Chapter 197

[ 758 words ]

Ronan

“Are you sure you’d be okay with the switch?” I ask Didre.

“I’m fine with it,” she says. “It will be a challenge.”

“Well it’s one you excel at,” I say honestly. “You got all our files into shape and Elliot said you made his mess legible. I would call that a super power.”

The submissive flushes at the praise.

“Your skill isn’t in question here. It’s your comfortability. You know where Oliver stands with the pack. That he is currently a person of interest and until he’s cleared there will be someone assigned to watch him.”

She sits up straighter. “I’m aware. That shouldn’t affect my ability to do my job.”

“Are you sure?” I ask because I need to be sure. The last thing I want to do is put any of my pack members in unnecessary distress.

Especially, with everything going on.

“I can do it,” she asserts.

I incline my head because not to trust her word would mean that I don’t trust her to know her own capabilities.

“You’ll report to the research room on the enforcer building tomorrow at 11.”

“I’ll be there,” she says, giving me a respectful nod and heading out of the office.

“You wanted to tell her no,” Aria says.

“I did,” I admit.

“Why? Do you truly believe Oliver would hurt her?” Aria’s wolf shines in her eyes as she absently rubs her hand over her swelling stomach.

“No. I don’t think he would hurt her. But choosing her wasn’t unintentional.”

She studies me the way only she can. I feel her cord poking around in our bond.

“You feel guilty for using her,” she says.

“Of course I do. But Oliver is on his guard. He completely cut off Quinnie and he won’t give too much away when anyone speaks to him. We need the most unassuming person for a change at him dropping his guard.”

She turns to me with her nose scrunched. “What if he is just aware that everything he says won’t be taken as truth so he just doesn’t want to try.”

“So you think he’s being honest?” I question.

“I don’t know but I’m trying to see all sides here. If he was being honest, he just threw himself in front of a bullet to save a pregnant female while reaching out for help, and his reward is being placed under suspicion, taken from his pack and having his life’s work completely uprooted. If I were him I wouldn’t be quick to comply either.”

“You make a point, but only if he’s innocent. Unfortunately, we can’t risk giving him the benefit of the doubt,” I remind her.

My wolf agrees.

She growls in frustration. “I hate this.”

I rub her back, trying to soothe her. “I know, baby. It’s hard, but right now we have to err on the side of caution.”

“I know.” She leans into me, giving me all of her weight.

“How about we set you up in the back with Low and Xochitl while I go check in with Oliver.”

“Fine. But I know what you’re doing. You’re trying to keep me away from him,” she accuses.

I don’t bother denying it because it’s true. “I just want to make sure you’re safe.”

She stares at me like my intelligence took a nose dive and holds up her hand pointedly.

The flames that lick her palm heat up the office.

“Oh, because suddenly I’m incapable?”

I laugh uneasily. Aria’s mood swings have been ramping up and I don’t want to have my hair singed off.

“Of course not sweetheart. But you know I worry and it just takes one thing off my shoulders to know that you’re not in the way of potential harm.”

She pouts, but her fire pulls back so I take that as a good sign.

With Aria placated, I guide her to the backyard where Low is working on footwork going through an elaborate obstacle course Xochitl worked with one of our builders to get up.

I seat her on the lounge chair and bring out some tea.

“Theo should be back soon,” I run my hands through her hair, enjoying the feel of her silky strands running through my fingers.

“Okay,” she reaches out for a kiss.

I give her exactly what she wants, letting my lips cover her and plunging my tongue into her hot mouth. I swear her mouth with my claim, feast on her full lips, as I grab the back of her head and angle her so I can get deeper.

My wolf urges me to take our mate back upstairs and fill her with our scent.

It’s a struggle to remember where we are and convince myself that I don’t have time to get her naked.

Not now, at least.

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