"Alpha-level clearance." Mia repeated it slowly, like saying it twice might soften what it meant. "So the one person who could tell us the truth about what's happening to him is also the only one who can unlock the proof of it."
"That's about the shape of it, yes." Lucas dragged a hand through his hair, the exhaustion she'd noticed in him earlier settling deeper now that the confession was out. "And it gets worse. He's had access to that file for three years, since he formally took over pack leadership. He's never once opened it."
"Never."
"Not once. I checked the access logs myself, months ago, back when I was still hoping I could get answers without dragging anyone else into this." Lucas's mouth twisted, bitter. "He knows the file exists. He knows what it might contain. And he has spe
