“Why didn’t you use it?”
“Because it’s not time yet,” he replies, making her frown. “Carnage Island was the perfect location for me to become my own wolf. I took the opportunity as my first challenge.”
“I don’t understand,” she says slowly. “You accepted the sentencing… because you wanted to be sent to Carnage Island?”
He considers her a moment, his expression thoughtful. There’s still so much Clove has to learn about our kind. It’s a good thing we have an eternity to teach her.
“It’s common for Carnage Wolves destined to be Pack Alphas to venture into the wild to find themselves, to prove themselves worthy through a series of challenges,” Tieran explains slowly. “Accepting my fate from the Elders was the first challenge in my journey. Killing Bryson will be my final challenge, making it time for me to finally return to the Black Mountain Pack.”
“Oh.” She swallows. “So everyone will, uh, leave with you?”
“Not everyone,” he says. “There are wolves who need to be kept on Carnage Island. And we’ll ensure they survive and prosper. It’ll be a secondary base for our kind, a shelter of protection.”
“I see.” She sounds breathless. “A-and me?”
He stares at her. “What do you think?”
“I…” She clears her throat, some of that confidence seeming to seep back into her stature, the wolf inside her reminding her to tell the truth.
Good girl, I think, proud.
“The Elders think I killed my mother, that I’m feral,” she says.
Tieran dips his chin. “Yes. Both of which are not true.”
“But my mate rejected me.”
“Not your true mate,” he corrects her. “Just some pompous dick Santeetlah Wolf who thought he was your betrothed. But I think we all know that’s not true now. Right?” He glances at Volt and then me.
“Right,” we echo.
“A Santeetlah Wolf can’t be a true mate for a Carnage Wolf, darling,” Tieran murmurs. “Once we explain that to the Elders, you’ll be free. As will I, because I didn’t reject or kill Bryson’s daughter. And I can prove it.” He shrugs. “I’ll send them a lengthy letter when I’m done killing him. I’m sure they’ll be riveted by the details and so tied up in red tape, they won’t be able to see straight for months.”
“Such a shame,” I drawl.
Volt grins. “I still think I should bomb their headquarters.”
Tieran shakes his head. “You can focus on Bryson’s head for now.” He looks at Alpha Pan and Alpha Lance “You’ll both go to Richmond, pretend to be us. I’ll get you clothes.” His focus goes to Alpha Ebony. “I need you to take Clove back to the island and keep her safe. And—”
“What?” Clove interjects. “No. I’m coming with you.”
Volt and I share a look.
“No, you’re not,” Tieran says, the authority sharp in his tone. “We won’t be able to focus with you there. You need to be somewhere safe, and right now, that’s with Alpha Ebony and Alpha Duncan.”
“He’s my former Alpha,” she says, her back straightening as she stares Tieran done. “I’m coming.”
“No, Clove. My wolf will go absolutely insane if you’re anywhere near the danger. I can’t focus on you and my task at the same time.Ineed you to go back to the island. That’s what you can do for my sanity and focus. Fuck, not even just mine. Volt’s and Caius’s, too.”
I nod. “He’s right, beauty. I won’t be able to focus at all if you’re there. I’ll be too busy wanting to protect you, not myself.”
Volt seems a little more conflicted, but he eventually agrees with a subtle tilt of his head. “This isn’t about your abilities or your strength. It’s not an insult, sweetling. It’s about keeping our heads. You’re still unclaimed. That does things to our wolves.”
“Then cla…” she starts to snap back, only to trail off as she realizes what she was about to demand. Her jaw snaps closed, but her eyes breathe fire. She’s pissed.
Because deep down, she knows we’re right.
And she can’t demand our claim. Not yet. Not like this.
