“Understood.” I turn toward Xander. “I’ll see to the enhanced restraints immediately, My Lord.”
As I head for the door, the words I came here to say burn in my throat.Jayme is a Scarlet Wolf.But with Stasio’s calculating gaze tracking my every movement, I can’t risk revealing that information to him. Not yet.
“Commander,” Xander calls as I reach the threshold.
I pause, half-turning back.
“Thank you for your diligence in this matter.”
“Of course, My Lord.” I nod once and step into the corridor, pulling the door closed behind me.
The conversation I need to have with Xander will have to wait. Right now, I have a Scarlet Wolf to secure.
Chapter 30 — Ethan
As I head across the courtyard, looking for Thea for an early dinner, movement by the eastern archway catches my eye. Rhiannon and Akila rush past, both looking serious as hell.
That can’t be good.
I duck behind one of the stone pillars, watching as they head toward the dungeon entrance. Something about how fast they’re moving makes my gut twist. I tail them without really thinking about it, keeping to the shadows and maintaining distance so they don’t catch my scent.
Conan stands guard outside the heavy wooden door, his usual jovial demeanor replaced by sharp alertness as the three exchange quiet words before disappearing inside.
The cool stone wall presses against my back as I slip through the entrance. Their voices echo through the dungeon corridor.
“Xander’s orders.” Rhiannon moves toward the cell like she’s fighting every step, like she hates what she has to carry out, but she keeps going anyway. “Iron shackles, effective immediately.”
“What the hell?” Jayme’s response is sharp with disbelief. “I’m already locked up like an animal.”
“Jayme—” Akila starts.
I edge closer until Jayme comes into view, standing on the other side of the bars with his large forearms crossed in defiance.
“What do they want from me? I told you that I don’t know what happened with the Shaman. I don’t remember even seeing him yesterday!”
“Hey,” Conan says softly. “It’s going to be okay.”
“At least I remember being with Haron in the garden the other night,” Jayme continues, “even if I don’t remember attacking her either. What the fuck is happening? It’s like— like pieces of my mind are missing.”
My head shakes with pity. He doesn’t even remember seeing Holden.
“We need your cooperation, Jayme,” Rhiannon says, her voice softer than usual. “These restraints are just temporary. I’m still working to prove your innocence.”
Jayme’s shoulders sag as he sits on his cot. “Fine. Whatever it takes.”
Conan fumbles with the keys, the metal clanking against the iron bars. The sound echoes throughout the stone corridor like a death knell. My chest tightens as I watch Rhiannon step into the cell, the shackles heavy in her hands.
“I can’t figure out how this keeps happening when I don’t remember any of it,” Jayme says. “It’s as if someone else is out there committing these crimes, posing as me.”
“We’ll figure it out,” Rhiannon promises, kneeling beside him. “I still believe you.”
Jayme extends his hands, wrists up. “I feel like I’m losing my—”
His words cut off in a strangled gasp. His entire body convulses, muscles rippling beneath his skin as he doubles over in pain.
“Jayme?” Akila steps forward, concern etched across her face.
The transformation hits like lightning. Bones crack and reshape with sickening pops. Jayme’s agonized scream morphs into something inhuman as his body expands, his clothes shredding away. Fur erupts across his skin as his face elongates into a massive muzzle filled with razor-sharp teeth.
