Page 90 of Specter Bred

"So I need to know, before cuts, if whatever’s going on between you and Archer is going to make either of you a liability."

I held his gaze.

"Because if it does... I’ll cut you both myself."

Hayes swallowed hard, his knee still bouncing once beneath him.

"Sir... if you’re asking whether what’s going on between me and Archer is gonna compromise the mission..." He chose each word carefully, like he was stepping through a minefield. "No, sir. It won’t."

I narrowed my eyes.

"Convince me."

He sat quietly for a moment, as if searching for the right words, before he finally spoke.

"She needed this."

I snorted.

"Every alpha needs to rut. Man or woman. That doesn’t mean you both won’t become a liability."

Hayes hesitated.

"May I speak freely, sir?"

I folded my arms across my chest.

"Speak."

He drew in a breath.

"With all due respect... she needs this because of you."

That got my attention. Hayes saw my reaction and immediately looked like he wanted to swallow the words back.

"Sir, I—"

"Spit it out," I alpha barked.

My bark came out rough enough to make him flinch, but he had to respond.

"You cut her down!" he blurted out. "Every day. Every public humiliation. Every correction. Every jab. You make her feel small."

The words scraped out of his throat.

"And she’s an alpha, sir. She can’t live like that. Not for long."

"Why does fucking her roommate help her, exactly?"

He swallowed.

"It gives her control back."

My eyes narrowed.

"Control?"

He nodded.