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Dane swallowed hard, keeping his eyes down, and his shoulders curled inward.
"You're scaring the omegas.” Lex stepped up next to me. His tone had an annoyed chirp to it, and his eyes were exactly what you'd expect from the deadly creature: completely unaffected by the dominant anger saturating the air.
I looked past Lex to see several frightened eyes watching us within the camp. Omegas, betas, and a few pups. Some clung to alphas, and others ducked quickly into tents. Tzidal and Blue held hands, both watching us with big eyes. Even if they couldn't hear our words, it was clear they could all scent Byriel's rage even from a distance.
"If you don't help us, these wolves," Dane motioned to the camp, "will eventually be found and killed."
"Why?" I asked, eager to finally know their purpose. This was no guard encampment. "What makes these wolves a target?"
"They all carry birthmarks," the she-alpha said. "Every wolf here either has a circular birthmark, a red one, or an odd mark in general. Or a loved one does," she added, her eyes briefly flickering to Dane. "The King isn't looking for anything specific anymore. He's killing everyone."
I looked around the encampment at the mix of wolves. Some were guards, others well-dressed in posh robes with straight backs, and a few looked to be rural wolves, with handmade clothes and worn feet. It was an odd mix of classes, but their connection was clear. They all carried the same fear.
The she-alpha narrowed her eyes at Byriel, but she didn't raise her chin to issue a real challenge. "Some are here because they're sick of killing their own kind. And if the King isn't put in the ground soon, he'll find us and kill them all."
"Yari works in the palace," Dane said to me, motioning to the timid beta. "She has heard reports that they've already found the last marked wolf, but the killings haven't stopped." He turned to Byriel. "I'm not convinced he'll ever stop. Not until every wolf the King deems a threat is dead."
"It's true," Yari whispered, shying away from Byriel's intense gaze. "According to what the witches believe, the King's reign is safe, but he's still spilling blood. It's like he's lost his mi—"
"Enough!" Byriel roared so loud it made me cringe. He leaned into Dane, his fangs on full display. "You want me to lead our people because my veins carry my father's blood? But you also stand here asking me to kill him and spill the very blood you claim is divine and sacred. You can't have it both ways. You can't praise me for my breeding and then proclaim my blood unworthy of the dais.”
"Alpha—"the young beta tried to speak, but Byriel's hard, red glare cut her off.
"Death to any wolf that kills the King," Byriel said, glaring at Dane then the she-alpha. "That is what we're taught and how we live. If I can so easily dismiss my father's claim to the throne and steal it out from under him, then anyone can do the same to me. Your plan is shit."
The she-alpha let out a soft growl. "You can't possibly—"
"Jonelle," Dane held up a hand, silencing her. He turned back to Byriel, desperation in his voice. "You won't help us? That's your final word?"
Byriel took a few steps back, looking over each wolf in front of him. His eyes met mine, and I held his stare. His rage eased the longer he looked at me, and his fists uncurled. He let out a heavy breath. Then he looked past me, red disappearing in his usually green eyes.
I followed his gaze, seeing Blue sitting next to my mate. The omega's large, sad eyes stared back at Byriel. Then slowly, Blue gave him a soft, little smile filled with so much sorrow.
"I'm sorry, Dane," Byriel said, holding his head high despite the defeat in his eyes. "I have enough blood to atone for, and I will not be forced to answer to the Moon for killing my King as well."
Lex snorted loudly, placing his hands on his hips. "Well, since you're so intent on being a coward," he snipped at Byriel, "will you be heading over to tell Blue that you just don't give a shit that his entire pack was murdered on your father’s orders? Or should I?"
Byriel snapped.
His clawed hands flew around Lex's throat, slamming the siren hard against the nearest tree. The beta ran off, and Dane and Jonelle took several steps back, not eager to get caught between the siren and wolf.
I let out a heavy sigh. I swore Lex did this kind of shit just to kill his boredom.
Lex hummed, and his eyes flashed with excitement as he dragged his pointed fingernails over Byriel's arms, blood blooming in their wake.
"I will not be submitting to you,alpha.," Lex whispered in a mocking tone. "So kill me if you must, but this is your only chance. After this, I will slice you open if you ever touch me again." A teasing smile played on his lips.
Byriel's fangs punched out as he squeezed Lex's throat. The siren's smile dropped, the pain in his eyes startling me.
"Stop!" Blue's voice cracked as he screamed, running toward us. "Alpha! Stop!"
As if breaking from a trance, Byriel immediately dropped Lex, backing up quickly. He shook his head, then turned to face me. He looked dazed, visibly shaken, almost like he was going to be sick.
Then without a word, he turned and vanished into the trees.
The Edge Of Camp
Tzidal
