LUCAS

I rub my temples, staring at the radio equipment spread across my desk. Static crackles through the speakers, a sound that''s become far too familiar these past days.

"Nothing." Ryder switches the dial again. "Dead air on every emergency frequency. Been like this for a few days now."

Vester crosses his arms. "That''s what worries me most. The humans have been relying on their radios to stay organized; why would it go silent now?"

My wolf paces beneath my skin, sensing a storm on the horizon. "And Jericho''s message?"

"Just as I said." The healer''s mate pulls out a crumpled note. "''Be alert.'' His vampire contacts are usually more specific. I can only assume that it''s a gut feeling on their side, as well."

"Given the recent attack, we can assume—" Ryder begins, and I already know where he''s going. To tie Jericho''s vampire refugees with the Mad Prince; it''s something everyone''s already thinking, and I can''t deny that it would make sense. But in my gut, I know it''s wrong.

"Enough." My words are sharper than I mean for them to be, but both my deltas are used to that. "Jericho should be here. His insight with the vampires could prove invaluable."

Ryder scoffs. "If we could even trust his friends. Who knows? Maybe one of them is related to the Mad Prince. How else would they know he''s on the move?"

"Jericho''s contacts aren''t affiliated with that monster. The warning came after our contact with his thrall."

"Can we be certain? The world''s gone dark, Alpha. For all we know, those vampires aren''t even in hiding. Maybe they''re trying to use Jericho to get to us."

The pack''s bias against bloodsuckers is one that won''t disappear anytime soon. There are many who still look at Sister Miriam with some suspicion, and her recent disappearance has only heightened those feelings.

Of course, I''ve learned that not all vampires are evil as we always understood them to be.

"We can''t afford to alienate potential allies. This is no simple territory war."

"And we can''t risk bringing enemies inside our walls." Vester''s calm voice sides with Ryder. He''s been more cautious since the betrayals from our own pack members. "Though I agree—having Jericho back would be a great help."

There''s little more to be said on the subject. I was hoping to see Jericho in person and discuss the nature of his vampire friends, but with our current situation, that''s impossible. I can''t leave the pack.

"Something''s happening. Ava says the taint has gathered and become dense. The radios have gone silent. It''s been too peaceful for too long, and now this attack by the Mad Prince." Drumming my fingers against the table, I lean back in one of our folding chairs—our luxurious seating arrangement in the debriefing tent.

Vester sighs. "There has been no suspicious activity in the last few days. The patrols report nothing but snow and more snow. Animal activity seems normal, and the human cities still seem to be keeping their stores stocked."

"Good." Leaning back again, I sigh. "While she''s gone, I want to adjust the location of the Aspen tents. They need to be on opposite ends of my cabin. There are too many rumors about her presence here in the pack."

It isn''t as though I''ve been unaware of them; it''s impossible not to know, with how frequently wolves gossip. Too many seem to be under the impression that I would be willing to take a second mate in this situation.

Ivy is a fine she-wolf and would make someone a wonderful mate one day. A strong hunter, well-versed in pack politics, with ties to one of the strongest Alphas of the Northwestern Territories? She is a desirable mate.

But I already have mine.

My deltas share a look between them, and Aurum bristles at their hesitation. "What?"

"Some of the refugees..." Ryder shifts his weight. "They''re hoping you''ll take Ivy as a second mate. As co-Luna with Ava. They think it would strengthen the pack."

A bark of laughter escapes me before I can stop it. The theory is as ridiculous now as it was the first time I heard it. "Co-Luna? That''s not even possible. There''s never been such a thing in our history."

"We know that." Vester''s voice remains steady. "But the refugees don''t care about history. They see Ivy''s strength, and while many appreciate Ava''s powers, they are uneasy in the face of magic. Especially our dependence on the purifications. These are wolves who have been forcefully separated from their alphas and packs; they desire normalcy above all else."

"Many insist they would switch pack allegiance if Ivy became Luna of Westwood." Ryder grimaces. "Even without their Alpha''s consent."

It''s nonsense. "Make sure all of these rumors die while she''s visiting Clayton. The last thing we need is drama between the packs."

"We''ve been trying." Vester''s lips press into a thin line. "But Ivy herself seems to be encouraging these rumors."

"What do you mean?"

"She''s been suggesting things. Talking about pack alliances through mating bonds. Making comments about how much easier things are with two strong she-wolves at Westwood. Nothing overt. Just enough to fan the fires." Vester meets my gaze, his own eyes cold. He liked Ivy once; he''s clearly lost respect for her in recent weeks. "Is there really nothing we can do about this?"

There is. I can always bring this to Clayton''s desk. But after our past... I shake my head. "I won''t burden her brother. I owe him that much."

"But—"

"No." The word comes out with alpha authority. "Clayton sacrificed much to help Westwood, even in the face of the Council''s disapproval. I won''t repay that by complaining about his sister''s behavior unless she crosses a clear line."

"And what line would that be?" Ryder asks.

"She hasn''t directly challenged Ava''s position. She hasn''t openly defied pack hierarchy. Everything else is just talk." I lean forward. "Let the refugees gossip. They''ll find something new to discuss soon enough. But just in case, Vester, see if there''s any way we can find the Twilight Ridge and Silvermoon camps. Since their bonds haven''t been severed with their packs, we know their alphas are alive. We should send their wolves home before they get any more bright ideas."