“Selene! Come here, kiddo, I’ve got a question,” Warrior Nickolas called out, drawing Kylie and me toward the group of adults.

We left the guys behind, their eyes glued to us as we walked away. I glanced over my shoulder, smirking when I caught their annoyed expressions, but Kylie nudged me forward with a grin.

When we reached the table where the Alpha King, Alpha Michael, and the warriors sat, Nickolas motioned for me to sit. “What do you know about border security?”

I shrugged, curious. “A bit. I run the borders every morning, and I see the patrols making their rounds. I know different areas require different monitoring, depending on terrain. Some sections are heavier with forest, some are rocky, and others are water-bound. But why?” I asked, shifting comfortably in the chair, Kylie plopping down beside me.

Nickolas leaned forward, a playful smirk on his lips. “Let’s say, hypothetically, rogue attacks are coming from multiple points at unpredictable times. How would you set up patrols to guard a territory like this?”

“That’s all you’re giving me?” I raised a brow. “No troop counts, no terrain specs? Just attacks from anywhere?”

He nodded, clearly testing me. The Alpha King and Alpha Michael watched with interest, their expressions unreadable. Alright. Game on.

I sat up straighter, my mind falling easily into problem-solving mode. “Alright... Let’s assume this hypothetical territory has limited warriors.” I started rearranging the objects on the table—saltshakers, napkins, glasses, and phones—until they resembled the topography Nickolas had described. “What does the mountain range look like? Is it forested or rocky?”

“Forest,” he answered.

“Then I’d set up motion-sensor towers—one every mile, up to five miles out. The forested areas would require overlapping patrols—at least two pairs running opposite directions in an arc, so no spot stays unprotected for long. Around the lake,” I said, pointing at a glass I’d placed at the base of the mountain, “I’d want extra patrols, since water masks scents and offers cover.”

I paused, considering the ‘clearings’ Nickolas had mentioned earlier. “If these clearings are important—and it sounds like they are—then I’d stagger patrols there too. Any trails or paths leading into the territory would need regular monitoring.”

Taking a sip of water, I stood to get a better vantage point of the makeshift map. “Since you’re dealing with frequent attacks, patrols should check in hourly, but from different points on their route each time. That keeps them sharp. And the pack house,” I pointed to a napkin representing it, “needs motion sensors tied to a control room—preferably with multiple people monitoring.”

When I finished, Alpha Michael smiled, his expression warm. Luna Ava and Luna Queen Anne exchanged impressed looks.

“Am I being tested right now?” I asked with a nervous laugh. “Because you’re all making me anxious.”

Alpha Michael stayed silent, but it was the Alpha King—Reginald, or Reggie as he insisted—who spoke first. “Very impressive, Selene. And you’ve had no formal training in border security?”

“No, Alpha Reggie,” I admitted. “Just a little battle strategy from school.”

He smiled. “You’ve got a natural eye. Let’s see what else you can do. What if you had to protect a Luna during a multi-point attack? One from the mountains, another from the east, and a third from the west side of the lake.”

My heart pounded in my chest at the challenge. “Does the pack house have a safe room?” I asked.

“Let’s say no,” Reggie answered.

“Then I’d have the Luna suppress her aura and shift into wolf form,” I said, fingers tracing paths along the map. “We’d move straight up the middle, between the east and west attacks. Most Lunas want to fight or protect their pack, but the key is keeping her safe. She can boost morale through the mind link as long as she’s within range. The enemy will search the pack house first, assuming she’s hiding there. If they expect a safe room, that gives us time.”

“And if there is a safe room?” Reggie asked, leaning in with interest.

“Then I’d hope it has multiple exits—like a maze system with false leads, so anyone trying to trap her gets lost. If it’s built into the mountain, even better. It could double as an emergency shelter for non-warriors, with enough food and water for an extended stay.”

The Alpha King chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. “You’ve got me rethinking my architect’s plans.”

“Wait—what?” I blinked.

He grinned. “This map? It’s our royal territory. And you just dismantled our security strategy, piece by piece.”

My jaw dropped. “I—did I... offend you?”

“No, my dear.” His eyes sparkled with amusement. “On the contrary. You offered insights none of us considered. Fresh eyes catch what familiarity misses.” He winked. “Like the need for multiple exits. Seems obvious now, doesn’t it?”

I let out a breath, relieved.

“Well,” Reggie continued, standing up, “this has been enlightening, but it’s time for us to call it a night. My patrols will be joining yours tomorrow, so let someone know if you decide to sneak off before dawn.” His gaze landed on me, teasing.

“Nope,” Aaron’s voice rumbled behind me before I could respond. “Selene’s not going anywhere tomorrow morning.”

He stepped forward, his hand wrapping securely around mine. My heart skipped a beat. Aaron rarely touched me like this.

“Goodnight, Alpha Reggie,” Aaron said politely, but his grip on my hand was firm as he led me—and the rest of our crew—toward the house.

Just as we reached the kitchen, Reggie’s voice drifted after us. “Do they always flank her like that?”

Alpha Michael’s chuckle followed. “Every time. And I don’t think they even realize they’re doing it.”

Jealousy Games

We made it up the stairs toward the third floor when I heard someone call out behind us.

“Selene.”

We turned to find Andrew trailing after us, looking hopeful. “Can I walk you to your room?”

“She stays on the third floor,” Ryan cut in, his tone cold.

Andrew hesitated. “Right... Uh, are you sitting with anyone during the trials tomorrow?”

Aaron’s grip on my hand tightened, but I whispered, “Don’t,” before he could say something snarky. I turned to Andrew with a small smile. “I’m not sitting with anyone tomorrow. I’ll be down on the field, participating in the trials.”

Andrew blinked, clearly surprised. “You’re competing?”

I nodded. “I’m not the ‘watch-from-the-stands’ type.”

I reached out and gave his arm a brief squeeze. He really was charming, but I didn’t feel the same pull toward him as I did with my guys. Still, it would be nice to stay on friendly terms with the future Alpha King. “Goodnight, Drew. See you at breakfast.”

He returned my smile, though his gaze lingered for a moment longer than necessary. “Goodnight, Selene.”

With that, I turned back toward the stairs, my hand still in Aaron’s. He opened the door to the stairwell, and we filed upstairs to the third floor.

“Man, I’m beat,” Devin groaned behind me. “What time do we need to have Little Bit ready for the trials?”

“Warriors arrive at ten. Trials start at noon,” Aaron answered. “And Delta Kyle said Selene’s not allowed on the field before nine-thirty, so you’re forced to sleep in.”

I groaned dramatically. “What am I supposed to do if I wake up at four? Just sit around and wait for you zombies to wake up?”

Ethan leaned close, his breath warm against my ear. “Come find one of us. We’ll snuggle you back to sleep.”

A shiver ran down my spine, and I wasn’t sure if it was from annoyance—or something else.

“Alright,” Aaron said, unlocking the door to the third floor. “Tiny has her own room now. One of us can crash in Ryan’s room, and the rest will take the couch. Kylie,” he added with a grin, “you get to choose who you’re spooning with tonight.”

Kylie laughed, clearly loving every second of this.

“And where’s Ryan sleeping?” I asked, doing the math in my head.

The twins answered in unison. “We share.”

They said it so casually, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Well,” I said, stifling a smile. “Goodnight, boys. Goodnight, Kylie.”