“She wanted help,” I continued. “An Iron Claw wolf is trying to push her family off their land.”
Cole blinked. “Oh.”
“That’s it?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I really couldn’t pretend to care. Diana and her parents deserve every problem that finds them.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that Iron Claw has no business stepping into Blood Crescent territory and claiming land,” I said calmly. “If I let that slide, they’ll try something worse next time.”
Cole rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed—but after a moment, he nodded.
“Yeah,” he said reluctantly. “You’re right.”
Cole pushed off the wall, clearly ready to move on, when I spoke again.
“I'm assigning this to you,” I said casually.
Cole stopped mid-step.
He turned slowly. “With all due respect, Alpha—hell no.”
I folded my arms across my che
