“What, you don’t?” Bane steps up to the bars, peering in at his father. “I know this isn’t because of what you did to us. You’re here because you were going to hurt innocent people in your quest to get rid of an entire pack. Still, seeing you like this, it feels like justice fora lotof your sins, not just the ones that finally did you in.”
When I’m finished and heft my spell bag over my shoulder, Bane holds his hand out and offers to take it for me instead.
“The man is a grown werewolf,” Elias says. “He should be able to carry his own bag.”
I smile at Bane and hand him my bag. “I think it’s sweet.”
“And he’s not a man. He’s my mate. Wait a minute,” Bane says before Elias can pounce.
“I’m a manandyour intended mate,” I correct loudly over whatever rude comment the former Alpha is making.
“Yeah. That’s why I like doing nice things for you. Because you’re my man mate.”
I think he calls me a ‘man mate’ solely to annoy his father, but the kiss we share is because we want to.
When we pull apart and start heading for the exit, Elias hunches over and makes retching noises. “This is cruel and unusual punishment.”
Bane turns at the exit and gives his father a wave. “Bye Dad. We’ll be back next week to check the wards again.”
“Don’t they have other witches?” Elias complains, his voice becoming distant as we get further away. “I’d rather you just seal the dungeons off and let me die down here.”
“Don’t tempt us,” the man walking behind me mutters.
After Elias’s banishment, whether Bane and I ever see him again will be entirely up to us. I’d say good riddance, but he’s still Bane’s father. Whatever he decides, I’ll support.
As for me, seeing Elias powerless and locked in a cell—and being the one to ensure he stays there—has done wonders for my view of the once powerful and intimidating Alpha. Elias doesn’t scare me anymore. His time is past and ours is just beginning.
~
Bane
Once we emerge from the dungeons and Elias is out of earshot, Josh places a hand on my arm. “Are you really okay with all this?”
Hell of a question. So many things are changing. The Iron Pack is changing. But I know my answer.
“Yeah,” I reply, my voice steadier than I expected. “I mean, do I wish things had turned out differently? Sure. But Dad made his choices, choices that weren’t good for anyone—not your pack, not Concordia, or even our pack because peace is better than war and tearing apart our home. The choices Dad made were only good for him and his ego, and now he has to live with the consequences of his actions.”
Instead of being angry at my dad, Josh’s face only shows concern for me. “True, but he’s still your father. I’m here if you ever need to talk.”
“I know.” That unwavering support and compassion is one of the many reasons I fell in love with him. Maybe I won’t always be so calm when it comes to my father, but Josh will be there to support me during the bad days.
For now, everything worked out for the best.
“My dad’s choices royally screwed us over, not once but twice. Getting some space from him is the best thing. We’re going to be safer and happier without him around.”
In fact, the whole pack is coming alive in a way it never did under Elias’s control.
As Josh and I step onto the gravel path leading through the Iron Pack territory, the surroundings already look so different than the cold, utilitarian atmosphere I grew up in.
A transformation is taking place.
Our young pups, who receive basic combat lessons, are now getting a different kind of education as they kneel beside their parents, planting seedlings and patting the soil in newly built flowerbeds. The beds and new streetlights in front of the stores and buildings in the main square make the atmosphere more hospitable.
Several wolves who frequently patrol the grounds on guard duty are now dismantling lookout posts and defensive walls piece by piece, their timber stacked neatly for repurposing.
“Sure looks different around here,” Josh comments.
“Now that everyone knows the real threat to our peace and security wasinsideour defenses, things are changing.”
