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“Now,” Valor interrupted, Brielle still securely in his arms. “Or the next person he’ll speak to will be Alpha Wynn.”
At the mention of the Hidden Creek Alpha, the guard went pale. “Right.” He cleared his throat. “Come this way.”
Alpha Wynn gained a fearsome and ruthless reputation when he took over as Alpha of Hidden Creek. No one challenged the Alpha and lived.
The guard led us to an empty parlor.
“Have a seat,” he said, gesturing to a table with light refreshments. “Help yourself while I call the councilman.”
Valor settled Brielle on a chair, and I grabbed a water bottle and handed it to her.
She took it, nodding her thanks as I sat beside her.
She was sated for now, but it wouldn’t be long before her heat demanded our attention. We wanted to be far away from the facility when that happened.
I kept a hand on the nape of her neck to soothe her. Physical contact temporarily eased the ache of an Omega’s heat, but eventually, it wouldn’t be enough. It was the reason Valor had insisted on carrying Brielle.
Councilman Raza entered the room, and Brielle stiffened. Though her face was set in an unflinching scowl, her fear echoed through the bond, and her heart began to race.
My wolf growled, and my protective instincts forced me to move before I had time to think. I slid in front of Brielle, blocking the councilman’s view. Valor moved to my side as Ezra stepped forward, cutting off the councilman’s advance.
Surprise replaced her fear.
Did she think we wouldn’t defend her?
“What is all this about?” Councilman Raza asked, annoyed.
“Funny. We were wondering the same thing.” Ezra stood to his full height, towering over the older shifter. “Our mate was released into the Hunt while in heat. I can’t imagine the Council unknowingly made such an error.”
Councilman Raza’s face flushed with anger. “Are you accusing the Council of endangering an Omega?”
I called on my gift, and his internal organs appeared as if his skin and bones were made of glass. His heart rate increased, pumping blood rapidly through his body, and his cortisol spiked. He was lying.
“No, I’m not.” Ezra’s voice was icy. “I’m saying that someone on your staff must have known and thus failed to inform you. So instead of standing here defending yourself, I think your time would be better spent figuring out how it happened and ensuring that it doesn’t happen again.”
“Of course,” Councilman Raza said through gritted teeth.
He turned on his heel and headed toward the door, but before he could leave, Ezra spoke up. “The release papers, councilman,” he said.
Councilman Raza’s shoulders tensed, and he turned back to us. “I’ll see to it that the papers are delivered promptly.”
As he moved to about-face, Ezra stopped him again. “I’m sure you want to know how our Omega is faring, given the egregious way she was placed in harm’s way.”
I bit back a smirk, and Valor snorted beside me.
No one could get under someone’s skin like Ezra—he was like a cat with a mouse.
Councilman Raza visibly exhaled, his features softening with faux remorse. “Yes. How could I have forgotten? I was just so taken aback by the error.” He stepped toward our mate. “Forgive me. Brielle, how are you?”
Something murky and disingenuous passed over his face.
Though her fear still hummed down the bond, Brielle looked him in the eye, her face like poisoned honey. “I’m exactly how you expected me to be.”
The councilman gave her an icy glare, and Valor growled.
Raza’s lips twisted with a condescending smirk. “Glad to see you got what you wanted, Brielle. I’m sure the Goddess will make your womb fruitful.”
He left the room, and a guard entered with our belongings.
