Unmatched Wife: Not His To Claim Anymore novel Chapter 156

Chapter 156

Chapter 156

MATTHEW

“I keep informed about the families who access our medical resources,” he said. “I told you that. It’s part of how the Alpha King’s office ensures we’re providing actual value rather than bureaucratic service.” He paused. “Is that concerning to you?”

“It raises questions,” I said honestly. “About the scope of your monitoring and what triggers that level of personal interest.”

He nodded as if this was a reasonable response, which it was. “Fair. I’d ask the same thing in your position.” He leaned forward slightly. “Matthew, I’m here because I want to offer something concrete. The Alpha King’s office has resources that extend beyond medical access. Intelligence resources, security resources, the kind of apparatus that a pack Alpha managing an internal challenge and an external threat simultaneously might find useful.” He paused. “I’d like to make those resources available to you. Formally. As an extension of the relationship we began when we approved your entry.”

I looked at him.

He held my gaze with the steady patience of someone who’d learned that silence was often more effective than filling it.

“What would that look like?” I asked.

“Coordination,” he said. “Information sharing. My office has certain intelligence that touches on your situation–nothing I can fully disclose in this initial meeting, but enough that I’m confident it would change how you’re thinking about some of the challenges you’re currently managing.” He paused. “The assembly tonight is one place where having additional eyes would be beneficial. I’d like to attend not just as an observer but as an active participant in your security apparatus. Discreetly. In a way that doesn’t change the nature of the event for your pack.”

I thought about the Alpha King’s instruction: proceed as planned, maintain normal appearance, trust that resources are being oriented toward the problem.

I thought about the specific and deliberate way Klaus Blackwood had told me to tighten childcare security.

I thought about the seven things on my mental list, and how the seventh one–what to do about Thorne Lockwood–was still sitting there unresolved.

And I thought about something Dr. Martinez had said, weeks ago, that I’d been carrying since: *The best lies are built around true things. The people who are best at deception understand that genuine emotion and genuine history make the most convincing foundations.*

“I appreciate the offer,” I said. “And I want to be transparent with you about where I’m landing. You’ve been nothing but helpful to my family. You made it possible for Theo to get treatment that changed his life. That creates real obligation and real

gratitude, and I don’t dismiss that.” I paused. “And I’m also someone who’s been in therapy for months learning to examine my assumptions more carefully. So I’m going to hold your offer openly rather than accepting it immediately, and see what tonight actually looks like.”

Thorne looked at me for a moment.

Then he smiled–not the professional warmth of earlier, something quieter. “That’s exactly the right answer,” he said. “I’d be concerned if you’d said yes immediately.”

Which was, I recognized, precisely what someone who wanted me to lower my guard would say.

“You’re welcome at the assembly,” I said. “As an observer, as we originally discussed. Anything beyond that, we’ll assess after. “Of course.” He stood, extending his hand again. “I look forward to it. And Matthew?” He held my gaze for a moment. Whatever you say tonight – however it lands–I think you’ll find the pack is readier to hear you than you expect.”

That was the second time someone had said that to me today. I kept my expression pleasant and my thoughts behind it.

Chapter 156

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“We’ll see,” I said.

He left.

I stood at the window for a moment after his footsteps had faded, looking at the street below.

Marcus appeared in the doorway. “Well?”

“He’s very good,” I said.

“At what?”

“At being the kind of person you want to trust.” I turned from the window. “Get me a full background check on everything he’s touched in the past five years. I want it before the assembly tonight.”

“I’ll start immediately.” Marcus paused. “And the assembly itself? Are you ready?”

I thought about the morning. About Theo with his blue pieces and his sleepover question and his two different shades of blue socks that he’d either not noticed or decided were fine.

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