"I need you to repeat what you just said. Slowly."

The boys and I came back to my room shortly after Alice left to talk privately, as my room was the furthest away from the rest of the pack. My hands are shaking at what Killian just told us.

"Alpha Lucas has been kidnapping people for years. He's been experimenting on other wolves for as long as I can remember."

I hear the words he's speaking, but I'm having a hard time registering what he's saying.

"So let me get this straight. You've known about this for years and you didn't think to tell the council? You thought you'd just take matters into your own hands when kids from your pack start to go missing?"

Killian's jaw twitches, his mouth set in an angry line. Patrick and Marcus sit on the opposite side of the room from us, completely silent. This news clearly isn't as shocking to them as it is to me.

"Oh, I can assure you, they know. When Lucas kidnapped and experimented on my mother when I was fourteen, my father was stupid enough to get them involved. And when Lucas murdered him out of revenge, they sat back and sent Lucas on his way with nothing more than a slap on the wrist. When I took over this pack shortly after, I vowed I'd end this my way. The council knows. They're just waiting to see if I make the same messy mistakes my father did."

My heart drops at the sight of the raw emotion on Killian's face.

"I...no. There's no way. The council is there to keep things in order, they're there to make sure you big bad alphas are following the rules. Are you sure?"

"You think your General sent you out here just to find out about this war? They know more about it than you think. They want you to keep tabs on me, to send them details about my every move so that when I take the wrong step, they can swoop in, strip me of my title, and dismantle my pack. Lucas can continue his experiments and the rest of the world will be none the wiser."

I'm speechless. Probably for the first time in my fucking life, I have no idea what to say. I look to Patrick for help, for a lifeline or some clue on what to say, but he looks just as helpless. After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Patrick finally speaks up.

"You have a decision to make here, Rey. Now that you have all the information, you need to decide if you're with us or with the council. General Sage will be checking up on you again soon, and we need to know if we can trust you," he says quietly.

"This is all so much to take in, I don't know what to say," I whisper, my throat tight with unshed tears.

This isn't me. I don't get emotional, I just get my job done. Emotions are messy, after all, and it doesn't do anyone good to get involved with them. But when I look at the desperation on Killian's face, the way he's willing me with his eyes to understand, all I can feel is a mess of emotions.

"Please, Rey. We need your help. We can't do this without you," the way his voice breaks is almost enough to break me.

Without breaking eye contact, I pull out my phone and dial the one number I bothered to save. We connect on the first ring.

"General Sage. I know it's late, but I have some information for you."

Marcus swears in a way that could make even me blush and Patrick slams his fist into the bookshelf. Killian looks crushed and I realize how this looks.

"Of course, dear, it's never too late for you. What happened?"

"Alpha Killian is calling for a truce with Alpha Lucas."

"But why would he do such a thing?"

I can practically hear his smirk through the phone and it makes me want to vomit. I can't believe the one person I've trusted my whole life could sit back and knowingly let this happen.

"He realizes it's within his pack's best interest to have Alpha Lucas on his side."

"Excellent. And when do you propose this will occur?"

"At the end of the month. Alpha Killian plans on inviting the other alphas to witness the truce. I suspect he'll be inviting the council as well," I respond, trying to keep my voice strong and confident despite feeling anything but.

"Marvelous, dear. Marvelous."

He hangs up immediately and I let out a deep breath. My whole body is shaking now, not just my hands; I feel like I'm on the verge of a panic attack. This is a mess and I'm pretty sure I've only just cracked the surface.

"Thank you," Killian whispers roughly.

"Well, uhh, you guys have a month to figure this shit out. I suggest calling your allies back and get them training with you."

"But we still don't know who's leaking information to Alpha Lucas," Marcus interjects.

"Doesn't matter," I shrug. "We'll figure it out when they get here, I'm sure. But right now we need numbers to help get Jacob back and Alpha Lucas and the council already know too much anyways. We can deal with a leak. Now get the fuck out so I can get some sleep."

I shoo them all to the door, exhaustion hitting me full force. Killian stops at the door and looks back at me hesitantly.

"What?" I bark at him.

"Are you... are you okay?" His voice is laced with concern.

"Yeah, just tired. Today has been a lot," I sigh.

I turn away and start pulling my pajamas out of the dresser, fully expecting him to leave. When I turn back around, he's still standing there, rubbing his neck anxiously.

"What is it, Killian? I'm tired, I need a shower, I-"

"Can I sleep with you tonight?" He blurts out.

"Umm, what?" I stop mid-step and stare up at him, wide-eyed and utterly confused.

"I promise there'll be no funny business. We're both tired, I'm just- I just feel a lot more relaxed around you and I haven't slept for shit in years. You know what, never mind, I shouldn't assume-"

"Fine. But you need to shower first, you smell like shit."