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Dušan doesn’t miss a beat and continues his conversation. “You saved me, so I will do anything in my power to permit you safe passage through my sector for now.”
The man who steps forward has the gray streak and it isn’t Nikos, which surprises me, as I assumed he was the Alpha of this pack.
Their leader is a ferocious-looking man. Short dark hair around the edges and the back, while long across the top. He has small metal rings tied into his hair, adding to the whole wild appearance. I am tiny in comparison to him, and while I search his face for cruelty, all I find is tolerance.
Captivated, I stand close to my men, watching the newcomers, and while I come to terms with realizing the northern wolves might have been the miracle who saved Dušan, I have another thought.
All the naked men.
All the carved muscles.
Heat creeps up the back of my neck, and I shake it off. Keeping my head high, I remind myself this is a tense moment, not a gawk fest. Still, what is it with most Alphas being so well-endowed? Is that something in their genes to aid with the process of knotting?
My gaze slides over to Nikos, who eyes me like he’s been watching me as I check out everyone’s packages. I grit my teeth and refuse to show him I care. If they’re hanging out, hell, I willinspect the merchandise, as I once heard a woman say long ago. I never understood it at the time, but boy, have I understood it more recently. The ammunition an Alpha carries ensures a higher chance of procreation the deeper, since he can penetrate a female. It’s why women want a partner with a long handle.
“I am Ragnar, Alpha of the Savage Sector,” the northern Alpha announces, his chin high, chest sticking out. He speaks with a guttural, authoritative voice. His dark green eyes are filled with sincerity. Earnestness that tells me to believe him. As strange as that sounds, I can’t help but sense he wears his heart on his sleeve.
He continues. “My men messed up by trading your Omega’s life for mine in prison.” He glances down at me, his eyes roaming down my body, making me feel as though I’m naked. I refuse to lower my gaze from his.
He clears his throat and keeps going. “I follow a strict code of honor, where no innocents will ever be killed for me or under my ruling. So the woman had her life swapped for me wrongly”—he glares at Nikos—“and as a result, I owed you. But now my debt has been paid to you by saving you from your fate.”
Everyone’s fallen quiet, and I’m not surprised. It’s rare to meet another Alpha with such honorable integrity.
“I am thankful for your honesty and aid when I needed it most,” Dušan answers. “If our sector were in better circumstances, I would welcome you into my home for rest and a meal.”
Ragnar’s gaze sweeps over us. “I have no doubt. You have a lot to clean up and wolves to slay” His voice darkens. “What promise I will make is that I will return to your land with my warriors. If you are not in charge upon my arrival, and this mess hasn’t been swept away, I will wipe out all the males on this land, claim the females, and take ownership.”
I swallow hard, a shiver crawling up my spine. Though in a roundabout way, he’s showing Dušan respect. I wonder how different his view would be if he had his whole army with him right now. Would he take advantage of the situation and claim Shadowlands Sector as his own without giving Dušan a chance to win the pack back?
The thought has me tensing my muscles. I don’t know these wolves and while they’re granting Dušan respect now, that doesn’t mean they’re always trustworthy.
Neither Lucien nor Bardhyl comment or disapprove. While the thickness in the air remains, I suspect this is normal behavior among pack leaders.
“If I do not reclaim my sector by the next blue moon, I will not stand in your way,” Dušan answers. “But when we do meet again, I propose we make arrangements for our packs to work together.”
His response startles me. But I also understand its true meaning. If he’s not Alpha of this sector, it’ll be because he is dead. A shiver snakes up the back of my legs at the thought because he will fight to the very end before letting Mad steal his pack. Even if we are outnumbered.
Ragnar gives a slight nod, his upper lip curling slightly, then he turns to Nikos. “Get the girl, and we leave.”
The earlier darkness grows closer, and Ragnar’s gaze lashes over us with his promise.
I don’t dare say a word as Nikos marches into the nearby woods. I glance in the direction of the compound, unable to see it, but I still worry about Mad’s men finding us. I’m jittery and ready to get a move on.
Bardhyl steps toward the Alpha and starts talking to him in another language… which I can only assume is Danish. When the man responds, Bardhyl breaks into laughter.
I exchange a look with Lucien, who shrugs.
“Meira!” a female voice suddenly cries out. I turn to see Jae running toward me. She crashes into me with a strong embrace, taking me by surprise. “I’m so sorry,” she says, taking my hands in hers. “I tried to stop them from exchanging you, but they didn’t listen to me. I was worried sick for you.” She throws her arms around me once more, hugging me so tightly, I can barely breathe.
“I’m all right.” I break free and grasp her hands in mine. “Are these Alphas trustworthy? You’re sure they’ll take you to your sisters?”
She’s nodding before I finish talking and sticks her hand into the pocket of her pants. When she pulls it out, she unfurls her fingers and reveals a gold bird-shaped brooch with a large emerald right in the middle. It’s beautiful, and I don’t remember the last time I saw jewelry.
“It belongs to my sister, Narah. When they found me, they gave me the brooch once they found me as proof.” She leans in closer and whispers, “I have to believe my sister hired them.” Her lower lip trembles as she offers me a lopsided grin. This means everything to her. Since first meeting her in the woods, she’s had one mission: find her sisters. I pray to the moon that she will find her family and these wolves are indeed honorable.
“I really hope so.”
“We’re leaving,” Ragnar announces.
