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The fact that his first response is to check on me, not as an alpha but as my father, makes my heart squeeze painfully. I trust this man with my entire life. I just hope he can trust me as much in return. He is alpha, however, so he has the pack to think about. My shoulders drop as I lower my chin in respect, my gaze on his scarred hands, which are spread on his desk.
I won’t fight him. I won’t fight his punishment.
“Flint?” Jang asks when I stay silent. I have my reasons, but I won’t use them as excuses. I made my choice.
“The prisoner is gone,” he replies calmly.
“What?” Jang roars, hurrying around the desk.
“I let him go,” I say softly, knowing this doesn’t fall on Flint. “None of the guards are to blame. The only thing they are responsible for is trusting me. I lured them away, and then I let the hunter go.”
Jang just stares at me in stunned silence.
“What did you just say?” His voice is quiet and deadly, his bristling wolf shining through, and I wince from the raging power brought on by his fury.
“I said I let him go,” I repeat.
“I will give you some time before I alert the betas,” Flint murmurs. “Alpha, for what it’s worth, everything Quinn does has a purpose.” Even showing that level of trust and allegiance could get him killed, and he knows it, yet he remains unshakable as he bows and leaves.
Jang and I are alone, which offers us a chance to sort this out before the others are involved. I owe Flint my life. He didn’t need to offer me that small act of kindness, yet he did, and I won’t forget it.
“Why?” he asks. “Why, Quinn?”
“I have my reasons,” I tell him.
“Why?” he roars. “You hate hunters more than anyone, even more than me, so tell me why! Why, Quinn?”
I lift my head, meeting his eyes. For a moment, I just immortalise his face in my memories—the man who saved me, gave me a home and a chance. How could I not risk everything to keep him and those I love safe?
I go to open my mouth and explain when the door opens with a bang and the others file in. I look them over one by one. White seems sad, Filmea is disappointed, and Tetrim looks angry, while Dom watches me carefully.
“What is the meaning of this?” Filmea demands.
“We were informed that the prisoner is gone,” White mumbles.
“I let him go,” I state, knowing they will find out sooner or later.
I wince when Jang sweeps his arm across his desk, his back heaving in anger after the crash.
“We must go on high alert. Check the borders, double the guards, and stop the party.”
I ignore the planning going on around me. My eyes stay on Jang’s back as he hangs his head in shame. It’s clear the others want answers, but they are protecting the pack first and foremost—something Jang seems unable to do right now.
I am his weakness, and in this moment, I hate that.
“I have one request,” I interrupt them. “Don’t let Jang carry out my punishment.” I meet his eyes for a second, stunned by the agony I see in them. “It would kill a part of him. I will accept whatever you wish, even my life, but don’t make him kill his only daughter.”
“Tell us why,” White orders in the stunned silence. “Tell us why, Quinn.”
“You wouldn’t believe me,” I admit.
“Try me!” Jang shouts, gripping my chin as he appears before me. “Right now, you’re a traitor.”
“That’s fine.” I swallow. “I will be whatever it takes.”
“For what?” he demands, searching my eyes. “Please, Quinn, tell me why. Don’t you owe us that much?” I flinch. “Good, let it fucking hurt. Why would you betray us after everything we did? Why would you betray your own family, the one here and the one the hunters put in the ground?”
“Alpha, maybe we should—” Filmea starts.
