ANDREW
The training grounds were still the province of morning frosts, even though the sun had risen long ago. I needed movement—something to quench the rebound in my heart. The rebound of Jamie's eyes when I said those abhorrent words.
I swung again. And again. Wood cracked from the impact of my blade. I didn't stop.
"Careful, Alpha," someone shouted from outside the field. "Don't want you burning yourself out before the next deception."
I turned to them.
He stood amid three others from the warrior caste—broad-chested, overbearing, and all with silver spoons at birth and stinging tongues to match.
Maelin's son.
Cassian.
He was tall, but no bulk to his frame, predator's sleekness. Always a shadow ready to break into something lethal. Black hair, darker eyes. That kind of beauty that individuals eyed twice, before they took notice of the venom behind his grin.
He walked forward, loose hands at his sides, but each inch contested.
"Well, well," he drawled. "Our great Alpha, hacking up dummies to forget the real issues."
Behind him, one of his pack members laughed. Another said, in a low mutter, "Should've cut out the boy glued to his side instead."
My jaw locked.
Cassian kept coming. "I mean, really, Andrew—him? Out of all the possibilities? And in front of the Elders? No wonder they're starting to talk emergency succession."
"Watch your mouth."
"Oh, I'm just saying what half the pack already whispers. Furstone isn't ready for this kind of thing. taboo." His eyes flicked toward the tree line.
Jamie.
I hadn't seen him step closer—but there he was, arms crossed, face unreadable.
Cassian smiled. "There he is. The little vulnerability dressed up as a boy."
I stepped in without thinking.
The distance between us disappeared. I had him by the collar before he could take his next breath. "Say that again."
His friends clenched, poised to move, but no one dared get closer. Not yet.
Cassian blinked. "You want me to lie like you did? Or do you want me to tell the truth, like everybody else is doing? You're losing your handle, Andrew. You're growing weak. And when the Elders vote you out of the pack, I hope you'll still be standing to watch somebody better take your place."
Shaking, I held my hands. My wolf stirred up inside me, scalded and crumpled in my heart.
Cassian's eyes glinted.
He was hungry for it.
He longed for a cause to fight me. To make me bleed. To demonstrate that I wasn't in control.
And for the love of God, I was on the cusp of providing it to him.
Until—
"Enough!"
Caroline's voice cut through the field like a blade. She came from the north perimeter, wind ruffling her braid behind her like a pennant.
"Step back, both of you."
Cassian grinned but obeyed, smoothing the front of his jacket as if I'd dirtied it. "Wouldn't want to upset our Alpha's little mama figure."
"I said—enough." She was now standing between us, looming over me, though she was tiny for a woman. Her eyes landed on me. "He's not worth it."
"No," I growled. "He's not.".
Cassian raised two fingers in a caricatured greeting. "Delighted to see where your priorities lie, Alpha. We'll see if the rest of Furstone agrees."
He wheeled, strolling away on his packmates' heels.
I stood there, frozen, heartbeat pounding, breathing rapidly.
Jamie hadn't moved.
Not when I stepped forward.
Not when I lost myself almost.
Not even now.
I stood up to him—cautiously, hesitantly—because though my wolf churned still, what scared me most was the gap in his eyes.
And what came afterwards.
I needed to talk to him. Had to. The words were already clawing their way up my throat when her hand was back on my arm.
Caroline.
Her gaze swept around—still too many people hovering beside the other rings, watching, whispering.
"Not here," she breathed. "Not like this."
And she was right. The location was still too exposed. Too exposed. One nasty look, one too-long stare, and it would be another rumour substantiated, another headline for the wagging tongues.
Jamie didn't flinch when I stepped in closer. But he didn't step in, either.
"I need to talk to you," I said, attempting to keep my voice even. "Tonight. Treehouse."
His expression didn't shift, and for a moment, I thought he would refuse.
"I just—please," I said. "I know I messed up. But you have to come."
He didn't reply.
But he didn't look away, either.
I could only hope that was a yes.
*****
SOMEWHERE ELSE
In the lower wings of the Hall of Records, a council meeting seethed under candlelight.
"They're restless," one of the seated wolves growled. "Some say the Alpha's been compromised."
Maelin, who stood at the head, folded his arms. "Let them speak. Let the rumour grow."
Oona's voice slipped through the room like smoke. "The more doubt we sow, the more desperate the pack is for an answer."
A parchment was spread out on the table. A signature line is already drawn.
"Declaring a new Alpha under emergency protocol isn't simple," said one of the other Elders.
Not easy," Oona echoed. "But possible. Especially when the new heir is born of stronger blood."
Maelin's eyes sparkled. "My son is prepared."
Oona nodded once. "Then let us continue."
Outside the hall, a message hawk soared into the sky—under the sigil of the Elders and a wax seal meant for blood.
War loomed.
They just needed the proper pretext to set the tinder ablaze.