Claimed by My Bestie's Alpha Daddy novel Chapter 34

I walked him back myself, keeping a steady pace, alert for anything in the shadows.

The whole time, I felt Richard nearby–not close enough to touch, but always in reach. Once, when the scout veered off course, we both moved to redirect him at the same time. His hand grazed the small of my back as he passed, steadying me. I didn’t react, not outwardly. But the spot burned. It wasn’t accidental. Or if it was, it still lingered.

When we regrouped at the checkpoint, I handed off the delegate to medical, and Richard stepped closer than necessary as he looked over my shoulder at my notes. “You okay?” he murmured, voice low enough that it felt like a touch.

I turned toward him. “You mean physically or professionally?”

His gaze didn’t move from mine. “I meant personally.”

I swallowed, suddenly aware of the dirt on my hands and the rapid beat in my chest. “I’m managing”

His hand lingered near mine, not quite brushing. “You always do.”

And just like that, the silence between us felt heavier than it had in the archive. Not strained. Just full.

If Red Fang was alive, he wasn’t just a relic. He was active. Still influencing.

I drew a thread from his name to the disbanded units–several of which now backed David. And just like that, a new possibility formed: Red Fang was alive and working behind the scenes.

Maybe even helping someone win.

It was nearly midnight when I made my way to the medical wing.

The elder healer, Saul, met me in the quiet hallway outside the exam rooms. He was older than most, with hands like bark and a gaze that had seen too much.

“There’s someone I need to ask about,” I said carefully. “He served during the war–went by the codename Red Fang.”

Saul didn’t flinch. “Feral,” he said. “But loyal. Wouldn’t talk. Just took pain like it owed him something.”

“Do you remember treating him?”

He nodded. “Long time ago. Broken rib cage. Punctured lung. Should’ve kept him two weeks, but he vanished after two days. Gone. No transport record.”

I jotted it down.

“He had eyes like a cornered wolf,” Saul added. “Didn’t look at you. Looked through you.”

When I left the wing, Richard was waiting.

“Walk you back?” he asked.

I hesitated for a second. I knew someone could see us–staff in the hall, aides on late rounds. The optics weren’t great. But then I nodded anyway.

We walked in silence most of the way. Our shoulders brushed twice.

“We’re getting close,” I said.

He didn’t hesitate. “Close to something dangerous.”

We stopped at my door..

I turned the key slowly but didn’t open it.

His hand was at his side, clenched.

“Do you ever wonder,” I said, not looking at him, “what this would feel like if none of this “I gestured vaguely happening?”

“All the time,” he said.

I finally looked at him.

He stepped forward. Not too close. But closer than he should.

“If it weren’t for this summit,” I said, voice low, “would you still be walking me to my door?”

“Yes.”

“And would you still leave?”

He didn’t answer.

But he didn’t step back either.

He opened his mouth like he might say something, but nothing came out.

So I did it for him.

“Scrambled. Someone used an interference pulse. We’re working to restore the backup feed.”

“Get me a list of attempted IDs and timestamps. I want Emma cross–referencing them with internal comms.”

Beta didn’t question me. He just nodded and started issuing orders.

I crossed my arms, eyes fixed on the timestamp overlay, already thinking about Adam.

The forum chamber buzzed when I walked in–papers shuffled, voices dropped. Mid–tier Alphas flanked the table, their faces tight with control. Some wore expressions that wanted me to view them as amused. Others didn’t bother hiding their disdain.

We barely made it through the opening statements before Vexen cut in.

“He’s grooming her to replace him,” he said, no preamble, just straight accusation. “Isn’t that what this is?”

The silence afterward wasn’t quiet. It was coiled.

I set my notepad down with a deliberate thump.

“I assume you’re talking about me?” I said, standing slowly. “What you’re accusing me of is ambition. And the problem isn’t that I have it. The problem is that I’m a young woman and you don’t know where to file that in your heads unless it’s next to scandal.”

Vexen raised a brow, smug and dismissive.

“You’re assuming, Richard’s giving me power. But what’s really threatening you is that I might take it–on my own.”

I turned slightly, scanning the room.

“Let’s talk about grooming. Alpha Rowan, your son has been sitting in on summit prep sessions since he was fifteen. Alpha Marek, your niece holds two advisory roles despite having zero experience in governance. But no one questions those choices. Why? Because you see them as extensions of yourselves.”

I let that sink in.

“Me? I wasn’t born into this. I clawed my way in. I wasn’t handed power–I earned influence by doing the work none of you wanted to do. I’ve sat through every forum. I’ve facilitated outreach with territories most of you couldn’t find on a map. I’ve drafted more legislation in six weeks than most of you have in six years.”

I stepped forward, voice steady.

“So no, I’m not being groomed. I’m being noticed. And if that scares you, it’s because somewhere deep down, you know I’m good at this.”

Another Alpha shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Someone coughed.