Chapter 41 - The Builder
1187 Words
Brent's eyes moved around the room several times before finally settling on Thorne.
Years of hauling timber, lifting stone, and constructing homes had left Brent broad-shouldered and heavily muscled. He was one of the few wolves in the territory who could stand eye-to-eye with Thorne.
Yet he looked distinctly uncomfortable sitting across from him.
The swallow that followed was loud enough for everyone to hear.
Elara couldn't blame him.
The Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Luna of Draegon were all watching him.
Thorne wasn't helping.
His expression gave nothing away as he sat behind the desk, his attention fixed entirely on the builder.
The office had been quiet before Brent arrived.
Now it felt almost suffocating.
"Do you know why you're here?" Thorne asked.
Brent shook his head immediately.
"No, Alpha."
His answer came a little too quickly, though Elara couldn't tell whether it was nerves or honesty.
Thorne leaned back slightly.
"How long have you worked construction for Draegon?"
The question seemed to catch Brent off guard.
"Since I was sixteen."
"That's twelve years."
"Yes, Alpha."
"You've worked on housing projects, storage facilities, training grounds and pack offices."
Brent nodded, his gaze flicking briefly toward Kaia as she moved behind him.
"Most of them."
"You move around the territory more than most wolves."
A crease formed between Brent's brows.
"I suppose."
Thorne sat behind the desk looking like he could stare a confession out of someone.
Kaia moved around the room with quiet purpose, never saying a word, yet somehow making Brent even more aware of her presence.
Watching them, Elara wondered if there was some secret leadership meeting she hadn't been invited to.
If this was an intimidation tactic, it was working.
Elara found herself understanding exactly why Kaia held the title of Beta.
The builder still looked confused.
Which wasn't helping her decide whether that was a good thing or a bad one.
"What exactly is this about?" Brent finally asked, then quickly added, "Alpha."
The pause lasted long enough for his shoulders to stiffen.
Then Thorne spoke.
"We believe information has been leaving the territory."
Brent blinked.
He simply stared.
Then his eyes widened.
"You think it's me?"
The colour seemed to drain from his face.
His gaze flicked briefly toward Elara before immediately returning to Thorne.
Thorne's eyes narrowed.
"She is your Luna."
"Yes, Alpha."
The answer came so quickly it was almost automatic.
Elara fought to keep her surprise from showing.
This was the first time she had heard Thorne refer to her as Luna with the respect the title deserved.
As though he truly saw her as his Luna.
Brent lowered his gaze.
"I meant no disrespect."
Nobody spoke.
Brent looked toward Rowan and then Rafe.
"I would never betray this pack."
The words came faster now.
"Draegon is my home. My father was Draegon. My grandfather was Draegon. His father before him."
His hands tightened against his thighs.
"My family has lived here for generations."
The conviction in his voice caught Elara's attention.
Brent wasn't a warrior.
He wasn't part of leadership.
Most wolves in the territory probably knew him as the wolf who repaired roofs, expanded homes, and spent his days covered in sawdust rather than blood.
Yet listening to him now, she was reminded that packs weren't built by Alphas alone.
They were built by wolves like Brent.
Wolves who raised homes, repaired damage after storms, and spent years strengthening the territory without asking for recognition.
Draegon wasn't simply where he lived.
It was where his family had lived for generations.
"It isn't me, Alpha."
He swallowed.
"I leave the territory for supplies and then I come straight back."
His gaze returned to Thorne.
"I don't meet with outsiders. I don't pass information. Most days I barely have enough time to finish the work already waiting for me."
"I swear it."
Thorne waited a beat before speaking.
"No conclusions have been made."
Brent nodded quickly.
"Of course, Alpha."
"You leave the territory for supplies."
"Yes."
"How often?"
"Usually once every week or two. Depends on what we're building."
"And you travel alone?"
"Most of the time."
Rowan glanced down at the notes in front of him.
"The council knew details regarding the Valamere prisoners."
Brent frowned.
"What prisoners?"
The question came without hesitation.
Rafe studied him carefully.
"You never heard about them?"
Brent shook his head.
"No."
"You heard about the escape?"
Another shake of his head.
"I don't know any of that."
Elara noticed Rowan looking through several pages.
The Gamma's brow furrowed.
Then he looked up.
"His supply runs don't match."
Everyone turned toward him.
Rowan tapped a finger against the page.
"The information reached the council before Brent left the territory."
Rowan glanced at another page.
"He was also on a supply run the entire day the wolves escaped."
Nobody spoke.
The faint scratch of paper filled the room as Rowan reviewed the dates again.
Brent sat rigid in his chair.
Elara doubted he had moved more than a few inches since the questioning began.
The builder's gaze shifted between Rowan and Thorne.
Waiting.
Hoping.
For the first time since he entered the office, Elara found herself hoping Rowan would find something that cleared him too.
Brent looked completely lost.
Rowan checked the dates again.
Then a third time.
Finally, he set the papers down.
"It couldn't have been him."
"So I'm not a spy?"
Rafe huffed.
"No."
The builder closed his eyes briefly.
Elara had never seen someone look so relieved.
"Thank the Moon Goddess."
For the first time since entering the office, some of the strain left his shoulders.
Thorne leaned back.
"You're dismissed."
Brent rose so quickly he nearly knocked the chair backward.
"Thank you, Alpha."
Brent was already moving before the last word fully left his mouth.
The chair scraped against the floor as he pushed away from it.
He reached the door in a handful of strides.
The builder paused only long enough to dip his head respectfully toward Thorne.
Then he was gone.
The door shut behind him.
Elara stared at it for a moment.
She wasn't sure she had ever seen a wolf leave Thorne's office so quickly.
"I don't think he's our spy."
"For a wolf his size, he's very jumpy."
Thorne lifted an eyebrow in her direction.
Elara shrugged.
Rafe shook his head.
"That's one way of putting it."
"He looked like he was waiting for a death sentence."
"He also looked terrified of disappointing his Alpha," Kaia added.
Thorne's gaze shifted to his Beta.
Then Kaia gave a small nod.
"I agree."
Rowan glanced down at the papers spread across the desk.
"The dates clear him regardless."
"Which means our strongest lead just disappeared," Rafe muttered.
Nobody argued.
Brent had been the easiest explanation.
The wolf who travelled beyond the territory.
The wolf with access to multiple locations.
The wolf whose movements couldn't always be monitored.
Yet the evidence didn't fit.
Elara glanced at the remaining names.
The list somehow looked smaller and more concerning at the same time.
"Then Brent is done."
Thorne glanced at the remaining names.
"Bring in Jace and Tobin."
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