“Why do I even care? She isn’t mine. She isn’t even pack. Why is there this connection there?” “I don’t know Thane. I think that you both share the same pain. You lost your sister. You see that in Ayla. You are a natural protector. She needs protecting and she is a beautiful person. And an omega. She checks all the boxes, but unfortunately, she may not be what the fates have planned. But who is planned would be better. Your equal. Not saying Ayla isn’t, but you would know. Maybe we are supposed to kill Kian and then she becomes your second chance mate? Maybe that is what is going to happen.” “We can’t just rip Kian’s throat out Cyrus. No matter how bad I want to. At least not until he gives me a reason.”
“Keep a detail on them both. We head out in the morning. Don’t stay up all night partying with females Cyrus. There are too many exit points in this raid. I want everyone on their A game heré. Too many variables could go wrong trying to cover all of these points.” “I know how this goes Thane. You don’t stay up partying with yourself all night, wallowing when you could be up in the rooms attached to your rooms doing whatever it is your thinking about.” he turns and exits my office leaving the door gapped just enough for a fast–acting Della to squeeze through. This fan–freaking–fastic night just keeps getting better and better.
“What do you want Della? I am busy.” “Busy? Have you been in here this whole time? Did you not hear me knocking? Are you drunk?” “Yes, yes and no. Yes, I have been in here. Yes, I heard you knocking. NO, I am NOT drunk. I have a raid tomorrow and I need to plan. I would like to be alone.” “A raid? How long will you be gone for?” “Three days Della. Now please. I need to be alone.” “I understand, I know how you get before. Just so you know, I miss them too. You know you can talk to me if you need to.” she almost pleads with me, to invite her in. To tell her something, but I just sigh. “I know Della. Thank you for being a friend.” I look back down at the photos, pouring myself another drink. Thankfully with shifter metabolism, the effects of the alcohol with burn out quicker. At least, If I were to stop now, I should be good by morning. I could shift and sober up, but at this point, I’d rather drink myself to sleep. “Has Ayla been settling in? Any more panic attacks?” I am caught a little off guard about her questions since when I last saw her, it was obvious what we had just did with each other in the woods. Della hasn’t made any advances towards me since. “She is settling in. Her attacks are managed.” I nod and stare back down at my papers. I really can’t detect any malice in her tone.
“Thane. We should go out when you get back. You are under a lot of stress, and I think taking a night off and relaxing is a good idea.” “I am relaxing now Della. I will plan my time how I see fit. There will be victims that will need care and assurances. I can’t just take a night off after a raid.” “No, I get that. It doesn’t need to be right immediately after Thane.” “I have some things I need to go over tonight, Della. I will see you when we get back in a few days. Goodnight.”
