“Ah, you’re awake. Just in time for breakfast.” Solomon enters the room, carrying a tray with three steaming pots on it. “You probably need to shift back if you want to use opposable thumbs.”
Iamhungry, but I need to wake Karl first and have a private conversation with him, which I can only do in wolf form.
I bump his side with my nose and keep pestering him until he opens his eyes.
“What do you—”He starts, and then his rage surges like a volcano erupting. He jumps onto his paws, the fur on his back standing up.“I’m going to kill that bloodsucker.”
He must be referring to Ronan. I felt the same rage last night, and I couldn’t understand why. I thought Karl and Ronan were past their animosity.
“What did he do to you?”
“He… I caught him with Manu.”
No. My stomach sinks. I shuffle back, as if putting distance between myself and my brother will make his statement untrue.
“But… but you were locked up.”
“I was released earlier and went straight to her. I caught them together. The bastard escaped through the window before I could rip his throat out.”
I shake my head, still in denial.“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Cheryl. I’m sure. I saw them with my own fucking eyes!”
“But she’s your mate. How could she do that to you?”
Karl begins to pace.“They were involved before I came into the picture. I guess the mating bond isn’t as strong for her.”
“Are you done conversing in your wolf form? Breakfast is getting cold,” Solomon interjects.
Karl barks angrily in response.
Solomon points a finger in his direction. “Don’t you use that tone with me, pup. I’m not opposed to using wolfsbane to force you back into human form.”
I ignore Solomon’s threat and focus on Karl.“If you go back, you’ll be killed. I’m all for getting revenge, but not at the cost of your life.”
My words are true, but I also don’t want Ronan to die, even if he betrayed my brother. I won’t include myself in that statement. We were never together; we were nothing but a promise I made up in my head. Manu is a different story,though. She’s the one who deserves to pay, and I’ll make sure she does.
Karl disregards me and makes a dash for the front door. He tries to break through the wood barrier, but it holds strong. He bounces back with a wince.
“You can’t breach my door. All you’ll accomplish are sore muscles and perhaps a few broken bones.”
“Karl, please. Listen to Solomon.”
The idiot doesn’t. He keeps trying to get out. He’s gone berserk. I shift back, because he’s clearly beyond listening to me.
“He’s gone mad,” I tell Solomon.
“I can see that.” The familiar jumps from his stool and disappears through a heavy curtain. “He leaves me no choice, then,” he continues from the other room.
“Wolfsbane?”
“What else?”
My eyes burn from the tears filling them. Wolfsbane is terrible for us, and I’d never consider poisoning my brother with it. But he’ll get hurt otherwise.
“Don’t go overboard with the dose.”
“Young lady, I know what I’m doing.” He returns carrying a dart shooter. I suppose that’s the safest way to hit Karl and not lose a limb in the process.
