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  “He’s a part of my pack. Not yours.”

  Dylan nodded, “That may be true, but I have laws. He was exiled. This is his punishment for returning.”

  I shook my head. “He’s not yours to punish anymore. He followed another alpha’s orders. You allowed me to enter your territory with my pack.”

  Dylan growled at me, “Listen, pup, I’ve been alpha longer than you’ve been alive.” His gray hair proved that. “You don’t get to come onto my land and pretend that you’re in charge. I have laws in place. He knew them when he came back.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him, knowing I could take him out if I wanted to. As I was deciding whether to respond violently, Brett stepped forward. “Alpha Dylan” he nodded at him. “I’m her reaper. I’m sure we can find some way to solve this peacefully.”

  Dylan glared at him for a second, “You’re right. Your alpha can’t argue with reaper laws. Considering we’re on my land, I’d feel more comfortable if we speak with mine?”

  Brett nodded, “I’m sure the two of us can figure something out.” I didn’t miss the emphasis on “two of us” and apparently neither did Dylan because he stilled for a second. Brett and I both knew Dylan’s reaper wouldn’t have total control over the situation.

  A short bald man walked over, unsmiling. His blue eyes were cold, and I bit back my urge to roll my eyes. Brett and I looked at each other, both thinking about the last bald reaper we’d known. It had been Markus, back on Lunar Island, and he had been a total ass.

  “Alpha?” He addressed Dylan.

  “An exiled wolf has returned. Is it within my rights to punish him how I see fit?”

  The reaper nodded once, and Brett spoke up. “He promised my alpha safe passage for her and the 5 pack members accompanying her. Is it within his rights to go back on his word and harm her pack member?”

  “You’re on his lands. It is within his right to punish the exiled wolf.”

  Brett rolled his eyes. “Then it’s within her right to challenge him for breaking his word?”

  “Yes, it is. And it is within Alpha Dylan’s rights to execute your lycan friend, as well.” The reaper gestured toward Leith, and I suddenly developed a hatred for bald reapers.

  “Was that a threat?” My voice was low, daring them.

  “Does it need to be?” Dylan asked.

  You attack him, and his pack will retaliate. They have more numbers than us. Mav’s voice came into my head.

  I growled and held my tongue to think of a response. If I mentioned that Leith and I could take out a majority of his pack with ease, he wouldn’t be willing to compromise. I tried a different approach. “We’re going to meet with my brother to discuss the wendigo problem. I’m sure you’ve heard about it?”

  Dylan looked confused for a second, unsure why I changed the topic. “Yes, I am aware of the problem.”

  “This is wasting my time and pissing me off. Do you really want to continue like this?” My wolf had decided to make an appearance, my canines extended, and I knew my eyes would be black. They weren’t stupid; I know he could feel my lycan blood.

  “I will make a deal with you. I will let your lycan pass peacefully, but I will keep Clyde.” Diana made a noise of protest and tried moving away from Mav. He grunted softly when she hit him but managed to hug her and keep her near him, nuzzling his nose into her neck to try to calm her down.

  I narrowed my eyes, “Now we’re back to where we started before the reapers got involved.”

  “I will agree not to execute Clyde.”

  “Do I get him back when I pass through?”

  “No. Clyde is my prisoner now.”

  I chuckled darkly. “I agree to you keeping him, but it’s my turn to make a deal.” I held out my hand for Dylan to shake on the deal before continuing. “When I come back through your territory, Clyde is leaving with his pack.”

  “That’s an order, not a deal.”

  “Oh, no, alpha, it’s definitely a deal. If I don’t get him returned to me, I will declare war on your pack. My lycan and I will lay waste to every last wolf that refuses to submit, and I will take over your pack. You, Dylan, will get placed in a lovely cell, much like the one you put Clyde in. You will get to hear the screaming and crying as we destroy your pack. Close enough to smell their blood but contained enough to know you can’t do anything to stop the destruction you brought on them.” My voice came out threatening and dark, a sound I didn’t even know I had. Part of me wondered where it came from, but my wolf was too proud of the fear on Dylan’s face to actually figure out when I became this alpha. I didn’t want to be the type of alpha that went around threatening people. With my lycan heritage, it would most likely create rumors I didn’t need.

  Dylan stuck his hand out to shake with mine, and I smirked. Then I turned to my pack. I met Diana’s eyes to see how she was feeling. She had stopped struggling against Mav, so I assumed it satisfied her that Clyde would be safe, and we would come back for him. She nodded to show me she supported my decision, glaring at Dylan for mistreating her brother. That man had lost one fiercely loyal she-wolf when he had banished Clyde.

  “If you don’t mind, we’ll be leaving now.” I walked away, not waiting for an answer. Brett went to his motorcycle, waiting for us to shift.

  “We should probably avoid the next pack, too.” Mav said. “It’s the two that combined to form my old one and, uh, let’s just say they like me less than Dylan liked Clyde.” He scratched the back of his neck and gave me a sheepish look.

  It made sense to go through the human towns nearby and avoid the other packs, but it would be slower. We wouldn’t have a straight path through the woods where we could run for days. We would also have to blend in. There would be no hunting for food or camping out, and knowing my pack, they would want to be social and go out to have fun. Here we go.

  CHAPTER 10

  Despite the threat I had delivered to Dylan, he gave us a car. We had been using it for a week and a half and were now right outside Old Moon’s territory. They had all voted to spend the night in town and to go to Old Moon in the morning. I had disagreed, claiming I was tired. It was late, but I had denied my pack their fun this entire trip. I figured they deserved to go out and have some fun, and because I still felt bad for not reading the mail sooner, I gave them their wish. We were sitting in our hotel eating Chinese food. Mav and Diana went out to a restaurant for a fancy dinner date, leaving me with Leith and Brett.Over the past few years, the 3 of us spent the most time together. Mav and Diana enjoyed their privacy, and Clyde didn't care for Brett or Leith's company. I felt bad settling into routine knowing Clyde was imprisoned right now.

  “I can’t believe you left without your boyfriend.” Brett said, nudging my shoulder.

  “My what?” I choked on my noodles.

  “Clyde? C’mon, you can’t tell me you don’t see the way he looks at you.” I looked at him for a few seconds, trying to figure out if he was serious or not. Then I looked at Leith, trying to figure out if this was a joke or not. Leith shrugged at me, quietly shoveling sesame chicken into his mouth. “Goddess,” Brett groaned. “You really can’t tell?”

  “I mean, I’m not stupid; I’ve seen how overprotective he gets, I just thought nothing of it. He lost his mate, Brett. I doubt he has feelings for me.”

  “I can’t believe what I’m hearing.” Brett looked genuinely worried for my health. He turned to Leith, “Can you believe what I’m hearing?”

  Leith shrugged again. “What difference does her knowing make? My L- She has a mate already.”

  Brett smirked. “Your what?”

  Leith glared at him, “Is that what this is about?”

  “Duh?”

  “She’ll find out soon enough.”

  “What does that mean?” I interrupted their staring match. My wolf perked up at the thought of my mate.

  Leith sighed, staring at me for a few seconds. “It means nothing.”

  I shook my head and chose not to speak. This wasn’t a fight I was
in the mood for.

  “Anyway,” Brett dragged the word out, “You’re right, Leith. It doesn’t matter how Clyde feels, because Alpha doesn’t care, right?” He nodded at me.

  “I wouldn’t say I don’t care. He’s a part of my pack. I don’t want to see him hurt.”

  “Don’t let Se- Don’t let your mate hear that. I don’t think he’d be very pleased.” Leith spoke, getting up and throwing his container away.

  “You can tell ‘Se’ or whatever, that his mate isn’t very pleased to still not know who he is.”

  Leith sat down on one of the chairs in the room, “I have.” He reached over with his fork and took some of my noodles, before looking up to see my shocked reaction. “What? I have.”

  I pushed my noodles over to him, knowing he’d finish it. “I never said I didn’t believe you.”

  “You didn’t have to; it was written all over your face.” Brett reached over and pinched my cheeks, smiling childishly.

  “I’m just surprised.”

  Leith nodded; half of my noodles already gone. “I know, and I’m sorry. I’ve argued with him countless times about it, but he’s stubborn. He has his reasons.” Gorgeous had refused to give me information through calls, letters, or Leith. I didn’t know if he wanted to create an air of mystery, but it just managed to piss me off. A part of me wanted nothing to do with him.

  ✽✽✽

  We had been running for a few hours when it happened. Three deformed creatures came out from the trees, ambushing my pack. It shocked me they had chosen to pick a fight with a group bigger than them but fought back all the same.

  They looked relatively new; barely sick. Patches of fur were matted, but free of blood, evidence that they hadn’t fed. Leith and I went after two separate wolves, leaving Mav and Diana to take down the third on their own. The wolf I picked sniffed the air as I came toward him. He barked at the other two and backed away from me. The one Leith picked did the same thing. That didn’t stop either of us from pouncing.

  My paws sunk into his shoulder, and I rolled over him. I wasn’t expecting the wendigo to show its neck, but that’s what he did. Was this some kind of trick? They were crazed, they weren’t supposed to think, let alone submit to an alpha! I wrapped my jaws around its neck and tossed it to Brett, who stood waiting with a gun.

  I turned to see Mav jumping on another one who was circling a growling Diana. The two of them tumbled to the ground, snarling and snapping at each other. Curious about the other beast’s behavior, I jumped forward and growled at the wendigo. Mav jumped away, letting me know he was mine. Like his friend, he submitted. He dropped low to the ground and whined, backing away slowly. Brett wasted no time shooting him.

  I noticed Leith’s prey had also submitted to him, so it wasn’t an alpha thing. They were afraid of lycans?

  What the fuck was that? Leith’s voice filled the pack link.

  I don’t know. Let’s just get to Old Moon and see what they know. I said back. I could feel everyone’s confusion and knowing that I couldn’t offer any answers made me feel useless.

  CHAPTER 11

  I found Jackson on the training grounds, standing on the sidelines talking to my father. I felt a wave of anger at seeing my father again. He looked just as ugly and miserable as I remembered. We had arrived a few hours ago and had set our stuff in the rooms they gave us.

  Brett had gone to meet with Bishop, knowing I didn’t want to see him. He had volunteered to go alone to find out whatever information he could that would be of any use to me. Diana wanted to tour the pack house and get to know people, claiming we had to be friendly if we were going to be staying here for a little while. I knew she just missed pack life. She was a social butterfly and craved a sizeable crowd. Mav offered to come with me, but I waved him off. That man tried his hardest, but being beta wasn’t his favorite thing. All it did was bring back painful memories for him. Leith had no issue stepping up to fill the void. I knew eventually he would have to go back to his pack, but for the time being, I appreciated it. I had initiated him into my pack 2 years ago, exchanging blood to allow for mind-linking. It had been an unspoken agreement that he would act in Mav’s place.

  So, he went with me to meet with my brother. I saw him stiffen, noticing that I was behind him. He turned, a smile lifting his face. I took him in sadly. I had missed so much. He was now taller than me, and he was definitely not the scrawny teenager I left behind. I could see that he worked hard, and it filled me with pride. He had never enjoyed training and had always laughed when I wanted to. He moved forward quickly, wrapping me up in a warm hug. I didn’t care that he was sweaty; I hugged him back, realizing just how much I missed him.

  “I can’t believe you’re here.” He laughed, pulling away and looking me up and down. “Still stronger than me, I see. You never did stop training, did you?”

  “Never! It looks like you finally started, though.” I joked back.

  Jackson flexed his arms playfully, “I could probably stand a chance against you now.”

  My father walked over, a small smile on his face. “Selene, it’s good to see you.”

  I glared at him. “I am not here for you.”

  “Really, Selene? Must you be like this? I’m your father.”

  I scoffed. “You’d let your reaper kill me. Being family never stopped you before.”

  He flinched and ignored what I was saying. His eyes narrowed on Leith, “Who’s this?”

  “None of your concern.”

  I turned to Jackson, “Unless he’s your beta, he doesn’t need to be present for our conversations.”

  Jackson turned to my dad, “You heard her.”

  He glared at me, “I am your father! You will treat me with the respect I deserve.”

  “I am an alpha.” I let my wolf out a little, letting some of my lycan and alpha strength out. “I am the one who deserves respect. You are just the man who took the person I loved the most away from me.”

  “You’re no alpha. Three wolves, a disgraced reaper and someone’s thrown away lycan are not a pack.”

  I gasped, not believing that he just insulted my pack. I looked at Jackson, “Sorry, brother.” I turned back to my father. “Is that a challenge?”

  “You couldn’t handle me challenging you, pup.”

  I took a deep breath, knowing that if I lost control, he’d be right. I had too much built up anger to win if I didn’t think this through. My dad had trained me hard since I was a child, he knew how I worked and thought. I turned to Leith, thinking about his training. It was different; my father wouldn’t be expecting that level of strength. I also thought of all the time Leith spent coaching me into controlling my lycan side. My father wasn’t worth my time. The look in Leith’s eyes confirmed it. He offered me a smile and nodded at me. I smiled back and turned back to my father.

  “Leave my sight before I embarrass you in front of your pack.”

  He scoffed but Jackson spoke up, “Go.” Angrily he turned and left. Jackson laughed, “Part of me really wanted to see if you could do it.”

  “Easily,” Leith spoke. “She could take him in her sleep.” I would’ve been proud if I didn’t know that werewolves were just naturally weaker than my lycan side. Either way, I appreciated his comment. For some reason, he’d been pushing my buttons for weeks. I was glad to see my friend coming back.

  “I’m assuming you’re referring to her father, since he just walked away pissed?” A familiar voice spoke, coming up next to Jax.

  “Yes.”

  “Glad to hear you can take him. Last time I saw you, you could only take him down with help from Gabby.” Eli looked me over, smiling at me. He had changed. His face was sunken in and he had a sadness to him that couldn’t be described. I could see emptiness in his eyes, and it brought back horrible memories. “Would it be too much to ask for a hug?”

  I moved forward, wrapping my arms around him tightly. “I’ve missed you.”

  He held me tight for a while, before I felt him shaking softly. He wa
sn’t? I pulled him in closer, rubbing his back. “I’m sorry.” He whispered and pulled away. He wiped at his eyes quickly.

  “Don’t be. I’m sorry I left.”

  “I knew you were coming. I just wasn’t expecting this, I guess. You still look just like her. Only a little bit older and definitely stronger. She never wanted to keep up with you.” He chuckled. “I’m so embarrassed.” He wiped at his eyes some more.

  “Eli, don’t be. If I lost my mate, I’d probably never stop crying. I don’t know how you’ve managed to stay here this long. I would’ve killed my dad and Tate a long time ago.”

  “We both know I don’t stand a chance. And Gabby told me not to.”

  “Pacifist,” I muttered with a slight smile. I liked being able to talk about her with Eli. We were both still alive despite the suffering we’d gone through losing her, and it was nice to have someone that I knew understood my pain.

  “You found your mate?” Jackson asked.

  “What?” I turned to him, confused. When did I say that?

  “You said ‘if I lost my mate’. Have you found him, then? Is it you?” He turned on Leith, looking ready to kill.

  “Relax, little man.” I referred to the nickname I’d had for him when we were younger. “This is Leith. He is not my mate. He’s the lycan who’s been training me for the past 6 years.”

  “You’re the one responsible for these?” He pointed to my arms with a teasing smile.

  Leith shrugged, “She’s the one who loves training. I’m just here to help.” He knew I didn’t want to talk about my mate again, as it always ruined my mood, so he changed the subject. “Perhaps we should discuss business and get to catching up later?”

  Jax looked at me, slightly confused. “He acts as my beta.”

  Leith snorted and muttered under his breath. “Sure, like I’m not actually your beta or anything.” I glanced at him, confused. Did he not plan to go back to his alpha?