The whispers fall silent. The grandmothers know I’m not bluffing. I’m ready to die.
That’ll teach them to manipulate me.
“One more thing, Alpha,” I let my voice boom in the small cell. “No harm shall fall on the three acolytes in your care. They are innocent. They were led astray, but I allowed it. It was a test of Fate to see if they are worthy of bearing an Alpha. They are not, but Fate still requires them for its plan.”
“Insubordination must be punished.”
“Then punish them like wayward pups. They are mere children. They can be rehabilitated. Send them to Moon Hollow to tend the gardens, meditate, and pray. In a few years, they will be tested again. If they are not worthy then, do as you will.” Before then, I will find a way to free them, if I have to die doing it.
I have nothing more to lose.
“I should kill them and make an example of them.”
“If you do, a curse will fall on this pack, a curse so great not even a thousand Alpha rites will lift it,” I decree. There’s a roll of psychic thunder. Hugh plants his haunches on the blood-stained stone floor, throws back his huge head and howls.
There’s no sound, but Aiden must sense something because he goes still, watching me as if I’m an adder, waiting to strike.
“I will spare the acolytes, if you tell me who killed Vera.”
“It doesn’t matter. Fate was done with her,” I say. I hold out my hand and Hugh trots over to me to sniff my fingers and take a little more power. Light pulses from my fingertips, gilding his fur. Every pulse makes his form less translucent. I wonder if he’ll eventually absorb so much that he’ll be corporeal.
After a moment, Hugh curls his giant body at my feet and relaxes, letting out a sigh. I close my eyes, letting peace flow through me.
I can feel Aiden seething by the door but continue to ignore him. He doesn’t matter. I’ve said what I need to say.
Almost. Before I let myself drift into the void, I give him one last message. “Vera got what was coming to her. Whoever sows death, reaps it. You’d do well to remember that.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Noah
We pile out of Sully’s SUV in front of the Blackthroat mansion. The three she-wolves with me are wearing my shirts as dresses, with no footwear or even pants to cover up. They vibrate with tension. The stench of their fear fills my nostrils.
The war between the Blackthroats and Adalwulfs has been so bad that wolves are afraid to step on the opposing pack’s land, even when brought by invitation of a pack member.
Brick and Madi come outside to meet us. Brick wears a snarl, but before he can say anything, Madi speaks.
“Come in,” she welcomes us, throwing open the door and gesturing.
To me, she signs, Aster, where?
I shake my head, and her eyes round in dismay.
I give her an abbreviated hug while keeping my gaze on Brick, whose air is dangerous.
“Alpha,” I say, attempting to show respect, even though I’ve done nothing but disrespect him and his pack all along.
Guilt weighs against the gratitude I feel that showing up here is even still an option.
“Not your alpha.” He bares his teeth.
“We beg sanctuary. This is my mother, Liora, and my sister, Oriana. And Sophie, another acolyte set to be bred.”
Horror registers on Madi’s face, and she beckons them in.
“Liz, please find clothing for our guests,” Madi says to the servant I recognize from the meal we had.
Liz’s eyes flash amber, like she wants to fight them, and her lips close in a thin line, but she inclines her head. “Of course, Luna.”
