"You what?" Finn's voice cracked through the room like a whip.
Ezra's temples throbbed. His beta's volume wasn't helping. He pressed two fingers between his brows, willing himself not to snap.
"She needed a job," Trent said from the corner. He wasn't supposed to be here. He was meant to be training the new cubs, but that was no longer optional. Ezra didn't bother chasing him out.
"Come on, Finn. She needed work, so I brought her to the one person who could give it, Ezra."
Finn's gaze flicked to Nyra. She was perched on Trent's lap like a lazy cat while he kneaded her shoulders. Being mates had made them insufferable, though Ezra supposed that wasn't the real problem here. Their bond had been sealed the moment Nyra turned seventeen.
Ezra met Finn's eyes. "She needed a job."
"And you thought making her your mother's assistant was the best idea? We were supposed to keep things subtle, make sure she never finds out about us."
The growl that rumbled from Ezra's chest had Finn lowering his head in an instant.
"Do not question my authority."
"Yes, Alpha."
"But Ezra," Finn tried again, softer this time, "how do we keep the truth from her?"
"She'll be handling numbers and basic admin. Nothing that touches the pack matters," Ezra said, scanning the room. "She won't see anything she shouldn't."
"Speaking of things she shouldn't see," Trent cut in, standing now, "we almost had a breach."
Ezra's head lifted. "Where?"
"Crushwave falls, near the valley. Picked up an unfamiliar scent."
"Rogue?" Finn asked.
"Could be. Or maybe a pup who just turned," Nyra said.
"Unlikely," Trent replied. "We know everyone on this island, and no one's been bitten."
"What does Kael think?" Ezra asked.
"He confirmed it's not a known scent. You know any newly bitten wolf would reek."
"Where is Kael?" Nyra asked.
"My mother requested him," Ezra said.
Trent leaned forward. "So? What's the move?"
"For now, we tighten patrols around the forest," Ezra said. "Pair up, rotate shifts. I want our best trackers out there. Whoever crossed into our land—turned or rogue—we find them before they find us.
****
Summer rounded the corner and nearly missed them. Papa Jake was leaning against the hood of his truck, arms folded, snow beading in his beard. Jesse stood beside him, hands shoved deep into his jacket pockets, eyes fixed on the children who were building a snowman.
"Hey, guys." She waved.
"Hey, baby girl. Congratulations on your job."
"Thanks, Papa Jake."
"Oh, you got a job?" She turned to Jesse.
"Yeah. Ezra offered me."
"He did?" Jesse's eyes widened.
"Yeah."
"Maybe I should get a job with him—"
Papa Jake's gaze snapped to Jesse. The look was enough to make Jesse's shoulders sink. He nodded once and left.
"I'll see you at dinner," Jesse muttered.
"What was that about?" Summer asked, watching him go.
"He's needed somewhere."
"Okay."
Jake studied her. "You sure you want to work for Ezra? There are other jobs in town and the valley."
"I'm sure. It's close, and it's what I've done before."
"All I care about is you being safe." The lines around his eyes deepened.
She smiled. "I promise I'll be safe."
She left him there and stepped into the house. The quiet didn't bother her anymore; people here kept strange hours, but the moment she opened her bedroom door, her stomach dropped.
Her clothes were scattered. The mirror was smashed, shards glittering on the floor. And then she smelled blood.
She checked herself. No cuts. She walked farther into the room, the smell of blood deeper.
On the wardrobe door, written in blood: LEAVE THIS ISLAND MURDERER.
Beneath it lay a cat.
"Summer!" Papa Jake's voice cut through the shock. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah." She crouched, realizing the cat was still breathing. "I think it's alive."
"Be careful with the glass."
"I am." She lifted the cat and turned toward him.
"You called, Papa Jake?" Jesse appeared, but stopped short, his expression shifting as the smell hit him.
"Get the truck. Now," Jake ordered.
"Come on, baby girl, let's go."
"But who would do this? I don't even know anyone here."
"Don't think about them right now." He took her hand and guided her out. They moved carefully through the wreckage, climbed into the truck bed, and were gone.