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In a flash, Blackthroat inserts himself between me and Aiden. “Don’t touch her.” His growl sounds ten times deeper than his normal voice.
Everyone in the room freezes, turning to take in the spectacle.
Jesus.
“It was an accident,” I say quickly, trying to de-escalate things.
What on Earth is wrong with Blackthroat? Did he really think his cousin did it on purpose? He looks two seconds away from going for Aiden’s throat. His eyes have a strange glow to them.
There’s also something strange about Adalwulf’s expression. He stares at Blackthroat with what can only be characterized as evil glee.
“I see,” he murmurs. “Interesting.”
Slowly, deliberately, Blackthroat puts his back to Aiden and steers me past him and out the door.
When we get to the elevator, Blackthroat blocks his mother from getting on, only stepping aside for Eagle and Ruby.
As soon as the elevator doors close, Eagle mutters, “For fuck’s sake, Brick.” Ruby touches her husband’s arm, as if to warn him to stop, but he goes on. “Why did you bring her?”
Blackthroat scrubs a hand across his face. “I don’t know.”
“You just gave Aiden power, and I don’t doubt he’s out for blood with you closing Benson despite everything he did to block it.”
Ruby nods her agreement, but Blackthroat isn’t looking at her, or any of us. He’s staring into the distance with a haunted expression.
Eagle goes on, “This is–”
“Stop talking.” Brick’s words are quiet, but his authority is absolute.
Eagle immediately halts, closing his mouth with a sour expression. Ruby shakes her head, as if in exasperation, but neither of them say another word.
I stare at all three of them, trying to figure out what in the hell is going on, but it’s one of the few times in my life that I just can’t seem to follow the thread of logic or deduce a pattern from the known facts.
* * *
Brick
No one says a word the entire way back to Moon Co. Even Madi, who usually ignores my dictates if she decides they’re illogical, stands quietly beside me on the elevator ride up to our floor.
Dammit.
I lost control. I showed Aiden my wolf.
What a colossal fuckup. I honestly don’t know why I felt it important to bring Madison to the board meeting, but I did. Shifters rely on their instincts, and mine told me to bring her.
But now Aiden thinks he knows something.
My eyes must have changed color when I faced him. My wolf thought Madison was in danger and went nuts to protect her.
This situation with her is getting out of hand. I’ve been pretending it’s under control. Or that there isn’t actually a situation, but after this morning’s fiasco, I can’t deny it.
Somehow, it feels like another rending of my soul in two directions. Growing up, my love and loyalties were divided. We belonged to our father. We bore his name, were members of his pack. We loved him, and he loved us, but he demanded our absolute loyalty. Drilled into us the weight of the mantle we must wear as his heirs. Me, as his only son and the future alpha of the pack, especially.
But once a week, our mother was allowed to visit. We adored her–she was beautiful, loving, kind. Soft and sweet. She brought us gifts and made us laugh. That one day a week, she showered us with love and attention, except for the hour or so when my father took her upstairs and claimed her.
They hated each other, but the sex kept my father alive. It was part of the bargain struck between the two packs when it became apparent they were fated mates. He kept the young she bore. They kept her.
It’s not the same with Madi–she doesn’t belong to an enemy pack, but she also doesn’t belong to our world. I want her, same as I wanted my mother full-time, but I can’t claim her. I need to mate an alpha she-wolf to secure the throne. Then again, who can predict how these things will work? It’s not like a royal bloodline where the son automatically inherits. It’s whichever wolf is the most alpha of the pack. Normally, he comes from the same bloodline as the previous alpha, but it doesn’t have to be a son. It could be a nephew. Auggie is a strong and smart wolf. He might end up being alpha regardless of who I mate. Or Scarlett might bear the future alpha of the Blackthroat pack when she finds her fated mate.
