Kieran strode through the dimly lit camp. His soldiers were still moving like shadows between the tents, dousing fires, cleaning weapons, preparing for another bloody dawn.
His stomach turned. If Emerald's plan failed, these men would be walking into a massacre.
"Alpha?"
He turned to see his Beta, Will, standing just ahead of him, with his arms crossed.
"You've ordered a covert unit to prepare. What's going on?" Will asked.
Kieran exhaled heavily. "We have a new plan."
The words hung like a stone dropped into still water.
Will narrowed his eyes. "Why do I feel like I'm not going to want to hear it?"
"You won't," Kieran answered simply. His voice carried no room for argument. "And you're not going to hear it. No one is. You'll follow orders when they come, step by step, without question."
For a moment, Will said nothing. Then, slowly, he nodded. "Understood."
