19. August

19

August

When I woke up, Elisabed’s body was nestled against mine. The room was dim, the first light of day creeping in through the heavy curtains, and I could hear the faint rustle of wind outside, whispering against the stone walls of the fortress. I could still feel the weight of the events from last night—our physical connection, the way we’d shared a vulnerable space together—but I had a sinking feeling it wasn’t enough to settle the storm that was brewing inside me.

I didn’t want to leave the warmth of the bed, but I could already sense that she was starting to stir beside me. Her breath shifted, her body subtly tensing as she emerged from whatever dream she was lost in. When her eyes fluttered open, I could see the confusion fading from her gaze as she met my eyes, a flicker of hope in them.

“Morning,” she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep but still carrying that sharpness I admired. “Where are Marshall and Finn?”

“Morning,” I answered, pushing my weight on one arm to look down at her. Her tousled hair spilled across the pillow, and she looked far too beautiful for someone who had just gone through the emotional and physical exhaustion she had. Her immediate concern for the others showed how deep her protective instinct went. “They had to meet with their packs after being gone for so long. They’ll be back soon.”

She didn’t say anything for a moment, just stared at me like she was trying to figure out something, her lips pressing together in that familiar way. She nodded, but then she sat up abruptly, making a soft groaning sound, and I could feel the shift in her energy.

“Take me on a tour of the town,” she said, her voice suddenly bright, eager, as though she was already imagining the whole place laid out before her. “I need to see more. I don’t want to stay cooped up in this room all day.”

I exhaled slowly, the tension immediately rising inside me. The last thing I wanted was to let her wander around the fortress. I could feel the pull to keep her close, locked away from everything and everyone, until I felt she was completely settled.

“You’re not going anywhere,” I said firmly, the words harsher than I intended. My hand reached for hers, threading my fingers through hers as I tried to soften my tone, but the intent remained the same. “I want you to stay here today. Rest. You need to nest. We can’t afford for you to wear yourself down already.”

Her lips twisted in frustration, her eyes flashing with that fiery temper I couldn’t seem to shake from my mind. “I’ve been resting for hours, August! I’m fine now. I’m not some fragile thing that needs constant protection.”

I tightened my grip on her hand, knowing it was a little possessive, but unable to pull away. “I don’t want you walking around until I’m sure everything is fine with you. You need to take care of yourself, Elisabed.”

She pulled her hand away from mine, sitting up straighter now, her body language shifting. “This is ridiculous,” she muttered under her breath, but I could still hear the frustration simmering behind the words.

I softened, knowing full well I wasn’t helping. “I’ll make it up to you,” I said, moving closer, my voice lowering to a more intimate pitch. “Later. I’ll take you to explore the fortress, but only when you’ve had some more rest. We’ll figure something out. You’ll see.”

Her gaze met mine, still a little skeptical, but I could see the challenge in her eyes. “Fine. But you better keep that promise.”

I felt a flicker of satisfaction as she relented, but I couldn’t stop myself from worrying, either. I wasn’t ready to let her roam around—especially with how vulnerable I knew she still felt after everything. I needed to keep her safe, close, and protected until I could convince myself everything was settled between us.

But when she finally lay back down, and I felt her warm breath against my chest once more, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of the decision I’d just made. The weight of wanting her more than I’d ever anticipated, but knowing the danger we were all facing was far from over.

Eventually, after I convinced myself it was best to leave her in bed, I quietly slipped out of the room and headed downstairs to meet with my betas. They’d already sent word that they needed to speak with me about the town’s status and how things were going with integrating the three packs.

The settlement had been built into the side of a large mountain range, and the walls of the fortress were thick enough to withstand even the harshest storms. The central building, where most of us lived and worked, was the heart of the settlement, with various outlying buildings for the betas, healers, and other essential members of our pack.

The atmosphere inside was busy but not chaotic. Betas were moving quickly, carrying reports and messages to each of the higher-ranking alphas, making sure everything was on schedule. This settlement was built to accommodate three packs: mine, Marshall’s, and Finn’s. The goal had been to unite us, but as always, the challenges were more complex than simply sharing a home.

“Alpha August,” one of my betas, Liam, said when I entered the central hall. He held a handful of reports and looked anxious and relieved to see me. “It’s good to have you back. We’ve got updates.”

We walked together to the conference room where the other betas had gathered.

“They’re integrating well, considering the circumstances,” Liam continued, glancing down at the papers in his hand. “Most of the packs are adjusting to the shared space without incident. The borders are well-guarded, and patrols have been steady. There are definitely still tensions, but we’re working to keep those under control.”

I nodded. I’d expected as much—we might be under the same roof, but old rivalries and territorial instincts didn’t just disappear.

“Anything else?” I asked.

“Yes,” answered Liam. “There are rumors of Carlisle spies somewhere in the settlement. We haven’t confirmed it, but people have noticed some unfamiliar faces around town.”

My gut twisted. The Carlisle pack was dangerous and conniving. I couldn’t afford to let its members sow chaos here, but I also knew we couldn’t act rashly. “We’ll keep it quiet for now,” I said. “We don’t want to cause panic. But I want eyes everywhere and reports on anything suspicious.”

The betas nodded in unison, understanding the seriousness of the order. I had no intention of letting the Carlisle pack destabilize everything we’d worked for.

After the meeting, I returned to Elisabed’s room, my thoughts heavy with everything I’d learned. The peace I’d felt earlier in the morning felt a little more fragile now, but I wouldn’t let anything tear it apart—not when I had so much at stake.

When I entered the room, she was nowhere to be found.