"Just tell us how to get there, Lana. We've been through this already. You're not coming with us," Janet pleaded once again. How many times was she going to have to tell her that she couldn't come? Since they came to her three weeks ago, Lana has been firm about not telling them until they agreed to take her. They were wasting time by arguing like this.
Lana stood with her arms crossed, her expression firm. She stared at Janet as she made her case. She knew Janet was the only one who opposed her plan, but she couldn't risk anyone's safety by allowing them to go alone.
"Janet, I understand where you're coming from," Lana began, trying to appeal to Janet's rational side. "I know I can be a liability, but trust me, the only way I'll help you get to the hunters' base is if I go with you. It's not safe for anyone to go alone."
"There are traps everywhere laced with silver. If you fall into even one of those traps, that's it. You'll get swarmed," Lana insisted. "I know exactly where they are. I even know a back entrance that will catch them off guard. I can guide us through safely. I am more of an asset than a liability."
Deanna, who had been silently observing the exchange, finally spoke up. "Look, she has been with us for three years. She has shown her loyalty to the Alpha and to the pack. I think we should let Lana come with us," she suggested. "This would be a great opportunity for her to prove herself as a valuable member of the pack."
Lana knew Deanna was referring to the time she had bravely defended Kasia when Aimee tried to attack her from behind. The memory of the incident still made her heart race. She recalled the fear that she felt for Kasia and not for herself. That fear made her move to stand in the way of Aimee. But despite her courage that day, most of the pack members still thought Lana was useless because she was a human. And it hurt- more than she cared to admit.
"Even though Lana saved Kasia, people still doubt her place in this pack," Deanna continued. "If she can help us navigate the traps, then we have a better chance of succeeding and could help with the political route."
"Political route?" Janet asked.
"Our Alpha is pushing the message that we should not be prejudiced against humans because of one cult-like organization. Lana would be a great representation of that. She was a hunter and chose not to walk that path because she saw how damaging being a hunter was. Her leading us to the base would strengthen that approach," Deanna explained.
Janet sighed, still not entirely convinced. "I still don't think this is a good idea."
"For the love of the goddess, why the hesitancy, Janet?" Deanna groaned, slamming her hand down on the table. "We've been having the same conversation for three weeks now. We're wasting time now. There has to be another reason as to why you don't want her to come with us, because this does not make any sense."
"Because we swore an oath to not endanger our pack members," Janet responded. She couldn't tell Deanna the truth; she couldn't explain to Deanna why Lana couldn't come, as Deanna didn't know that Lana was Kasia's sister. If something happened to Lana under her watch, Kasia would go scorched earth.
"I think we should let her come," Lily chimed in. "It could potentially minimize casualties."
As she said this, Lily opened a telepathic link to Janet and whispered her thoughts directly into her mind. "Lana is just like Kasia. She will sneak off and follow anyway, so it's better to agree and keep her protected or risk her getting hurt because no one knew she was coming."
At Lily's words, Janet groaned in frustration. She knew how stubborn and determined both sisters were. They shared a fierce loyalty to those they cared about, and Lana wouldn't hesitate to put herself in danger to help others.
"Alright, Lana, you're in," Janet said, trying to hide the worry in her voice. "Let's start talking strategy." As Janet, Lana, and Deanna began to discuss their plans, Lily excused herself and left the room.
Lily knew that it was time to check on Kasia. She had noticed earlier that Ethan had another female visitor- a tall, raven-haired woman. The woman's presence had been the talk of the pack, as she came from a well-established Lycan pack, and Lily couldn't help but feel that Kasia would be upset about it.
As she walked through the dimly lit hallway towards Kasia's office, her mind wandered to the complicated relationship between Kasia and Ethan. The fierce hunter and the Alpha King of werewolves and Lycans were two sides of the same coin, both driven by loyalty and duty yet struggling with their growing feelings for one another.
Lost in thought, Lily almost didn't notice Ethan walking towards her. He was so absorbed in his own thoughts that he didn't realize she was there. He was clearly wrestling with something; his brow furrowed and his jaw clenched tight.
"Hello, Alpha Ethan," Lily called out gently. "How are you doing today?"
Lily watched Ethan walk past her without speaking to her; his expression was troubled and distant. He didn't even see her.
As Ethan disappeared around the corner, Lily decided to make a detour to the kitchen to bring Kasia tea. Reaching Kasia's door, Lily hesitated for a moment before knocking softly. When there was no response, she pushed the door open slowly and stepped inside. The room smelled of lust and frustration.
'So, they did get into an argument,' Lily thought.
Kasia sat at her desk, going through documents with a furrowed brow.
"Kasia," Lily said softly, announcing her presence. "How are you holding up?"