“Take a seat,” Torrent grumbled, not looking up from his computer.

Bay did as he was commanded, watching as his king continued to type using only two fingers. It was painstakingly slow. Bay had to stop himself from fidgeting. From offering to help. He didn’t dare though. He had a bad feeling about this meeting. By the way that Torrent was frowning, he was sure his gut was right on the money as well.

Bay had to work not to flinch when the Water king finally slammed his laptop shut. The male turned narrowed eyes on him. “What is going on with you?” he growled. Thankfully, Torrent didn’t give him a chance to answer. In truth, Bay wasn’t sure what he would say if he had. “You are screwing up at every turn.” He pushed out a breath. “I know you are new at this role. I don’t think you were…prepared for it. I’ll admit that I threw you straight into deep water. You can’t be blamed for that, but these are careless errors.” He ran a hand through his hair, squeezing the back of his neck. “You sent one of the scouting teams into a ‘no go’ zone. They were almost spotted by hunters.”

“I know. I screwed up the coordinates. Sent them west instead of east.” Bay looked down at his lap for a second or two. “I don’t want to make excuses, but—”

“Then don’t!” Torrent all but yelled. “You took a male to task for not arriving for his shift when it was his day off. The list goes on. Stupid mistakes that make you look like a fool, not capable, and in turn it makes me look like a fool for appointing you to this role.”

“My apologies, sire. I will be more diligent going forward.”

“You had better, or I will be forced to make changes I’m not ready to make.” Torrent shook his head. “I do not want to reinstate Flood. Maybe at some point in the future but not right now.” It was made clear to him from the start that this was a temporary role. “Beck was just as much at fault. He disobeyed direct orders and that cannot be tolerated. I need you to step up and take charge for me. We are in dangerous and troubled times, I can’t talk about it right now but…there are plans in motion. I require a strong leader. One who I can trust.”

“I am the right male for the job.” Under normal circumstances that would have been true. Right then, not so much. He needed to pull himself together!

“I hope so. Tide is…unavailable at present, particularly if there are trips involved.”

“What kind of trips?” Bay frowned.

“I’m not ready to discuss it yet,” Torrent growled. “Get your act together.”

“Yes, sire.” Again, Bay bowed his head for a moment. “You can count on me.”

Torrent nodded once, opened his computer and went back to typing. Bay took that as a sign that he had been dismissed. “Thank you, sire.” In truth, he was sure he had been about to be demoted. He was lucky…this time. Bay stood up and left, closing the door behind him.

Tide was standing just outside. The male winced as they locked eyes. “I couldn’t help but overhear. Are you okay? Is there something I can help you with?”

“No, I’m fine. I’m still trying to get the hang of things, that’s all.”

Tide held his gaze for a while. “You seemed to be doing just fine. You were new to the role but managing, and then you went on the Stag Run. Things seemed to fall apart after that. Did something happen?”

“No!” Bay blurted a little too quickly. “Nothing happened.” He folded his arms. “I mean, what could possibly have happened? Nothing that’s what.” He forced himself to shut the hell up.

Tide shook his head. “I don’t know what could have happened. All I know is, you’re acting like something did. Was it a female? I want to help you.”

Bay shook his head. He didn’t want anyone else to know what had gone down. Beck knew he had rutted someone, but that was it. No-one knew how much he was obsessing over this female. How he couldn’t sleep. How if he did he would wake up in cold sweats. On the verge of coming and ‒ at the same time ‒ waking to the realization that finding completion would not be possible. It was frustrating as hell. How had it been possible?

How?

Could it happen again?

He also thought about her, not just the sex. Her eyes. Her smile. What was her name? It was the one thing about her that drove him to complete distraction. He had to know her name. So simple and yet—

“Look,” Tide said, bringing him back from his reverie. The male looked up and down the hall. Bay did the same, noting they were alone. “It looks like you’ll be going on a mission soon. Torrent is trying to pull me in on it, but I can’t go. I have a private matter I need to attend to. He’s expressed concern over taking you. He can’t take Beck because it would mean undermining you, his defense leader.”

Bay frowned. “If he did that the males would lose respect for me.”

“Exactly! He’d have to demote you.”

“Does that mean Flood’s coming back?”

Tide shook his head. “No, he’ll appoint someone new. Possibly put Beck in your position.” The male shook his head. “He doesn’t want to. It’ll make him look bad. Like appointing you was a poor decision.” Tide echoed what Torrent had said, which made him believe they’d discussed it. Of course they had. Tide was Torrent’s second in command.

“I can do this,” Bay said, more to himself than to Tide.

“I know you can.” The male raised his brows. “It’s not the easiest task, keeping two hundred headstrong males in line. Making them, not only do as you say, when you say it, but getting the most out of them at the same time. Getting them to go the extra mile for you…for our kingdom. I know you can do it though and you were managing adequately before. You were making good headway. That all stopped. I’d even say you’ve gone backwards. Pull it together.” Tide gripped the side of his arm and squeezed. “I’m here if you need to talk…any time.”

Bay nodded. “I appreciate it.”

“This mission is a big deal. I’m sure Blaze will be involved.”

Bay nodded. “I’ve got this!” He needed to sort his mind out. To stay focused. Sleep would be good, but he’d cope. Maybe it was time to go to a healer for help. They could mix him an herbal tea or something. “I do!” he added, trying to convince himself.