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I settled behind the screen, crouching at an odd angle to keep the top of my head hidden.
"Enter," Strayton commanded.
I prayed Byriel wouldn't scent the room.If he did, he'd know I was here.I just hoped the mix of so many guards and servants, coupled with the stress of being around his family, was enough to keep his wolf distracted from finding me out.I didn't think he'd give me away, but I wasn't willing to bet my life on it.
"As I live and breathe," Strayton said as if in awe.
I could practically see Byriel's tight expression, and I had to fight the urge to peek over the screen to see if I was right.
"What are you up to?" Byriel demanded.
"That's not a friendly greeting," she said with fake offense."You've been gone so long, and the moment you come home, you instantly snap at me?"
"I'm serious, Stray. What the fuck are you doing?"
"I have no idea what you—“
"This!"
A moment of silence made me straighten my back ever so slightly.Byriel held out a small piece of paper.Strayton narrowed her eyes at it.
"Why would I know about the trash in your pockets?" the she-wolf snapped, all fake emotion replaced by pure annoyance.
"I know what you're doing, and you will fail," Byriel growled long and hard."Where is the rest of the prophecy?"
"You are un-fucking-believable." Strayton swished to the other side of the room, stopping at the drink cart.
Byriel followed, shoving the paper back at his sister.She swatted his hand away and growled low in her throat.
"You don't get to act like this after failing the most important task of your life!" Strayton yelled.The chatter of wolves outside the tent dimmed a bit.She cleared her throat and continued, speaking softer this time."You were sent to save our father's life.And you failed so spectacularly, you actually managed to lose the witch's son and let two of our guards be murdered.Father has always loved you so much more, but the satisfaction I've had in knowing how much he has hated you for this...it was almost worth all the chaos you've created."
"Eight wolves," Byriel said.
"What?"
"Eight wolves," he repeated. "I was sent to kill eight wolves marked with the blushing Moon.That morning, when I set off on my journey to find the marked wolves, you told me eight.
"So?" She glared at him hard.
"So this," he held up the paper, "is what Father had Haxa read for him.It doesn't mention the number eight at all."
Strayton's eyes flickered between the paper and Byriel's face.While she didn't fidget or sway, there was an unease in her posture that gave away her nerves.
"Where is the rest?" Byriel whispered in a dangerous growl.It had my wolf raising his hackles, ready to strike if needed.But I wasn't sure who my beast wanted to protect, Byriel or Strayton.
Strayton opened her mouth, the look in her eyes making it clear she was about to argue.Not giving her a chance, Byriel shoved the scrap of paper into his sister's hand.The she-alpha quickly unfolded the parchment, and her expression fell.
Her eyes widened as she read."How—“
"I know you can't kill our father and expect to take the throne without major upset.The stewards might even be emboldened enough by our people's outrage to take your head for such a crime.So tell me," Byriel leaned down into her face."Who are you hoping will kill him for you?"
Strayton pulled in a deep breath, taking in Byriel's rage."I have no idea why you're going on about killing Father.I would never do anything to hurt him." She crossed her arms."I think living in the woods has made you crazed.At least you and Father have that in common now."
"It can't be a guard or a maid," Byriel said, ignoring her insult."Everyone will think it was on your orders.You need it to be an outsider, so you aren't suspected.You need a rogue or drifter."
Her voice rose, anger making her tone pitch high."What the hell makes you think I want him dead?"
"That," Byriel tapped a finger at the parchment in her hand."The blue path. Like the song?Killing the marked wolves doesn't save our father.It kills him. 'The blue path to the silver moon, wrapped in love and light'. That's how it goes, right?"
