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Strayton opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Byriel ripped open the tent flap and disappeared.
The air in the room cooled considerably as Strayton stared at where her brother had just disappeared.
"Tell me," she said. She slowly turned to me, her eyes pulsing red."Do you have it?" Her glare narrowed, rage flowing off her in waves."Right now!" she yelled. "I'm sick of this game.Do you fucking have it?"
"No."
Honesty felt best at the moment as I didn't think she'd let me live if she strip-searched me and came up empty-handed.
"Is it still in Cristal Terre?" she asked, her expression hard.
"Yes." It seemed the safest thing to say.Cristal Terre was so far away, it would take her months to confirm, and I just needed a quick moment to sneak away.
Her features seemed to soften a bit as annoyance replaced rage."Very well," she groaned. She moved directly in front of me."We'll discuss it tonight?" She phrased it like a question, but it was clearly an order.One I had no intention of following.
"Yes, My Lady," I said quickly.
"I have so much to figure out now that I know I can't rely on Byriel.Don't disappoint me."
"Never," I promised, then turned to leave the tent as quickly as I could.
I sucked in the cold air as I stepped outside the tent.The hair on the back of my neck prickled as if the she-alpha might snatch me back inside at any moment.
Feelingrestless and needing to find my mate, I rushed toward a rowdy crowd of Alphas.Wolves were all cheering and roaring out encouragement for a beating that was unfolding not far fromme.Wet, smacking punches and pained grunts filled the air as I walked closer, hoping to blend into thechaos.
The wolves moved and flowed, a break in the crowd giving me a quick glimpse of the punishment takingplace.
Lex.
The siren was weak and broken, lying in the center of a ring ofAlphas.He was covered in bruises and black, stickyblood.His eyes met mine briefly before a swift kick to the face forced his head to jerk back and away fromme.
I left out a vicious roar and raced tohim.
Into The Tent
Tzidal
* * *
"It's about fucking time,"a commanding voice barked as I entered the spacious tent.
It took my eyes far too long to adjust to the dim light, but finally, a large figure came into focus.
Ares, the King of Wolves, was not what I had expected.
He sat in a big, wooden chair with a high back, the table in front of him covered in letters and maps. A smattering of lanterns around the room made his eyes appear deeply set in the dim light.
I saw him many years ago during a visit to my village. I was just a pup, but I still remembered him clearly. He was fierce and muscular, with a thick head of black hair and a powerful smile. Now he looked tired, with deep lines around his mouth and eyes. His short salt and pepper hair was very thin on top, revealing a shiny circle of dark skin along the crown, and his beard was almost entirely grey.
Joon was right about one thing: the King might have been buying himself more time in this life, but how much more could he possibly have?
"Whiskey," he said lazily, waving his hand at a drink cart.
I moved quickly to the other side of the room, careful not to give the King a wide berth. Grabbing what was needed off the cart, I returned and poured his drink. His eyes settled on my trembling fingers, and sweat trickled down my back. His scent was so powerful and cutting. My wolf begged me to run and hide. But I couldn't. I had wanted this for so long, and now that the old wolf sat in front of me, I wouldn't let my fear steal it from me.
I bowed low, then carefully took a step back, waiting for his next command. He grabbed his glass, taking the slightest sip. His throat worked as he swallowed, his eyes never leaving my face.
The belt that held my dagger seemed to tighten and pulse with an energy that reminded me it was ready for its true purpose.
