5. Val #3
“I imagine there are,” I murmur, frowning as I realize the truth to Marcus’ claim that this might be a lifelong job.
I’ll need to keep Harley from blabbing about us and I’ll need to keep him alive—which could pose an ethical problem.
I cant my head to the side and trace over the scar running from my eyebrow to my jaw then down to my neck.
“And if a shifter does try to eliminate Johansen…”
Marcus doesn’t flinch at all when he answers.
“Kill the shifter. All who know of him have been given orders to leave Harley alone. Anyone who goes against those orders goes against me. I will not tolerate any disobedience in this matter, and I need someone I can truly count on to see to it that my orders are followed. There are other things developing with a pack in Europe that may affect us, and it’s looking like Nathan and I might be taking a trip very soon.
I expect you to keep that information to yourself. ”
“Yes, sir, of course I will.” I don’t ask about the European pack and the goings on there.
Marcus would have told me as much as he wanted me to know.
But this Harley Johansen, he’s either very lucky or he’s somehow come to mean something to Marcus.
Although… I sneak a peek at Nathan, who’s nodding in agreement.
Perhaps it’s Nathan who’s fond of Harley.
Then again, Marcus is nothing if not fair, and it isn’t like this mess is this guy’s fault.
Still, if it comes down to pack safety—hell, all of shifter-kind’s safety—wouldn’t Marcus do what needed to be done, and terminate Harley Johansen?
One look at Marcus’ icy blue-black eyes and I have my answer. Marcus will be as fair as he can, but if it comes down to Harley’s life or being exposed, the guy is toast. I hope Johansen knows that.
“Am I to simply observe?” Or what? Ingratiate myself to the guy, seduce him with my good looks and charm? I give myself a mental eye roll. There is my answer, I’m just to observe. I’m fucked up and blind in one eye and won’t be able to seduce anyone with a lick of sense or decent eyesight.
“Nathan? What do you suggest?” Marcus asks. I see Marcus’ expression soften as he looks at his mate. Nathan glares at me.
“Don’t fuck with Harley’s head or any other part of him,” Nathan orders crisply.
“It’d be best if you could stay in the background.
I wish I believed Harley wouldn’t freak out and run you off—or try to—if you showed up and explained you were only there to help.
Unfortunately, I know better. Harley would shit bricks if he found out you were keeping an eye on him, even though we warned him that would likely happen. ”
I’ve never considered myself a particularly deep or compassionate man.
I haven’t been cruel or anything, but I’ve been content to focus on serving my Alpha Anax and not give a great deal of thought to anything else.
It was much easier to just follow than it was to think for myself and I like a fairly simple life.
How have I become such a brainless sheep? Was I serving with devotion or is it because it was easier to let someone else make all my decisions?
I haven’t done anything different than the other members of Marcus’ guard, but it’s my reasons for doing what I have that I now question. There’s no dishonor in serving because I love and respect my leader. But I’m afraid that isn’t why I’ve done it, at least not wholly.
“Val.”
Hearing my name said in Marcus’ stern voice snaps me out of my ponderings. “I’m sorry,” I say as I fold my hands in my lap and keep my gaze on my bitten fingernails. “Maybe I’m not the best person for this job. Sometimes my mind drifts—”
Marcus cuts me off with a look. “Nonsense. You are exactly who I want watching over Harley. You need to know you can still be useful to this pack, and until you recover your confidence you will be a risk to yourself and others. I hope knowing that Nathan and I have faith in you to do this will help you.”
It doesn’t make sense to me. Marcus says I’m a risk, and yet he also says I’m the person for this job. My head begins to throb as it often does now when I become confused or angry. I want to rub at my temples but don’t dare show any sign of weakness.
“And we wouldn’t have asked this of you if we believed you would be putting Harley at risk,” Nathan adds. “Harley didn’t deserve anything that happened to him.”
I glance at Nathan again, then back to Marcus. “I’ll do it. I won’t fail you.”
Marcus nods once, and it feels like a blessing. Maybe that’s ridiculous, but there it is.
“Good,” Marcus says. “Nathan will make sure you have everything you need. You’ll be moved into the apartment beside Harley’s as soon as possible.”
“Yes, Alpha Anax.”
I stand when Marcus does, because the meeting is clearly over. Nathan’s gaze lingers on me for a second longer, sharp and worried and protective all at once.
“Remember what I said,” Nathan tells me.
“I will.”
I bow my head to them both, then leave the office with my thigh aching and my head pounding and the name Harley Johansen stuck in my thoughts.
Harley Johansen. A human I’m supposed to watch from the shadows, a man who might hate every single thing I am.
It just figures.