Where The Ice Gives Way (Charlotte and Blake) novel Chapter 169

Chapter 169 We Leave at Six

Blake

Dad calls the meeting after breakfast. I left Charlotte over in the rehabilitation building with Mum and Emily. The three of them are like a powerhouse of love and support for those people. John is already in Dad’s office when I arrive, leaning against the wall with his arms folded. Theo sits near the window, one knee bouncing under the table, and Charlie drops into the chair beside me and immediately starts spinning one of Dad’s pens between his fingers. Dad looks at the pen, and Charlie stops for about three seconds.

Dad exhales through his nose and opens the folder in front of him. “We need to discuss Munroe.”

Just like that, the tension pours out of everyone in the room. It makes my skin itch. Dad lays the printed email on the desk and turns it toward us. “Alpha Thomas sent the requested details–twenty–six rogues, held in separate cells. Three are listed as unstable to the point of constant sedation. Five have shown signs of recognising speech. The rest are reactive, violent, or withdrawn.”

I stare at the neat rows of information, the clean wording and the careful lack of anything that feels human. There are no approximate ages, sex, or anything about their physical conditions, and that bothers me. Yesterday, every person Charlotte brought back had been assessed beforehand, and although we didn’t have any names listed, every single person left with one. Munroe just has numbers and risk

evaluations.

Dad taps the paper as he continues. “Yesterday went better than expected.”

“That doesn’t mean Munroe will,” John says.

“No,” Dad agrees. “It doesn’t. But Charlotte has been clear about wanting to try.”

She has been clear–every night for two weeks. Every time I hoped she might decide this was too much, she looked at me with those soft, stubborn eyes and said the same thing. “I don’t know what happens if I don’t help.” I rub one hand over my jaw. Damn that girl and her

big heart.

Dad looks at me. “We’re leaving tomorrow morning.”

“Tomorrow?” Charlie says.

Dad nods. “We’ve waited long enough to make sure Charlotte recovered from yesterday. Dr Hale checked her this morning. She’s tired, but stable, and physically stronger than she has ever been. He thinks travelling tomorrow is reasonable if she rests tonight, and I’d rather get this over and done with so we can focus on our own pack again. However, I don’t want Wellington left exposed while we’re gone. Yesterday was a success, but we now have a rehabilitation building full of newly returned wolves, and we don’t yet know how stable they all will be. Mara will lead support here. John, I want you to stay with her.”

John nods once. “Done.”

“Charlie, you stay too.”

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Chapter 169 We Leave at Six

Charlie’s head snaps up. “What?”

“You’ll remain here with John and Mara.”

“No.” He sits forward immediately. “Charlotte’s going. I should be there.”

“You’ll be protecting what she built.” Dad’s voice softens slightly, “Your sister and I need to know this pack is safe while we’re away. Our people need familiar faces. Mara can lead the care side, John can hold security, and you can stand in the middle of both.”

Charlie looks down at the pen in his hand. I know he doesn’t like it, I can feel it seeping out of him, but I know he understands it too. Dad continues. “I’ll take a small patrol group, Blake, Charlotte, and Theo.”

Theo’s head lifts at that. “What about Emily?” He says quickly, and then his jaw tightens like he wants to drag the words back and say them more casually, but it’s too late. We all heard it, and we all understand exactly where his mind went first. Dad’s expression softens i a way he usually saves for people already bleeding.

“I know you want to keep your mate close, son,” he says gently. “But I don’t think the best option for her is taking her away from the

pack right now.”

Theo’s hands curl on his knees. Yelen must be tearing him apart. I know that feeling all too well, and before he can answer, I sit forward.

“Actually, I think Emily should come.”

Dad’s eyes move to mine, and Theo looks at me too, surprise flashing across his face. I lean my elbows onto my knees. “She’s most stable with Charlotte. You’ve seen it. Charlotte settles her, and Emily helps Charlotte with the returned rogues. They work well together. It coul be good for Emil,y too. She needs to see the outside world with a supportive pack around her. Seeing that she can leave Wellington and

still be safe.”

Theo looks down at his hands, but I see the deep breath he takes.

“And,” I add, because honesty is the only way through some things, “Charlotte would probably bring her anyway.”

Dad gives me a flat look, and I lift one shoulder. “You can tell Charlotte no if you want, but I’d rather not spend the drive knowing she smuggled Emily into the boot.”

Dad sighs and leans back in his chair, rubbing his thumb along the edge of the folder.

“Fine,” he says at last. “Emily comes.” Then Dad points a finger at Theo, “But you listen to me very carefully.”

Theo straightens, completely serious now that his mate is on the table. “Yes, Alpha.”

“You will stay close to her, but if she’s uncomfortable with your presence, you back off. I want you to keep your eyes on her at all times, regardless. We don’t know how stable she’ll be in tense situations, and if Charlotte can’t reach her, the mate bond might help.”

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