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"I trust Byriel," Dane said, "and they're his friends."
Joon stiffened next to me but didn't say anything.
Jonelle narrowed her eyes at my mate, speaking with a clear challenge in her tone. "Byriel is struggling with his allegiance, and I have to wonder, as his friend, if you are too? Do you follow the King, wolf? Who's side are you on?"
"I'm on her side," Joon snarled, hitching a thumb at me. "But let me make myself clear, so there's no confusion." He pulled in a slow breath and stepped closer to the she-wolf. "I have never, and will never, have any alliance to the King. Even if he crosses the stars, ascends to the Moon, and consumes her whole, I would rather die an empty vessel with no wolf and no light than be forced to bend at his feet and thank him for his existence. He's a murderous fuck, and I look forward to ripping his unholy head from his body."
I held my breath, waiting for someone to speak or move.
Every muscle in Joon's big body was so tight. He looked ready to lash out at the first person that dared to breathe.
"Well, shit," the she-wolf snorted, breaking the silence. "Tell him what we need, Dane."
The scarred alpha turned to Joon, smiling wide at my mate. "It's good to have more help. Our numbers aren't as strong as they used to be. We have too many that require alphas to keep watch over them, making our allies in the palace scarce. We can use you."
"My mate too." Joon motioned to me.
Both Dane and Jonelle looked me over with wide eyes before turning back to my mate.
"Really?" Disbelief marred Jonelle's tone. "This could be very dangerous, and dragging an omega with you—"
"She's got more balls than half the alphas in Havre," Joon snarled. "She has trekked the faelands and deserts and even pushed through the cursed lands on her own. It was her blade that killed Hida in Vaesen, and it will be her that kills the King. So show a little respect."
Both alphas turned to me, and I had to resist the urge to hide behind Joon. I appreciated his praise, but it wasn't completely honest. I had received a lot of help and relied on a lot of luck to get here. But I wasn't about to say that out loud.
"Actually," Jonelle said, looking me over as if seeing me for the first time, "having an omega might be useful."
Dane glanced into the trees, then turned to Joon. "If Byriel returns, maybe you can speak to him. Help him see that—"
"We aren't friends," Joon cut in. I was shocked to feel unease in our bond. My own emotions had washed out his, but now that I was calmer, I could feel how upset he was about Byriel leaving. "We were just traveling together," he said.
Dane nodded, his lips pressing tight. "Well," he sighed, "maybe Byriel will see the light on his own."
"You truly believe he would best for Havre?" Joon asked, taking my hand in his.
"Byriel is a good wolf," Dane said, "and what we're asking from him cannot be easy. But he's precise, careful, and compassionate. I've known him for years. Battled beside him, been commanded by him, drank with him. He would be a good King."
Joon turned his head, snarling at Dane's words. "The Byriel I know doesn't deserve that much respect."
The young female beta glared at my mate from under her eyelashes, and Jonelle's fists went tight. The wolves here had put a lot of hope into Byriel's hands, and, even though Byriel had no interest in helping them, it was clear they weren't going to let their loyalties die so quickly.
I stepped around Joon and cleared my throat, feeling the need to soothe the harsh energy pulsing in the air. "Byriel has been kind and helpful, but our…." I paused, trying to think of the best way to word it, "...first impression of him wasn't good."
"We've all done things we aren't proud of," Jonelle said flatly. Judging from the scars on her knuckles, she had done plenty. "But I never saw Byriel act out in an unprovoked rage. I've only seen him bare his teeth when directly challenged or commanded by his King. Are you saying he has no honor?" She glared at me as if trying to decide exactly where to sink her teeth.
Joon growled low and long, pulling me behind him. The rumble from his throat pushed through my bones, and my heart fluttered. His possessive wolf licked at my skin in a primal way, making me press my knees together. I turned away from the group, suddenly embarrassed.
What a horrible moment to be turned on.
Joon took a careful step forward, challenging the she-wolf. "Do not look at my mate like that ever again."
He stood so rigid, every muscle tense as if the tiniest thing could set him off, and he'd completely unravel.
Dane, ignoring the thick air between the two, leaned down to look me in the eye. "Can you take a letter to Ossory? We need to make our allies aware of what's developed and that we're moving the camp. I don't think Byriel will give our location away, but I'm not willing to stake so many lives on it."
I nodded, a little bit of hope warming my chest. Joon and I suddenly weren't alone in our fight against the King. We had allies.
The Wood
