"Oh Jesus," you hear Marco from the edge of the crowd. "I call shotgun on not doing that."
"They're young," Elma calls out. "It isn't fair to put this on them, Alpha."
"They won't be alone," the Alpha promises. "Sergi, your apartment is the easiest to defend. Take Minjo and the cubs there. Nikolas, Marta, Grace. You go with them. The rest of the pack will go to the cafe. We'll keep our distance, but we'll be there if you need us."
"Still dibs not doing it," Marco says.
"I would be honoured to serve, Alpha," Vicky says, her voice ringing from the other side of the room as Marco's. "But, I'm not... the most diplomatic person."
"Understatement of the century," Ed mutters.
"Not here," Vicky snaps at him.
"Why not here?" Ed snaps right back.
"Holy balls," Sergi, the Alpha's — you're not sure. Brother? In law? Third cousin twice removed? — says. "Can we all stop pretending it's not going to be Gideon Mercer? He's obviously the best choice."
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