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Tzidal had barely acknowledgedme all day. Choosing instead to nap and snuggle with Lex, whispering and giggling with the siren. I wanted so badly to talk to her and properly apologize. But she was so angry, going out of her way to avoid me.
I deserved it.
My intention was only to make her understand how dangerous Byriel could be, and that she needed to be more careful. But it had all spiraled out of control so quickly. I just hoped she’d eventually be able to forgive me.
But I did mean what I said to her. If Tzidal was going to try to find that last wolf, I would be at her side. I’d follow her to the end of the sea and back again if it made her happy. But she said nothing when I told her I wanted to help, simply walking away, refusing to say anything more. And it was killing me.
The main gates of the city came into view as the sun touched the tops of the trees. Byriel moved to the front of our group, his whole demeanor changing in a matter of seconds. He was no longer the pathetic, submissive mutt I’d been forced to put up with. But instead an arrogant asshole, holding his head high with a look of undeserved importance on his face.
We cut across the main path leading toward the large, iron gates. No one stopped us, but several wolves bowed their heads and murmured their respects as Byriel moved through the crowds. I wanted to punch him in the throat so fucking bad.
Byriel stopped just off to the side of the gates, nodding at a guard who smiled and walked quickly toward us. The Alpha was massive, with a thick scar that ran down one side of his face. Several of the buttons on his shirt were undone, displaying old war wounds across his chest. I was sure he did it to show his strength, but it just made him look smug, and smug wolves tended to be easily overpowered.
"Byriel! Sir!” the Alpha barked out in a voice almost as big as him.
"Dane!" Byriel responded in an equally obnoxious manner.
Considering how soft-spoken and meek Byriel had been, it was almost startling. I couldn’t help but feel a little more respect for this version of the wolf.
"What do we have here?" Dane asked, motioning to our unusual group.
The Alpha’s eyes lingered on Tzidal a little longer than I cared for and I coughed to stop myself from growling. Tzidal noticed the look on the guard’s face as well and stepped closer to my side, thrilling my wolf. I’d take any attention she was willing to give, no matter how small.
"Two lovely new companions for my father and his stewards," Byriel smirked, gesturing to Tzidal and Lex. "And one possible new recruit!" He slapped my shoulder hard, catching me off guard and jerking me forward. I forced my lips into a tense smile and nodded.
"Excellent!" Dane yelled. "We always welcome new Alphas to the guard!"
"Is my father in residence?" Byriel asked, his tone overly formal.
"Unfortunately, the King has already left to return to the palace. You just missed him by a day." Dane met his stiff tone and stance. It was all so excessively fake.
Byriel laughed and slapped his hands together, emitting a loud crack of a noise that caused Tzidal to jump. "I always seem to be a day late when it comes to my father."
"His majesty seems to always be on the move these days," Dane smiled before leaning into Byriel. “I can escort the companions if you’d like, Sir.” His eyes moved over Tzidal’s body as he licked his lips.
I grabbed the back of her shirt and slowly pulled Tzidal to me until her back pressed gently against my chest. I could feel her body tremble ever so slightly as Dane smiled down at her. I wanted to tear the guard to pieces for even looking at her, but I needed to keep my focus. Hida was our target, not this fucker.
“I’m headed to the castle anyway, but thank you,” Byriel smiled. "If you’ll excuse me, I’ll check back in later." He nodded at the guard as Dane bowed slightly.
Byriel hitched his hand at Tzidal’s elbow, pulling her into the gates and right into the main market of Vaesen. I tensed, staying on his heels and staring intensely at his hand wrapped around her arm.
Byriel quickly strode forward, forcing Tzidal and Lex to run to keep up. He nodded at wolves who stopped to bow and greeted several young Betas dressed in revealing garments. They blew him kisses and giggled wildly when he acknowledged them. All the attention made me nervous. I wanted to slip into Vaesen unnoticed, and this felt like a parade, everyone turning to bow or stare.
I had no idea where Byriel was taking us, my sense of unease growing with each step. For all I knew, the Alpha was taking us directly to the gallows. But my direction was all out of whack.
Byriel cut across a busy bit of road and slipped into a crack between two buildings, pulling Tzidal along with him. I rushed after them, stopping briefly for Lex to catch up. I didn’t like the feel of the city at all. It was laid out in such a frantic manner, roads criss-crossing and abruptly ending before small passages that appeared seemingly out of nowhere. It was as if the city was designed to trick and trap anyone that didn’t belong here.
Just when I was about to rip Tzidal from his grasp and run, Byriel stopped, stepping into an empty alleyway.
"Wait here," he said, turning to leave.
I jerked him back by his throat, slamming his body against a wall. "Where do you think you’re going?" I demanded, teeth bared.
Byriel tugged hard at my thumbs and spun me quickly, kicking into my back and slamming me against the opposing wall. My whole body tensed, and I moved to lunge at him, but Tzidal quickly stepped in front of the wolf, shielding him from my attack. Her eyes were hard, but they met mine for the first time in days, making my breath catch. I hated the hold she had over me, but I craved it even more.
"I’m going to get you uniforms," Byriel gritted out, straightening out the collar of his shirt. He didn’t wait for me to respond, disappearing around the corner and out of sight.
"Let’s go," I said to Lex. I didn’t look at Tzidal on purpose, not wanting her to hear my words as a command. Forcing her to do what I wanted would have been easy but I needed her forgiveness more than Hida’s life.
