“Guys, I need to run. Can we go to the arena for a bit?” I practically beg, the restlessness bubbling up inside. “Please? I don’t even need all of you, just someone to be there.” I shake out my hands, trying to quell the jittery feeling that’s taken root from too much sitting still.

Before anyone can answer, Stacey’s grating voice cuts through, slicing the moment in half. “Oh, don’t be silly, Selene,” she drawls, her gaze flicking pointedly between Aaron and Ryan. “You don’t need all of them. How about the two of you help me out?” She smirks, stepping toward them with her “dress” that’s honestly just a shirt she’s pulled down as far as it’ll go. “I left a few things up in my room. A girl just needs a little help sometimes.” She blinks up at them, trying for flirtatious but landing somewhere in the range of desperate.

Devin doesn’t hold back, letting out an exaggerated sigh. “And what exactly do you have that could possibly need two guys to carry it?”

“Oh, Devin, a girl needs more than just muscles. She needs a strong presence.” She winks at him, clearly trying to bait him.

“Oh, I get it,” Devin says with an evil grin. “You need someone willing to put his ‘hands’ on… things. Mitch!” he yells across the yard, catching the attention of her former flame. Mitch comes over, his face filled with suspicion. “Stacey here needs a favor. How about you help her grab her things and get her home?”

Without waiting to see Stacey’s reaction, we’re off toward the arena. Aaron and Ryan can barely contain their laughter as we leave her and Mitch behind, their shoulders shaking as we jog down the path. The training session is exactly what I need, even if it’s just a mix of cardio and light weights. I can feel my strength returning with every movement, pushing through the residue of the last few days of chaos and sleeplessness.

Finally, after an hour, we’re all spent. I grab Kylie’s hand, and with a grin, take off running, yelling over my shoulder, “Catch us if you can!” We weave through the trees and along the paths leading back to the pack house, the guys giving chase but never quite catching up, probably more amused than determined to win. As I turn the last corner toward the pack house doors, I glance back to see how far they are and slam straight into someone, sending us both tumbling inside the entryway.

“What the hell?! Could you at least watch where you’re going?” Stacey’s furious voice screeches as she pops up elegantly to her feet, looking down at me with disgust. “This is a pack house, not a playground. Act like it.”

My eyes flash with annoyance. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know the door was open.”

Stacey’s eyes narrow, and she steps closer, her voice rising. “What are you even still doing here? You think you can just cozy up to everyone, hogging Aaron and Ryan, the Alpha Prince, and everyone else in the pack, don’t you? You think you’re special, leading them all on like this?”

I start to respond, but she’s on a tirade. “Why don’t you just leave them alone? We all know what you’re doing here, trying to sleep your way to the top.” Her voice is so loud I can hear conversations around us fall silent.

“What are you even talking about?” I finally manage to cut in, baffled.

“Whoa, wait a minute.” Ethan appears behind me, his voice cool as steel. “A boyfriend? That’s news to us.”

Stacey looks at me with a triumphant gleam. “Maybe you’re better at hiding things than we thought, huh, Selene?”

“Oh, we’ll definitely need to have a talk about this ‘boyfriend’ you’ve been hiding, Bitty.” Devin slides his arm around my shoulders, all while grinning sarcastically at Stacey. “Thanks for bringing it to our attention, Stacey. You should probably be heading home now. You’ve been here long enough.”

With that, he gently but firmly steers me past her and into the kitchen. Kylie closes the door with a definitive snap, leaving Stacey outside in shock. I can’t help but smile as Kylie nudges me. “You okay? She was out for blood today.”

Ryan sidles up beside me. “So, let’s cut to it—do you have a boyfriend?” he asks, looking half-serious but mostly amused.

“Oh, really?” Kylie interjects. “You’re worried about that after she practically accused Selene of every horrible thing under the sun?”

I shake my head, letting out a sigh. “No, Ryan, I don’t have a boyfriend.” I rub my temples, trying to push back the frustration Stacey’s taunts have dredged up. “I’ll grab some food and head to my room.”

The kitchen omegas have, of course, anticipated our hunger. Lenny, one of my favorite omegas, has already prepared a plate for me. She winks as I grab it, shoving it into my hands. “Need you strong for these boys.”

“Thank you, Lenny!” I grin, hugging her quickly before grabbing my food and turning to leave.

After a while, Kylie and I find ourselves back at the hammock in the garden, soaking in the last of the sun. She sighs, lying beside me. “When do you leave?” I ask softly.

She gives me a small smile. “No idea. I thought I’d be back with the Royal pack soon, but now, who knows? I might stay a while longer.” She shifts, her expression a little wistful. “It’s funny, you know? I thought leaving the Royal pack would be a break, but with you, there’s always something happening.”

I chuckle, leaning back. “Maybe I’ll make it into the Elite Warriors and get to see your world.”

She’s about to respond when a shadow falls over us. I look up to see Ethan standing beside the hammock, arms crossed, an unreadable expression on his face. “Well, well, well, here you are. Hope you’re ready to go,” he says, cocking an eyebrow.

I sit up, frowning. “Where to?”

“Alpha Michael wants to talk to you, Bitty,” he says, offering a hand. I give him a skeptical look, but he shrugs. “Guess he has something important to say.”

As we walk back to the pack house, I try not to let nerves creep in. Alpha Michael is usually welcoming, but being called to his office like this is unnerving.

In the office, he looks up as we enter. “Ah, Selene,” he says with a small smile. “Ethan, if you could wait outside, please?”

Ethan gives me an encouraging nod before stepping out. Alone, I take a seat across from Alpha Michael, feeling a weight settle over the room.

“Selene, let me start by saying you are not in trouble,” he says, watching me carefully. “But I believe you may be able to help us.”

I exhale in relief but stay cautious. “What’s this about?”

“During the lockdown, we found evidence of an intruder. But it’s…strange.” He takes a deep breath, his expression tightening. “They left a message, and while there was no scent trail, we think there’s a connection to recent threats against the pack.”

My stomach churns. “You think it could be someone within the pack?”

“Exactly.” He studies me closely. “Your unique sense of smell, your ability to tell people apart even when they’re dressed the same—that might help us.”

My head spins as I try to process this. “You really think I could help?”

“I do. I know my mate and sons would prefer you stay out of this, but protecting the pack requires every skill and advantage we have.” His voice softens. “It’s entirely your choice, Selene. And while you’re under my roof, you have my word that you’re safe.”

I nod, the weight of the conversation settling over me. This isn’t just about keeping myself safe anymore—it’s about protecting those I care about. The pressure mounts, but it’s strangely comforting to know that he trusts me enough to include me in something this critical.