Ethan

The commander’s words sink in slowly, but I keep my spirits high despite the bad news he’s delivering.

Unlike the detective, I had the intelligence to think ahead. “Then I suppose it’s a good thing I made copies of every paper we found in Eve’s safe.” I muse aloud.

“You made copies?” The commander responds excitedly.

“Yes, I had a feeling about Detective Smithers, you see”I share. In fact, I made three sets of copies and promptly hid them. I’d been so paranoid about the conspiracy that I even made sure to put them in different locations. Unlocking my office safe, I pull out the copy lI brought to work. “I’m looking at them right now. If you send someone quickly, they might catch me before I leave for the day.”

Before he even responds to me, I can hear the commander barking orders to a uniformed officer in the background. “You, get to the pack headquarters this instant, go straight to the Alpha. No stops on the way.”
Once he finishes, his volume increases as he returns his mouth to the receiver, “Done. You know it’s the strangest thing. We found out about all this because Smithers got hacked this afternoon.”

“ls that so?” I inquire innocently. “Well, wasn’t that lucky for us?”

“Indeed.” He agrees, sounding more relaxed now that he knows the evidence wasn’t completely lost. “Of course we won’t be investigating that, since whoever is responsible exposed a traitor in our ranks. We really owe them.”

“If l hear anything about it l’l be sure to pass on your appreciation.” l offer, deciding not to excoriate the man for missing that all of this was happening right under his nose. After all, I’ve been there. I know just how cunning Eve can be, and how skilled she is at hiding her schemes.

As if he can read my thoughts, the commander states, “And l’m sorry for everything he’s put your family through, Alpha. I feel horribly responsible for not seeing his corruption sooner.”

“Thank you” l accept graciously, “l understand better than you think, but you should know this doesn’t end with me. The public isn’t going to be happy when this comes out”

“Ah” He replies, clearly understanding my warning about the hack reaching the papers. “Then l’ll begin writing my press statement now.”

“And l’ll go tell my mate the investigation into her is finally closed” I answer, wanting to hear him confirm it, just in case.

“Tell her congratulations from me, sir:” He answers, a bit more stiffly now. I imagine he’s not happy that this story is going to get out – it will be a public humiliation for the force. Still, I think he also realizes any other Alpha would have removed him from his position as punishment, and accepts that keeping his job comes with a price.

Hanging up the phone, I wait until the officer arrives and hand over the copied files, before heading home to Jane and the pups. When I walk in the door, four energetic munchkins rush my legs. “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!”

hug squeezing them tightly even though they clearly didn’t come to me for cuddles. They’re squirming excitedly, trying

tell her, can we

and now she stood in the center, clearly nonplussed. “In a little while.” I promise them, “Mommy

the sooner Mommy and l finish our conversation, the sooner

Ryder and Parker instantly race off to their rooms, but Paisley stays snug against my ch3st, his little arms wrapped around my neck. Chuckling softly,

me, “| like it better

right now with everything going on. People need to see me out and about, it’s important for leaders

more than the people.” Paisley tells me, slightly

that so?” I ask, searching

She explains, as if l should

a little bit like being the pack’s Daddy.” I explain. “l have to take care of, and protect everyone

her little nose.

if she thinks that I’ll sweep her up alongside Paisley if she gives me the chance. Such a clever little mate. “And you’re Daddy’s the strongest wolf in the pack, so

choice?” Paisley asks me, blinking

I love

right Daddy?”

right” I nod

She answers, reluctantly accepting that she can’t have me all to herself. “As long as you don’t love the pack

possible. I love you pups and your Mommy a million gazillion times more than I love the

by my answer and now squirming to get down so she can run off and

are flushed with color when I turn to her, and to my surprise, she’s scowling at me. “What?” I ask

determinedly staring at the

my hands on her wa!st before she can think

it makes it a lot harder to hate you.” She confesses begrudgingly, every bit as sullen as Paisley had been a few minutes ago when she told me she needed me

still won’t turn her head

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