Pasquale shook his head. “Primo always wanted to rule Encantado. In his mind, the main families should have been Bianchi and DeLuna.”
“The DeLunas are the Moonstone Pack’s leading family. They run the entertainment district.”
“So you’re saying they are weak? Maybe Primo thought he could rule them,” Zoey mused.
Dominic snorted. “There’s a reason the Moonstone Pack acts as liaison between the mages and wolves. They could kick our asses if they wanted to.”
Zoey’s draw dropped. “What?”
Romano shrugged. “As much as I hate to admit it, and I’d never say it in front of one of the bastards, but they are the largest singular pack in Encantado. With the Morettis allied with the Lombardis, it makes us comparable, but we’re under two Alphas while they are under one. Their sheer size gives them the big dick on campus.”
“And their control over the southern side of Encantado is absolute. We’ve tipped the balance with Kalinda and Silva on our side, but going against them would mean war. Too many would die,” Dominic explained.
Pasquale reached back and touched Giuliana, his fingertips barely grazing the top of her hand. She liked that small caress. She shifted closer to him, sinking into his heat.
I’m here.
He took a steadying breath. “Primo knew he couldn’t beat them, but if he was measurable in size, absorbing Moretti’s pack would have made them equal. At least then they’d have to have a truce directed by the Council.”
“And he would have had an in with Benedict,” Zoey surmised.
“Exactly. And with the Renegades by his side, he would have eventually picked at the Moonstone’s numbers with Council help.”
Romano shook his head. “Primo had it all planned out, the bastard. Didn’t work out that way in the end.”
Dominic rubbed his chin. “Okay, say I believe you, and Primo had the Renegades. Why would they attack Heath?”
Hide! Don’t come out until I come for you. Promise me, Lana. Promise me.
Giuliana groaned, grabbing her head. Pasquale turned quickly, taking her into his arms. “What is it?”
But she couldn’t speak, couldn’t acknowledge him. Words and pictures morphed in her head too fast for her to grasp and understand. Hands pushing her into a closet, the inky black of the space closing around her, snarls and snapping teeth echoing in her ears.
Breathe, Giuliana.
I can’t.
It’ll pass.
What is this, Red?
Memories.
I don’t know what is going on.
Breathe.
I am fucking breathing.
Hide!
The scream ripped through her skull, ricocheting inside and cracking as it went. Giuliana grabbed her head. Dominic, Romano, and Pasquale may have hollered, Zoey screamed for her, but Giuliana was trapped. She couldn’t fight, couldn’t get away.
Breathe.
I’m scared, Red.
You were then too. But I’m here, just like before.
