THE ALPHA'S FORSAKEN SECRET

son'

My ideas were disorganized, bits of guilt, rage, and anxiety. The weight of it all would not go away. Ava's comebac

ly something seemed odd. It was in his avoidance of my eye and his hesitation upon receiving directions. And now, as t

breeze, their limbs murmuring whispers I could not hear. The rogues were waiting, observing, organizing thei

the door. I said, "Come in," my voice raspy

We have raised the patrols as you requested," he remar

narrow eyes. "good." There i

. "I doubt this is solely about the rogues, Ja

enough for me to know when he was h

ng to face me at last. I listened and heard something. On

for a means to discredit me, constantly hiding in the background ready for a chance. I ought to have realized h

ed me for some time. But today he is focusing on my family. Ri

of doubt, a split-second of hesitation. My tummy turned

could not let mistrust color my judgment.

atrols once more. I want eyes on every square inch of our country. A

ff. Jackson, you

on't know what to think." "But I'm not taki

in as the door closed behind him. Was I acting in line? Was I pushing too hard,

ears of hiding the past had gone toward me convincing myself I had made the correct choice. But seeing her once more

door broke off my concentra

Quietly referring to the twins, she remark

Rather, she crossed her arms, a few feet away, as if her on

e added, "I overheard what Ril

s not the complexity here. Blackthorn is not follow

ldn't quite read: maybe fear, maybe rag

g control. And he spots a chance with you and the twins i

he desk. What therefore ought we to d

voice. Not waiting is what we do.

ed her eyes on me. "You're t

'm referring to looking out for our kids. I refu

ly, and I caught a flash of the A

a whisper: "You hurt me." "You upset me in

my chest, I turned no

ing once again. "I doubt whether I sho

ushing down on me. "I'll get it

re nodding at last, although her eyes

on it. The enemy is already at our doorstep, the risk too close. I saw th

et it. I have not

I'll send a team to border scouting tomorrow. We'

th her arms still crossed. A

rept back in. We w

ence I had developed over years of leadership was eroding with every hour tha

son, take care. Whoever it is, they are not j

s laying over me like a w

turned to go and stoppe

. I felt she would withdraw for a moment,

ith that, leaving me alone

e silence of the night encircling me. Now the moon was higher, giving the for

wling in the shadows whil

tart actin

ng menace of Marcus Blackthorn. Doubts linger as he gets ready to meet the challenges ahead, maki