4. August

4

August

The room still smelled of us—heat, sweat, and cum. Elisabed was curled up on the bed, her soft breaths audible in the quiet. The moonlight spilled across her bare shoulder, and I couldn’t stop staring.

“She’s not what you think,” Marshall said quietly as he leaned against the wall. His arms were crossed, his usual scowl etched deep into his face.

It was about time someone broke the silence. I knew we were all thinking about the same thing—the future of our packs and what we had to do next. We now had the final piece for our mission, but I couldn’t help doubting.

To put all of our fates into her hands...it made my stomach clench with uncertainty. I didn’t want to use her, and I also didn’t completely trust her. Not yet.

I didn’t look at him. “And what do you think she is?”

“Capable,” he replied without hesitation. “More capable than you or Finn want to admit.”

I kept my expression under control even as his words shocked me. Marshall was the most analytic and rational of us three. His past taught him how to take emotions out of the equation and lead with a cold and calculated demeanor. For him to say this about Elisabed meant he had assessed her as a tool and she had proven her usefulness.

“Don’t lump me in with August,” Finn said from the chair he’d draped himself over. His scarred lips pulled into a smirk as he leaned back, one boot resting on the edge of the table. “I know she’s capable,” he continued. “She’s quiet, sure, but fragile? No. Fragile wolves don’t fight alphas and live to tell the tale, especially not alphas as bloodthirsty as Raol.”

“She fought Raol because she had no other choice,” I said, my voice sharper than I intended. We all knew about Raol’s violent rise to power, and thinking about Elisabed living in the iron grip of his reign made my rage hard to hold back. This was why our plan had to work. “Desperation doesn’t make her strong—it makes her dangerous.”

Finn laughed, the sound low and rough. “‘Dangerous can be useful, August. You’re the one always preaching about taking risks. Why are you so damn hesitant now?”

I turned to face him, my eyes narrowing. Finn was a damn good leader to his people, but he never wanted to lead in the first place. While I trusted that we shared the same goals, I was never sure of what chaos he would cause on our way to accomplishing it. “Because the stakes are higher than we’re willing to admit. If we’re wrong about her—she can’t handle what’s coming—we lose everything. And not just us—our people will, too.”

“She can handle it,” Marshall interjected, his tone final. “You saw her tonight. She didn’t break. She rose to it. Hell, she almost went feral between us. That’s not someone who crumbles under pressure.”

“She went feral because we pushed her,” I snapped. “What happens when the council pushes back? When the wolves out there expect her to stand between us and absolute chaos?”

The room fell silent, the weight of my words settling over us like a thick fog. I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly.

“I’m not saying she’s perfect,” Marshall said after a moment, his voice quieter now. “But she’s what we’ve got. And I’d rather bet on her than let the council tear us apart.”

“You’re betting on a girl who barely knows what she’s gotten herself into,” I said bitterly. “We haven’t told her the truth. Not all of it.”

Finn raised an eyebrow, his smirk fading slightly. “And whose fault is that? You’re the one who decided to keep her in the dark.”

“She’s not ready,” I shot back. “Not yet.”

“So when?” Finn asked, sitting up straighter. “When she’s already neck-deep in our mess? When she figures out on her own that we’ve been lying to her from the start?”

I didn’t have an answer.

Marshall stepped forward, his dark eyes locking onto mine. “She’s stronger than you think, August. She’ll handle it. But if we wait too long and keep her guessing, she’ll turn on us—and then we’re screwed.”

“You’re so sure of her,” I said quietly. “Why?”

“Because she didn’t hesitate to protect her sister,” Marshall answered immediately. “She’ll do the same for us when it matters.”

Finn snorted, leaning back in his chair again. “I think you’re both overthinking this. We don’t need her to fight the council or save the world. We just need her to keep us from losing our minds long enough to do what needs to be done.”

I turned to him, my expression hard. “And what happens when that’s not enough? When they come for her, and we have no fail-safe left?”

Finn’s grin returned, sharp and dangerous. “Then we use her the way nature intended. Breed her, bond her, and tie her to us so tightly she can’t even think of leaving.”

The growl that rumbled in my chest was involuntary, but Finn just raised an eyebrow, unbothered.

“You’re disgusting,” Marshall said, his voice like ice. He might behave cold on the outside, but clearly, her presence had already started to affect him.

Finn shrugged, unrepentant. “I’m practical. She’s an omega, Marshall. A strong one, sure, but still an omega. That’s what they’re built for, isn’t it? To ground us. To give us something to fight for.”

I stepped forward, my fists clenching. “We might need to use her, but if you think for a second that I’ll let you reduce her to some—”

“To what?” Finn interrupted, his smirk fading as he stood. “To what, August? A tool? A weapon? Because that’s exactly what you’re planning to make her. Don’t stand there and act like you’re any better than me. It doesn’t suit you.”

My jaw tightened.

“You know I’m right,” Finn continued, his tone colder now. “You want her to save us—to be the answer to all our problems—but you’re too scared to admit that you’re using her just as much as I am.”

“Stop,” Marshall said, stepping between us. His gaze flicked to Finn, sharp and unyielding. “You can shut up now.”

Finn smirked but didn’t push further. He sat back down, drumming his fingers on the table.

I turned back to Elisabed, watching her sleep. She looked so small and peaceful, yet I knew the fire that burned beneath that fragile exterior. Marshall was right about one thing—she had more strength than we gave her credit for.

But strength alone wouldn’t be enough.

“She doesn’t know what’s coming,” I said quietly. “And I’m not sure she’ll ever forgive us when she finds out what we got her into.”

“She will,” Marshall said, his voice steady. “Because she’ll see the bigger picture. She’s already proven she’s willing to fight for the people she cares about. She’ll fight for us and our people, too.”

“We’ll see,” I muttered.

“You’re giving up too easily,” Finn said, his tone lighter now but no less cutting. “But then again, that’s your thing, isn’t it, August? Always planning for failure. Always waiting for the worst-case scenario. Always too scared to act.”

I didn’t rise to his bait. Instead, I turned and headed for the door.

“Where are you going?” Marshall asked.

“To think,” I replied without looking back.

Because that’s what I did—I thought. I planned. And right now, all my plans were crumbling around me.

I stepped out into the cool night air. The moon was high, and the forest was silent except for the distant rustle of leaves. I leaned against the porch railing, closing my eyes and letting the chill bite into my skin.

We were playing a dangerous game. And no matter how much I wanted to believe otherwise, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were already losing.