Chapter 344: Accidental Surrogate

"All right," I said, keeping a watchful eye on potential trouble, both internal and external, as I surveyed my assembled team. "We're here to formulate a concrete plan for our next move against the Cult that attacked our pack and attempted to kidnap my child. Everyone here has been briefed on yesterday's events. I commend your work in gathering the information needed for our next step. Now it's time to act. Dad?"

I directed the group's attention to him, eager to hear his assessment of the reconnaissance missions assigned yesterday and last night.

"Right," my father began, leaning forward and glancing at his papers, though I knew he'd memorized them. "Our capture of a Dark Priest yesterday morning yielded significant new information, though not definitive answers on how to stop these attacks. However, a crucial piece of intelligence emerged last night."

I listened to my father, but kept my eyes on the room, assessing my men's reactions. An assault team would be necessary, and I needed the best and most committed members. At my father's final point, most perked up, but a few men's eyes gleamed with unsettling intensity.

"Last night, we considered a significant detail: while Ella and Dominic shifted into their wolf forms to attack Rafe's abductors, the attackers remained in human form. I especially commend Conner O'Malley for noticing this."

All eyes turned to the bulky, red-haired young man, who nodded humbly, a blush coloring his pale cheeks. I nodded back, mentally marking him as a potential ally.

"At least one man," my father continued, "had to remain human to carry the child. But the others continued the assault without shifting, which, as we know, is unusual and put them at a significant disadvantage."

Ella and I exchanged knowing glances, a little embarrassed that neither of us had noticed this earlier. Given the number of attackers, the fight should have been far more difficult had they shifted.

"It's been speculated," my father continued, "that they never intended to take my grandson; they were a distraction to allow the captured Priest—who escaped—to flee."

My father paused, considering this, and the room hung on his words.

"However," he continued, turning to a slim, dark-haired young man, "Simon suggested an alternative. Simon?"

"Okay," Simon said, leaning forward, seemingly a little flustered but responding capably. "According to reports," he nodded politely to Ella, who smiled at him, "the men moved with incredible speed and broke recently installed, reinforced glass. The attackers clearly used the magic known to Cult members."

"Ella," I interjected, turning to her. "Does this align with your memory?"

"Yes," she said, sitting up and looking around. "Their speed and entry through the windowit was unlike anything an average wolf could do unaided."

I nodded my thanks, and her smile made a small smile twitch at my lips—a reaction I usually suppressed during work. She was undeniably cute. Roger was right; I let her get away with more than anyone else.

Ignoring these thoughts, I turned back to Simon, inviting him to continue. He seemed too small for an assault team, but clearly intelligent. I'd assign him more demanding tasks to assess his capabilities.

"One explanation," Simon continued, "for the lack of shifting and the use of magic, stems from my understanding of certain Goddess priestesses. It's uncommon, but in some remote enclaves, monasteries really, priestesses bind their wolves to differently access magic for communication and transformation."

"Oh," Cora exclaimed, surprised. The rest of us shifted uncomfortably. The idea of forcibly suppressing one's wolf was incredibly painful and isolating—a form of self-flagellation that every wolf in the room recoiled from.

My own wolf bared his teeth at the thought. I mentally reassured him.

"How do you know this?" Roger asked, sharply but curiously. "I've never heard of this practice."

"Um" Simon said, looking down, perhaps embarrassed. "My motherlives in one of those communities. I was born there."

My eyebrows shot up. I'd hired Simon three years ago, recognizing his intelligence, work ethic, and potential. Our background check revealed his remote origins, but not his unique connection to a Goddess priestess. I'd need a further discussion with him about his background and transparency.

Still, I understood his silence. Such practices likely occur in remote, ostracized communities. He may have kept it secret to protect his mother or avoid being ostracized.

I met Simon's gaze, offering a reassuring but firm nod—acknowledging his honesty while signaling future conversations. He nodded back.

I turned to my father. "This is significant, if true," I said. I knew its implications, but wanted his input before voicing my thoughts.

"We may have a significant advantage if we attack in force," Henry continued. "If we're facing Cult members without access to their wolf forms, even with magic, our superior physical force might be overwhelming. I suggest a swift attack, before they realize what we know."

I nodded in agreement, pleased by our alignment. "We move tonight," I declared. "Roger and I will lead."

"Absolutely not," Ella growled, rising and glaring at me. "I will not allow it."

Everyone froze, unsure how to react. It was the first time anyone had defied me, and the first time Ella had actively participated.

Ella and I locked gazes, neither willing to yield.