19. Chapter 19
Nadia still smelled like him.
The intelligence report lay spread across Jace’s desk like a dissection of Nadia’s nightmares made tangible.
Rhys stood at the window, his scarred knuckles locked behind him at his belt. Nadia sat in the chair opposite Jace, forcing herself to read every word even as her stomach threatened to rebel.
Bounty offered for the return of omega female Nadia Garcia, last seen fleeing Thornwood-aligned territory. Subject is considered stolen property per pack-law definition. Reward: significant territorial concessions to any pack facilitating her recovery.
“There’s more.” Jace kept his face blank. He slid another document across the desk.
Nadia picked it up with hands that wanted to shake. A tactical assessment. Thornwood’s plans for expanding their influence by targeting refuge packs. Using her escape as justification for a broader campaign.
Blackridge’s acceptance of stolen property demonstrates their contempt for pack law and tradition. Their defiance provides grounds for intervention.
“Yes.” Jace met her eyes steadily. “Thornwood has been looking for justification to move against refuge packs for years. Your escape gave them the opening they needed.”
“Show me the bounty details.” She steadied herself against the rage building under her ribs.
Jace hesitated. “Nadia, ”
“Show me.”
Subject characteristics: Omega female, approximately 26 years old, dark hair, distinctive scarring on left shoulder from previous discipline. Trained in domestic service. Estimated value in territorial negotiations...
The words blurred. Not from tears, but from the white-hot fury that burned through every trace of fear.
“They’re offering concessions to any pack that delivers me. What kind of concessions?”
Rhys’s hand curled on the table.
“Hunting rights. Water access. Trade agreements.” Rhys’s jaw flexed. “Enough to tempt smaller packs struggling with resources.”
“So I’m worth rivers and prey and political favor.” Nadia set the paper down carefully. “That’s what running cost me. A higher price on my head.”
“Thornwood can claim whatever they want. We’re not surrendering you.” Jace’s expression was fierce, but Nadia could see his wolf riding hot underneath. The same coiled stillness she’d watched him hold in the council chamber. “That part isn’t negotiable.”
“They’re going to use me to destroy everything you’ve built.” “Every wolf who found safety here. Every pack that follows Blackridge’s example. Thornwood will crush them all, and they’ll do it in my name.”
“Then we fight.” Rhys moved from the window, his limp pronounced but his presence solid. “We’ve faced political pressure before.”
“Then we need to stop reacting.” Her tone hardened. Certain. “Stop waiting for them to make the next move.”
Rhys’s hands tightened on her shoulders. “What are you thinking?”
“Something they won’t expect.” She turned back to the bounty notice. “Give me tonight.”
Jace nodded. Rhys said nothing, but his fear pulsed off him sharp enough to taste.
They walked back to his quarters in silence. Inside, she pressed against his chest and breathed him in. Pine. Leather. The solid weight of a wolf who would follow her into anything.