Ditched Cheating Alpha, I Led My Daughter to Life's Peak novel Chapter 272

Forget Aiden. I turn to Bri, asking, "Could you get her some water? Please?" Or at least tell me where it is.

Bri nods, but Aiden stops her.

"No. It'll take too much water," he says.

I cock my head back. "So?"

He scoffs. "Consider how many people are in the same position as her right now. Is it really fair to help her knowing we can't help the rest?"

"We should let her die because we can't help everyone?" Does he hear half of the things that come out of his mouth? Before he can say anything else, I wave my hand. "Please, Bri. Get her some water."

"This is just gonna create more problems," he says as Bri walks off.

"Better than having her blood on our hands," I say.

He gives me a look I can't quite read. "... You'll see."

"I won't," I say.

Carson stays out of it, exchanging some words between Krys and Coach Kenet.

Aiden doesn't let up though. "The gallons it'll take to cool her down could easily save dozens. You're wasting water."

I frown. "You act like you were gonna give them the water in the first place."

"Damn," Carson mutters under his breath. "She got you there."

Aiden shifts his eyes towards him.

Carson straightens up. "What? I was just saying, that was a good point."

"Alright, I've got a question for you." Aiden gestures towards the refugees. "Do you honestly believe any of those bottles will reach her?"

I can't believe what he's implying. "You think they'll steal the water? From a dying woman?"

"They're all dying," Aiden says. I turn to Carson and Krys, and they have the same answer.

I don't know what to do. I eye the dehydrated people in front of us. He's right. If they all haven't drank anything since yesterday...

Bri carries a few gallons of water towards us. Half of them back away as if they can't trust themselves around it. The other half look ready to jump.

Bri eyes them warily, trying to find a path to the collapsed woman. "What should I do?" she asks me.

"Make them shut up?" Carson asks.

I nod.

"Don't do it," Aiden talks over me. "We need to discuss whatever it is she's about to say-"

"Shut up," Krys screams at the top of her lungs, taking a few steps towards the truck barrier. The werewolves in wolf form start growling along with her.

The refugees take several steps back, quieting immediately. Krys waves for me to speak, giving me the floor.

This is my moment to redeem myself.

"Think about what you're doing," Aiden says.

I nod. He needs to relax. This is the best plan ever. "We can't let you in," I say slowly, choosing each and every word as carefully as possible. "But we can give you water if you agree to leave. Peacefully," I emphasize. "And not come back to this border." I mentally pat myself on the back. I am luna after all.

Aiden smacks his forehead. Coach Kenet looks at me like I just put the last nail in our coffin. My mouth falls open. Was that not the right thing to say? "Weren't we here to negotiate?" I ask.

Carson gives me a hesitant look. "Yeah, but it might not look that good to other packs if we're giving their rogues things..." He avoids Aiden's wide-eyed stare. "It's not bad, it's just not... Good either."

"It's terrible." Aiden's almost speechless. Almost. It looks like he's... amused by the situation, which is frightening. I think I've put him into shock. "We'll look like rogue sympathizers," he mutters to himself, amazed. "Wow. What a great idea."