In an instant, Alpha Orion's whole demeanor shifted. One moment, he was all thunder and lightning aimed at me; the next, he frowned and turned to Knox with a soft, almost gentle voice.

“What happened?” he asked.

Knox was breathing hard, fists clenched like he was trying to crush invisible enemies. “This wasn’t the plan,” he spat out, frustration evident in every word.

I wiped my tears, my mind racing. “What plan?” I demanded, my voice shaky but ...