Chapter165
Philip shook his head. “No, but she’s guilty as hell. There are
more traitors working for him than we thought. We need to
figure out if he’s bribing them or threatening them.”
My fingers tapped against my desk. This was getting messier by
the second.
“Keep pressing her,” I instructed. “If playing nice doesn’t work,
find another way to make her talk.”
Philip frowned. “She’s a woman.”
I scoffed. “And? You think that changes anything? I’ve spent too
much time clinging to principles that have only backfired on
- me. If she betrayed us, she answers for it. No exceptions”
Philip hesitated, then gave a stiff nod.
I exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Michael
wasn’t much help either. I don’t know if he’s holding back or if
he genuinely doesn’t know anything.” I leaned back. “Either
way, once this is over, I’m sending him to Nightshade Pack. He’s
not staying anywhere near my family.”
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“I doubt he knows anything,” Jayden said. “I’m good at reading
people, and Michael just seems like he’s drowning in guilt. I
believe he genuinely wanted to protect his sister”
“That doesn’t mean I’ll ever trust him again,” I muttered.
Jayden didn’t argue.
Jose shifted uneasily. “So. what do we do about your cousin?”
I tensed and glanced at him.
I trusted Jose no doubt. But telling him our plan would only
make Matthew a target. And I was not willing to risk that.
“Let him play his part, but when the time comes, he’ll pay for
his choices.” I said slowly. This war was a nightmare, but at least
it’s forced Matthew and me to work together again.
“I think something’s up between Matthew and Grace, Jose said
casually.
I raised a brow. “What makes you say that?”
Kade snorted. “Honestly? He’d have to be a masochist. No
offense, but your sister–in–law is cold as ice.”
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“Fuck you Kade. That’s my sister you are talking about.” Jose
fumed.
Kade shrugged and held up his hands. “Just saying.”
I knew they were not truly mad at each other, just messing
around. “Focus. We’ve got a lot to work on.”
Honestly, I just hoped Grace wasn’t Matthew’s mate. She’s hated
the mate bond her entire life. If she ruined Matthew’s second
chance at happiness, I might never forgive her.
Kade leaned back in his chair. “I have a few allies who aren’t
tied up in this mess. They might be able to help.””
I considered that. “It’s a risk. The council has been making shady
deals with a lot of packs. We don’t know who’s truly on our
side.”
“That’s true,” Jose admitted. “But we need all the help we can
get.”
I sighed. “I’ll reach out to some of my contacts as well. We can’t
win this alone.”
I turned to Jayden. “How’s your mission going?”
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“She’ll be here soon,” he answered.
I nodded, then added, “I’m taking Grace with me to meet the
council.”
Jose’s brow shot up. “You sure that’s a good idea?”
I nodded firmly. She may have feelings for me, but I knew for a
fact she’d never betray me.
Asher’s POV
I’ve carried a deep resentment toward the council for a long
time. I warned them, over and over, but they just won’t stop
meddling and making life harder for me and my people.
Now is the time they pay the price.
“I doubt talking to them will change anything, but hey, what do
I know?” Grace muttered, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Having a mate clearly hadn’t tamed her–she was just as sharp-
tongued and wild as ever.
I had called her here for a reason, though. “Do you have
something to tell me?” She was coming along to meet the
council, yet she hadn’t brought up Matthew once.
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“Nothing worth mentioning,” she shrugged. “Except that this whole idea is a disaster waiting to happen.“”
I cared for Grace like a younger sister, but I was well aware she
could be a real pain. Hopefully, she wouldn’t push Matthew
away.
“Well, it’s not up to you, is it?” I shot back with a smirk. “You’re
not the king now, so you don’t get to decide what’s good or bad.“”
“When we return, I want you to deal with the Kimberly
situation,” I added. Philip had strong morals, and I knew that
would stop him from dealing with her the way she needed to be
handled. But Grace? She had no such reservations.
“I do enjoy handling traitors,” she said, flashing a wicked grin.
That was Grace for you–ruthless, unapologetic, and always
ready to get her hands dirty.
It wasn’t long before we stood face–to–face with Gerald. The
council had only sent one man, but he would deliver whatever
message I needed to send.
“So, you finally need us,” he sneered.
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