26. Elisabed

26

Elisabed

Morning sunlight filtered through the small window of my room, and I tried to pull my thoughts together and focus on the day ahead.

I’d spent the night tossing and turning, replaying the conversation from dinner and worrying about August leaving soon.

“Elisabed?” I heard Marshall say, accompanied by a soft knock on the door. “Are you awake?”

I sat up quickly, smoothing the sheets around me. “Yes,” I called, brushing the hair from my face. I was still in my nightdress, but I didn’t want to keep him waiting.

He entered without hesitation, his expression calm as always. “I was thinking—how about we go out for breakfast this morning? The three of us.” He motioned toward the door as if to indicate that Finn was nearby. “You’ve been stuck inside for too long, and seeing more of the settlement will be nice.”

I was immediately excited by the prospect of fresh air and new sights, and I hurried to get dressed.

When I came downstairs, Marshall and Finn were waiting near the door. Marshall was dressed neatly, his stoic expression softened by what might have been a faint smile. Finn lounged casually against the wall, his ever-present grin teasing as he looked me over.

He opened the door with a dramatic flourish. “After you, sweetheart.”

The cool morning air wrapped around me as I stepped out, and I felt like I could breathe for the first time in days. We walked through the streets side by side, Finn chatting aimlessly and making me smile despite myself.

Soon, we arrived at a little tea shop decorated simply in a rustic, homey way that immediately put me at ease.

Marshall gestured for me to sit, pulling out a chair before taking the seat across from me. Finn plopped down next to me, grinning as he scanned the menu.

“Order whatever you want,” Finn said. “Marshall’s paying.”

Marshall snorted. “Am I? Thanks for offering, Finn.”

I laughed. We ordered and settled in to our comfortable chairs, making small talk.

“Where’s August?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

“He’s busy,” Marshall said carefully, after glancing at Finn.

“He’s looking for your sister,” Finn added, clearly unable to keep it in, and Marshall rolled his eyes up to the ceiling.

“My sister?” I repeated.

So he did believe me.

Finn shifted uncomfortably as if realizing too late that he’d said something he shouldn’t have. “Yeah,” he muttered. “He thinks she might be, you know, spying or something.”

My stomach twisted. “Spying?” My voice rose, drawing the attention of a few nearby tables. “You think my sister is a spy ?”

Marshall’s gaze darkened. “Lower your voice,” he said quietly, injecting alpha authority into his voice. I ignored it.

“Do you know where he went?” I asked.

“Elisabed, you don’t need to involve yourself in this,” Marshall said. “We’re handling it.”

“ Handling it? She’s my sister !” I snapped. “You think my little sister would spy on us?”

“No one’s saying that,” Marshall said, his tone calm but unyielding. “But we have to be cautious.”

I pushed my chair back, ready to run. “I need to find her—”

“Sit down,” Marshall ordered, his alpha authority washing over me like a tidal wave.

I froze, my body instinctively responding to his command. “You can’t keep me here,” I said, my voice trembling.

“Yes, I can,” he said, his tone brooking no argument. “You’re staying here, where it’s safe . I don’t want you to get hurt, Elisabed. You’re too important.”

Important—for their plans.

They didn’t understand. My sister was out there alone, and I had to find her.

Finn reached for my hand. “Stay here, sweetheart. Please. Let us handle it.”

Their words only fueled my resolve. They might be alphas, but they didn’t know my sister like I did.

I clenched my fists, nodding reluctantly. “Fine.”

Marshall and Finn exchanged relieved glances. “We’ll find August for you and bring him here,” Marshall said. “Please stay here, Elisabed. Please .”

I nodded, keeping my eyes trained on the table before me, and waited until I was sure they were gone before I slipped out the back exit.