Helios

Chapter 5

Rei's gaze bore into me as we drove, the silence between us heavier than usual. I could feel her tension simmering beneath the surface, and finally, she broke the quiet.

"What happened while I was gone?" she asked, her voice even but probing.

I didn't want to dive into every detail of my conversation with Francis, not yet. "He told me about the alpha meeting happening this weekend," I said, keeping my tone neutral. "If I can get Alpha Marcus to let me sit in, I might be able to find out more about the rogue attacks. The quicker I figure this out, the quicker we can go home."

Rei gave a brief nod, but something in her expression told me she wasn't satisfied with the half-answer. After a moment, she added, "There's something else I need to tell you."

I frowned, waiting.

"I have to head back to the council," Rei said, her tone flat.

My stomach dropped. "What? No, you can't leave me here alone! What the hell is Herald thinking, sending me into a den of wolves with no backup?"

"I don't have a choice," she replied calmly, though I could sense a sliver of guilt beneath her composed exterior. "Orders are orders. I have to go."

I clenched my fists, feeling frustration bubble up inside me. Of all the times for the council to pull her back, it had to be now—just when things were getting complicated. "And I'm supposed to just wander into this meeting with a bunch of alphas by myself?"

Rei didn't answer immediately, her eyes focused on the road ahead. Finally, she said, "You'll manage. You always do."

That wasn't the reassurance I needed, but there wasn't much point in arguing. By the time we reached Alpha Marcus's territory, my head was spinning with plans and contingency options. And as the car pulled up to the pack house, Marcus himself was already waiting outside.

He looked younger than I'd expected—jet black hair, well-built, and carrying an air of playful confidence. He greeted me with a grin, his arms crossed casually over his chest. "Naomi, right?" he said, his voice relaxed. "Welcome to my humble abode."

I glanced over at Rei, who was already preparing to leave. "You're not staying?" I asked, a last-ditch effort to keep her here.

Rei shook her head, her eyes softening for a brief moment. "I'll be back soon. Stay safe."

With that, she got back into the car and drove off, leaving me standing next to Marcus, feeling more exposed than I liked. He motioned for me to follow him, his demeanor still lighthearted.

"So," he said as we walked toward the pack house, "mind telling me why a vampire is interested in attending a meeting of alphas? You know that's like asking to get mauled, right?"

I shot him a sharp look. "I'm not here to make trouble. I want to help figure out what's going on with the rogues."

Marcus chuckled, the sound deep and amused. "Right. Sure. Because wolves always love a vampire sticking her fangs where they don't belong."

I gritted my teeth. "I'm serious. I'm here to find out more about the rogue attacks. I can help—"

He cut me off with another laugh, this one more incredulous. "You really think you can just waltz into a room full of wolves, especially alphas, and no one's going to see you as a threat? That's suicide, sweetheart."

I stopped walking, my patience fraying. "I don't have a choice. I need answers, and I know there's more going on here than you or anyone else is willing to admit."

Marcus's playful grin faltered, and his eyes darkened as he studied me more carefully. "What exactly are you looking for?"

I hesitated, knowing this was a gamble. But there was no point in dancing around it any longer. "I need to know more about Acyn."