“The war’s progression has nothing to do with us moving into this camp.”We needed females so Aegeris wouldn’t die off.Azrim and I are all that is left.“If you stayed up to date on the news instead of getting your facts from rumors spread by other packs...”
“Shut up, Zorin. No one gives a damn what you think! We see it with our own eyes!” She points to the wreckage on a distant hillside.
“You cannot see beyond your own stuck up nose,” I snort back.
Varenco snarls and shoves his way through the gathering crowd.
I draw a gun from my belt and point it at him. He skids to a stop in the dirt, halfway through a shift. He stays hunkered, though he returns to human form. “You threaten Rhysan’s life with such an outburst.”
“Zorin!” Tahliel snaps. “We do not condone having weapons in this camp!”
“It’s why I live outside of the camp. You are trying to protect your pack, I know. But when the wolf you’re fighting has bigger teeth, are you just going to accept that your place is to be prey? I know you all accepted us because MAP said you had to because of Jezza and Azrim’s bond. I know you never wanted us here, but we have tried to defend Mindor and make our pack proud.”
“Then do the right thing and hand over the pup.” Scarnis tilts his head. “Do not make me say it again.”
“With all the pain everyone is already enduring, this is what you choose to do? To add more?” I demand.
Rhysan buries his face in my neck, and I can feel his faint, rapid breaths. He’s scared. So am I. I don’t think this is going to end the way I want it to.
I cover Rhysan’s head, trying to shield him from the shouting Shifters around us as I retreat after Azrim.
“He needs to be with us,” Scarnis reasserts chasing me into the woods.
“Because of Jezza. Isn’t it?” I scan the crowd that follows us. “None of you liked her being mated to my brother.”
“It is Mindoran policy, regarding orphaned pups. You know it as much as we do,” Tahliel states, stalking me alongside his beloved alpha. He bows down to Scarnis like he’s a god. But he isn’t. None of the Lunas are. And I realize now that Morrawyn is not as true to Aegeris as we once thought.
“Just because it is law doesn’t make itmoral.” They aren’t going to give us time. They want Rhysan now.
I nuzzle in against Rhysan’s furry back and give him a kiss. “I am sorry for what is about to happen to you. Just know your father and Uncle Zorin will always love you.”
“Zorin…” Scarnis’ eyes light up.
“You are going to have to claw him out of my arms,” I growl as I turn and run.
“Zorin!”
I look back to see Azrim straining to get to me as three members of Scarnis’ security team tackle him. They scuffle in the dirt at the edge of the trees.
Another Shifter smashes into my arm, knocking the gun from my hand and me off my feet. I stumble and curl myself around Rhysan as I fall. Claws rake at my legs, back, and arms as the crowd pries me open to get to my nephew.
“No!” I strain with everything I have to keep him close. Pangs shoot up my limbs into my core with such force that my heart stutters. They’re shredding my body to take the last hope of Aegeris.
“Jaskrin, Tahroun…a little help?” Tahliel calls out from atop my back. Varenco roars as he wrenches Rhysan from my grasp.
My Shifter tries to take over. But I’m already torn open. If I turn now, it could tear my wounds more.
And even when they have taken my nephew, they refuse to let me go. My body scorches with ripped open flesh. Claws dig in, teeth. They step on me, beat me, kick me, until I cough blood and cannot move of my own power.
Forgive me Thelisoria. But I need you. Goddess, give me strength.
Azrim manages to break free and charges on all fours for Varenco. Kinross has picked up my gun and points it at Azrim. But Azrim doesn’t see it.
He is going to die.
Not Azrim.
Kinross.
