Earlier that day:

Valerie Thorne’s POV:

After getting multiple calls from Elara, I finally focused on the report files. The more I read them, the more I knew I had to personally visit certain people, both at sea and grounds. The work was being delayed, followed by some excuses and some casualties. They even mentioned that some people wanted to join other groups. I needed to meet them personally. But Raven was still not here, and I couldn’t bring Reign with me to certain places.

Still, I ...