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Byriel let out a sharp growl and shifted back into his human-form. I immediately followed.
"Are you relenting?" he asked, his tone almost bored.
"Fuck you!"
"You seemed done," he said calmly, stepping sideways to track around me. "Or was staring me down your plan of attack?"
"If you think I'm that easy to best, you've got another thing coming," I snarled. "You'll have to kill me first. But I shouldn't mock you for that since we both know you'll fucking do it, then blame your perfect fucking father for making you so evil."
"I told you," his voice deepened, and the muscles in his neck strained, "I'm done killing. How the fuck can I make you understand that?"
"Forgive me," I rolled my shoulders, the bite on my back pinched as I moved, "I just find it hard to believe a wolf's lust for blood can dry up so easily."
"I never had bloodlust!" he yelled, his smug face finally showing some real emotion. "I did as I was commanded. I am a guard for his majesty and serve him well. I did my duty to protect my King."
Then he let out a deep rumbling breath. All emotion seemed to drain from him, but his lips were turned down just enough to display his rage. He told a decent bluff unless you knew the fucker.
"Were you never a guard?" he asked.
"You fucking know all alphas do their time in the guard," I said, crossing my arms. "I patroled my village like any other alpha."
"Were you so bold as to refuse your Pack Alpha's orders?"
Whatever point he was trying to make, it held no water with me.
"My Pack Alpha never ordered me to kill my brothers," I seethed. "You've killed too many to be trusted," I said, hoping he'd challenge me again.
Byriel shook out his fists, then rubbed the back of his neck hard. "It's time we go our separate ways," he said.
"I think that's a good idea."
Byriel moved to leave, then hesitated. "If you would be so kind, please give Omega Tzidal my thanks. She has a tender heart, and her caring has healed me in more ways than one."
His soft words about my mate knocked the anger out of me in one cold blow. I blinked a few times, not sure what to say.
My wolf was proud of Byriel's praise of our mate, and that fact made me jerk back. Byriel was my enemy, not my pack. His opinion didn't matter, but it pleased my beast that someone of such high standing would think so well of our omega.
"Byriel, I am…" I swallowed hard, trying to keep my pride intact. "I am aware that I am indebted to you." It hurt to say it aloud, but it was true.
Byriel cocked his head, confusion twisting between his brows.
"You kept Tzidal safe when I couldn't. I'm not blind to that." Holding my head high, I took a deep breath and steadied myself. "And since I'm not a complete asshole like you, I can admit when I need to show...when I need to say..." I cleared my throat roughly, then forced the words out. "Thank you."
He couldn't hide the shock in his eyes but quickly dropped his gaze, looking over the forest floor. He seemed to struggle to find his words. Finally, he looked up, meeting my eyes. "I—"He stopped talking, his gaze shifting just past my shoulder. "Siren?"
I turned to see Lex racing toward us. His eyes were wide, and his white hair bounced as he ran as fast as he could. Lex never ran unless he had to, and I immediately scanned the area for Tzidal. She and the youngling were gone.
"Lost them!" Lex yelled, breathing hard. "I…" he stumbled, smacking his hands on the hard ground. "I lost them!"
"Which way did they go?" Byriel demanded, stepping up next to me.
"Where!" I yelled, unable to stop the growl that burst from my chest.
"I was following them," he sucked in a deep breath, pulling himself to his feet, "I followed them to Blue's village. Then I saw—"
I grabbed Lex's slight shoulders, pulling his feet clear off the ground. My voice distorted by my beast, I roared at the siren, "Where is my omega?"
My head spun, and I dropped Lex, trying to steady myself. My bond with Tzidal twisted and burned, her fear so strong it made it hard to breathe.
