Page 21 of Deranged Demons

I feel Prince Callan and Nate shift behind me like they’re preparing to attack, but while I might need them to seal the bond, I don’t need them for this. I stay still, staring down the alpha with a glare that would make the clan leaders in Seral wilt like dying roses before me. “Remove. Your. Hand.” I warn him only once, and luckily for him he listens, reeling back like I’ve stung him.

“I don’t get it,”I say to Shade.“I thought this would be easier. They must know I’m not their mate, so why do they act like I’m the one rejecting them?”

“The throne of Seral is on the line, and Lady Fate isn’t here. You are,”Shade replies.

I take note of the alphas’ dilated pupils as I take a step back. “You need to get your hands on some of the provisions King Dalton has left around the city. You’ll have to fight for them, but that’s where you’ll find the medication you need, and supplies to keepyourselves comfortable for the remaining nights you’re here.”

“Supplies?” The bear shifter questions, his gaze hovering on Nate in his small clothes. “I gather you’ve already found some.”

Unease goes through me. “We don’t have any more medicine,” I say before he gets ideas. “You’ll need to obtain more provisions to source your own.” I turn to Nate. “Grab them a waterskin and a few parcels of food.”

Nate hesitates before disappearing into the building and returning with the supplies. He tosses them to the shifters.

The bear shifter grabs the waterskin and brings it to his mouth, drinking greedily.

“Make it last,” I warn him.

He swallows down another mouthful and pulls the waterskin away from his lips, turning his attention to the open doorway behind us. “How do we know you’re not lyin’ about the medicine? You could have more back there that you’re reservin’ for your mates as you find them. We’re here because of you. The least you could do is share.”

My lips flatten. “We have shared. We don’t have more medicine, and you’re just going to have to trust us on this.”

“Trust isn’t a word that’s used between the different realms,” he growls and stares at Nate like he’s a traitor. “Or even by some of those within them.”

Nate doesn’t appear the least bit concerned by hiscomment and only grins back. “You should listen to her. There’s no point you dyin’ for nothing.”

The bear shifter bares his teeth, and a gust of wind rushes around the shifters, pulling at their clothes and teasing their hair. “I suggest you leave,” Prince Callan says, and there’s a dangerous glint in his eyes. “While you still can.”

The bear shifter eyes the doorway behind me again, then his hate-filled gaze lands on me. I tense as I mentally prepare myself for a fight. I had hoped I wouldn’t have to kill any alphas while in Perstalia, but I get the feeling these shifters aren’t going to let this go. My fingers twitch, but I hold still, waiting for the shifters to make the first move.

“Don’t do it, buddy,”Shade warns as the bear shifter’s nostrils flare.

Just as I think they’re about to strike, the bear shifter breaks the silence, turning to the alphas beside him. “Let’s go,” he growls, speaking the words slowly like he’s struggling to spit them out.

The other three look just as ready for violence as he is, but when the bear shifter says it again, this time snapping at them, they finally turn and start walking away.

I let out a long breath. Truthfully, I feel a little sorry for the shifters. They thought they were attending a ball, not spending days stumbling around the ruins of Perstalia while their minds betray them. I’m pretty sure Dad is going to make some enemies by performing this little stunt, but then again, Perstalia isneutral ground. I’m guessing the king will argue that their kin could have rescued them at any time. Never mind the fact that no one else knows they’re here.

Sighing, I wait until the alphas are out of sight before heading back into the building.

“If the alphas don’t get the medicine they need, it’s going to get crazy out here soon, whether you find your mates or not,”Shade says.

My expression is grim as I wrap up the provisions, tightening the leather ties. In a smooth motion, I heft the pack onto my shoulder just as Nate appears through the doorway. “Allow me,” he purrs, holding out his hand and giving me a charming smile that makes my stomach flutter.

I keep a firm hold of the pack. “Yeah, no thanks.”

Shade perches on my shoulder.“Good call not giving it to the thief.”

“What? You don’t trust me?” Nate says, pretending that he’s offended.

I raise a brow at him. “Would you?”

His grin grows wide. “Fair point, my queen.”

“I don’t trust those other alphas either,” I say, striding through the doorway and onto the street. “We’ll find somewhere else to set up camp for a while.

Chapter

Ten

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