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I clenched my fists and stood strong, already knowing this alpha was the kind that would easily use his dominance over an Omega. "I'm not to say." I braced myself, looking him hard in the eyes, and waiting for him to demand I tell him.
He rubbed his chin, then slowly nodded. "Fair enough." He leaned forward, a smirk splitting his face. "But you're still going to Madra."
"But Byriel…" Blue whispered to me. "I can't leave him. After what he did…" he swallowed hard, "they'll kill him. I have to go back."
Kenji turned to Blue, his eyebrows raised. "Why would anyone kill the King's son?" He almost snorted as he said the words.
"Because he killed the King," I said, waiting to see how the wolf would react.
Kenji stumbled back as if punched in the gut. "No," he whispered, shaking his head. "That's not possible."
"I saw it," Blue mumbled, his fear blooming in the air as Kenji's claws lengthened and his hands shook.
I grabbed Blue's wrist and moved him behind me, then slipped my other hand into my robes, gripping the hilt of my dagger.
The alpha's breath came out in harsh pants as he stared at the ground. Suddenly, as if someone had slapped him in the face, he snapped his head up and rushed me. I drew my blade just as he grabbed my upper arms.
Moving as quickly as I could, I pressed the edge of the dagger to his throat, but he ignored it, leaning into my face. "Do not leave here," he snarled, his wolf moving just behind his eyes. My body shivered at his command, but I didn't answer, simply pressing my weapon a little tighter against his flesh. A slow trickle of blood dripped. "Do not leave here," he looked at Blue, "either of you."
Blue's whole body shook, and he nodded fiercely, promising to stay put. I refused to answer. My wolf was only interested in finding my mate.
"I will be back by sunset," Kenji said. "You had better fucking be here."
Unable to fight off this dominance, I finally nodded. Then, just like that, the alpha was gone. A big, white wolf consumed his human as he raced off into the trees.
I stared into the distance, feeling conflicted as to what to do. I wasn't going to Madra, which meant we needed to move on before Kenji returned, but there was no way Blue and I would get far with Lex in his current state. I just had to hope I could wake the siren and get him fed and better so we could leave.
"Byriel killed his father," Blue said softly, pulling me from my thoughts. His bottom lip trembled as he looked down at his hands. His sleeves were spattered in dried blood. "It, it's…" he let out a pained whimper, "it's my fault."
"Absolutely not," I said loud and clear, grabbing him by the arms. "I was there. None of it was your fault. That unhinged animal hit you, and Byriel did what an alpha is supposed to do." I looked into Blue's eyes, making sure he knew I meant it. "Byriel protected you. What he did has honor in it. Don't take that away from him by blaming yourself."
Blue nodded, a distant look of sadness in his big eyes.
"What will happen to him?" he asked, wrapping his arms around me. His hug was warm and soft.
"I don't know," I said honestly. I didn't have the strength to lie and try to instill any kind of hope.
Blue nuzzled into my neck, pressing his nose to my mating bite. It was something pups did to their parents to deepen their bond and coat themselves in their scent. It was a loving, familial gesture, and it broke my heart. The poor Omega really did have no one else in this world but us. And I wasn't going to let anything happen to him.
"You still hate him, don't you?" Blue mumbled.
"Hate who?"
"Byriel."
I leaned back, trying to see his face properly.
"What makes you say that?"
"The way you and Alpha Joon look at him, the way he and Byriel fight, the fact that Lex is the only one that'll let me be alone with Byriel." Blue let out a long sigh. "It's just really obvious."
"I don't hate him," I said softly, and I was shocked to find it to be true. I didn't know if I was simply grateful to the alpha for killing the King, protecting Blue, or helping Joon and me, but whatever it was, it had eased my opinion of the wolf.
Having no idea what to say, I simply repeated myself. "I don't hate Byriel," I whispered. "He's a good alpha. He's just lost."
The sound of water rushed nearby, and I glanced at Lex. As much as I wanted to stay here and hold the sweet Omega to soothe both our hearts, we needed to get a move on before Kenji returned, which meant cleaning Lex's wounds.
"Interested in helping me lug an unconscious siren to the river?" I asked.
