He extended his hand.
Nicholas took it.
Then pulled Callum into a brief embrace.
Did the same with Eli. Then Finn.
"Take care of them," Nicholas said. "All of them. Sebastian. Lucian. Lilith. The pack. Make sure my sacrifice means something."
"We will," all three said in unison.
Nicholas nodded.
Then continued walking toward the kitchens where he knew Agnes would be.
Agnes was working when Nicholas entered.
Preparing food that no one would eat. Keeping herself busy because standing still meant thinking about the girl lying dead in the ice room.
She looked up when Nicholas walked in.
And immediately knew something was wrong.
"Alpha," Agnes said, setting down the knife she had been using. "What's happened?"
"Can we talk?" Nicholas asked. "Somewhere private?"
Agnes wiped her hands on her apron and led him to the small sitting room off the kitchens. The one the staff used for breaks.
They sat.
