Chapter 113

Erin’s POV

“I don’t believe that at all. Gavin wouldn’t betray me like that,” I said, shaking my head.

I had to admit that I had my own concerns, especially after that wolf called him a traitor. But there had to be an actual explanation. Other than the fact that he was part of the Killer organization.

Gavin was the strongest and most powerful Alpha; there was no way he would be part of something like that.

“There’s a reason why he’s being called a traitor by a member of the organization,” Theo said, staring between the two of us. “We were blind to Judy’s motives in the past and we aren’t going to make a mistake like that again. We can’t be too careful anymore.”

“There has to be another explanation,” I said, shaking my head. “He wouldn’t do that to me.”

“Erin, I know he’s your mate and you have feelings towards him. But you might need to be prepared for the worst scenario. Your feelings are going to get you killed if you aren’t careful.”

“Can I at least talk to him before we decide anything?” I asked.

“And tell him what, exactly?” Theo asked, raising his brows. “You can’t tell him that you are part of the Moonshadow organization.”

“I’ll be able to tell if he’s lying to me,” I told him. “Just give me some time to speak with him.”

I looked over at Henry for some extra assistance. He’s been quiet up until that point.

“I think Theo is right, Erin,” Henry said, staring down at me. “We need to be careful when we are dealing with someone like Gavin. I’m not saying he’s part of the Killer organization, but if he is, with how powerful he is, he could be incredibly dangerous to the entire world. He’s not going to openly tell you the truth. We need to treat it like any other obstacle we’ve encountered. Strategically.”

I hated to admit that he was right. Gavin’s motives weren’t guaranteed, and we couldn’t take the chance.

“You couldn’t seriously think our mate would betray us like that, do you?” Emily asked, worried in her tone.

“I’m not sure…” I admitted to her. “We aren’t sure what he’s capable of and that scares me. But all I know is that one wolf called him a traitor and we aren’t sure why. We need to eliminate all scenarios.”

I looked back over at Theo.

“So, what’s the plan? What are we thinking?” I asked.

He stared at me, silently, for a short moment, staring around my face as the ideas surfaced in his mind. He then pressed his hands together and leaned across his desk and toward us.

“We need you to go undercover and find out everything you can,” Theo answered.

Henry tensed from beside; he knew where this was going.

We both did and I could feel my heart weighing heavily in my chest.

He wanted me to go back to Gavin’s packhouse and be undercover. Snoop through his things, watch him like a hawk and find out everything I can during my time there.

“Do you think that’s wise?” Henry asked before I had the chance to say anything. “If he’s dangerous, maybe we shouldn’t have Erin spending time with him alone in his packhouse.”

“We don’t know if he’s dangerous,” I said quickly.

“But we have to treat him like he is,” Henry said in return.

“With the idea that he could be dangerous, Erin will need to be on her game,” Theo continued. “Don’t let your guard down for even a moment,” he added, looking directly at me. “Regardless of how hard you want to, you need to remember your mission.”

“You want me to go there and pretend to what?” I asked. “To be his girlfriend?”

“It shouldn’t be hard. You are his mate after all,” Theo said with a shrug. “But like I said, don’t let your guard down and stay in character. I’ll need you to keep me updated on everything.”

“What about me?” Henry asked. “What should I be doing in the meantime?”

“Continue with your job at the law firm and lay low until you are needed,” Theo explained. “Erin will stay in communication with you through the channel. But for this to work, you need to play the role of Henry the lawyer. Is that understood?”

We both nodded, though I knew Henry wasn’t happy about this.

Theo looked at me.

“I want you at Gavin’s packhouse by sundown,” he ordered.

“What if we find out he’s part of the Killer organization?” Henry asked.

“Which he’s not…” I added. “But if he is… what do we do?”

“That’s a bridge we will cross when we get to it,” Theo answered. “In the meantime, try to get what you can out of him and everyone around him.”

I nodded and turned away with Henry trailing behind me.

“Oh, and Erin,” Theo called after me. “You might need to attend that Alpha convention with him, so act nicely toward him.”

My heart fell into my stomach.

The Alpha convention?

Why did I need to attend that with him?

I wanted to ask, but Theo was back to working on his computer. I sighed and left his office.

…

Back at home, I was finishing packing my belongings. It was late in the evening and the sun was setting. It was time to go to Gavin’s packhouse and pretend that I was interested in him.

“You aren’t pretending anything,” Emily chuckled. “You really are interested in him. It’s the mate bond. You can’t help it.”

“This is a mission, Emily,” I said to her in return. “We aren’t doing this because of the mate bond. We are doing this because Gavin is being suspected of being part of the Killer organization. I want to clear his name.”

“Well, sure you do,” Emily sighed. “That’s because you love him. You already know the truth, now you just need to convince the others.”

She was right; I did know the truth. Gavin would never do something like this, and he would never betray my trust.

There was a small knock on my door and glanced over at Henry leaning against the door frame.

“Are you almost ready?” He asked, staring at my suitcase.

I nodded.

“Are you going to be okay?” I asked in return.

He shrugged.

“Well, I’m losing my wife so I’ve been better,” he said, shaking his head with dismay written all over his face.

“Your fake wife,” I pointed out with a small smile.

He matched my smile with his own.

“I’m going to miss you here,” he said. “But this is only temporary. Right?”

“Yes, of course,” I said with another nod.

I pulled my suitcase off my bed and walked toward him.

“I’ll keep you updated on everything that happens,” I assured him. “I need you to trust me though.”

He thought about it for a moment before nodding his head.

“I trust you,” he said in return.

I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tightly.

Soon, we were parting ways. I had to practice what I was going to say to Gavin when I showed up at his packhouse.

…

Gavin’s POV

Gavin was sitting in his office when his Beta knocked on his door.

“Come in,” Gavin said, already knowing that it was Beta Seth.

“Alpha, you have a visitor here,” Seth told him.

Gavin could sense Erin was nearby; it wasn’t often she came to visit him of her own free will and plus they had only parted ways a few hours ago.

“Send her in,” Gavin ordered.

Seth nodded and then stepped aside for Erin to walk through.

He stood to his feet quickly when he saw that she’d been crying. Her eyes were red, and she was carrying a suitcase.

“What’s going on?” He asked, walking around his desk and toward her.

She stared up at him with tear-filled eyes.

“Henry and I broke up…” she sniffled. “And he kicked me out.”