Thank you.” Grant bows his head in respect. None of them are even looking at me. So why the hell am I here?
Wordlessly, I push off Rip. He reaches for my wrist, but I dodge his hand. “Dove?—”
“Don’t fucking Dove me,” I growl, finally giving in to my anger. The other alphas in the room tense, but I ignore them.
“Why did you even want me here if you weren’t going to listen to a damn thing I said?” I feel like a fool in front of these men. Two I don’t know and Thorne, whom I consider a friend. Thorne has wisely stayed quiet, but I have a feeling he agrees with the majority. I hate this feeling. I’ve been here before. Asked by boyfriends to attend a meeting—usually of an illegal nature—and paraded around like a fucking object.
Rip’s eyes narrow. Anger blooms in our bond, but I push mine back just as hard. “Next time, don’t bother asking me to come.” I spin on my heels and head straight to the door.
“Hettie, wait.” If I were any other member of his pack, his alpha command would make me obey. But I’m not just any member; I’m his mate. His command does little but piss me off more.
If Rip wants to run the pack and make decisions by himself, so be it. But I won’t be the pretty plaything he keeps on his lap while he does it.
Rip calls my name again, but I’m already out the door, heading to the staircase. I don’t turn back once, even though I feel his heated stare on my back the entire way. When I’m away from him, away from the other alphas in the room, I allow the first tear to drop.