Page 18 of The Dragons’ Eternal Mate

Moreover, this wasn’t just about me. This was about Rowan and my clanmates, about what Cyrus had done to a member of our horde, and about waking people up to the realities they refused to see.

“In that case, you can hear it from the horse’s mouth!” I growled, stomping out of the dining hall.

Thankfully, where I was heading wasn’t far away. I was a firm believer in the old saying: Keep your friends close but your enemies closer. And I’d been waiting to play this ace until the right time.

The small jail cell was hidden in a cabin, where Tanner was kept under lock and key with several dragons constantly watching him. Not that he had made any move to leave or even attempted to escape. It was like he’d resigned himself to his fate.

When I stormed in, he was sitting on the small cot along the back wall, elbows resting on his knees, looking at the floor. Tanner’s head shot up, and he looked at me in confusion—and a little fear.

“You’re coming with me,” I growled.

Tanner stood easily enough, presenting his hands for the manacles that one of the guards had dropped into my hands. I locked him up, holding on to the chain between them as I turned and dragged him out of the cell. He didn’t fight me, again offering an acceptance to the situation that was both infuriating and understandable.

“Am I going to be executed?”

“No. You’re going to stand in front of the horde and tell them exactly what you did.”

At that, he raised his brow, nervous energy increasing. “What do you mean?”

“They think Cyrus must have ‘had his reasons,’” I spat out. “You’re going to tell them precisely what those ‘reasons’ were.”

“That’s bullshit!” Tanner cursed, and then I wasn’t dragging him. No, he was storming in front of me, right into the den.

The conversation abruptly ended when we entered, dozens of eyes flaring wide at the sight of him.

“Hello, everyone,” Tanner greeted, wasting no time. He stood on one of the benches, ensuring the crowd could see him. “I have been asked to speak to you, but I want it to be known that I gladly do so. You all need to understand just what horrors Cyrus is capable of.”

Shock played out on the features of so many dragons, and I watched, keeping a close eye on those who’d been defending Cyrus’s actions. Orsen squeezed Rowan’s hand, and my stomach clenched. I didn’t want to excommunicate an entire generation today, but for her, I’d do it in a heartbeat.

“I need you all to understand that what Bastian is saying is true. Six years ago, Bastian called home, informing his father that he had officially formed a clan. They had found their mate, Emmeline. I’m sure many of you remember that Cyrus wasn’t overly happy about that news.”

A few people nodded. For a moment, I was taken aback. Just how much did they know about my father’s unhappiness with the status of my clan, and, more importantly, how had we not seen it?

“It was understandable that he was a little sad that his son wasn’t the only Alpha anymore, sure, but everyone else was excited at the prospect of four. And especially about the prospect of an heir, a happy family to watch over the horde.”

Tanner shook his head, dropping it for a moment. When he spoke next, his voice was thick with emotion.

“He may have appeared simply disappointed, putting on a show for everyone, but behind the scenes, he was fucking livid. Not long after, Cyrus gave me an order—an Alpha’s order—that I could not say no to: he commanded me to go to River Rock Cove and make sure that Emmeline did not come home. He wanted her gone—entirely. The father of the man standing before you, an Alpha we all trusted, betrayed all of us, especially Bastian. He ordered me to murder his son’s fated mate!”

Tanner’s voice rang out through the room, the frantic energy palpable, and he had to pause several times, his hands visibly shaking.

I glanced to my side. Rowan looked pale. I hated that I had to bring Tanner in to give his statement; facing the man who tried to kill her was undoubtedly terrifying for my mate.

“How could he do that?” someone asked in a small voice, realization finally sinking in.

“He’s a bastard. That’s why. I told him back then that I wouldn’t do it, but he commanded me, threatened me. Then, years later, Rowan returned to us. She has done nothing but improve this horde. Our health is getting better by the day, my mate is pregnant because of her care! And what did our old Alpha do? He ordered me to kill her again.”

“When?” a voice called out, the crowd getting steadily rowdier.

“He talked about it from the moment she returned. When she pissed off Jenkins, his rage intensified. Two weeks ago, he came to me with the order. He is no longer my Alpha, however, so I was able to say no. If it had been up to me, I never would have hurt her that night. I will live with the regret for what I did for the rest of my life. But this time, not only did he order the death of his son’s mate, but he also demanded I take care of any of his clanmates who stood in the way. He forced a member of his horde to kill against his will and morals. He threatened to murder my pregnant mate and then attempted to do just that when I refused him. Celia is alive because Ma stopped him from slaughtering her in cold blood.”

That hit the crowd hard. Alphas were meant to be considerate, caring. They were meant to guide and support. Forcing someone to do something they didn’t want to do, one with ramifications like that… It was a type of vindictive cruelty that only my father was capable of.

I stepped forward. “You guys are loyal, and that’s not a bad thing. We all know my father is not a kind man, but I don’t think any of us realized just how vicious he can be. I refuse to run my horde like him. If any of you refuse to see that and remain trapped in the web of deceit we’ve lived in for the last ten years, you are welcome to leave.”

Everyone started chattering among themselves. The idea that I would make them leave was startling.

“You can’t kick out the older generation for simply disagreeing with you and wanting to hear our old Alpha out!” Eric shot out, glaring at all of us.