Adam
The truth was simple, and I had never denied it to myself: marrying Elsa wasn’t just about love or the bond—it was about strategy. She was the anchor that kept Thomas in check, a political alliance turned personal. Over time, I had fallen deeply, irrevocably in love with her, but the Alpha in me never forgot the larger picture. Lives depended on every decision I made. I couldn’t afford to let personal feelings dictate my actions now. Thomas should have left with Alison when we told him to. His stubbornness had brought this upon himself, and I would not allow it to derail our plan.
“We have a plan, and we will stick to it,” I linked Lucas, my tone leaving no room for argument.
He sighed, his gaze drifting toward Elsa’s unconscious form on the bed. Her steady breathing was the only t
